Qualitative Open-Ended Interview Study Using A Comparative Multiple Case Study Approach of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Construction Projects Within the United States
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Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative study was to research and develop a comparative multiple case study of eight bus rapid transit (BRT) projects within the United States. The eight BRT projects selected for this study encompassed five states. The comparative multiple-case study approach permitted the researcher to explore and validate whether six predetermined contingency theory and scientific management theory (SMT) themes provided the perception that BRT projects within the United States were built on time and under budget. Theoretical Framework. The six predetermined contingency theory and SMT themes explored and validated in this study were (a) organizational structure, (b) strategic conflict resolution efforts, (c) decision-making procedures, (d) bureaucratic forces, (e) stakeholder forces, and (f) scientific management efforts. The seven research questions in this study were (a) What organizational structure was used during the construction of the BRT projects? (b) What strategic conflict resolution efforts were used during the construction of the BRT projects? (c) What decision-making procedures were used during the construction of the BRT projects? (d) What bureaucratic forces permitted the construction of the BRT projects to be completed on time? (e) What stakeholder forces permitted the construction of the BRT projects to be completed under budget? (f) What scientific management efforts permitted the construction of the BRT project to be completed on time? and (g) What scientific management efforts permitted the construction of the BRT project to be completed under budget? Methodology. The research design for this study was a semistructured, open-ended interview of nine participants. The researcher validated the responses and information gathered from the open-ended interviews using the Delphi method and OSINT. The responses from the participants were cross-referenced with public records and publicly available peer review articles from the eight BRT projects. The researcher developed a robust understanding of the qualitative data and the emergent themes from the participant responses by using an online utility text analyzer. The researcher also developed an affinity diagram that helped validate genuine relationships and the predetermined themes. Findings. The perceived degree to which the six predetermined contingency theory and SMT themes impacted the construction phase of the eight BRT projects varied among the participants. But all the participants agreed that the six predetermined themes had a significant impact to the construction budget and schedule of BRT projects. Conclusions and Recommendations. This study helped bridge the gap of public administration researchers focusing on the public transit sector and BRT projects. Future public administration researchers should continue developing studies on why and how public transportation projects were completed on time and under budget within the United States.