Taking multi mode research strides during the innovation of a cricket competitive intelligence framework

Abstract

This paper describes the multi-mode research methodological steps during the development of a competitive intelligence (CI) framework for cricket coaches. Currently no framework exist to guide coaches to gain a competitive advantage through competitor analysis. A systematic literature review (SLR) ascertained the similarities and differences between the business CI and sport coaching and performance analysis (PA) domains. The qualitative document analysis performed in ATLAS.TITM rendered a reputable inter- and intra-document analysis validity with κ = 0.79 and 0.78 respectively. The document analysis contributed towards the compilation of a semi-structured interview schedule to investigate the business-related CI process occurrence within the sport coaching context. The interview schedule was finalised after university-peers’ interviews provided input on the proposed schedule. Thereafter data collection entailed semi-structured interviews with high-level cricket coaches and support staff on CI activities in their coaching practices. The coach interviews were verbatim transcribed and analysed with ATLAS.TITM. A codebook of the codes created in the analysis was compiled. The researcher established the inter- and intra-reliability with a Cohens’ Kappa of 0.8. A constant comparative method of data analysis guided the analysis, which was performed until data saturation was reached. The 4338 interview code incidences were quantitized ‒ the conversion of qualitative data to numerical data. A coefficient cluster analyses on all indices detected clusters with a linkage distance set at four was performed, from which five themes emerged. The 71 codes were conceptually concatenated into 28 categories, linked to the five different themes. The multi-method research design rendered a conceptual and applicable CI framework for cricket coaches.