Handbook of Qualitative Research Techniques and Analysis in Entrepreneurship

'This is a much-needed addition to research methods in entrepreneurship. This book champions valuable practices for studying entrepreneurial phenomena in rigorous ways. Five qualitative interview methods (constant comparative technique, metaphor methodologies, critical incident technique, focus groups and repertory grids) are grounded in prior theory and research, and demonstrated in specific research situations in ways that offer scholars insightful and important approaches to exploring entrepreneurship. This is a ''must buy'' for scholars who want to utilize better and more insightful methods for exploring the ideas, context and praxis of entrepreneurship.' --William B. Gartner, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and California Lutheran University, US 'This book will appeal to all researchers interested in qualitative research within the entrepreneurship field. The editors, Neergaard and Leitch, have put together a great group of experts who provide a fantastic overview on a wide range of known and lesser-known techniques. There is much to be discovered even for the experienced researcher. A great ''how to'' guide and a must-read for all qualitative entrepreneurship researchers, be they novices or experienced researchers.' --Friederike Welter, Institut fur Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn and University of Siegen, Germany

Edited by Helle Neergaard, Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Aarhus, Denmark and Claire M. Leitch, Professor of Entrepreneurial Leadership, Lancaster University Management School, UK

Contents: Introduction PART 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTANT COMPARATIVE TECHNIQUE Alistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. Jack 1. Using the Constant Comparative Technique to Consider Network Change and Evolution Sarah L. Jack, Alistair R. Anderson, Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Susan Moult 2. Using Constant Comparison as a Method of Analysis in Entrepreneurship Research Susan M. Smith and Edward McKeever 3. Grounded Theory Analysis in Entrepreneurship Research Anne Bllingtoft The Future for the Constant Comparative Technique Alistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. Jack PART II METAPHOR METHODOLOGIES: EXPLORING ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH, PEDAGOGY AND RESEARCHERS Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning 4. Enacting, Experimenting and Exploring Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning 5. Contextualising Images of Enterprise: An Examination of Visual Metaphors used to Represent Entrepreneurship in Textbooks Robert Smith 6. Metaphors in Communication of Scholarly Work Cecilia Bjursell Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship Research Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning SECTION III THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE: AN OVERVIEW Claire M. Leitch 7. Researching the Entrepreneurial Process using the Critical Incident Technique Elizabeth Chell 8. The Efficacy of the Qualitative Variant of the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) in Entrepreneurship Research Claire M. Leitch and Frances M. Hill 9. A Critical Incident Technique Approach to Entrepreneurship Research using Phenomenological Explicative Data Collection Richard T. Harrison Critical Incident Technique: Some Conclusions Claire M. Leitch PART IV PROVENANCE AND USE OF FOCUS GROUPS John Watson and Rick Newby 10. Conducting a Traditional Focus Group John Watson, Rick Newby, Helle Neergaard and Robert Smith 11. Conducting a Focus Group using Group Support System (GSS) Software Geoff Soutar, Rick Newby and John Watson 12. Conducting an On-line Focus Group Rick Newby and John Watson Focus Groups: What have we Learned? John Watson and Rick Newby PART V REPERTORY GRIDS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FROM RESEARCH Rita G. Klapper 17. Using Repertory Grid Technique to Explore the Relationship between Business Founders and Support Agents Anja Hagedorn 18. Using Repertory Grid to Assess Intangibles: Uncertainty Reduction for Lean Start-ups in Entrepreneurship Enrique Daz de Len and Paul Guild 19. Repertory Grid Technique: An Ideographic and Nomothetic Approach to Knowledge Carmen Dima 20. Concluding Thoughts on Repertory Grids Rita G. Klapper Index