BMBR 5103

An Overview of

Business Research Methods

Presented by : Dr. Teh

Topics To Be Covered• An Outline of Lesson Plan.

• The Art of Research Approach.

• To kick Start a Research Project with a phenomenon.

– something (such as an interesting fact or event e.g. impending GST) that can be observed and studied and that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully.

• Problem formulation.

Topics To Be Covered• Research Proposal leading to the

Submission of Thesis/Dissertation.

• An Overview of Business Research Methods.

The Impact of GST on Business Operations

• The introduction in Malaysia on 1 April 2015 of a 6 % Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will replace the current sales and services tax.

• With the implementation of GST, it is mandatory for businesses to have a complete end-to-end automation starting - from manufacturing to distribution and accounting operations as GST entails tracking and reporting throughout the entire chain of operations, within the organisation as well as the entire group in the context of output tax and input tax credit.

The Importance of RESEARCH ?

• A good understanding of various research methods will help managers to understand, predict, and control their environment namely in sales & marketing, the impact of GST on company’s cash flow, internal & external variables, etc.

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?• After problems were identified & problems formulation

is done with.• Research is to get started to verify and clarify the

existence of problems, cause & effect as well as the availability of opportunities.

• How to maximize or leveraging on opportunities available and at the same time how to minimize the risks or problems identified.

• Then apply the concept of SWOT analysis.• This is what we termed as a systematic approach

rather than intuitive approach.

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?• Research can be described as a systematic and organized

effort to investigate a specific problem that needs a solution.

• It is a series of steps designed and followed with the goal of answers to the issues that are of concern to us in the work environment.

• This means that the first step in research is to know where the problem areas are in the organization, and to identify as clearly and specifically as possible the problems that need to be studied and rectified.

• Once the problem or problems that need attention are clearly defined, then steps can be taken to gather information, analyze the data, and delineate the factors that are associated with the problem. By taking the necessary corrective action, the problem could be resolved.

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?• This entire process by which we attempt to solve problems is

called research.

• Thus, research involves a series of well-thought out and carefully executed activities that will enable us to know how organizational problems can be resolved or at least minimized.

• Research thus encompasses the process of inquiry, investigation, examination, and experimentation.

• These processes. Have to be carried out systematically, diligently, critically, objectively, and logically.

• The expected end results would be to discover new facts that will help us to deal with the problem situation.

Types of RESEARCH • Research can be undertaken for two different

purposes. One is to solve a currently existing problem in the work setting, the other is to add or contribute to the general body of knowledge in a particular area of interest to the researcher.

• When research is done with the intention of applying the results of its findings to solving specific problems currently being experienced in the organization, it is called applied research.

Types of RESEARCH • However, when research is being done chiefly

to improve our understanding of certain problems that commonly occur in organizational setting, and how to solve them, the research is called basic or fundamental research. It is also known as pure research.

• The findings from such research contribute to the building of knowledge in the various management areas.

WHEN RESEARCH IS NEEDED

• The need to make intelligent, informed decisions ultimately motivates an organization to engage in business research.

• Not every decision requires research.

• Making a decision is crucial to the survival of the company.

THE DETERMINING FACTORS OF RESEARCH

• Time constraints.

• The availability of data.

• The nature of decision to be made.

• The value of the research findings in relation to cost.

THE TRASLATION OF OBJECTIVES

• Into research proposal

(a statement of problem)

• Research question.

• Hypotheses.

1.OBSERVATION

Broad area of research interest identified

2.PRELIMINARY DATA GATHERING –interviewing & LITERATURE SURVEY

3.PROBLEM DEFINITION

Research problem delineated

4.THEORETICAL FRAME WORK

Variables clearly identified & labelled

5.Generation of HYPOTHESES

6. Scientific Research Design

7. Data Collection Analysis & Interpretation

8. Deduction

Hypotheses substantiated?

Research question answered?

The Research Process

RESEARCH PROCESS• 1. Problem Statement Is Important

• 2.Correctly Diagnosed Disease Is Half Cured

• 3.If Problem Is Not Identified Properly and Treatment Is Given Side Effects Will Be There

• 4. Identify the Variables to Be Studied

• 5.Test the Variables With the Problem

• 6.Conclude and Implement

SOME BROAD PROBLEM AREA• 1.Why Recent Training Program Has Not

Brought the Desired Results

• 2.The Sales Volume of a Product Decreases Rapidly but the Competitor Doing Roaring Business

• 3.The Newly Installed Information System Is Not Being Used by the Managers for Whom It Was Designed Primarily.

