Welcome to MT- 320 Research and Presentation Seminar Dear Students, The Seminar will start promptly at the Schedule Time. Remember that the system saves a transcript of everything in the Chat, if you wish to talk among yourselves you may do so, or you may use the Private Chat Option. Dr. Nardi

Welcome To Unit 2 MT320 Research and Presentation Dr. Nazly Nardi 2

Before we get started: 3 If you have any troubles in seminar, please do call Tech Support at: They can assist if you get “bumped” from the seminar room or experience other difficulties.

Seminar Ground Rules  Start with person’s name, or Prof, or Dr. N., if responding to someone’s comment.  No name means response is to whole class.  When you have a question, ASK it.  Start your Question with // or ?? – examples: //What’s for Lunch? Or ?? What do you mean?  You are welcome to respond, after the person asked has a chance to answer.  When I ask to “move on”, end discussion on that topic.  Please do not use “private chat”

Agenda Review from last week Review from last week Definition of business research Definition of business research Discuss decision-making process Discuss decision-making process Discuss knowledge management Discuss knowledge management Questions Questions 5

Review from Last Week The Syllabus The Syllabus Office Hours Office Hours Expectations Expectations General General Assignments & Seminars Assignments & Seminars Q & A Q & A

Unit 1 How did it go? How did it go?  Time management?  Questions : Grades  Seminar?

Overview Define business research, validate its need and describe how it enhances decision making. Define business research, validate its need and describe how it enhances decision making. The levels of decision making will also be addressed, as well as relationship issues between managers and researchers. The levels of decision making will also be addressed, as well as relationship issues between managers and researchers. In addition, you should be prepared to discuss KM and how it relates to business research. In addition, you should be prepared to discuss KM and how it relates to business research. 8

Decision-making Decision-making 9 The levels of decision-making: Strategic – external, future oriented, uncertainty and non-routine Tactical – operations oriented, planning and control, shorter term Technical – control of routine tasks Is anyone more important than others? Why or why not?

Steps in the decision-making process The decision-making process involves the following steps: 1. Problem recognition, 2. information search, 3. alternative evaluation, and 4. decision. 10

What is business research? 11 Business research is a systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of phenomena of interest to managerial decision makers. What does each of those words mean?

Why is business research important? 12 Managers want quick, low-cost, timely, and accurate information to solve managerial problems. Researchers desire readily researchable questions that can be studied with sound methodologies and adequate resources in terms of time, money, and personnel.

Two key communication tools Two key communication tools used by researchers to communicate with management: Research proposal and the research report. Research proposal and the research report. What does each document include? What does each document include? Which comes first? Which comes first? 13

Research proposal & research report Perhaps you have had experience with a research proposal or research report. Perhaps you have had experience with a research proposal or research report. Can anyone share their involvement from work? Can anyone share their involvement from work? For example, I have lead and managed a million dollar research project with AT&T to make decisions about the features and design of the yellow pages. For example, I have lead and managed a million dollar research project with AT&T to make decisions about the features and design of the yellow pages. 14

Steps in the business research process 1. Beginning the process (problem identification and formulation), 2. Determination of research design, 3. Determination of data collection procedures, 4. Determination of analytical procedures, and 5. Research reporting and evaluation. 15

Knowledge Management Knowledge management (KM) is: Facilitating how an organization creates, generates, stores, communicates, and utilizes its intellectual assets to accomplish its objectives. Facilitating how an organization creates, generates, stores, communicates, and utilizes its intellectual assets to accomplish its objectives. Is there a definition of knowledge management that is agreed upon by everyone? Is there a definition of knowledge management that is agreed upon by everyone? 16

Knowledge management strategies Does the organization you work for practice good KM? Can you share examples? Does the organization you work for practice good KM? Can you share examples? Benefits of KM include: Benefits of KM include: Encouraging innovation, increasing competitiveness, improving customer service, enhancing employee effectiveness and morale, creating a more effective organization memory. Encouraging innovation, increasing competitiveness, improving customer service, enhancing employee effectiveness and morale, creating a more effective organization memory. 17

