The Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) provides the framework to help you expand your academic, professional and career development; build and sustain a personal learning network; articulate your professional goals; and reflect on your skills through various strategies and assessments.
Conducting research and exploring a research topic means dealing with the unknown. Collis and Hussey (2013) make a good point for students in the early stages of their research, maintaining that, apart from gaining a reasonable understanding of your topic, you also need specific skills to overcome the difficulties related to your research.
Reflect on the readings you have encountered in the first 4 weeks of this module. (all files have been uploaded)
Write a critically reflective paper (550 words) considering the following:
How has the information that you have discussed in class, researched and read helped you to understand the practice of academic research and the type of research skills that you have developed over your previous modules?
Have your ideas and views of academic research changed?
How has your understanding of academic research and your own ability to conduct research developed?
How will you apply what you have learnt so far when conducting future research?
SAMPLE ANSWER
RM PDP W4
Introduction
In this paper, the purpose is to reflect on the readings that I have encountered on the first four weeks of this modules. I will reflect based on four essential issues. Foremost, I will determine the manner in which the information that I have discussed in class, researched and read has assisted me in understanding the practice of academic research and the form of research skills that I have developed over the previous modules. The second objective will be on the way in which my ideas and views of academic research have changed. Thirdly, I will seek to document how my understanding of academic research and my own ability to carry out an inquiry has developed. Ultimately, I will attempt to inform the audience on how I will apply what I have learnt so far when conducting future research.
Learning Points
The information that has been discussed in the class, researched, and read has allowed me to gain an optimal understanding of the academic research practice. For instance, from Saini and Budhwar’s (2008) study and that by Şendoğdu, Kocabacak, and Güven (2013), I learned that a research topic that one seeks to investigate must be precise and directive. As such, it should show the reader what the intention of the study is and the potential interaction between the variables. From the article by Fan and Yan (2009), I learned that when carrying out research, it is of central importance for an inquirer to provide future research directions on the research issue under question. The essence is not only to build the knowledge produced but also to try and answer any question that has been left unanswered. In addition to this, I learned that the ability of a researcher to open up areas needing further research portrays that an investigator is not only willing but also ready to support continued research.
The information also helped me to understand that the research process is a systematic procedure. As such, it requires one to identify the research topic, state the reason for the interest in that subject, clarify the objectives to guide a research process, and devise the research questions. Besides, the research practice necessitates a person to explore what the previous studies that have been carried out on a similar topic, and establish a comprehensive research methodology to gain the necessary data for analysis (University of Liverpool, School of Management, 2016). The research process, as well, entails reporting the results, offering recommendations, and opening up avenues for future studies. While each part of the research process is fundamental, emphasis should be laid on the research methods. As a matter of fact, the nature of the methods tends to determine how meaningful the findings will be. Part of the focus should be the research paradigm; a researcher has to be overly keen to select the most suitable study model.
My ideas and views regarding academic research have changed significantly. Previously, I thought that an academic research process was merely meant to fulfill the university demands. As such, I believed that it was only a means for securing one’s higher education success. Nonetheless, I am now aware that an academic research process might have larger implications for the society. As such, it may assist in solving some of the pertinent problems that continue to confront the society. In the light of this, it is integral to take an academic research seriously and put greater effort in facilitating the underlying procedures.
Development Points
In feel that I need to know more about the application of the mixed methods that are used in research. While the module oriented me to these methods, I was not able to understand how they could be applied hand in hand. Developing this knowledge is of central importance. I understood that it is through the use of mixed methods that a researcher can be allowed to present robust and more meaningful findings. Hence, I think that I should make concerted efforts to understand the application of the mixed methods of research.
Conclusion
To conclude, my understanding of academic research and my ability to carry out research has developed tremendously. I am now well aware of the various processes involved and how to interact with them more productively. For example, I now have knowledge of where one can derive problems for research from. As such, the existing societal status quo and the existing literature can help a person to pinpoint an issue that requires investigations to develop a suitable cause as the study by Chang, Yu, and Lu (2015) portrays. Into the future, I will apply what I have learned to carry out research in a more efficient way. For example, rather than seeking for broad topics and objectives, I will be much more specific. This will allow me to focus my future inquiries. Moreover, I will seek for ways through which I can ensure that my study initiatives are credible and reliable, free from bias. In this way, I will become a trustworthy source of knowledge regardless of how complex an issue might seem (University of Liverpool, School of Management, 2016).
Bibliography
Chang, Y.T., Yu, H. and Lu, H.P., 2015. Persuasive messages, popularity cohesion, and message diffusion in social media marketing. Journal of Business Research, 68(4), pp.777-782.
Fan, W. and Yan, Z., 2010. Factors affecting response rates of the web survey: A systematic review. Computers in human behavior, 26(2), pp.132-139.
Saini, D.S. and Budhwar, P.S., 2008. Managing the human resource in Indian SMEs: The role of indigenous realities. Journal of World Business, 43(4), pp.417-434.
Şendoğdu, A.A., Kocabacak, A. and Güven, Ş., 2013. The relationship between human resource management practices and organizational commitment: A field study. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 99, pp.818-827.
University of Liverpool, School of Management, 2016. Key Concept: Research Methods. Laureate Education, Inc., Baltimore, MD.
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In examining the characteristics of different types of quantitative data, consider their suitability for your research plans, and evaluate any ethical or feasibility barriers, and ideas of how those could be overcome.
My chosen topic problem:
Research Aim:To identify and explore the human resource strategies that influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar and to develop recommendations on how these human resource strategies can be changed in order to improve employee engagement.
Research Questions:
RQ 1: Which human resource strategies influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
RQ 2: How do these human resource strategies influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
RQ 3: How can these human resource strategies be changed in order to improve employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
End-Product:Objective: To develop recommendations on how human resource strategies can be changed in order to improve employee engagement within organisations in Qatar.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Quantitative Research Pros and Cons
Quantitative research aims at measuring and quantifying data using not only statistical analysis but also numerical information. Using prescribed variables, quantitative research samples a huge sample targeting a given population to assess behaviors, attitudes and views to quantify the results. In this study, the target population/group is the organisations within Qatar.
Pros
Quantitative research is objective in nature. As such, it allows that researcher to not only measure but also analyse data. Again, the element of objectivity helps the researcher to collect numerical data that cannot be misinterpreted. In addition, it allows the researcher to determine the relationship between independent and independent variables. The dependent variable in this study is employee engagement while human resource activity is the independent variable. Understanding this relationship is important to the researcher since it helps him/her to be objective regarding the findings of the study (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill 2012). Another advantage of quantitative research is the statistical technique. In this study for instance, the researcher gets the opportunity to use statistical methods. In turn, this helps the researcher to understand the important characteristic of data (Ross & Onwuegbuzie 2014). Also, the use of statistics allows the researcher to test hypotheses by measuring data using applicable statistics. The researcher in this scenario will be able to use statistical methods to measure the way human resource strategies influence employee engagement.
Quantitative research is also beneficial as it enable the researcher to collect information faster. Besides, the data can be analysed quicker while generalizing the results to the entire population. By using a suitable sample, the researcher will select a few Oatar organizations that will be studied; the findings would be generalized to all organization within Qatar. With reliable data, quantitative research that uses questionnaires can present valid data for conducting future research. This type of research may be anonymous meaning that it is appropriate when it comes to handling sensitive information (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill 2012).
Cons
Quantitative research requires a big sample. The bigger the sample, the higher the chances of getting statistically accurate results (Collis &Hussey 2013). Hence, a researcher needs time to select the sample. Nonetheless, the large sample is not all about accuracy of statistical results since there is self-selection for those ready to take part in the study, an aspect that contributes to potential prejudice. Conducting a quantitative research is costly. This due to the fact that the researcher has to ensure that the sample is big enough and money is needed to develop questionnaires, send to participants and collect among other issues. Due to the cost involved in conducting a quantitative study, it is not possible to investigate further than the initial surface responses to assess the views in detailed (Smith 2014). Another disadvantage of quantitative research is that study context is overlooked. Since this research does not highlight the natural occurrences or even describe the meaning of various elements to different respondents.
Moreover, quantitative research does exactly tell the number of people that respond to a given question. This element makes it challenging to develop any form of solid statistics. In reality, this hinders the researchers from probing participants’ views. Owing to the fact that quantitative researcher allows the generalization of findings; it creates bias (Sreejesh, Mohapatra & Anusree 2014). This is because participants may have similar characteristics but such characteristics are not applicable to the entire population.
Bibliography
Collis, J. and Hussey, R., 2013. Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ross, A. & Onwuegbuzie, A.J. 2014, “Complexity of quantitative analyses used in mixed research articles published in a flagship Mathematics education journal”, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 63-73
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. 2012. Research Methods for Business Students, 6th ed. Pearson Learning Solutions.
Smith, T.A. 2014, “testing theory and related factors for influencing proficiency in quantitative research”, Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 117-128.
Sreejesh, S., Mohapatra, S. and Anusree, M.R., 2014. Business research methods. Springer International Publishing AG
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Organisations must accept that a continuous pattern of necessary change is an integral element of sustainable growth and development. The scope and scale of required change flows from developments in the character of both internal capability and external operating environment, and these developments are prefaced by change drivers that are classifiable according to parameters of scope, timing and urgency. A commonplace practice amongst organisations is to react to the impact of change drivers once the full implications of that impact are felt, but a more effective approach is to scenario plan the future in order to more accurately anticipate the emergence of change drivers.
Organisations, and the individuals who work for those organisations, are better able to design and implement an optimally effective change response as a result.
This week’s Key Concept Exercise requires you to reflect on the underlying principles of change that have been discussed this week, and to use those principles to anticipate the possible options that lie in wait for the recently restructured Deseret News organisation. The key question in this Exercise is ‘what will the operating environment look like for this organisation in 5-years’ time, and ‘what does it need to do now to prepare for that environment?’
To prepare for this Key Concept Exercise:
• Read the Required Learning Resources for week 2. Which sent by email
• Reflect upon the ideas presented in the Week 2 Key Concept Overview and the assigned journal articles.
• Review the case study example of the Deseret News, in Gilbert, Eyring and Foster (2012).
• Use the scenario planning processes described in the article by Konno, Nonaka and Ogilvy (2014a).
• In formulating your Key Concept Exercise, consider the following requirements:
o Provide an outline description of what you believe would be a ‘best case’ vision (the set of circumstances that would be most favourable) of what the Deseret News operating environment might conceivably look like 5 years from today. Include a comment on those aspects of the operating environment that you consider to be particularly influential over the planning decisions the organisation will make today.
o Provide a parallel ‘worst case’ vision (the set of circumstances that would pose the greatest threat), using the same criteria used to develop your best case vision.
o Briefly explain whether you believe the best or worst case scenarios are more likely to develop, providing a justification for your opinion.
o Suggest specific things that Deseret News could do now in order to maximize its capability to cope with either version of the future.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Introduction
In consideration of the fact that the world is currently changing at a first speed that requires organizations to understand the need and opportunity for change before their performance results begin dwindling. It is against this that it is imperative to ascertain that managers experience difficulties in determining some of the changes that need to be incorporated within their organizations, developing a strategic approach of achieving these changes, and to manage the process of change, with the aim of achieving the desired outcomes (Gilbert, Eyring & Foster, 2012, pp.67). Without considering the element of change and adapting to new market needs and trends which result from globalization, organizations are likely to experience challenges in efficiently and effectively achieving their performance. This paper consequently seeks to establish the manner in which an organization (Deseret News Company) may consider the change element in effectively achieving its goals.
