International Business Research –
Research Methods For Business A
Skill building Approach
By U. Sekaran, R. Bougie
Chapter 1. Introduction to research
Introduction
Research: the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of
the situational factors
o Research activity: exploring and examining issues
Research may help managers in organizations to make decisions at the workplace
Business research
-a systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific problem encountered in the work
setting, which needs a solution
Series of steps that are designed and executed with the goal o finding answers to the issues
that are of concern to the manager in the work environment
o Clearly define problem gather information analyse data develop an
explanation for the problem at hand - solve by taking corrective measures
o Processes of inquire, investigation, examination and experimentation
o Carried out systematically, diligently, critically, objectively, and logically
Knowledge of research enables you to undertake research in order to solve the smaller and
bigger problems encountered in your job .distinguish good vs bad studies / proposals
Define business research as an organized, systematic ,data-based, critical, objective, inquiry
or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or
solutions to it
o Provides necessary information that guides managers to make informed decisions
Either primary or secondary data // quantitative or qualitative research
The role of theory and information in research
Research comes in many forms and chaps
To a scientists, a theory explains a certain phenomenon, and the idea is that this explanation
will hold in a wide range of settings
o Varies in extent of conceptual development and empirical testing
Research and the manager
Research is usually primarily conducted to resolve problematic issues in, or interrelated
among the areas of accounting, finance, management, and marketing
o Accounting: budget control systems, practices, procedures
o Finance: operations of financial institutions, mergers etc
o Management: employee attitudes and behaviour, HRM
o Marketing research: consumer decision making, consumer loyalty
Issues within subareas are related to many factors
Context of external environment is important
,Types of business research: applied and basic
2 purposes for research:
o Applied research: particular problem, do research to solve this problem
o Basic, fundamental, pure research: generate a body of knowledge by trying to
comprehend how certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved
findings teach us something we do not know before and is later applied in
organizational settings for problem solving
Both types of research may benefit from following the same steps of systematic inquiry to
arrive at solutions or problems
Managers and research
Identify and effectively solve minor problems in the work setting
Know how to discriminate good from bad research
Appreciate and be constantly aware of the multiple influences and multiple effects of factors
impinging on a situation
Take calculated risks in decision making, knowing full well the probabilities associated with
different possible outcomes
Prevent possible vested interests from exercising their influence in a situation
Relate to hired researchers and consultants more effectively
Combine experience with scientific knowledge while making decisions
The manager and the consultant researcher
Managers often need to engage a consultant in more complex, time-consuming problems
Inform consultants from the beginning what information will and will not be made available
Congruence in value systems form the beginning prevent clash of ideologies
Good rapport with the researchers and employees
Advantages Disadvantages
Internal Readily accepted Fall into a stereotyped
consultants/researchers Less time needed to way of looking at the
understand the organization
clumate Possible coalitions
Available to implement Not perceived as
findings “experts”
Less costs Certain organizational
biases
External Lots of experience High costs
consultants/researchers More knowledge of Takes time to get to
current sophisticated know the
problem-solving organization / be
models accepted
Additional fees for
implementation
Knowledge about research and managerial
effectiveness
Managers are responsible for the final outcome by making the right decisions at work
greatly facilitated by research knowledge enhanced by knowledge of research
, Facilitates effective interactions with consultants and comprehension of the nuances of the
research process
Ethics and business research
ethics: code of conduct or expected social norms of behaviour while conducting research
Begins with the person instituting the research
Behaviour of researchers and participants, analysts, entire research team
Ethical behaviour pervades each step of the research process
Research Methods For Business A
Skill building Approach
By U. Sekaran, R. Bougie
Chapter 1. Introduction to research
Introduction
Research: the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of
the situational factors
o Research activity: exploring and examining issues
Research may help managers in organizations to make decisions at the workplace
Business research
-a systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific problem encountered in the work
setting, which needs a solution
Series of steps that are designed and executed with the goal o finding answers to the issues
that are of concern to the manager in the work environment
o Clearly define problem gather information analyse data develop an
explanation for the problem at hand - solve by taking corrective measures
o Processes of inquire, investigation, examination and experimentation
o Carried out systematically, diligently, critically, objectively, and logically
Knowledge of research enables you to undertake research in order to solve the smaller and
bigger problems encountered in your job .distinguish good vs bad studies / proposals
Define business research as an organized, systematic ,data-based, critical, objective, inquiry
or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or
solutions to it
o Provides necessary information that guides managers to make informed decisions
Either primary or secondary data // quantitative or qualitative research
The role of theory and information in research
Research comes in many forms and chaps
To a scientists, a theory explains a certain phenomenon, and the idea is that this explanation
will hold in a wide range of settings
o Varies in extent of conceptual development and empirical testing
Research and the manager
Research is usually primarily conducted to resolve problematic issues in, or interrelated
among the areas of accounting, finance, management, and marketing
o Accounting: budget control systems, practices, procedures
o Finance: operations of financial institutions, mergers etc
o Management: employee attitudes and behaviour, HRM
o Marketing research: consumer decision making, consumer loyalty
Issues within subareas are related to many factors
Context of external environment is important
,Types of business research: applied and basic
2 purposes for research:
o Applied research: particular problem, do research to solve this problem
o Basic, fundamental, pure research: generate a body of knowledge by trying to
comprehend how certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved
findings teach us something we do not know before and is later applied in
organizational settings for problem solving
Both types of research may benefit from following the same steps of systematic inquiry to
arrive at solutions or problems
Managers and research
Identify and effectively solve minor problems in the work setting
Know how to discriminate good from bad research
Appreciate and be constantly aware of the multiple influences and multiple effects of factors
impinging on a situation
Take calculated risks in decision making, knowing full well the probabilities associated with
different possible outcomes
Prevent possible vested interests from exercising their influence in a situation
Relate to hired researchers and consultants more effectively
Combine experience with scientific knowledge while making decisions
The manager and the consultant researcher
Managers often need to engage a consultant in more complex, time-consuming problems
Inform consultants from the beginning what information will and will not be made available
Congruence in value systems form the beginning prevent clash of ideologies
Good rapport with the researchers and employees
Advantages Disadvantages
Internal Readily accepted Fall into a stereotyped
consultants/researchers Less time needed to way of looking at the
understand the organization
clumate Possible coalitions
Available to implement Not perceived as
findings “experts”
Less costs Certain organizational
biases
External Lots of experience High costs
consultants/researchers More knowledge of Takes time to get to
current sophisticated know the
problem-solving organization / be
models accepted
Additional fees for
implementation
Knowledge about research and managerial
effectiveness
Managers are responsible for the final outcome by making the right decisions at work
greatly facilitated by research knowledge enhanced by knowledge of research
, Facilitates effective interactions with consultants and comprehension of the nuances of the
research process
Ethics and business research
ethics: code of conduct or expected social norms of behaviour while conducting research
Begins with the person instituting the research
Behaviour of researchers and participants, analysts, entire research team
Ethical behaviour pervades each step of the research process
