Week 1 – Introduction to business research
Overview of the Topic
Welcome to MGN532 – Investigating Real World Business Issues!
In this unit you will develop a useful set of practical skills necessary to conduct business research to address real-world business issues. You will learn how to convert business issues into a business research proposal and develop and apply research informed skills to communicate actionable business solutions. This week we will explore what is business research, who are the key stakeholders and what are their expectations.
We will also discuss the differences between management and HRM business issues and the importance of rigorous and ethical research.
Workshop material
Workshop slides for this week and in class case study
MGN 532 Topic 1_workshop slides-1.pdf Download MGN 532 Topic 1_workshop slides-1.pdf
In class_case study_Knowledge management at the Green Energy.pdf Download In class_case study_Knowledge management at the Green Energy.pdf
Extend your learning
* You can find links to the sources listed below under the QUT Readings tab on the Unit Map.
Examples of topical practice-based research and its application for individuals and organisations:
Smith, W. K., Lewis, M. W., & Tushman, M. L. (2016). “Both/and” leadership. Harvard Business Review, 94(5), 62-70. Both And Leadership_2016.pdfDownload Both And Leadership_2016.pdf
Carboni, I., Cross, R., & Edmondson, A. C. (2021). No Team is an Island: How Leaders Shape Networked Ecosystems for Team Success. California Management Review, 64(1), 5-28.
Gfrerer, A., Katja, H., Füller Johann, & Ströhle, T. (2021). Ready or not: Managers’ and employees’ different perceptions of digital readiness. California Management Review, 63(2), 23-48.
Design Thinking
Beckman, S. L. (2020). To frame or reframe: Where might design thinking research go next?. California Management Review, 62(2), 144-162. This article offers an introduction to the Design Thinking apprach we will use in this unit to co-create business solutions.
Deception in research
The general rule is not to deceive your research participants. It is important to disclose to them information about the study and their participation. However, sometimes deception is justified, because otherwise researcher may not be able to obtain a true and valuable insights. These two videos demonstrate how deception is used in the research.
Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment to measured an individual’s obedience to instructions from an authority figure. Participants were asked to deliver electric shocks to people they thought were fellow research subjects (they were really confederates). Of course, having participants falsely believe they were inflicting pain on others is a major form of deception and would not be allowed today. Even for the time, it was ethically questionable. However, its findings lent an understanding as to the reason why Germans committed the atrocities of WWII.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJFzqfLMBIwLinks to an external site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLVO6H8jh58Links to an external site.
Week 2 – Identifying a business problem
Overview of the topic
This week we will explore steps in doing business research. We will focus on identifying and evaluating stakeholders in business research and on discussing what successful business research looks like. Several examples of ‘good’ business research will be provided. You will have the opportunity to evaluate some of these and identify researchable business problems.
Workshop material
Workshop slides: MGN 532 Topic 2 – workshop slides.pdf Download MGN 532 Topic 2 – workshop slides.pdf
Read the in-class case study before the workshop. We will use the case to explore aspects of business research: In class_case study_Knowledge management at the Green Energy-1.pdf Download In class_case study_Knowledge management at the Green Energy-1.pdf
Extend your learning
* You can find links to the sources listed below under the QUT Readings tab on the Unit Map.
Read: Moreno, E., Leith, K., & Wilson, K. (2015). The Lean Research Framework: Principles for Human-centered Field Research. Medway, MA: Feinstein International Center, The Fletcher School at Tufts University.
The Lean Research Framework offers useful guiding principles for Human-Centered Field Research.
Read: Benn, S., O’Leary, B., & Abratt, R. (2016). Defining and identifying stakeholders: Views from management and stakeholders. South African Journal of Business Management, 47(2), 1-11. This paper offers a useful framework on how to identify stakeholders. It outlines important considerations about the importance of legitimacy and reciprocity in managing relationships with stakeholders.
Watch: These videos present examples of important business and global issues for business researchers:
Waste problem in Nigeria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ovv3yU02UELinks to an external site.
Improving innovation in mining sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfKeiXty1o0Links to an external site.
Working from home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOK3KXTml2M&t=153sLinks to an external site.
Week 3 – Exploring existing information
Overview of the topic
This week we will discuss the third stage of the research process – Evaluating existing research.