The Need for Change Management in Deseret News Organization
As detailed, between the year 2008 and 2010, Deseret News is considered to have lost close to 30% of its display-ads, including 70% of some of the organizations classified revenues, an aspect that is attributed to the growing internet startups that assaulted the organizations subscriber and advertising base (Gilbert, Eyring & Foster, 2012, pp.67). In this case, it is essential to consider that Deseret News only focused its attention on local daily newspapers even with the changing environment that was embracing the aspect of digital publishing as a viable long-term position.
This clearly necessitates the need for change management, a dual transformative approach that would see this organization incorporate who are well vast with the knowledge on digital publishing (Gilbert, Eyring & Foster, 2012, pp.67). For this reason, the organization needs good planning in achieving its success, an aspect that would require the organizations management to predict its future performance in the same industry.
Deseret News Organization Best Case Vision
Deseret News best case vision would consider the organizations environment that details some of the forces that surround its functions and that affect its performance (Morgan, 2011, pp.13). These include some of the elements that exist outside the organizations boundaries. In this case, Deseret’s best case vision over the next five years would include:
Deseret’s Internal Environment
This organizations internal environment would consist of factors that expose its strengths and weaknesses that include:
Leadership approaches
The organizations culture and mission statement
The behaviors of employees towards change
It is essential to detail that Deseret’s internal environment remains different from that of its competitors since its leadership seems detached from the spontaneous needs of the market, an aspect that details the challenges it has experienced in the market (Morgan, 2011, pp.13). On the other hand, Deseret’s leadership remains incapacitated in initiating the element of creativity, imagination, and ingenuity in solving the problems the organization encountered, an aspect that requires change over the next five years.
Deseret’s External Environment
Deseret’s external environment entails some of the elements that surround the organization and influence its activities and decisions in determining some of its opportunities and threats in the market. These factors include:
Competition from the organizations rivals
Customers opinions
Economic conditions
The organizations external environments are likely to affect its decisions in regards to making changes considering the fact that the customers are turning to digital publishing as compared to the local dailies, an aspect that denotes their need for a superior product at a better price (Nadina, 2011, pp.708). On the other hand, the condition of the economy would determine the behavior of consumers, thus requiring effective understanding of the market.
Deseret News Organization Worst Case Vision
In establishing Deseret’s worst case vision, it is important to note that failure in implementing change within an organization has some considerable implication on an organizations change and development process (Mariana, Daniela & Nadina, 2013, pp.1606). Some of the factors that would result in a worst case vision include:
Leaders rush in changing their organizations without proper planning
Lack of innovation
Failure to incorporate a formal strategic plan
In view of this, it is imperative to ascertain that the organization is in a position to incorporate the best case vision, an aspect that can be justified in its approach to incorporate leaders who understand the market trends and change the company’s approach from the production of local publications into digital newspapers, an aspect that establishes the organizations dominant story (Nadina, 2011, pp.708).
Change Management Approach in Deseret
Upon realization of the internal and external factors that affect the performance of the organization, its managers have an uphill task in initiating processes towards organizational change, an aspect that is achieved upon the identification of some of the existing opportunities for the organization to improve its business processes. In order to achieve this, the organization would consider a proactive change approach that would establish a rapid success into its performance and progress (Noboru, Ikujiro, & Jay, 2014, pp.30).
In this case, the most essential role in initiating proactive changes would be achieved in the event the organizations managers develop new products that have the capacity to generate change in the consumer’s behavior, an aspect that would enable the organization to achieve its competitive advantage over some of its competitors (Noboru, Ikujiro, & Jay 2014, pp.46).
Conclusion
As detailed in this paper, the world is currently changing at a first speed that requires organizations to understand the need and opportunity for change before their performance results begin dwindling. It is against this that it is imperative to ascertain that managers experience difficulties in determining some of the changes that need to be incorporated within their organizations, developing a strategic approach of achieving these changes, and to manage the process of change, with the aim of achieving the desired outcomes.
Mariana, P, Daniela, B, & Nadina, R 2013, ‘Forces That Enhance Or Reduce Employee Resistance To Change’, Annals Of The University Of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 22, 1, pp. 1606-1612, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 18 August 2016. Retrived From: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=90545859&site=ehost-live
Nadina, RR 2011, ‘Methods of Identification of the Need for Organizational Change as Being Opportune’, Annals Of The University Of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 20, 2, pp. 707-712, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 18 August 2016. Retrived From: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=71959503&site=ehost-live
Noboru Konno, Ikujiro Nonaka & Jay Ogilvy 2014 Scenario Planning: The Basics, World Futures, 70:1, 28-43, DOI: 10.1080/02604027.2014.875720. Retrived From: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02604027.2014.875720
Noboru Konno, Ikujiro Nonaka & Jay Ogilvy 2014 The Mind of the Scenario Thinker, World Futures, 70:1, 44-51, DOI: 10.1080/02604027.2014.875723. Retrived From: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02604027.2014.875723
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The purpose of this assignment is to develop your skills in critical evaluation of scientific psychological evidence as part of the process of developing scientific arguments. For this assignment you are required to read a set research article and critically evaluate it by answering a series of questions. The critique should focus on the claims that the authors of the articles make about their results and evaluating whether or not those claims are credible, and why. You will be marked on how well you have addressed the questions relating to evaluation of the article.
The assignment should be submitted on the Article Evaluation template which includes a Cover Sheet and marking proforma/feedback sheet, and is available on the course Learnonline page. The assignment must be submitted via Learnonline.
Note that if your submitted assignment file is corrupted you will be required to resubmit your assignment. The date on which a readable file is submitted to Learnonline will be deemed to be the date of submission. If this is after the due date a late penalty of 5% per working day will be applied to the assignment. It is your responsibility to ensure that the assignment file you submit is not corrupted.
Requests for extensions must be submitted prior to the assignment due date. All applications for extension must be made via the Extension request link on the course Learnonline page and include supporting documentation (eg medical certificate, letter from counsellor). Students will be notified (via Learnonline) whether or not the extension has been granted (and the new submission date where appropriate). An assignment handed in after the due date for which an extension has not been granted will lose 5% per working day. Assignments will not normally be accepted once marked assignments have been returned to the class (and if accepted will receive a maximum mark of 50%).
The maximum word limit for this assignment is 600 words (excluding the cover page and questions). Marks will be deducted from papers exceeding this limit based on the percentage by which the limit is exceeded. For example, a 660 word paper is 10% over the limit and would have 10% deducted.
SAMPLE ANSWER
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Assignment Cover Sheet – Internal
Please complete all details clearly.
Submit via Learnonline
Student Name:
Student ID
Email:
Course code and title:BEHL 2005 Introductory Research Methods
Course Coordinator:
Tutor:
Assignment number:1
Due date:5pm Friday 19/08/2016
Assignment topic as stated in Course Information Booklet:Article Evaluation
Further Information: (e.g. state if extension was granted and revised Submission Date)
I declare that the work contained in this assignment is my own, except where acknowledgement of sources is made.
I authorise the University to test any work submitted by me, using text comparison software, for instances of plagiarism. I understand this will involve the University or its contractor copying my work and storing it on a database to be used in future to test work submitted by others.
Note: The attachment of this statement on any electronically submitted assignments will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed statement.
Signed:
Date:
Question
Type your answers into the boxes below
Mark
1. What was the aim of the study?
(2 marks)
The study evaluates statistics anxiety among the university students. In this study, statistical anxiety refers to the anxiety feelings experienced by students when studying statistics course or performing statistical analyses (gathering of projects data and interpretation of the data). The study highlights the sources/causes of statistical anxiety. The causes evaluated include financial issues, family matters, work, and other socio-cultural factors; and how these challenges impact the university students, especially the non-traditional students, when taking statistics courses at the university.
/2
2. What is the main argument in the introduction? (1 mark)
Is the argument convincing? Why, or why not? (1 mark)
According to this article, approximately 46% of the college students are above 25 years. Bell main argument is that the rates of the old students have increased. The paper also argues that these “mature age” students face various hurdles in their classroom. These challenges are attributed to the unrealistic societal goals, low self image, social familial problems, and in some cases, the excessive practical orientation. The challenges along with poor management of time cause poor academic preparation and increased anxiety. The study hypothesizes that lack of proper time management and self care are the main cause of poor academic achievement, especially in statistics course. The argument is convincing because it is supported by statistical findings from evidence based research.
/2
3. Identify the independent (1 mark) and dependent (1 mark) variables.
The independent variable age of the student, while the dependent variable is the students’ scores generated by Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS).
/2
4. Does this study have a with-groups or a between-groups design? (1 mark)
This is a between-group study. The testing factor is the aspect of statistics anxiety among non-traditional student’s vs younger students (two variable groups) thus the assertion that it is a between-groups study.
/1
5. Is this study a true experiment?
(1 mark)
No
/1
6. State one main result reported in the study.
(1 mark)
State one main claim the researchers make on the basis of this result.
(1 mark)
Is this claim justified by the results? (1 mark)
Could there be an alternative explanation for the result? If yes give one example. (1 mark)
The nontraditional students scored higher on factors that predict anxiety, which indicated more anxiety. The factors investigated includes students perception of statistics, interpretation anxiety, class and test anxiety, fear for seeking help, fear of statistical teachers, and computation self concept. The nontraditional students scored highest in Test and class anxiety factor (p=0.89, t= -1.36). The traditional students scored highest on factor 1- worth / perception on statistics which has been reported at 64th percentile as compared to the 60th percentile.
The researcher claims that as statistical anxiety increases, the final grades gets lower. Therefore, the non-traditional students (scored high statistical anxiety) tend to have lower grades. This probably because they did not get same studying experience as the younger population. Therefore, they will need study harder in order to perform better and score higher.
This claim is not fully justified by the Bell’s findings. This is because it is not certain if the nontraditional students suffer from other challenges other than the six factors evaluated.
Yes, the statistical anxiety is not the only cause of poor performance in nontraditional group. Probably being away from mathematics and classroom for a long period of time. Other additional explanation includes other responsibilities such as work and family responsibilities which leave with them little time to study.
/4
8. Are the results generalisable (from the sample and in space and time)? (1 mark)
Why, or why not?(1 mark)
Although this is a quantitative research, the study sample is not a true representative of the population. Therefore, the findings cannot be used to reflect general population in space and in time. This is because Bell did not consider other variables such as level of students, ethnicity, education background, and gender which could introduce bias due to residual confounding effects.
/2
9. Point out one good thing about the research. (1 mark)
The study points out the challenges experienced by the nontraditional students. This is important as it helps the lecturers as well as the school administration establish interventions that will reduce statistical anxiety. For instance, the school can introduce dashboard where students can discuss or set up conversations that can help them lessen statistical anxiety.
