DBA Learning Agreement - Assignment Example

DBA Learning Agreement Aim: The aim of the learning agreement is to provide students with a process to capture their intended learning outcomes and needs at an early stage of the DBA process. The learning agreement is part of the assessed items for the Planning Module. Therefore it must be completed and submitted for assessment of the planning module. It will be used to support your learning throughout the programme. You will be asked to critically revisit the learning agreement as part of stage two in the reflective module. During stage 2 of the programme you will be asked to critically reflect on how useful and accurate the learning agreement was, what has changed and what you have learned from this. At stage 2 the learning agreement will also be sent to you DOS and will be used as the basis for starting the supervisory process. Student: Cohort: Cohort 5 Title of Proposed: Investigative Project: An investigation into the factors influencing decision-making processes within the workplace: the case of Abu Dhabi Executive Council 1. Reflective account of learning in making this proposal The study aimed at analysing the intricate challenges and nature of decision making in a given work environment in context of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. It aims at identifying the key factors that influence decision making of the council. The significance of the study will be to improve the governance of Abu Dhabi Executive Council through filling the information gap identified in the study. The specific objectives include review of models, theories, and concepts; analysis of the current challenges; and identifying factors that will enhance decision making practices. It will also determine the extent to which reactive and proactive decision making is important in the current UAE administration. Furthermore, it will assess the management perceptions and propose suitable recommendations for the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. United Arab Emirates is the second largest Arab economy despite being among the least developed countries 30 years ago. Decision making is a complex process with some of the issues considered includes transparency, integrity, fairness, and accountability. However, it is critical for the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 thus making an analysis of the Council critical since it the body that makes the decision. A study in decision making can be better understood through the quantitative case study, exploration of the behavioural factors, and investigating the diverse personality with the mandate of making decisions. The research approach will take consideration of the quantitative and ethnography models. Qualitative research method will be adopted to conduct the study and the philosophy focusing on both the positivism and interpretivism paradigm. Convenience sampling will be used to identify six participants. The data will be analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s framework while the setting of the study will be the Abu Dhabi Executive Council that will facilitate the collection of in-depth data. The ethical consideration will include issuance of informed consent and participating on will. 2. Identify any major barriers to completing the investigative project: Management and access to the data of my organization Bureaucracy in the Abu Dhabi Executive Council will make it harder to access the data for the study. In explanation, through the convenient sampling method identification of the respondent might be easy but getting the information might be impossible if the person is not in position to give it. Furthermore, most government entities fear leaking of information (Alornyeku 2011). So it might be difficult to get comprehensive data from the respondents even if due to caution taken in such sectors. The comprehensiveness is affected with the lack of confidentiality. There are chances that the data issued by the respondents in the Abu Dhabi Executive Council might be balanced. In explanation, if one of the sectors is dealing with a given sector, there are high chances that he or she will not want to highlight some of the mistakes in the sector. The analysis of the historical data might not be efficient to determine management in the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. In explanation, the Council has been going through several structural changes thus making historical analysis irrelevant. However, the historical analysis will help in the issuance of the changed in decision-making hence paradigm shift. Reality is relative and the respondents might have a different view of what it entails. Consequently, biasness might not be avoided during the data collection process. The data being subjective as opposed to objective might not make a lot of sense (Brafman & Brafman 2008). The use of case studies will, therefore, not be appropriate as the executives are likely to give explanations that favour their actions instead of admitting the weaknesses (Stephen 2012). 3. Identify any major barriers to completing the DBA process: Ministry of Education regulation The ministry of education has got a lot of requirement that make the process complicated and hard to accomplish. For instance, the Institutional Review Board needs to approve the study. The approval process is several steps thus might take a long time to complete. The Institutional Review Board is giving the mandate to require changes, disapprove, approve, or review the studies that involve human participants. The research approved by the Institutional Review Board is also subject to other disapproval, approval, and review by the University. However, the Institutional Review Board must first give a go ahead for the university to consider the study. The Institutional Review Process takes at least a month and all the applications must have approval of the instructor (American Public University System 2016). The applicants are also