SAP Africa: exploitation and exploration in the highly regulated payroll software industry

The case study research methodology was used for the purposes of the teaching case study. This was a single case study conducted on a single company. A single data collection technique was used which included semi-structured interviews using an interview guide to collect data based on the research questions. Interview transcriptions were used to document conversations, converting audio recordings into digital text. The data analysis involved listening to the recordings and reading the transcripts. The purpose of the teaching case study was to compile, analyze, and present the data in a narrative form for teaching purposes. Interviews for a case study to explore the tension in managing the competing demands of exploitation and exploration in a regulated software industry.

本教学案例研究采用案例研究法作为核心研究范式。本次研究为针对单一企业开展的单案例研究，仅采用单一数据采集方法：基于研究问题设计访谈提纲，通过半结构化访谈开展数据采集。访谈录音被转录为数字文本，以完整记录访谈对话内容。数据分析环节包含复听原始录音并研读访谈转录文本。本教学案例研究的核心目标在于将采集到的研究数据以叙事形式进行整理、分析与呈现，以供教学使用。本次案例研究旨在探究受监管软件行业中，平衡开发（exploitation）与探索（exploration）两类相互竞争的业务需求时所面临的管理张力。