Interviews

Interviews are a valuable means of collecting information, experience and opinions in case studies; they are especially useful in qualitative research, and can take place over the telephone or face-to-face (Yin, 2009). Henerson et al. (1987: 24) explained that an oral interview is “A face-to-face meeting between two or more people in which the respondent answers questions posed by the interviewer who is free to pursue an interesting response if he/she feels it useful”, while Saunders et al. (2007) reported that an interview is a focused conversation between two or more people. The interview method usually permits much greater depth than do the other methods of collecting research data (Borg and Gall, 1983). Furthermore, Best (1981: 164) states that, “with a skilful interviewer, the interview is often superior to other data-gathering devices. One reason is that people are usually more willing to talk than to write”. Indeed, Sekaran (2003) and Naoum (2007) suggest that interviews can take three forms: unstructured, structured and semi-structured. Table 5.2 defines these interviews types.

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Table 5.2: Definitions of Interviews Types Type of

interviews Definitions

Unstructured interviews

It is usually conducted to obtain definite ideas about what is and is not important and applicable to a particular problem or situation.

It has open-ended questions with no formal questions listed before meeting the interviewee.

Structured interviews

It may provide more in depth information about specific variables of interest. Set questions are asked in given order with no option to deviate throughout the interview.

It is conducted when the interviewer knows exactly what information is required.

Semi- structured

interview

It contains questions on a particular topic and general discussion and the researcher can explain clarification of uncertainties and ensure that, so the respondents understand the questions, and their responses are clear to him/her.

It allows a great deal of freedom to explore different areas of research identified during a meeting and to deviate in order to actually establish the interviewee‟s opinions.

Source: Sekaran (2003) and Naoum (2007)

Furthermore, when using this method in qualitative research, there are many advantages. It is a useful technique if respondents are illiterate or unable to answer a questionnaire; the interviewer can investigate deeper into a response or ask for clarification; and interviews have a higher response rate. There are, however, several limitations. When using a semi-structured face-to-face interview, for example, the interviewer can have an effect on the data if he/she is not consistent; interviews take time and effort and are not useful for a large number of people; and the interviewer may be biased. Table 5.3 summarises these advantages and limitations.

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Table 5.3: Advantages and Disadvantages of Semi-Structured Face to Face Interviews

Advantages Disadvantages

Positive rapport between interviewer and interviewee. Very simple, efficient and practical way of getting data about things that can‟t be easily observed.

Depends on the skill of the interviewer (the ability to think of questions during the interview, for example) and self- expression of respondent.

High Validity. People are able to talk about something in detail and depth.

Interviewer may give out unconscious signals / cues that guide respondent to give answers expected by interviewer.

Complex questions and issues can be discussed / clarified. The interviewer can probe areas suggested by the respondent's answers, picking-up information that had either not occurred to the interviewer or of which the interviewer had no prior knowledge.

Time Consuming / expensive

Pre-Judgement: Problem of researcher predetermining what will or will not be discussed in the interview is resolved. With few "pre-set questions" involved, the interviewer is not "pre-judging" what is and is not important information.

Not very reliable - difficult to exactly repeat a focused interview. Respondents may be asked different questions (non- standardised). Samples tend to be small.

Easy to record interview (video / audio tapes). Depth of qualitative information may be difficult to analyse.

Convenient for the respondent; extensive probing can be used to collect detailed information; respondents body language can guide the interviewer and be recorded to help interpret comments.

Personal nature of interview may make findings difficult to generalise (respondents may effectively be answering different questions).

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The semi-structured interview is selected as a suitable method for this research, and this choice is supported by researchers such as Jankowicz (2005), Yates (2004), Sekaran (2003), Oppenheim (2000) and Hakim (2000) who believe that interviews can help researchers to understand people‟s attitudes and activities, allowing them to explain the purpose of the study and to make clear any doubt.

In this research, there is a need for in-depth understanding and detailed information, and for this reason triangulated data collection will be used; this adds methodological knowledge to the research and allows different methods to complement each other. Each of the different methods, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, will help to explore the possibility of applying MBO in the government sector in Oman and investigate the challenges that might prevent the application of this model from the perspective of top, middle, lower management and employees. Figure 5.2 shows the triangulation of data collection methods in this research.

Figure 5.2: Triangulation of Data Collection Methods in this research

The questionnaire in this study will focus on collection of data to identify the main criteria for developing a conceptual framework in order to apply MBO, and to evaluate the applicability of MBO in the context of the Omani government sector. The questionnaire, which is shown in full in Appendix A, includes five criteria of MBO:

Data Collection Methods

Questionnaire Semi-structured interviews

Conduct Real Case Study in Oman

Conduct Pilot Study Conduct Pilot

Study

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1. Setting Objectives (6 statements); 2. Action Plan (6 statements);

3. Organisational Structure (6 statements); 4. Periodic Review (6 statements);

5. Performance Evaluation (6 statements).

The reason for selecting a questionnaire technique is to gather a wide range of views from participants relating to their perceptions and views on certain MBO issues. Another benefit is to cover a large number of the population. This technique is suitable for collecting data to compare between responses and to compare results with the qualitative analysis to enhance the validity and consistency of responses.

Secondly, this study will use face-to-face semi-structured interviews to explore the government strategy for developing management style by investigating the challenges facing top, middle and lower management and employees in the government sector in Oman. Appendix (B) shows the interview questions.