Research method based on multiple regression analysis

Research projects sometimes involve using multiple regression analysis; this can be carried out with Excel regression function, thus, it is handy. However, to conduct the analysis properly, you need to pay attention to a number of related issues in dissertation work, including (i) relevant literature review effort, (ii) the role of multiple regression analysis in the overall research design. Obviously, you need to study the relevant concepts in statistics learn the skill to design and analyze the findings. The following diagram depicts the main tasks involved:

Also refer to Ho(2011)

Reference

Morris, C. (2003) Quantitative Approaches in Business Studies, Prentice Hall. Note: Chapter 11: Checking a theory (cover chi-square test). Chapter 15: Multiple Regression.

Living systems theory - a brief note

The living systems theory is a systems methodology that adopts the organizational metaphor of living systems to study complex organizations and changes in complex situations. (Pratt, Gordon, and Plamping, 2005). There are articles on living systems theory published in systems journals from time to time.

Reference
Pratt, J., Gordon, P. and Plamping, D. (2005) Working Whole Systems: Putting theory into practice in organisations, Radcliffe Publishing, Oxford.

On scientific management - a brief note

The main ideas of scientific managenment:

1. Workers and their jobs as the basic organization building blocks
2. Jobs are divided into simpler units as extensions of machine
3. Much managerial/ supervisory effort to ensure workers' compliance with instructions and operations stability
4. Supervisors absorb residual operational uncertainty and variabilities

Affiliated management concepts are (i) bureaucracy, (ii) machine metaphor in organization, (iii) Operational Research/ Management Science, (iv) industrial engineering (including work study), (v) business process re-engineering.

Some related concerns: (i) alienation, (ii) deskilling, (iii) mechanically paced motions, and (iv) demotivation. Also compare scientific management with human relation model and human resources model of management.

References

1. On Frederick Taylor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Winslow_Taylor
2. Trist, E. (1983) "Article 5: A socio-technical critique of scientific management" in Lockett, M, and Spear, R. (editors) Organizations as Systems, The Open University Press, Milton Keynes.

Hospitality Operations Management - a brief note

The subject of Hospitality Operations Management (HOM) covers the following topics:

1. Hospitality operations characteristics
2. Product development in Hospitality Management
3. Pricing in Hospitality Management
4. Financial analysis/ Management Accounting analysis of hospitality operations
5. Hospitality operational performance appraisals

References

1. Brotherton, B. (editor) (2006) The International Hospitality Industry, Buterworth-Heinemann. Study Part 1: Structure and Characteristics.
2. Chathoth, P.K. (2007) "The impact of information technology on hotel operations, service management and transaction costs: A conceptual framework for full-service hotel firms", Hospitality Management 26, pp. 395-408.
3. Crick, A.P. and Spencer, A. (2011) "Hospitality quality: new directions and new challenges" Internationality Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management Vol. 23(4), pp. 463-478.
4. Denton, G.A. and White, B. (2000) "Implementing a balanced-scorecard Approach to monitor Hotel  Operations" Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, February, pp. 94-107.
5. Jung, H.I. (2008) "WACC as the cornstone performance indicator" International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management Vol. 20(6), pp. 700-710.
6. Lashley, C. and Taylor, S. (1998) "Hospitality retail operations types and styles in the management of human resources", Journal of Retailing and Customer Services Vol 5(3), pp. 153-165.
7. Ottenbacher, M.C. and Harrington, R.J. "The product innovation process of quick-service restaurant chains" International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 21(5), pp. 523-541.
8. Pavlatos, O. and Paggios, I. (2009) "A survey of factors influencing the cost system design in hotels", International Journal of  Hospitality Management 28, pp. 263-271.
9. Raab, C., Mayer, K., Shoemaker, S. and Ng. S. (2009) "Activity-based pricing: can it be applied in restaurants", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 21(4), pp. 393-410.
10. Sainaghi, R. (2010) "Hotel performance: state of the art", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management Vol. 22(7), pp. 920-952.
11. Sainaghi, R. (2011) "RevPAR determinants of individual hotels" International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management Vol. 23(3), pp. 297-311.
12. Sanchez, M.A.M., Verdu, F.M and Soriano, D.R. (2008) "Different ways of measuring performance in the service industries: application in Spanish small  and medium-sized hotels", The Service Industries Journal Vol. 28(1), 27-36
13. Sigala, M. (2005) "Integrating customer relationship management in hotel operations: managerial and operational implications", Hospitality Management 24, pp. 391-413.
14. Wu, J., Tsai, H. and Zhou, Z. (2011) "Improving efficiency in international tourist hotels in Taipei using a non radical DEA model", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management Vol. 23(1), pp. 66-83.
15. Zhang, Z., Ye, Q., and Law, R. (2011) "Determinants of hotel room price" International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management Vol. 23(7), pp. 972-981.

