Research Method
Corporate governance concepts are often referred to in the literature as being complex and subjective. As the
nature of the governance issue is subjective, social constructionist ontology is adopted. Easterby-Smith, Thorpe
and Lowe, (2002) suggest that a study that is subjective and requires interaction with people should apply social
constructionist ontology. Social constructionist ontology observes reality through social interaction with, rather
than focusing on the fundamental laws (as viewed by the realist ontology). Making sense of the reality through
the different views shared by people illustrates the social process. In relation to the present study, making sense
of the issue through the lens of the people represents the issue of corporate practices related to the moral (i.e.
ethics) issue. In doing so, a qualitative approach is appropriate. Learning the meaning from the perspective of the
respondents establishes the nature of the research that requires qualitative approach. The qualitative approach
requires a rich description of data. In order to obtain the rich description of the data, the enquiry technique is
pursued. The enquiry technique involves the process of sample selection, selecting the method of interview, and
analysing text corpus. In addition, to confirm the validity of the data, the study used multiple sources (i.e.
documents and interviews) as the data collection method, hence, supporting the rigour in the methodology
process of evidence gathering.
Sample selection
The present study uses purposive sampling for sample selection. Silverman (2005) stated that purposive
sampling is sample selected based on appropriateness of the case based on the feature or process of interest of
the research. The sample involved corporations as the sample of the study. The corporations are selected based
on the quality of their practices and high standard of governance. The corporations are ranked among the
corporations listed in the Corporate Governance Survey Report 2008 conducted jointly by the Minority
Shareholders Watchdog group and Nottingham University, Malaysia. Fifteen companies from the list were
selected. Selection was based on several factors such as accessibility of the respondents, and suitability of the
corporations as a sample.
Selection of method of enquiry
The qualitative technique was employed (i.e. interview, observation and document analysis) to explore the issue
of the study. The qualitative technique such as mentioned above provide rich description of the research issue.
Face to face interview enable to provide insightful narration of the issue. Document analysis, on the other hand,
triangulate the data gathered from the interview and observation support the validity of the data gathered from
interview. Normally, the length of interviews was approximately 90 minutes. Most of the interviews were
conducted at the premises of the participants. In order to gain insights into the issue, open ended interview
questions were used. Open ended interviews give freedom to the respondents to speak their mind freely. In
respect of the issue of the study, such an approach is important to seek and understand the ethical process in the
context of corporate governance. A conversation-discussion based approach was adopted for the interviews. The
idea of having such an approach is due to the sensitivity of the topic, thus, a more interactive situation is
preferred.
Data analysis
The study employs the suggestion of Miles and Huberman (1994) concerning data analysis techniques where the
evidence gathered was categorized into themes. Miles and Huberman (1994) suggested three processes for
analysing qualitative data – data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing. The data reduction phase
involved two main processes – transcription and coding of data. Qualitative software, i.e. NVIVO was used to
assist the researcher in transcribing and coding the data, which is also known as the data management process.
However, interpretation of the data was conducted manually.