IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/jomstd/v58y2021i3p649-672.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Challenges and Best‐practice Recommendations for Designing and Conducting Interviews with Elite Informants

Author

Listed:
  • Angelo M. Solarino
  • Herman Aguinis

Abstract

Elite informants (i.e., those in the upper echelon of organizations) are a key data source for building and testing theories in management research. We offer best‐practice recommendations to overcome challenges in designing and conducting interviews with elite informants (EIs) based on a comprehensive and multidisciplinary literature review and information provided by subject matter experts (i.e., authors of recently published articles that included EI interviews). Given unique characteristics of EIs and differences compared to interviewing non‐EIs, we provide recommendations on how to address challenges related to: (1) research design (e.g., what is the best order for the interviews?); (2) data collection (e.g., how can researchers access EIs? what is the best format for the interview? how can researchers obtain more honest responses?); and (3) reporting of results (i.e., what information should researchers report and to whom?). Finally, we offer suggestions for future EI research focusing on methodological issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelo M. Solarino & Herman Aguinis, 2021. "Challenges and Best‐practice Recommendations for Designing and Conducting Interviews with Elite Informants," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(3), pages 649-672, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:58:y:2021:i:3:p:649-672
    DOI: 10.1111/joms.12620
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12620
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/joms.12620?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Werner H. Hoffmann, 2007. "Strategies for managing a portfolio of alliances," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(8), pages 827-856, August.
    2. Herman Aguinis & Angelo M. Solarino, 2019. "Transparency and replicability in qualitative research: The case of interviews with elite informants," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(8), pages 1291-1315, August.
    3. Yeung, Henry Wai-chung, 1995. "Qualitative personal interviews in international business research: Some lessons from a study of Hong Kong Transnational Corporations," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 4(3), pages 313-339, September.
    4. Mary M. Crossan & Iris Berdrow, 2003. "Organizational learning and strategic renewal," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(11), pages 1087-1105, November.
    5. Welch, Catherine & Marschan-Piekkari, Rebecca & Penttinen, Heli & Tahvanainen, Marja, 2002. "Corporate elites as informants in qualitative international business research," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 11(5), pages 611-628, October.
    6. Laurila, Juha, 1997. "Promoting research access and informant rapport in corporate settings: Notes from research on a crisis company," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 407-418, December.
    7. Elizabeth Maitland & André Sammartino, 2015. "Decision making and uncertainty: The role of heuristics and experience in assessing a politically hazardous environment," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(10), pages 1554-1578, October.
    8. Nicolai J. Foss & Torben Pedersen, 2016. "Microfoundations In Strategy Research," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(13), pages 22-34, December.
    9. Donald D. Bergh & Herman Aguinis & Ciaran Heavey & David J. Ketchen & Brian K. Boyd & Peiran Su & Cubie L. L. Lau & Harry Joo, 2016. "Using meta-analytic structural equation modeling to advance strategic management research: Guidelines and an empirical illustration via the strategic leadership-performance relationship," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(3), pages 477-497, March.
    10. Andrew C. Inkpen, 2008. "Knowledge transfer and international joint ventures: the case of NUMMI and General Motors," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 447-453, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Smith, Chris Q. & Williams, Iestyn & Leggett, Will, 2024. "A matter of (good) faith? Understanding the interplay of power and the moral agency of managers in healthcare service reconfiguration," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    2. N. Sharon Hill & Herman Aguinis & Josiah Drewry & Sanjay Patnaik & Jennifer J. Griffin, 2022. "Using Macro Archival Databases to Expand Theory in Micro Research," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(3), pages 627-659, May.
    3. Geoff Bates & Charles Larkin & Nick Pearce & Laura Smyth, 2023. "Policy ‘R&D’, capacity and advocacy in English Combined Authorities," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 38(3), pages 226-241, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rasim Serdar Kurdoglu & Nüfer Yasin Ateş, 2022. "Arguing to Defeat: Eristic Argumentation and Irrationality in Resolving Moral Concerns," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 519-535, January.
    2. Oetzel, Jennifer, 2005. "Smaller may be beautiful but is it more risky? Assessing and managing political and economic risk in Costa Rica," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 14(6), pages 765-790, December.
    3. Kavusan, K., 2015. "Essays on capability development through alliances," Other publications TiSEM 8eb736a5-b217-4718-ac13-d, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Oh, Yoojin & Yoo, Nina, 2022. "Effective cooperation modes based on cultural and market similarities in interfirm relationships," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(1).
    5. Lauring, Jakob & Selmer, Jan, 2010. "The supportive expatriate spouse: An ethnographic study of spouse involvement in expatriate careers," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 59-69, February.
    6. Lai, Kee-hung & Feng, Yunting & Zhu, Qinghua, 2023. "Digital transformation for green supply chain innovation in manufacturing operations," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    7. Van Wijk, Raymond & Nadolska, Anna, 2020. "Making more of alliance portfolios: The role of alliance portfolio coordination," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 388-399.
    8. Felipe A. Csaszar & Nicolaj Siggelkow, 2010. "How Much to Copy? Determinants of Effective Imitation Breadth," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(3), pages 661-676, June.
    9. Sirén, Charlotta & Kohtamäki, Marko, 2016. "Stretching strategic learning to the limit: The interaction between strategic planning and learning," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 653-663.
    10. Canales, Juan I. & Vila, Joaquim, 2004. "Strategy-making via participation," IESE Research Papers D/569, IESE Business School.
    11. Angélica Pigola & Priscila Rezende Costa, 2022. "In search of understanding about knowledge and learning on innovation performance," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(7), pages 3995-4022, July.
    12. Bouncken, Ricarda B. & Qiu, Yixin & García, F. Javier Sendra, 2021. "Flexible pattern matching approach: Suggestions for augmenting theory evolvement," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    13. Guercini, Simone & Milanesi, Matilde, 2020. "Heuristics in international business: A systematic literature review and directions for future research," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(4).
    14. Jacob, Jojo & Belderbos, René & Lokshin, Boris, 2023. "Entangled modes: Boundaries to effective international knowledge sourcing through technology alliances and technology-based acquisitions," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    15. Müller, Jens & Weinrich, Arndt, 2020. "Tax knowledge diffusion via strategic alliances," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 253, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
    16. Sheth, Ananya & Sinfield, Joseph V., 2022. "An analytical framework to compare innovation strategies and identify simple rules," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    17. Piers Steel & Sjoerd Beugelsdijk & Herman Aguinis, 2021. "The anatomy of an award-winning meta-analysis: Recommendations for authors, reviewers, and readers of meta-analytic reviews," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(1), pages 23-44, February.
    18. Sanna Hilden & Kati Tikkamäki, 2013. "Reflective Practice as a Fuel for Organizational Learning," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-20, July.
    19. Partanen, Jukka & Kohtamäki, Marko & Patel, Pankaj C. & Parida, Vinit, 2020. "Supply chain ambidexterity and manufacturing SME performance: The moderating roles of network capability and strategic information flow," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    20. Del Bosco, Barbara & Cristina Bettinelli, 2020. "How Do Family SMEs Control Their Investments Abroad? The Role of Distance and Family Control," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 1-35, February.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:58:y:2021:i:3:p:649-672. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley-Blackwell Digital Licensing or Christopher F. Baum (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0022-2380 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.