Scribd
Upload
54 views25 pages

01 Res680 Week One Ppts

This document provides an overview of a research methods class for semester one in 2012. It introduces management research and traces the historical development of management theory from pre-industrial times to modern approaches. It defines research and describes the relationship between research and management. It also outlines different types of research including descriptive, explanatory, and evaluative research and discusses who conducts research and how it is used.

Uploaded by

debbiewalker87
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
54 views25 pages

01 Res680 Week One Ppts

This document provides an overview of a research methods class for semester one in 2012. It introduces management research and traces the historical development of management theory from pre-industrial times to modern approaches. It defines research and describes the relationship between research and management. It also outlines different types of research including descriptive, explanatory, and evaluative research and discusses who conducts research and how it is used.

Uploaded by

debbiewalker87
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 25

RESEARCH METHODS

SEMESTER ONE 2012

Allanah Robinson

Todays Class

Introductions and Overview Week One:


Management

Research Orientation What is Management? What is Research? A (very) short history of Management Theory

Learning Objectives

To review types of management research To describe the relationship between research and management To trace management researchs historical development To consider the privileging of science.

What is Management?

Daft:
The

attainment of organisational goals in an effective and efficient manner through planning, organising, leading and controlling organisational resources is much more complex, considers that management is what managers know (aware) that they do. Have many sources of knowledge, which managers then apply

Clegg:
Management

What is research?

A systematic, careful inquiry or examination to discover new information or relationships and expand or verify existing knowledge for some specified purpose or problem (Bennett) Problems may be theoretical or practical Many occupations have some aspects of research in them.
Examples Which

examples are Business Research?

Its research Jim...

Science and Social Science

Scientific research
Is

based on the rules accepted by scientists, especially physical sciences Furthers knowledge if the research can be repeated to get similar results Seeks objective truth: The Truth.

Social science
Attempts

to apply scientific method to people and

society This is not problem free...

Social Science: The Challenges


Humans can be unpredictable and changeable We have free will We can be aware that they are being studied and respond Our social environments, especially markets, are constantly changing Usually cannot replicate social research at different times or places. But we still seek Truth by replication

Revealed Truth/Alternative Research


Common sense (who says?) Consensus Truth based on intuition, spirituality, folklore, social interaction. Counter-Scientific perspective. Emotion, oral history, case examples, wisdom from the ancients revelationary experiences.

Why do business research?

For decision making


To describe something: the way it is To explain something: why or how is it this way? To evaluation something: is it going well? These three goals are the basis of three classifications of business research.

Descriptive Research

Find out, describe what is.. Counting and listing things. Often used to monitor social and economic change or gain insights into an issue
e.g.

Facebook use, unemployment. Census and other population statistics

Why is this useful?

Explanatory/Causal Research

To provide an explanation of patterns, trends or relationships Tries to illuminate causes:


why/how

did that happen?

Ability to make predictions based on causal research is very useful in business


Future

profits New product development trends

Correlation vs Causation

Evaluative Research

To evaluate, especially the success of management actions


eg

compliance with company policies, success of strategies, projects, activities, programmes.

Often linked to profitability, ROI, resource use, performance. Useful for management
Is this profitable? What could be improved? How is this operation performing?

Pilot studies

A preliminary or exploratory study Used for a number of reasons:


To

see whether something exists. To determine whether an issue merits a full investigation. To guide the development of a full investigation.

Who does research?

Affects the purpose of the research and how managers may interpret the research Need to also be aware of who pays for or commissions research.
Why?

Researchers can include:


Academics Students

Public

Sector Business Consultants and Managers

History of Management

Pre-industrial The Classical School Behavioural Approaches Human Relations Approaches Modern Approaches

Pre-industrial management

The Classical School

Principles of scientific management


one

best way time and motion studies Focus on business purpost

Administrative Theory
Developed

general principles of management Development of bureaucracy: rational-legal authority based on position Management as a profession

Behavioural to Human Relations

Behavioural approaches
Recognised

complexity of human behaviour and

motivation Managers role as harmoniser and coordinator Importance of communication and social relationships

Human Relations approaches


Motivation

and the heirarchy of needs Theory X and Y : workers want to work?

Modern Management Approaches

Management science
Uses

statistics to for efficiencies

Systems theory
Organisation

sum of its parts Value chain coordination

Contingency approach
Make

it up as up go along! term focus

Japanese approaches
Longer

Modern approaches (cont)

Institutional Theory
Culture,

politics and power, and the role of the manager

Fads and Fashions


Research

on new practices for improved management Often disappointing

The Management/Research Relationship

You might also like