12/12/2019

RESEARCH PARADIGMS &

PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

Application on Research Articles

ADVANCED BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Assignment # 1
RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

Submitted By: Aroosa Zaheer

Roll no.: 01
MS-Business Finance
1st Semester
Submitted To: Dr. Waseem Ur Rehman

1
 RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

Research Article no. 1

Predicting Employee Performance through Organizational Virtuousness

Mediation by Affective Well-Being and Work Engagement

Sr. Philosophical Positivism

# Assumptions
1 Ontology This article of predicting employee performance through
What is nature of organizational virtuousness (OV) is based on “Positivism”
reality? Or what is research paradigm using quantitative approach. Reality exists
knowledge? as OV is significant according to academic literature and it can
offer enormous employee and organizational outcomes; and
out of many outcomes employee performance is substantial.
This study is based on organizational support theory (OST) and
social learning theory (SLT).
2 Epistemology The research conducted is acknowledgeable because
What is the relationship employees’ well-being and work engagement is crucial to
between the researcher determine his/her performance. However, in past researches
and that being such mediation has not received due attention. But significance
researched? of this study has justified by many researchers such as:
 Organizational Virtuousness is defined as presence of
an environment where integrity, humanity, forgiveness
and trust is flourished, supported and propagated.
(Cameron, 2004)
 Work Engagement refers to the attachment with
organization on emotional and psychological levels and
presented as potency and devotion. (Bakker and
Demerouth, 2008; Schaufeli et al., 2002)
 Well-being is defined as positive state of happiness and
this positive emotion will make employees work more
enthusiastically. (Cameron, 2004; Rego, 2010)
3 Axiology This research is Unbiased (researchers used check and balance
What is the role of to eliminate bias).
values?  Data is collected through questionnaires from bankers
and no one presented personal views
4 Rhetoric The language of this study is Formal as every aspect is
What is the language of discussed in academic and appropriate manner. There is no use
research? of literary language.
5 Methodology Deductive approach is used as research methodology.
What is the process of  OV effects the employees performance
research?

2
 RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

6 Strategies of Inquiry Data is collected through Questionnaires from 487 bank

What strategies of employees belonged to 60 branches of 10 large banks (selected
inquiry are being used? randomly).
7 Methods Data collected through questionnaires has been analyzed by
What are the methods of using structural equation modeling technique.
conducting research?

Research Article no. 2

Impact of Behavioral Factors on Investors’ Financial Decisions: Case of the

Egyptian Stock Market

Sr. Philosophical Positivism

# Assumptions
1 Ontology This article of studying impact of behavioral factors on
What is nature of investors’ financial decision in Egyptian Market is based on
reality? Or what is “Positivism” research paradigm using quantitative approach.
knowledge? Reality exists as behavioral factors such as investor sentiment,
overreaction & underreaction, overconfidence and herd
behavior has a significant effect on investors’ investment
decisions
2 Epistemology This research is acknowledgeable because research proves that
What is the relationship behavioral factors significantly effects investment decisions.
between the researcher Behavioral aspect of decision makers in financial decision
and that being making has 4 major factors; investor sentiment, overreaction &
researched? underreaction, overconfidence and herd behavior. (Asaad,
2012).
 Investor sentiment is investors’ beliefs and
perspectives about future cash flows or discount rates
that are not supported by key fundamentals. (Baker and
Wurgler, 2006). A high degree of optimism or
pessimism is associated with investors; trading on
mainstream models. (Black, 1986).
 Investor overconfidence: Studies in behavioral
finance show that individuals, on average, tend to
overestimate chances of success and underestimate
chances of failure or risk. (Hirshleifer, 2012).
 Overreaction & underreaction model assumes the
existence of both informed and uninformed investors.
Informed investors’ overconfidence leads to
overestimation of their private signal regarding stock
values, while their biased self-attribution leads to
underestimate of public signals. This produces short-

3
 RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

term returns followed by long-term reversals. (Daniel,

1998).
 Herding attributes to the conformity bias, namely, to
the fact that people experience enhanced comfort
following others around them. (Hirshleifer, 2001)
3 Axiology This research is Unbiased (researchers used check and balance
What is the role of to eliminate bias).
values?  Data is collected through structured questionnaires
from 384 local Egyptian, foreign, institutional and
individual investors. No personal view are presented to
avoid biasness.
4 Rhetoric The language of this study is Formal as every aspect is
What is the language of discussed in academic and appropriate manner. There is no use
research? of literary language.
5 Methodology Deductive approach is used as research methodology.
What is the process of  Behavioral factors directly affect investors’ financial
research? decisions.
6 Strategies of Inquiry Data is collected through Questionnaires from 384 local
What strategies of Egyptian, foreign, institutional and individual investors.
inquiry are being used?
7 Methods Structured questionnaire survey is carried out. And data is
What are the methods of scrutinized using partial multiple regression method.
conducting research?

