1. introduction to business research

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

?What is Research


Research is the process of finding
solutions to a problem after a thorough
study and analysis of the situational
factors.

2

?What is Research


Managers in organizations constantly
engage themselves in studying and
analyzing issues and hence are
involved in some form of research
activity as they make decisions at the
workplace.

3

Business Research




Business research can be described as a
systematic and organized effort to investigate
a specific problem encountered in the work
setting, that needs a solution.
Business research comprises a series of
steps designed and executed, with the goal
of finding answers to the issues that are of
concern to the manager in the work
environment.
4

Research and the Manager


-

Problems in Management:
Employee attitudes and behaviors
Human resources management
Production operations management
Information systems

5

Research and the Manager


-

Problems in Marketing:
Advertising
Sales promotion
Product packaging
Product pricing
Consumer preferences
New product development

6

Types of Business Research


1.

2.

Research can be undertaken for two
different purposes:
To solve a current problem faced by the
manager in the work setting. Such research
is called applied research.
To generate a body of knowledge about
how to solve problems that could be
occurred in organizations. This is called
basic research or fundamental research. It
is also known as pure research.
7

Examples of Applied
Research




Packages sales increased by 200% from
2001 to 2008. but the sales decreased by
6% in 2009. What is the reason for this
decrease?
The question is: what will Packages do about
this problem?

8

Examples of Basic Research


-

-

-

University professors engage in basic research in an
effort to understand and generate more knowledge
about various aspects of businesses, such as:
How to improve the effectiveness of information
systems.
How to integrate technology into the overall strategic
objectives of an organization.
How to increase the productivity of the employees.
How to increase the effectiveness of small
businesses.
9

Examples of Basic Research


These findings later become
useful for application in business
situations.

10

Distinction Between Applied and
Basic Research

-

-

The main distinction between applied and
basic business research is:
Applied research is specifically aimed at
solving a currently experienced problem.
Basic research has a broader objective of
generating knowledge and understanding of
phenomena and problems that occur in
various organizational settings.
Both types of research follow the same
steps of systematic inquiry to arrive at
solutions to problems.
11

Managers and Research






Managers with knowledge of research
have an advantage over those without.
Minor problems can be solved by the
manager, major problems would
warrant the hiring of outside
researchers or consultants.
Managers are the ones to take the
decision on the basis of research
findings and conclusion.
12

Advantages of Internal
Researchers




The internal researchers have better
chance of being readily accepted by the
employees.
The team would require much less time
to understand the structure, the
philosophy and climate and work
system of the organization.
13

Advantages of Internal
Researchers




They would be available for
implementing their recommendations
after the research findings are
accepted.
The internal team might cost
considerable less than the external
team.
14

Disadvantages of Internal
Researchers




They might have less fresh ideas and
perspectives that might be needed to
correct the problems.
There is scope for certain powerful
groups in the organization to influence
or misrepresent certain facts.

15

Disadvantages of Internal
Researchers




There is a possibility that the internal
researchers are not perceived as
“experts” by the management, and
hence their recommendations do not
get the consideration and attention they
deserve.
Certain organizational biases of the
internal research team might make the
findings less objective and less
scientific.
16

Advantages of External
Consultants




They have a wealth of experience from
having worked with different types of
organizations.
They might have more knowledge of
current sophisticated problem-solving
models through their periodic training
programs.
17

Disadvantages of External
Consultants








The cost of hiring an external research team
is usually high.
They need a considerable time to understand
the organization to be researched.
They seldom get a warm welcome, nor are
accepted by employees.
They charges additional fees for their
assistance in the implementation and
evaluation phases.
18

Ethics and Business
Research




Ethics in business research refers

to a
code of conduct of behavior while conducting
research.
Ethical conduct applies to the organization
and the members that sponsor the research,
the researchers who undertake the research,
and the respondents who provide them with
the necessary data.
19

Ethics and Business
Research




The members that sponsor the research
should do it in good faith, pay attention to
what the results indicate, and pursue
organizational rather than self-interest.
Ethical conduct should also be reflected in
the behavior of the researchers who conduct
the investigation, the participants who provide
the data, the analysts who provide the
results, and the entire research team that
presents the interpretation of the results and
suggests alternative solutions.
20

1. introduction to business research

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