Capturing a moving target: interviewing fintech experts via LinkedIn

Gary Robinson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This paper explores possible responses to some of the main challenges associated with conducting elite and expert interviews as part of qualitative research in human geography. Drawing on the example of the dynamic fintech industry, the paper outlines some similarities and differences between elite and expert interviews and uses this to identify and discuss possible responses. Against this backdrop, the paper also reflects on advantages and disadvantages of using the professional social networking site LinkedIn as a research aid for sampling and contacting interviewees as well as for interview preparation. The paper is anticipated to be of interest to those conducting qualitative research involving limited subject sample sizes who are potentially difficult to find.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)671-678
Number of pages8
JournalArea
Volume53
Issue number4
Early online date15 May 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
I wish to thank Sabine Dörry, Ben Derudder and two reviewers for their comments. I am grateful to all research participants. This work was supported by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) (INTER/FWO/16/11312037/FinWebs).

Publisher Copyright:
The information, practices and views in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). © 2021 Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers)

Keywords

  • elite and expert interviews
  • qualitative research methods
  • financial geography
  • fintech
  • LinkedIn
  • social networking service

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