Asking poe.com to come up with a proposal on talent acquisition in the Hong Kong insurance sector

Asking poe.com to come up with a proposal on talent acquisition in the Hong Kong insurance sector [information from poe.com]

My question 1: "I am a part-time MBA student, currently working on my dissertation proposal formation. My research theme is on "the perceptions of generation z on the career desirability to work in the Hong Kong insurance sector and the responding talent acquisition policy to the present labour market trend". I intend to use about 2 talent acquisition theories, 1 talent management theory and 1 career assessment theory. I will conduct a focus group with 5 participants, two working in the HRM Departments of Insurance companies in Hong Kong, and 3 working as sales agents of insurance companies. My second research method is a questionnaire survey, based on convenience sampling, to my friends about their perceptions on my research theme. My last research method is a desk research to learn more about my research topic in the Hong Kong context. My research philosophy is pragmatism. Could you identify 2 related research gaps and 2 public media-reported issues in Hong Kong, and then use these research gaps and reported issues to come up with 4 research objectives that respond to these research gaps and reported issues? Tks for effort in advance."

The reply: "That sounds like an intriguing dissertation proposal! Here’s a breakdown based on your request:

Research Gaps

1. Limited Understanding of Generation Z’s Career Preferences: While there is extensive literature on generational differences in the workplace, there is a scarcity of focused research on Generation Z's specific perceptions and motivations regarding career desirability in the Hong Kong insurance sector.

2. Talent Acquisition Response to Labor Market Trends: Existing studies may not sufficiently address how talent acquisition strategies in the insurance sector are evolving in response to the changing labor market dynamics, particularly influenced by Generation Z's expectations.

Public Media-Reported Issues in Hong Kong

1. Talent Shortage in the Insurance Sector: Reports indicate a growing concern about the talent shortage in the insurance industry in Hong Kong, driven by an aging workforce and the challenges of attracting younger professionals.

2. Changing Work Expectations Post-Pandemic: Media coverage highlights a shift in work expectations among young professionals, including a desire for flexibility, work-life balance, and meaningful work, which may impact their interest in traditional sectors like insurance.

Research Objectives

1. To Explore Generation Z's Perceptions: Investigate how Generation Z views career desirability in the Hong Kong insurance sector, focusing on their values, motivations, and preferences.

2. To Analyze Talent Acquisition Strategies: Examine the current talent acquisition policies of insurance companies in Hong Kong and how they align with the expectations and perceptions of Generation Z.

3. To Assess the Impact of Talent Shortage: Analyze how the reported talent shortage in the insurance sector influences recruitment strategies and career offerings to attract Generation Z candidates.

4. To Evaluate Changing Work Expectations: Explore how the post-pandemic shift in work expectations affects Generation Z's career choices in the insurance sector and how companies can adapt to these changes.

These objectives will help guide your research and ensure that it addresses both theoretical gaps and practical issues in the Hong Kong context. Good luck with your dissertation proposal!"

Research Gaps and Public Domain-Reported Issues Related to Research Objectives

Research Objective	Related Research Gap/Public Issue
To Explore Generation Z's Perceptions	Research Gap: Limited understanding of Generation Z’s career preferences in the insurance sector.
	Public Issue: Changing work expectations post-pandemic affecting career choices.
To Analyze Talent Acquisition Strategies	Research Gap: Insufficient exploration of how talent acquisition strategies in the insurance sector are evolving.
	Public Issue: Talent shortage in the insurance sector impacting recruitment efforts.
To Assess the Impact of Talent Shortage	Public Issue: Talent shortage in the insurance sector leading to challenges in attracting young professionals.
To Evaluate Changing Work Expectations	Public Issue: Changing work expectations post-pandemic influencing Generation Z's career decisions.

My question 2: "Tks for your information. Could you then come up with a proposal for me, including the research objectives, research methods, research philosophy, project title etc.? Tks a lot."

The reply: "Here’s a structured dissertation proposal based on your theme:

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Dissertation Proposal

Title

Exploring Generation Z's Perceptions of Career Desirability in the Hong Kong Insurance Sector: A Study on Talent Acquisition Strategies in Response to Labor Market Trends

Introduction

The insurance sector in Hong Kong faces significant challenges in attracting Generation Z talent amidst evolving labor market dynamics. Understanding the perceptions of this generation regarding career desirability in the insurance industry is crucial for developing effective talent acquisition strategies.