• 4.The Inventory Control Is Not Effective

• 5.The Introduction of Flexible Working Hours Has Brought More Problems Than It Has Solved.

PRELIMINARY DATA COLLECTION

• Think some body approaches you for a loan of RM 1m.

• 1. Back ground information

• 2.Companies policies, philosophy and structural factors

• 3.Perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of workers, clients and suppliers.

ORGANISATION’S BACKGROUND• 1.History

• 2.Size in Terms of Employees,assets and Liabilities

• 3.Aims and Objectives (Main Business)

• 4.Location and Markets

• 5. Resources

• 6. Interdependency and the External Environment

• 7.Relevant Financial Data for 10 Years (Gross Profit, Net Profit, Market Share Dividend P/E Ratio Etc)

STRUCTURAL FACTORS

• 1.Organisation Structure

• 2. Authority Responsibility

• 3.Communication

• 4.Control Systems

• 5.Extent of Specialisation

• 6.Span of Control

• 7.Reward Systems Etc.

MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

• QUALITY- REALLY MEANS OR ONLY LIP SERVICE?

• SHORT TERM GOALS AND LONG TERM GOALS

• WHETHER CONTROLS ARE RIGID OR FLEXIBLE

• CREATIVE OR STAGNANT• PLAY IT SAFE OR CALCULATED RISK• PEOPLE ORIENTED OR PROFIT ORIENTED

BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES• Actual Work Habits

• Absenteeism

• Job Performance

• Labour Turnover

• Industriousness

• Taking Time off

• Sabotage

• Bombay Port Example

• Attack Real Issues Rather Than Symptoms

• Co Workers

• Company’s Involvement in Social Work

LITERATURE SURVEY

• Not Inventing the Wheel Again

• No Important Variable Is Omitted

• Clear Idea Emerges What Variables Are to Be Included (Parsimony)

• Problem Statement Can Be Made With Precision and Clarity

• Earlier Methods of Sampling and Its Criticism

• Development of Theoretical Frame Work

CONDUCTING LITERATURE SURVEY

• IDENTIFYING THE RELEVANT SOURCES– BOOKS

– PERIODICALS

– NEWS PAPERS AND MAGAZINES

– PUBLISHED PAPERS AND ARTICLES

– DISSERTATIONS

• MODERN METHODS OF LITERATURE SURVEY (SEARCH ENGINES) – COMPUTERISED ONLINE DATABASES IN INTERNET

– CD-ROM

– BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASES

– ABSTRACT DATABASES

– FULL TEXT DATABASES

WRITING UP THE LITERATURE REVIEW

• On Line Articles Can Be Edited In Word

• For Bibliography Documentation Is Needed

• Identify And Highlight The Important Variables

• Significant Conclusions Arrived

• Sampling Methods And Measurements

• Your Criticism And Updation

• The Flow Should Exist Rather Than Showing Them Either Chronologically Or In Bits

PROBLEM DEFINITION OR STATEMENT

• 1.Clear

• 2.Precise

• 3.The Gap Should Be Pointed Out

• 4.Gap = Expected Result - Actual Result

• 5.Antecedent (the Factor Which Contributes)

• 6.Consequence (Will Be Seen by the Manager)

Don’t Try to Find Out Right Answer for a Wrong Problem

SOME WELL DEFINED PROBLEMS

• Has the productivity increased after the installation of new machinery?

• How has the new packaging affected the sales of the product?

• How is ISO 9002 perceived by the workers?

• Has TQM increased the EPS?

• What network system is best suited for OUM.edu.my?

• What are the specific factors to be considered in creating a data warehouse for a marketing company.

Ethical issues • Be frank and transparent

• Assure that the statements made will be kept confidential

• Only transparency will get the needed real data

• Deceptive means of data collection will lead to biased answer, fear, anxiety and distrust

• The employees have the right to privacy and confidentiality

ST

RE

SS

Physical tension

Emotional tension

Mental tension

1. Blood pressure

2.Pulse rate

1. Nervousness2. Anxiety3.Fear

1. Sleeplessness

2.Sweating

3.Stomach upsets

1 Headaches

2.Fatigue

3. Confusion

4.Unusual number of mistakes