An important aspect of conducting business research is to demonstrate that the researcher has a good understanding of the business issue and of any previous research into the issue. The researcher needs to be well informed by the previous literature.
The purpose of a literature review is to gain an understanding of the existing research relevant to the business issue, and to use that understanding to begin solving the issue.
During the class, we will go through the stages of conducting literature review and discuss common mistakes in writing literature review. I will also share with you some useful tips on how to search for relevant literature and how to structure your writing.
Workshop material
Link to Workshop slides: MGN 532 Topic 3 Exploring existing information – workshop slides.pdf Download MGN 532 Topic 3 Exploring existing information – workshop slides.pdf
Review the literature review template prior to attending the workshop: Literature review template.docDownload Literature review template.doc
Extend your learning
* You can find links to the sources listed below under the QUT Readings tab on the Unit Map.
Read: Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333-339.
This paper discusses literature review as a methodology for conducting research and offers an overview of different types of reviews, as well as some guidelines to how to both conduct and evaluate a literature review paper
Read: This link provides useful tips on conducting a literature review: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/literature-review.htmlLinks to an external site.
This table provides a sample of relevant references from Management and HRM disciplines. You can start your literature review by reviewing these papers (also in QUT Readings). When preparing your literature review, make sure to follow the steps and tips we discussed at the Workshop.
| Change management | Damert, M., & Baumgartner, R. J. (2018). Intra‐sectoral differences in climate change strategies: Evidence from the global automotive industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, 27(3), 265-281. |
| Innovation process | Cano-Kollmann, M., Awate, S., Hannigan, T. J., & Mudambi, R. (2018). Burying the hatchet for catch-up: open innovation among industry laggards in the automotive industry. California Management Review, 60(2), 17-42. |
| Leadership | McCann, J., & Holt, R. (2009). Ethical leadership and organizations: An analysis of leadership in the manufacturing industry based on the perceived leadership integrity scale. Journal of business ethics, 87(2), 211-220. |
| HRM (e.g. recruitment, retention) | Papa, A., Dezi, L., Gregori, G. L., Mueller, J., & Miglietta, N. (2018). Improving innovation performance through knowledge acquisition: the moderating role of employee retention and human resource management practices. Journal of Knowledge Management. |
| Employee satisfaction | Su, S., Baird, K., & Blair, B. (2009). Employee organizational commitment: the influence of cultural and organizational factors in the Australian manufacturing industry. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 20(12), 2494-2516. |
| Organisational culture | Han, W., Huang, Y., & Macbeth, D. (2018). Performance measurement of cross-culture supply chain partnership: a case study in the Chinese automotive industry. International Journal of Production Research, 56(7), 2437-2451. |
| Organisational learning | Haunschild, P. R., & Rhee, M. (2004). The role of volition in organizational learning: The case of automotive product recalls. Management Science, 50(11), 1545-1560. |
Week 4 – Designing your business research
Overview of the topic
This week we will focus on designing a business research project. Research design is a plan that explains how your research is to be carried out. It encompasses research methods, sampling, and ways of collecting data. During the class, we will unpack three layers of the methodological pyramid. We will discuss fundamental philosophies of research, common research methodologies and business research methods. I will explain differences between quantitative and qualitative research and offer you useful tips for writing research design. At the end of the class, you will have a solid knowlege to start developing the research design for your research proposal for Assessment 1.
Workshop material
Workshop slides: MGN 532 Workshop 4 Designing your business research_CAN.pdf Download MGN 532 Workshop 4 Designing your business research_CAN.pdf
Research Design Canvas: Research Design Canvas.pdf Download Research Design Canvas.pdf
In class_case study_Knowledge management at the Green Energy-2.pdf Download In class_case study_Knowledge management at the Green Energy-2.pdf
Extend your learning
Examples of papers using different research methods. You can access these papers via QUT Readings:
Interviews:
Jöhnk, J., Weißert, M., & Wyrtki, K. (2021). Ready or Not, AI Comes—An Interview Study of Organizational AI Readiness Factors. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 63(1), 5-20.
Questionnaire:
Müller, R., & Turner, R. (2010). Leadership competency profiles of successful project managers. International Journal of project management, 28(5), 437-448.
Focus groups:
Throuvala, M. A., Griffiths, M. D., Rennoldson, M., & Kuss, D. J. (2019). Motivational processes and dysfunctional mechanisms of social media use among adolescents: A qualitative focus group study. Computers in Human Behavior, 93, 164-175.
