BUS705 Qualitative Research Proposal

“Why does the long term maintenance of strategic revolutionary change fail and what effect does removing

the change leader have?”

Case Study of Vodafone New Zealand

Presented by Jess Maher (3328773)

My personal history & involvement with Vodafone

• Vodafone as part of the family

• My family’s relocations with Vodafone since 1997

Understanding my Dad as an “Influential Leader”??

• “Stirring things up” – Grahame Maher

Kozakova, P (2006) Maverick CEO takes on Vodafone, Czech Business Weekly

Threatened jail time for streaker incident

• “Maverick CEO”

• 2002 Bledisloe Cup

Timeline of Grahame Maher’s history with Vodafone

Research Question, Aims and Objectives

“Why does the long term maintenance of strategic revolutionary change fail and what effect does

removing the change leader have?”

• Research Aims

– Gain understanding as to why the long term maintenance of strategic change fails

– Provide an perspective of strategic change from a long term orientation

– Provide a new perspective on the influence of leaders

Existing Literature

• Change Management & Leadership

• Succession Planning & Human Resource Management

• Expatriation and International Talent Transfer

Theoretical basis for understanding drawn from three different bodies of knowledge, research & literature;

Lack of directly related literature.

• Case Study Method – Inductive Approach

• Critical Incident Technique

• Multi-method, multisource data– Primary Source: Semi-Structured Interviews

– Secondary Source: Longitudinal data collection

• Respondents; – Current Management Team

– Current line managers from Marketing function

Research Methodology & Design

Making sense of the research; Use of data

Tharenou, P., Donohue, R., & Cooper, B. (2007). Management research methods. Cambridge University Press. p257

• Content Analysis

• Editing Approach• Draw reference to existing supportive literature

(3 areas identified) • Key Categories - determine and explore patterns

and connections

Research Limitations and Potential Issues

Limitations;

• Lack of differentiation between leader and leadership styles

Potential issues;

• Access of people whom have moved on from VF• Respondents hesitation as to who I am

Research Value & Possible Extensions

• Possible Extensions;– Further case studies within VF Australia, Sweden and

Czech Republic – Other branches of the VF brand under different

leadership but taking a purposive approach (ie; Vodafone Netherlands)

• Value provided to;– Literature / Existing Body of Knowledge– MNCs whom utilise ‘international change managers’– Vodafone Globally

Thank you for listening…

• Any questions, comments, feedback???