A note on the study of the real layer (critical realism) in dissertation project works

A note on the study of the real layer (critical realism) in dissertation project works (for MBA and Housing Studies students) (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "What are the causal mechanisms, structures and powers of the real layer of critical realism all about in the context of MBA and Housing Studies dissertation project works."

The reply: "The real layer in critical realism refers to the underlying structures, mechanisms, and causal powers that exist independently of human observation, yet generate and influence events and experiences in the actual and empirical layers. This layer is about discovering the causal mechanisms and powers that cause phenomena, going beyond what is visible or measurable to understand why things happen. In the context of MBA and Housing Studies dissertations, this means focusing on underlying social, economic, and institutional structures and their causal influences, rather than merely describing observable events or empirical data.

Causal Mechanisms and Powers

The real layer includes generative causal mechanisms—these are often unseen forces or structures that have causal powers influencing outcomes at different levels (individual, organizational, or societal). For example, in Housing Studies, this might involve analyzing property rights systems, investment circuits, or welfare arrangements as causal mechanisms influencing housing solutions. In MBA projects, this might translate to examining organizational structures, market forces, or managerial practices as underlying powers shaping business outcomes.

Structures in the Real Layer

Structures in critical realism are enduring arrangements or systems (such as social, economic, or institutional systems) that enable or constrain actions and events. These structures have causal powers that are not always directly observable but shape the possibilities and outcomes in research contexts. They help explain why certain phenomena occur despite differing surface-level events or experiences.

Application in MBA and Housing Studies Dissertations

• In MBA dissertations, focusing on the real layer means identifying and analyzing how managerial or organizational structures and processes (including power relations and mechanisms) causally influence performance, strategy, or organizational change.

• In Housing Studies, the real layer involves exploring housing market structures, policy systems, social relations, and institutional frameworks that causally impact housing availability, affordability, and social outcomes. This enables a deeper understanding beyond descriptive or correlational findings.

Critical realism’s focus on the real layer promotes causal explanation by uncovering underlying mechanisms and relational structures that produce observed events and experiences. This approach adds depth to research in MBA and Housing Studies by providing a foundation for explaining rather than just describing phenomena, allowing the researcher to explore "why" and "how" beyond "what" is observed."

My question 2: "Please give a brief illustration on how to use the following research methods to study the causal mechanisms with regard to (1) "the research theme of innovation capability of Hong Kong Five-Star Hotels" and (2) "the short-time future home purchase desire of the Hong Kong generation z households":

Case 1: using secondary research with quantitative analysis + a few academic theories

Case 2: using focus group + a few academic theories

Case 3: using both secondary research and focus group + a few academic theories

The reply: "Here is a brief illustration of using different research methods to study causal mechanisms for the two research themes:

Case 1: Secondary Research with Quantitative Analysis + Theories

1. Innovation capability of Hong Kong Five-Star Hotels:

• Collect existing quantitative data (e.g., hotel performance metrics, innovation investment reports, customer satisfaction surveys).

• Use academic theories such as Resource-Based View or Dynamic Capabilities to identify constructs of innovation capability.

• Apply statistical or econometric analysis to test correlations or causations between resources, innovation outputs, and performance, inferring underlying causal mechanisms.

2. Short-time future home purchase desire of Hong Kong Generation Z:

• Analyze secondary datasets like census data, housing market trends, or housing-related survey reports.

• Use theories such as the Theory of Planned Behavior or Housing Consumer Choice Models.

• Conduct quantitative analysis (e.g., regression) to link demographic, economic, and attitudinal variables to home purchase desire, identifying causal factors.

Case 2: Focus Group + Academic Theories

1. Innovation capability of Hong Kong Five-Star Hotels:

• Conduct focus groups with hotel managers, employees, and industry experts to explore perceived drivers and barriers of innovation.

• Use grounded insights paired with theories like Innovation Diffusion Theory or Institutional Theory.

• Analyze qualitative data for mechanisms such as organizational culture, leadership support, or external pressures shaping innovation capability.

