Speedy e-library search for literature review

Unlike full-time academic staff, part-time students sometimes do not have much time available for using the university e-library for searching academic articles and doing comprehensive literature review. In this case, I suggest you to do the following:

Situation 1: you already have a key theme and a few key words as related to a relatively specific topic in mind
Consider Path A: Use the e-library search engine to search for academic articles


Situation 2: you have some preferred business subjects and/or some preferred business subjects' topic areas in mind
Consider Path B: Use the e-library to access a few major academic journal publisers to browse through a few chosen academic journals quickly with download of articles.


The process is described in the following diagram:

After you have accumulated some of the academic articles from the e-library, try to browse through the abstracts of these articles and then develop a more focused view on your proposal topic. At this, point, you should try to study some of the more "relevant" articles in details and conduct a more focused e-library search to gather a few more relevant articles to study.

It is generally the case for busy students that academic articles older than 6 years are unlikely to be useful for literature review purpose. For sophisticated and serious ressearchers, liteature review often cover articles published over the last 20 years.

Using financial portals for financial analysis in assignments

Quite a number of students need to access financial data of companies to conduct various kinds of analysis for assignment or for dissertation report works. I use the Bank of China website for illustration (re: http://www.bochk.com/web/home/home.xml?lang=en). First of all, you will see the home page as follows:

Exhibit 1:

Next, you will see the following screen:

Exhibit 2:

Then you see following screen:

Exhbit 3:

The 4th screen is as follows:

Exhibit 4:



The fifth screen is as follows:

Exhibit 5:

The 6th screen is as follows:

Exhibit 6:

Finally, refer to screen 7:

Exhibit 7:

In brief, you can view the financial data of a list company for 5 years; and you could compare the financial data of your chosen company (e.g. 494 Li and Fung) with companies in the same business sector. The data in this financial portal are available to the general public. I suggest that you log in and explore the financial portal facilities to have a firmer grasp of how to access the financial data.

You could consider to use the financial data in the financial portal for trend analysis or for multiple regression analysis, etc. In the process, you may need to gather other economic data to carry out your quantitative analysis. There are other financial portals that also provide financial data. I just use the financial portal of Bank of China for illustration of how to access listed companies' financial data. If you need further breakdown of a listed company's financial data, you could visit the company's official website and choose the option of "Investor Relationship" (or similar terms) to access the company's annual reports.

On vancouver referencing style vs harvard referencing style

Some students use vancouver referencing style in their dissertation reports; very often, it is not appropriate. Its style is noted in following link: http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/tutorials/citing/vancouver.html.

Such system use numbering in the core report; I would recommend you to use harvard referencing; it is noted in the following link: http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm. This referencing style use (surname, year).  Many university guidelines specifically request students to use harvard referencing, not the vancouver referencing format. Pls bear that in mind. You also need to note that Harvard Business Review articles most of the time do not do referencing at all; and when they do, they do not use harvard referencing format. Thus, Harvard Business Review referencing format is not harvard referencing.

Academic journals on Economics

Quite a number of students like to choose a dissertation and assignment topics on Economics, probably due to the frequent exposure to these news. When doing literature review, you could refer to the following academic journals as related to Economics:

1. Asian Economic Journal, published by East Asian Economic Association and Blackwell Publishing
2. American Journal of Economics and Sociology
3. Business Economics
4. China Economic Review, published by Elsevier
5. Global Economic Review, published by Routledge
6. International Economic Journal, published by Routledge
7. Japan and the World Economy, published by Elsevier
8. Journal of Business Economics and Management, published by Taylor and Francis
9. Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, published by Routledge.
10. Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies, publilshed by Emerald
11. Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, published by Wiley
12. Journal of Financial Economic Policy, published by Emerald
13. Real Estate Economics, published by American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association (in Wiley website)
14. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, published by Elsevier
15. Southern Economic Journal
16. The American Economist
17. The Journal of Industrial Economics, published by Blackwell Publishing

Study of language in qualitative research - a discussion agenda

Based on Bryman and Bell (2011), I produce following discussion agenda on Language analysis in qualitative research:

1.  Fine-grained approaches
• Conversation analysis
• Discourse analysi
• Narrative analysi
• Rhetorical analysis
2. Context-sensitive approaches
• Critical discourse analysis as inspired by the works of Foucault.

This appears to me as a difficult subject. It takes time to learn.


Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 20: Language in qualitative research", Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press.

Ethnography as a Research Method - a discussion agenda

Based on Bryman and Bell (2011), I prepare an agenda for discussionon Ethnography as a Research Method:

1. The nature of Ethnography and participant observation
2. Access and working roles of researchers
• A classification of participant observer roles (re: Figure 17.1 of Bryman and Bell (2011, pg. 437) and Table 17.1 in pg. 439 of Bryman and Bell (2011).)
• Key informats
• The concern ofo "going native"
3. Sampling in ethnographic research
• Convenience sampling and snowball sampling in ethnographic research
• Purpose sampling in ethnographic research
• Theoretical sampling in ethnographic research
• Sampling on people and things
4. Using field notes
5. The ending phase of ethnographic fieldwork
6. On feminist ethnography
7. On visual ethnography

Lecture notes

Note 2

Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 17: Ethnography and participant observation", Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press.

Sampling in Survey Research - a discussion agenda

Based on Bryman and Bell (2011), I provide an agenda to examin the topic of Sampling in Survey Research:

1. Main modes of survey administration: (i) structured interviews and (ii) self-completed questionnaires (note: refer to Figure 7.2 in Bryman and Bell (2011, pg. 175)
2. Types of probability sampling:
• simple random sampling
• systematic sampling
• stratefied random sampling
• multi-stage cluster sampling
3. Probability sample quality
4. Considerations on sample size
• Absolute and relative sample size
5. Other sampling considerations
• Time
• Cost
• Response rate
• Population heterogeneity
• Kind of analysis
6. Non-probability sampling types
• Convenience sampling
• Snowball sampling
• Quota sampling
7. Issues related to generalization in sampling
8. Sources of survey research errors (re: Figure 7.9 of Bryman and Bell (2011, pg. 196):
• sampling error
• sampling-related error
• Data collection error
• Data processing error

Lecture notes
Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 7: Sampling" Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press

Creative strategy in International Advertising

Based on Mueller (2004), I offer the following agenda to examine creative strategy in International Advertising:


Phase 1: Planning

1. Considerations in Standardization of advertising
• Suitable products for standardization
2. Considerations in specialization of advertising

Phase 2: Execution

1. Considerations on advertising appeals
2. Universal and culture-bounded themes and concepts
3. Considerations in the translation of advertising copy and dialogue
• Linguistic guidelines
• Managerial guidelines
4. Use of music
5. Use of visuals and illustrations
6. Creativity, with reference to the International Advertising Festival

Reference
Mueller, B. (2004) "Chapter 6: Creative Strategy and Execution", Dynamics of International Advertising, Peter Lang Publishing Inc.

