Master Thesis Research Framework.docVIP

Introduction This chapter takes the literature review as input and develops the formal case study research instrument and protocol that was utilised to complete the case study. Firstly, the case study research design is discussed. Then, the case study research approach employed in the study is presented. The case study protocol is discussed in the following section, and outlines an overview of the research project, the determination of the study’s data requirements and sources, and the suggested guide for the case report. The following section discusses the four tactics utilised to underpin the quality of the research design. The case study design is subsequently discussed and the chapter concludes with the data collection and analysis processes employed in the study. Case study research design A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real life context when boundaries between the phenomenon and context are not clearly evident (Yin 2003). Eisenhardt (1989) has discussed the process of building theories from case studies in detail. Findings from a case study reflect the true activities occurring within a phenomenon at a particular moment and can therefore be used to build theories in exploratory types of research. Theory building consists of either constructing new theories or adapting older theories to explain known but previously unexplained empirical generalisations (Brewer Hunter 1989). A postal survey was not chosen for the following reasons: Generally, a postal survey can result in ambiguity over the questions asked, a low response rate and no control over who actually answers the questions. In-depth probing to follow up specific, relevant issues is not possible. Cross checking with company documents and practice cannot be carried out. Valuable information that can be gathered from observation and a tour of the workplace is missed out (Raham Baksch 2003). All of these can affect the reliability