In this chapter the methodological framework of the thesis is introduced. The framework is based on hermeneutics from the philosophical viewpoint and on qualitative and interpretative approach as a research methodology. Hermeneutic phenomenography is used as a research method, and NLP and Mind MapTM-
technique are utilized to execute, examine and describe the interviews. According to the introduction of the research method, the empirical data is not explained but described to understand the research phenomena and to enhance the awareness of the map (confer NLP) of the research phenomena to contribute to the development work of HRIS in the research context. Qualitative and interpretative research approach enables more diverse studies than just numeric and statistical. Although interpretative researches are criticized not to be valid, they offer human and sensitive ways to approach the research subject and the people involved. With the research method of hermeneutic phenomenography the empirical data can be examined, understood and described in a way that the inner meaning of the research subject can be revealed. The idea of NLP, emphasizing that the map is not the same as the territory, enables the idea that the map is constructed individually and therefore can be revised if wanted. The map offers a diverse and meaningful way of thinking when interpretative and hermeneutic studies are executed. Mind maps, for their part, give a visual technique to describe issues which are connected to each other. When using mind maps it is possible to remember and recall the issues included in the maps.
Practically speaking, research approach, method and techniques create and can be called “research tools” which help to execute the study in question and to make the best possible contribution to the science as well as to the research area. However, it is always the researcher’s personal interpretation and choice which of the “research tools” s/he regards as the best for the study, because qualitative research challenges the researcher with its multiple research methods. To execute reliable and valid study requires him/her to explore the different aspects of the research method in depth. This could lead to a situation where the researcher starts to utilize the familiar method mostly rather than using or spending time to get to know other research methods better, although they could open new viewpoints and ideas to the research as a whole. Still, it can be stated that the qualitative researchers produce significant knowledge and contribution to a large number of researches.
In the course of the study of the thesis I have familiarized myself with different qualitative research methods to find the best possible method to execute the research tasks and to highlight research results which are significant as well as to give new viewpoints and contribution to the research subject. I can admit that the choice of the method has been influenced both by the knowledge of the research methods and the intuition. Still, I am convinced that the qualitative and interpretative research approach, hermeneutic phenomenography, NLP and Mind MapTM-technique utilized in the study of the thesis form a useful and usable
research methodology in the context of the thesis. They have helped to examine, understand and to describe the research phenomena. In addition, it can be stated that the research results can be benefitted both in science (IS, HRM and leadership) and in practice, i.e. in IS companies and in organizations which develop their HRIS, HR and leadership activities.
4
Conduct of the study of the thesis
In this chapter the conduct of the study of the thesis is presented. First, the selection of the interviewees is introduced. Then, the interviewees’ careers and backgrounds are described to highlight their long and diverse work experiences. After that it is clarified how the interviewing process was executed and how hermeneutic circle was applied after the transcribed material had been examined. Finally, the chapter concludes with the issues of the fourth chapter.
Herein, it is crucial to discuss the importance of the ethical clearance of the thesis. Both in quantitative and qualitative researches the ethical clearance is taken seriously. In general, the ethical clearance consists of animal welfare and human ethics in the course of the research. Universities and research institutes around the world have ethical regulations and guidelines for their researchers. They contain information about how the researchers should undertake to execute appropriate research, to utilize and store the empirical data and its results in an agreed and secured manner and to inform the participants of the research about the regulations.
In this research the participating companies were contacted and explained about the study of the thesis. In addition, both the companies and the interviewees were confirmed that the interviews would be confidential and any individualizing information would not be revealed. The documents of the transcripts as well as of the other research materials and the results have been named in a way that they do not have information which could be linked to the companies or the interviewees. Their anonymity has been appreciated and protected. The following sections conduct the readers to the study of the thesis.
4.1 Selection criteria of the interviewees
Three ICT companies with twelve good leaders (four women and eight men) provided the research context in which the interviews were carried out. The interviewees were renamed in a way that the names would not reveal their identity. In table 16 the first column expresses the interviewees’ invented names, the next column is for gender and the third column informs the duration of interview session, in minutes.
Table 16. Interviewees and the durations of interviews.
Interviewee Gender Interview duration in minutes
Mauri Male 64 Lassi Male 95 Anssi Male 81 Ismo Male 71 Irene Female 64 Roope Male 63 Helena Female 62 Rami Male 72 Pilvi Female 69 Pertti Male 58 Vilma Female 83 Jaakko Male 73
In the introduction chapter the term ‘good’ was determined in the context of the thesis. Also, the reason to interview good leaders was clarified. Concretely it meant that the grounds of choosing the good leaders were based on the companies’ feedback systems for employees, by which they were able to give numeric appraisal and verbal feedback to their superiors. The feedback systems included issues which were connected to management and leadership actions. The appraisal scale was from 1 to 5, where 1 meant the least satisfied appraisal and 5 the most satisfied appraisal. In one system zero was also a possible choice if the respondent could not give the appraisal for one reason or another. The mean of each subject was calculated from given appraisals. Although the numbers showed only statistical figures for individual and human actions in leadership and management, it was possible to interpret them as right indicatives in long-term follow-up periods. In addition, the verbal feedback supported the good appraisals. Yet, the important aspect here was that the results were the employees’ opinions of their superiors.
The management of the companies chose the persons from the leaders who had received both good appraisals and good verbal feedback for several years so that the validity and reliability of the study were ensured. As to scales this meant that the means of the leaders’ appraisals were higher than 3.5. Even though these appraisals were classified ‘secret’ outside the companies, I was able to verify the summaries. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the appraisals consisted of several subjects which were assessed by the employees. Some of the appraised subjects of the feedback systems had been listed:
– coordination ability – target-orientation
– performance management – human resource management – ability to motivate
– ability to coordinate – availability
– interaction
– ability to communicate
– ability to share information and knowledge – ability to support personnel
– team work
– encouragement and feedback
– relationship between the employee and superior.
The given verbal feedback of the interviewees were not explored beforehand to avoid the influence of the appraisals on the interviewing process. The goal was to construct a situation which was as neutral as possible for both the interviewer and for the interviewees. Therefore, it can be stated that each interview session started as a blank paper to be filled with the information given by an interviewee.