Scientific Justification for the Research - Assignment Example

3.4. What is the scientific justification for the research? What is the background? Why is this an area of importance / has any similar research been done? This study investigates the application and effectiveness of strategic management tools among firms listed on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange. The broad area of inquiry is the relationship between strategic management tools and firm performance, and thus the study has its scientific or theoretical justification in management theory and practise. The background of the study is that while the economy in Saudi Arabia is by most measures one of the best-performing in the world; the country is rich in oil resources, which implies that sufficient wealth exists for investment and business growth, and it has a global outlook with respect to trade and commerce. Nonetheless, despite these advantages many Saudi businesses do not prosper; within the Saudi stock market, for example, several companies have been obliged to withdraw from the market or have been placed under financial restrictions due to poor performance. Proceeding from a general assumption that the use of strategic management tools can lead to better firm performance, the importance of this study is that it investigates the use of these tools in an ultimate effort to provide value to firms by revealing firms’ assessments of their effectiveness. This study fills a gap in and extends existing research into the use of strategic management tools and other strategic management processes. There have been a number of studies which have investigated the use of strategic management tools with an objective of identifying which tools are used (Khan & Al-Buarki, 1992; Al Ghamdi, 2005; Aldehayyat, et al., 2011), in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, but these studies drew no conclusions about the effectiveness of the tools. Other studies, such as Spee and Jarzabkowski (2009) and Hahn and Powers (2010), investigate the use of strategic management tools as part of broader studies in strategic planning and management processes, and therefore do not provide clear conclusions about the effectiveness of the tools. While all these studies have certainly informed the present study, none have specifically attempted to provide a measure of strategic management tools’ effectiveness, and no studies have been done within the specific study population of publicly-listed firms in Saudi Arabia. 3.6. Give a full summary of the purpose, design and methodology of the planned research, including a brief explanation of the theoretical framework that informs it. It should be clear exactly what will happen to the research participant, how many times and in what order. Describe any involvement of research participants, patient groups or communities in the design of the research. The purpose of the research is to gather managers’ assessments of their firms’ performance in the context of the use of strategic management tools, and to gather data on factors which may affect those assessments, such as firm type and size, and the individual characteristics of the managers (length of experience, position within the firm, level of participation in strategic planning and management processes). The study adopts a mixed approach to the research; it is largely qualitative in nature, but utilises some quantitative methodology with respect to gathering and analysing demographic data among the sample population. The theoretical framework which informs the research methodology is found in the resource view of the firm, which holds that strategic planning and management capabilities – and by implication, the effectiveness of choices of strategic management tools – are an intangible resource for the firm, and that the dynamic firm environment makes managers’ perceptions of firm performance a rational choice of measure, as supported by the literature in Rumelt, et al., 1991; Hoskisson, et al., 1991: 441-442; Rollier and Turner, 1992; Morris, 2005; Poon, et al., 2006; Roberts and Stockport, 2009; and Pryor, et al., 2011. The first stage of the research is a survey consisting of 18 questions administered to managers at 40 firms listed on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange. There are four main components of the survey: First, some demographic information pertaining to the type and size of the firm in terms of number of departments or divisions, number of employees, and number of locations is gathered. Second, the manager’s experience, position within the firm, and level of participation in strategic planning and management processes are identified. The third part of the survey identifies the firm’s selection of strategic management tools and background information on the firm’s tool use over time. And finally, the survey gathers information to conduct an assessment of the organisations’ performance outcomes following the deployment of strategic management tools and the resulting planning/implementation processes. The performance outcomes are measured by managers’ perceptions, using a six-point Likert Scale (from 0 to 5, with 0 representing “no effect” and 5 representing an “extremely positive” effect). Following the survey, the second stage of the research will consist of semi-structured interviews based on six questions that add details and depth to the information gathered in the final part of the survey; these interviews will be conducted with six to eight participants from the initial survey. Each participant in the research will be contacted a minimum of three times: An initial contact to explain the research and seek their