Advantages of mixed methods

As already explained in section 3.5.1, the mixed method was chosen firstly because it allowed the researcher to deal with a variety of institutions and organisations such as regulatory authorities, government departments, biofuel

producers, and fuel importers in the liquid fuels sector. A wholly qualitative or quantitative approach would not provide deeper insights (Collis and Hussey, 2003).

Secondly, according to Saunders et.al. (2000), it is beneficial to use multi method approaches because you can triangulate the results as explained in the paragraphs that follow. Thirdly, as explained fully in section 3.5 the objectives of the current research do not all sit comfortably within a wholly quantitative or qualitative approach (Creswell 2003).

The use of different methods, techniques and approaches in research is called triangulation (Collis and Hussey, 2003). Easterby-Smith et al., (1991) identifies four types of triangulation as follows:

a) data triangulation, where data is collected at different times or

from different sources in the study of a phenomenon.

b) investigator triangulation, where different researchers independently collect

data on the same phenomenon and compare the results.

c) methodological triangulation, where both quantitative and qualitative

methods of data collection are used.

d) triangulation of theories, where a theory is taken from one discipline (for

example, marketing) and used to explain a phenomenon in another discipline (for example, accounting).

Data triangulation was used in this research. This was done because interviews of the various respondents in the liquid fuels sector were conducted at different times and data was sourced from multiple sources as described in sections 3.5.2 to 3.5.7 (Easterby-Smith et al., 1991). This included interviewing more than one senior person in the same organization.

Jick (1991) argues that triangulation has vital strengths, as it; a) encourages productive research,

b) enhances qualitative methods and

c) allows the complementary use of quantitative methods.

The weaknesses of triangulation are that, replication is difficult to perform where a mixed method approach is used, particularly where qualitative data is generated. Furthermore, data collection and analysis is time consuming and

expensive. Woll (2013, p.1) agrees that although interviews and observational techniques are well known and accepted ways of data collection “particularly in in-depth qualitative phenomenological research” they are often time consuming and expensive.

3.6 Purposive sampling

There are thirteen organisations regulated by MERA in the liquids fuel sector in Malawi (Chapter 1, Figure 1.8). The researcher targeted for interviews people from these organisations involved with energy and specifically those in the liquid fuels as opposed to interviewing people from all organisations in Malawi. Further, only senior people including: Chief Executive Officers, directors and senior managers were interviewed. This is called purposive sampling as opposed to random sampling where each organisation (or individual) in a population has an equal probability of being selected for interviews (Creswell, 2009, p.148). Purposive sampling is also called judgemental sampling by Saunders et al.,(2000) because the researcher makes a judgement as to whom to interview. The people targeted for interviews as already alluded, were those of the rank of head of department, directors, deputy director, Chief Executive Officers, Permanent Secretaries and board directors (past and serving) in large energy corporates or central government departments dealing with energy matters. Saunders et al., (2000, p.153) says for populations of “less than 50 cases” data should be collected “on the entire population” so that no single extreme case can influence subsequent statistical analyses. However, only thirty three senior managers (policy makers) in those thirteen organisations were targeted and successfully interviewed. All appointments were set up via telephone and all interviews were conducted in person. This is consistent with Saunders et al., (2000, p.174) “because they are important”. As Denzin and Lincoln (2000) put it “Many qualitative researchers employ purposive and not random sampling methods. They seek out groups, settings and individuals where … the processes being studied are most likely to occur”.

The thirteen targeted energy related organisations, which form the liquid fuels sector in Malawi as described before, with the three non-fuel organisation, were as follows:

a) MERA: because it is the energy sector regulator responsible for licensing, fuel pricing and blend compliance inspections. Semi-structured interviews (face to

face interviews) were conducted concurrently with a self-administered questionnaire. In all six key personnel were consulted, among them the CEO, a former CEO, three heads of department and an acting CEO. The technical head of department was engaged with several times.

b) Department of Energy Affairs (DoEA) –This was targeted for consultations because it is the custodian of policy on energy. The following are some key roles and responsibilities: improving energy sector governance, increasing access to energy, improving efficiency and effectiveness in energy supply. In this Department the researcher interviewed one of the Directors four times including attending a conference on bio-fuels in Amsterdam together. The objectives of interviewing this officer was to obtain clarity between the roles of MERA and DoEA, seek DoEA‘s position on ethanol pricing, strategic storage and biofuels development. A face to face semi-structured interview was conducted concurrently with the self-administered questionnaire. The Department of Energy Affairs actually spawned MERA consequently in many respects the Department overlaps with MERA (Department Of Energy Affairs, 2003; MERA, 2008) particularly in fuel pricing.

c) Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL) was targeted for interviews because it is a company owned by all five oil marketing companies in Malawi. The oil marketing companies are the main customers for fuel ethanol due to the blending mandate (Extra Ordinary Gazette, 31st December, 2010). The targeting of PIL for interviews is thus justified. Three senior officers, including a CEO and a former CEO were targeted for face to face semi structured interviews.

d) Ethanol Company Limited (ETHCO) was chosen because it is the first bio-fuel company in Malawi. It was established in 1982 with a capacity of 60,000 litres per day. The normal season is six months a year due to the raw material, molasses, being available only when the Illovo sugar mill in Dwangwa is running. The researcher conducted face to face semi-structured interviews concurrently with a self-administered questionnaire with two senior officers .

