Paper info

Using case study methodology to research knowledge generation and transfer in international business networks

Leslie R Brown and Ronel Erwee

The paper was published at the 18th IMP-conference in Perth, Australia in 2002.

In this paper, the justification and application of a multiple case study approach inresearching knowledge generation and transfer in international agribusiness networks,is explained and described. It is first argued that insights about knowledge generationin marketing networks of mandated multinational subsidiaries can emerge from the useof multiple case research into the subsidiaries of such firms. Next, the application of a'three stage research activity map of the research' to address issues of validity andreliability in case study research, is outlined. This was seen as critical to capturing thecomplexity of knowledge management, especially in case research. The stages of theresearch are then outlined, first the literature review, secondly pilot interviews using adraft protocol, next, revisiting the literature in a more focussed manner to refine theprotocol by encapsulating new insights from the pilot interviews and the second stageliterature review. In the fourth stage, a series of convergent inter-company interviewspreceded further and final refinement of the protocol before the planned inter and intracompany interviews, the last stage before development of theoretical propositionsabout the research question. An interview matrix, designed to address issues of validityand reliability in such complex research, provides a systematic approach to showinghow this research delineated the chosen agri-business sub-sets, networks, types andlevels of mandates and levels of managerial responsibilities to provide data richnesswhich maximises opportunities in enabling cross-case analysis at many levels ofcomplexity.