Research Validity, reliability and Evidence (vs proof)

Although there is ongoing discussion about the use of quantitative versus qualitative research methodologies, Parker (2012) suggests that qualitative research operates in a completely different domain with different missions and agendas. Qualitative research seeks to produce credible knowledge of interpretations on organisation and management processes and understandings with an emphasis more on uniqueness and context. Kalof et al (2008) and Bryman (2012) note, reliability and validity per se cannot be used to assess qualitative research.

Lincoln and Guba (1985) and Guba and Lincoln (1989) suggest there are four criteria of research trustworthiness. These are, credibility that parallels internal validity, transferability that resembles external validity, dependability that parallels reliability and conformability that resembles objectivity. Credibility is concerned with whether the study actually measures or tests what is intended. Transferability refers to the level of applicability into other settings or situations. Dependability concerns taking into account all the changes that occur in a setting and how these affect the way research is being conducted. Conformability refers to the extent to which others can confirm the findings, in order to ensure that the results reflect the understandings and experiences of observed participants rather than researchers preferences. To demonstrate rigour and trustworthiness in qualitative research, Table 5, below illustrates the quality criterion relating to credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability.

72 Table 5: Criteria to address Guba’s (1989) trustworthiness (Source: Shenton 2004)

Quality Criterion Possible Provisions made by Researcher

Credibility  Adoption of appropriate, well recognised research methods

 Development of early familiarity with culture of participating organisations

 Triangulation via use of different methods, different types of informants with different sites and the use of reflective commentary and detailed description of phenomenon under scrutiny

Transferability  Provision of background data to establish context of study and detailed description of phenomenon in question to allow comparisons to be made

Dependability  Employment of overlapping methods and in depth methodological description to allow study to be repeated

Conformability  Triangulation to reduce effect of researcher bias and in-depth methodological description to allow integrity of research results to be scrutinised

 Use of diagrams to demonstrate ‘audit trail’

3.3.9 Summary

The research epistemology for this study is constructivism that focuses on the subjective meaning of social phenomena and the reality behind the qualitative data supplied by the participants. The axiology is emic in nature as it allows for close interaction with research participants and, in particular, a culturally specific group. The research methodology was the presentation of eight Vietnamese FOB case studies from different geographical locations and differing business environments. The qualitative data provided by the business founder, business successor and a third source (triangulation) is presented in a case study format that narrates the personal family and business stories through a narrative analysis. The qualitative data in the case studies is obtained through a pre-interview questionnaire and then a semi structured interview consisting of open-ended questions. These data formed the primary data source for this study, with secondary data being obtained through the viewing of personal FOB documentation. A third source of data for triangulation purposes was collected through close business associates, long time work colleagues or employees and customer interaction. The qualitative data was further analysed using the qualitative analysis software NVivo 10. The qualitative data was stored under the three parent nodes of contextual, relational and business transition. These parent nodes relate directly to the research questions and research objectives.

Child nodes were created under the respective parent nodes to categorise participant responses from the pre-interview questionnaire and semi structured interviews. Lincoln and Guba (1985) suggest that an inquiry audit enhances conformability.

73 An NVivo audit trail illustrates how the qualitative data collected in this study meets the required standards of research rigour of trustworthiness, transferability, dependability and confirmability (Lincoln and Guba 1985).

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CHAPTER 4 -SUMMARY ANALYSIS: EMERGING SPM

THEMES

4.1 Introduction

This chapter provides a summary analysis of SPM themes emerging from the eight Vietnamese family owned businesses that form the basis of this study. These businesses are located in Perth (x 1), Melbourne (x 5) and Sydney (x 2). A summary of the respective responses by the founder, successor and if available, an employee or other family member participating in the FOB, to a pre-interview questionnaire is presented first. The questionnaire formed the basis for the follow-up face-to-face interviews that were recorded. These responses illustrate emerging characteristics related to the research objectives of contextual, relational and other influences on SPM in Vietnamese FOB. SPM in FOB’s is clearly influenced by cultural and demographic nuances, such as the differences between founder and successor to a Vietnamese mindset, business practices and generational knowledge. The founder and successor narratives are checked against confidential business records such as profit and loss statements, customer orders and strategy documents. As these documents were provided on a goodwill basis, specifics and the identity of the documents are not disclosed. Figure 26, below, illustrates the flow of Chapter 4.

Figure 26: Chapter 4 Overview

Introduction - Context FOB Cases: A - H, Background of

Business, Founder factors on SPM, Successor factors on SPM, Other staff and business contacts, Document Review

Emerging SPM themes, Summary Analysis,

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