TRAZADO ACTUAL DE LOS LÍMITES

In this section I outline steps taken to ensure a credible, plausible and transferable piece of research, summarised in Table 20.

As a qualitative piece of research the aim is to produce a credible account answering the research questions under study, rather than a statement of truth Silverman ). This is because when following a social constructionist worldview truth cannot be found given the continuous co-creation of reality itself.

Table 20: Criteria for, and Measures taken, for Successful Qualitative Research

Criteria Steps Undertaken to ensure criteria met Credibility -Multiple sources of data

-In-depth interviews

- Participant-led visual diagrams

-Sharing of initial findings with NGO contacts and key informants

Plausibility -Sound and video recordings; transcriptions; translations and photographs used.

-Systematic steps taken in carrying out data generation techniques, and recorded as such.

-Multiple data techniques -Reflexivity

-Conference with other researchers, supervisors etc. Transferability -Thick descriptions in data

150

Source: Adapted from Muthuri (2008)

In this research then, credibility is found in whether the interpretations of data are as close as possible to the meanings and understandings of gender of the participants themselves (Silverman, 2006 )n other words do my theoretical conclusions fit with the observations and interview texts generated (Peräkylä, 2004)? I employed the following techniques to ensure credibility by:

1/Employing multiple sources of data, in interviewing different interviewees from a range of job families, across different stages of the value chain, including those based in the UK offices, suppliers in Ghana and famers producing products under study. I included document sources that were both internally and externally authored. This scope aids cross- comparison between narratives, and ensures no one narrative dominates the study.

2/ Utilising in-depth interviews to allow interviewees to account for themselves, to bring in their own thoughts and experiences, and to get close to their own worlds.

3/ Utilising participatory visual research techniques that enhance our understanding of sensory embodiment and communication, and hence reflect more the diversity of human experiences Prosser and Loxley GALS use of drawing crosses linguistic barriers to participation Through reducing power differentials between researcher and researched, including a wider range of views and getting closer access to poorly represented groups, and in adopting a method that can approach topics sensitively and without imposing Western cultural values Liebenberg, 2009), GALS produces data on gender that is arguably more credible than competing research research techniques (Mayoux and Chambers, 2005).

151 4/Sharing GALS findings with NGO partners and informal conversations with NGO employees, which helped cross-check my analysis with others. Informal discussion with some interviewees about first-order constructs in initial findings also helped corroborate that they made sense

Plausibility pertains to the researcher being able to convince the reader of the soundness and sense of their research MacPherson (ere a concern is how much of the data has been influenced through the researcher s own characteristics and how subjective the resultant findings may be. Transparency (Gephart, 2004), strong descriptive elements (Silverman, 2010) and multiple techniques of data generation in qualitative research can answer these concerns (Yin, 2009). I achieved this by:

1/ Ensuring data transparency through tape recordings, video recordings and professional transcriptions of all interviews carried out, therefore keeping a close connection with the participants own language and experience (Peräkylä, 2004). Translators were used when necessary, and care was taken to translate English terms into locally recognisable phrases. Photographs in fieldwork, and photographs of GALS diagrams added a visual record to the research.

2/ Following systemic steps throughout the research to add to its replicability (Easterby-Smith, Golden-Biddle, and Locke, 2008:422), especially when conducting GALS workshops (see Section 4.3.4). I used an interview guide (Appendix 4) to ensure that the same themes were covered in all interviews, even though I allowed interviewees to direct the conversation along their own experience. I kept detailed descriptions of research techniques throughout using a personal research journal, as well as detailed fieldnotes covering each interview, meeting and observational opportunity (Section 4.3.2.1).

152 3/ Employing a multiplicity of research techniques, also known as triangulation, in my use of in-depth interviews, observations, documentary analysis, diagramming in GALS workshops and focus group discussions This was to ensure a convergence of evidence within the case study (Yin, 2009: 116).

4/ Practicing reflexivity throughout the research process: reflecting on my assumptions and prior-knowledge during the planning of the project; my presence as a researcher in the data generation; and my own perceptions and influences on the research and analysis (Section 4.5).

Finally transferability corresponds to generalisability but it is impossible for single case studies to be generalisable in a scientific sense Peräkylä )nstead as Peräkylä adds the possibility of various

practices can be considered generalisable even if the practices are not

actualized in similar ways across different settings my emphasis). Thus the practices and interaction that make up the institution of gender are likely to be transferable to other contexts and cases offer an entry point into researching them Thick description (Geertz, 1973:6) of social life builds a picture that may well reflect other organisations institutions or actors situations As an exemplary embedded case study this thesis offers transferable stories of best practice, challenges and organisational learning that other business organisations may face: now or in the future.