supposed to go through training before submitting their documents since the results will not be approved unless the requirements of the training are achieved. The documentation of the training must be provided by the Institutional Review Board office with all the renewals and new applications. Even the independent research projects are not exempted from the process. Such projects include independent study projects, capstone projects, and honours projects. In fact, any study that will involve collection of data through interaction with living humans or access to private data is defined to fall under the jurisdiction of Institutional Review Board. Even though they might be referred to as exempt, it must first go through the initial review for that to be determined. The processes for a research study are, therefore, complicated, frustrating, and tiresome in nature thus might affect the morale of an individual. Like staying in UK around 30 days a year and i don’t have that match of days. It will be difficult when I will be travelling from one country to another. For instance, staying in the United Kingdom for approximately thirty days a year will not be an easy task. It does not only tamper with my schedule but can also cause fatigue out of jet lag. Consequently, it will affect the performance of researcher in the field. Another challenge will be based on cultural understanding and sensitivity of the study area. For instance, the cultural context of the Abu Dhabi might be a great challenge for the study. In explanation, it would be difficult to interview the women due to the Islamic faith. Consequently, it will need a training of another woman for if gender bias is to be addressed in the study. However, the research assistant in this case might not have the understanding of the study and might fail to ask the most important of information (Baki 2004). 4. Identify support requirements to clarify and finalise the project plan: The first support requirement is the assembling of the research team. In explanation, there is need of identification of the research team to support the process as well as those who will participate in the study. I need a team that will help me think critically about the study topic hence giving a different angle to the study. I also need support in the identification of suitable research assistant who must be a Muslim and a lady to help counter the cultural challenges that might be witnessed in the field (Schwiesow 2010). Furthermore, I need a support in the development of survey tools. Another challenge that I will need support on is in the identification of participants. The support will include the going through the relevant institutions to get the information required. In explanation, the study might be deemed sensitive or controversial thus causing a challenge on obtaining a go ahead from the relevant authorities. A support on such a situation will be highly appreciated. Furthermore, I will need support in the making sense of the data collected. 5. What relationship do you want from the Director of Studies (DOS)? The Director of Studies should offer a supervisory and coordination role in the research study. He or she should act as the contact between me and the University. Furthermore, he or she should play the liaison role between me, the faculty, the college, and the school administration. Furthermore, he or she should represent the study at the University level and be able to communicated relevant matters pertaining the study and school. For instance, he or she should of the policies relating to graduate research, programs, and deadlines as appropriate and forward relevant information including recommendations to me (Regents of the University of Minnesota 2016). He or she should also arrange for the monitoring roles, receive and arrange of petitions and applications. In addition, he or she should offer counsel and orient me with respect to the degree and program requirements until the moment that a permanent adviser is identified. He or should also be readily available to oversee the maintenance of records of the graduate students and give accessibility to the periodic reports. 6. How do you intend to develop a supervisory relationship with your supervisory team? I intend to make good working relationship with my supervisory team through several ways. First, I would ensure that I understand our mutual expectations and responsibilities. In explanation, I will understand my responsibility as a student and that of my supervisors. I will acknowledge that the difference among the supervisors since the agreement on how to meet and communicate might be based on an individual level as opposed to a team. I intend to seat with my supervisors and discuss the expectations which will include: setting and review of the objectives; format and frequency of meetings; nature of feedback and advice of the supervisors; and appropriate time lapse for response on submitted draft. I will always be asking questions on unclear points through appropriate channels agreed. Second, I will always show some level of independence and the ability to manage possible problems. In explanation, I will plan and manage my active research; record and analyse the findings; develop research skills; present my work and conclusions in a written report as per the set standard and within the time frame set; and defend it. I will consider my supervisors as only sources of guidance and advice and not the people doing my work. Third, I will always show professional and positive attitude. In explanation, my approach will be both independent and positive (). The characteristics of a positive approach entail enhancing effective working relationship with my supervisors; openness to constructive response from the supervisors; pro-active approach on the research; and regular checking of the progress and efforts to improve the performance. I also plan to ensure a regular contact with my supervisors throughout the degree program. Consequently, it will