Implementing Rigorous Case Study Research
From Paradigmatic Foundations to Methodological Protocols
International Academic Masterclass
Prof. Dr. Eric Milliot (Ph.D)
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Professor of Management Sciences - University of Nantes (France)
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Honorary President - ATLAS AFMI
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Member - LEMNA Research Center
RESEARCH OUTPUT
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19 articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals.
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4 special issues coordinated for academic journals (FNEGE Tier-2 ranking in 2022).
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1 research monograph published by L’Harmattan.
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3 edited research books (in French) published by Vuibert.
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4 edited research books (in English) published by Palgrave Macmillan (London) and Routledge (New York).
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1 textbook forthcoming with Routledge (New York).
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23 book chapters in edited academic volumes.
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56 research papers presented at peer-reviewed international conferences and workshops.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
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Supervision of 2 HDR synthesis reports in Management Science (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches – successfully defended).
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Supervision of 16 PhD dissertations in Management Science (11 completed and defended; 5 currently in progress).
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Supervision of 7 Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) theses (6 completed; 1 in progress).
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Participation in 4 HDR committees (2 as sponsor/mentor; 2 as external reviewer).
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Participation in 46 PhD defence committees
(11 as supervisor, 24 as reviewer, 4 as chair, 7 as member). -
Participation in 2 DBA defence committees (as reviewer).
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Member of the organizing committees of 18 academic conferences/workshops.
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Chair or coordinator of 18 thematic sessions at academic conferences/workshops.
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Organization and coordination of 4 academic roundtables.
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Member of the scientific committees of 42 academic conferences/workshops.
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Reviewer for numerous academic journals, including 9 journals ranked by FNEGE:
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International Business Review (Tier 2),
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International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal (Tier 4),
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Management International (Tier 2),
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Revue Française de Gestion (Tier 2),
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Gestion et Management Public (Tier 2),
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Finance Contrôle Stratégie (Tier 3),
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International Journal of Cross Cultural Management (Tier 4),
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European Journal of International Management (Tier 4),
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International Journal of Intercultural Relations (Tier 4).
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Book reviewer for the FNEGE Scientific Management Book Labelling Committee (since 2013).
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
(Over the past three years – approximately 70% delivered in English)
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Qualitative Research Methods (14 hours) – Doctoral level.
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Case Study as a Research Method (6 hours) – Doctoral & Master’s levels.
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Research in International Management (6 hours) – Doctoral & Master’s levels.
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Internationalization Strategy (18–30 hours) – Master’s level.
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International Trade (15 hours) – Master’s level.
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Intercultural Management and International Negotiation (18–22 hours) – Master’s level.
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International Marketing (18 hours) – Master’s level.
Professor Dr. Eric Milliot
Professor Dr. Eric Milliot is a Professor of Management Science at the University of Nantes (France). He currently serves as Honorary President of Atlas AFMI (the Francophone International Management Association) and is a member of the LEMNA research center.
His research focuses on the strategic and organizational logics developed by firms in the context of globalization. He has published numerous books and academic articles on this topic.
This research trajectory has also led him to teach and organize courses and workshops in more than 20 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, the United States, Vietnam, and others.
