Using Chatpdf to examine an academic article: a note for MBA students (note 1)

Using Chatpdf to examine an academic article: a note for MBA students (note 1)

The following is an account of my research methods test on the capability of chatpdf.com to analyze an academic article, in this case on one related to Purchasing and Supply Management.

Sample screen 1 (the name of the article is "the grey side of procurement")

Finding 1: on research gaps

My first question: "Does the article hint at certain research gaps that are addressed in the article?"

The reply from chatpdf: "Yes, the article addresses several research gaps in the existing literature on ethics in procurement:

1. Lack of Recent Studies: The authors note that most empirical studies assessing professionals' ethical beliefs regarding questionable purchasing practices were conducted more than twenty years ago. Given the changing role of the purchasing function and buyer-supplier relations, there is a need for more current research in this area 2.

2. Limited Comprehensive Studies: Comprehensive and recent empirical studies on ethically questionable purchasing practices and procurement professionals' behaviors are relatively rare. This study aims to fill this gap by thoroughly examining social desirability bias and estimating the prevalence of such practices 3, 2.

3. Methodological Gaps: Previous studies may not have estimated the prevalence of unethical purchasing practices or addressed social desirability bias adequately. The authors extend previous research by using the Extended Crosswise Model to control for social desirability bias in estimating the prevalence of ethically questionable purchasing practices 13.

By addressing these gaps, the article contributes to a better understanding of ethical issues in procurement and provides valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners in the field."

Finding 2: on theories

My second question: "What theories have been employed in the discussion by the writers?"

The reply from chatpdf: "The article discusses various theories and models related to ethics and procurement practices:

1. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): The authors elaborate on corporate social responsibility and procurement ethics as part of their literature review. Understanding CSR is crucial for assessing ethical practices in procurement 3.

2. Purchasing and Supply Management Process Model: The article references the PSM process wheel model developed by Van Raaij in 2016. This model distinguishes different purchasing and supply management activities, providing a framework for analyzing ethically questionable practices in procurement 3.

3. Ethical Ideologies: The authors mention Forsyth's taxonomy of ethical ideologies and how they influence judgments of social psychological research. This discussion adds a theoretical perspective to understanding ethical decision-making in procurement 19.

4. Social-Cognitive Model of Unethical Behavior: Galperin, Bennett, and Aquino's social-cognitive model of unethical behavior in organizations is referenced. This model helps explain unethical behavior in the context of buyer-supplier relationships, shedding light on the factors influencing such practices 19.

By integrating these theories and models into their research, the authors provide a theoretical foundation for understanding and analyzing ethically questionable purchasing practices in procurement."

Finding 3: on research methods

My third question: "What research methods have been employed in the discussion by the writers?"

The reply from chatpdf: "The authors of the article employ a variety of research methods to investigate ethically questionable purchasing practices in procurement:

1. Literature Review: The study begins with a comprehensive literature review to explore existing research on ethics and procurement practices. This review helps establish the theoretical framework and identify gaps in the literature 3.

2. Empirical Research: The authors conduct empirical research to estimate the prevalence of unethical purchasing practices. They use the Extended Crosswise Model, a method that controls for social desirability bias, to gather data on the prevalence of ethically questionable practices among procurement professionals 13.

3. Focus Group Interviews: The researchers conduct focus group interviews with procurement professionals and sales professionals to gather qualitative insights into ethically questionable procurement practices. These interviews provide a deeper understanding of the behaviors and attitudes surrounding unethical practices in buyer-supplier relationships 7.

4. Survey Methodology: The study involves surveying a large sample of European respondents from various industries to compare different questioning techniques and estimate the prevalence of questionable purchasing practices. The survey methodology allows the researchers to collect quantitative data on the prevalence of unethical behaviors 3, 13.

By employing a combination of literature review, empirical research, focus group interviews, and survey methodology, the authors use a multi-faceted approach to investigate and analyze ethically questionable purchasing practices in procurement."

Finding 4: on research philosophy

My fourth question: "Are there any indications that the research methods used in the discussion are linked to certain research philosophy stances?"

The reply from chatpdf: "The research methods used in the discussion of ethically questionable purchasing practices in procurement are linked to specific research philosophy stances:

1. Empirical Research Methods: The authors employ empirical research methods such as surveys and focus group interviews to gather data on the prevalence of unethical purchasing practices. These methods align with a positivist research philosophy, which emphasizes the use of empirical evidence to test hypotheses and make objective observations 2.

2. Qualitative Research Methods: The focus group interviews conducted by the researchers involve gathering qualitative insights from procurement and sales professionals. This qualitative approach is associated with an interpretivist research philosophy, which focuses on understanding the meanings and interpretations of individuals in their social context 1.

3. Mixed Methods Approach: By combining both quantitative (survey methodology) and qualitative (focus group interviews) research methods, the authors adopt a mixed methods approach. This approach integrates positivist and interpretivist perspectives, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of ethically questionable purchasing practices in procurement 1.

4. Ethical Research Stance: The study's focus on ethics and procurement practices reflects an ethical research stance, emphasizing the importance of conducting research in an ethical manner and addressing ethical issues within the research process itself 1, 16.

Overall, the research methods used in the discussion of ethically questionable purchasing practices in procurement are influenced by a combination of positivist, interpretivist, and ethical research philosophy stances, reflecting a nuanced and comprehensive approach to studying ethics in procurement."

Finding 5: on practical value

My fifth question: "Do the findings of the study offer any practical value in Purchasing and Supply Management?"

The reply from chatpdf: "Yes, the findings of the study on ethically questionable purchasing practices offer practical value in the field of Purchasing and Supply Management:

1. Identifying Prevalent Unethical Practices: By estimating the prevalence of unethical practices in buyer-supplier relationships, the study provides valuable insights for organizations to identify and address common unethical behaviors in procurement processes. This awareness can help procurement professionals make informed decisions and implement strategies to mitigate unethical practices 1.

2. Controlling Social Desirability Bias: The use of the Extended Crosswise Model to control for social desirability bias in estimating the prevalence of ethically questionable practices offers a methodological contribution to research in Purchasing and Supply Management. This approach can help researchers and practitioners obtain more accurate data on the prevalence of unethical behaviors 4.

3. Understanding Changing Ethical Perceptions: The study highlights how ethical perceptions regarding purchasing practices have evolved in the current business environment. This understanding can guide organizations in adapting their ethical guidelines and policies to align with changing perceptions and expectations in the field of Purchasing and Supply Management 1.

4. Promoting Ethical Behavior: The research emphasizes the ongoing prevalence of unethical practices in buyer-supplier relationships and underscores the importance of organizations being vigilant in addressing these behaviors. The findings can serve as a starting point for organizations to develop strategies that promote ethical behavior throughout the purchasing process, ultimately enhancing trust and integrity in supply chain relationships 1.

Overall, the practical implications of the study's findings offer valuable guidance for procurement professionals, organizations, and policymakers in improving ethical standards and practices in Purchasing and Supply Management."

Some overall evaluation comments

The replies from chatpdf adequately demonstrate that it has good application skill in Research Methods. As  such, this AI tool is very useful to support students' learning on Research Methods. This account of the test on an academic article from the Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management is particularly informative to MBA students.

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.