Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
11-03-2020 1
Management Research: Research Problem Identification
• Gaps in literature
• Dissatisfaction with a current solution to a
problem
• Release of some assumptions
• Untested conclusions
• Suggestions from previous researchers
• Observations/statements of some
administrators/public persons
• Discussion with researchers (conferences)
11-03-2020 2
2
Management Research: Exploratory Phase
Search Strategy
Discovery/ Analysis
Secondary Sources
Individual
11-03-2020 Depth Interviews 3
Conducting a Literature Search
11-03-2020 4
Evaluating Information Sources
Purpose
Format Scope
Evaluation
Factors
Audience Authority
11-03-2020 5
Management Research: Research Problem Definition
• The tentative and general statements of problem
obtained in the problem identification phase are
converted into researchable questions and
propositions.
11-03-2020 6
Management Research: Research Problem Formulation
• Identify Variables
• Theoretical framework
• Variables
• from literature
• from researcher
• Relating the problem to existing literature
• Development of Hypothesis/Model
11-03-2020 7
Management Research: Hypotheses Generation
• is the most difficult phase of research
• is a creative process.
• is carried out on the basis of theoretical work that has already
been done.
• uses the list of variables
• Independent Variable (Resultant Variable
• Explanatory Variable (Causal Variable)
• Dependent Variable (Criterion Variable)
• Extraneous Variable (Non-observable)
• Moderating Variable
• Mediating Variable
• Discrete Variable
• Continuous Variable
• Dummy Variable
11-03-2020 8
Management Research: Mathematical Formulation of Research Problem
11-03-2020 9
Business Research: Clarifying Research
Question
Step 1: Discover the Management Dilemma
11-03-2020 10
Business Research: Clarifying Research
Question
Step 2: Define the Management Question
11-03-2020 11
Business Research: Clarifying Research
Question
Step 3: Define the Research Question
11-03-2020 12
Business Research: Evaluating the Value of
Research
• Option analysis: Managers conduct formal analysis of each alternative research project
judged in terms of estimated costs and associated benefits and with managerial judgment
playing a major role.
• Decision theory: The focus is on trying to assess the outcomes of each action. The
manager chooses the action that affords the best outcome – the action criteria that meets
or exceeds whatever criteria are established. Each criterion is a combination of a decision
rule and a decision variable. The decision rule is a criterion for judging the attractiveness
of two or more alternatives when using a decision variable. The decision variable is a
quantifiable characteristic, attribute, or outcome on which a choice decision will be made.
The evaluation of alternatives requires that
1) each alternative is explicitly stated,
2) a decision variable is defined by an outcome that may be measured, and
3) a decision rule is determined by which outcomes may be compared.
• Prior or Interim Evaluation: In this case, managers decide to control the research
expenditure risk by doing a study in stages. Costs are then reviewed at each stage.
• Ex Post Facto Evaluation: This form occurs after the research is conducted but can be
useful in guiding future decisions.
11-03-2020 13
Business Research: Question Hierarchy
11-03-2020 14
Business Research: Question Hierarchy
11-03-2020 15
Business Research: Formulating the Research
Question
11-03-2020 16
Business Research: Fine-Tuning the Research
Question
Break
Examine
questions
variables
down
Fine-Tuning
Determine
Set
necessary
scope of study
evidence
Evaluate
hypotheses
11-03-2020 17