Practice-based Management Research

The following discussion agenda is on Practice-based Management Research:

1. Participative inquiry
• Purposes of cooperative enquiry
• Validity in collaborative research
• Outcomes of participative inquiry
2. Action Research and Action Science

Reference
Griseri, P. (2002) "Chapter 8: Research as Practice" Management Knowledge: A critical view, Plagrave

Deconstructing the interpretation process of Management Research

The following discussion agenda is on the Deconstruction process of the Management Research interpretation process:

1. Management Knowledge from Michael Foucault's thinking perspective
• On History, Knowledge and Power
• The limits of sense
• Genealogy and Archaeology as related to study of contemporary management theory
2. Management Knowledge from Derrida's thinking perspective

Reference
Griseri, P. (2002) "Chapter 7: Deconstructing Management" Management Knowledge: A critical view, Plagrave

Management Research as an interpretation process

The following discussion agenda is on the theme of Management Research as an intepretation process:

1. Two strands of thinking: interpretavism and situation specifism
2. Interpretavism
• Phenomenology
• Hermeneutics
3. Situation specific approaches
• Biographism

Reference
Griseri, P. (2002) "Chapter 6: Management Theory as Meaning" Management Knowledge: A Critical View, Palgrave.

Measurement and quality tests in Research Methods

The following discussion agenda is on the topic of Measurement and Quality tests in Research Methods:

1. On reliability
• Definition
• Assessment methods
• Test-retest method
• Split-half method/ equivalent form method
2. On validity
• Definition
• Threats to internal validity: history, maturation, testing, instrumentation, selection, mortality
• Threats to external validity: reactive effects of testing, reactive effects of selection, reactive effects of experiment setting
3. On generalisability

Reference
Adams, J., Khan, H.T.A., Raeside, R.and White, D. (2007) "Chapter 14: Tests of Measurement and Quality" Research Methods for Graduate Business and Social Science Students, Reponse, from SAGE.

Designing nonroutine office work using Socio-technical Systems Approach

The following notes highlight the main points on Designing Nonroutine  Office Work with Socio-technical Systems Approach:

1. Step 0: Entry, Sanction and Startup
2. Step 1: Initial Scan
• Formulate the mission and the philosophy
3. Step 2: Technical Analysis
4. Step 3: Social Analysis
5. Step 4: Work System  Design
6. Step 5: Approval and Enactment.

Note that the technical analysis is a hybrid, incorporating linear variance analysis and nonlinear conversions. [I think there is much room to improve the technical and social analysis with updated notions in management, e.g. collaborative systems and knowledge management]




Reference
Pava, C.H. (1983) "Chapter 6: Mixed Routine and Nonroutine Office Work" Managing New Office Technology: An organizational strategy, The Free Press.

Socio-technical Systems Approach - a reading list

Many business students are not familiar with the Socio-technial systems approach. I provide the following readings for your reference:

1. Bell, S. and Wood-Harper, T. (1998) "Chapter 7: Technical Needs, Social Needs - Getting the right balance" Rapid Information Systems Development, The McGraw-Hill Companies.
2. Jackson, M.C. (1991) "Chapter 3: Organizations as Systems" Systems Methodology for the Management Sciences, Plenum
3. Pava, C.H. (`983) Managing New Office Technology: An Organizational Strategy, The Free Press.
4. Trist, E. (1983) "Article 5: A socio-technical critique of scientific management" in Lockett, M. and Spear, R. (editors) Organizations as Systems, The Open University Press.

The literature on the socio-technical systems approach is quite big; the 4 references above are just some examples.

Desigining routine office work using Socio-technical Systems approach

The following notes highlight the main ideas on designing routine office work using the socio-technical systems approach:

1. Step 0: Entry, Sanction, and Startup
2. Step 1: Initial Scan
• Identify the environment
• Specify inputs and outputs
• Summarize major historical, social and physical features
• Formulate the mission
• Formulate the philosophy
3. Step 2: Technical analysis
• Specify each step of the conversion process
• Identify unit operations
• Specify variations
• Match variances with unit operations
• Pinpoint variance interrelations
• Designate key variances
• Identify key variance control factors
4. Step 3: Social analysis
• Draw the role network
• Analyze psychological job criteria
5. Step 4: Work System Design
• Mission inputs and outputs
• Team boundaries and spheres of responsibility
• Skills contained in each team
• Team pay structure
• Alternative roles for management personnel
• Coordination mechanisms among teams
• Technical enhancements
6. Step 5: Approval and enhancement

Reference
Pava, C.H. (1983) "Chapter 4: Routine Office Work" Managing New Office Technology: An organizational strategy, The Free Press.