Research Objectives

1. To Explore Generation Z's Perceptions: Investigate how Generation Z views career desirability in the Hong Kong insurance sector, focusing on their values, motivations, and preferences.

2. To Analyze Talent Acquisition Strategies: Examine the current talent acquisition policies of insurance companies in Hong Kong and how they align with the expectations and perceptions of Generation Z.

3. To Assess the Impact of Talent Shortage: Analyze how the reported talent shortage in the insurance sector influences recruitment strategies and career offerings to attract Generation Z candidates.

4. To Evaluate Changing Work Expectations: Explore how the post-pandemic shift in work expectations affects Generation Z's career choices in the insurance sector and how companies can adapt to these changes.

Research Methods

1. Qualitative Research: Conduct a focus group with five participants, including two HR professionals and three sales agents in the insurance sector, to gather insights on their perceptions and experiences.

2. Quantitative Research: Administer a questionnaire survey based on convenience sampling among peers to assess their perceptions regarding career desirability in the insurance sector.

3. Desk Research: Perform secondary data analysis to explore existing literature and media reports on Generation Z's career preferences and talent acquisition strategies in Hong Kong.

Research Philosophy

This study will adopt a pragmatic research philosophy, focusing on practical solutions and real-world implications. This approach aligns with the objective of understanding the perceptions of Generation Z and the realities of talent acquisition in a changing labor market.

Theoretical Framework

1. Talent Acquisition Theories:

   • Theory of Planned Behavior
   • Social Exchange Theory

2. Talent Management Theory:

   • Human Capital Theory

3. Career Assessment Theory:

   • Super's Life-Span, Life-Space Theory

Conclusion

This proposal aims to bridge the gap in understanding Generation Z's perceptions of career desirability in the Hong Kong insurance sector while addressing contemporary challenges in talent acquisition. The findings will provide actionable insights for insurance companies striving to attract and retain young talent in a competitive market."

My question 3: "Tks. Could you provide a more concrete research method design for the three research methods chosen to employ for this study? And then, also comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods and the research philosophy for this project? Tks."

The reply: "Certainly! Here’s a more detailed research method design followed by an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen methods and research philosophy.

Research Method Design

1. Focus Group

Design:

• Participants: 5 participants, consisting of 2 HR professionals and 3 sales agents from insurance companies in Hong Kong.
• Process:
  • Conduct a semi-structured focus group discussion lasting 1.5 to 2 hours.
  • Develop a discussion guide with open-ended questions focused on:
    • Perceptions of career desirability in the insurance sector.
    • Factors influencing their career decisions.
    • Insights on talent acquisition strategies.
  • Record the session (with consent) for accurate data analysis.

Data Analysis:

• Use thematic analysis to identify common themes, patterns, and insights from the discussion.

2. Questionnaire Survey

Design:

• Sample: Convenience sampling among friends and peers who are either students or early-career professionals (targeting Generation Z).
• Questionnaire Structure:
  • Utilize a mix of closed-ended (Likert scale) and open-ended questions.
  • Key areas to cover:
    • General perceptions of the insurance sector.
    • Desired job attributes (e.g., flexibility, salary, career growth).
    • Awareness of current talent acquisition strategies.
• Distribution: Use online survey tools (e.g., Google Forms, SurveyMonkey) for ease of access and collection.

Data Analysis:

• Employ quantitative analysis for closed-ended questions and qualitative analysis for open-ended responses.
• Use descriptive statistics to summarize the data and identify trends.

3. Desk Research

Design:

• Objective: Gather secondary data on the Hong Kong insurance sector, focusing on:
  • Current labor market trends.
  • Talent acquisition strategies employed by major companies.
  • Reports on Generation Z’s career preferences.
• Sources:
  • Academic journals, industry reports, government publications, and reputable news articles.
  • Analyze information from sources like the Hong Kong Insurance Authority and relevant labor market studies.