/1
Overall Grade, Percentage
and Comments
/15
References
Bell, J. A. (2003). Statistics anxiety: The nontraditional student. Education,124(1), 157.
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The data collection process is always a fundamental element in empirical research. For this week’s Key Concept Exercise you will shape your research idea within the context of a quantitative research framework, analyse the optimal data collection process that could align to your research idea, explore the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen technique, and finally critically discuss the potential validity and reliability of the data that you plan to collect.
• Read the required Learning Resources which uploaded.
• Return to your chosen research topic-problem (as subsequently amended) and consider a quantitative approach.
• In approximately 550 words, explain how your research ideas could take the shape of a quantitative research project.
• What specific methods would you implement for data collection and analysis?
• What type of data would you need to tackle the research question(s)?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research design?
• Can you recommend ways to maximise the validity and reliability of the data to be collected?
My chosen research topic-problem:
Research Aim: To identify and explore the human resource strategies that influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar and to develop recommendations on how these human resource strategies can be changed in order to improve employee engagement.
Research Questions:
RQ 1: Which human resource strategies influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
RQ 2: How do these human resource strategies influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
RQ 3: How can these human resource strategies be changed in order to improve employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
End-Product: Objective: To develop recommendations on how human resource strategies can be changed in order to improve employee engagement within organisations in Qatar.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Data collection methods and analysis
A quantitative research purposes to test the hypotheses that are developed from theory (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill 2012). For that reason, this project will use questions to collect data. Questionnaires are widely used in business studies to gather primary information. In this case, questionnaires will be used to collect relevant information on human resource strategies that influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar. In particular, self-completed questionnaires will be appropriate and also completed with the participants without the researcher being around. As such, the questionnaires will be sent through email to the respondents after filling they will return them. On the other hand, collection of secondary information will entail analyzing previous data relevant to human resource strategies that influence employee engagement within organisations. In that view, secondary information will be gathered from organization’s files or websites. When it comes to data analysis, the study will use descriptive statistics, correlation and linear regression.
Type of data to address the research questions
This being a quantitative project, the data collected would be descriptive in nature. The data would tackle primary and secondary on human resources strategies used by Oatar firms; and forms of employee engagement
The strengths and weaknesses of Descriptive research design
The appropriate research design in this scenario is descriptive. Some of its strengths and weaknesses are;
Strengths
This research design can collect a lot of data through description while identifying variables as well as hypothetical variables that can in turn be explored using other means. Such description presents a number of benefits since it offers multifaceted techniques for collecting information (Sreejesh, Mohapatra & Anusree, 2013). For instance, questionnaires can presents statistics about human resources strategies and illustrate how to improve employee engagement. Moreover, descriptive research design presents distinct means of gathering information. Case studies may be based on different sources like companies websites.
Weaknesses
Confidentiality; this is a major weakness of descriptive research design, however, in most instances; the respondents may be genuine in providing their views. This is especially during interviews as the respondents may refuse to give correct responses to questions (Collis & Hussey 2013). Another weakness of this research design is objectivity and errors. For instance, during questionnaire development questions are not only prescriptive but also predetermined. Additionally, a study can have errors since the researcher records what he/she wants to hear while ignoring other issues that do not address the research questions.
Ways of minimizing the validity and reliability of the data to be collected
The validity and reliability of data to be gathered will be minimised by ensuring the usability of the questionnaire (Smith 2014). This refers to the level of easiness in administering and interpreting the questionnaire. In addition, validity of data to be gathered will be reduced by not just collecting but also analyzing information to assess the accuracy of the questionnaire. Thus, the research will perform a pilot study, to test the accuracy of questionnaire that would significantly reduce validity of the data (Ross & Onwuegbuzie 2014). Another approach of minimising validity and reliability would be ensuring that questionnaire consistently measures the intended variables.
Bibliography
Collis, J. and Hussey, R., 2013. Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ross, A. & Onwuegbuzie, A.J. 2014, “Complexity of quantitative analyses used in mixed research articles published in a flagship mathematics education journal”, International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 63-73
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. 2012. Research Methods for Business Students, 6th ed. Pearson Learning Solutions.
Smith, T.A. 2014, “TESTING THEORY AND RELATED FACTORS FOR INFLUENCING PROFICIENCY IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH”, Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 117-128.
Sreejesh, S., Mohapatra, S. and Anusree, M.R., 2014. Business research methods. Springer International Publishing AG.
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The Pastoral Counselor’s Identity and Ethics learning activity is experimental rather than authoritative in nature. In other words, you must develop this paper with the assumption that any future application will be the result of a collaborative effort (e.g., organization’s leadership). Professional or vocational identity and ethical boundaries are developed and maintained through meaningful connection with others. You will use course resources and search engines to complete the following:
1. Concisely describe a research-based paradigm for ministerial (e.g., pastoral counselor) identity and ethical boundaries. The Identity and Ethics handout will be helpful in establishing professional boundaries for a biblically responsible vocational paradigm. If using cited material from the Identity and Ethics Handout (e.g., Trull & Carter), then use current APA Manual/resources to create a citation from a secondary source. Do realize best research practice is to review originating source as it validates one’s veracity in research. Cite accordingly.
2. Identify potential professional partnerships that would support your professional growth and development. Consideration must be given to a support group(s), local association of peers, referral network, and credible certification, licensure, agencies, and organizations. Concise partnership details must be given (i.e., What is the partnership? Where is the partnership located? What is required to be a member in good standing of the professional partnership?). The Identity and Ethics handout provides possible considerations for this expectation. Cite accordingly.
3. Build a concise synthesis of issues to be addressed by an organization’s ethical guidelines. Kollar (2011, ch. 20), Johnson & Johnson (2014, ch. 8), and the Identity and Ethics handout provides resources to meet this expectation. Cite accordingly.
4. Propose a pre-counseling package to collect pertinent care-seeker information and convey professional identity and ethical boundaries to care-seeker; place it in the appendix of the paper. The pre-session material will be branded according to a student’s actual or anticipated soul-care context and include the following non-clinical/church counseling forms: intake; informed consent including brief description of length/number of sessions, note-taking strategy, referral process, and confidentiality covenant; and ethical guidelines. See student sample in “Pastoral Counselor’s Identity and Ethics Handout.” Do not copy material from student sample, especially the pre-session package. Conduct original research to create your pastoral counselor’s identity and ethics material and the corresponding pre-session forms suitable for a church/ministry non-licensure context. Forms must identify your ministry site and be suitably prepared for immediate careseeker use. Cite accordingly.
5. As an example of an ethical procedure, a background check will be conducted on the student before being approved to register for the new MA PACO program’s internship (PACO 699). A MAPC student should plan to engage the background check process at least one semester before PACO 699 is needed. Thus, as part of this paper, each student is required to acknowledge notification of this policy in the conclusion, even if he/she is not enrolled in the MA PACO degree.
With the exception of the pre-counseling package, an annotated outline may be used for items 1, 2, and 3. In addition to the 4–6-page annotated outline and appendix, a cover sheet, abstract, table of contents, introduction, conclusion, references, and required grading rubric are to be included. The paper must be submitted with the correct word file name (i.e., PACO500_CIEP_[StudentInitials]).
The Identity and Ethics Paper is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 6.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Spiritual disciplines
Spiritual disciplines form a natural component of the Christian life. In fact, nearly nothing of any importance in Christian lives can be achieved without it. Spiritual disciplines can be illustrated as deeds that enhance spiritual growth and allow people to grow to spiritual maturity. Moreover, the course of spiritual growth and development commence the moment an individual meets the risen Christ and draw closer to Him for salvation. Spiritual disciplines play a significant role in the growth of an individual inner being, which has been altered by Christ at salvation. In addition, redeemed believers have experienced the full regeneration of their entire person from within, concerning variation in notion, feeling, and disposition that might be unhurried to manifest in their external deeds (Daniel, 2015).
There are several spiritual disciplines that individuals apply and have shown immense capability in changing their lives. The common spiritual disciplines applied by individuals include prayer, fasting, scripture reading, worship, and service. Since I received salvation and decided to devote my life to Christ, I have been applying various spiritual disciplines in my daily life to assist in my personal development. The first spiritual discipline that I employ involves the Word of God and comprises the reading, study, memorization, and meditation of scripture. These spiritual disciplines have played a noteworthy role in my personal development, and as Daniel notes if these spiritual disciplines are ignored, there is no other effort to control ourselves that will be successful because we merely do not possess the power to prevail over the opposition of the sin nature in which our new natures dwell. In addition, we do not have the power to triumph over the resistance of demonic pressures whose plan is constantly to disconnect us from the single source of spiritual growth, the Word of God. Scripture memorization has also been an essential component in my spiritual life. I usually do scripture memorization twice a week, especially during the evening before I go to sleep. Daniel argues that individuals have been offered the free will to select what they want to put in their minds, thereby making scripture memorization important in human lives. Moreover, since Christians believe that the Bible is the Word of God they are called upon to memorize it as it facilitates Christians to keep it always in the front of their minds, which makes it possible for them to react to all life situations according to its teachings (Daniel, 2015).
The other spiritual disciplines that I have applied in my life include prayer and fasting. Daniel proposes that prayer has the ability to transform people’s viewpoint and further adjust what they look from others. Moreover, prayer changes how people react to predicaments. Prayer is a great source of spiritual growth for me and I usually pray in the morning when I wake up and in the evening before I sleep. Conversely, whenever I want to attain a larger spiritual objective I fast. Since it is possible to fast from pleasures, such as social media or any other activities that convey fulfillment and happiness, I desire to focus my fasting from food, and I fast mostly two or three days (Daniel, 2015).
Common temptations
The major challenge of being a Christian is the temptations we face each day, but resisting temptation is the essential component of every Christian’s life. Christian temptations differ in various aspects, however they can be tempted, and stand firm. Personally as a Christian, I often face temptations on a regular basis, but refusing to accept the temptation is what allows me to succeed and grow spiritually. In spite of standing firm, I often face temptations that tend to have an influence on my spiritual life. The temptations that I commonly face include overuse of electronic and social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, video games, and television. This is the temptation I face on regular basis and find it not easy to oppose, but since Christians posses the internal strength to counter temptations if they turn to God, this always constitute part of my appeal when I am praying to God (Presbyterian Mission Agency, 2012).
Blind spots and weaknesses
Everyone has blind spots in their discernment that keep them from seeing the certainty about others and themselves. Since people are at times blinded to truth, they are powerless and crippled by blame and disgrace, rage and bitterness, and fear and worry. Several people live unnecessarily in defeat, powerless to their own faults or the faults of others. Moreover, they stagger around in life with blind spots blocking the work God wants to do in them. Nevertheless, it should not be this way since regardless of how broken or upset, each person can find out the way to healing, optimism, and a pleasant new way of living. On the other hand, people always feel they have a weakness that affects their capacity to do bigger things. In fact, in the Bible, Paul felt similar way; however, he utilized his weakness to have great impacts on other people (Arterburn, 2015).