Research Article no. 3

Intellectual Capital Performance and Its Impact on Financial Returns of the

Companies: An Empirical Study from Insurance Sector of Pakistan

Sr. Philosophical Positivism

# Assumptions
1 Ontology This article of intellectual capital performance’ effect on
What is nature of financial returns of insurance companies is based on
reality? Or what is “Positivism” research paradigm using quantitative approach.
knowledge? Reality exists as prior studies suggests and proves that IC has
significant effect on financial performance of the companies.
IC is very important ingredient for business promotion and
development which leads to more stable financial
performance. IC being a value creation and an innovative way
has become an important body for researchers, managers,
investors and business institutions as there are many studies
released in academic and professional environment.

4
RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

2 Epistemology The research conducted is acceptable and it has vast

What is the relationship applications.
between the researcher  IC viewed as knowledge, information, intellectual
and that being property and experience that can be use to create
researched? wealth. (Stewart, 1997)
 Human Capital (HC) viewed as capacity to work in
various situations to enhance strategic assets both
tangible and intangible (Sveiby, 1997)
 Structural Capital (SC) is valuable strategic asset.
 Relational Capital is relationship with external
stakeholders. (Sveiby, 1997).
 IC is considered for value creation of corporate sector.
(Pulic, 2001).
All above studies widely acknowledged the IC’ effect on
financial performance.
3 Axiology This research is Unbiased (researchers used check and
What is the role of balance to eliminate bias).
values?  Cross-sectional data is obtained from 21 (KSE) listed
life and non-life insurance companies.
 Audited financial data obtained from IAP for the year
2009-2010.
Personal views do not exists making the study unbiased.
4 Rhetoric The language of this study is Formal as every aspect is
What is the language of discussed in academic and appropriate manner. There is no use
research? of literary language.
5 Methodology Deductive approach is used as research methodology and data
What is the process of is tested by VAIC model.
research?  IC is directly related to financial performance.
6 Strategies of Inquiry  Cross-sectional data collected from 21 (KSE) listed
What strategies of life and non-life insurance companies.
inquiry are being used?  Audited financial data obtained from IAP for the year
2009-2010.
7 Methods Numerical and statistical data collected from KSE and IAP
What are the methods of analyzed by using Value Added Intellectual Coefficient
conducting research? (VAIC) model.

5
 RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

Research Article no. 4

Bridging Top and Bottom: Multi-Level Model of Servant Leadership,

Identification with Leader Team Creativity

Sr. Philosophical Positivism

# Assumptions
1 Ontology This study of bridging top and bottom multi-level model of
What is nature of servant leadership is based on “Positivism” research paradigm
reality? Or what is using quantitative approach. Reality exists as literature is
knowledge? evident that servant leaders’ behavior develops respect and
loyalty. (Sendjaya, 2008; Van Dierendonck, 2011; Walumbwa,
Hartnell & Oke, 2010). It also brings creativity and innovation.
This study is based on Leader-Member Exchange (LMX)
theory.
2 Epistemology The research conducted is widely acceptable. It acknowledged
What is the relationship that servant leaders create a situation where followers show
between the researcher high level of trust, identify and relation with leaders which
and that being work as a powerful and personal source of motivation to work
researched? creatively. (Yoshida, 2014).
3 Axiology This research is Unbiased (researchers used check and
What is the role of balance to eliminate bias).
values?  Data is collected through questionnaires and results
are given on the basis of statistical models. No one has
presented personal views
4 Rhetoric The language of this study is Formal as every aspect is
What is the language of discussed in academic and appropriate manner. There is no use
research? of literary language.
5 Methodology Deductive approach is used as research methodology.
What is the process of  Servant leadership has significant effect on
research? identification with leaders and influence team
creativity.
6 Strategies of Inquiry A survey was conducted among 36 teams working in various
What strategies of IT firms located in Lahore.
inquiry are being used?
7 Methods Data collected through questionnaires has been analyzed by
What are the methods of using Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) Means, Standard
conducting research? deviation, Reliability analysis and Bivariate correlation models
of statistics.