e) PressCane Limited – this is the second ethanol producing company. It was established in 2001 but began operations in 2004. The plant rating is 60,000 litres per day. Molasses is the raw material supplied by the Nchalo Illovo Sugar Mill. The sugar mill operates six months a year consequently molasses

is available for only six months a year. At the time of this research, the researcher was working as CEO for PressCane Limited. Four senior members of management were consulted as well as a Board Director.

f) Bio Energy Resources Limited (BERL) was chosen because it is a private company engaged in bio-fuel production. It was established in 2006 (Chittock, 2012). Specifically, the company is promoting the planting of jatropha in readiness for producing bio-diesel from jatropha oil as a bio fuel. At the time of the interview the biodiesel from jatropha had not yet been approved by MERA, pending approval by the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) (Lane, 2012). Three senior officers, in the new jatropha oil company were consulted and interviewed face to face.

g) The Biofuels Association was formed in 2012. The initial membership was three with one Biofuel Company, a farmers’ organisation and an environment organisation (Biofuel Association, 2012). The Association accommodates all bio fuel industries, farmers’ organisations, government officials and industries working with a range of feedstocks (Biofuel Association, 2012).

The objectives of the Biofuels Associations are to promote the production, distribution, sale and consumption of biofuels in Malawi. Supporting research and development in biofuels in order to improve the industry is another objective. The third objective is the reduction of the unit cost of production for players in the bio fuel supply chain. Dissemination of information to, from and between its members and other stakeholders is the fourth objective. The final objective is to promote the interests of its members amongst non-affiliated, non-government and government institutions.

The researcher interviewed one senior official (the Secretary General at the time) face to face and self-administered the quantitative questionnaire at the same time (concurrently).

h) Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was targeted because it is the parent Ministry of the energy sector. It is responsible for policy and has oversight of the national energy developments. In all two senior officers (Permanent Secretaries at the time) were interviewed, face to face.

i) The largest alternative energy organization in Malawi is ESCOM. This organisation was targeted because it too is regulated by MERA and the pricing regime applied is similar to that used for liquid fuels. Two senior

officers including the CEO then and an acting CEO (Head of Distribution) were interviewed face to face and concurrently a quantitative questionnaire was self-administered.

j) A face to face interview was conducted with a Senior officer (also a former CEO of PIL) of the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) a government strategic liquid fuel storage company recently set up (Khanje, 2012). NOCMA was targeted in order to interrogate strategic fuel and ethanol storage issues in the energy context.

k) LUBE MASTERS was targeted for interview because it is an OMC outside the PIL grouping. One top officer (former CEO of ETHCO) was interviewed face to face and concurrently administered a questionnaire during the interview. l) A researcher and one director for EDVP at the National Commission for

Science and Technology were consulted and interviewed face to face. The choice for interview was due to their role in this project which started in 2006 and was concluded in 2011 (NCST, 2011).

m) A questionnaire was sent by email to two senior officers of MBS and responses were received. MBS was targeted because it is the standards body that approves product standards including liquid fuels in general and ethanol in particular. In all two senior officers were consulted.

n) Kasinthula Cane Growers Limited (KCGL) in Chikwawa provided valuable information on sugarcane feedstock during face to face semi-structured interviews. KCGL was targeted because all the sugarcane is sold to Illovo and PressCane was exploring how to obtain extra feedstock from KCGL and elsewhere for ethanol production (Mndolo, 2013). Several meetings were held with senior members of management (including the CEO) (Mkhomaanthu, 2013). In all four people were consulted.

3.7 Ethical considerations

To maintain ethical standards of research Salimi and Kandadi (2009) suggest keeping the details of respondents and their organisations separate from the analysis and conclusions. The privacy of the respondents was thus observed by the author by oblique references to officers in the various organisations. Stake (2000) supports this by stating that “qualitative researchers are guests in the private spaces of the world. Their manner should be good and their code of ethics strict.” Many authors point out that ethical issues must be considered in

the course of research (Saunders et al., 2009; Stake, 2000; Kandadi, 2009; Vedanthachari, 2007).

The salient aspects in the context of this study are highlighted given that the collection of data was through face to face semi-structured interviews. The following ethical protocols were followed in keeping with the ethical practice standards alluded to throughout the research:

a) The names of the organizations have been separated from the respondents

and are not identified with the respondents.

b) The names of the respondents were deliberately separated from the analysis and conclusions.

c) Data accuracy was ensured at various stages of this study using triangulation For example former CEOs of some organisations were interviewed as well as more than one Head of Department in one organisation. Another example is the numerical data for fuel imports which was obtained from three sources, PIL, MERA and NSO.

d) Consent of the respondents for the interviews and recording was obtained in person. Further, where necessary, before publishing the works based on the study, consent will also be obtained from the targeted organizations and respondents.

e) The empirical material was safeguarded during this research and will also be safeguarded in future in order to protect the privacy of the respondents and their organizations.

As a consequence the exact respondents’ names and their positions in the organisations mentioned in section 3.6 are not stated. As already stated consent for interviews and recording of the same was sought in person by the researcher from each interviewee.