As a devoted Christian I try very hard to live a life that is in line with the Christ teachings, however I have identified some blind spots and weakness that drags me back. The stubborn resistance is the blind spots that have an influence on my spiritual life. Arterburn argues that stubborn resistance is when people develop practices and inhibitions that they do not consider of letting go. People often hurt themselves and those around them, thus allowing things to worsen in almost every area of their lives. Furthermore, rather than searching for ways to get rid of these blind spots, people refute that they have a problem. Nevertheless, in my case I have discovered that willingness is essential in overcoming stubborn resistance, although it is not very easy to overcome the blind spot in a moment or a day, but the realization that I have a problem is a greater step towards conquering the blind spot. Conversely, I have recognized that there are weaknesses that have an immense effect on my Christian life. Blame shifting tends to have an influence on how I react when things do not occur as I have anticipated, especially things done in a group. Morally, everyone has a weakness, but it is when we accept where the weaknesses are that we are more likely to prevail over them. Therefore, in my case since I have understood in which circumstances that I am more likely to shift the blame, then I will be more watchful and ask for God’s assistance, when I find myself in that situation (Arterburn, 2015).
References
Arterburn, S. (2015, January 28). 5 blind spots blocking god’s work in you. Retrieved January 31, 2017, from http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/5-blind-spots-blocking-god-s-work-in-you.html
Streaming Services, Spotify
• Report style 1,500 – 2,000 words please do 1650 words please
• Use accurate and frequent Harvard style in text referencing, double line spacing
• Deep research will be evidenced by a substantive bibliography (2-3 pages)
• Use of relevant marketing literature, industry sources and original and customized illustrations are expected
Expectation
• Deep research using academic, media and company sources is expected
• You should be demonstrating a strong understanding of marketing learnt during this terms lectures, seminars and beyond class personal consolidation and wider reading
• This is hard & requires time
Your Task
• From the industry you selected for the first assignment, identify a real company, product or brand of your choosing
• Ideally your choice will be in trouble or experiencing a period of change
• Develop a marketing plan
• Wide use of relevant theory and company examples is required
Report format paper
• Cover student ID only (not name);
• An accurate word count
• A short introduction/executive summary
• Unusually, a conclusion is NOT required
Have I picked a good company ?
• Dealing with ambiguity is a skill that can develop with experience (good and bad !)
• There are no good/better/best options
• You should pick a company/product/brand that is researchable in English
• Choosing an interesting option will help fuel efforts and boost your motivation to work hard
Analysis (CRUCIAL)
• Review guidance on analysis
• Use expert opinion and data as evidence
• Include some evaluation of different stakeholder perspectives
• Academic writing style
Summarise Industry Analysis
• You MUST not borrow/copy industry analysis from the first assignment. It would be duplication or plagiarism.
• You should instead develop an augmented, original summary industry analysis. This should be presented in a graphical/visual format.
Show knowledge of a range of marketing plan formats
• A key task is identifying and synthesizing an integrated marketing plan framework. Please do not ask for headings, you need to establish these.
Company not industry
• This assignment invites consideration of ONE company. How does this business compare with the industry you now have a solid understanding of ?
• Is the business model canvass useful here ? What other analytical frameworks might you use ?
Main body
In researching a relevant structure for the marketing plan you will discover there is no single model.
Through research of the variations that exist and consideration of the challenge you have been set you will be able to identify a suitable framework for your paper.
Use graphical analysis
• Identify your source (don’t just cut and paste a range of graphs, create your own blending relevant data/ideas)
• Include in text references
• Please use the word count effectively.
• Quality, not quantity
3 key assignment challenges
1. Show that you can research what a marketing plan is
2. Demonstrate your marketing learning (lectures and wider reading)
3. Undertake ANALYSIS
What would a company representative say about your analysis ?
I want to HIRE this person…..
Or alternatively
Superficial, weak, insubstantial, does not get under the surface
Do not be afraid to utilise learnings from other modules e.g. HR, finance, international business….
Measurement and evaluation
• Those who attend ALL the lectures noted several key elements, whilst others missed them entirely. Big mistake. 100% lecture attendance.
• ROI, other metrics – justify budget, employment & achievement of corporate objectives ? SMART ?
• This assignment represents 70% of the module grade, relying on your own personal effort.
• Deep and wide research is expected and this will be evident from the content.
• It is possible to populate headings with superficial content quite easily, however it is very easy for the marking team to identify poorly considered submissions.
You can write a marketing plan in an hour, a day, a week or a month.
Please adopt the weeks to month approach. It really shows.
Of course, it is not about luck….
• Work Hard & learn lots
• Produce your BEST work
• No Regrets,
– leave no stone unturned
Assignment 2 Marking Guidelines
Assignment 2 Individual company marketing plan content expectation
% Weighting
Concise executive summary of key content and the plans anticipated impact on the business.
10
A coherent marketing plan framework is identified explicitly from engagement with a range of authoritative sources.
10
Using a light touch, demonstrate further original development by way of highly visual summary representations of augmented industry analysis from assignment 1. DO NOT DUPLICATE any elements of assignment 1 here.
10
Evidence of effective utilisation of marketing learning from lectures and crucially beyond class wider reading to offer analytical insights and credible proposals for the various elements expected in a marketing plan. Assumptions are clearly stated.
30
Careful consideration is given to measurement, control and evaluation metrics, utilising SMART objectives.
10
Competent use of a range of academic sources, particularly text books and academic journals such as Emerald, Business source complete, Scopus, Nexis UK ABI Inform and Science Direct. http://libguides.rhul.ac.uk/content.php?pid=491134&sid=4031078
10
Frequent, accurate Harvard in text referencing (every idea) with 3+ pages of double spaced bibliographic references.
10
Penalties
Word count falls outside the permitted range Minus 10 points
Poor grammatical and spelling accuracy Minus 10 points
SAMPLE ANSWER
Executive Summary
Spotify is a music streaming service that provides numerous songs in different genres to the users (Alasaad, Gopalakrishnan & Leung 2015). The streamlining service allows users to listen to favorite artists, songs, albums while discovering new releases. With mobile tools, users can listen to not only artists but also playlists on a shuffle mode; however, they are not in a position to play songs offline or even on-demand. In addition, users are restricted to a given songs skips and music is disrupted by an advert after three songs. For computer or tablet users, they can easily choose songs on-demand, but they should listen to the ads (Anton, Munoz & Koshutanski 2015). Spotify generates revenue from two tiers including premium subscription and adverts. Promoters pay Spotify for exposing their ads to users on the free tier and fund royalties the firm pay artists. The premium tier costs about USD 9.99 per month, offering users unlimited music on all devices (Polat & Akgün 2015). Again, users can momentarily download music and play them without being shown ads. Spotify is purposing to increase its income in the music sector that has significantly reduced following piracy as well as YouTube streaming services. Spotify can enhance artists profits by paying them from premium subscription and adverts. Again, Spotify aims at minimising piracy eliminating piracy by moving users that listen to free and unlawful music to Spotify’s legal and free music when it comes to increasing profit, Spotify seeks to switch users to free tier where they will pay premium subscription, however, the firm is still searching for any effective strategy to achieve this (Tian 2014).
Situation Analysis
The situation analysis involves market analysis- segmentation and customer details; SWOT analysis; and competitive analysis.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Spotify provides more than thirty million songs as well as1.5 billion playlists. Moreover, the search and select feature allow playing any song on the personal computer of the tablet. The service is also popularly known for social features to compile and share playlists on social media platforms. The service protects artists’ revenue by eliminating piracy. The use of ads after every 3 songs attracts promoters (Holliman & Rowley
Weaknesses
Spotify service has limited offline streaming services. Again, it has limited song availability due to label, artists to have music on the company’s site. The intricate that involve getting a complete album and the inadequate promotion of the benefits of premium subscription are the company’s worst undoing.
Opportunities
Spotify has ensured that it meets its user’s needs due to organized music and sharing. Moreover, it offers discounts on the premium tier to increase popularity among the young generation. It has also partnered with concern promoters to market Spotify. iTunes provides more than 43 million songs, complete albums, offline streaming services significantly affect Spotify’s revenue (Bradshaw 2010).
Threats
The company’s worst threat stems from unlawful music downloads affect its sales. For instance, Pandora’s free and USD4.99/ per month advert fee also affects Spotify’s revenue. In the end, the increased availability of artists and music is unpopular genres
Competitive Analysis
The music sector is facing changes from owning songs to purchased downloads at low-cost streaming. In 2013, the physical music sales reduced by about 13%, while digital music sales volume declined by 6%, however, the use of streaming music rose by 32% (Mitchell, Madill & Chreim 2015). Additionally, rising number of the premium subscriptions from online streaming websites like Spotify, Pandora, and Sound have brought about spirited competition. Currently, streaming services have more than 28 million users’ premium subscribers and million free users (Dörr et al. 2013). Spotify’s main business rivals include Pandora, SoundCoud and iTunes radio as demonstrated in the table below.
Available songs
Subscription fee per month
Users
Spotify
More than 30 million
9.99
15 million per 60 million subscribers
Pandora
1 million
4.99
3 million per 250 million subscribers
SoundCloud
Millions
6
175 million
iTunes
43 million
1,29, 0.99 or 0.69/song
500 million
Market Analysis
Customer Analysis:
Since streaming services are popular, users’ needs are increasing too and sensitive to not only pricing but also functionalities (Pham 2012). Users prefer complete albums and a variety of songs based on their preferences, suitable for their mood and connected to their favorite artists. The majority of music streaming services offer songs in accordance with songs, favorite artists, and preferences (Peoples 2012). Irrespective, majority of users are not contented with song selection procedure used by streaming services. Users do not prefer listening to songs and get impatient especially when they are unable to skip songs as a result of adverts and limited skipping time. Moreover, users are migrating from streaming radio to selective songs on Spotify. Users also prefer to not just play songs but also search and compile into their playlists rather than streaming (Kiryanov, Lyakhov & Khorov 2014). Again, users prefer simple organization of music selections in their music libraries. Additionally, users want easy-to-use systems to share as well as create playlists for each occasion. Basically, users prefer to connect with their favorite artists to discover the latest music directly. That is, users prefer to make music streaming an emotional aspect of supporting or connecting with artists.
Market Segmentation:
The target market for Spotify includes people who own or stream music, playlists or music. In addition, its target consumers are people of all age groups, income and demographic. Owing to the fact that most of the streaming is done on personal computers, laptops, and tablets, a significant percentage of Spotify customers spend much time online. These users listen to roughly 146 minutes per day (Constantinescu 2014). Due to the popular use of tablets, Spotify can segment its markets based on the demographic patterns- students aged between 15 to 23 and older employed business experts. Currently, Spotify offers a discount to college students on premium subscription services, however giving high school learners a discount can significantly enhance premium subscribers in this market segment (Meiseberg 2014). Since college and high school learners are sensitive to price, hence providing discounted subscription services is effective in targeting them. Giving discounts to high school learners would make them feel that Spotify is offering them a good deal. High school and college learners spent roughly seven and a half hours per day online. Therefore, this segment presents Spotify a large market. Spotify can target business professionals who use laptops for the better part of the day. Since business professionals are value based, Spotify could promote the benefits of a premium subscription to them. This way Spotify can increase the number of premium subscribers as they can afford the USD 9.99 (Kiryanov, Lyakhov & Khorov 2014). The two segments can be measured by tracking discount offers. In other words, Spotify can use zip code details collected during registration on Spotify, and a number of registered users, age and the number of discounts utilized.