Producing valid knowledge via Research works

Fundamentally, a research process is intended to produce valid knowledge. In the literature on Research Methods [in this case for Business Studies], you learn a set of related concepts e.g. internal validity, external validity, construct validity, etc..  Here, I want to offer a specific viewpoint on this topic:

Everybody can make a guess, formulate a proposition or a a theory on a specific topic. If there is no ground to support the proposition, we can call it a belief. Only when we are able, e.g. via a proper research process, to establish the validity of such a proposition, we can call it knowledge. In short, knowledge is belief that is proved to be true. If research skills help us to produce valid knowledge, then research skill is a practical skill. This is especially the case if the research process can produce valid and relevant knowledge.

I am aware that the whole subject of Research Methods focuses on this aim of "production of valid knowledge". However, not many Research Methods textbooks explicitly explain how the research process can guarantee that the knowledge produced is valid. For that, I would suggest students to study the following book:

Mitroff, I.I. and Linstone, H.A. (1993) The Unbounded Mind, Oxford University Press.

Advanced statistical analysis in Research Methods

The following are the major advanced statistical analysis techniques used in Business Research projects:

1. Factor analysis: http://www.stat-help.com/factor.pdf
2. Logistic Regression: http://www.uk.sagepub.com/burns/website%20material/Chapter%2024%20-%20Logistic%20regression.pdf

As more and more students are using SPSS to conduct quantitative data analysis, these 2 techniques are becoming more popular.


Reference
Adams, J., Khan, H.T.A., Raeside, R. and White, D. (2007) "Chapter 13: Advanced Statistical Analysis" Research Methods for Graduate Business and Social Science Students, Response Business Books from SAGE.

Composing case study reports - some notes

The following notes are on the topic of Case Study Report Composition in Case Study Research:

1. Main audiences of the report, with their respective concerns and preferred communication styles
2. Varieties of Case Study Compositions
• Written or nonwritten
• Varieties of written  reports: e.g. types of structure: linear-analytic, comparative, chronological, theory-building, etc.
3. Procedures in writing  a Case Study Report
• When and how to start composing
• Case  identities: real or anonymous
• Reviewing the Case Study Report draft
4. Desirable attributes of a Case Study Report
• It is significant
• It is complete
• It considers alternative perspectives
• It displays sufficient evidence
• It is  engaging

Reference
Yin, R.K. (1989) "Chapter 6: Composing the Case Study "Report" ", Case Study research: Design and Methods, SAGE Publications

Theoretical sampling in Grounded Theory

The following notes are on the topic of Theoretical Sampling in Grounded Theory studies:

1. Theoretical Sampling: Sampling on the basis of concepts that have proven theoretical relevance to the evolving theory
2. Proven theoretical relevance: Indications that concepts are deemed to be significant because they are repeatedly present or notably absent when comparing incident after incident
3. Major considerations in sampling in grounded theory study:
• A site to be chosen
• Kinds of data to be used (e.g. observations, interviews, documents, etc.)
• Decide whether to follow the same person over time
4. Sampling in Open Coding: the aim is to uncover as many potentially relevant categories as possible.
5. Sampling in Axial Coding: the aim is to uncover and validate relationships between categories.

ReferenceStrauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990) Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded  Theory Procedures and Techniques, SAGE Publications

Axial Coding in Grounded Theory

The following notes are on Axial Coding in Grounded Theory:

1. Axial coding works on the codes from Open coding by putting these codes together.
2. The focus is on specifying a category in terms of (a) the conditions that give rise to it; (b) the context in which it is embedded; (c) interaction strategies by which it is handled, and (d) the consequences of those strategies.
3. Axial coding involves hypothesis formulation and hypothesis verification.
4. Axial coding involves both inductive and deductive thinking.

