International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies

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