Market strategy
The market strategy comprises of the mission, marketing objectives, target strategy and product positioning.
Target strategy
Spotify must concentrate on a multi-segment strategy while focusing on two major customers; high school learners and business professional (Osterwalder 2010). Therefore, this requires that Spotify modifies its marketing mix because these groups have unique psychological and functional requirements high school learners and middle-aged business professionals are associated with active preference for music and spend much time daily online (Li & Lee 2015). These two groups have a potential to considerably increase premium paid if suitable strategies are adopted.
Product Positioning
High School Student
Youths want to experience trends as well as popular. In high school students are trying to look for identity. Some are trendsetters while others are followers. In that case, Spotify should concentrate on attracting trendsetters convince them to choose its streaming services and followers will follow suit. Moreover, high school students are continuously looking from platforms to express themselves. Some of these platforms include Pinterest, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, Snapchat among others (Simba & Ndlovu 2015). Therefore, Spotify focus on high school learners’ desire, that is, an up-and-coming, “cool” music and trendy than what it rivals does. Basically, the positioning statement for this segment can be something like “Spotify provides fun and social approach of musical expression”. This gives students the ability to create playlists based on genre or mood and shares with others. The important message to pass across is that Spotify is suitable music streaming service for learners since it is trendy, fun and allowing them to express themselves (Weijters, Goedertier & Verstreken 2014). Spotify can also advertise on sites that promote concerns where students visit to buy tickets.
Business professionals
This market segment is always busy throughout the day. They are goal oriented and when buying products they look for value. For this segment, Spotify aims at having a user-friendly and convenient awareness. Unlike, its rivals, Spotify should offer suitable services. For this segment, the positioning statement can be like “Spotify is convenient and best streaming services allowing them to access and listen to their favorite music and its value the cost” (Simba & Ndlovu 2015). Since business professionals are analytical, their decisions are informed by benefits of the product, efficiency and convenient. Spotify creates playlists with respect to users’ preference; it is convenient for business professionals since who do not want to scroll through different genres searching for their favorites. This move would greatly convince business professionals about its music streaming services.
Marketing Objectives
The company’s major objective is to enhance the number of high school learners’ premium subscribers by giving them discounts. This is the first move Spotify can use to increase high school students on a premium tier. At the moment it provides a discount of 50% to college students on their $9.99 /per month making it $4.99 (Ko & Lau 2015). Spotify can significantly increase the number of premium subscribers by offering discounts to high school learners. Establishing a trendy presence in music sector; Spotify can market its music streaming services by partnering with concert organizers (Tanggaard, Nielsen & Jørgensen 2015). During these events, Spotify can print its logo on wristbands that organizers give to individuals attending concerts. Such efforts can considerably promote Spotify’s premium services and playlists of artists performing in those concerts (Kovachev, Cao & Klamma 2014). Individuals who attend concerts are fanatical music explorers and listeners. Additionally, they like sharing music. Spotify’s premium service has features for sharing music on social networks. Such features should be emphasized to these individuals because they are likely to register for premium service.
References
Alasaad, A., Gopalakrishnan, S., Leung, V.C. & M. 2015, “A hybrid approach for cost- effective media streaming based on prediction of demand in community networks”, Telecommunication Systems, vol. 59, no. 3, pp. 329-343.
Osterwalder, A. 2010. Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. 1 Edition. Wiley.
Antón, P., Maña, A., Muñoz, A. & Koshutanski, H. 2015, “An immersive view approach by secure interactive multimedia proof-of-concept implementation”, Multimedia Tools and Applications, vol. 74, no. 19, pp. 8401-8420.
Bradshaw, Tim, 2010. “Spotify Hits 3m Subscribers to Improve Conversion Rate.” Tech Blog. The Financial Times, 26 Jan.
Constantinescu, E.M. 2014, “STRATEGIC MARKETING DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATIONAL SOCIETY”, Knowledge Horizons. Economics, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 90-95.
Dörr, J., Wagner, T., Benlian, A. & Hess, T. 2013, “Music as a Service as an Alternative to Music Piracy?” Business & Information Systems Engineering, vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 383- 396.
Holliman, G. & Rowley, J. 2014, “Business to business digital content marketing: marketers’ perceptions of best practice”, Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 269-293.
Kiryanov, A.G., Lyakhov, A.I. & Khorov, E.M. 2014, “Modeling of real-time multimedia streaming with deterministic access”, Journal of Communications Technology & Electronics, vol. 59, no. 12, pp. 1501-1511.
Ko, T.H. & Lau, H.Y.K. 2015, “A Brand Premium Pricing Model for Digital Music Market”, International Journal of Trade, Economics and Finance, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 117-124.
Kovachev, D., Cao, Y. & Klamma, R. 2014, “Building mobile multimedia services: a hybrid cloud computing approach”, Multimedia Tools and Applications, vol. 70, no. 2, pp.977-1005.
Li, M., & Lee, C. 2015. A cost-effective and real-time QoE evaluation method for multimedia streaming services. Telecommunication Systems, 59(3), 317-327. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11235-014-9938-8
MEISEBERG, B., 2014. Trust the artist versus trust the tale: performance implications of talent and self-marketing in folk music. Journal of Cultural Economics, 38(1), pp. 9- 42.
Mitchell, A., Madill, J. & Chreim, S. 2015, “Marketing and social enterprises: implications for social marketing”, Journal of Social Marketing, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 285-306.
Peoples, Glenn. 2012 “How Spotify and Radio Are Desocializing Music Streaming.” How Spotify and Radio Are De-Socializing Music Streaming. Billboard Biz, 5 Sept.
Pham, Alex. 2012, “Spotify Subscribers Grew 33% in Last Year.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 01 Aug.
Polat, V. & Akgün, A.,E. 2015, “A Conceptual Framework for Marketing Strategies in Web 3.0 Age: Adaptive Marketing Capabilities”, Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1-12.
Simba, A. & Ndlovu, T. 2015, “The entrepreneurial marketing management and commercialization arrangements of born-global bio-enterprises: the case of UK companies”, Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 143- 170.
Tanggaard, L., Nielsen, K. & Jørgensen, C.H. 2015, “Students’ experiences of ability-based streaming in vocational education”, Education & Training, vol. 57, no. 7, pp. 723- 737.
Tian, W. 2014, “An efficient modeling and dimensioning approach for integrated streaming and elastic traffic”, Telecommunication Systems, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 41-49.
Weijters, B., Goedertier, F. & Verstreken, S. 2014, “Online Music Consumption in Today’s Technological Context: Putting the Influence of Ethics in Perspective”, Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 124, no. 4, pp. 537-550.
We can write this or a similar paper for you! Simply fill the order form!
Assignment Task:
Choose one firm operating in the energy sector and write a 2,500 word report critically
evaluating their strategic use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the influence it
has on the strategic direction/objectives/choices of that particular firm.
The report should consider the following aspects:
The challenges and benefits of Corpo
rate Social Responsibility.
The strategic nature of Corporate Social Responsibility in the energy sector and the
way it can help firms achieve their strategic objectives and direction.
The importance of stakeholder management for projects in the energy sector
Appropriate energy related examples.(project samples that chosen oil sector embark upon presently, future or previous CSR projects)
Recommendations on how the chosen energy firm’s strategic use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be improved.
Please the format of this course work must be as follow:
– Report form
– Abstract
– Introduction
– Table of contents or Figures
-Body of report (it can be in sub-ending as required above in the area of consideration aspects.
– Recommendations
– References
Note: when you are writing please it is very important to mention all stakeholders concern for this particular chosen energy sector and their CSR.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Abstract
The growing relevance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in enhancing business performance calls for firms to be actively involved in activities that promote social, economic and environmental impact in communities that they work in. In the energy sector, CSR is inevitable, given the overall image and perception of the industry; such that organizations must demonstrate their commitment to environmental conservation. This is associated with rewarding benefits including brand strength, enhanced financial performance and good relations with stakeholders. While CSR may have profound impact on organizational performance, it is also important to consider the challenges affecting CSR activities, so as to determine how to address them. In this relation, the relevance of stakeholder management for projects in the energy sector cannot be underestimated as it ensures that an organization meets their expectations when executing CSR activities. This paper is a discussion of the impact of corporate social responsibility in the energy sector; taking into consideration Phillips 66, a Houston-based company as a case study for effective CSR.
Introduction
The relevance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for contemporary organizations is inevitable, given the value it brings to an organization’s portfolio. Corporate social responsibility has been considered a compulsory undertaking for all organizations that seek to flourish in the competitive business world (Marín, Rubio & Maya, 2012). Conclusive researches have concluded that major stakeholders including customers, suppliers and investors are more likely to associate and work with companies that practice CSR, as opposed to companies with no CSR undertakings. Corporate social responsibility not only improves an organization’s image but it also impacts on a company’s profitability and ensures a streamlined relationship with local communities (Ogrean & Herciu, 2014). In the oil sector, where a majority of activities are considered social and environmental risks, CSR is particularly important as it demonstrates an organization’s commitment towards minimizing potential harm resulting from its activities.
Phillips 66 has maintained steady performance in corporate social responsibility and is considered among the top-performing companies in the energy sector, based on corporate social responsibility. The company’s consistent use of corporate social responsibility has ensured that it remains highly relevant in the communities it operates and also raised its reputation to a significant extent. Phillip 66’s social responsibility is categorized into four facets including the environment, the community, safety and occupational health and sustainable development.
This paper is a discussion of the Phillip 66 in the context of corporate social responsibility. It explores how the company’s strategic use of corporate social responsibility and how it influences its strategic direction. This paper also examines the strategic nature of CSR in the energy sector and the importance of stakeholder management for projects in the energy sector. In addition, it provides recommendations for Phillips 66 on how its strategic use of CSR can be enhanced.
Headquartered in Houston Texas, the American multinational energy company, Phillips 66’s history can be traced back to 1875. The company’s major milestone was the formation of Conoco Phillips, out of a merger between Phillips Petroleum Company and Conoco in 2002. In 2012, ConocoPhillips formed two stand-alone companies in their bid to reposition, thus forming Phillips 66. Phillips 66 operates in the energy sector, as a diversified manufacturing and logistics firm. Its major businesses include refining, chemicals, marketing, transport of fuels and products. The company was listed on Fortune 500 as number 7 in 2015 and employs approximately 14,000 employees globally. As of 30th June 2016, Phillips 66 was worth $50 billion in terms of assets.
Phillips corporate social responsibility and its influence on its strategic direction
Phillips 66 strives to be an industry leader in corporate responsibility and has put in place mechanisms designed to ensure that the company is socially responsible to its stakeholders. The organization’s corporate social responsibility can be classified into four major categories as follows.
