ABSTRACT
Having introduced the conceptual framework and the research questions in Chapter 2, the present chapter explains the methodological choices and steps that were taken towards applying the conceptual framework of the research for answering the research questions. Section 3.1 describes the research strategy for conducting this study, notably the choice of a case study approach, section of the case studies and the rationale for a two phase empirical research. Section 3.2 is dedicated to introducing the sources of data that informed the empirical research in this study. The methodologies used for data collection during interviews in the two phases of empirical research are explained in sections 3.3 and 3.4. Data analysis methods are presented and discussed in Section 3.5. Section 3.6 summarizes the research design by clarifying the link between the steps taken for conducting this research. This chapter is concluded in section 3.7 by outlining the main methodological steps and choices.
