ABSTRACT
OF SINGLE OR TWO NATION STUDIES A second response to the problem of "bad" data is to narrow the
focus of the research. For example, Cory [1982] studied all forms of industrial cooperation in Yugoslavia, Osborn and Baughn [1987; 1990] examined U.S. based alliances between Japanese and American firms in a variety of industries, and Ring [1997] explored collaboration across a range of industries using six longitudinal case studies. In a more narrowly focused study, the researcher may be able to obtain access to a pre-existing database. Because of the narrow focus, a "sample of convenience" of this type can frequently avoid some of the problems discussed above. With a more narrow population, the researcher may be able to ascertain that all relevant alliances have been included. Geographical bias in reporting in the Wall Street Journal for example, may not present a major obstacle when the subject to be explored is a question involving U.S.-based alliances between Japanese and U.S. firms.