Operational corporate responsibility
Phillips 66 seeks to maintain exceptional operation excellence by promoting safety and reliability. Accordingly, process safety and personal safety are safeguarded to ensure that its employees are protected from injury while at work and that its operations do not impact negatively on the communities in which the company operates. The company’s main goal is to lead the industry as the safest company by attaining zero injuries target and reducing its environmental footprint.
Economic responsibility
Phillips 66 seeks to maintain the highest standards of governance and business ethics. Through its policies and practices, including a code of ethics, the company ensures that it fosters ethical conduct and that of its employees. Phillips 66 is also committed towards enhancing health and safety within the organization and the community. In addition, the company regularly supports civic and political undertakings aimed at improving community performance.
Social responsibility
Phillips 66 invests significantly in the communities in which it operates in, besides ensuring that its workplaces are healthy, safe and inclusive. The company is mainly active in environmental sustainability, education and literacy, safety and preparedness and often provides grants to promote these acts of philanthropy. Phillips 66 aims at improving community resilience through education. In doing so, the company supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, K-12 educational programs and other programs that promote business, civic and financial literacy and understanding of the energy industry. The company also strives to collaborate with higher learning institutions in which they recruit in business and engineering.
With regard to the environment and sustainability, Phillips 66 is highly committed towards wildlife conservation and environmental education. The company participates in various wildlife and nature conservation projects. At the Humber Refinery for example, the company has created Mayflower Wood, a 120-acre woodland that consists of native shrubs and trees. Through staff volunteers, Mayflower Wood now consists of nature trails, picnic areas, walkway for the local community and educational sign boards. In terms of safety and preparedness, Phillips is actively involved in promoting safety and preparedness in communities they operate in. Phillips 66 works with government agencies such as police, fire departments, emergency management agencies and the American Red Cross to determine community needs in terms of safety and preparedness. It then offers donations to facilitate the required developments, such as, purchasing ambulances, providing technology for disaster preparedness and supporting relief efforts. The company’s employees are also actively involved as volunteers during disasters and in training communities on preparedness.
Phillips 66 values its transparency and accountability and therefore seeks to maintain positive relations with the community. The company has community advisory panels in almost all their refineries to promote effective relationships with the local community. The goal is to ensure mutual respect and create trust through engaging the local community in the refineries’ activities.
Environmental responsibility
Phillips 66 is committed to protecting the environment through the preservation of resources and effective energy use. Phillips 66 invests highly in technology and research to develop innovative products that reduce harm to the environment and also partners with organizations and donates towards environmental conservation efforts.
Impact of CSR on strategic direction
Phillips 66 corporate social responsibility has earned the organization a worthwhile reputation and can be singled out as one of the factors influencing its success. The company enjoys fruitful relations with the community and has received various awards for its CSR efforts. Examples include the unit gold awards for Occupational Health and Safety awarded to the United Kingdom business, the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Award to five terminals OSHA Voluntary protection recognition for most of its facilities (Phillips 66 website).
The motivation to promote environmental sustainability has led to the development of a vibrant technology and research arm in the company. The company owns a Technology Center that sits on 440 acres and has 44 buildings, one of the best in the industry (Phillips 66 website). It can therefore be established that the company’s CSR activities have created a strategic niche in research, which Philips 66 can consider a great strength.
Challenges and benefits of corporate social responsibility
As a company that is highly devoted to giving back to the community, Phillips 66 has gained immensely from corporate social responsibility. However, it has also experienced a considerable level of challenges as discussed below.
Benefits of CSR
Corporate social responsibility has been linked to increased financial performance (Daszynska-Zygadlo, K, Slonski, T, & Zawadzki, 2016). This can be explained by the enhanced reputation that results when a company engages in corporate social responsibility. A good reputation tends to attract customers and reduces organizational-community friction; thus promoting financial performance. In addition, corporate social responsibility is considered a strategic approach in enhancing customer loyalty. According to Chernev & Blair (2015), a company’s engagement in CSR can alter customers’ perception of its products, thus improving its bottom-line. According to Phillips 66 website, their corporate social responsibility activities have created a competitive niche for the company. This could be explained by the trust relationship that the company enjoys with the communities in which it works, which in turn improves customer loyalty and supplier confidence.
Corporate social responsibility has a significant impact on the brand strength. Esmaeilpour & Barjoei (2016), note that CSR plays an impactful role in building a company’s brand and corporate image. This is because CSR differentiates a company and creates positive reputation among stakeholders, thus improving the image of the organization. Phillips 66 enjoys a good reputation and considerable brand strength. The company was ranked 7th on Fortune 500 and 19th on Fortune Global 500 in 2015. Phillips 66’s brand strength can also be linked to its exceptional financial performance.
Corporate social responsibility is an opportunity for organizations to differentiate themselves and develop a competitive edge. Organizations that engage in CSR are considered more responsible and accountable, and consequently more reliable (Chernev & Blair, 2015). This is what Phillips 66 aims at achieving, through engaging in activities that benefit the community. In a world where CSR is considered a good gesture, companies that practice CSR are more likely to be viewed more positively by customers, thus creating a competitive edge.
Challenges of CSR
The major challenge of CSR is the high level expenditure that companies incur in implementing various activities. This takes a significant proportion of a company’s profits and could therefore impact its financial position to a great extent (Daszynska-Zygadlo, Slonski & Zawadzki, 2016). Between 2012 and 2015, the Phillips 66 invested $71 million in donations to charities and over $5.4 billion in refining environmental projects. This represents a considerable proportion of the firm’s income, which in turn reduces its profitability.
CSR is a continuous responsibility that a company must sustain in order to maintain ethical behavior. Once a company embarks on CSR activities, it is naturally expected that it will keep up with the trend of improving the livelihoods of the local community and its employees. Phillips 66 has maintained its CSR trend over the years and withdrawing its support to the community would be interpreted as though the company is no longer interested in improving the welfare of the community.
Corporate social responsibility is often challenged by the negative perceptions associated with CSR. According to Chernev & Blair (2015), the perception that organizations that engage in CSR are motivated by self-interests and not moral undertone or the willingness to impact the society, brings about trust issues. In other instances, CSR is only seen as a means of meeting societal expectations or legal requirements. Morsing and Roepstorff (2015) also note that CSR is increasingly being considered a political activity; as organizations using CSR as a means to fulfil political duties. Currently, Phillips 66 funds political activities that are considered important for community development. However, these may be misinterpreted, leading to questions on whether Phillips 66 is just interested in creating political influence.
While CSR is associated with higher customer loyalty, Habel et al (2016) notes that the CSR’s ambivalent effect tends to affect customer perception on a company’s price fairness. According to Habel et al, the customers may suspect that a company has increased its markup for products in order to cover costs incurred in CSR. As a company that operates in the energy sector, Phillips 66 is prone to such accusations. Customers believe that energy prices are influenced by the level of expenditure incurred by companies, including CSR costs.
Strategic nature of CSR in the energy sector
The energy sector is considered a sensitive industry due to the nature of its activities, which are mostly associated with environmental degradation. There have been numerous instances of oil spills, dangerous waste disposal and release of poisonous fumes from the production of petroleum products; all which have raised concern over how responsible energy companies are towards the environment and the communities they work in. Accordingly, there is increasing pressure for organizations in the energy sector to be more socially responsible by enhancing safety, promoting proper waste disposal and reducing their carbon footprint (Marín, Rubi & Maya, 2012). Phillips 66 has invested significantly on environmental conservation and clean energy, which explains why the firm has had limited scandals, unlike others in the sector.
Given the strategic nature of CSR for energy firms, it is imperative that such firms focus on engaging in activities that promote social responsibility. Iberdrola (2016) suggests that firms in the energy sector should focus on climate change as a strategic area to consider when conducting CSR. In this regard, sustainability is of great significance as it indicates an organization’s commitment to environmental conservation. According to Iberdrola (2016), firms need to pursue practices that address environmental and social concerns as these are the most notable areas of concern. In the case of Iberdrola, the company aims at promoting sustainability through its commitment to creating renewable sources energy. As a result, the company has grown tremendously in the global arena and is currently leading among private suppliers of wind energy in Mexico and a major producer in USA, UK and Brazil (Iberdrola, 2016). Similarly, Phillips 66 has strategically chosen environmental sustainability as its main focus for CSR. The company’s goal is to provide environmentally friendly energy, which to a great extent demonstrates the firm’s commitment to community welfare, economic and social development.
Importance of stakeholder management for projects in the energy sector
Stakeholders play an imperative role in influencing the success of projects. Accordingly, firms in the energy sector must devise stakeholder management plans, aimed at ensuring that the needs and concerns of all stakeholders are taken into consideration during project execution. Stakeholder management should be given priority for energy sector projects based on the following rationale.
The first goal is to identify the potential stakeholders and consequently determine their level of interest and extent of influence each stakeholder has on the project. This includes determining what influences the view of stakeholders on the project (O’Riordan & Zmuda, 2015). Such information is of great significance because it helps in shaping the firm’s strategy and direction. Phillips 66 is currently battling a court battle over its plans for propane and butane recovery, where the plan was to transport crude oil through rail (Sunflower Alliance, 2016). This has faced considerable resistance from the community, environmental organizations and other parties, over its expected impact on the environment through increased harmful gas emission, rail explosion hazards. This shows the extent to which a company must make considerations on stakeholders’ project perceptions before its execution. When a firm is aware of the stakeholders’ interests and influence, it is possible to develop strategies that address the needs of the stakeholders and avoid any instances where there conflicts of interest arise. Further, it is possible to determine whether the expectations are manageable. Pryke & Smyth (2012) notes that depending on the interest, influence and expectations, different stakeholders need to be managed differently. This is an indication that the Phillips 66 situation with the rail project may have been handled better to manage stakeholders.
Stakeholder management promotes stakeholder engagement and provides an opportunity for the firm to influence stakeholders. Stakeholder management guides the firm on how to engage stakeholders in order to determine ways in which they can participate or contribute to the project (Pryke & Smyth, 2012). Additionally, it provides guidelines on how to influence stakeholders towards supporting the firm’s project. Effective identification of stakeholders connected with the project plays a key role in determining who will be responsible for engaging each stakeholder, depending on their influence on the project.
Stakeholder management ensures that there is reliable communication, such that the firm information can be easily relayed between the firm and its stakeholders. A communication management plan ensures that stakeholders can share their concerns with the firm and thus reduces chances of friction and possible unrest. Phillips 66 does this by ensuring that for every plant, there is a community advisory panel, which promotes communication between the company and the community. The panel also ensures that community concerns regarding the company’s activities are documented and presented to the applicable authorities within the company.
Recommendations
Phillips 66 must focus more on tumbling its carbon footprint, given that this is a major environmental concern. O’Riordan & Zmuda (2015) note that the most sustainable organizations in the sector are those that work towards environmental conservation. While Phillips 66 is already investing a considerable amount on such efforts, this should be further elevated to create a considerable impact.