Conducting quantitative analysis with Excel - a brief note

Both Engineering Management and Business Management students might conduct quantitative analysis; I want to identify 2 main functions in Excel that are very useful for these quantitative exercises, as there is a misconception that doing  more sophisticated statistical analysis (e.g for final year projects) requires specialized statistical analysis software such as SPSS. Apparently, for professional practices in commercial enterprises, I still recommend using specialized statistical analysis softwares.

The first main function is Regression analysis; to use this function, you need to add in this function with "Analysis Tool Pak - VBA". Then, you will find this funcion  from "Data", then "Data Analysis"; then choose "Regression". You use this function to conduct multiple regression analysis.

The second function is Solver; you need add in this fucntion with "Solver add in". This function allows you to do linear  programming (solved with the simplex method). Again go to "Data", then "Data Analysis", then choose "Solver". See following exhibits:

Exhibit 1

Exhibit 2

In the case of linear programming, exhibit 3 and 4 below are provided for illustration (the figures are based on an example on simplex method from Lucey (2002):

Exhibit 3

Exhibit 4:

As to multiple regression analysis, the following exhibits are provided:

Exhibit 5

Exhibit 6:

Exhibit 7

Exhibit 8

Exhibit 9

Additional photos for illustration:

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

The main point is: Excel has a number of statistical and quantitative analysis functions that are in most cases sufficient to support students to conduct quantitative analysis in final year dissertation. The main challenge is to master the underlying quantitative techniques as the key steps involved in using Excel are quite simple and just take a few minutes (not to count the time spent on entering the raw data in Excel).

There are other quantitative/ statistical functions in Excel; I mainly use these two functions as major examples for illustration.

References

1. Lind, D.A., Marchal, W.G. and Mason, R.D. (2001) Statistical Techniques in Business & Economics, McGraw Hill. [Study Chapter 14: Multiple Regression and Correlation Analysis]
2. Lucey, T. (2002) Quantitative Techniques, Thomson. [Study Chapter 18: Linear Programming - Simplex method for maximising]

Industrial hazard and industrial safety - a brief note

As an Engineering Management topic, the following topics are covered:

1. Industrial hazard
2. Industrial accident
3. Occupational safety and health administration
4. Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001)
5. Factories & Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Hong Kong)
6. Occupational Safety & Health Ordinance (Hong Kong)

When studying the topic, try to consider the perspectives/ expectations from a few key stakeholders: the employers, the employees and the government. Also, you could study the topic from a failure model perspective.


References

1. Purpura, P.P. (2002) Security and Loss Prevention, Butterworth-Heinemann; study chapter 13: safety.
2. Tompkin, N.c (2006) A Manager's Guide  to OSHA, Thomson.

Business Systems Analysis and Design - a brief note

The subject of Business Systems Analysis and Design covers the following topic areas:

1. Types of Information Systems and related systems development methods
2. Role of Systems Analysts and professional competence required
3. Information systems methodologies, with special reference to the systems development life cycle
4. Systems thinking in Business Systems Analysis and Design
5. Project management concepts as appled in Information Systems development projects
6. On CASE tools and prototyping
7. On data-flow diagrams and UML notions: a brief review
8. On requirement specification techniques
9. On commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software selection
10. Soft systems methodology (including the technique of rich picture building),  Rapid Application Development methodology (including the notion of JAD and SWAT team) for Business Systems Analysis and Design, and the spiral model.
11. On systems implementation strategies and software testing
12. On structured walkthrough in systems analysis

Reference
Hoffer, J.A. George, J.F. and Valacich, J.S. (2002) Modern Systems Analysis and Design, Prentice Hall.