Chapter Data Collection and Analysis Technique

This chapter takes the form of a holistic case study (Yin 1994; Silverman, 2014). The benefits of this research design in the early stages is that it allowed for flexibility so that potentially novel discoveries and variables emerge due to the less stringent methodological requirements (Yin, 1994) and has adopted an exploratory stance that was aimed at deriving the contextual details of the relational channels and the various attributes of the actors embedded within the network structure (Wasserman and Faust, 1994). The relationship studied began in 2011, and continues to function and create value to this day. The primary data collection for this project initiated in October 2013, and continued through April 2016. The primary data consisted of fifteen participant observation in the executive board meetings, fourteen direct observations of joint problem and technology transfer sessions between corporate R&D and university scientists, fifteen semi-structured interviews, and five informal interactions. Additionally, this chapter includes the analysis of the archival documents that had been stored in the relational database since the first interactions between the university and the business.

All field notes and interviews were transcribed and saved in an electronic format. All documents and information from the collection exercises was compiled into an electronic database. This included all corresponding documents, transcriptions, and other forms data

129 which was then summarized and sorted per theme. This database was developed within a 76 pages Microsoft Word table. This table allowed information to be tabularize per first and second level codes by themes to emerge as well as to account for the frequency of events. This allowed themes to be derived in an inductive way, rather than specifically aiming to match data to pre-existing theoretical lenses (Silverman, 2014). The date of the communication then sorted archival data. Also, key messages from the semi-structured interviews were aligned with corresponding time periods reported by the participants. Data was then interrupted based on the purpose of key activities, events, or forms of communication occurring within the documents.

A chronology was developed to aid in the analysis of the episodes of network evolution that have occurred since the origination of the relationship. In allowing for fairness and range, all data was compiled and drafted into a historical development, significant events and timeline section (Silverman, 1993). This analysis was complemented with thematic analysis. For the thematic analysis, the observed primary and secondary data was then reduced into a data base for identification of prevalent themes. This data consisted of the archival documents; communication documents, field notes, public press releases, public and private presentations, board meeting minutes, technology sharing documents, project pipeline documents, and project case studies. The data was then dated in chronological order and themes were identified in alignment. The objective was to identify the various underlying motivations and the focus of strategic concern at the point in time in the relational development. This chapter identified significant moments for the network, utilizing archival documents and participants accounts to provide a longitudinal lens through a time series analysis. This aided in identifying patterns that reflected a level of stabilization as well as the development and adaptation/coordination through significant events within the timeline.

This chapter presents the themes that most closely aligned with focuses in this network’s development over time. The chapter begins by discussing pre-network engagement and the onset of early communication and identification of partner capabilities. This was a crucial moment for the potential development of the network and is discussed prior to presenting the themes associated with formal initiation. The section that follows presents the themes associated with each phase of development and the actions that stimulated a shift in strategic focus within the network. Figure 11 provides an overview of key events.

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Figure 11 - Chronology of Events

Date Event

2009- 2010 Initial Discussions – Large Amounts of Corporate Members tours and having talks

July 5-6, 2010 Workshop – Corporate Germany, Brussels, US, UK attended and was held at Uni Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Psychology.

June 2010 Project with Local Innovation Centre (First PROJECT) July 2010 Studentship support committed for first project

August 2010 Technology Mapping Document/ Presentation sent to the HQ December 10, 2010 Started working on the RGF bid with a due date of Mid-January

2011. (Had to move quickly)

2011 Conversations started about funding students from Chinese University – Students starting October 2014

February 2011 Found out that the RGF had been awarded June 2011 RGF Contract was awarded – Recruiting started

July 5, 2011 Meeting was held after they found out the Regional Growth Fund was awarded. Workshop with 4 P&G people addressed the entire department on the sort of things that they were interested in.

October 2011 Large Scale Project Kicked Off –Took two years to recruit

November 2011 New (and existing key Corporate member) became involved October 2012 BBSRC Grant and Biology Work Started

December 2012 Marie Curie EID – Application went in. Since Uni is in the UK, the industry had to be elsewhere. 50 Uni/ 50 Industry. Looked at Corporate Europe Locations.

December 2012 Corporate Internal Meeting held at Uni – Not a University event April 30, 2013 Letter to Corporate Leader regarding the development of the

relationship

July 3, 2013 Letter of Intent – 5 year investment

September 2013 Marie Curie Funding was awarded.– Lots of reports to be done. September 3, 2013 First Board Meeting

131 November 2013 Spin Out - IPO - £77 million in the first week (External

Partner)

November 8, 2013 Second board meeting

November 12, 2013 Science Event hosted by Corporate Toured the Microscopy Lab November 26, 2013 Director Presentation for new departmental member

December 10, 2013 Technology Workshop January 14, 2014 Third Board Meeting

January 15, 2014 University Strategic Partner Meeting February 4-5, 2014 Tech Workshop

February 26, 2014 Fourth Board Meeting

February 2014 Innovation Conference– Presented relationship

March 11 2014 Cycle Fund Reports due from Head of Departments, and Director and Technical Lead

March 25, 2014 Seventh Board Meeting

March 2014 Meeting with Strategic Partner in China May 2, 2014 Board Meeting

May 12, 2014 Meeting with University Partners for Joint Program May 24, 2014 CTO Match Funding Contract Deadline Date May 30, 2014 Workshop

June 17, 2014 Board Meeting

June 19, 2014 Consortium Partner Meeting June 26, 2014 Consortium Partner Meeting July 10, 2014 Review of high risk projects September 17, 2014 Board Meeting

October 2014 Marie Curie Started October 20-22, 2014 Symposium

October 22, 2015 Annual Report Due January 15, 2015 Board Meeting

February, 2015 CTO visits University – Positive feedback

132 March 2015 Change of Procedure for Confidentiality

April 13, 2015 Board Meeting

April, 2015 Deadline for Consortium Grant

May 2015 Royal Society Teamwork in Innovation Award June 29, 2015 Board Meeting

October 7, 2015 Board Meeting Januray 18, 2016 Board Meeting April 25, 2016 IP Workshop June 15, 2016 Board Meeting