Reference
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990) Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded  Theory Procedures and Techniques, SAGE Publications

Open Coding Procedures in Grounded Theory

The following notes are on Open Coding Procedures in Grounded Theory:

1. Based on creative capacities and theoretical sensitivity, ask questions
2. The analytic procedures in the coding process:
• Make comparisons
• Ask questions
• Conceptualize data (label phenomena)
• Discover categories
• Name categories
• Develop categories in terms of properties
• Write code notes

Reference
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990) Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded  Theory Procedures and Techniques, SAGE Publications

The role of Literature Review in Grounded Theory

The following main ideas are related to the role of Literature Review in Grounded Theory:

1. To stimulate theoretical sensitivity
2. To provide knowledge for interpreting data
3. To provide secondary data sources
4. To stimulate questions
5. To direct theoretical sampling
6. To be used for supplementary validation of theory

Reference
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990) Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded  Theory Procedures and Techniques, SAGE Publications

Theoretical sensitivity in Grounded Theory

The following main ideas are noted in the discussion of Theoretical Sensitivity in Grounded Theory:

1. Theoretical Ssensitivity defined: "an awareness of the subtleties of meaning of data"
2. Sources of Theoretical Sensitivity:
• Literature Review
• Professional Experience
• Personal Experience
• Analytic and self-reflective process
• Proper research procedures

Reference
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990) Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded  Theory Procedures and Techniques, SAGE Publications

Evidence analysis in Case Study Research

The following main points are identified on Evidence Analysis in Case Study Research:

1. Primary analysis modes
• Pattern-matching [to strengthen the internal validity of analysis]
• Explanation-building [to stipulate a set of causal links]
• Time-series analysis [to develop and justify the conclusions of the study]
2. Secondary analysis modes
• Embedded units analysis
• Repeated observations [both on a cross-sectional basis and over time]
• Analysis across cases

Reference
Yin, R.K. (1989) "Chapter 5: Analyzing Case Study Evidence", Case Study research: Design and Methods, SAGE Publications

Agile research approach - basic principles

As contrasted to output-oriented and, mainly, positivist, research approach, I favour an agile research approach with the following guiding principles:

1. Intensive stakeholder involvement and participation in the research process (think of action research)
2. No need to have clear specification of research objectives, research questions, research output deliverables and research design to start the agile research process (you could call it the "think as you go" principle; it also endorses the research process as a flux) 
3.  It is theoretically, methodologically vigorous (think of the example of using soft systems methodology in research works)
4. It is informed by serious literature review efforts (that is the analysis is informed and is not based on common-sense only)
5. The research proposal and research process are based on the negotiation paradigm in the sense that the research process has to be accepted by the research student, the dissertation supervisor, the client sponsor, the education centre and, finally, the university involved.
6. The research process is mainly case study based (i.e. case study research)

It is quite appropriate to treat the agile research appproach, as formulated by me, as a root definition with specific CATWOE elements in Soft Systems Thinking. And the application of agile research in a specific context is, inevitably, subject to various constraints such that the six guiding principles above may not all be able to be practised.

Agile research approach is a useful means for Enlightening Management Education in Multi-perspective, Systems-based Research.

High road & low road approaches on Research works in Business studies

Quite a number of students in Business Studies doing final year projects find the "task" of producing a dissertation report difficult. I can discern there are a number of approaches to do final year dissertations. I consider these approaches are located along the scale with two ends: the high-road approach and the low-road approach:

a. The high-road approach takes the intellectual curiosity of the student as the starting point. Efforts are exerted on doing literature review and then on formulating a proper research design.
b. The low-road approach takes an academic article as a starting point. Efforts are made on intelligent copying based on the chosen article. Some literature review is based based on the research theme of the chosen academic article; in the process, the research methods used by the student can be a less sophisticated version of the ones used in the chosen academic article.


Both approaches are acceptable; the high-road approach is more challenging but intellectually more rewarding. The low-road approach is  more efficient for achieving a pass, less challenging and less risky; it also makes the supervision task of the academic supervisor more straightforward.



