12.1.4 Research method

desk research. The desk research phase was scheduled from December 2008 to May 2009. The policies and the products of 27 ESG Agencies and 18 financial institutions were examined. In addition, documents and websites regarding business and biodiversity theories were studied. The desk research served three aims: (1) to gain an insight into the market; (2) to select the interviewes1; and (3) to develop formats for the interviews; and

in-depth interviews. Between February 2009 and May 2009, a total of 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of ESG Agencies (n=8), NGOs (n=3) and asset management companies (n=6). In addition, VBDO (the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development) was interviewed. Generally, the interviews commenced with questions on the 'everyday reality' and working procedures of the interviewee. The second part focused specifically on biodiversity-related services and the possibilities to integrate these in the work flow. Ideas and suggestions communicated during interviews became part of the discussions in the subsequent interviews.

an analysis ofthe data collected during phases (i) and (ii). Throughout the research project, regular project-team meetings were held to compare and discuss the findings. In addition to the interviewees, other financial sector experts, conservation NGO representatives, ESG Agencies and the financier of the project, i.e. the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, were consulted. In the analysis, certain characteristics of the BES information market were identified, also referred to as 'barriers' which explain why the market is not functioning at its full potential. Applying an integral research perspective to the market and the actors, cause-and-effect relationships between the actors and the interrelationships between certain market characteristics could be discerned; and

the formulation of suggestions for improvement of the market. Since the integral analysis demonstrated that the market barriers and opportunities were interrelated, it was estimated that only collaborative action by the stakeholders could cause a further development of the market. A few suggestions based on this finding were defined.

a workshop was organised for stakeholders to generate ideas, assess the potential for collaborative action and test concrete suggestions thereto, as developed in phase (iv); and

evaluation. The project was evaluated with each of the workshop participants approximately half a year after the workshop in order to gain insights into the level of actions undertaken by the participants.