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Qualitative personal interviews in international business research: Some lessons from a study of Hong Kong Transnational Corporations

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  • Yeung, Henry Wai-chung

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the role of qualitative personal interviews in international business research. Based on an ongoing research into more than 120 transnational corporations from Hong Kong and more than 60 of their subsidiaries and/or affiliates in Southeast Asia, I argue that the qualitative personal interview method is a much better technique than other common techniques in international business research such as postal surveys and telephone interviews. This argument is particularly relevant when the research is conducted in an urban context and the objective is to probe deeply into the processes and mechanisms of international business. Another dimension of the qualitative personal interview method is that it provides much flexibility both in the conduct of data collection and subsequent analysis. This advantage proves to be critical to international business research because of the changing context of research and concern with business firms operating simultaneously in several geographical locations.

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  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:4:y:1995:i:3:p:313-339
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    1. Peter J. Buckley, 1992. "Studies in International Business," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-349-12174-8.
    2. W-C H Yeung, 1994. "Hong Kong Firms in the ASEAN Region: Transnational Corporations and Foreign Direct Investment," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 26(12), pages 1931-1956, December.
    3. John H Dunning, 1989. "The Study of International Business: A Plea for a More Interdisciplinary Approach," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 20(3), pages 411-436, September.
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