Philosophical and practical dimensions of Gramsci’s conjunctural analysis: a contribution to case study research Efe Can G€urcan The London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK and Shanghai University, Shanghai, China, and Gerardo Otero Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada Abstract Purpose – This article employs interpretive conceptual analysis to provide a coherent research philosophy and practical insights for conjunctural analysis as a Marxist alternative to traditional case study methods. How can Gramsci’s writings inform our understanding of research philosophy? How does this philosophy shape his own method as applied to the case of the French Revolution? Design/methodology/approach – Gramsci’s methodology is based on a dynamic and agentive understanding of what he calls “organized matter,” which is supplemented with a historicist epistemology. His philosophy brings to the fore the notion of “reciprocity” rather than mere causation and prioritizes the study of “regularities,” as opposed to fixed and universal laws. It incorporates both structural forces and human agency as valid sources of knowledge. Findings – Using the French Revolution as a case study, Gramsci applies these principles to conjunctural analysis by examining socioeconomic convulsions as pivotal moments that elucidate the interaction between organic movements – indicative of profound, long-term structural changes such as the ascent of the bourgeoisie, the consolidation of their political power, industrialization, capitalist development and the emergence of the modern nation-state – and conjunctural periods, which are triggered by immediate, specific events precipitating these extensive structural transformations. Originality/value – This article fills an important gap in the literature, considering that previous research has not systematically addressed Gramsci’s contributions to research philosophy and his study of the French Revolution using conjunctural analysis. Keywords Case study, Critical sociology, Research philosophy, French Revolution, Antonio Gramsci, Conjunctural analysis, Philosophy of praxis Paper type Research paper Introduction Case study research has played a pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of human societies. It has been a foundational method of social inquiry, particularly in addressing qualitative “why” or “how” questions in social research (Bromley, 1990; Robson and McCartan, 2016; Valsiner, 1986; Yin, 2014). A case can be loosely defined as a phenomenon defined by specific spatial and temporal boundaries, holding theoretical and/or empirical importance. Consequently, a case study involves an intensive study of one or more such cases (Gerring, 2017). The main strength of the case study approach lies in its thorough examination of phenomena in their real-life contexts, drawing on diverse sources of evidence. This strategy not only facilitates a richer understanding of the subject matter but also generates valuable insights and practical solutions to intricate problems (Robson and McCartan, 2016). In this introduction, we outline the conventional case study methodologies and suggest that a significant, Gramsci-inspired Marxist contender has been overlooked, particularly in terms of formalizing its ontological and epistemological foundations. Our aim here is to bridge this gap by engaging deeply with Gramsci’s seminal writings to elucidate his contributions to conjunctural analysis. Qualitative Research Journal The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/1443-9883.htm Received 16 October 2024 Revised 7 December 2024 Accepted 23 January 2025 Qualitative Research Journal © Emerald Publishing Limited e-ISSN: 1448-0980 p-ISSN: 1443-9883 DOI 10.1108/QRJ-10-2024-0244