Observations:
Roberto, C. A., Hoffnagle, E., Bragg, M. A., & Brownell, K. D. (2010). An observational study of consumer use of fast-food restaurant drive-through lanes: implications for menu labelling policy. Public health nutrition, 13(11), 1826-1828.
Document analysis:
Dalglish, S. L., Khalid, H., & McMahon, S. A. (2020). Document analysis in health policy research: the READ approach. Health Policy and Planning.
Week 5 – Using Design Thinking in business research
Overview of the topic
This week you will learn more about a human-centred approach to solving business problems – Design Thinking. We will apply principles of Design Thinking to address the global issue of fast fashion. Prior to the class, please read the Harvard Business Review paper about the Design Thinking approach: Design Thinking_HBR_2008.pdf
Workshop material
Click Here to access Workshop slides: MGN 532 Using Design Thinking in business research_2023_CAN.pdf Download MGN 532 Using Design Thinking in business research_2023_CAN.pdf
Read about Design Thinking apprach prior to attending the class: Design Thinking_HBR_2008.pdf
During the class, we will explore the problem of fast fashion using Design Thinking approach. The problem is captured from different perspectives (supply chain, consumers, research, and affected countries) in the following videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLfNUD0-8tsLinks to an external site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC4oFmX8tHwLinks to an external site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r8V4QWwxf0Links to an external site.
Extend your learning
Below you can find more about the Design Thinking apprach:
* You can find links to these sources listed below under the QUT Readings tab.
This article outlines a real case demnstrating how design thinkers have redesigned a depressing looking hospital into a showplace that has won a number of safety, quality, and design awards: Diechmann, D., & van der Heijde, R. (2016). How design thinking turned one hospital into a bright and comforting place. Harvard Business Review Dec 2016
This article offers useful insights into key principles of the Design Thinking approach:
Beckman, S. L. (2020). To Frame or Reframe: Where Might Design Thinking Research Go Next?. California Management Review, 62(2), 144-162.
Watch this short video to learn principles of Design Thinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WI3B54m6SULinks to an external site.
Week 6 – Considering ethical and social implications
Overview of the topic
This week we will focus on ethics. We will explore why ethics and ethical conduct are important in business research. We will also explore aspects of anonymity, confidentiality, consent, integrity, validity, protecting rights of vulnerable populations and other relevant aspects of research ethics. You will see some real applications of ethics in business research and evaluate ethical issues. The workshop will offer practical activities for deepening your understanding and knowledge of the topic.
Workshop material
Workshop slides:
Case studies on ethics:
Ethics in business research 1—Case study on action research into work engagement.docxDownload Ethics in business research 1—Case study on action research into work engagement.docx
Ethics in business research 2-Case study on cultural sensitivity.docxDownload Ethics in business research 2-Case study on cultural sensitivity.docx
Ethics in business research 3—Case study on employee survey ethics.docxDownload Ethics in business research 3—Case study on employee survey ethics.docx
Workshop activities:
Participant_Information_Sheet and consent form_template_MGN532.docxDownload Participant_Information_Sheet and consent form_template_MGN532.docx
Sample approach email_template_MGN532.docxDownload Sample approach email_template_MGN532.docx
Extend your learning
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) (National Statement (2007) consists of a series of guidelines made in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992. Specific and relevant sections of the National Statement:
Values and principlesLinks to an external site.
Risk and benefitsLinks to an external site.
General requirements for consentLinks to an external site.
Qualifying or waiving conditions for consentLinks to an external site.
Elements of researchLinks to an external site.
Here is a copy of a chapter from a textbook by Quinlan, C., Babin, B., Carr, J., & Griffin, M. (2019). Business research methods. South Western Cengage, on Understanding Research Ethics: Understanding Research Ethics.pdf Download Understanding Research Ethics.pdf
Week 7 – Collecting Qualitative Data
Overview of the topic
This week we will talk about qualitative research and explore qualitative data collection methods such as interviews, focus groups and observations. Qualitative research, as opposite to quantitative research, involves collecting and analysing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. Methods for collecting qualitative data are designed to gather in-depth and rich insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research.
