Abstract
This article discusses the contributions of the fsQCA (fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis) methodology. Drawing on Boolean algebra, this method identifies different causal combinations that explain a given phenomenon. Studying the stability of 11 European railway alliances, we show that traditional case study and “variable-oriented” methods only produce partial explanations of the phenomenon. In contrast, fsQCA identifies 4 “causal configurations” or “alliance profiles” explaining alliances stability. FsQCA thus makes it possible to reconcile the contradictions of the literature on phenomena subject to causal complexity such as the stability of alliances.