participation, a follow-up contact to confirm their participation, and the administration of the initial survey. The six to eight interview participants will be contacted twice more, once to confirm their willingness to participate in the interview, and the conducting of the interview itself. =================== 3.6.1. Has the protocol submitted with this application been the subject of  review by a statistician independent of the research team? (Select one of the following)  No – justify below This study does utilise both quantitative and qualitative approaches, but will answer the research questions and present conclusions based largely on the results of the qualitative parts of the research, specifically the latter part of the research survey which investigates managers’ perceptions, and the outcomes of semi-structured interviews. Moreover, since both the survey and semi-structured interview samples represent a small population, the overall objective is to present in-depth results rather than necessarily proving or disproving a statistical assertion. 3.6.3. How many participants will be recruited? There will be 40 participants for the main survey, from which six to eight will be selected for follow-up semi-structured interviews. 3.6.4. How was the number of participants decided upon? The number of participants was determined by assessing the number of firms out of the approximately 150 listed on the Saudi Arabian Stock Exchange which would constitute a valid research sample, and the number of participants necessary to provide valid representative cross-sections of types of firms, managers’ positions within those firms, and managers’ characteristics such as length of experience and level of influence on strategic management processes. 3.6.5. Describe the methods of analysis (statistical or other appropriate method, e.g. for qualitative research) by which the data will be evaluated to meet study objectives. The data will be evaluated using a basic Mann-Whitney U Test, which allows comparison of various data pairs, such as correlating the responses to individual Likert-scale questions to other survey parameters like type of firm, management position of the respondent, etc. 3.7. Where will the research take place? The research will take place in Saudi Arabia. To provide maximum flexibility for the participants, the initial survey may be conducted in person at a location of the participant’s choosing, by telephone, or by e-mail. Because the follow-up research will involve personal observation of the participants with respect to the importance of non-verbal communication, semi-structured interviews must be conducted in person, and flexibility of location will likewise be offered as much as possible. To minimize distractions and provide a relaxed environment, the researcher will suggest a neutral location – such as a cafe or other public location – to interview participants; however, the participant’s preference for comfort and security will be deferred to in any case. 3.9. What do you consider to be the main ethical issues which may arise with the proposed study and what steps will be taken to address these? The main ethical issue identified for this study is confidentiality of the information provided by the participants, both on behalf of their firms and personally. Because the study addresses management and planning activities within firms, this information may very well be considered sensitive, and something which the firms would not wish to become known to competitors, customers, or others outside the firm. The personal confidentiality of the respondents must be acknowledged as well, to ensure that they feel comfortable in responding frankly without concern for personal repercussions for sharing information. To address these ethical concerns, the survey (a sample of which has been provided) has been designed to eliminate the possibility that an individual firm can be identified from the responses, and that the manager responding to the survey and interview questions remains anonymous. Each of the firms selected is one of several listed on the Saudi Arabian exchange which can be characterised in the same way (according to the survey parameters), which further obscures the firms’ individual identities. In addition, all soft copies of the research data will be password-protected, and any hard copies will be kept in a secure location accessible only to the researcher. 4.1. Total Number: 40 for the initial survey Six to eight for the semi-structured interviews, the exact number to be determined by participant willingness and availability. 4.2. Sex and Age Range: The participants will be both males and females, although it is anticipated the majority of them will be men. All participants will be over the age of 18; because the participants will be managers at some level within their firms, presumably they will be slightly older, perhaps within a broad age range of 24 to 65 years of age. 4.4. What are the principal inclusion criteria? (Please justify) The principal inclusion criteria are: Must be currently employed within a firm listed on the Saudi Arabian Stock Exchange. Must currently hold a managerial or supervisory position. The justification for these criteria, obviously, is that the study addresses managers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of strategic management tools in Saudi-listed firms. 4.5. What are the principal exclusion criteria? (Please justify) Anyone who does not meet the basic criteria described in 4.4 above will be excluded. 