The rail project resistance is an indication that Phillips 66 needs to revise its stakeholder management approach. While the project was approved by the authorities, it is clear that this did not appeal to the community; an indication that Phillips 66 should have engaged stakeholders on their plans and thus ensure that they developed a sustainable decision regarding the project. Such a project could cost the company considerably, financially and in terms of reputation, hence the need to engage stakeholders in future projects (Prykev& Smyth, 2012).
The CSR ambivalent effect presents a challenge for organizations that engage in CSR, given that customers may be suspicious of a company’s pricing. In order to resolve this, Habel, et al (2016) suggest that a company must utilize various communication strategies to ensure that CSR engagement does not impact negatively on the perception on price fairness. An example is communicating the CSR budget sources, which should ideally either come from cost reduction strategies or proportion of the profit earned.
Phillips should work towards ISO 26000 certification in order to enhance its position as a socially responsible corporate. The ISO 26000 certification recognizes a company’s efforts in corporate social responsibility and provides a guide to assess and execute CSR activities relevant for the company. This will result in increased recognition of the company’s conservation efforts.
Iberdrola 2016, A World Finance report: Corporate social responsibility in the energy sector, Retrieved from reports.worldfinance.com/corporate-social-responsibility-in-the-energy-sector/Marín, L, Rubio, A, & Maya, S 2012, ‘Competitiveness as a Strategic Outcome of Corporate
Please follow these instructions as they are very important for this chapter:
1.You should begin the Research Methodology chapter by stating, again, the research objectives of the project. This will enable the reader to make an assessment as to the validity of your chosen research methodology.
2.This chapter is that part of the dissertation where you have the opportunity to justify to the reader the process by which the research questions, which were derived by an analysis of the relevant literature, were answered.
3.It is not sufficient to say, for example, “suitable respondents were sampled using a quota sampling technique and then surveyed using a postal questionnaire” and then leave it at that.
4.It might well be the case that, given the problem(s) to be investigated, such a choice of research methods is entirely appropriate. However, if you have not taken the opportunity to justify your research choices to a reader they could be correct in assuming that you have, by chance, merely guessed at what would work and, more by luck than judgement, arrived at the ‘correct’ solution to the problem.
5.The term ‘methodology’, particularly when employed in the social sciences, does not just mean method, but also the governing philosophy behind the methods employed
6.The chapter on research methodology must, painstakingly argue for, and justify each, decision that is taken when arriving at the way in which the research is to be organized.
7.Every time that you, the researcher, have to make a choice from a number of options, you must state what each of these are, why you made the choice you did, and why you rejected those not used.
8.The conclusion of this chapter should provide a summary of the main points that have been covered. The conclusion should also direct the reader as to how the contents of this chapter link in with the contents of the next chapter, your findings.
9.All References must be in Harvard Style.
10.The survey data for The internal and external factors that affect the performance of employees in oil and gas companies within developing states such as Qatar following oil price drops in 2015!
THE INTERNAL AND THE EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES IN OIL AND GAS COMPANIES IN STATE OF QATAR AFTER THE 2015 OIL PRICE DROP
Research philosophies have been applied in most of the studies as guides to achieving the research objectives. According to Lewis and Thornhill (2009), there are two main research philosophies commonly applied by mainstream researchers. These two main philosophies include the positivist and interpretivist philosophy (Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). Idyllically, the popular research philosophies have been attributed to the noble work of Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009). Throughout the tenacity of research studies, researchers have constantly applied the two philosophies. According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), the two main (positivism and Interpretivism philosophies) have remained applicable in most of the research studies in most of the studies subject to their significance in guiding the research studies. However, there are varied opinions on the relevance of specific philosophies in various studies. To determine the applicability and the validity of a philosophy, the researchers must ascertain the relevance of the philosophy being applied. As such, research philosophy has remained a commonplace for guided research studies.
The nobility of a study demands on the philosophy adopted by researchers. Nevertheless, researchers maintain that the best choice of philosophy must often conform to the objectives of the study. For instance, the philosophy must be a guide towards achieving the aims of the study. Therefore, researchers must understand the outlook of the research before they can choose the type of philosophy to be applied. The outlook of the research determines the objectives that the study seeks to find. According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009) the research outlook is the general design of the research study that determines how the study is conducted and concluded. The research outlook is however blended by the philosophical approaches. As such, Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009) maintain that every research study must be based on a particular research philosophy.
The research philosophies are known to have very distinctive variations that make them applicable in specific studies. Every research study has a distinctive outlook. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the researchers to determine the applicability of the philosophies to a given study. For example, Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009) acknowledge that while applying the interpretivist philosophy, researchers often ignore the normalities as well as the rules of the research environment arguing that the changes that are experienced in such environment are often unforeseeable and, therefore, force individuals to ignore the norms and the rules of the business environment. On the other side, Wang (2000) reiterate that individuals with their distinct views are able to propose relevant ideas and arguments.
On the contrary, Hill (2003) reiterates that the positivist philosophy recognises, follows and upholds the rules and norms of the business environment. This means that every researcher applying the positivist approach must rely on the background environments of the businesses. In this philosophy, the researchers must, therefore, be able to apply the scientific methods that help in the determining the nature of the business environments. As such, it is arguable that the philosophy states the standards as well as the rules that future researchers will rely on in their future studies. Interpretivism has blended the research studies in very many instances. Taylor (2005) argues that this philosophy has unveiled uncountable advantages to researchers.
Scientific studies are often complex in nature and require extensive comparison. In this sense, researchers normally employ interpretivist approach. In this research study, interpretivist philosophy has been applied with the view of determining both the external and internal factors affecting the performance of employees in the Qatari state O+G company. Ideally, it sets the rules upon which the researchers lay out their studies. In this research study, the researchers has, therefore, chosen the interpretivist research philosophy over the positivist philosophy. Since the study sought to consider the rules, guidelines as well as the standards that control the business environments in most of the common organisations, this approach has helped in determining how the various internal and external factors affect the employee affect the productivity of employees in oil and gas companies in state of Qatar after the 2015 oil drop (Tsai & Wang, 2013).
It is significant for the researchers to study how factors such as the compensation structure, job security and workforce autonomy affect employees’ productivity across Qatar states. On the other hand, this study will apply the available statistical analysis tools to find the results of the entire study. As such, the study’s primary data collection will be the principal method of obtaining data in this study. In addition to this, the participants in this study will be expected to provide information on the impacts of employee jobs security, workforce autonomy and compensation structures on the productivity of employees working in the a state in Qatar. While taking note on the interpretivist approach in this study, the study will also be built through the review of existing literature studies. This means that the researcher will obtain the relevant information related to the study and use the information to help in answering the study questions. The literature review and the findings from the existing literature will help in the testing of the study variables. The study analysis will then be done based on other methods for statistical analysis such as Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) as well as the Microsoft Excel.
3.2.Questionnaire
3.2.1. Advantages of Questionnaire
In this study, the questionnaire has been used as a primary source of data. To obtain data from the participants in this study, the questionnaire had been considered as the most appropriate data collection tool. One of the significance of using the questionnaire is because it will ensure collection of data independently. As such, the data collected by questionnaire will be specific to various participants. According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), questionnaires are very critical tools that can be used in collecting systematic data from a larger sample of many participants. In many instances, the data from questionnaires can be used in determining the actual responses of the participants without the interference of the other external individuals. Although the questionnaires also have certain limitations, Appleton, Song and Xia (2014) acknowledge the application of the questionnaires in most of the research studies initiate effective and accurate collection of data. In such cases, the participants are protected and are able to answer the questionnaire questions without fear or interference.
In this manner, Punch (2013) appraises the application of questionnaires stating that they are time-saving, cheaper compared to the other conventional data collection methods and able to be used with the larger samples. In studies where questionnaires are used, the validity of the findings has always remained high. Taylor (2005), notes that the responses given by most of the participants in questionnaires are personal sentiments. Questionnaires often give individuals room for self-expression thus, increasing the levels of valid responses. The questionnaire usage in both data collection and analysis has been appraised by many researchers. For example, Taylor (2005) acknowledged that the use of Bruton et al. (2015) makes it easier to analyse and collected data. The questionnaire helps in the collection of systematic data. This means that the systematic data can be easier to analyse compared to the non-systematic data.
Conversely, Punch (2013) notes that the use of questionnaire allows both statistical and descriptive data analysis unlike the other forms of data collection that restrict analysis and presentation. Based on the nature of the study, the quantitative techniques that will be used in the collection of data will lead to statistical data analysis (Taylor, 2005). Since the study will also have its qualitative components, the application of the questionnaire will be appropriate in doing a qualitative analysis.
3.2.2. Scale Design
According to Taylor, G. (2005) employee performance is affected by a number of factors. Some of these factors are intrinsic while some of them are extrinsic. Of the extrinsic factors, Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009) note that compensatory structure, the workforce autonomy and the employee job security remains principal factors affecting the employee productivity. In this manner, Fan, Wong and Zhang (2013) note that it is important to study the relationship between the employee performance and these factors. The scale to be designed in this study aims at identifying the measures that can be used in determining the effects of job autonomy, employee job security as well as the employee compensation in the Chinese SOEs (Bruton et al. 2015). In order to measure the effects of the stated factors on employee performance, the researcher will ensure that he/she uses the scale to ascertain the relationships between the factors and the levels of performance.
This study is to find how the three factors (job autonomy, job security and employee compensation structures) affect the levels of employee performance in Qatari oil and gas companies. This being the main focus, the researcher has to compare the views from various participants. The responses were significant in determining the levels of employee performance in Qatari O+G companies. Therefore, the scale design will remain critical in ensuring that the relationship between the factors and the performance is confirmed. The variables of the study will, therefore, be included and discussed in the following tables.
Measure scale of Compensation
N
Item Description
Salary
1
The salary given to the workers is often adequate and reasonable to all the workers
2
The salary is inadequate and insufficient to most workers
3
The salary is equivalent to the work done by the workers
4
Workers appreciate the salary that they receive from the managers
5
Workers always complain about the salary that they get from the managers
Pension
6
All the workers regardless of their performance are entitled to pension and salary.
7
Only hardworking employees are rewarded, salaried and entitled to a pension.
8
Workers work hard because they know that they are pensioned
9
Workers work hard because they know they do not have a pension.
Measure Scale for Job Security
N
Item Description
Restrictions
1
The job restriction disallows freedom off-duty
2
The job allows freedom and one may choose to be on duty or not
3
The work is monitored frequently and keenly and offenders are retrenched
Pension
4
Workers job is secure and safe making people free to do what they want.
5
All workers are entitled to pension
Measure Scale for Workforce Autonomy
N
Item Description
Work
1
Workers choose what they want to do without consulting the management
2
Workers must always work under the instruction and supervision by the management
3
Workers have the freedom to work together with the management of the organisations.
Support
4
At work, there is support given to the workers by the management in order to ensure guidance.
5
Workers work alone without the interference of the management.
Accuracy
6
The workers are usually accurate in doing things by themselves without the support of the management.
7
Workers often error when not supported by the management
Guidance
8
Workforce receives guidance from the managers frequently
9
The workforce guide themselves without the intervention of the managers
3.3.Questionnaire Design
At the end of the study, the completed questionnaires used in this study were appended as proof of the results. The questionnaires had the specific components and parts as stated in the section below.
