The Empirical Study

Abstract

This section provides details on the design and methodology of the empirical part of the dissertation. Zalan and Lewis as well as Andersen and Skaates argue for more transparency in qualitative methods (Andersen/Skaates 2004, Zalan/Lewis 2004). In accordance with their recommendations, this section includes the justification and rationale for choosing a qualitative research approach (subsection 5.1.1) and details on the multiple case design (subsection 5.1.2). After these introductory sections more information is provided on the detailed operationalizations of the contingency framework (section 5.2). These operationalizations are essential for the subsequent data collection and data analysis which again need to be explained in detail (Andersen/Skaates 2004: 480-481). First, the data collection via semi-structured interviews is described in section 5.3. The interview guide was elaborated based on the previous operationalizations of the contingency framework. Second, section 5.4 presents how the collected data was handled and analyzed based on a categorization schema deduced from the operationalizations of the contingency framework. Interpretation procedures are clarified in this section, too. The final section concludes with an evaluation of the chosen empirical approach (subsection 5.5).