Case selection Measurement Methodological reflection on Case Study 7

companies to investigate how the processes in these companies were shaped.

11.5.7 Data presentation

The result of this first part of the measurement was a description of each of the six standardization practices in the format of the process model. Each of the elements in these descriptions was a candidate element of a best practice.

11.5.8 Data analysis

Criteria for choosing the best practices, from the description of the separate practices, were developed in a researchers’ brainstorming ses- sion. These criteria were applied and this resulted in a proposal for a best practice based on a reasoned choice of elements from the six described standardization practices. Next, this proposal was presented to the standardization managers in the six companies and each of them was asked to rate their own practice against the proposal. It appeared that, in this rating procedure, each of the six managers accepted the proposal as a description of the best practice. Finally, in five of the six companies, a focus group discussion was arranged in which the relative scores of the company, as compared with the best practice and with the other companies, were evaluated. It appeared that all elements of the proposal for a best practice were seen by each of the five focus groups as definitely representing the best practice. This best practice was described within the framework of Figure 11.2.

11.5.9 Implications for practice

The practice-oriented objective of this research was to contribute to the improvement of the company standardization procedures of six companies by designing a best practice that was acceptable to each of them. A proposal for a best practice was developed from elements of the current practices of these six companies and practitioners evalu- ated the result as an improvement upon their current practices. This meant that the objective of this study was achieved. Chapter 11

11.6 References

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