Conducting Interorganizational Research Using Key Informants

The use of the key informant methodology by researchers investigating interorganizational relationships is examined. Several researchers have advocated the use of multiple informants to increase the reliability and validity of informant reports. However, interorganizational research still tends to rely on single informants. Two problems that may have inhibited widespread use of multiple informants are addressed. The first problem, called the selection problem, is the challenge of identifying 2 or more informants competent to report on a particular dyadic relationship. The 2nd problem, called the perceptual agreement problem, is the frequent dissimilarity of the reports of competent multiple informants. Procedures for dealing with the problems are suggested and an illustrative application of the proposals is provided.