UNIDADES

The focus group discussions and interviews are analyzed using thematic analysis. It has many similarities with content analysis (Marks & Yardley, 2004) which concentrates on occurring themes and patterns when combining and comparing empirical data from groups and individuals (Eriksson & Kovalainen 2008). The aim is to find repeated issues and similar statements related to adjustment and satisfaction of foreign workers’ spouses and how those further affect foreign workers satisfaction and commitment. Based on the analysis, practical implications will be drawn concerning how employers and relocation services can contribute to these factors.

In thematic analysis, coding can be used to categorize the empirical data (Marks & Yardley, 2004). It is a procedure by which the recorded talk and discussions are classified in meaningful categories (Huberman & Miles 2002). According to Corbin & Strauss (2008, 13) qualitative research is about “playing with words, making order out of seeming disorder, and thinking in terms of complex relationships”. Coding was used as a tool to accomplish these missions in this study.

A code, also referred as a theme, implies something important in the collected data with regards to the research questions. It also expresses patterns in responses or meanings within the data. (Braun & Clarke, 2006) One code can include a particular term used by the interviewees, but also the data where the term is latent, but the discussion clearly belongs to that theme (Marks & Yardley, 2004). Thus more interpretation is used than in the pure content analysis method. In this study there is more practical value to interpret the data than solely count the occurrences of codes. Also, as Braun & Clarke (2006) note, more occurrences do not inevitably mean that the particular theme itself is more essential. The importance lies in whether the code captures something important related to the research, and the researcher decides what is important in that sense. (Braun & Clarke, 2006)

The codes can be defined based on existing theories, deductive coding, or created from the data gathered for the study, inductive coding (Marks & Yardley, 2004). Abduction combines these two methods (Eriksson & Kovalainen 2008) and is used in this study. It allows the inclusion of all possible factors that affect the adjustment and not only the ones mentioned

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in the earlier research. However, as Marks & Yardley (2004, 58) argue: ”No theme can be entirely inductive or data driven, since the researcher’s knowledge and preconceptions will inevitably influence the identification of themes.” And also, it is not relevant to code everything that is said in the interviews and focus group discussions, but only the pieces of information that are related to the research questions.

In this thesis, the practical steps to proceed with thematic analysis created by Braun & Clarke (2006) were followed. Next a modification of the model is presented including examples of each step.

Step 1: Reading the transcriptions from the interviews and focus group discussions. Making notes and listing preliminary codes.

Analysis started with reading the transcriptions from the interviews and focus group discussions and making a preliminary list of codes including around 100 different codes with an explanation of the meaning. One example of a code is Communication differences and explanation for it is Differences in the ways of communication and how the person feels about the differences.

Step 2: Deciding the initial codes related to the research questions and coding the pieces of data according to the defined codes. Keeping record of the explanations of each code.

After listing the preliminary codes and reading the literature part of the thesis and the transcriptions again the initial codes for analysis were chosen. In addition, some of the codes were grouped together such as code Local ways of interaction with Communication differences and more descriptive explanations of each code were written. This stage resulted in 86 codes with which the transcriptions were coded.

Step 3 Arranging the codes in integrative themes. Describing the meanings of each theme.

After the initial coding, all the coded material was arranged under the three research questions and grouped in six preliminary themes: overall perception of adjustment, general

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/ cultural factors, factors related to interactional adjustment, organizational adjustment factors, influence mechanisms between foreign worker and spouse and forms of support.

Step 4 Checking how the themes answer to the research questions and modifying the themes and/or codes if needed.

At this point the literature review was read through once more and research framework modified slightly. In the end, the following four themes were defined to answer the first research question: Overall perception of adjustment, General and cultural factors, Personal and relational factors and Organizational factors. Further the fifth theme called the influence family members have on each other’s adjustment include findings related to the second research question. Finally the last theme, Organizational support, covers results related to the third research question.

Step 5 Finalizing the themes and analyzing the data. Describing how the themes answer to the research questions.

At this stage a draft version of the findings chapter was written.

Step 6 Writing the report. Describing the themes and providing answers to the research questions. Presenting the practical implications based on the analysis. Using quotations and thick descriptions in reporting the results.

At this stage, the findings chapter was further worked on and the conclusions chapter written including practical implications and suggestions for further research.