Data, information, analytical information, knowledge, & wisdom Data, information, analytical information, knowledge, & wisdom are different: Data – facts, observations Data – facts, observations Information – data arranged in a systematic way to yield some order and meaning Information – data arranged in a systematic way to yield some order and meaning Knowledge – information in the mind – allowing it to be transformed into action Knowledge – information in the mind – allowing it to be transformed into action Wisdom – the epitome – knowledge and the ability and willingness to apply that knowledge when and where appropriate. Wisdom – the epitome – knowledge and the ability and willingness to apply that knowledge when and where appropriate. 18

Data Mining What is data mining? A knowledge discovery process that extracts previously unknown, actionable information from very large databases or data warehouses. A knowledge discovery process that extracts previously unknown, actionable information from very large databases or data warehouses. Casinos are very good at data mining 19

Any Questions? ???

Week 2 Assignment Project (50 points) Project (50 points) Pre- Project Approval: You will need to provide a 1 page proposal for your project. You will need to define a problem within your current work situation that requires action and the research to resolve. If you do not have a current position select something from an old employer or something you see in your community. You will need to provide a 1 page proposal for your project. You will need to define a problem within your current work situation that requires action and the research to resolve. If you do not have a current position select something from an old employer or something you see in your community. You will Provide: You will Provide: (1) A Brief description of the type of decision needed to be made (1) A Brief description of the type of decision needed to be made (2) Why you think this needs to be done (2) Why you think this needs to be done (3) What is the impact if it is not done (3) What is the impact if it is not done (4) Compile your outline into a MS Word Document and Submit in the Dropbox. (4) Compile your outline into a MS Word Document and Submit in the Dropbox. Project Directions Project Directions Present your outline in a business report using APA style. This report should be a minimum of 1 page in text length, and you should support your position with at least three credible secondary sources. Present your outline in a business report using APA style. This report should be a minimum of 1 page in text length, and you should support your position with at least three credible secondary sources. 21

Wrap Up Remember you have assignments due this week. Remember you have assignments due this week. Due on Tuesday by 11:59 PM E.T. Due on Tuesday by 11:59 PM E.T. Next week: Next week: Basic Process of Scientific Inquiry Basic Process of Scientific Inquiry Definition Definition Discussion of Key terminology Discussion of Key terminology Make sure you have read Unit 3’s reading before the seminar Make sure you have read Unit 3’s reading before the seminar Be prepared to answer questions Be prepared to answer questions For the next seminar think about: For the next seminar think about: What is a construct ? What is a construct ? Can you name a theory? Can you name a theory?

You can contact me: 1) through my 2) through AOL Instant Messaging my AOL IM name is nknardi, (put me on your buddy list) 3) through Second Life ( me to request my user name if you use SL) 4) through the Live Chat Post in the Classroom 5) or through the “Instructor’s Office” link under the Course Home page My “Office Hours” for this term are as follow: __________________________

Thank you… Q & A… Recording of this Seminar will be available in the Archive.

T H A N K Y O U F O R A T T E N D I N G SEE YOU IN THE DISCUSSION THREAD QUESTIONS AND IN NEXT WEEK’S SEMINAR

Thank you I appreciate your time and attention during our 1 hour seminar today. If you have questions, feel free to contact me: and I’ll be happy to help! I appreciate your time and attention during our 1 hour seminar today. If you have questions, feel free to contact me: and I’ll be happy to See you in Class! See you in Class! 26

Questions 27

Thank you I appreciate your time and attention during our 1 hour seminar today. If you have questions, feel free to contact me: and I’ll be happy to help! I appreciate your time and attention during our 1 hour seminar today. If you have questions, feel free to contact me: and I’ll be happy to See you in Class! See you in Class! 28