BIR LT1

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Business Information ResearchBusiness Information ResearchBusiness Information ResearchBusiness Information Research

Lecture 1Lecture 1Lecture 1Lecture 1

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What is Research? What is Research?

Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of the situational factors.

Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of the situational factors.

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What is Business Research? What is Business Research?

Business research as an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose for business organization of finding answers or solution to it.

Business research as an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose for business organization of finding answers or solution to it.

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Quantitative & QualitativeQuantitative & Qualitative

Quantitative - as generally gathered through structured questions. e.g. questionnaire for survey

Qualitative - as generated from the broad answers

to specific questions in interviews, or responses to open-ended questions in a questionnaire, or through observation, or from already available information gathered from various sources

Quantitative - as generally gathered through structured questions. e.g. questionnaire for survey

Qualitative - as generated from the broad answers

to specific questions in interviews, or responses to open-ended questions in a questionnaire, or through observation, or from already available information gathered from various sources

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Applied Research Applied Research

to solve a current problem faced by the business organization in the work setting, demanding a timely solution.

to solve a current problem faced by the business organization in the work setting, demanding a timely solution.

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Basic Research Basic Research

to generate a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend(理解 ) how certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved.

to generate a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend(理解 ) how certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved.

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Question 1Question 1

an university professor may be interested in investigating the factors that human has more morale in working which for academic interest. Later on, a manager who encounters his employees in his organization are falling out of work intensity, may use this information to determine the factor to solve the problem.

an university professor may be interested in investigating the factors that human has more morale in working which for academic interest. Later on, a manager who encounters his employees in his organization are falling out of work intensity, may use this information to determine the factor to solve the problem.

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Question 2Question 2

Vitasoy found that its soya bean milk may not be selling well and its manager might want to find the reasons for this in order to take corrective action.

Vitasoy found that its soya bean milk may not be selling well and its manager might want to find the reasons for this in order to take corrective action.

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Managers and Research Managers and Research

Managers are expected to understand, predict, and control environments that are dysfunctional(不正常的 ) to the organization.

Managers are expected to understand, predict, and control environments that are dysfunctional(不正常的 ) to the organization.

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Reasons Reasons

1. Identify and effectively solve minor problems in the work setting.

2. Know how to discriminate(區別 ) good from bad research.

3. Appreciate and be constantly aware of the multiple influences and multiple effects of factors impinging(衝突的 ) situation.

1. Identify and effectively solve minor problems in the work setting.

2. Know how to discriminate(區別 ) good from bad research.

3. Appreciate and be constantly aware of the multiple influences and multiple effects of factors impinging(衝突的 ) situation.

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4. Take calculated risks in decision making, knowing full well the probabilities associated with the different possible outcomes.

5. Prevent possible vested interests from exercising their influence in a situation.

4. Take calculated risks in decision making, knowing full well the probabilities associated with the different possible outcomes.

5. Prevent possible vested interests from exercising their influence in a situation.

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6. Relate to hired researchers and consultants more effectively.

7. Combine experience with scientific knowledge while making decisions.

6. Relate to hired researchers and consultants more effectively.

7. Combine experience with scientific knowledge while making decisions.

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Internal vs External Researchers Internal vs External Researchers

Some organizations have their own consulting or research department which serves as the internal researcher to subunits of the organization that face certain problems and seek help.

Some organizations have their own consulting or research department which serves as the internal researcher to subunits of the organization that face certain problems and seek help.

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Advantages:Advantages:

1. Better chance of being readily accepted by employees

2. Less time to understand the environment of the organization

3. Available for implementing their recommendations after the research

4. Cost considerably less

1. Better chance of being readily accepted by employees

2. Less time to understand the environment of the organization

3. Available for implementing their recommendations after the research

4. Cost considerably less

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Disadvantages:Disadvantages:

1. Fall into a stereotyped way of looking problems.

2. Powerful coalitions to influence the internal team to conceal(隱瞞 ), distort(歪曲 ), or misrepresent certain fact.

1. Fall into a stereotyped way of looking problems.

2. Powerful coalitions to influence the internal team to conceal(隱瞞 ), distort(歪曲 ), or misrepresent certain fact.

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Disadvantages:Disadvantages:

3. Even the most highly qualified internal research teams are not perceived as “experts” by the staff and management.

4. Biases of the internal research team might in some instances make the finding less objective and consequently less scientific.

3. Even the most highly qualified internal research teams are not perceived as “experts” by the staff and management.

4. Biases of the internal research team might in some instances make the finding less objective and consequently less scientific.

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The disadvantages of the internal research teams turn out to be the advantages of external teams. For example, AC Nelson

The disadvantages of the internal research teams turn out to be the advantages of external teams. For example, AC Nelson

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Advantage:Advantage:

1. Can draw on a wealth of experience

2. More knowledge of current sophisticated(精密的 ) problem-solving models

1. Can draw on a wealth of experience

2. More knowledge of current sophisticated(精密的 ) problem-solving models

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Disadvantages:Disadvantages:

The cost is usually high. Considerable time the external teams takes to

understand the organization to be researched, they seldom get a warm welcome, nor are readily accepted by employees.

Charge additional fees for their assistance in the implementation and evaluation phases.

The cost is usually high. Considerable time the external teams takes to

understand the organization to be researched, they seldom get a warm welcome, nor are readily accepted by employees.

Charge additional fees for their assistance in the implementation and evaluation phases.

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External Researchers External Researchers

The problem is a complex one There are likely to be vested(已確定的 )

interests Organization is at stake(風險 ) since one or

more serious problems

The problem is a complex one There are likely to be vested(已確定的 )

interests Organization is at stake(風險 ) since one or

more serious problems

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Internal ResearchersInternal Researchers

Arise are fairly simple The time is of the essence in solving

moderately complex problems There is a systemwide need to establish

procedures and policies of a fairly routine nature

Arise are fairly simple The time is of the essence in solving

moderately complex problems There is a systemwide need to establish

procedures and policies of a fairly routine nature