The cultural environment of a home country in International Marketing

Based on Mueller (2004), I note the following discussion agenda on the home country cultural environment from the international marketing perspective:

1. The notions of self-reference criterion and ethnocentrism
2. Subcultures within a nation
3. Communiction from a cultural perspective
• Verbal communication
• High context culture vs low context culture
• Nonverbal communication
4. How culture affects marketing
• Religion and moral standards
• Levels of expressions of culture: (i) values, (ii) rituals, (iii) heroes, and (iv) symbols
5. Cultural values: terminal values and instrumental values
6. Cultural dimensions of Hofstede: (i) power distance, (ii) individualism vs collectivism, (iii) masculinity vs feminity, (iv) uncertainty avoidance, (v) long-term/ short-term orientation
7. Cultural infuence on consumer behavior:
• Who buy?
• What to buy?
• Who make decisions to buy?
• How much to buy?
8. The notion of Cultural Universals
9. Marketing means to understand cross-cultural communication
10. Market distance consideration
11. Global value segments:
• Strivers
• Devouts
• Altruists
• Intimates
• Fun seekers
• Creatives

Reference
Mueller, B. (2004) "Chapter 4: The Cultural Environment", Dynamics of International Advertising, Peter Lang Publishing Inc.

The environment for international marketing

Based on Mueller (2004), I note the following disscussion agenda on the topic of International Marketing environment:

1. Demographic characteristics
2. Market size
3. Population growth and distribution
4. Economic factors, including types of economic systems
5. Urban Geography
6. The political-legal environment, including the consideration of international law

Reference
Mueller, B. (2004) "Chapter 3: The International Marketing and Advertising Environment", Dynamics of International Advertising, Peter Lang Publishing Inc.

Quantitative Data Analysis: a topic agenda

Based on Bryman and Bell (2011), I provide the following agenda for examining the topic of Quantitative Data Analysis:

1. Variable types
• Interval
• Ratio
• Dichotomous
2. Univariate analysis
• Frequency tables
• Charts, e.g. bar charts
• Measures of central tendency and dispersion
3. Bivariate analysis
• Correlation and dependence
• Causality
• Contingency tables
• Spurious relationships and intervening variables
• The chi-square test
4. Conducting quantitative data analysis - a checklist (re: pg. 356 of Bryman and Bell (2011).)

An article on illustration of the techniques (statistics): on homelessness

Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 14: Quantitative data analysis", Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press

Business Research Strategies - an agenda for dicussion

Based on Bryman and Bell (2011), I prepare the following agenda for discussion of Business Research Strategies:

1. The nature of business research
• University-based vs transdisciplinary
2. The significance of theory in research
• grand theories vs middle-range theories
• Deductive theory vs inductive theory
3. Epistemology in Business Research
• Positivism, Interpretivism, and Realism
4. Ontology in Business Research
• Objectivism and constructionism
5. Paradigms in Business Research
6. Quantitative vs Qualitative Research Strategy
7. Factors that affect the conduct of Business Research
• Theory
• Values
• Practical considerations
• Epistemology
• Ontology
• Politics

Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 1: Business research strategies", Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press

Focus group as a research method

Bryman and Bell (2011; Chapter 19) specifically examines the topic of Focus Group as a research method. I produce an agenda for discussion:

1. Main uses of focus groups
2. How to conduct a focus group
• Record and transcribe
• Determine the number of groups
• Determine the size of a group
• Determine extent of moderator involvement
• Select participants
• Manage the focus group sessions
3. Using focus group from a feminist perspective
4. Limitations of using focus groups

A related diagram from me:

I would like you to study Chapter 19 of Bryman and Bell for a comprehensive introduction to this subject.



Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 19: Focus Groups" Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press

On mixed methods research - a discussion agenda

Based on Bryman and Bell (2011; chapter 25), I produce the following agenda for discussion of mixed methods research (MMR):

1. Objections to mixed methods research (MMR)
• The "fixed epistemological and ontological implications" view
• The "paradigm incommensurability" view
• 2 versions about the nature of quantitative and qualitative research:
• an epistemological version
• a technical version
2. MMR Approaches
• A classification of MMR (refer to Figure 25.1  of Bryman and Bell (2011; Chapter 25, pg. 632).)
• How quantitative and qualitative appraoches facilitate each other
• 3 MMR approaches: (i) triangulation, (ii) facilitation, and (iii) complementarity
• Filling in gaps
• Covering static and processual features in studies
• Covering research issues more comprehensively
• Improving interpretation of relationship between variables
• Covering different aspects of phenomena
3. Reflections on MMR

You should study Bryman and Bell (2011; chapter 25) for a more detailed introduction on the topic of MMR.


Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 25: Mixed methods research: combining quantitative and qualitative research", Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press

Qualitative data analysis techniques and approaches - a discussion agenda

Here is an agenda for discussion of Qualitative Data Analysis techniques and approaches, based on Saunders et al. (2009):

1. A comparison between qualitative data and quantitative data (re: Table 13.1 of Saunders et al. (2009; chapter 13, pg.  482).
2. Data preparation
• Data transcription
• Electronic textual data handling
• The interactive nature of the process
3. Qualitative  analysis approaches:
• Deductive vs inductive
• Unstructured vs  structured
• Interpretative  vs formalised
4. Effort types:
• Summarize data
• Categorize data
• Unitise data
• Seek relationships
• Develop categories
• Formulate testable propositions
• Quantify qualitative data
• Structure data with narrative
• Deductive efforts in the forms of (i) pattern matching, (ii) explanation building
• Inductive efforts in the forms of (i) data display & analysis, (ii) template analysis, (iii) analytic induction, (iv) grounded theory, (v) discourse analysis
5. Analysis aids
• Summaries
• Memos
• Diary
• Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) programs

The topic of Qualitative Data Analysis is broad and deep; I suggest you to study Saunders et al. (2009; Chapter 13) for a start to learn it.




Reference
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) "Chapter 13: Analysing qualitative data", Research methods for business students, Prentice Hall.

