Expanding the Scope of SAJBMC: Announcing the Five Types of Manuscripts

In our Editorial of December 2020 Issue (9.3), we announced that SAJBMC is shifting its scope from teaching cases to qualitative case study research (QCSR). In the past one and a half years, based on our learnings, pitfalls and many suggestions received from accomplished scholars, we are confident that the journal is on the right path. Nonetheless, over the past few years, our understanding of QCSR has also evolved. Initially, we were fixated on manuscripts that make strong theoretical contributions, through ‘theory extension’ or ‘theory building’. A review of the many manuscripts, that we received, helped us learn various ways in which authors approach writing a QCSR. During this time, we also realised that despite a plethora of literature on QCSR, novice researchers attempting this research design make cardinal mistakes, and ultimately face desk rejection. These lessons convinced us that expanding the scope of the journal was vital to help the potential authors as well as the growth of the journal. The principal task of research is not only to extend knowledge in a particular area but also to help generate new knowledge and make it accessible to others. Without this flexibility, research in any domain cannot be extended. Thus, we have expanded the scope of the journal to include five types of manuscripts within the boundaries of QCSR.