Quality, value, satisfaction, trust, a

included in this sentence would be coded as follows: (search for specific opportunities) �
(selection / formulation of new venture business model) � (search for financial resources).
Three coders were trained to analyze several thick descriptions of cases on entrepreneur
start-ups (in Fraser 1992). Following training and discussion on two of cases, the third set of
codings were completed individually and tested to ascertain intercoder reliabilities. The average
agreement among the three coders was a satisfactory 88 percent on the causal linkage codes
assigned. Previous applications
of near identical coding methods have achieved similar levels of high reliabilities (e.g., Axelrod
1976; Barr, et al. 1992).
Following training and the establishment of intercoder reliability, all three coders were
assigned to code a fourth case description on entrepreneur behavior, the Millie Hand Cooked
Potato Chip case (in Fraser 1992). The average intercoder reliability for the Millie case was 92.1
percent.
Working separately, the three judges were also asked to provide a parsimonious map
that further summarized the key concepts and links in the Millie Case. The three judges then
worked jointly to combine their three summary maps into the one described in the results
section.
After testing for intercoder reliability and developing the parsimonious, summary, map.
The three judges also worked together to combine their three detailed maps of the stages found
in entrepreneur behavior in the Millie case. In developing their individual maps the three
judges had concluded that three stages had occurred in the Millie case: start-up, growth, and
demise.
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