Research setting

Abstract

In order to make the processes of interest — influences of regulatory actors on strategy formation — transparently observable, we had to choose a research setting which offers extreme situations (Eisenhardt, 1995). In the following chapter we will outline why we selected the German energy industry in general and E.ON in particular (chapter 4.1). Chapter 4.2 will then briefly introduce the German energy giant E.ON. Departing from the focal organization, we will provide an overview of the environment of the German energy industry in which E.ON operates (chapter 4.3). This environment went through significant changes that have been formed not only through regulatory actors and incumbent utilities like E.ON but through the interactions of a number of relevant actors in the field. Those will be presented in chapter 4.4. The chapter concludes with a summary and discussion (chapter 4.5).