The first part of the questionnaire had the identity details of the participants as well as the purpose of the questionnaire. The participants identified themselves with specific codes in order to ensure that there is anonymity during the study. In this manner, this section also contained the factors that were to be studied during this research. For example, the section identified factors such as employee job autonomy, compensation structure and the job security. The participants (individual workers from the Qatari O+G companies) derived the understanding of the factors to be studied from this section. In the first part, the participants identified the factors that they are aware of among the three identified factors. The participants were then being asked in this section to explain whether they enjoyed these factors or not. This was used as a confirmation that the participants were aware of the factors that affect their performance.
This first section is significant because it confirms whether the participants are aware of the factors that affect their performance. In this manner, the scale was designed in a manner that identified the degree of knowledge to confirm the level of knowledge. This means that the questionnaire assessed whether the factors (job security, compensation and job autonomy) affect their work.
The second part of the questionnaire is on the body of the questionnaire. This is where the researcher assigned responses which constituted a scale 4-pont Likert scale (1-agree, 2-disagree, 3-not sure, 4-I don’t know) for assessing the level of knowledge on the factors affecting the employees’ level of productivity. In the fourth sections, the researcher identified the details of the participants such as the demographics such as name, age, ethnicity, educational level, and frequency of purchasing as well as the levels of income.
3.4.Sampling, Data Collection & Analysis
The main aim of the study is to determine the factors affecting employees’ performance in the Qatari oil and gas employees. The interest therefore remains focused on the performance of the Qatari employees. In this study, there are many correlational factors that was included; however, the researchers use the three factors (job security, workforce autonomy and employee compensation structure) to determine how they affect the workforce productivity. Given there is a difference between the employee performances in Qatar O+G companies explained by extant literature, the study concentrated on the abovementioned factors. Since the study sought to find out the effects of these factors on the Qatari O+G employees, the employees in the Qatari state company were targeted. Although, Brandt, Van Biesebroeck and Zhang (2012) there are many Qatari companies that are eligible for the study, this study applied a concise sampling criterion in finding the best individuals to identify those who took part in this particular study. In order to be able to sample the best individuals for the study, there were factors that the researcher considered important.
One of the most important factors was the budget size for the study and its economic impacts to the researcher. Ideally, the high budget forced the researcher to restrict the sample to a given number of participants. In this manner, the researcher had to come up with another method of selecting the participants who met the specific eligibility factors. Time constraint was also a critical consideration that the researcher had to consider. Since there are many companies, the time that was needed was a lot (Tsai & Wang, 2013). In order to battle the time constraint, the researcher applied non-probability sampling. This is where participants with specific features were selected for the study. In this sense, non-probability sampling was the best method as it gave the research a mature sample for the study.
Additionally, non-probability sampling also improved the convenience during sampling. This means that the participants selected were individuals who were carefully selected. Since the sample was made of Qatari workers, Fan, Wong and Zhang (2013) posit that such sampling ensured that those included in the study were available and easily accessible. This helped in sampling individuals who ensured that the aims of the study were achieved.
On the contrary, non-probability sampling may also cause biases during sampling of the participants. Since there was the need in attaining convenience, this method of sampling was chosen for the study. Only qualified individuals were included in this research study. Some of the requirements during sampling required participants aged above 18 years, had to be workers in some of the renowned Qatari oil and gas companies and had to have willingness to take part in the study till the end.
Based on the requirements, the researcher recruited 100 participants only. This means that the researcher had to reproduce 105 questionnaires to be used among the participants. According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009) the excess questionnaires help in ensuring accuracy in the distribution of the questionnaires. This limited the errors that might have arose during the study. The excess number also ensured that the questionnaires attained the validity rate. As such, the questionnaires distributed were statistically significant after the study. Larger samples require larger inputs in order to be able to come up with accurate results. This means that researchers dealing with larger samples must be able to spend larger amounts of money, resources, time and energy in conducting the studies.
Dealing with a large population of samples in various studies has remained one of the challenges for most researchers. However, the researchers may have all the money and resources needed in conducting surveys with such large samples, but the problem is that such studies may not yield accurate results. In this sense, it advisable to choose an easily manageable samples that are easier to work with. This is why this study ensured that the participants selected for the study were only 100 workers (Du, Tang & Young, 2012). In as much as this study sample is also large, it is thought to be a sizeable population that the researcher will be able to manage without limitations. Tsai and Wang (2013) say that there are a number of advantages in working with smaller populations. Ideally, the smaller populations reduce the time taken in conducting the study. A smaller sample is easier to manage as compared to the larger populations.
According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), larger populations tend to be tiresome when assessing. This means that the researchers may overlook some of the important procedures that are necessary for the processes of the study. While Cheng and Liu (2014) appraise larger population for the validity and generalisability of the findings from larger populations, Taylor (2005) negates the idea by saying that larger population lead to dilution of the results. In this case, the researcher in this study settled for a manageable and affordable population of participants.
This study was useful in very many ways. According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), such studies can be applied in very many situations where similar problems are experienced. Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), postulate that there are many problems that are only revealed through research studies. Ideally, findings from this study can be used in understanding the major cases of the problems that affect Qatari oil and gas company employees. In trying to find some of the challenges that the workers face in Qatar, the findings will be used across Qatar. This means that Qatar as a whole will be represented in the study. This, therefore, calls for concise analysis and interpretation of the findings. In order to be certain of the findings of the study, the researcher had to, conduct proper research that identified all the factors that affect the oil and gas company workers.
Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009) agreed that primary data collection help researchers in understanding a number of aspects in the research studies. This data was the ultimate confirmation that the cited problems are actually present. The data will be relevant in making viable decisions concerning the performance of the employees in similar companies. The primary data will also make it easier for the researcher to confirm the claims in the literature materials. As such, the primary data will be used together with the secondary data in order to come up with conclusive reports on how compensation, job security and workforce autonomy affects the performance and productivity of the employees.
The final data from this study will be usable in various oil and gas companies within and outside Qatar. This study will, therefore, help in determining how the performance of the employees working in the oil and gas companies can be improved. Ideally, the information obtained from this study will be relevant in developing standards upon which the O+G companies can use to increase the levels of performance. Based on the study, there are a number of O+G companies that face challenges of productivity. In this sense, it is imperative to incorporate the information from this study in an attempt of improving the performances of the employees in the company (Du, Tang and Young, 2012). Therefore, the concise analysis will ensure the use of Microsoft Excel and SPSS. In addition, the correlation between compensation, job security as well as workforce autonomy and the level of productivity will be analysed.
3.5.Ethical Considerations
The participants’ voluntarism is one of the major issues that are considered as a challenge in the study. The participants must be aware of the requirements of the study. In this manner, the study only considered only individuals volunteers who were included in this study. Ideally, this study considered participant anonymity, therefore; the application of the questionnaire made it possible to conceal the identity of the participants. However, all the participants had to be eligible for the study before they were included. This means that individuals who did not meet the criteria were excluded from the study.
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Similarities and Differences of Various Research Methodologies
Similarities and Differences of Various Research Methodologies and Methods and their Potential use in different contexts
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Choosing the appropriate methodology
In examining the fundamental characteristics of the different epistemological trends and methodological approaches used in management, you should consider the links with the wider objectives of a specific research topic and how answers (or solutions to particular problems) could be provided within given management research contexts.
• Examining similarities and differences in your evaluations of different research methodologies and methods and their potential use in different contexts
• Debating the need for clear alignment between the research topic, question, and methodology/method, and what this looks like in practice
SAMPLE ANSWER
Similarities and Differences of Various Research Methodologies and Methods and their Potential use in different contexts
Surveys, case study and experimental methodologies are used in gathering data in various contexts. For instance, while survey entails collecting information on a given variable from a population sample, the experimental method is purely scientific; as such a factor being investigated is isolated to help in testing the hypothesis. On the other hand, a case study is used to investigate a phenomenon through various techniques to get detailed information (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill 2012). This is due to the fact that, it permits the researcher to identify a phenomenon and comparing various cases.
Both surveys and experimental methodologies are associated with positivism. However, Collins & Hussey, (2013) suggests that an experimental methodology shows casual connections between variables. An experimental methodology, for example, can used to examine how exercise-independent variable affects the students’ performance-dependent variable (Weber 2004). Unlike the experimental method, the survey method can be used to gather secondary and primary information from a given sample and use the findings to generalize a population (Venable 2011). This is contrary to the case study methodology that does not necessarily generalize the whole population. While experimental and survey methods are associated with positivism, a case study methodology is related to positivism as well as interpretivists. Like a survey, the case study method uses questionnaires, interviews and observations to collect primary information (García-Unanue, Felipe & Gallardo 2014). It also collects secondary data from company databases while the analysis can be qualitative, quantitative or mixed method. In the experimental method, data is gathered by reading various experiments.
Much as the case study and experimental methods focus on a relatively small sample, the survey technique uses a large sample to study a give problem (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill 2012). However, with a large sample size, the rate of response is usually low, particularly when the survey is performed using questionnaires. The survey and case-study methodologies are effective when a study is descriptive in nature. Conversely, the experimental approach is appropriate for experimental research (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill 2012). In comparison to experimental techniques, the survey and case study methods are time consuming.
The need for clear alignment between the research topic, question, and methodology/method, and what this looks like in practice
Clear alignment in research is important because it helps the research remain focused on achieving research objectives. In any given study, clear alignment starts with identifying a research topic, research questions and methodology (Oyegoke 2011). The research topic and research questions act as basis of the research project. Using a subject matter that is directly associated with these aspects of research distracts a researcher from focusing on the issue that in not being studied. Research questions direct the main inquiry of research project. That is the objective of the study should address the research questions.
Clear alignment of research questions with the issue under investigation, helps a researcher to concentrate on topic with clarity (Collis & Hussey 2013). When the methodology aligns with research questions, there is a direct to the issue being explored. Moreover, it also breaks down the study into a narrowed research topic easy for exploration. In reality, aligning, the topic, research question and methodology makes a study not just clear but also straight forward (Weber 2004).Understanding this important aspect is necessary is preventing needless effort, redundancy and going off topic. Generally, aligning these important elements minimizes challenges associated with writing a research project that does not respond not just to the research questions but fails to realize the research objectives as well.
Bibliography
Collis, J. & Hussey, R. 2013, Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students. 4th ed. London: Palgrave-MacMillan.
García-Unanue, J., Felipe, J.L. & Gallardo, L. 2014, ‘Using action research to achieve the implementation of cost accounting: the case of the public sports organizations at local level,’ Systemic Practice and Action Research, 28(2), pp.111-123.
Oyegoke, A. 2011, “The constructive research approach in project management research”, International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 573-595.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. 2012, Research Methods for Business Students, 6th ed. Pearson Learning Solutions.
Venable, J. 2011, “Incorporating Design Science Research and Critical Research into an Introductory Business Research Methods Course”, Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 119-129.
Weber, R. 2004, ‘Editor’s comments: the rhetoric of positivism versus interpretivism: a personal view’, MIS Quarterly, 28 (1), pp.iii-xii
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