On the methodological level, the current study will be based on an explanatory research design and will focus on ‘why’ questions. Answering the `why' questions involves developing explanations. Fundamental explanations argue that phenomenon Y (gender composition in employment) is affected by factor X (transition economy). Attempts to answer the `why' questions in social science are theories. These theories vary in their complexity (how many variables and links), abstraction, and scope (Neuman, 2006). This study will use a theory-developing
90 approach because it is a process in which research begins with observations (in this case through interviews) and uses inductive reasoning to develop existing theory from these observations. By using an inductive and theory-developing approach, the researcher will be able to generate a more convincing argument concerning the research question and objectives, which are stated in section 1.2 (research objectives Table 1.1).
Thus, the current research will apply an inductive approach to develop the existing theories and interpret them for the chosen case-study. Theory development is important for establishing the theories needed to support organizational research and practice as it expands the knowledge base with better theory (Torraco, 2009). Therefore, the current research will develop existing theories on gender diversity and patriarchy in conditions of a transition economy using the case-study company. The case-study company for the current research is the `Ruscoal` Mining Company, which is located in the Kuzbass region. Additionally, the researcher will gather data from another mining company in the region in order to make a comparative analysis and draw a more holistic picture, and to increase the validity of the current study by presenting viewpoints of other players in the industry (Torraco, 2009).
Heavy industry has traditionally been the main source of income for Russian governments. Thus, Russia’s future growth prospects will depend on the productivity of this industry (Ahrend, 2006). The case-study organization - the `Ruscoal` Mining Company - is situated in the Kuzbass region. The Kuzbass region is the largest coalmining region in the country; it is also the centre of the metallurgical and chemical industry of Siberia. About 20% of the employed population of the Kuzbass region is working in the coal industry (approximately 200,000 people). Over the last ten years, the coal industry of Kuzbass has experienced a high rate of development. Since 1999, annual volumes of output have grown on average by 4.2%, and in 2008 reached 184.5 million tonnes (Government Russian Committee of Statistics, 2009). The town where `Ruscoal` is located, like many other towns in Kuzbass region, is a mono town [`coal town`] of the coal production industry. Thus, the Company and the coal industry in general are highly important to the local economy.
91 The case-study approach was chosen for the current study because detailed knowledge about one or two chosen units is more helpful for answering the research question than peripheral knowledge about a larger number of examples (Gerring, 2007). The purpose of case-study research is to develop theoretical propositions. A case-study seeks a variety of different types of evidence (Figure 3.1) included within the case-study setting, which has to be interactive and composed in order to answer the specific research questions in the best possible way. The following Figure 3.1 presents the research flow chart:
Figure 3.1. Research flow chart
Review literature
Research question and research objectives
Research Design
Evaluating findings Transcribe and analyze
date
2 In-depth semi structured interview with Head of HR and Head of Trade Union
of other mining company in the
region 14 In-depth semi
structured interview with managers of the
case study company
Conclusion Case study
Internal archives of the case study
company
2 In-depth semi structured interview;
one with Head of Trade Union of `Ruscoal` and one with Trade Union representatives Discussion
26 In-depth semi structured interview
with employees of the case study
92 Gillham (2005) claimed that a single source of evidence cannot answer the research question fully; only sets of them can illustrate the whole picture. Using several sources of evidence, each with its strengths and weaknesses, is a key characteristic of case-study research (ibid, p. 87). Another essential point of the case-study method is that the researcher should not start with a priori theoretical ideas; in other words, he/she should have an `open mind` because, until the information is collected and researcher understands the problem in its specific context, he/she will not know what theories work best or make the most sense (ibid, p.92).
In order to eliminate the consequences of the traditional criticisms of the case-study research methodology, the researcher developed three critical aspects to address these issues (Johnston et al., 2000). First, the current research begins with theory development. Second, the researcher follows a logical structure that is system-based and links the data to the propositions (Figure 3.1). Third, the researcher found a rigorous criterion for interpreting the findings and they are separately evaluated; in other words, the researcher used separate chains for each source of evidence (source-findings-conclusion). By designing the research project around these aspects, a case-study can provide one or more tools to investigate changes in gender composition during the transition economy (Feagin et al., 1991). Moreover, the use of multiple sources of evidence and the establishing of chains of evidence will help to construct the validity and reliability of the findings through triangulation (Yin, 2003).
Triangulation means observing something from different angles or viewpoints in order to find its true location (Neuman, 2006). In order to indicate the impact of the transition economy on gender diversity within the coal industry, the triangulation of viewpoints (organizational, employees’ and outside viewpoints) was preferred. Using triangulation, or observing from different viewpoints, allows the researcher to improve the accuracy of his/her judgements and, thus, the study results. Collecting evidence from different sources (viewpoints) can produce a more complete, holistic and contextual representation of the object under study (Ghauri and Gronhaug, 2005). Moreover, using multiple sources of observers or viewpoints adds alternative perspectives, backgrounds, and social characteristics and helps to construct validity. The semi-structured interviews conducted with senior managers of the organization are carried out with a research agenda (organizational viewpoint) (Bilton et al.,
93 2002). To represent the employees’ point of view, the researcher conducted semi- structured interviews with employees of the `Ruscoal` Mining Company. Another viewpoint could be acquired through semi-structured interviews with trade union representatives. Additionally, the researcher considered the `external` viewpoint of other players in the mining industry (head of HR and head of trade union department of another big company in the city), as well as an analysis of the internal archives. For more information on the interviewees’ profiles, please see 3.5.1 (Tables 3.1; 3.2; 3.3).
Thus, the current research used five sources of evidence: semi-structured interviews with company managers, trade union representatives, employees of the company, and managers of other companies in the industry; and an analysis of the internal archives. The guide questionnaires were developed in order to address the research question. However, they were created as a general guideline for the interviews and are quite flexible.
To conclude, a case-study strategy was considered appropriate for the current research as the study depicts and analyzes data in the context of the environment and defines the relationship between variables. Also, as this research strategy is more suitable for the inductive approach, case-study analysis was found to be an appropriate research tool. The case-study strategy allows the researcher to retain the holistic and meaningful characteristics of real-life events such as organizational life cycle or social changes (Yin, 2003). Thus, it helps to investigate the relationship between two phenomena such as gender diversity and the transition economy.