Framework construction exercises for the subject of the agile literature review approach [housing studies]

Framework construction exercises for the subject of the agile literature review approach [for housing studies]

Task: to construct a single framework using 2 frameworks provided and the theoretical framework pattern options as described in my blog note. There are three exercises: the first one on homelessness; the second one on housing affordability, and the third one on home ownership.

Exercise 1: homelessness

Model 1 (source)

Model 2 (source)

Exercise 2: housing affordability

Model 1: (source)

Model 2 (source)

Exercise 3: home ownership

Model 1 (source)

Model 2 (source)

Theoretical framework construction is mainly carried out for the construction of theoretical framework-A in the agile literature review approach (academic-oriented project type). It is also useful for literature review and idea synthesis for the core-focus-domain items in the agile literature review approach (consulting-oriented project type).

An overall view of the agile literature review approach for academic-oriented dissertation project

 An overall view of the agile literature review approach for academic-oriented dissertation project

1. The agile literature review approach for academic-oriented dissertation projects
2. Theory-building research methods to use

3. Research gaps to address

4. Academic value to gain: positive contribution to the existing academic knowledge repository

5. Usable theory-building

6. Research-practice gap to address

7. Practical value to gain: positive contribution to the existing actionable knowledge of practitioners in a particular field and setting.

 

Additional resources: A collection of notes on ALRA (academic oriented type).

A comparison table of the academic-oriented and consulting-oriented dissertation projects with the ALRA

 A comparison table of the academic-oriented and consulting-oriented dissertation projects with the ALRA

Academic-oriented project type	Consulting-oriented project type
Synopsis sample Proposal sample Table of contents template	Synopsis sample Proposal sample Table of contents template
Respondent stimulus: the research gap-translation diagram, notably on the triggering point of intellectual curiosity	Respondent stimulus: the management-concerns diagram
Research objectives: the research gap-objective table	Research objectives: the theoretical framework level-0
The agenda to do literature review: theoretical framework-A; the outcome is the discussion in the dissertation report chapter 2: literature review	The agenda to do literature review: the theoretical framework level-0; the outcome is the theoretical framework level-1a
The research methodology in diagram form: the theoretical framework-B	The research methodology in diagram form: the theoretical framework level-1c

 

Reference: A collection of notes on ALRA (academic oriented type).

Exercises on theoretical framework-A construction

Exercises on theoretical framework-A construction: 3 exercises

Formulate a new theoretical framework-A based on two models provided and using the theoretical framework patterns as framework formulation options.

Exercise 1: on innovation barriers

Model 1: Source

Model 2: the source

Exercise 2: employee recruitment and retention

Model 1: employee recruitment (source)

Model 2: Employee retention (source)

Exercise 3: Business model

Model 1: source

Model 2: source

Theoretical framework construction is mainly carried out for the construction of theoretical framework-A in the agile literature review approach (academic-oriented project type). It is also useful for literature review and idea synthesis for the core-focus-domain items in the agile literature review approach (consulting-oriented project type).

A related note: Another 2 exercises for theoretical framework (composite type).

Patterns of theoretical framework-A: a note on pattern types

Patterns of theoretical framework-A: a note on pattern types in the agile literature review approach (ALRA) for academic-oriented project work.

For this discussion, all the concept bricks and conceptual frameworks are sourced from the academic literature on the topic theme under investigation, e.g. homelessness, innovation barriers, etc.

Pattern 1: New toying with concept bricks

Note: New toying is about constructing a system of concepts (concept bricks with linkages) from a loose assemblage of concepts.

Pattern 2: Framework add-on

Note: Framework add-on is about attaching a few more concepts onto an existing system of concepts (notably a theoretical or a conceptual framework).

Pattern 3: Framework fusion

Note: Framework fusion is about merging two theoretical/ conceptual frameworks into one framework, most likely with some restructuring of concept relationships from the two frameworks.

Pattern 4: Concept layering

Note: Concept layering is about recognizing some concepts as containing systems of other concepts. Some usage of grounded theory coding could be useful for this concept layering exercise.

Pattern 5: Framework customization

Note: Framework customization is about constructing a tailor-made framework by picking and plugging together concepts from diverse source so as to serve a concrete application purpose.

Pattern 6: Framework restructuring

Note: Framework restructuring involves changing some relationships between concepts from a theoretical/ conceptual framework (or a merged framework).

Pattern 7: Concept mutation in framework

Note: items, 2, 4 and 5 are mutated concepts. That is, the definitions of the concepts have been revised (e.g. via amending a particular concept definition [e.g., item 5] or merging 2 or more concept definitions as one [e.g. items 2 and 4].

These seven framework patterns are generic pattern types; in actual theoretical framework-A construction, it is likely that the constructed theoretical framework-A adopts features from more than one pattern type. A theoretical framework-A is formulated, based on literature review by the researcher, to, first of all, come up with specific research gaps to be responded to in the researcher's dissertation project, and, subsequently, to refine the research gaps and their derived research objectives of the dissertation project. With regard to research strategy, the theoretical framework-A construction effort endorses theory-building research work that is able to produce, with intellectual justification, usable theories (including methodologies and conceptual frameworks) for a specific domain of practical applications). The reason is that the ALRA was developed from the outset for the MBA students to employ in their dissertation project works, with much stress on the practical value of their project work.

Examples of theoretical frameworks that you could find from the academic literature in management are: 1. the path goal theory of leadership and 2. Porter and Lawler's motivation theory (also the online note).