Workshop material
MGN 532 Collecting qualitative data_CAN.pdf Download MGN 532 Collecting qualitative data_CAN.pdf
Extend your learning
These papers provide further information about the qualitative data collection methods. You can access these papers via QUT Readings (see direct link from the Unit Map):
Whiting, L. S. (2008). Semi-structured interviews: Guidance for novice researchers. Nursing standard, 22(23).
Qu, S. Q., & Dumay, J. (2011). The qualitative research interview. Qualitative research in accounting & management.
Smithson, J. (2000). Using and analysing focus groups: limitations and possibilities. International journal of social research methodology, 3(2), 103-119.
Roberto, C. A., Hoffnagle, E., Bragg, M. A., & Brownell, K. D. (2010). An observational study of consumer use of fast-food restaurant drive-through lanes: implications for menu labelling policy. Public health nutrition, 13(11), 1826-1828.
Antonellis Jr, P. J., & Berry, G. (2017). Practical steps for the utilization of action research in your organization: A qualitative approach for non-academic research. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 7(2), 41.
Butler, A. E., Copnell, B., & Hall, H. (2018). The development of theoretical sampling in practice. Collegian, 25(5), 561-566.
Week 8 – Analysing Qualitative Data
Overview of the topic
This week, Rod Ooge, Director at Mcfillin & Partners will present a real business issue that you will explore further in assessment 2.
For Assessment 2, you will evaluate this business issue presented by Rod and prepare a business research plan, which will outline the research problem, propose research design and provide highly appropriate and actionable recommendations to the organisation. Three best business research plans will be presented to Mcfillin & Partners for evaluation and the best one will be formally acknowledged.
Attendance at this week’s workshop is compulsory. Attending the workshop, actively taking notes and gaining insights into the issue is crucial to get the background information for assessment 2.
The remaining of the workshop will focus on qualitative data analysis. We will discuss the process of conducting qualitative data analysis, explore 3 types of research approaches: inductive, deductive and abductive that determine the way you collect and analyze data in relation to the theory. You will also learn about computer assisted qualitative data analysis software and how it might help your analysis process and effectively display your data.
Workshop material
MGN 532 Analysing qualitative data_CAN.pdfDownload MGN 532 Analysing qualitative data_CAN.pdf
Interview questions about students experience.docx Download Interview questions about students experience.docx
Links to videos with examples of qualitative software analysis tools
Nvivo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-g1c7FriFELinks to an external site.
Leximancer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb6gWctO2dsLinks to an external site.
Extend your learning
Watch this quick and useful step-by-step introductory guide on how to perform qualitative data analysis:
You can access this and other relevant resources via QUT Readings (see direct link from the Unit Map).
Week 9 – Collecting Quantitative Data
Overview of the topic
In the last two weeks, we discussed qualitative data collection and analysis. This and next week we will focus on quantitative data.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO FORMAL WORKSHOP THIS WEEK
Instead there are two videos to watch in the time convenient to you (links to the videos are placed in the section below titled: ‘Workshop Material’ and can also be found in Echo360). There are also two activities to complete: (1) explore Australian Bureau of Statistics website, and (2) create Survey Monkey account and explore functionality of the website.
Workshop material
The first video explores collecting quantitative data using secondary and primary data sources. It discusses limitations and advantages of using secondary and primary data sources. It also discusses types of variables and relationships between variables.
Slides from this video can be found here: MGN 532 Collecting quantitative data_CAN.pdfDownload MGN 532 Collecting quantitative data_CAN.pdf
The second video introduces approaches to analyse quantitative data and provides examples of measurement scales. It then steps through examples of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Finally, it illustrates how outcomes from quantitative data analysis can be visualised and communicated in business reports.
Slides from this video can be found here: MGN 532_Analysing quantitative data_CAN.pdfDownload MGN 532_Analysing quantitative data_CAN.pdf
Activities
Independently, in your own time complete these two activities:
Activity 1
Explore a range of secondary data available on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website: https://www.abs.gov.au/ Links to an external site.Here are some interesting reports:
Explore how Australians use their time: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/how-australians-use-their-time/latest-release#methodologyLinks to an external site.
Find out about jobs in Australia; the number and nature of jobs, the people who hold them and their employers: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/jobs/jobs-australia/2015-16-2019-20Links to an external site.
Find out about statistics on Australia’s international migration: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/overseas-migration/2021-22-financial-yearLinks to an external site.