Using Internet to conduct Research - a discussion agenda

Based on Bryman and Bell (2011), I set the following agenda for discussion of how to use Internet to conduct Research:

1. Internet as a source of published resources
2. Internet as a meants to collect data from individuals
3. Virtual ethnography and netnography
4. Online focus groups and online interviews
5. Online survey (e.g. email surveys and web surveys)
6. Considerations as related to sampling
7. Ethical considerations in Internet-based research

You should refer to Bryman and Bell (2011) for a detailed discussion of the topics listed above.


Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) "Chapter 26: E-research: Internet research methods", Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press

Designing Research Design - a discussion agenda

Based on Collis and Hussey (2003), I provide the following agenda for discussion of Research Design:

1. Steps to identify a research problem (refer to Figure 5.2 of Collis and Hussey (2003; pg. 116).)
2. Data availability assessment
3. Time, cost and knowledge gap assessment
4. Formulate research problem(s) and purpose(s)
5. Determine the unit of analysis
6. Relate your research design to a specific theoretical framework
7. Formulate research questions and/or hypotheses
8. Anchor  your  research design to specific research philosophies
9. Discuss and define key terms used in the research project
10. Define scope of your research
11. Formulate your research methodology
12. Describe your expected research outcome(s)
13. Describe your research design in terms of a project plan (e.g. in the form of a GANTT chart)

I suggest you to read Chapte 5 of Collis and Hussey (2003; Chapter 5) as well as to study a few academic articles for examples on Research Design. Similarly, Adams et al. (2007) discuss Research Design from a Quantitative Research Methods perspective.

Below is my handwritten note on this topic:

Quantitative research evaluation criteria

• Reliability: whether the results of a study are repeatable
• Replicability: whether a study is replicable [researchers need to spell out study procedures clearly]
• Measurement validity: mainly related to quantitative research; also referred to as construct validity [whether a measure that is devised of a concept does reflect the concept that it is supposed to be examining]
• Internal validity: whether a conclusion that incorporates a causal relationship is valid.
• External validity: Whether the result of a study can be generalized to other contexts.
• Ecological validity: whether the findings of a study are applicable to natural social settings.

Qualitative research evaluation criteria

• Credibility: Are findings believable
• Transferability: Are findings applicable in other contexts
• Dependability: Are findings apply at other times
• Confirmability: Has researcher allow personal values to affect the findings

Finally, I would suggest that Research Design can be conveniently depicted in the form of a GANTT Chart or a flow chart, as follows:

 Such a research design should be theory-driven, based on ideas drawn from the Literature Review exercise in the dissertation project work.



References

1. Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2003) "Chapter 5: Determining the research design", Business Research, Palgrave
2. Adams, J., Khan, H.T.A., Raeside, R. and White, D. (2007) "Chapter 5: Sampling" Research Methods for Graduate Business and Social Science Students, Response, Business books from SAGE.
3. Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2007) "Chapter 2: Research designs" Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press.

Observation as a research method- a discussion agenda

Based on Bailey (1994), I produce the following agenda for examining the topic of Observation as a Research Method:

1. Advantages and disadvantages of Observation
2. Types of Observation:  (i) natural setting vs artificial laboratory; and (ii) unstructured vs structured. (re: Figure 10-1 of Bailey (1994; p, 247)
3. Process involved in a field study
• Stage 1: gain entry
• Stage 2:  gain rapport
• Stage 3: Observe and record
• Stage 4: Deal with crisis
• Stage 5: Data analysis
4. Indirect Observation:
• Unobtrusive and nonreactive
• Physical traces: erosion  measures and accretion measures
5. Validity and Reliability as assessment criteria of Observation

It is useful to study Bailey (1994) to have a firmer grasp of the topics noted in the Agenda.

Related lecture notes:

Note 1:

Note 2:

Note 3:

Note 4

References
Bailey, K.D. (1994) "Chapter 10: Observation", Methods of Social Resarch, Free Press.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, Prentice Hall

Writing and presenting dissertation reports - a review agenda

Based on Saunders et al. (2009), I produce the following agenda to review the topic of "Writing and presenting dissertation reports":

1. Time management
2. Set goal and be focused
3. Produce a drafted table of content to structure your report
4. Monitor the length of your report: ie  your actual word count vs word count limit
5. Tell a clear story: ie your question <-your answers <- your evidence
6. Ensure appropriate format of report, tables & figures, and referencing
7. Express ideas clearly with correct grammar; also check word spelling
8. Allow time to do report revision and polishing
9. Perform self assessment with assessment criteria
10. Oral presentation (optional): preparation with slides; use of visual aids; review your presentation style, e.g. do not just read out content from notes.
11. Make the presentation: arrive at the presentation venue on time

Related handwritten note by me:

Reference
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) "Chapter 14: Writing and presenting your project report", Research Methods for Business Students, Prentice Hall.

Literature search and review - an agenda for learning

Based on Collis and Hussey (2003) and Saunders et al. (2009), I develop the following agenda for examining the topic of Literature Review:


Phase 1: The Literature Search

1. Choosing a research topic and research theme
• Relevant techniques: analogy, morphological analysis, mind  maps, and relevance trees
2. Sources of published data
3. Search with defined scope and parameters
• Relevant tools: dictionaries and books
• Key resources, both online and offline: academic articles, research reports, and conference papers, etc.
• Computerized searching skill
• Saving and/ or recording references under the Harvard Referencing Format (vs the Vancouver System [use in-text numbers])

Phase 2: The Literature Review

1. The purpose of literature review
2. The content of literature review
3. The orientation of review: explanatory, exploratory, critical, evaluative, comparative and synthetical, goal-oriented

References

1. Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2003) "Chapter 4: Searching the literature", Business Research, Palgrave.
2. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) "Chapter 3: Critically reviewing the literature", Research Methods for Business Students, Prentice Hall.

