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in each of the cases. The principle informant is the person who is best informed about
the data being researched and who knows best who to interview (Voss, 2009). Together
with the principle informant of each case organization, we set up research meetings to
inform the various organizational teams and divisions involved in our study about the
outline and needs of our research. The principle informant assisted in the selection of
interviewees for each case (see section 4.5.1). Moreover, we ensured contact with the
case organizations over time, since all principle informants participated in what are
called expert meetings. These meetings will be addressed in detail in section 4.6.1.
4.3.2 Within case focus
As well as the sample of cases to be included in this study, we had to choose the exact
research focus within the cases. By means of this within-case sampling decision, we
decided on our unit of analysis.
Since we aimed to increase our understanding of modularity in long-term care, we
had to focus on the actual use of different aspects and practices related to modularity.
We conceptualized the practices and advantages of modularity in relation to demand-
based care to come about in activities and processes as wide as configuration, delivery,
and reconfiguration of care and services packages (see Chapter 2). We also expected
that some aspects and practices of modularity would be more prevalent in some of
these activities and processes than in others. Therefore, to be able to develop a view
on modularity in care for the elderly that is as extensive and accurate as possible, we
decided to focus on the total care process within each case study.
The total care process is the primary process of each organization and normally
consists of several sub-stages or sub-processes. It starts with an elderly client entering
the organization. At this point, needs are assessed and, based on these needs, a
package of care and service parts is configured. This package is then delivered to a
client. For some clients, the delivery phase may last a number of weeks or months,
whereas others will be in the delivery phase for years. Over time, adjustments in and
reconfiguration of the care package will probably be necessary because of changing
client circumstances. We therefore looked upon the care process as a cyclical one in
which the configuration and re-configuration of the client’s care package is alternated
by package delivery up to and until the point where the elderly client leaves the care
process because of recovery or death.
In care and service settings, modularity can be brought about in both the service
product and the service process (e.g. Meyer et al., 2007, Pekkarinen and Ulkuniemi,
2008, Voss and Hsuan, 2009). To develop a complete view on modularity aspects and
practices in the total care process, we chose to focus on the set up of care and service
Resear
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and methods
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supply and resulting care packages (i.e. product view on modularity), as well as on the
activities by means of which the packages are developed, delivered, and reconfigured
(i.e. process view on modularity).
In summary, the within case focus of this study was the total care process. Moreover,
we focused on modularity practices from both a product and process point of view.
4.5 Case protocol and data collection
Of particular importance in conducting multiple case research is the research protocol
(Yin, 1993, Voss, 2009). A well designed research protocol enhances the reliability and
validity of the case research data (Yin, 1993). The protocol consists of, among other
things, a topic list on subjects to cover during data collection, the data collection
methods, data sources, and interview questions.
In order to advance knowledge on modularity in long-term care, we needed to know
how various aspects and practices related to modularity manifest themselves in various
phases of the care process. Furthermore, we needed to know how these manifestations
relate to the operationalization of demand-based care. From this starting point, we
identified the following research topics to address:
Set-up and organization of components - we want to know the charac-
teristics
of individual components;
Combining components into packages - we want to know how the care
and service package of an individual client comes into existence;
Bringing packages into practice - we want to know how care and service
packages are delivered
to individual clients;
Keeping packages up to date - we want to know how a care and service
package is adapted to changing needs of the client;
Interfaces between components - we want to know how and why
components can be combined
and recombined over time;
Role of people - we want to know in what way the client and the
care professional influence the configuration and reconfiguration of
components and packages;
Effects on operational level - we want to know the effects of working
with components and packages with respect to demand-based care for
both the
client and the organization;
Background information - we want to obtain a feel for the specific
environment and characteristics of the individual cases.
The core of the protocol comprised a topic list and the indicative questions to be used
Modular Care Provision