Studying information technology multi-sourcing using Glaserian grounded theory /

This chapter describes the application of the Glaserian grounded-theory method to a longitudinal study of an information technology multi-sourcing arrangement at a global sporting goods company, adidas. Adidas established a multi-sourcing arrangement in which it delegated projects and services to th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Saunders, Carol (Author), Wieners, Martin (Author)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: London : SAGE Publications Ltd, 2019.
Series:SAGE Research Methods. Cases.
Subjects:
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book
Description
Summary:This chapter describes the application of the Glaserian grounded-theory method to a longitudinal study of an information technology multi-sourcing arrangement at a global sporting goods company, adidas. Adidas established a multi-sourcing arrangement in which it delegated projects and services to three vendors who were simultaneously competing and cooperating. The study entailed three rounds of interviews that were conducted over a 3-year period. This chapter describes the challenges we faced in the process of completing our study: determining a research question, gaining entrée to adidas, adopting the right mind-set, capturing the voices of our interviewees, finding a theoretical model, figuring out when to stop the interviews, and writing up the results. Through a long process, we eventually developed a theory that was grounded in our data: the theory of forced coopetition. Along the way, we learned some important lessons: select an interesting research phenomenon ("P"), practice patience ("P"), and multiply the impact ("I").
Physical Description:1 online resource : illustrations.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9781526467980
1526467984