TBKLeo
1. Scope and nature of this handbook (pg. 3-8)
Field problem solving (FPS) is about problem solving in a real-life situation.
The first objective of an FPS project is to improve the performance of the business system.
‘Theory-informed’ in in field problem solving within an academic program specifically means the comprehensive, critical,
and creative use of theory.
Page 1 of 17
, TBKLeo
2. Student projects (pg. 9-23)
Two basic process structures for carrying out fieldwork in business or management:
the empirical cycle (on the left)
explanatory research
the problem solving (regulative) cycle (on the right)
design research
1. 1. Problem
Observation definition
2. Induction 5. Learning 2. Analysis
5. Evaluation (developing and and
theory) evaluation diagnosis
3. Deduction 4. 3. Solution
4. Testing (of
(generating
hypotheses) Intervention design
hypotheses)
The objective of a descriptive or explanatory research project is to develop knowledge.
The theory development process:
Develop Formulate
Observation
Business explanations propositions
of
phenomenon; while that are
phenomenon
not explained comparing changes of
in one or
in academic findings with additions to
more case
literature existing existing
studies
theories theories
The theory-testing process:
Results
Business Identification of
Theoretical and
phenomenon; important Large-scale
managerial
no conclusive variables, data collection
implications
evidence on generation of
and future
explanations in conceptual Statistical data
research
academic model and analysis
literature hypotheses
Practical
implications
Page 2 of 17
1. Scope and nature of this handbook (pg. 3-8)
Field problem solving (FPS) is about problem solving in a real-life situation.
The first objective of an FPS project is to improve the performance of the business system.
‘Theory-informed’ in in field problem solving within an academic program specifically means the comprehensive, critical,
and creative use of theory.
Page 1 of 17
, TBKLeo
2. Student projects (pg. 9-23)
Two basic process structures for carrying out fieldwork in business or management:
the empirical cycle (on the left)
explanatory research
the problem solving (regulative) cycle (on the right)
design research
1. 1. Problem
Observation definition
2. Induction 5. Learning 2. Analysis
5. Evaluation (developing and and
theory) evaluation diagnosis
3. Deduction 4. 3. Solution
4. Testing (of
(generating
hypotheses) Intervention design
hypotheses)
The objective of a descriptive or explanatory research project is to develop knowledge.
The theory development process:
Develop Formulate
Observation
Business explanations propositions
of
phenomenon; while that are
phenomenon
not explained comparing changes of
in one or
in academic findings with additions to
more case
literature existing existing
studies
theories theories
The theory-testing process:
Results
Business Identification of
Theoretical and
phenomenon; important Large-scale
managerial
no conclusive variables, data collection
implications
evidence on generation of
and future
explanations in conceptual Statistical data
research
academic model and analysis
literature hypotheses
Practical
implications
Page 2 of 17