6
 RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

Research Article no. 5

Assessing the Mediating Role of Manufacturing Competitive Strategies in the

Relationship of Quality Management System and Financial Performance

Sr. Philosophical Positivism

# Assumptions
1 Ontology This article of assessing the mediating role of
What is nature of reality? Or what manufacturing competitive strategies in relationship
is knowledge? of QMS and financial performance is based on
“Positivism” research paradigm using quantitative
approach. True reality exists as recent studies
examined that the organizations obtained the
certification of ISO 9000 (standard for maintaining
QMS) as quality management practice to improve
their financial performance in order to achieve
competitive advantage. (Chow-Chua et al., 2003;
Hafeez 2006)
Epistemology The research conducted is acknowledgeable as many
What is the relationship between researchers agreed on improved financial
the researcher and that being performance due to QMS.
researched?  Relationship between QMS and Financial
Performance is significant. Certified firms
shows a prominent improvement in sales and
profits as compared to non-certified firms.
(McGurie & Dilts, 2008, Shafiq, 2017, &
Corbett, 2005).
 QMS and Manufacturing Competitive
Strategies: The organizations adopt ISO
9000 standard as QMS on voluntary basis to
improve their competitiveness.
(Kafetzopoulos, 2015 & Lushi, Mane, Kapaj
& Remzi, 2016).
 Manufacturing Competitive Strategies
and Financial Performance: Improvement
in the internal manufacturing process of
organizations enhances customer satisfaction
which makes a company more competitive
and profitable. (Acquaah, 2011, Cho, 2008,
& Han, 2007).
Axiology This research is Unbiased (researchers used check
3 What is the role of values? and balance to eliminate bias).

7
 RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

 Findings were based on data collected from

189 Pakistan’s manufacturing companies
through questionnaires and no one has
presented personal views.
4 Rhetoric The language of this study is Formal as every aspect
What is the language of research? is discussed in academic, professional and
appropriate manner. There is no use of literary
language.
5 Methodology Deductive approach is used as research
What is the process of research? methodology.
 Manufacturing Competitive Strategies have
significant relationship with QMS and
Financial Performance.
6 Strategies of Inquiry Cross-sectional data is collected from 189
What strategies of inquiry are manufacturing companies of Pakistan by using
being used? Questionnaires.
7 Methods Data collected through questionnaires has been
What are the methods of analyzed by using Structural Equation Modeling.
conducting research?

Research Article no. 6

Level of Intellectual Capital Disclosure across Indian and Pakistani Companies

Sr. Philosophical Pragmatism
# Assumptions
1 Ontology This article of level of intellectual capital disclosure across
What is nature of Indian and Pakistani companies is based on “Pragmatism”
reality? Or what is research paradigm using mixed approach. Reality exists as
knowledge? behavioral factors such as investor sentiment, overreaction,
underreaction, overconfidence and herd behavior has a
significant effect on investors’ investment decisions.
2 Epistemology The research conducted is objective and subjective as well. IC
What is the relationship reporting has gained significant importance. Past studies has
between the researcher acknowledged it as:
and that being  IC is defined as intangible assets or knowledge
researched? resources that are able to create value and sustainable
competitive advantage. (Sveiby, 1997 & Teece, 2002)
 The term IC refers to integrate knowledge base
competencies that are crucial to define ways in
preserving sustainable competitive position. (Stewart
and Ruckdeschel, 1998)

8
RESEARCH PARADIGMS & PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS

 Content analysis is used to study objectively as well as

subjectively.
3 Axiology This research is based on multiple stances. Researchers
What is the role of included both biased and Unbiased perspectives.
values?
4 Rhetoric The language of this study is both formal and informal.
What is the language of
research?
5 Methodology The process of research is combination of both deductive and
What is the process of inductive approach. A pre-published list of 65 items of IC and
research? company wise analysis along with degree of variance has been
undertaken.
6 Strategies of Inquiry Data of four leading companies from automobiles, textiles and
What strategies of banking were selected from Pakistan and India as sample. A
inquiry are being used? list of 65 items of IC is identified and Content Analysis is used
to review information systematically and objectively.
7 Methods Researchers has used Content Analysis. This method is used
What are the methods of to identify both quantitative and qualitative data in order to
conducting research? shape the pattern in the presentation of information.