Summary Ch1
Summary Ch1
Summary Ch1
Research: is a process of finding solutions to a problem after a thoroughly study and analysis of the
situational factors.
Business research:
Organized, Systematic, data based, critical, objective, scientific effort to investigate a specific problem
encountered in the work setting, which needs a solution.
Decision making: a process of choosing from among alternative solutions to resolve a problem and
research helps to generate viable alternatives for effective decision making.
Business research comprises a series of steps that are designed and executed with the goal of finding
answers to the issues that are of concern to the managers in the work environment and these steps are:
Process of choosing from among alternative solutions to resolve a problem and research helps to
generate viable alternative for effective decision making
Type of data:
1. Applied research: research that aims to solve a current problem faced by the manager in the
work setting this in order to take corrective action
2. Basic research: the research that aims to generate a body of knowledge by trying to
comprehend how certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved
Appreciate and be constantly aware of the multiple effects of factors impinging on a situation
Take calculated risks in decision making, knowing full well the probabilities associated with the
different possible outcomes
Managers often need to engage a consultant to study some of the more complex, time-
consuming problem that they encounter, as in the case of apple discussed earlier.
It is thus important to be knowledgeable about how to effectively interact with the
consultant
While hiring researchers or consultants the manager should make sure that:
2. Relevant philosophies and value systems of the organization are clearly stated and constraints, if
any, are communicated
3. A good rapport is established with the researchers, and between the researchers and the
employees in the organization, enabling the full cooperation of the latter
Internal versus external consultants/researchers:
Some organizations have their own consulting or research department, which might be called the
management services department, the organization and methods department, R & D (research and
development department)
1. The internal team stands a better chance of being readily accepted by the employees in the
subunit of the organization where research needs to be done
2. The tame requires much less time to understand the internal environment of the organization
3. They are available to implement the recommendations after the research have been accepted
4. The cost for the research will much less in case of internal point
1. Stereotype problem.
2. The affect of other powerful coalition in the organization that could affect the research team for
their own interests
3. The affect that the internal department findings may not get that attention from the
organization
The disadvantages of internal turn out to be advantages of the external team and formers advantages
workout to be the disadvantages of the latter
1. External team can draw on a wealth of experience from having worked with similar situations
and problems in other organizations.
2. External teams have more knowledge problem solving models through periodic trainings
programs.
1. External teams can take considerable time to understand the organizational structure and the
internal time of the organization.
2. The cost of hiring external team could be is too high unless the problem is critical.
3. The external team charge extra fees for their assistance in implementation and evaluation
phases.
The sensitivity of managers to the innumerable internal and external factors of a varied nature operating
in their work and organizational environment.
It also helps to facilitate affective interactions with consultants and comprehension of the nuances of
the research process.
Ethics in business research refers to a code of conduct or expected societal norm 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.
Ethical behavior pervades each step of the research process – data collection, data analysis, reporting,
and dissemination of information on the internet.
We have business journals such as the journal of business ethics quarterly that are mainly devoted the
issue of ethics in business