MM6007 Research Method in Management Theory Building Theory

Research question Background research   Hypothesis Experiment Conclusion

What is a Theory? A B Theory A formal, logical explanation of some events that includes predictions or how things relate to one another. Concept A B Positive (+) / Negative (-) Types of Relationship Causal relationship (Direction of Causality) Positive (+) relationship: If A increases, B will increase Negative (-) relationship: If A increases, B will decrease

Examples of a Theory Why do people who have self-confidence tend to be more successful than people who don’t have self-confidence? Self-confidence Success Positive (+)

Examples of a Theory Self-efficacy theory: Self efficacy is the belief in one's capabilities to achieve a goal. People with high self-efficacy tend to: …believe that difficult tasks are not beyond their capabilities. …form a stronger sense of commitment to their tasks. Self-efficacy theory Self-confidence Success Positive (+)

Examples of a Theory Why do some people who come out of jail turn to be worse than when they were going in? Experience in Jail Morality Negative (-)

Social learning theory Examples of a Theory Social learning theory: Social learning theory states that “social behavior is learned primarily by observing and imitating the actions of others”. Social learning theory Experience in Jail Morality Negative(-)

Research Concepts Concept (or Construct) A generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences or process that has been given a name. Examples: Self confidence Experience Success Motivation Economic development Profitability Customer satisfaction Facebook

Ladder of Abstraction Concepts can be Abstract and Empirical.

Ladder of Abstraction Abstract level Empirical level Organization of concepts in sequence from the most concrete and individual to the most general. Abstract Level (General, Cannot be measured easily) The level of knowledge expressing a concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object. Empirical Level (Specific, Can be measured) The level of knowledge that is verifiable by experience or observation. Cognitive Intelligence Intelligence quotient (IQ) Intelligence Emotional Quotient (EQ) Emotional Intelligence Abstract level Empirical level Ladder of Abstraction

Example The role of packaging on consumer attitude Abstract concept

Environmental friendly Example The role of packaging on consumer attitude Size Functionality Willingness to buy Environmental friendly Durability Less abstract concepts Less abstract concept

Research Propositions and Hypotheses The terms "proposition" and "hypothesis" both refer to the formulation of a possible answer to a specific scientific question. They deals with the connection between two existing concepts. The main difference Proposition deals with pure concepts for which no laboratory test is currently available. Hypothesis must be testable and measurable.

Research Propositions and Hypotheses Statements explaining the logical linkage among certain concepts by asserting a universal connection between concepts. Example: The impact of cars on air pollution Cars Air Pollution Positive (+) Proposition Concept Concept Proposition: Cars cause more air pollution.

Research Propositions and Hypotheses Hypothesis Formal statement of an unproven proposition that is empirically testable.

Research Propositions and Hypotheses Example: The impact of cars on air pollution Cars Air Pollution Concept Proposition Positive (+) Operationalization Operationalization Number of Cars Amount of CO Positive (+) Hypothesis Variable Variable

Research Propositions and Hypotheses Cars Air Pollution Concept Proposition Positive (+) Proposition: Cars cause more air pollution. Number of Cars Amount of CO Positive (+) Hypothesis Variable Variable Hypothesis: As the numbers of car increases, the amount of carbon monoxide tends to increase.

Empirical Testing Empirical Testing Examining a research hypothesis against reality using data.

Positive relationship Empirical Testing Year Number of cars (million) CO measurement (ppm) 2007 2.4 1 2008 2.5 1.5 2009 2.6 1.8 2010 2.8 2 2011 3.1 2012 3.7 3 Positive relationship

Types of reasoning in research Reasoning is the process of making inferences from a body of information Deductive reasoning Inductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning The logical process of deriving a conclusion about a specific instance based on a known general premise or something known to be true. This is called the “top-down” approach because the researcher starts at the top with a very broad spectrum of information and they work their way down to a specific conclusion.

Deductive Reasoning Thai people can sing Thai national anthem. Since Ms. Nattaporn is Thai Ms. Supanee is Thai Mr. Wichit is Thai Then… Ms. Nattaporn, Ms. Supanee, and Mr. Wichit can sing Thai national anthem.

Deductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning is normally used in quantitative research. It is usually used for theory testing.

Deductive Reasoning (example) The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is an information systems theory that models how users come to accept and use a technology. Perceived Usefulness + Attitude towards Using a Technology Perceived Ease of use +

Deductive Reasoning (example) Theory of TAM (general information) Perceived Usefulness and Perceive ease of use will lead to Intention to use “technology”. Specific information Facebook is related to technology. Hypothesis Perceived Usefulness and Perceive ease of use will lead to Intention to use Facebook.

Deductive Reasoning Since Facebook is related to technology……. Perceived Usefulness and Perceive ease of use will lead to Intention to use “technology” Since Facebook is related to technology……. Perceived Usefulness and Perceive ease of use will lead to Intention to use “Facebook” Collect data to test the hypothesis If the data support the hypothesis, you can conclude that the theory is verified.

Inductive reasoning The logical process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts. This is sometimes called a “bottom up” approach.

Inductive Reasoning Inductive reasoning is normally used in scientific and qualitative research. It is usually used for theory building.

The process of theory development and theory testing Inductive process Deductive process

Can we always trust a theory? The validity of the theory is context-specific time-specific

Presentation Assignment Teamwork: no more than 3 members in a group. Pick one “Quantitative paper” that contain the hypotheses. Make sure the hypotheses mention about the “relationship between concepts”. Additional requirement for Ph.D. students The paper must contains the analysis of the “Moderating effect” or “Mediating effect”.

Presentation Assignment What must be covered in the presentation? Research problem The objective(s) of the study. Provide the definition of the main concepts in the hypothesis. For example, if the hypothesis mentions that A positively relates to B, you have to provide the definition of A and B. Provide the logical reasons that the paper uses to support the hypotheses. If the paper use the theory to support the hypothesis, please also mention about the theory.

Presentation Assignment Presentation date: June 11, 2016 Please send me the paper that you will use for the presentation by June 4. 2015. You can send me up to 3 papers so that I can help you pick the most suitable one. Make sure you pick the paper that everyone in your team can understand.

Presentation Assignment The PowerPoint presentation should be about 5-8 minutes. Do not read from note or slides. Stop at the hypothesis part. (do not present the research methods and results) Everyone in the team have to present

Ph.D. Assignment week 2 Pick 1 theory in any field (that is not mentioned in the lecture and class note). Write 1 page summary about: Who introduce the theory? What the theory is about? Provide 3 examples of how the theory is applied to explain any phenomenon in research. Due date: June 4, 2016