The framework construction itself is an evolutionary prototyping process, thus an agile process.

The discussion of theoretical framework-A construction in terms of pattern types remind us the importance of higher level of learning as postulated in Bloom's taxonomy for learning.

A related study note: 3 theoretical framework-A construction exercises.

A fake Proposal sample for the academic-oriented dissertation project (for the ALRA)

A fake Proposal sample for the academic-oriented dissertation project (for the ALRA) [recommended word count: 1,500 words]

Project title: An investigation on the internal innovation barriers of "owners/ managers characteristics" and "firm characteristics" for the BBB sector in Hong Kong: an empirical research

Project background

This dissertation project examines some research gap issues as related to the topic of innovation barriers on XYZ applications for the BBB sector in Hong Kong. The intellectual starting point is my curiosity from personal observation of why the HK BBB sector has a very low adoption rate of XYZ application in its business operation as compared to that of other countries, such as Australia and South Korea. The research motive out of my intellectual curiosity is further clarified by my inquiry positioning with regard to this dissertation project; that is, I support using mixed methods research, the agile literature review approach of Ho (2023) and pragmatism to approach this academic-oriented study; and the chosen topic reflects my professional career  and prior education as related to the BBB sector. The topic of innovation management is in line with my present study interest in the Superman University MBA programme.
More specifically, it appears that the existing theories on innovation barriers are not adequately usable for analyzing the innovation barriers of XYZ application in the HK BBB sector. This dissertation project explicitly respond to this academic concern while still paying attention to derive some practical/ actionable knowledge for the practitioners in the HK BBB sector.

Literature review

My preliminary literature review has identified a few major innovation models, especially with explicit references to innovation barriers. They are the CB111 model of Peter Pan and the RB222 of Barbie Si; when synthesized together, they form the initial theoretical framework to guide this dissertation project. Moreover, some more specific theories are selected from the academic literature as related to the XYZ application, notably the AKB44 model of Tony Jaa and BTS12 framework of Bruce Lee. Finally, some concepts are adopted from the academic literature related to the BBB sector, such as the Cool White model of Betty Boop and the Big Bank theory of Spider Man. With all these initial concepts and theories, and related literature review, four related research gaps have been identified that are then used to derive four research objectives of the study: three main research objectives and two minor research objectives. In due course, the literature review will contribute to the elaboration of the theoretical framework being used for this dissertation project, which in turn, more clearly define the research objectives of this study with more concrete conceptual justification. The overall literature review effort is guided by the agile literature review approach of Ho (2023).

Objectives

Bases on the synthesis of the preliminary literature review as visualized in a theoretical framework, the main research gap items and the corresponding research objectives described as follows:

Specifically, the main factors of "managers/owners' characteristics" and "firm characteristics" are both unclear and not formulated in a usable way for the study of innovation in the BBB sector in HK with regard to XYZ application. Thus, the three main research objectives are: 

Main research objective 1: to develop more knowledge on the innovation barrier factor of "managers/ owners characteristics" for the HK BBB sector with regard to XYZ application, and 

Main research objective 2: to develop more knowledge on the innovation barrier factor of "firm characteristics" for the HK BBB sector with regard to XYZ application

Main research objective 3: with a view to also produce some practical findings with concrete actionable value for the practitioners in the HK BBB sector, there is also an research objective to develop some more specific usable theories and guidelines to improve innovation practice with regard to XYZ application for the HK BBB sector.

There are two minor research objectives which are indicated in the attached preliminary theoretical framework in this document.

Methodology

The research methods to use with regard to the research objectives: The primary research methods of questionnaire survey and semi-structured interview are to be used for the first two main research objectives of this study. For the third main research objective, the research method of focus group is to be employed. 

For the minor research objectives, semi-structured interview and desk research are to be used. 

It should also be pointed out that, some theory-building research effort are made via the research methods just mentioned, which are informed by the research method of Hui (2020) and Ho (2022). The theory-building research is considered highly relevant for this  academic-oriented research project. 

In short, this dissertation project employs two primary research methods as well as the secondary research method of desk research. They are made feasible because I have maintained some contact with several of my ex-colleagues in the BBB sector in Hong Kong. The overall methodology is to be further clarified in the form of a theoretical framework (with the name of theoretical framework-B as proposed by Ho (2023)) to be constructed and refined in due course. 

Time plan

Key activity 1: Literature review task: 7 weeks; e-library

Key activity 2: Formulation of research methodology: 2 weeks: research methods textbooks

.....

References

xxx

xxx

xxx

Reference: A collection of notes on ALRA (academic oriented type).

Research gap analysis from the usability perspective in the agile literature review approach

Research gap analysis from the usability perspective in the agile literature review approach (ALRA)

For academic-oriented dissertation projects, notably for MBA students, the starting point is the research gap analysis, from which the dissertation project research objectives are derived.

One way to move forward in the research gap analysis is to explore how certain theories in the existing academic literature can be further enhanced in terms of theory usability for a specific application context, e.g. AI innovation adoption for the XXX sector in Hong Kong. The form of the research gap goes something likes this:

A few of the major AI innovation adoption theories are not adequately usable for employment in the Hong Kong XXX sector.

Derived from this kind of research gap, the research objective is as follows:

To conduct theory-building research to enhance the usability of AI innovation adoption theories for employment in the Hong Kong XXX sector.

Such a usability perspective for research gap analysis can also be perceived as a way to address the academic concern of research-practice gap in the academic literature.

Relevant readings: on the research-practice relevance gap: a note and an article on usability.