Reference
On intelligent copying: http://josephkkhoworkdiary.blogspot.hk/2013/01/intelligent-copying-is-quite-ok.html

Academic journals on Career Development

The following academic journals are related to the subject of Career Development:

1. Career Development International, published by Emerald
2. Journal of Career Assessment, published by SAGE
3. Journal of Career Development, published by SAGE
4. Journal of Vocational Behavior, published by Elsevier

The Management Control Function - a discussion agenda

The following discussion agenda is on the topic of the Management Control Function. Management Control has been defined as "the process by which managers influence other members of the organization to implement the organization's strategies" (Anthony, 1988).

1. The boundaries of Management Control
2. The environment of Management Control
3. Management Control of Operations
4. Management Control of Projects
5. Information Systems for Management Control
6. Factors that affect Management Control practices

Reference
Anthony, R. (1988) The Management Control Function, The Harvard Business School Press

Decision Support Systems - a discussion agenda

The following discussion agenda is on Decision Support Systems (DSS):

1. The architecture of Decision Support Systems
• User-System Interface
• Database Management System
• Model Base Management System
2. Decision Support Systems Systems Engineering
3. Acquisition Strategy for a DSS software

Reference
Hopple, G.W. (1988) The State of the Art in Decision Support Systems, QED Information Sciences, Inc.

The paradigms of students as customers and clients

The following study notes are on the topic of paradigms  of students as customers and students as clients:


Note 1




Note 2

Reference
Bailey, J.J. (2000) "Students as Clients in a Professional/ Client Relationship" Journal of Management Education 24, pp. 353-365.

Total Quality Management and Systems Thinking

The following discussion agenda is on Total Quality Management and Systems Thinking:

1. An overview of Total Quality Management (TQM)
• A brief history of TQM
• Quality Gurus
• TQM philosophy
• International Standards as related to TQM
2. A review of TQM from the Systems Thinking perspective
• A review with Viable System Thinking
• A review with Socio-cultural System Thinking
• A review with Critical Systems Thinking

Reference
Flood, R.L. (1993) Beyond TQM, Wiley.

Mergers, acquisitions & corporate restructurings

The following discussion agenda is on the topic of Mergers, Acquisitions & Corporate Restructurings:

1. Introduction
• Legal frameworks
• Motives and determinans
2. Hostile takeovers
• Antitakeover measures
• Takeover tactics
3. Leverage transactions
• Leveraged buyouts
• Junk bonds
• Employee Stock Ownership Plans
4. Corporate Restructuring
• Corporate restructuring
• Restructuring in bankruptcy
5. Valuation for Mergers and Acquisitions

Reference
Gaughan, P.A. (1996) Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructurings, Wiley.

Liberating Systems Theory

The following notes are on Liberating Systems Theory in Systems Thinking:

Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Flood, R.L. (1990) Liberating Systems Theory, Plenum

Theories of communication in Marketing Communication

The following discussion agenda is on Theories of Communication in Marketing Communications:

1. The main theories of communications
• Definition of communication
• Model of the communication process
• Reduncancy in communication
• The hierarchy of communication effects
• Catetories of signs: icon, index and symbol
• How attitudes are formed
• Information process models:
• The AILA model: attention, interpretation, learning and attitudes
• Capacity model of attention
2. Perception and cognitive dissonance effects on communication
3. Modelling consumer behaviour and motivation theories
• The AIDA model
• The Howard-Sheth model
• VALS structure
4. Distortation, disruption, confusion, agreement/ disagreement, and understanding/ misunderstanding in marketing communications

Reference
Blythe, J. (2006) "Chapter 1: Theories of Communication" Essentials of Marketing Communications, FT Prentice Hall.

On Critical Social Science

The following notes are on Critical Social Science (CSS):


Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Fay, B. (1987) Critical Social Science, Polity Press.

On Triple Loop Learning

The following notes are on Triple Loop Learning in Systems Thinking:

Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Flood, R.L. and Romm, N.R.A. (1996) Diversity Management: Triple Loop Learning, Wiley.

Executive Emotional Intelligence

The following notes are on Executive Emotional Intelligence (EEI):

Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Cooper, R.K. and Sawaf, A. (1997) Exeutive EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership & Organizations, Grosset/ Putnam.