10 Agent behavior and decision making
To analyze interviews and focus group data, we used the following process:
- Open Coding System: Transcripts were coded inductively, guided by the research questions ((glaser_open_coding_2016?), (saldana_coding_manual_2025?)). The research team developed thematic memos for each producer group (beans, beef/dairy, leafy greens) through collaborative “theming” ((saldana_coding_manual_2025?)), returning to original transcripts throughout to preserve participants’ language. This produced four thematic areas: (1) personal values, (2) relationships and reliability, (3) market conditions, and (4) logistics and infrastructure.
- Secondary Coding: Transcripts were recoded using MAXQDA to identify key internal and external drivers within each theme. A structured codebook, which defined core themes as well as internal and external influences, was developed based on thematic memos generated during the analysis.
- Mapping to COM-B Framework: Following prior applications of inductive coding to adapted COM-B frameworks ((Ambrose-Oji_2022?), (Evans_common_sense_2025?), (Farrell_vet_2023?), (Mastenbroek_seed_demand_2025?)), our study first inductively identified themes and internal/external factors, then deductively mapping those findings onto the adapted framework’s three domains to explore how potential NYC procurement policies might influence current behaviors.