Also see JKK Ho' article on literature review

Experiment as a Research Method: an agenda for discussion

Based on Bailey (1994), I produce the following agenda to examine the topic of Experiment as a Research Method:

1. Advantages and disadvantages of using experiment as a research method
2. Degree of closure (i.e.  the extent the investigator can control the relevant variables)
3. The basic logic of experiments and experimental design:
•  Use of Experimental group and Control group
• Randomization and simple matching
• One Experimental Group or Multiple-group Design
• Interaction effect
4. Field Experiments (e.g. experiments conducted in a natural environment)
5. Quasi-experimentation
6. Evaluation criteria of validity and reliability

Lecture notes:
Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

References

1. Bailey, K.D. (1994) "Chapter 9: Experiments", Methods of Social Resarch, Free Press.
2. Internet link: http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=150

Considerations in construction of questionnaire

Based on Bailey (1994), I formulate the following items on considerations in drafting questionnaires in Research works:

 

1. Relevance to respondent and to your study
2. Wording in questionnaire:
• Double-barreled questions
• Ambiguous questions
• Wording level
• Abstract vs factual questions
• Leading questions
• Sensitive questions
3. Closed-ended vs Open-ended questions
4. Response-category design for open-ended and closed-ended questions
• Number of categories
• Ordinal variables
• Interval scales
5. Question order and use of contingency questions
6. Instructions for interviewers and respondents
7. Introductory statement (including use of cover letter)
8. Pretesting, mainly using captive audience

 

Related lecture notes:

Note 1

 

 

 

Note 2

 

 

 

 

References

1. Bailey, K.D. (1994) "Chapter 6: Questionnaire Construction", Methods of Social Resarch, Free Press.
2. On questionnaire design: http://www.fao.org/docrep/W3241E/w3241e05.htm

Social explanation in Research methods

Drawing  on Bailey (1994), I provide the following lecture agenda to examine the topic of "Social Explanation" in Research Methods:

1. Descriptive vs Explanatory Studies
2. Major considerations on "Theory"
• Concepts, propositions, and variables
3. Proposition types:
• Hypothesis
• Empirical generalization
• Axiom
• Postulate
• Theorem
4. Relationships between variables
• Positive vs negative relationsips
• Strength of relationships
• Symmetrical vs asymmetrical relationships
• Independent vs dependent variables
• Causal relationships
• Linear vs nonlinear relationships
• Spurious vs intervening relationships
5. Hypothesis formulation strategies
• The classical approach vs grounded theory
6. On Operationalism

This agenda provides an overview on the topic of Social Explanation. You could refer to Bailey (1994; Chapter 3) for a detailed discussion on this topic.



Reference
Bailey, K.D. (1994) "Chapter 3: Constructing Social Explanations", Methods of Social Resarch, Free Press.

On the dynamic-comparative case study method

Wolfgramm (1997) proposes a specific case study method called "The Dynamic-Comparative Case Study Method" (D-CCSM). An examination of this qualitative research method reveals a specific research philosophical stance (which I would say is quite positivist in orientation). It is a good intellectual exercise to review this method. I highlight the main ideas of this method for class discussion purpose:

1. D-CCSM is based on (i) case research methodology, (ii) theory development, and (iii) the configurational approach to organization.
2. It has the following desired research characteristics: (i) logical, (ii) systematic, and (iii) easy to replicate (which I understand to favour a positivist research philosophy stance)
3. The D-CCSM process is depicted  in Figure 1 of  Wolfgramm (1997).

Due to the objective/ positivist research philosophy stance of the D-CCSM, this method, as a qualitative research method based on case study, should be more acceptable to the research communities that favour positivism and the objective research paradigm. Usually, these academic communities endorse the quantitative research techniques, but will most likely accept D-CCSM as a legitimate research method (though it is a qualitative research method). I would say that it is a useful intellectual exercise to examine D-CCSM to deepen our knowledge on the topic of qualitative research and case study research method.


Reference
Wolfgramm, S.J.F. (1997) "Towards developing a methodology for doing qualitative research: the dynamic-comparative case study method" Scan. J. Mgmt. Vol. 13(4) pp. 439-455.

On sustainable tourism management

Based on Edgell, Sr. et al. (2008), I prepare the following agenda on the topic of sustainable tourism management:

1. The essence of sustainable tourism
2. Contemporary trends in sustainable tourism
3. Impacts of tourism on the natural environment
4. Impacts of tourism on the human environment
5. Sustainable tourism in the global marketplace
6. Policy and strategy considerations of sustainable tourism

Reference
Edgell, Sr., D.L., Allen, M.D., Smith, G., and Swanson, J.R. (2008) Tourism Policy and Planning, Butterworth-Heinemann.

Political and foreign policy considerations in Tourism

Based on Egdell, Sr. et al. (2008), I formulate the following agenda for discussion of Political and Foreign Policy considerations in Tourism:

1. Agreements and industry associations as related to Tourism [especially note (i) the United Nations World Tourism Organization, (ii) World Travel and Tourism Council, (iii) Carribean Tourism Organization and (iv) Southeast Tourism Society, etc]
2. Tourism facilitation
3. Tourism and foreign policy
4. Using tourism to promote peace and political stability
5. Using tourism to promote mutual trust and respect

Reference
Edgell, Sr., D.L., Allen, M.D., Smith, G., and Swanson, J.R. (2008) Tourism Policy and Planning, Butterworth-Heinemann.

Tourism as an economic activity

I refer to Edgell, Sr et al. (2008) to produce the following agenda on the topic of "Tourism as an economic activity":

1. An overall framework of tourism as an economic activity
2. Tourism viewed from a global perspective
3. Tourism as a tool for economic development
4. Demand and supply sides of tourism
5. Coopetition in tourism
6. Comparatitve advantage in tourism
7. Impacts of tourism on employment and income
8. The multiplier effect of  tourism
9. Impacts of tourism on Export
10. On tourism information management

This agenda can be used to organize a lecture on this topic.


Reference
Edgell, Sr., D.L., Allen, M.D., Smith, G., and Swanson, J.R. (2008) Tourism Policy and Planning, Butterworth-Heinemann.

