Research Methodology and Design

This research adopts a design science–informed qualitative and conceptual methodology focused on governance, decision traceability, and operational accountability in Swiss private banking. The study is exploratory in nature and aims to develop and structure the GAB/BAG Integrated Model as a meta-level governance framework rather than to test predefined hypotheses. The research design combines conceptual model construction, regulatory and institutional analysis, and process-oriented systems thinking, enabling the progressive alignment of academic theory, supervisory expectations, and real-world banking operations without reliance on institution-specific data or proprietary systems.

The analytical approach is based on structured conceptual mapping and traceability analysis, drawing on peer-reviewed academic literature, regulatory standards, and anonymised professional observations. Validation is conducted through theoretical coherence, regulatory consistency, and functional robustness across multiple operational scenarios, in line with doctoral-level research in management and applied governance. The methodology intentionally prioritises conceptual depth over empirical generalisation, ensuring ethical compliance, institutional neutrality, and the preservation of the model’s originality and intellectual property.