Chapter 1 Introduction to Business Research

Chapter Objectives Describe what research is and state how it is defined Distinguish between applied and basic research Distinguish between positivist, interpretivist and critical research Explain why managers should know about research. Discuss how managers should interact with researchers

Chapter Objectives Identify when a manager would be better using a research team Describe how you, as a manager, might apply the knowledge gained about research Describe the role of ethics in business research

What is Research ? Research is simply the process of thoroughly studying and analysing the situational factors surrounding a problem in order to seek out solutions to it.

Business Research Business research is an organised, systematic, data- based, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem or issue with the purpose of finding solutions to it or clarifying it.

Philosophical Bases 1.Positivist Research 2.Interpretivist Research 3.Critical Research

Positivist Research  Uses precise, objective measures and is usually associated with quantitative data  Researcher remains separate from the subjects and uses deductive reasoning

Interpretivist Research  Believes that people experience physical and social reality in different ways  Reality is socially constructed  Researcher becomes fully involved with individual subjects

Critical Research  Empower people to create a better world  Uncovering and going beyond surface illusions  Uncover myths and hidden meanings

Comparison of the three major paradigms underpinning business research

Types of Business Research Applied – done with the intention of applying results to specific problems in the business Basic – to enhance the understanding of problems that commonly occur across a range of organisations

The Manager and the Researcher How to locate and select a researcher The manager-researcher relationship Values

Internal vs External Researchers Advantages Disadvantages

Ethics and Business Research Consequentialist vs Deontological view Societal Accountability Corporate Accountability Moral Accountability Conflict among accountabilities

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