Conceptual Framework and Methodology

This chapter presents the conceptual framework, methodology, research design and details of the fieldwork. The study followed the interactive process of qualitative research design as put forth by Maxwell (2005, pp. 2–3). Some aspects of the design were developed prior to the framing of the actual research questions and many others were kept flexible and emergent to the needs of the field. The methodology was shaped by the expected contribution to the area of rural management. The related implications were: (a) the study would have a rural focus, and (b) the researcher would spend a significant amount of time in the actual field settings in close contact with the people, situation and phenomenon under study. Thus, not only the review of literature and framing of the conceptual framework was guided by this expected contribution, but also an important design decision that the study would be essentially field-based was made prior to the actual articulation of specific research questions. Specific design aspects like the choice of case study as the research strategy, data collection methods and tools were subsequently taken.