4.8. How will potential participants in the study be (i) identified, (ii) approached and (iii) recruited? i) Identification: Each of the firms approached will have a number of potential manager participants, such as: Executive (C-level Managers, such as Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer); Division or Department Head (such as Human Resources Director, Marketing Director, Sales Director); General Managers of individual firm locations (such as Plant Manager); Division or Department Heads at the location level; Supervisory positions (such as Foreman, Shift Supervisor). These can be identified by public information provided by the firms, or with the firm’s assistance as described below. ii) Approach: Authorisation will be sought from the firms involved in the study through initial contact to the firms’ public relations officers or executive management; at this time, guidance may be sought in identifying managers within the firm authorised to participate in the study. Potential individual participants will be contacted to inform them of the study and arrange for convenient times for further contact. iii) Recruitment: The firms and the potential individual participants will be provided information sheets detailing the purpose of the study, the type of information to be collected, the format of the survey and interview process, and the amount of time the research will be expected to take. They will then be given at least two weeks to agree or decline to participate, and to contact the researcher with any questions or concerns they may have. Potential firm and individual participants will be clearly informed that: They may decline to participate; that their participation is entirely voluntary, and may be stopped at their discretion at any time; and that their anonymity and confidentiality will be carefully maintained at all times during the study, with the data gathered to be securely kept and used strictly for academic research purposes. 5.2. Procedures to be undertaken (Details of any invasive procedures, and any samples or measurements to be taken. Include any questionnaires, psychological tests etc. What is the experience of those administering the procedures?) The procedures to be undertaken include: Questionnaire and analysis Semi-structured interviews, qualitative analysis of the responses and recording of the researcher’s observations The researcher has used these methods previously in studies conducted for the fulfilment of a graduate degree, and for the purpose of gathering research data for a successful postgraduate dissertation. The researcher has also participated in the course in research methods offered by the university, as well as recently attended research skills training sessions in which these research procedures were extensively discussed. Additionally, the researcher is personally familiar with and has experience in the Saudi Arabian cultural and business environment in which the research will take place. 5.3. Or Activities to be undertaken The activities to be undertaken are the administration of a survey and conducting six to eight semi-structured interviews. The survey, depending on the mode of delivery (in person, by phone, or by e-mail), will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Semi-structured interviews involve six basic questions, and are estimated to take 45 minutes to one hour to complete. 5.7. What is the potential benefit to research participants? Research participants may benefit from sharing their thoughts, and considering the issues presented in the surveys and semi-structured interviews. The research participants may also ask the researcher about the study – subject, of course, to the restrictions imposed by the need to protect other participants’ anonymity and confidentiality – and thus may gain useful insights they can apply in their own work. 5.8. What is the potential for adverse effects, risks or hazards, pain, discomfort, distress, or inconvenience to the researchers themselves? (If any) The potential for adverse effects or hazards to the researcher is very low. The researcher is “at home” in Saudi Arabia, and furthermore will be conducting the research with representatives of established, legal businesses. 6.1. What precautions have been taken to minimise or mitigate the risks identified above? Although no risks are anticipated, the researcher will follow a prudent procedure for conducting research alone, specifically: A designated person will be briefed on the researcher’s activity, including the location, a contact number (if available) at that location in case of emergency, and the anticipated time the research activity will take. At the conclusion of the activity, the researcher will contact the designated person by cell phone to confirm that no untoward incidents have occurred. In addition, the researcher will be reachable by cell phone at all times, and in case contact has not been made as expected, the designated person will be able to attempt to contact the researcher, and contact emergency services if repeated attempts at contact fail. 6.2. Will informed consent be obtained from the research participants? Justify ?  Yes The participating firms and individuals will all be provided a participant information sheet which will clearly explain the following information: The researcher’s name and contact information The purpose of the research and its key objectives The research procedures The role of the participant in the research, and possible risks from their participation A statement of assurance of participant confidentiality, detailing the steps taken to safeguard the data and indicating the strictly academic research use of the data A statement explaining that participation is voluntary and at the discretion of the participant, and may be stopped at any time Read More