Data Analysis:

• Synthesize findings to support and contextualize the primary data obtained from focus groups and surveys.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Research Methods

• Focus Group:

  • Strengths:
    • Rich qualitative data through interactive discussions.
    • Allows for exploration of complex perceptions and opinions.
  • Weaknesses:
    • Potential for groupthink, where dominant voices may overshadow others.
    • Limited generalizability due to the small sample size.

• Questionnaire Survey:

  • Strengths:
    • Quantifiable data that can be statistically analyzed.
    • Can reach a larger audience quickly and efficiently.
  • Weaknesses:
    • Responses may lack depth compared to qualitative methods.
    • Potential biases in convenience sampling may not represent the broader population.

• Desk Research:

  • Strengths:
    • Provides a comprehensive background and context for the study.
    • Cost-effective and time-efficient.
  • Weaknesses:
    • May rely on outdated or incomplete data.
    • Limited control over the quality of the information sourced.

Research Philosophy: Pragmatism

• Strengths:
  • Allows for the use of multiple methods (qualitative and quantitative) to address research questions.
  • Focuses on practical implications and real-world outcomes, aligning well with business research.
• Weaknesses:
  • Can lead to a lack of philosophical rigor if not clearly defined.
  • May struggle with balancing qualitative and quantitative approaches, potentially leading to inconsistencies.

This design and analysis should provide a solid foundation for your dissertation proposal. Feel free to adjust any aspects to better fit your specific context!"

My question 4: "Could you tell me (1) which academic theories are related to which research objectives of the proposal and (2) which research method is related to which research objective of the proposal? Many tks for help in advance."

The reply: "Certainly! Here’s a breakdown of the academic theories related to each research objective, as well as the corresponding research methods.

Academic Theories Related to Research Objectives

1. To Explore Generation Z's Perceptions
   Related Theories:
   • Career Assessment Theory: This theory can help understand how Generation Z evaluates career options and what factors influence their desirability for specific careers.

2. To Analyze Talent Acquisition Strategies
   Related Theories:
   • Talent Acquisition Theory: This theory examines how organizations attract and select candidates, relevant to understanding strategies in the insurance sector.
   • Talent Management Theory: This can provide insight into how companies manage and nurture talent to align with their strategic goals.

3. To Assess the Impact of Talent Shortage
   Related Theories:
   • Talent Acquisition Theory: This theory can help analyze how the talent shortage in the industry affects recruitment strategies and practices.

4. To Evaluate Changing Work Expectations
   Related Theories:
   • Career Assessment Theory: This theory helps in understanding how changing work expectations impact Generation Z's career choices and preferences.

Research Methods Related to Research Objectives

1. To Explore Generation Z's Perceptions
   Related Method:
   • Focus Group: This qualitative method is effective for gathering in-depth insights into perceptions and motivations from group discussions.

2. To Analyze Talent Acquisition Strategies
   Related Method:
   • Desk Research: This method allows for a review of existing literature, reports, and strategies previously implemented by companies in the insurance sector.

3. To Assess the Impact of Talent Shortage
   Related Method:
   • Questionnaire Survey: This quantitative method can gather broader perspectives on perceptions of talent shortages and their effects on career desirability.

4. To Evaluate Changing Work Expectations
   Related Method:

• Focus Group: This method can also be employed here to explore how participants perceive changes in work expectations and their implications for career choices.

Summary Table

Research Objective	Related Theories	Related Methods
To Explore Generation Z's Perceptions	Career Assessment Theory	Focus Group
To Analyze Talent Acquisition Strategies	Talent Acquisition Theory, Talent Management Theory	Desk Research
To Assess the Impact of Talent Shortage	Talent Acquisition Theory	Questionnaire Survey
To Evaluate Changing Work Expectations	Career Assessment Theory	Focus Group

This structure should help clarify the relationships between your research objectives, academic theories, and methods employed in your study. If you need further adjustments or clarifications, feel free to ask!"

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*** try to conduct a preliminary exploratory exercise with perplexity.ai before doing this proposal formulation exercise with poe.com.

*** this proposal formulation exercise follows the agile literature review approach (the academic oriented project type).

*** consider research objectives 1 and 2 as the main research objectives; research objectives 3 and 4 as the minor research objectives. {my suggestion}

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