CHAPTER 3

DESIGN AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Chapter 3

Design & Research Methodology

3.1 Design of the study

Every study involves problems of design. Developing the design is a delicate and

difficult assignment. Research design plays a significant role in the social research. At the

beginning, researcher prepared a plan of the study with the help of the research guide.

3.2 Importance of the study

In India, especially in Kerala, a good number of mandays are lost annually due to

strike, lockout and such other reasons. Often negative perception of workers is found to

contribute to such an Industrial Unrest. Perceptional studies are still in the infancy stage.

Such studies caught attention of the industrialists recently. This is the subject in which

much exploration has not been done yet.

3.3 Selection of the Organization

After the selection of the topic, researcher selected three tyre manufacturing units

for the research study viz. MRF Ltd, Premier Tyres and Apollo Tyres Ltd. They are one

of the leading tyre industries in India.

These units are of smaller size having less number of employees. As the personnel

strength is small it is easy to measure the perceptions of the workers. While selecting the

subject the researcher has to consider the agencies interest also. This is the first time that
a perceptional study is conducting in these factories. It may be due to its recent origin.

And in fact no perceptional study was conducted earlier to this. Moreover, a pilot study

revealed that there is ample scope for this subject. Based on the above factors researcher

thought that these organizations which are best suited to conduct the research studies.

3.4 Preliminary Survey

After the selection of the units, a preliminary and brief survey was taken in hand to

collect the basic information of organizations regarding the existing personnel practices/

total work force, structure of the organization, department, type of products manufac­

tured, history and development of the organization.

3.5 Objectives of the study

The overall objective of the study is to explore and understand the perceptions of

workers towards personnel policies. It aims at knowing perception of employees towards

some selected personnel policies such as recruitment, selection, working conditions etc.

Following are the main objectives of the study.

(1) To study the perception of the workers towards some selected personnel practices

such as

(a) Working conditions

(b) Recruitment and selection

(c) Training and Development

(d) Promotion and transfer policy

(e) Supervision

(f) Communication
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(g) Wages and salary structure

(h) Welfare facilities

(i) Grievance settlement procedure

(j) Workers participation management

(k) Accidents and safety measures.

(2) To determine the relationship between selected personal factors (viz. age, domicile,

education, experience and wages) and perception of workers.

(3) To give suggestions in the light of the results of the study.

3.6 Scope of the Study

it has been recognized by all that production can be increased by successfully tackling

its fine tenets viz. Men, management, machines, materials and money. Of these, tackling

of men is the most complex of all; because of the dynamic nature of the people. Perception

and attitudinal surveys can provide adequate signals to management about the efficiency

of its policies and practices. It will be more beneficial in understanding the companies as

a whole. Positive perception of the workers determines better growth and progress of an

organization. So it is necessary to establish and maintain a productive and self respecting

relationship among all the members of the organization. This survey tells how employees

feel about their management.

3.7 Preparation of the Interviews schedule

The interview schedule was prepared after the investigator had become acquainted

with the conditions of the companies. At a preliminary interviews the management and
workers were asked for suggestions on any particular points which they wished to have

included in the interview schedule. The interview schedule was then framed and tested

on a few employees and then it was finalised. Lastly a blank space was provided for

suggestions on any points which had not been included in the interview schedule, and on

which the workers desired to express an opinion.

The multiple choice questions were used with the exception of certain questions

requiring a general type of response, all others were provided with two degrees of responses,

i.e. positive and negative responses. These two responses were provided so that employees

would be able to locate the exact degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The interview

schedule was originally prepared in English but as the workers are Malayalam speaking, it

was translated into Malayalam. For the purpose of easiness and clarity, researcher gave

subtitles to his interview schedule such as :

1. Personal Background

2 Family Background

3 Details of the job

4 Working conditions

5 Recruitment and Selection

6 Training and Development

7 Promotion, Transfer Policy

8 Supervision

9 Communication

10 Wage and Salary structure

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11 Welfare Facilities

12 Grievance Settlement procedure

13 Workers participation in Management

14 Accidents and safety measures

15 Perception of workers.

3.8 Discussions
With the help of personnel executives, meetings of these workers were held within

the company premises during working hours. At these meetings the objectives of the

survey were explained and the co-operation of the workers were requested.

To gain the confidence of the workers and to ensure honest opinions being given,

strictly anonymity of the respondents was guaranteed. Assurance was given that manage­

ment would make no attempts to identify workers giving unfavourable opinions. At the

same time it was made clear that it would not be possible for management to implement

all the suggestions which workers made in the interview. Management may however at

its discretion, act on any suggestions as were considered practicable.

3.9 Sample design and methodology

Since it is difficult to contact all employees, a representative sample is selected for

administering the methodology. The sample of three hundred employees were selected for

study. The selection of the sample is made by random sampling method by preparing a

complete list of workers in three units and marking ofF every tenth worker as a sample.

The whole data requkred for the study were collected from three sources.
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(1) The primary data were collected by interviewing workers with the help of interview

schedule.

(2) The secondary source of information was collected from the printed materials such

as Records, Annual Reports, Booklets etc.

(3) And lastly discussions which were held with the management personnel from various

departments.

3.10 Interview
Interview was done with the help of an interview schedule, prepared for this study.

Separate and face to face interviewing was done. This gave an opportunity for the re­

searcher to sense of their feelings and to some extent, correctly understand their criticisms

and opinions. The researcher before interviewing, explained to the respondents to confi­

dential nature of information they furnish and such other measures were taken to minimise

the suspicions of the respondents. Interviewing was conducted during the duty time of

the workers. But at the same time they were given adequate time to understand, think

and answer the questions. The researcher interviewed carefully selected sample with the

help of an interview schedule.