Planning a research project

Bryman and Bell (2011; Chapter 3) examines the topic of Research Project Planning. I produce the following agenda based on their work:

1. Learn the expectation of  your university on your dissertation works
2. Supervision meetings and supervisor's support
3. Time and resource management
4. Formulation of research objectives and research questions (especally note Figure 3.2 of Bryman and Bell (2011, Chapter 3, pg. 80; and Figure 3.3. on pg. 84).)
5. Formulation of research design

Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press  [Chapter 3: Planning a research project and formulating research questions]

List of blog articles on e-library usage

I compile a list of blog articles on e-library usage as follows for your reference:

1. On the value of university e-library: http://josephho33.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-value-of-university-e-library.html
2. Browsing academic e-library: http://josephho33.blogspot.com/2011/12/browsing-academic-e-library-brief-note.html
3. About athens log in: http://josephho33.blogspot.com/2012/01/using-university-e-library-athens-log.html
4. Major websites of academic publishers: http://josephho33.blogspot.com/2011/12/major-websites-of-academic-publishers.html
5. List of academic journals/ books by business subjects: http://josephho33.blogspot.com/2011/12/list-of-articles-on-literature-review.html

Using university e-library: Athens log in

When using university e-library to access academic publishers' resources, you sometimes are required to perform a few more steps to log into these publishers' website. This is required even though you have already keyed in your unversity student ID and password. This mainly indicates that the single sign-on function of the university e-library does not work smoothly. I provide the following exhibits to indicate how it is done:

Assuming you have already logged into the university e-library and have selected the academic publisher from the e-library. You are then directed to the academic publisher's website (in this case, Sage journals online):

Exhibit 1:

Exhibit 2:

Exhibit 3:

Exhibit 4:

After you have done the steps to log in via Athens, you should be able to access the academic publisher's journal resources. Pls note that different publishers have different website interface, thus the steps to follow differ somewhat. Sometimes, you need to perform the steps again due to the time-out security function of the website.

Combining management consulting practices with academic research methods

Due to my recent involvement in supervising students' dissertation projects, I need to deliver lectures on how to combine management consulting skills with business research skills. Here,  I want to some of the ideas of Ormerold (1996), which is a highly relevant article on this topic:

1. Academic research projects and Management Consulting projects are different in terms of aims, timetable, types of solutions wanted, usual source of insight, level of complexity, cost-benefit analysis, means of persuasions, preferred medium of presentation, personality type valued, self presentation, and dealing with uncertainty. (re: Table  1 of Ormerold (1996, pg. 4).)
2. Some ideas  that contribute to the effort of combining management consulting practices with academic management research:
• Process consulting
• Action research
• Double-loop learning
• Longitudinal case studies
• Grounded theory
3. There are culture clash when trying to combine management consulting practices with academic management research practices; at the same time, there are benefits and opportunities for academics as well as management consultants  to do so.

You need to refer to Ormerold (1996) for the detailed account of the reasoning involved. I also encourage you to review Ormerold's ideas and develop your own viewpoints on this topic.



Reference
Ormerod, R.J. (1996) "Combining Management Consultancy and Research" Omega: International Journal of Mgmt. Sci. Vol. 24(1), pp. 1-12.

The value of conducting Qualitative Research

Walsh (2003) provides a coherent account on the value of conducting Qualitative Research. I point out some of the main views proposed in this article:

1. Qualitative research is an interpretative method of collecting and analyzing data to explore and explain a phenomenon [this appears to endorse a subjective stance in research philosophy]
2. A researcher's goal is to uncover the not-so-obvious findings that advance our understanding of a phenomenon. [this appears to emphasize the exploratory strength of qualitative research]
3. Qualitative research helps researchers to create exciting theories that have practical value to managers. [this appears to support point 2 above while stressing that the theories so formulated have practical value]
4. Scholarly knowledge is developed through alternative phases of "theory building" and "theory testing" [this appears to emphasize inductive and deductive reasonings as complementary in nature]
5. Qualitative research offer data that are potentially rich and powerful. [this appears to emphasize the value of qualitative data in contrast to that of quantitative data]

These viewpoints, among others, are intended to explain the relevance and value of conducting qualitative research. Note that the comments in brackets [] are my own interpretations of Walsh's ideas. Try to also study exhibit 1 of Walsh (2003) on the various qualitative-data collection methods.

I only highlight a few ideas in Walsh (2003) to facilitate class discussion on Qualitative Research. You need to study Walsh' article to learn the detailed reasoning of her ideas on this topic.

See also handwritten note as follows:

Reference
Walsh, K. (2003) "Qualitative Researc: Advancing the Science and Practice of Hospitality" Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administrative Quarterly, April, pp. 66-74.

Document study as a research method

I refer to Bryman and Bell (2011) and prepare the following agenda for reviewing the topic of Document Study as a research method in class:

1. Examining personal documents
2. Examining public documents
3. Examining organizational documents
4. Examining mass media outputs, e.g. newspapers, magazines, and TV programmes.
5. Examining visual documents, e.g. graphic images and video clips
6. Examining virtual documents
7. Analysis techniques:
• Qualitative content analysis
• Semiotics
• Hermeneutics
• Historical analysis

Pls refer to Chapter 21 of Bryman and Bell (2011) for a detailed account of the topics noted above.



Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press  [Chapter 21: Documents as sources of data]

Using secondary data in Research works

I refer to Bryman and Bell (2011; chapter 13) and formulate the folloing agenda for dicussion of using secondary data in Dissertation projects/ Research works [Bryman and Bell prefer the term "secondary analysis", while I use the term "using secondary data" here:

Secondary data could be from other researchers' works or these data can be official statistics

1. Advantages of using secondary data
2. Limitations of using data
3. Considerations of using official statistics

Related note:

Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press  [Chapter 13: Secondary analysis and official statistics]

Basic nature of Quantitative Research

By referring to Bryman and Bell (2011), I establish the following agenda for a review of the basic nature of Quantitative Research:

1.  The process of quantitative research: especially note Figure 6.1 on pg. 151
2. Concepts as building blocks of theory and
3. Concept measurement considerations, e.g. reliability and validity
4. Key concerns of quantitative researchers:
• Measurement
• Causality
• Generalization
• Replication
5. Limitations of quantitative research

 The agenda can be used to facilitate a brief review on Quantitative Research in class. You need to read Chapter 6 of Bryman and Bell (2011) for further details on the items noted above.


Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press  [Chapter 6: The nature of quantitative research]

Ethics in Business Research

I refer to Bryman and Bell (2011) and note the following agenda for the dicussion of ethics in Business Research:

1. Ethical principles to uphold in Research Research (some ethical principles can be related to legal considerations)
• Harm to participants and non-participants
• Lack of informed consent
• Invasion of privacy
• Deception
• Data management ("to what extent which information can be legitimately used for research purposes")
• Copyright
• Reciprocity and trust ("the importance of openness and honesty in communcating information about the research to all interested parties")
• Conflicts of interest
2. Difficulties and dilemmas in ethical decision-making

You need to refer to Bryman and Bell (2011) for a detailed discussion of the topics noted in the agenda here.


Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press  [Chapter 5: Ethics in Business Research]

On the nature of Qualitative Research

Referring to Bryman and Bell (2011), the nature of Qualitative Research can be examined with the following agenda:

1. Qualitative research process steps (note Figure 16.1 in Bryman and Bell (2011).)
2. Concerns for "theory" and "concepts" in qualitative research
3. Evaluation criteria employed in qualitative research
4. The main preoccupations of qualitative researchers
• See through the eyes of people studied
• Emphasis on the context of investigation
• Process emphasis
• Limited structure in methods used
• Concepts are usually inductively derivedfrom data collected
5. The critique of qualitative research
• too subjective
• difficult to replicate
• difficult to make generalization
• poor transparency
6. Researcher-subject relationships; e.g.  note the case in Action Research, Collaborative & Participatory research and the feminist research.

Related note:
Note 1

Note 2:

Note 3:

You need to refer to Chapter 16 of Bryman and Bell (2011) for the detailed discussion of the topics mentioned here.

Note 4

Note 5

Reference
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press

Basic ideas on Qualitative Market Research

Based on Imms and Ereautt (2002), I note the following main ideas about the nature of Qualitative Market Research:

1. Qualitative Market Research is a form of Market Research; it is thus a commercial activity, with a commercial researcher and a commercial user. Thus, it is not an academic enquiry.
2. Qualitative Market Research makes use of qualitative research methods, thus it has certain characteristics in its research process. Th process involves using interviews and field work to gather data, which is then subject to analysis, interpretation and presentation (with reports) to client organizations.
3. Due to the qualitative nature of this form of Market Research, we need to be aware of the problems of using criteria of research evaluation based on quantitative research metthods to assess the quality of Qualitative Market Research.

Qualitative Market Research (QMR) possesses a number of characterisics, including the following:

1. Qualitative Market Research is constrained by commercial contracts
2. QMR has a narrow and clearly defined research scope
3. QMR is pragmatic and eclectic in its stance on theory, drawing on inspiration from subjects such as sociology, social psychology, marketing & consumer behaviour theories and cultural analysis, etc. [Broadly, QMR consider 2 broad models: (i) cognitive model of QMR and (ii) conatve model of QMR.]
4. In current practices, QMRs are mainly interview-based in the form of group discussion and depth interviews.

Reference
Imms, M. and Ereaut, G. (2002) An Introduction to Qualitative Market Research, Sage Publications. [Mainly on Chapters 1and 2]

Management Consulting - some practical guidelines

From Block (2000), I note the following advices on Management Consulting practices. I capture the key headings and some of the key words to facilitate my lectures; you still need to refer to Block (2000) for the detailed reasoning:

Part I: Block (2000; chapter 3) stresses the following 2 vital concerns in Management Consulting practice

1. Being authentic: Being authentic enables a consultant to establish client commitment
2. Address the requirements in each phases of a Management Consulting process:
• Phase 1: contracting
• Phase 2: Discovery and data collection
• Phase 3: Feedback and the decision to act
• Phase 4: Engagement and implementation

Part II: Block (2000; chapter 10) offers some advice on the "From Diagnosis to Discovery":

1. A process of discovery and diague is much preferred over a process of diagnosis and prescription.
2. The process of discovery should aim at encouraging members in the client system to be take informed actions. (You should refer to Block's discussion on the Research Approach vs Action Approach on pg. 177 as well as the discovery model on page 178 of Block (2000).)
3. Study the data gathered to synthesize the findings into a few core issues
4. In the process, communicate with your client members in a language that they can understand

Part III: Block (2000, chapter 18) makes the following advices on Management Consulting ethics:

1. Consulting practice is based  on a commitment to care; this commitment can be compromised by the pressure arising from the commercialization of consulting services, e.g. in change management (including business process re-engineering), on edutainment on leadership programmes. And these consulting services incorporate technologies that have a dark side.
2. Consulting firms sometimes use client need assessment to market their consulting services. Thus, the assessment can be biased.
3. Consulting services are sometimes employed as cosmetics to make painful organizational changes, e.g. downsizing, more attractive in appearance, not in substance.
4. Consultants may take credit for things not done by them.

From this discussion, Block advises consultants to firmly uphold their professional ethical standards and noble values, e.g. truth seeking and suppotive of capacity-building in clients' organizations.


Reference
Block, P. (2000) Flawless consulting: A guide to getting your expertise used, Pfeiffer (A Wiley impprint)

Academic journals on Anthropology

Here are some academic journals on Anthropology. I think reading some of these journals gives us a more solid grasp of this subject:

1. Anthropology & Education Quaterly, published by the American Anthropological Association (with Wiley)
2. Anthropological Theory, published by Sage Publications
3. Anthropology Today, published by Wiley
4. Anthropology of Work Review, published by the American Anthropological Association (with Wiley)
5. Anthropology and Humanism, published by the American Anthropological Association (with Wiley)
6. Cultural Anthropology, published by the American Anthropological Association (with Wiley)
7. The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, published by Routledge

An example of quantitative research in Accounting & Finance: audit committee independence

I make use of Al-Najjar (2011) as an illustration of a quantitative research in Auditing. Al-Najjar's article examines the determinants of audit committee independence for some UK firms from 2003 to 2008. The initial part of the article describes the main research objective of the article and justify its academic value. One of the justifications is that the topic has not been much investigated by others so far. Al-Najjar (2011) comes up with some determinants of audit committee independence as informed by some literature review effort. These determinants are then used to formulate some hypotheses. Some examples are as follows:

Hypothesis 1: Audit committee independence is negatively related to firm size
Hypothesis 2: Audit committee independence is related to financial leverage

Al-Najjar (2011) then offers a data gathering strategy based on sample panel data, which are then analyzed with a multiple regression analysis. The multiple regression formula takes the following form:

Audit committee independence (dependent variable y) = y-intercept + b1(firm size [independent variable 1]) + b2 (growth opportunities [independent variable 2])... etc....

Subseqently, the article presents the data findings and provides data analysis using multiple regression analysis. The final section of the article is, as expected, "Summary and Conclusions".


Reference
Al-Najjar (2011) "The Determinants of Audit Committee Independence and Activity: Evidence from the UK" International Journal of Auditing 15, pp. 191-203.

