An illustration of how a research interview design is linked to a specific academic theory: a note for MBA students

An illustration of how a research interview design is linked to a specific academic theory: a note for MBA students

The following is an account of my dialogue with chatgpt (accessed via poe.com) on using social exchange theory for an in-depth research interview application:

My question 1 is: "I am a part-time MBA student; I am currently working on my final year dissertation. One of my research tasks is to my friend's professional firm which offers accounting and company secretarial service to small and medium enterprises in Hong Kong. My friend, who is one of the owners of the professional firm, would like to me study the morale and service quality of her accounting and company secretarial staff. There are 10 staff in total and they are gen y. My friend is concerned that these professional staff's morale has deteriorated recently. I plan to conduct in-depth interviews with 5 of the staff. For this study, I am going to employ primarily social exchange theory for this research task. My question one is: what are the main ideas underlying the social exchange theory?"

The reply from chatgpt: "Social Exchange Theory (SET) is a social psychological and sociological perspective that explains social behavior in terms of the exchange of resources, with a focus on the costs and benefits involved. Here are the main ideas underlying the theory:

1. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Individuals assess the potential rewards and costs of a relationship or interaction. They seek to maximize benefits while minimizing costs.

2. Reciprocity

Relationships are based on mutual exchange. Individuals expect reciprocation for their contributions, which fosters a sense of obligation and commitment.

3. Comparison Level

People have a standard or benchmark against which they evaluate the quality of their relationships. This includes past experiences and societal norms.

4. Satisfaction and Commitment

Higher satisfaction with the perceived rewards and lower perceived costs lead to greater commitment to the relationship. Conversely, dissatisfaction can lead to withdrawal or termination.

5. Power Dynamics

The balance of power in relationships is influenced by the resources each party brings. Those with more valuable resources may hold more power in the exchange.

6. Social Capital

Relationships can provide social capital, which includes access to resources, information, and support networks that can be beneficial for both parties.

7. Contextual Factors

The social, economic, and cultural context can influence the dynamics of exchange and the expectations of what constitutes a fair exchange.

Application to Your Study

By applying SET in your dissertation, you can explore how the perceived costs and benefits of working at the firm affect the morale and service quality of the staff. Understanding their perspectives on exchange (e.g., support from management, recognition, workload) can provide valuable insights into their current morale and potential areas for improvement."

My question 2: "Tks for clarification. Could you suggest the in-depth research interview plan for me that is linked to social exchange theory?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Certainly! Here’s a structured interview plan linked to Social Exchange Theory (SET) for your in-depth interviews with the accounting and company secretarial staff. This plan includes key themes, sample questions, and an outline for the interview process.

In-Depth Interview Plan

1. Introduction

Purpose: Explain the purpose of the interview and how it relates to your research on morale and service quality.

Confidentiality: Assure participants that their responses will be confidential and used solely for academic purposes.

Duration: Inform participants about the expected length of the interview (e.g., 30-45 minutes).

2. Background Information

Role and Experience:

Can you briefly describe your role and duration of employment at the firm?

What attracted you to work here?

3. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Perceived Rewards:

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

How do you feel about the recognition and appreciation you receive for your work?

Perceived Costs:

What challenges or difficulties do you face in your role?

How do you feel about your workload and work-life balance?

4. Reciprocity and Support

Mutual Exchange:

In what ways do you feel supported by your colleagues and management?

How do you perceive your contributions being valued by others in the firm?

Reciprocal Relationships:

Can you provide examples of times when you felt your support was reciprocated?

5. Satisfaction and Commitment

Job Satisfaction:

How satisfied are you with your current role and responsibilities?

What factors contribute most to your job satisfaction?

Commitment to the Firm:

How committed do you feel to the firm and its goals?

What would make you more committed to your role?

6. Comparison Level

Benchmarks:

How do you compare your experience here with your previous roles or industry standards?

Are there aspects of your job that you feel could be improved?

7. Power Dynamics and Social Capital

Influence and Power:

Do you feel you have a voice in decision-making processes? Why or why not?

How do relationships within the firm affect your ability to perform your job?

Access to Resources:

How do you perceive the availability of resources (e.g., training, mentorship) that support your professional growth?

8. Conclusion

Final Thoughts:

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience or suggestions for improvement?

Thank You: Thank the participant for their time and insights.

Follow-Up

After each interview, take detailed notes or record the session (with permission) to analyze the responses in relation to SET.

Analysis Framework

Use thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to the key concepts of Social Exchange Theory, focusing on the interplay of costs, benefits, and reciprocal relationships.

This interview plan should help you gather rich qualitative data that reflects the morale and service quality of the staff while grounding your findings in the principles of Social Exchange Theory."

My question 3: "As the in-depth interview design is linked to social exchange theory, could you suggest some codes, based on the deductive research approach, for me to consider for this thematic analysis exercise?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Certainly! Here are some suggested codes for your thematic analysis based on a deductive research approach linked to Social Exchange Theory (SET). These codes will help you categorize and analyze the interview data effectively.

Suggested Codes

1. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Job Rewards: Positive aspects of the job, including salary, recognition, and career development.

Job Costs: Negative aspects, including workload, stress, and lack of resources.

2. Reciprocity

Support Received: Instances where staff feel supported by colleagues or management.

Support Given: Examples of how staff provide support to others within the firm.

3. Satisfaction and Commitment

Job Satisfaction: Expressions of contentment or dissatisfaction with role and responsibilities.

Commitment Level: Indicators of engagement and loyalty to the firm.

4. Comparison Level

Benchmarking: Comparisons with previous jobs or industry standards.

Expectations vs. Reality: Discrepancies between expected and actual experiences.

5. Power Dynamics

Decision-Making Voice: Feelings about participation in decision-making processes.

Influence: Perceived power in influencing outcomes or processes within the firm.

6. Social Capital

Networking Opportunities: Access to relationships that provide support or resources.

Resource Availability: Perceptions of access to training, mentorship, and professional development.

7. Morale Indicators

Team Cohesion: Feelings about teamwork and collaboration.

Work Environment: Perceptions of the workplace culture and atmosphere.

8. Recommendations for Improvement

Suggestions for Change: Ideas offered by staff for enhancing morale or service quality.

Barriers to Improvement: Identified challenges that hinder positive changes.

Applying the Codes

As you analyze the interview transcripts, you can use these codes to tag relevant sections of the text. This will allow you to group data into themes and draw insights related to the morale and service quality issues your friend is concerned about.

Example of Usage

Quote: "I feel really appreciated when management recognizes our hard work."

Codes: Job Rewards, Support Received, Job Satisfaction

By systematically applying these codes, you can develop a comprehensive understanding of the staff's experiences and perceptions, all while grounding your analysis in Social Exchange Theory."

Further reading 1: interview design: the inductive approach vs deductive approach

Further reading 2: Note 2 on interview research design.

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.