A note on 4 examples of "how to justify the choice of theories to use" in the literature review exercise: for MBA students (perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "With reference to the dissertation research objective of "to explore strategies to strengthen the AI management competence of SME in Hong Kong", please recommend 2 academic theories for me to use for its investigation and provide brief justification why they are useful for this purpose".
The reply: "For your dissertation research objective "to explore strategies to strengthen the AI management competence of SMEs in Hong Kong," two highly relevant academic theories are:
1. Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework
Justification:
The TOE framework analyzes technology adoption by examining three critical contexts: technological factors, organizational factors, and environmental factors. It is widely applied in studies of AI adoption in SMEs to understand the multifaceted influences on management competence and decision-making related to AI implementation12.
It highlights the role of management support, organizational readiness, and external pressures (such as market competition and regulatory environment), which are essential for strengthening AI management competence in SMEs1.
The framework helps identify barriers and enablers specific to SMEs, such as limited financial resources, skills gaps, and external collaboration needs, providing a comprehensive lens to develop targeted strategies12.
2. Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory
Justification:
DOI theory focuses on how innovations like AI spread within organizations and industries, emphasizing factors such as perceived relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability25.
It complements TOE by providing insights into behavioral and social dynamics influencing AI adoption and management competence development, such as leadership awareness, staff acceptance, and learning processes25.
DOI is useful for understanding how SMEs in Hong Kong can be encouraged to adopt AI progressively and effectively through strategic communication, training, and incremental implementation strategies35.
These two theories together offer a robust theoretical foundation to investigate and develop strategies for strengthening AI management competence in Hong Kong SMEs by addressing both structural and behavioral dimensions of AI adoption1235."
My question 2: "With reference to the dissertation research objective of "to evaluate how a corporate work-from-home policy can affect employee innovation behavior in Hong Kong SMEs", please recommend 2 academic theories for me to use for its investigation and provide brief justification why they are useful for this purpose."
The reply: "For your dissertation research objective "to evaluate how a corporate work-from-home (WFH) policy can affect employee innovation behavior in Hong Kong SMEs," the following two academic theories are recommended based on their relevance and explanatory power:
1. Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model
Justification:
The JD-R model explains employee wellbeing and performance through the balance between job demands (stressors) and job resources (supportive factors). In the context of WFH, this model helps analyze how new job demands (e.g., technostress, isolation) and resources (e.g., supervisor support, autonomy) influence employees’ innovative work behavior.
It is particularly useful for SMEs where resource constraints and changing work environments due to remote work can significantly affect employee motivation and innovation.
Empirical studies show that telework introduces unique demands and resources, affecting employee satisfaction and innovation outcomes, making JD-R a strong theoretical lens to evaluate WFH impact on innovation behavior5.
2. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
Justification:
TAM focuses on how employees’ perceptions of the usefulness and ease of use of technology influence their acceptance and effective use of remote work tools, which are central to WFH policies.
Since WFH relies heavily on digital technologies, TAM helps explain how employees’ beliefs about these technologies affect their engagement and innovative behaviors while working remotely.
Studies on remote work highlight that perceived usefulness and ease of WFH technology are critical to employees’ willingness to innovate and adapt in a remote setting, making TAM highly relevant for your investigation3.
My question 3: "With reference to the dissertation research objective of "to explore ways to improve the viability of the existing fast food restaurants in Hong Kong in view of the intense competition in the marketplace", please recommend 2 academic theories for me to use for its investigation and provide brief justification why they are useful for this purpose"
The reply: "For your dissertation objective "to explore ways to improve the viability of the existing fast food restaurants in Hong Kong in view of the intense competition in the marketplace," two academic theories stand out as particularly useful:
1. Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory
Justification:
RBV focuses on how firms leverage their internal resources and capabilities to achieve competitive advantage and improve performance. For fast food restaurants facing intense competition, identifying and developing unique resources—such as skilled employees, supply chain relationships, or sustainable practices—can enhance viability.
This theory aligns with findings that sustainable business strategies (economic, social, environmental) contribute significantly to fast food restaurant growth by improving market resilience, customer approval, and profitability1.
RBV helps frame strategies around internal strengths like employee training, local sourcing, and operational efficiencies, which are critical for survival and differentiation in Hong Kong’s competitive fast food market24.
2. Competitive Strategy Theory (Porter’s Generic Strategies)
Justification:
Porter’s theory outlines three generic strategies—cost leadership, differentiation, and focus—that firms can adopt to compete effectively. Fast food restaurants can apply these strategies to improve viability by either competing on price, offering unique menu items or services, or targeting niche customer segments.
The theory is useful for analyzing how fast food restaurants position themselves geographically and product-wise to maximize profits despite competition, as geographic differentiation and product positioning significantly affect prices and profits in the industry5.
It provides a clear framework for exploring strategic responses to intense competition, such as adopting cost-effective sustainable practices or enhancing customer experience through innovation and quality13.
1. Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
Justification:
SDT explains motivation through three innate psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Studies show that Gen Z employees are motivated when these needs are fulfilled, especially in environments that support autonomy and meaningful work.
Gen Z values purposeful employment, professional development, and supportive leadership that fosters growth and well-being, all core aspects of SDT.
Applying SDT helps explore how different leadership styles can satisfy or thwart these psychological needs, thereby influencing Gen Z’s intrinsic motivation and innovative behavior in the retail sector37.
2. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
Justification:
Herzberg’s theory distinguishes between hygiene factors (work conditions, salary, job security) and motivators (achievement, recognition, responsibility) that affect employee motivation.
Research indicates that Gen Z’s motivation is strongly influenced by both hygiene and motivator factors, such as recognition, growth opportunities, and a positive work environment.
This theory provides a practical framework to assess how leadership styles can address both sets of factors to enhance motivation among Gen Z employees in retail, who seek meaningful recognition and comfortable working conditions2.
A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.
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