The Black Box of Board Process: gaining access to a difficult subject

Although “board process” has been identified as a critical element for future corporate governance research, gaining access to corporate boardrooms is extremely difficult if not virtually impossible for most researchers. This study attempts to address this important issue in the research methodology used to study boards. Rather than discussing the research results of the particular study however, we focus on those impediments that were faced in gaining access to boards of directors, and how these impediments were overcome. Obtaining such access included the utilisation of several non‐traditional routes. The study concludes with implications for future corporate governance research.