Repertory grid technique and Honey’s content analysis: a methodological application to advance qualitative research in OSCM
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
ISSN: 0960-0035
Article publication date: 5 July 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explain and demonstrate how the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and Honey’s Content Analysis (HCA) can make new contributions to the field of Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM). The proposition involves integrating these complementary analyses to fortify the rigor of qualitative research and establish robust data analysis protocols to identify the main attributes of interviewees regarding a phenomenon while understanding in their perspective how these attributes impact the desired analysis outcome.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses examples with rich empirical data from 40 interviewees across two organizations. The examples use a protocol that allows the grouping of meanings from different knowledgeable individuals and capturing relevant constructs related to an outcome.
Findings
The combination of RGT and HCA permits researchers to effectively identify and analyze the constructs individuals and groups utilize to comprehend the subject matter under investigation. Consequently, these techniques present a structured means to conduct grounded theory investigations and interpretive research, thereby enabling the iterative development of the preliminary conceptual models necessary for OSCM field advancement.
Originality/value
We present two examples in which the protocol is applied to the field of OSCM. These examples illustrate that the techniques provide valuable opportunities for OSCM research, particularly for addressing the limitations related to sample size. Ultimately, RGT and HCA complement quantitative methodologies by uncovering nuanced variations and micro-foundations within firm- and network-level phenomena, offering insights essential for advancing our understanding of OSCM dynamics in specific contexts.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Brazilian Council of Techonological and Scientific Development/CNPq (Project Number: 403840/2021-0), Minas Gerais State Research Support Foundationand/FAPEMIG (Project Number: PPM-00597-18) and UFMG/Department of Business Administration for providing the funding for this project. These institutional supports are gratefully acknowledged.
Citation
Martins, R., Siegler, J., Freitas, J.S., Santos, L.F.M.d., Barroso, M.B.C. and Macedo, R.d.C. (2024), "Repertory grid technique and Honey’s content analysis: a methodological application to advance qualitative research in OSCM", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2023-0054
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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