An example of quantitative research in Accounting & Finance: on short-termism

I make use of Marginson et al. (2010) as an example on quatitative research in Accounting and Finance. In the article, Marginson et al. review the Accounting and Finance literature on performance measurement systems and short-termism. The main viewpoints on the topic are expressed in the form of some hypotheses which are then subject to statistical tests.  The main research objective is to determine "the extent to which the diagnostic and interactive uses of financial and non-financial measures give rise to short-termism". Their literature review describes the main viewpoints in the literature, which prompt them to formulate some hypotheses; the literature review also enables them to explain the academic value of their research on this topic; and enable them to define the terminology used in their research work (re: Figure 1 on pg. 359 of their article). Examples of the hypotheses formulated are:

1. Increasing diagnostic use of financial performance measure is associated with increasing short-termism
2. Increasingly interactive use of financial measures is negatively associated with short-termism

The research method used is questionnaire survey on senior managers in the telecommunication industry. The research design involves a pilot test before the main survey study. A quantitative research design, involving correlation analysis, is carried out for their hypothesis test purpose.

Subsequent section involves presentation of statistical data and data analysis; finally some reflection on the assumptions of the study is made, with some suggestions on future research efforts on this topic area.

This article illustrates how a quantitative research in Accounting and Finance can be carried out.



Reference
Marginson, D., McAulay, L., Roush, M. and Ziji, T.V. (2010) "Performance measures and short-termism: An exploratory study" Accounting and Business Research Vol. 40(4), pp. 353-370.

An example of quantitative research in marketing: online purchase intention

I would like to discuss Kim and Kim (2004) in order to illustrate how a quantitative research can be done in Marketing.  Briefly, Kim and Kim examines how online consumer characteristics as well as certain attributes on line shopping can predict consumers' intention to purchase in certain product categories, nobably, clothing, jewelry and accessories. As usual, Kim and Kim spent some efforts at the beginning of the article to justify their project works in terms of practical and academic values. Via literature, they have identified a number of attributes in online consumer profiles and online shopping attributes that influence (thus are able to predict) online intention to purchase. A concrete outcome of their literature review is to come up with a theoretical framework in the form of a path diagram. A simplified one is constucted by me as follows:

The path diagram indicates the cause-and-effect chain as related to the "online intention to purchase".  Based on this path diagram, the writers formulate a quantitative research design with self-administrative questionnaire, with the survey findings subsequently subject to statistical co-relation analysis to measure the strengths of corelations among the various attributes and the dependent variable of "online intention to purchase".

This article of Kim and Kim gives a clear example on quantitative research in Marketing.


Reference
Kim, E.Y. and Kim, Y.K. (2004) "Predicting online purchase intentions for clothing products" European Journal of Marketing Vol. 38(7), pp. 883-897.

Marketing practices in a multicultural world

Jamal (2003) examines the role of marketing  in a multicultural world, using the research method of ethnographic fieldwork. The  main data gathering strategies were participant observation and depth interviews.  The main theme, based on my reading, is depicted  in the following diagram (which is a simplified version of the ideas covered in Jamal (2003):

The main ideas are that:

1. consumers of different ethnic groups interact with each other and affect their respective consumer cultures;
2. marketing practices influence consumer behaviours and their consumer cultures of different ethnic groups in a mutual causation form.

The findings challenge the traditional marketing  approach of ethnic segmentation. The article offers the view that consumer self-concepts in  the contemporary multicultural environment are complicated and contradictory. Jamal recommends a marketing role that promotes more liberating consumer lifestyles in such a social environment. You need to refer to the article for the detailed line of reasoning of the ideas. From my understanding, the perspective taken up by Jamal is very much social-systemic.


Reference
Jamal, A. (2003) "Marketing in a multicultural world" European Journal of Marketing Vol. 37 (11/12), pp. 1599-1620.

How to overcome HRM barriers on corporate globalization effort

Welch (1994) examines Human Resource Management  (HRM) barriers on corporations' effort  to globalize their operations. Such a globalization process largely takes the form of migrating  from a ethnocentric orientation of an enterprise towards a geocentric orientation. In this case, Welch  formulates a framework that indicates the major HRM barriers and HRM initatives involved. A simplified version of the framework is provided as follows (The one in Welch (1994) is in page 57, Figure 1):





In the discussion, Welch (1994) has compared Multinational Corporations' 4 orientations at some length. These are ethnocentric, polycentric, regiocentric and geocentric orientations.  (NoteTable 1 on page 53 of the article). As to the HRM barriers, Welch (1994) summarizes them under four headings, ie. (i) staff availability, (ii) time and cost constraints, (iii) host government requirements, and (iv) HRM policies.

Overall, the article remains informative and accessible to practising managers. It is a useful reading for Global Business Management study.



Reference
Welch, D. (1994) "HRM Implications of Globalization", Journal of General Management Vol 19(4) Summer, pp. 52-68.

An example on theory-driven research objective and research questions

I refer to the article of Liu and Forsythe (2010) to illustrate what are (a) theory-driven research objectives and (b) research questions.

Briefly, for research objective, the article is: to evaluate the validity of the following:

• Drivers behind initial acceptance of online shopping can explain/ predict post adoption usage of online shopping channel

Liu and Forsythe (2010) also formulate related research questions as follows:

Question 1: Do online shopping motives inherited from traditional consumer studies affect post-adoption online shopping behaviour?

Question 2: Why is it that consumers who perceive a high level of risk associated with online shopping may still choose to shop online?

These writers further indicate what major management theories to use, thus making clear the academic value of their study: This study is the first  attempt to integrate 2 dominant theories, ie the technology acceptance model and the prospect theory, to gain understanding of why consumers,who perceive online shopping risk, still choose to maintain online shopping.  This clearly indicates that the study is theory-driven with some innovative initiative.

From the information provided in their article, it should be clear that the formulation of research objectives and research questions require literature review efforts. It also indicates that literature review discusson (mainly in a separate chapter in a dissertation report) is not just lecture notes to explain concepts. Literature review drives the dissertation proposal formulation and, subsequently, the research design of a dissertation project.

I need to remind students formulating dissertation proposals not only to make clear their research objectives and questions, but also justify these objectives and questions in terms of practical and academic values.


Reference
Liu, C. and Forsythe, S. (2010) "Sustaining Online Shopping: Moderating Role of Online Shopping Motives", Journal of Internet Commerce 9, pp. 83-103.

Non-traditional research philosophies in Accounting and Finance Research

Referring to Ryan et al (2002), a starting point to introduce non-traditional research philosophies in Accounting and Finance Research is a description of the naturalist research methods. The main idea is to study the research objects in natural settings, e.g. study of accountants' bebaviour in their workplaces. In this case, researchers make use of holistic theories to interpret accountants' daily practices in their natural settings. Ryan et al (2002) remind us of the various stances in ontological assumptions in research methods, ranging from naive realism ("Reality as a concrete structure") to idealism ("Reality as a projection of human imagination") (re: Table 2.1 of Ryan et al (2002), p. 36). This indicates that ontological assumptions can range from objective to subjective in research orientation.

