2.7. Main Interview Questions
The aim of qualitative interview questions is to collect information which captures the meaning and interpretation of the subject from the participants’ viewpoints (Easterby-Smith, 2015). This research project investigates the determinants of FDI in Kurdistan Region, and in doing so it addresses the main research questions (page 20), by asking the participants the following main interview questions (raised from the main themes which arose from literature review captured in conceptual framework) together with further questions raised during the interviews (for the list of interview question, see appendix 4, p.151):
1- What are the main driving factors encouraging MNCs to invest in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq?
2- What factors are barriers to MNC’s when considering investing in the region? (MNCs from UK and Turkey)
3- What are the main risks facing MNCs when wishing to invest in the region?
4- Is Kurdistan Region’s market treated independently or considered as a part of Iraq (from the foreign investor’s point of view)? (Al-Khouri and Abdul Khalik, 2013; Brown, 2005;
Ismael and Ismael, 2005; Klein, 2004; Rangwala and Herring, 2005)
5- Does Iraq’s overall situation (past and present) affect the Region’s attractiveness for FDI consideration? (If so, in what way?) (Al-Khouri and Abdul Khalik, 2013; Brown, 2005;
Collier and Hoeffler, 2000; Ismael and Ismael, 2005; Jenson and Young 2008; Kehl, 2010;
Klein, 2004; Rangwala and Herring, 2005).
6- Do the disputes between KRG and Central Government (especially over the production of oil and gas) affect the level of FDI into the Region? (Berdal and Malone, 2000; Fearon and Laitin, 2003; Humphrey’s, 2005; Kehl, 2010)
7- Despite the risks involved in investing in the Region, why are MNCs entering the Region?
(Freeman and Sandwell, 2008; Galbraith, 2003; Khalaf and Sieff, 2009; Zhang et al, 2007) 8- Are the risks facing MNCs when considering investing in the Kurdistan Region affecting MNCs’ mode of entry? (If so, in what way?) (Anderson and Gatignon, 1986; Blomberg and Mody, 2007; Li, 2006; Tse et al, 1997)
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8.1- Do MNCs consider the Kurdistan region as the gateway to the rest of Iraq and base themselves in the Region to familiar themselves with Iraq’s market? (If so, is this because of the lack of knowledge about Iraq’s market available to MNCs?) (Johanson and Vahlne, 1990;
Khalaf and Sieff, 2009) (Uppsala theory,)
9- What factor/s do you consider when evaluating the Kurdistan market’s attractiveness for FDI consideration? (The risks as well as benefits?)
10- How do you assess the risk situation in Kurdistan Region?
10.1- Do you use available databases (such as World Bank) when assessing the Kurdistan market’s attractiveness for FDI considerations? (If yes, explain)
10.2- Do you have a checklist or a model when considering the Kurdistan market’s attractiveness? (If so, explain)
10.3- Is your market evaluation (Kurdistan market) is based on your own personal experiences?
11- Do you advise your clients (MNCs) about the Region’s market potentials as well as the risks involved in investing in the Region?
12- Is your advice on the Kurdistan market’s attractiveness is considered by your clients? (If so in what way?)
This research project investigates the above main interview questions relating to the Kurdistan Region’s market attractiveness for FDI considerations by looking at a number of independent organisations from the UK and Turkey (e.g. UKTI and Turkey’s TI department) which are actively involved in advising their domestic MNCs when approaching the Region’s market for possible investment.
As was outlined in the introduction, the reason for choosing Turkey’s independent organizations is that Turkish companies represent the largest number of foreign investors in Kurdistan Region and, the UK multinational companies are among the highest number of investors from European countries in the Region (please see Table 1, p. 18), they are also leading companies in architectural design and service providers to the Kurdistan Region.
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Chapter Three: Research Methodology
Literature Review
Introduction Methodology
Conclusion Analysis and Discussions
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3.1. Introduction
Applied research is a scientific approach to identifying problems in a specific situation in order for the researcher to apply strategic solutions to solve a specific problem. This usually requires working closely with clients to identify and clarify any significant problems in order to apply the best solution to resolve those problems (Easterby-Smith et al, 2008). According to Burgoyne and James, (2006), this process can either involve the application of existing theories, or it can take the form of a survey, or it can use both approaches to tackle the problems. The outcome of investigation is aimed at modifying the process in order to improve performance.
In Document Two of this thesis, the author developed a conceptual framework based on the literature (appendix 1, p.142). In Documents Three and Four, different elements of conceptual framework were examined from different stakeholders’ points of view (Document Three, Central Government and KRG’s most senior officials, and Document Four, foreign investors) to highlight the challenges and problems KRG faces in attracting foreign investors into the region. The final stage of this research project aims to investigate the region’s attractiveness for FDI considerations from different stakeholders’ points of view. These stakeholders are UK- and Turkey-based organisations which are actively involved in promoting foreign markets to their domestic MNCs. They are also involved in evaluating Kurdistan Region’s market attractiveness for their own national companies (e.g.
UK TI).
This document has developed a conceptual framework (Figure 5, p.47) based on the theoretical background, to highlight the Region’s main advantages and disadvantages as well as the risks involved in investing in Kurdistan Region and in Iraq as whole and its effect on MNCs modes of entry. It also demonstrates the effects of the identified factors on the selected target population’s decision to evaluate Kurdistan’s market.
This study is a follow-up study investigating the determinants of foreign direct investment in Kurdistan Region from different stakeholders’ points of view. Combining all the findings of the previous documents and this document, the author aims to present a more balanced view of the main obstacles and problems faced by KRG, with a view to increasing the level of FDI inflow to the region.
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For the purpose of this study, the author collected primary data using interviews (participants from the UK and Turkey). The author analysed the interview materials and the language used, by means of content analysis. The aim is not only to identify the risks factors affecting the process of FDI, but also to identify the participants’ main method/s used to evaluate the Kurdistan market. This is very important because this research project’s overall aim is to identify determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Kurdistan Region, in order to recommend some effective long- and short-term solutions to KRG to increase the level of FDI inflow into the region.
This chapter will discuss the research design and methodology. According to Malhorta and Birks (2003), the research design is the blueprint for undertaking a research. Bryman (2004) suggests that research methods represent a structure that guides the execution of a research and are the justification of the suitability of ideas and issues for the research (Flick, 2002).
Therefore, the objective of this chapter is to explain why a specific research philosophy was chosen, and how the selected research approach, research strategy, research design, and qualitative methods, aim to answer the research questions. It demonstrates how the interview questions were designed (interview questions’ guide) and how and why the sample population was chosen. Finally, the data is presented, the techniques used (content analysis) to analyse the collected data are explained in addition to which the reliability and the validity of research is also shown.
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