New Advances in Business

BSS007-3
Session 1 (Phase 1)
 Teaching Schedule
• Phase 1: Understanding Business
Research Methods

• Phase 2: Advances Report

• Phase 3: Research Brief

 Prescribed Text
– Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A.
(2012). Research Methods for Business
Students (6th ed.). Harlow, England:
Prentice Hall.
Where to find stuff
 What is Research?
• Research is something that people
undertake in order to find out things
in a systematic way, thereby
increasing their knowledge.
Characteristics:
• Data are collected systematically
• Data are interpreted systematically
• There is a clear purpose to find
things out
 Some Points to Ponder

• How business research can benefit

personal (i.e. researcher) and
organizational needs?
• How complex the process could be,
potential issue of doing the research?
• Skills that are needed to complete a
sound business research?
 Terminology
Methods -
The techniques and procedures used
to obtain data

Methodology -
The theory of how research should be
undertaken
 Nature of business and
management research

• What distinguishes business and

management research from research
more generally?
• Trans-disciplinary nature of business
and management research;
• Relationship between theory and
practice;
• The role of the business and
management researcher
 Features of business and
management research
• Managers draw on knowledge from
other disciplines
• Managers are more likely to allow
access if they see commercial or
personal advantage
• Managers now tend to be as
educated as the researchers
• Managers require research to have
some practical consequence
 Basic research vs. applied
research

Figure 1.1 Basic and applied research

Source: Authors’ experience, Easterby-Smith et al., 2002, Hedrick et al., 1993
 Process of research
Wish to do research / Need to expand knowledge

Formulate and clarify research topic

Critical Literature Review

Philosophical Approach

Research Design

Negotiate Access and address ethical issues

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Write-Up
 In-Class Task
• Is Research a Linear Process?
• Are there any steps that might need
to be revisited?
 Iterative Research Process
Wish to do research / Need to expand knowledge

Formulate and clarify research topic

Critical Literature Review

Philosophical Approach

Research Design

Negotiate Access and address ethical issues

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Write-Up
 Issues to consider
• The impact of your personal feelings,
values, and beliefs

• Access to data

• Time and other resources

• Validity and reliability of the data

• Ethical issues
 Session 1 Seminar
• In a group of 6 - 8
• Read the journal article provided
• On the flipchart paper provided, write
down the answers to the Activity 1
questions
• One member per group presents the
answers – 2 mins per group
• On the flipchart paper, write down the
answers to the Activity 2 questions
• Present answer to class – 4 mins per
group
 Activity Questions (1)
• What are the key elements of a
journal article?
• What information does each key
element present?
 Activity 1
• Presentation and Discussion
 Activity Questions (2)
• What is the purpose of the study?
• What is the research question?
• Who did the research?
• When was the research carried out?
• How was the research carried out?
• Where was the research carried out?
• What did they find?
• What were the limitations or future
research recommendations?
 Activity 2
• Presentations and Discussion
 For next week
• Read Chapters 1 and 2 of Saunders

• Group Formation
– For A1 and A2
– +- 6 in a group
– Same degree pathway
• Eg: HR, International Business, General