Three-Valued Modal Logic for Qualitative Comparative Policy Analysis with Crisp-Set QCA

Contradictory and missing outcomes are problems common to many qualitative comparative studies,based on the methodology of crisp-set QCA. They also occur in public policy analyses, e.g. if importantbackground variables are omitted or outcomes of new policies are technically censored. As a newsolution to these problems, this article proposes the use of three-valued modal logic, originally introducedby the Polish philosopher Jan Lukasiewicz (1970). In addition to true and false, indeterminate is the thirdtruth-value in this alternative approach, which serves to code missing or contradictory data. Moreover,modal operators allow a differentiation between strict and possible triggers and inhibitors of policyoutcomes. The advantages of three-valued modal logic in crisp-set QCA are illustrated by an empiricalexample from comparative welfare policy analysis. Its conclusions allow comparisons with thecorresponding results from a conventional crisp-set QCA of the same data-set. KeywordsThree-valued modal logic, qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), public policy, social security,international comparisons JEL ClassificationC65, H43, H55, Z18 Citation proposalMueller, Georg P. 2014. «Three-Valued Modal Logic for Qualitative Comparative Policy Analysis withCrisp-Set QCA». Working Papers SES 450, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University ofFribourg (Switzerland) Working Papers SESLast published :443 Isakov D., Weisskopf J.-P.: Do not wake sleeping dogs: Pay-out policies in founding family firms;2013444 Suter P., Gmür M.: Member Value in Co-operatives; 2013445 Ravasi C.: Les top managers internationaux des grandes entreprises suisses: profils et parcours decarrière; 2013446 Sudharshan D., Furrer O., Arakoni R. A.: Robust Imitation Strategies; 2013447 Ravasi C., Salamin X., Davoine E.: The challenge of dual career expatriate management in aspecific host national environment: An exploratory study of expatriate and spouse adjustment inSwitzerland based MNCs; 2013448 Schöni O., Seger L.: Comparing Mobile Communication Service Prices Among Providers: A HedonicApproach: 2014449 Isakov D., Parietti S.: Analyse des rémunérations des dirigeants de sociétés suisse cotées enbourse entre 2007 et 2012; 2014 Catalogue and download links:http://www.unifr.ch/ses/wphttp://doc.rero.ch/collection/WORKING_PAPERS_SES