Table 2 Analytic approach (cf., Smith and Besharov 2017)
From: Navigating in a Hierarchy: How Middle Managers Adapt Macro Design
| Analytical activities | Generated output |
|---|---|
| 1: Develop a thick case description | |
|
• Organize and integrate the different data sources • Use visual mapping • Share interpretations with co-learners (HR) at “learning meetings” to increase reliability • Write thick descriptions generating an overview of the design process |
• Visual map of the empirical context • Visual representation of the new organization • Initial key observation that informed subsequent data analysis (middle manager role) • Empirical thick case description |
| 2: Code raw data to develop main constructs | |
|
• Code raw data to understand the reorganization • Merge empirical codes into empirical categories • Thematic analysis to understand different perceptions of new design • Iterate between data and literature to develop more abstract conceptual categories ad aggregated theoretical dimensions • Share interpretations with co-learners (HR) at “learning meetings” to increase reliability |
• Visual representation of the new organization as perceived by different managerial levels • Data structure including empirical categories merged into six conceptual themes and two aggregated theoretical dimensions |
| 3: Integrate data and literature | |
| • Explore the relationship between empirical findings and existing literature | • Extension of Floyd and Wooldridge’s (1997) findings on middle managers’ strategic influence by adding a new role (designing) |
