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did not require information to be relayed to them once again. Therefore, the researcher
introduced himself, asked permission to record the interview, and stated his brief research
introduction before asking the respondent the prepared questions.
3.4.2.1 Interview Guide Explained
The interview guide was a checklist of points to ask each of the participants when
being interviewed, and any responses that were generated from these questions was a bonus
(Seale, Gobo, Gubrium, & Silverman, 2007). The first introduction questions were specific
to the individuals involved. They required straightforward answers, in a short time. This got
the respondent talking about themselves, their experience in the organisation; the length of
time that they had been involved in the organisation, their position, and the role of that
position. This quickly established an easy rapport between the researcher and respondent.
It is important to understand the alliance relationship existence in this case study.
Therefore, the next section of questions allowed the respondent to progress towards talking
about the extent of the relationship that existed between the case study organisations. A
very broad question was used where participants were asked to describe the case study
relationship to the researcher. Following their response to this question, further probing
questions were utilised by the researcher so that he fully understood the nature of the
relationship. An understanding was needed as to the nature, extent, length, objectives,
importance and areas of collaboration.
The third section dealt specifically with Hamel’s (1991) first determinant of intent.
The overall objective with this section of questions was to gauge the degree of overall
intent. Questions focussed on the opportunity to learn, what was being achieved, the short
term and long term gains and sources of knowledge.
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