TRM 450 X Research Methodology Spring Semester 2004 Dr. Zongqing Zhou

three major dimensions the level of management activity the level of management activity the stage of the management process the stage of the management process the function of the management activity. the function of the management activity.

Levels of Management Activity Strategic activities concern long-term plans and policies that determine or change the character of an organization. Strategic activities concern long-term plans and policies that determine or change the character of an organization. Managerial or tactical activities involve those activities that are associated with the ongoing administration of the enterprise and that are carried on within the limits of objectives and policies defined at the strategic level. Managerial or tactical activities involve those activities that are associated with the ongoing administration of the enterprise and that are carried on within the limits of objectives and policies defined at the strategic level. Operational activities describe those specific transactions involved in carrying out the tasks required to achieve the variety of objectives defined at the management level. Operational activities describe those specific transactions involved in carrying out the tasks required to achieve the variety of objectives defined at the management level.

Stages of the Management Process Analysis represents the initial stage of the management process in which executives are essentially interested in understanding the nature and scope of a given problem. Analysis represents the initial stage of the management process in which executives are essentially interested in understanding the nature and scope of a given problem. Planning may be viewed as the setting of objectives and the evaluation/choice of alternatives for meeting those objectives Planning may be viewed as the setting of objectives and the evaluation/choice of alternatives for meeting those objectives Execution of the selected course of action represents the translation of ideas into reality. Execution of the selected course of action represents the translation of ideas into reality. The Control stage of the management process is the stage that attempts to measure the extent to which a given activity or action has achieved its original objectives. The Control stage of the management process is the stage that attempts to measure the extent to which a given activity or action has achieved its original objectives.

Functional Areas of Activity finance, marketing, production, control, personnel, and the general management function of coordination finance, marketing, production, control, personnel, and the general management function of coordination

Classification of Management Research (5) Operational research consists primarily of a range of quantitative/analytical techniques designed to formulate and test decision rules that will permit management to optimize relations between the inputs and outputs of a given operational procedure. Operational research consists primarily of a range of quantitative/analytical techniques designed to formulate and test decision rules that will permit management to optimize relations between the inputs and outputs of a given operational procedure.

Classification of Management Research Managerial research covers a broad range of research types including those most commonly employed by management. Examples of such studies include those concerning the market potential for a new attraction, the best approach for the implementation of a new accounting system, or feasibility study for a new hotel. Managerial research tends to be future and present oriented. Managerial research covers a broad range of research types including those most commonly employed by management. Examples of such studies include those concerning the market potential for a new attraction, the best approach for the implementation of a new accounting system, or feasibility study for a new hotel. Managerial research tends to be future and present oriented.

Classification of Management Research Action research involves a continuous gathering and analyzing of research data during the normal ongoing operation of an organization or the execution of a specific management program and the simultaneous feeding of the results into the organization so as to change its model of functioning. Action research involves a continuous gathering and analyzing of research data during the normal ongoing operation of an organization or the execution of a specific management program and the simultaneous feeding of the results into the organization so as to change its model of functioning.

Classification of Management Research Policy research relates to the strategic analysis and planning activities of a tourism organization on the tourism system as a whole. Approaches to the ordering of the attractiveness of various policy options and studying the trade-offs among them have been referred to as priority analysis. Policy research relates to the strategic analysis and planning activities of a tourism organization on the tourism system as a whole. Approaches to the ordering of the attractiveness of various policy options and studying the trade-offs among them have been referred to as priority analysis.

Classification of Management Research Evaluation research can be viewed as the complement of policy research in which the objectives, strategies, and programs so derived are monitored both during and after their implementation in order to determine their degree of success and failure as well as the underlying causes of their impact. Evaluation research can be viewed as the complement of policy research in which the objectives, strategies, and programs so derived are monitored both during and after their implementation in order to determine their degree of success and failure as well as the underlying causes of their impact.

Conclusion An important common characteristic and goal of all management research is to have the ability and desire to provide systematic and objective information for executive decision making that is timely, that is relevant, and that ultimately improves the effectiveness of the organization An important common characteristic and goal of all management research is to have the ability and desire to provide systematic and objective information for executive decision making that is timely, that is relevant, and that ultimately improves the effectiveness of the organization