Researcher's main stress is in the study of workers’ perception which is the major

bulk of this thesis. Though there are many practical difficulties in conducting interview

with every worker. Researcher adopted the technique of conducting the interview with

each and every respondent. Researcher is sure that filling up of interview schedule is more

better than supplying questionnaires for the maximum efficiency and accurateness of the

thesis. Each interview took 15 minutes. Researcher's question on perception were open

ended one, it took more time to answer. Not only that those open ended question helped

the researcher a lot in getting even the pulses of their feelings and attitude and it also
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helped them to talk too much, in turn will reveal their inner heart. Researcher conducted

his interview with workers during their working hours keeping them inside a small cabin

in the companies.

3.11 Coding
After collecting the information through schedules, all the information was classified

and divided into different groups to give it a homogeneous and manageable shape.

3.12 Processing of Data

Data which have collected to study the problem have analysed in such a way that

one can easily understand it. Researcher prepared a master sheet in which entire data

are presented. Based on Master sheet, researcher prepared several tables and analysed it.

Then researcher interpreted it in simple words in such a way that one can get clear idea

easily after observing it.

3.13 Tabulation
Finally, to put the classified and grouped information into a simple form, tables

showing the correlation of various variables were prepared as given in different chapters.

3.14 Hypothesis
Based on the review of literature, discussion with management personnel, and per­

sonal observation the following hypothesis were framed.

H-l Perceptions are related to the age of workers

H-2 Perceptions are related to the domicile of workers

H-3 Perceptions are related to the education of workers

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H-4 Perceptions are related to the experience of workers

H-5 Perceptions are related to the wages of workers

3.15 Difficulties met with

In the beginning workers were openly suspicious of researcher’s intentions and con­

sequently the responses were not as satisfactory as had been hoped for. The researcher

therefore impressed on the workers the fact that the survey was more of academic inter­

est to him, that otherwise, and that their interview schedule would not be seen by any

member of their supervisory staff. The argument appeared to have had its due effect

on a majority of employees who thereafter gave a satisfactory response. A few however

maintained their hostile attitude till the very end inspite of all assurances, and arguments.

The reasons for adopting the attitude appeared to be the researcher’s association with

management, which, made them suspect his motives too. The hostile element consisted

mostly of educated workers.

3.16 Limitations

The limitations of the present study are briefly discussed below:

1. A relatively small sample size was an obvious limitations to the study; since the sta­

tistical analysis on the basis of a small sample may be subject to a certain amount of

statistical error or instability.

2. The study involved a large number of variables. Hence detailed analysis of each variable

could not be achieved.

3. The personnel policies under study are limited to only 11 areas, many more practices

could not be included because of various constraints.

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4. The time dimension - which is a critical factor for the study-may not have generated

the real picture which was there in the past because of limitations on the memory of

the respondent.

3.17 Scope for further Research

As the present study has limitations and the topic under study itself is wide and

large there may be many more extensions to the present study if following factors are

considered.

1. In future studies, the larger sample size could be included to avoid any possibility of

statistical error.

2. In future studies many other personnel policies could be included as independent vari­

ables.

3. The findings of the study cannot be generalised for either the manufacturing sector

or the service sector. For that purpose more organizations from each sector could be

included in the future research.

The present study has been a worthwhile experience for the researcher in understand­

ing the concept of perception of employees and its relationship with the effectiveness of

personnel policies. The researcher concludes the present study with the logic that at least

some new light has been thrown on the concepts studied namely; workers perception and

personnel policies and the interplay between the two. This new light may lead to better

insight into the objective of achieving the goals and finally workforce which is self-managed

and committed.

3.18 Outline of the study

The findings of research study were properly presented by Chapterisation. The

researcher presented all the information in 10 Chapters. These Chapters are as follows:
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CHAPTER - I : THEORETICAL FRAME WORK

In this Chapter, the core of the theoretical analysis regarding personnel policies has

been dealt with. This Chapter is also devoted in brief to the significance and managerial

implication of perception.

CHAPTER - II : REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The detailed review of literature based on various studies conducted by researchers

is mentioned in this Chapter. This review enable us to understand the various aspects of

perception.

CHAPTER - III : DESIGN AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this Chapter a detailed note on the research design and methodology adopted to

collect data is given.

CHAPTER - IV : PROFILE OF SELECTED INDUSTRIAL UNITS

A broad profile and historical perspective of three selected tyre manufacturing units

in Kerala is presented in this Chapter.

CHAPTER - V : PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF MRF LTD.

In this Chapter, the important aspects of the existing personnel policies and practices

which were agreed by the employees and management of MRF Ltd. has been covered.

CHAPTER - VI: PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF PREMIER TYRES LTD.

In this Chapter, the important aspects of the existing personnel policies and practices

which were agreed by the employees and management of Premier Tyres Ltd. has been

covered.
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CHAPTER - VII : PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF APOLLO TYRES LTD.

In this Chapter, the important aspects of the existing personnel policies and practices

which were agreed by the employees and management of Apollo Tyres Ltd. has been

covered.

CHAPTER - VII : ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

In this Chapter, researcher has analysed and interpreted the data in a tabular form

which enables to obtain more deep knowledge about the different aspects of workers'

perception of personnel policies.

CHAPTER - IX : PERCEPTIONS OF RESPONDENTS WITH REFERENCE TO

THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

This Chapter has been devoted to the analysis of the data collected from the re­

spondents. An attempt has been made to explain the perceptions of the respondents with

reference to their socio-economic conditions, so as to provide a necessary background for

understanding the analysed responses of the respondents.

CHAPTER - X : OBSERVATIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

In this Chapter, an attempt is made to conclude on the basis of the observations and

also on the basis of information collected from different sources. In the light of the study

the researcher recommended some important suggestions for the necessary improvement.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX