Exploring the role of advisory boards in technology-based startups using qualitative methods

Abstract

Due to the underdeveloped research on ABs in startups, the identification of provable hypotheses and the setup of appropriate research methods or even a model based on previous literature would be based on shaky ground. Also the absence of legal specifications allows an adaption of ABs according to individual requirements in each case, causing additional complexity of processes, functions or structures. Using determined and very specific research designs to investigate such complex objects of research could neglect unforeseen aspects and phenomena as well as it would steer in a certain direction of anticipated findings (Corbin/Strass 2008).