Subsequently, Ryan et al (2002) distinguishes 3 broad schools of accounting research, namely, critical accounting research, interpretive research and mainstream accounting research (re: Figure 2.1 of Ryan et al. (2002), pg. 40), see following diagram:

I refer you to Ryan et al. (2002) chapter 2 for details of ideas highlighted here.

References

1. Ryan, B., Scapens, R.W. and Theobold, M. (editors) (2002) Research Method and Methodology in Finance and Accounting, Thomson.
2. Related blog article: http://josephho33.blogspot.com/2012/01/research-philosophy-ideas-related-to.html

Research philosophy ideas related to Accounting & Finance study

Ryan et al. (2002) is a Research Methods textbook for Accounting and Finance students. Most students feel that Research Philosophy is too abstract to digest. At the same time, Research Philosophy is a core topic in the study of Research Methods. In my view, whether you like it or not, try to pick up some ideas and viewpoints from the literature of Research Methods. This knowledge of Research Methods will deepen your research skill. The following notes are taken from Ryan et al (2002), and they are mainly for my Accounting and Finance students (also refer to Figure 1.1 on "the subject-object divide" in this book):

Most of you will not be trained up as philosophers. On the other hand, studying the subject can be intellectually stimulating.


Reference
Ryan, B., Scapens, R.W. and Theobold, M. (editors) (2002) Research Method and Methodology in Finance and Accounting, Thomson.
A related forum: https://www.facebook.com/bookmarks/groups#!/group.php?gid=285637757376

Branding in the digital era

Edelman (2010) offers a new idea on branding. Instead of using the funnel metaphor on branding to understand consumer behavior, Edelman proposed the branding model of "the consumer decision journey", which is deeply embedded in digital interaction within the digital social media ecosystem. In this journay model of branding, Edelman examines 4 phases involved, ie, consider, buy, evaluate and advocate. Subsequently, Edelman advised marketers to adopt new roles as "orchestrators", "publishers", "content supply chain managers" and, finally, as "marketplace intelligence leaders".  Marketers also need to develop customer experience plans.

Overall, I think this article makes very valuable contribution to the literature on brand management.


Reference
Edelman, D.C. (2010) "Branding in the Digital Age" Harvard Business Review December, 62-69.

On cosmopolitan corporations

Ghemawat (2011) discusses the main requirements for a corporation to be cosmopolitan. I can discern three requirements from the article:

1. Strategy, with more emphasis on adaptation
2. Organization, which needs to exploit external differences effectively
3. Corporation staff, which should endorses a cosmopolitan mindset.

For item 3, above, some of the main points of leverage are proposed:

1. usage of appropriate conceptual frameworks, such as the CAGE framework
2. usage of cross-border project teams
3. cultivation of cosmopolitan leadership and diverse management team
4. employment of biculturals and triculturals in bridging roles

The article offers updated information and practical advice in global business management.

Reference
Ghemawat, P. (2011) "The Cosmopolitan Corporation" Harvard Business Review May, pp. 92-99.

On low cost product innovation

Betterncourt and Bettencourt (2011) is an article offering practical advice on low cost product innovation. As I see it, this kind of advice on product innovation is especially valuable for companies with tight budgets on R&D and for companies aiming for business growth in market segments with price-sensitive customers. Briefly, some of their suggestions that I figure out from reading their article are as follows:

1. Review previously rejected product concepts in view of the present market situation, e.g. changed customer needs, to spot business opportunties
2. Find out unaware-of innovations wrapped up in existing product bundles to develop new products
3. Re-design products with fewer features as "good enough" products to target new market segments
4. Find out possibilities of enhanced customer value via bundling of complementary products

These are then ideas of low-cost product innovations noted briefly from Bettencourt and Bettencourt (2011). You need to refer to their article for a full account of their ideas.


Reference
Bettencourt, L.A. and Bettencourt, S.L. (2011) "Innovating on the cheap" Harvard Business Review June, pp. 88-94.

Examining cloud computing from the top management perspective

McAfee (2011) examines the major issues of adopting cloud computing from the top management perspective. It is a good reading on cloud computing for business management students. The main value, from my perspective, is his coverage on the following 3 topics as related to cloud computing:

1. The benefits of adopting cloud computing in enterprises: e.g. productivity improvement; more collaboration in business running; access to a broader range of software as services, including data mining.
2. The problems and concerns of adopting cloud computing:  legacy IT  problem; uncertainty on cost; uncertainty of software reliability; IT security concerns; legal uncertainty arising from cloud computing usage.
3. The appropriate steps for adopting cloud computing in enterprises: 4 guidelines are offered by McAffee. The main idea is, in brief, to adopt a gradual and exploratory approach of cloud computing adoption, plus collaboration with enterprises' software vendors in the process.

You need to refer to McAfee's article to learn the detailed line of reasoning on the ideas briefly noted above.


Reference
MdAffee, A. (2011) "What every CEO needs to know about the Cloud" Harvard Business Revew November, pp. 124-132.

Cope with business complexity

Sargut and McGrath (2011) is an article on how to cope with business complexity in the contemporary business environment. This topic has been much investigated in the business and academic world, notably from the systems community. Sargut and McGrath's theme is depicted in the following diagram from me:

You need to refer to their article  for an elaboration of their line of reasoning. I tend to think that the discussion need to cover normative and organizational structural considerations to cope with complexity. At the same time, I can understand that the topic of complexity management cannot be dealth with easily in one article. Overall, the article is an updated reading with good practical advices and its ideas are accessible to practising managers. The article can be used for class discussion when the notion of system complexity is taught.


Reference
Sargut, G. and McGrath, R.G. (2011) "Learning to live with complexity" Harvard Business Review September, pp. 68-76.

Operational responses to the digital social media-based environment

From what I can figure out, Bernoff and Schadler (2010) mainly examines the topic of how to empower customer-facing operational staff to respond more effectively to empowered customers in the contemporary digital sociam media environment. I depict their ideas in the following diagram based on my reading of their article:

Their rationale can be interpreted  as a form of variety engineering in Management Cybernetics. You need to refer to their article to learn the full line of reasoning of their article theme.



Reference
Bernoff, J. and Schadler, T. (2010) "Empowered" Harvard Business Review July-August, pp. 94-101.