Business Research: an

Introduction
What is a research?
What business does business research
have in business?!!
Have you been guinea pigs?!!!
Scope of Business Research
 Business research as an action research
(change and transformation)
 Business research as a tool in decision
making and strategizing
 Business research in non-business
organizations
 Theory building?!!
What is Business Research?
 It is a systematic and objective process of
generating information for aid in making
business decisions.
A Good (Business) Research
 Systematic and objective
 Based on rationality
 Looks inside the data
 Looks beyond the data (understanding the
unsaid)
 Should have a wider scope
 No hidden motives
Basic and Applied Research
 Basic Research
 Attempts to expand the limits of knowledge.
 Not directly involved in the solution to a
pragmatic problem.
 Applied Research
 Conducted when a decision must be made about a
specific real-life problem
Techniques or procedures doesn’t differ
Strategy and Business Research
Strategy Related Decision Making
 Identifying problems or opportunities
 Diagnosing and assessing problems or
opportunities
 Selecting and implementing a course of action
 Evaluating the course of action
Identification of Problems or
Opportunities
 Market research
 Organizational climate surveys
 Employee engagement surveys
Diagnose and Assess
 Identifying the underlying factors
Selection and Implementation
 Dip stick surveys
 Estimating the market potential
 Forecasting
Evaluation of the Action Course
 Evaluation research
 Performance monitoring research
 TQM
When do we need a business
research?
 Time constraints
 Availability of data
 Nature of the decision
 Benefits versus costs
 Determining When to Conduct
Business
Availability of Data
Research
Benefits vs.
Time Constraints Nature of the Decision Costs
Is the infor- Does the value
Is sufficient time Is the decision Conducting
Yes mation already Yes Yes of the research Yes
available before of considerable
a managerial
on hand
strategic
information Business
inadequate exceed the cost
decision
for making
or tactical
of conducting Research
must be made? importance?
the decision? research?

No No No No

Do Not Conduct Business Research

 Value Should Exceed
Estimated Costs
Costs
Value •Research
expenditures
•Decreased certainty •Delay of business
•Increased likelihood
decision and
of a correct decision
possible disclosure
•Improved business
of information to
performance and
rivals
resulting higher •Possible erroneous
profits
research results
Major Topics for Research in
Business
 General Business Conditions and Corporate
Research
 Financial and Accounting Research
 Management and Organizational Behavior
Research
 Sales and Marketing Research
 Information Systems Research
 Corporate Responsibility Research
Changing Trends
 Globalization
 Knowledge about local markets
 International research organizations
 Global economic conditions
 Information technology
 Internet surveys
 Online questionnaires