Supplementing Q-method with narratives: Contextualizing CEOs' values for family firms

Publikation: Beiträge in ZeitschriftenZeitschriftenaufsätzeForschungbegutachtet

Authors

Values in family firms are influenced by the complex interplay of family and business. Thus, research requires methods that grasp this complexity. This paper presents a fresh methodological approach for family business research with the example of an in-depth analysis of CEOs' value orientations. Benefits of an integrated use of two qualitative methods - Q-sorts and narrative interviews - which were collected and analyzed for 16 CEOs of family firms are illustrated. Q-method was used to build value patterns, whereas narrative interviews were conducted to reveal how values were contextualized and interpreted. This integrated approach builds qualitative richness in different ways: first, by allowing for a deep understanding of individual experience; second, by providing more contextual insight, and third, by capturing the meaning of abstract values. The approach advanced here can be reproduced for other complex organizational dynamics. Thus, this user-friendly approach is particularly suited for organizational research in a managerial environment.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer46
ZeitschriftJournal of Management and Organization
Jahrgang27
Ausgabenummer2
Seiten (von - bis)270-294
Anzahl der Seiten25
ISSN1833-3672
DOIs
PublikationsstatusErschienen - 03.2021

Bibliographische Notiz

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2018.

DOI