Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design:

The research design implemented in the study is “Descriptive Research”. As such,
the parameters for the analysis are clearly defined and the study focuses on
deriving the factors and considerations associated to those parameters.

Types of data collection:

For the purpose of research, both primary and secondary data collection
methodologies are used.

Primary:
The respondents are surveyed in both Phone and Email based on the convenience
of their availability. About 100 responses are gathered, of which the majority (99
out of 100) of responses are from phone survey. For the purpose of collecting
Email questionnaire, the web portal “www.surveymonkey.com” has been used.
And the email questionnaires are being sent and responses are collected online
from the web site. About 8 Email questionnaires have been sent and got response
from only one company.

Secondary:
To obtain the contacts and information pertaining to the organization and corporate
people, a wide range of business directories like Get-it Yellowpages, Thomes
resources, Zawaya database, etc are sought.

Apart from that variety of web portals has been used which are listed below,
1Search Engines: Google, Wikipedia, etc
2Social Networking cites: LinkedIn

Associations and Government Bodies:

 Saudi Engineering Manufacturers' Association (SEMA)
 The Arabian Mills Association, Jeddah
 Jeddah Chamber of commerce
 Web portals and Yellow pages: fundoodata, kellysearch, getit yellow pages,
hotfrog, Bayth, Saudi info, thomex, alibaba.com, etc
3.2 Sampling Design
3.2.1 Population:
The research has been focused on Western Province of Saudi Arabia, and the
significance is given to cities like Jeddah and Yanbu. While Tier-II cities like
Rabigh and Taif are also under the purview. Hence the small and medium size
organizations situated in these places will come under the sampling population for
the study. As the organization focuses on selected industry verticals like
Automobile, Foundry, Pumps & Motor manufacturers, these regions have
abundant mid-size companies.

3.2.2 Sample Size:

The sample size here implies the selected Small and Medium Enterprises across
Western region of Saudi. As such, 100 organizations are covered in the areas of
Jeddah, Yanbu, Rabigh, Taif for the research study within the stipulated time
period.

3.2.3 Sampling Technique:

The “Judgment Sampling “technique has been used for the research purpose. As
the organizations are chosen based on the category of SMEs, target annual turnover
generated and also having sound presence in the industry, the sampling technique
implemented was “Judgment” basis.

3.3 Tools Used

The survey responses are interpreted using Microsoft Excel software to obtain pie
and bar charts. As the information gathered through phone is unstructured and
random in nature, it is unsuitable to use statistical tools.

3.4 Limitations of the Study

The study has its own limitations which are delineated as follows,
 To speak with, getting appointment with “C” class people in a corporate
organization is a tough task.
 In Email questionnaire, the time taken for people to reply back the form is
uncertain.