2. Short-time future home purchase desire of Hong Kong Generation Z:

• Hold focus groups with Generation Z participants discussing their views on homeownership and influencing factors.

• Employ theories like Psychological Ownership or Life Course Theory.

• Identify perceived social, economic, and psychological mechanisms driving or constraining purchase desire.

Case 3: Both Secondary Research and Focus Group + Theories

1. Innovation capability of Hong Kong Five-Star Hotels:

• Use secondary quantitative data analysis to map broad trends and relationships in innovation performance.

• Supplement with focus groups to deepen understanding of causal mechanisms revealed quantitatively.

• Integrate Resource-Based View with insights on organizational culture from focus groups for a comprehensive causal explanation.

2. Short-time future home purchase desire of Hong Kong Generation Z:

• Quantitatively analyze secondary data on economic variables and housing intentions.

• Use focus groups to capture nuanced attitudes and contextual factors behind the data.

• Combine Theory of Planned Behavior with qualitative insights to fully explain causal dynamics of home purchase desire.

This combined or mixed method approach triangulates data sources and theories to thoroughly identify and explain causal mechanisms in both contexts. It balances breadth from quantitative data and depth from qualitative insights."

My question 3: "Please offer another set of illustrations to study the "powers" in the real layer (critical realism), with regard to the two research themes above and the three cases above."

The reply: "Here is another set of brief illustrations focusing on studying the "powers" in the real layer of critical realism for the two research themes and three cases:

Case 1: Secondary Research with Quantitative Analysis + Theories

1. Innovation capability of Hong Kong Five-Star Hotels:

• Analyze secondary data such as innovation budgets, technology adoption rates, and market outcomes.

• Use theories like the Structure-Agency Theory or Capability Approach to uncover the latent "powers" (e.g., resource availability, managerial competencies) enabling innovation.

• Quantitative analysis identifies how these powers causally affect innovation outputs and competitive advantage.

2. Short-time future home purchase desire of Hong Kong Generation Z:

• Use housing affordability indices, income data, and mortgage accessibility reports.

• Apply theories such as Economic Capital Theory or Social Structure Theory to identify "powers" like financial capability and institutional housing policies that shape purchase desire.

• Statistical modeling reveals the strength and influence of these powers on Generation Z's housing decisions.

Case 2: Focus Group + Academic Theories

1. Innovation capability of Hong Kong Five-Star Hotels:

• Conduct focus groups with stakeholders to discuss capacities or constraints perceived as powers influencing innovation.

• Ground discussion in Theory of Organizational Power or Institutional Power.

• Analyze narratives to reveal how power dynamics (e.g., leadership influence, market control) enable or restrict innovation capabilities.

2. Short-time future home purchase desire of Hong Kong Generation Z:

• Use focus groups with Generation Z individuals to explore perceived empowering or limiting factors in home buying (e.g., social support, economic barriers).

• Reference theories like Empowerment Theory or Social Capital Theory.

• Extract insights on how these powers shape their housing aspirations and decisions.

Case 3: Both Secondary Research and Focus Group + Theories

1. Innovation capability of Hong Kong Five-Star Hotels:

• Combine secondary quantitative data on resources and outcomes with focus group insights on power relations and institutional influences.

• Use a multi-theoretical lens incorporating Capability Approach and Power Structure Theory.

• This approach links observable powers (funding, technology) with underlying social-political powers (organizational politics) shaping innovation capacity.

2. Short-time future home purchase desire of Hong Kong Generation Z:

• Integrate economic data analysis with rich qualitative insights from focus groups on empowerment and social constraints.

• Theorize through Economic Capital Theory and Empowerment Theory.

• Exploring both material and social powers provides a fuller understanding of the real layer shaping Generation Z’s home purchase desire.

These illustrations show how powers in the real layer are identified as enabling or constraining forces, whether material, social, or institutional, which causally influence the phenomena under study. Theories help interpret the nature and impact of these powers within MBA and Housing Studies research contexts."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.