Qualitative Research Design

Freddy Alexis Rincon Gutierrez

Cod: 202315732
The individual conducting the present research is Freddy Rincon, a Civil Engineer with a
focus on industrial project development management, currently serving as a project
manager at Carbomax, the largest company in the ULP Coke industry in Norte de
Santander. The motivation behind this research lies in seeking information to facilitate the
formulation of strategic projects for the company, aiming to optimize outcomes through
technological or process innovation.
Carbomax specializes in the production and export of ULP coke to clients worldwide. To
comprehend the full context of the research, it is essential to understand the industrial
process involved. Coking is a procedure involving heating a blend of coals to soften and
subsequently swell them before solidifying through continuous degassing (Balaguera,
2014). This process eliminates volatiles and transforms coal into coke, a more porous
substance with higher fixed carbon content, particularly useful as a reducing agent in the
ferroalloy industry. The coals used in this process must meet specific parameters (FSI>6)
and are loaded into preheated furnaces at approximately 400°C before reaching
temperatures of up to 1300°C through self-combustion, resulting in coke production.
Although the coking process in Norte de Santander resembles that in other parts of the
world, it employs industrial revolution technologies, such as beehive ovens, which are
artisanal and based on empirical procedures. Moreover, the unique characteristics of the
coal in this region, particularly its low phosphorus content, make it particularly attractive
for specific industries, such as the ferrochrome industry. Notably, the ferrochrome industry
in Brazil finds the coke produced in Norte de Santander optimal for its specific chromite
characteristics.
Therefore, coke is an essential product for the development of special ferroalloys
(ferrosilicon, ferrochrome, ferromanganese) and for steel production, with diverse
applications in contemporary society. The unique qualities of coke produced in Norte de
Santander present competitive advantages in the market and are projected to be necessary
in the long term. Hence, understanding how to optimize the process, particularly from the
behavioral and emotional perspective of furnace operators, is crucial.
This study aims to comprehend the behavioral and emotional factors influencing furnace
operators' performance in coke extraction. Factors such as dedication, concentration, and
understanding of the process are expected to impact the cleanliness and speed of extraction,
ultimately affecting the duration the furnace is open to ambient temperatures. This, in turn,
minimizes temperature shocks and helps mitigate structural damage due to material
expansion and contraction caused by abrupt temperature changes. Additionally, gaining
insights from supervisors and coke plant coordinators, who have an external perspective on
the process, is deemed essential.
The research question guiding this study is: "How do emotional and behavioral factors
affect the coking process, and how can these factors be intervened to optimize the process?"
The research objective is to identify how emotional and behavioral factors influence the
efficiency of the coking process, correlate these factors with process data, and comprehend
how to optimize the process through incentives and motivations for the employees.
To conduct this study, a qualitative methodology with a case study approach will be
employed. This approach allows for a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the
phenomenon in relation to the main topic of coking. Ethically, it is crucial to classify
information as confidential, considering that personal issues of the workers may be
disclosed, respecting their privacy.
Data collection will involve semi-structured interviews with furnace operators, conducted
at the beginning of their work shift to avoid biases related to fatigue. Similar interviews will
be conducted with non-operational personnel, such as coke plant supervisors and
coordinators, providing different perspectives that can contribute to the study.
The information will be categorized into two main groups:
1. Mood states caused by personal issues.
2. Mood states caused by work-related issues.
This categorization is essential for focusing and understanding the problem, determining
whether it is an internal company matter or external issues that the company can address to
mitigate effects on the process.
Data analysis will employ an inductive approach, aiming to identify patterns and emerging
themes throughout the interviews. This will provide a deep understanding of the emotional
and behavioral factors at play and their impact on the process, facilitating the
implementation of campaigns to improve these aspects and consequently optimize coke
extraction.
It is crucial to acknowledge potential biases in the research. The study is limited to
personnel at Carbomax, specifically at the Norte de Santander Indumax coke plant in San
Faustino. The cultural context of the company and the delimited region may result in
different factors compared to furnace operators in other regions. Additionally, conducting
interviews before the start of the work shift (usually at 4 am) may introduce factors related
to the early morning hours that could influence the interviewees' perspectives.