And any other topics of your interest…
Activity 2
Explore functionalities of Survey Monkey https://Links to an external site.www.surveymonkey.comLinks to an external site.
Check a range of questionnaire templates available on the website.
Create an account and explore functionality of the website.
Extend your learning
Women in the Workplace is the largest comprehensive study by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org to help companies advance diversity in the workplace. The report illustrates best practice examples on reporting analyses from quantitative and qualitative data, as well as writing practical recommendations.
You can access the report via QUT Readings and via this link: https://wiw-report.s3.amazonaws.com/Women_in_the_Workplace_2020.pdfLinks to an external site.
Week 10 – Analysing Quantitative Data
Overview of the topic
In this week’s workshop we will practice analysing quantitative data.
Workshop material
MGN 532_Practicing quantitative data analysis.pdf Download MGN 532_Practicing quantitative data analysis.pdf
Activity 1
At the workshop we will use this data set to perform descriptive statistics: Customer service performance at PML.xlsx Download Customer service performance at PML.xlsx
Activity 2
In the workshop we will practice developing a survey using Survey Monkey tool. It is an easy and intuitive platform to design survey. You can develop your own questions or select from the available bank of questions.
To create your profile go to: https://www.surveymonkey.comLinks to an external site.
Since we ran out of time for the in-class practice, I’ve attached some links to resources to give you a flavour of the tools we mentioned.
Survey Monkey Online demo – 4 minutes
How to use survey monkey to create a questionnaire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xdCDJxxoRkLinks to an external site.
Qualtrics Beginner tutorial – 10 minutes
How to build a Qualtrics survey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hSo-ldj19kLinks to an external site.
Extend your learning
Below are two examples of existing scales measuring self-esteem and trust level:
Self_Measures_for_Self-Esteem_ROSENBERG_SELF-ESTEEM.pdfDownload Self_Measures_for_Self-Esteem_ROSENBERG_SELF-ESTEEM.pdf
Self_Measures_for_Love_and_Compassion_Research_TRUST.pdf Download Self_Measures_for_Love_and_Compassion_Research_TRUST.pdf
Week 11 – Consulting with the client
Overview of the topic
At the begining of the class I will discuss requirements and marking criteria for Assessment 2. I will share with you some tips on how to structure an dwhat to cosider for each section of the busienss research plan.
We will also explore examples of research benefits for the Client and discuss how to effectively communicate these benefits.
Workshop material
MGN 532 Consulting with the client_CAN.pdfDownload MGN 532 Consulting with the client_CAN.pdf
Extend your learning
This paper describes concepts of social responsibility and ethics, and discusses how business researcher can engage with these concepts:
Fischer, J. (2004). Social responsibility and ethics: clarifying the concepts. Journal of Business ethics, 52(4), 381-390.
These two papers discuss socially responsible human resource policies and practices:
Barrena-Martínez, J., López-Fernández, M., & Romero-Fernández, P. M. (2017). Socially responsible human resource policies and practices: Academic and professional validation. European research on management and business economics, 23(1), 55-61.
Bombiak, E., & Marciniuk-Kluska, A. (2019). Socially responsible human resource management as a concept of fostering sustainable organization-building: Experiences of young Polish companies. Sustainability, 11(4), 1044.
Learn more about decent work practices and decent work agenda: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/decent-work/lang–en/index.htmLinks to an external site.
This website Links to an external site.discusses different types of business values and benefits and can be useful to inform section on socially responsible research deliverables and benefits: https://www.business-case-analysis.com/business-benefit.htmlLinks to an external site.
Week 12 – Communicating findings
Overview of the topic
In this week’s workshop we will recap the learnings from the unit. There will also be a time to ask further questions about Assessment 2.
Workshop material
MGN 532_Communicating findings_CAN.pdfDownload MGN 532_Communicating findings_CAN.pdf
Extend your learning
This video explains basic differences between business writing and academic writing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K81GivruwZQLinks to an external site.
Review Communicating Research by Harvard Graduate School of Education to learn about useful tips, and strategies for clear expression. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/communicating-researchLinks to an external site.
Read this Forbes article by Marshall ShepherdLinks to an external site.: 9 Tips For Communicating Science To People Who Are Not Scientists
You can access these materials via QUT Readings (see direct link on the Unit Map)
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