Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Topics
Introducing idea of research in business Research process Problem definition & research proposal
Market research
Aims at understanding & examining the market place in which the company operates so that the company can devise effective business policies & marketing strategies
Operations research
Uses mathematical, logical & analytical methods to find optimal solutions to business problems Primarily used for demand forecasting, optimizing production etc
Motivational research
Involves analyzing the reasons & motives behind peoples behaviour Example: employees behaviour, consumer behaviour
Types of Research
Basic Research this attempts to expand the limits of knowledge. It does not directly involve the solution to a particular, pragmatic problem. This is conducted to verify the acceptability of a given theory or to discover more abut a certain concept Applied Research this is conducted when a decision must be made about a specific real life problem.
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Availability of data Is the information yes already on hand inadequate for decision making
Does value of research information exceed cost of conducting research Benefits vs costs
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Business managers face a variety of decision-making situations. Under conditions of complete certainty when future outcomes are predictable, business research may be a waste of time. Under conditions of uncertainty or ambiguity, business research becomes more attractive to decision makers. Business research produces information to reduce uncertainty
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Did last years product recall have an impact on our companys stock price?
Has the average merger rate for savings & loans increased in the past decade?
Can I predict the value of energy stocks if I know the current dividends & growth rates of dividends? Will buyers purchase more of our product in a new package?
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Problem discovery
Sampling
Probability
Nonprobability
Experience survey
Pilot study
Case study
Research Design
Interpretation of findings
Experiment
Laboratory Field Interview
Survey
Questionnaire
Observation
Report
The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution.
Albert Einstein
Problem Definition
The indication of a specific business decision area that will be clarified by answering some research questions.
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Symptoms Membership has been declining for years. New water park with wave pool and water slides moved into town a few years ago.
Problem Definition Based on Symptom Neighborhood residents prefer the expensive water park and have negative image of swimming pool.
True Problem Demographic changes: Children in this 20year-old neighborhood have grown up. Older residents no longer swim anywhere.
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Problem definition
Creativity techniques
Analytical Intuitive
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Problem definition
GAP analysis
Unintended situation Normal situation Ideal situation
Problem definition
Definition of opportunities
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Problem definition
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Problem definition Interrogatories Ws+H (who, what, where, when, why, how)
1. Purpose: To make sure that all aspects of the problem has been considered
2. Procedure:
construct questions for each of the 5 Ws+H answer the questions evaluate the proposed answers if an improvement shows up: is it cost efficient? if so change accordingly
Very efficient technique which can be applied in any phases of the problem definition
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Problem definition
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Problem definition
Brain storming
1. Purpose: To generate as many ideas as possible 2. Procedure: - select a problem, which all participants have some knowledge/ experience about - describe the problem in a neutral way - write down all suggestions on a board, so everybody can see them - evaluation must not start until all ideas have been mentioned - try to force more ideas - strive for as many ideas as possible so quality can be extracted from quantity - accept all ideas - even the most absurd - stimulate associations and extensions of generated ideas
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Types of Variables
Categorical Continuous Dependent Independent
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Hypothesis
An unproven proposition A possible solution to a problem Guess
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If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there.
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Specific Objective 1
Specific Objective 2
Specific Objective 3
Research Design
Results
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Influences of definition
Feedback
Specific Objective I Broad Research Objectives
Specific Objective II
Research Design
Results
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