Reconstruct and map the chronology of events
Process-based research generally unfolds in three main stages: 1. Identification of the key events taking place; 2. Identification of the sequences and sub-sequences of events that occur over a period of time as well as how they are related; 3. Explanation of the sequences of events in terms of the causal mechanisms or overall patterns (Abbott, 1990; Buttriss & Wilkinson, 2014; Chandra, 2007; Van de Ven & Poole, 2005). Events of interest in this study are specific learning patterns and occurrences that trigger the accumulation of experiential knowledge. Events that influence foreign market opportunity recognition and subsequent internationalisation attempts are of great interest to this study. Based on the literature review (Chapter 2), it is expected that other events, such as business relationships, prior knowledge and experience of key decision-makers, are also connected to the internationalisation processes of firms.
For each case, a chronology of events was reconstructed on the basis of a detailed study of the interview transcript and by taking account of the memo notes taken during the interview. Outcomes of archival research were used to cross-check the information and identify missing details. Where necessary, research participants were contacted to clarify the accuracy of the information.
For each case, a timeline was created to reconstruct the key events and response actions taken by the decision makers. This timeline includes relevant learning experiences, prior knowledge as well as other individual qualities that would influence the opportunity discovery and subsequent internationalisation decisions. The timeline also captures changes in the justification and reasoning for the internationalisation attempt and outcome. The follow-up interviews sought to probe how new learning experiences
105 influenced the decision-making process and internationalisation behaviour. Chapter 5 contains the timelines that map the chronology of internationalisation events for each firm and also the discussion of findings for each case. At this stage, it is relevant to note that the findings illustrate that the self-assessment of knowledge by the key decision- makers within the firm is influenced by a specific flow of events that led to new information. In some cases this information was unforeseen and it significantly altered the internationalisation behaviour.
Within-case and cross-case analysis
A multiple case-study approach includes within-case and cross-case analysis to identify relevant data patterns. The case evidence was compared against the conceptual framework which incorporates ELT, absorptive capacity theory and the Uppsala model (see Section 2.6). Each case was reviewed against the research questions specified in Chapter 2. This research project identified unique patterns within each specific case prior to the commencement of cross-case analysis (Eisenhardt, 1989). Within-case analysis was guided by the interview transcripts, memos as well as the timeline which mapped critical events in relation to the internationalisation process. Furthermore, clustering was used to measure the sequence data (i.e. unique event sequences identified through the coding process) for cross-case analysis. This will be discussed in greater details in Section 3.4.4.
The content analysis followed the multi-level structure as recommended by Pettigrew (1990), to capture not only macro change (entry mode) but also intra-mode change that reflects market commitment as a result of experiential knowledge/learning. Focus is placed on event-driven explanations rather than macro-level changes (Buttriss & Wilkinson, 2014; Van de Ven & Engleman, 2004). Pattern-matching was conducted to strengthen internal validity of the study (Yin, 2009).
Interview narratives where integrated as part of the case studies to highlight the role of experiential knowledge in relation to the internationalisation process. Narrative approaches are recognised as valid methods in studying specifically learning processes (Rae & Carswell, 2000). For the purposes of this study narrative is defined as at least three elements - ‘an original state of affairs, an action or an event, and the consequent state of affairs’ (Czarniawska-Joerges, 1998: 2) - along with relevant context that puts
106 these elements into a meaningful role (Buchanan & Dawson, 2007; Czarniawska- Joerges, 1998: 2)). Case studies that include discourse/narrative analysis allowed this project to probe the context of learning (Rae, 2005). Polyvocal narratives serve the purpose of possibly presenting contrasting versions of the same event by different individuals and further contribute to the triangulation of data (Buchanan & Dawson, 2007). Welch and Paavilainen-Mäntymäki (2014) also suggested using narrative analysis to study the internationalisation of firms as a process. Research narratives can assist in understanding the change processes that lead to learning and consequent re-evaluation of the foreign market opportunity.
All interviews were transcribed and coded using Atlas.Ti and QDA Miner software package. Open coding was followed by axial coding and selective coding (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). As part of open coding, the data were categorised and labelled depending on the relevant themes to present substantive categories. Axial coding interconnects these categories in order to outline interrelated sequences of events and contextualise specific phenomena (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Selective coding helped to refine and integrate the initial code categories. Process coding was also conducted to explore a sequence of actions/events that occurred over a period of time. The coding of the data allowed further analysis through visual-mapping, which is implemented in Chapter 5 as part of the analysis to present complex change processes (Miles et al., 2013). To prevent a potential research bias during the coding process, coding was peer reviewed by another researcher. Furthermore, the original quotes are provided in the discussion of findings in Chapter 5 and can be independently cross-checked against the specific codes.