Investigating a university business school and industry collaboration: a general analytical inductive qualitative research case

This case study examines the development of a general analytical inductive approach to qualitative research. It critically assesses the research design and analytical processes that have facilitated the development of a framework for understanding the development of collaborative partnerships between Business Schools and Industry. I have adopted an interpretivist approach which according to Gill and Johnson is about understanding (verstehen) how people make sense of their world. The research design follows Thomas, and the outcomes of this case study demonstrate how an analytical inductive analysis, one that refers to detailed readings and interpretations of raw data, can be rigorously used in order to drive the identification of concepts, themes, and models. In developing the analytical approach, I gathered data from both University Business School and firms; I transcribed and analyzed 24 interviews, which led me to produce a provisional list of common features. I established the similarities between categories and accommodated deviant features either by linking them with other common features or by generating a new category with unique features. Eventually, I did cross case analysis within the groups and between groups at the Business School and firms. A number of themes emerged which form the basis of a proposed model for initiating collaboration, one linked with Vangen and Huxham's 'trust building loop'. Through a practical application of the research design, data collection and analytical approach, this case study demonstrates the credibility of a general analytical inductive research strategy based on a qualitative research methodology; a strategy that promotes the linking of theory and practice. The benefits from the research are seen as facilitating the development of effective business relationships between local universities and domestic firms.