INTRODUCTION
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University Professor in Management Science
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Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures (FLCE)
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LEMNA Research Laboratory, University of Nantes
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
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Habilitation à diriger des recherches (HDR) – Management Science, 24 January 2011, IAE, University of Nice – Sophia Antipolis
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PhD in Management Science, 30 September 1991
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IAE, University of Nice – Sophia Antipolis
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DEA (Research Master’s Degree) in Organizational Management, 1987
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Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Economics, 1985–1986
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Faculty of Law and Economics, University of Nice – Sophia Antipolis
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CEDAG (CEFAG) Programme, FNEGE cohort 1988
CURRENT MAJOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
Research Activities
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Honorary President and Board Member of Atlas AFMI
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(Francophone Association for International Management; approximately 300 members representing more than 20 countries), since 2021
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Member of the Editorial Board and Scientific Committee of the journal Management International
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(FNEGE-ranked Tier 2 journal; Montréal, Canada), since 2017
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Member of the Editorial Board of the book series Palgrave Studies of Internationalization in Emerging Markets,
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Palgrave Macmillan – Springer (London, United Kingdom), since 2016
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Member of the Scientific Review Board of the book series Routledge Frontiers in the Development of International Business, Management and Marketing,
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Routledge (New York, USA), since 2020
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Member of the Scientific Council of ESCE International Business School (Paris), since 2018
Teaching Activities (FLCE, University of Nantes)
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Head of the Master’s Programme in Applied Foreign Languages (LEA), since 2021 (180 students, 4 specializations, including programmes delivered in dual formats)
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Chair of the Master’s Thesis Jury (Master 2 LEA), since 2000
Administrative Activities (FLCE, University of Nantes)
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Chair of the Master’s Programme Committee (15 members), since 2021
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Member of the Faculty Scientific and Academic Council, since 2020
PREVIOUS COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
Research Activities
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President of Atlas AFMI, 2017–2020
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Vice President of Atlas AFMI, 2008–2017
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Associate Editor of the journal Management International (FNEGE Tier 2 ranking), 2017–2020
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Director of the Atlas AFMI Book Series, Vuibert, Paris, 2017–2020
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Co-Director of the Management International Book Series,
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Éditions Gualino, Paris, 2013–2015
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Co-Head of the BRAIN Research Laboratory (23 researchers),
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INSCAE Antananarivo, 1994–2000
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Coordinator of the research theme “International Strategic Intelligence” (36 researchers), CEREGE Research Laboratory, 2015–2019
Teaching Activities
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Head of the Master’s Programme in International Management and Trade (6 specializations), IAE Poitiers, 2017–2019
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Head of the Master’s Programme in Strategy and Marketing (6 specializations), IAE Poitiers, 2004–2017
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Coordinator of Master 2 programmes (3 specializations: International Trade, International Management and Marketing), IAE Poitiers, 2001–2019
Administrative Activities
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Deputy Director (Assesseur), IAE Poitiers, 2002–2007
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Chair of the Degree Equivalence Committee, IAE Poitiers, 2007–2012
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Chair of the Professional Experience Accreditation Committee, IAE Poitiers, 2008–2012
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Head of Continuing Education Programmes, IAE Nice, 1992–1994
International Academic Masterclass
Implementing Rigorous Case Study Research
From Paradigmatic Foundations to Methodological Protocols
A Comprehensive Framework Connecting Epistemology – Ontology – Methodological Protocol
Case study research is widely used in Management Science. However, many doctoral dissertations and academic articles still face challenges during peer review regarding methodological rigor and paradigm foundations. Common criticisms include:
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Lack of a clearly articulated research paradigm
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Inconsistency between research philosophy and research methods
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Difficulty in defending research in international academic settings
This international academic masterclass, delivered directly by Professor Eric Milliot, focuses on how to implement case study research at the paradigm level by clarifying the connections between Epistemology – Ontology – Methodological Protocol.
Based on the matrix proposed by Welch et al. (2011) and an adjusted analytical framework, the masterclass aims to ensure:
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Methodological rigor
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Academic validity
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The ability to defend research at the international level
A paradigm-level approach remains rarely and systematically taught in Asia, where most research methodology courses primarily focus on data collection and analysis techniques.
Key Distinctive Features
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Emphasis on theorizing from case study research
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Not a basic research methods course
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Supports doctoral researchers in meeting international journal standards
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Elevates research methodology to an international level of rigor
Masterclass Structure (4 hours)
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Why case study research is often criticized
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Epistemology – Ontology – Methodology
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The Welch et al. (2011) matrix
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An adjusted paradigm framework
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Designing a methodological protocol
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Topic-based Q&A with participants
Target Participants
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Master’s students
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Doctoral (PhD) candidates
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Lecturers and researchers
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Thesis supervisors
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Scholars in management, strategy, and social sciences
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
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Identify their epistemological foundations
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Clearly position their ontological stance
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Design a consistent methodological protocol
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Enhance their ability to defend dissertations and publish internationally
Language of Instruction
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English
Time and Venue
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Date & Time: 8 April 2026, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Venue: TBC
=> This masterclass is designed for universities, research institutes, Master’s students, and doctoral researchers aiming for international academic publication.
An international academic masterclass on Case Study Research, delivered by Professor Eric Milliot (France), focuses on the paradigm foundations of research methodology — an advanced topic that is rarely taught systematically in Asia.
The masterclass is designed for doctoral candidates, lecturers, and researchers aiming to successfully defend their dissertations and publish internationally. It supports participants in strengthening their research design capabilities, enhancing academic coherence, and improving their ability to defend their work before scientific committees and journal reviewers.
SPONSORS
