Within an inquiry led work-based programme learners undertake a journey which has at least three separate stake-holders. The learning individual, the Higher Education Institution and the workplace organisation (of the individual learner). 
Unlike many types of work based learning under the inquiry based approach the link between the HEI and the workplace is not direct. The learner is a liaising agent in-between the two institutions. Other forms of work based learning involve negotiation and liaisons between the HEI and employer such that the educational experience is the product of prepared alignment. 
Under the inquiry based approach, where individuals take highly personalised pathways, no direct link is made between the two orgnisations, rather instead the individual through process aligns the players. 

Some examples : 

Ethically the experience must: 
Satisfy HEI ethics guidance
Satisfy the moral learner
Satisfy workplace policies 

For the research topic decisions must:
Fulfil the learning outcomes of the module (HEI)
Fulfil the interests and learning objectives of the learner (learner)
Work in harmony with the organisational goals (or at least not contradict them) (workplace) 

At a more micro level of inquiry the factors play out too … 

For the methods used in inquiry 
Work towards the achievement of module requirements and meeting learning outcomes (HEI)
Satisfy the personal development and research objectives of the individual (learner)
Must be manageable, non-intrusive, appropriate and workable in context (workplace)