allow for the access of appropriate feedback and advice and ensure that the supervisors are informed of the progress. Close contact with the supervisors will allow me to continuously reflect and review my progress against the agreed plan and objectives (Chiappetta-Swanson 2011). I will also work on meeting the agreed deadlines between me and my supervisors. I will adhere to the work plan developed in help of my supervisors. The plans will have specific objectives with a stipulated completion date which will include the end of the probation review and thesis submission for examination. The deadlines to be adhered to include the one for active research, writing thesis, undertaking career development activities and other related tasks such as conference presentation and writing articles. I will also be cautious in submitting of the draft for the supervisors to comment. I will always give the supervisors ambient time to read and give a feedback on the draft. In addition, I will use the supervisors’ feedback and advice to make the study more comprehensive and effective. I will take consideration of both the positive and negative feedback. I will always understand that the comments of the supervisors are based on experience and are intended to be constructive. However, whenever they are unclear, I will make a step further to ask for clarification. Lastly, I will be honest and open. In explanation, I will be open in receiving advice and feedback. Consequently, I will be honest on issuing the updates on progress and work. I will provide accurate reports to enable the supervisors give appropriate feedback. 7. What skills and knowledge do you need to develop as a 1. Researcher The first personal skill that I need to develop as a researcher is creativity. The study that I engage in should be will an element of uniqueness, authenticity, and original. Creativity is the ability pass beyond the mainstream ideas and cannot be separated from originality. In explanation, innovation should be put in place when developing ideas. Originality is, therefore, crucial in the research studies. Second, judgmental skills are crucial for any researcher. Judgment helps in the identification of the relevant mentors and research topics suitable for the student. The third skill that I need to develop as a researcher is the communication. Development of communication skills will ensure a comprehensive project and a good relationship with the mentor or supervisors. The supervisors are the crucial link between the researcher and the unknown field of specialty thus important for academic development. Another important skill is the organization skills which will enhance good science and effective research as it allows the researcher to balance the task and other life programs. For instance, through organizational skills, the students are able to balance a healthy lifestyle, hobbies, socializing, research, studying, and classes. Another crucial skill is persistence that involves facing challenges during the research process (Box 2012). Challenges and failure due to lack of comprehensive anticipation of the future scenario is a normal part of the study and should be addressed through persistence. Additional skills and knowledge that I need to develop include project management, budget handling, team leading, data handling, and information technology skills. Project management entails good planning that will enable the definition of research as per achievable goals and available resources. The handling of budgets is crucial since it enables in the leading of the research project. I should be able to make the right choices and be responsible for their outcomes. Another crucial skill that I need to develop as a researcher is team leading since I will be working with several research assistants, colleagues, and administrative staff among others. Furthermore, I need to know how to handle data effectively and efficiently. Lastly, the information technology skills is crucial since it will help in the collection, analysis, and reporting of the study. It can also assist in communication. 2. Reflective Professional The skills and knowledge I need to develop as a reflective professional include reading, probing, watching, feeling, thinking, and taking skills (Thomson 2015). Developing such skills will allow me to think and develop theories and explore ideas. It will also enable me to develop reflective attributes at both the personal or team level. Effective learning is only experienced when the thoughts are put into either spoken or written language. 8. How do you intend to develop the knowledge and skills identified in the previous question? I intend to develop my skills and knowledge as per Thomson’s concept (Thomson 2015). First, I will read on the concept that I am researching on and seek what to learn and develop. Second, I will inquire how others including the professionals conduct their activities and know why and how. Third, I will watch to learn of the things that happen around me thus giving me knowledge of my environment and facilitating reflection. I will also pay attention to my feelings, the elements that prompts them, and how to deal with the negative ones. Furthermore, I will share my experiences and views with colleagues and supervisors and get other opinions to reflect. Lastly, I will always think critically and spent time analysing my work. 9. Action plan: The final prompt is designed to provide an opportunity for you to consider how your work on the DBA will make a contribution to knowledge and professional practice. It is important to highlight this at the early stage of the DBA. A contribution to knowledge and professional practice is a required outcome of your work and should be explicit in your submitted investigative project. Please complete an action plan which identifies key milestones/targets in your proposed progress in: Making a contribution to knowledge as a researcher Making a contribution to professional practice Signed: Reference List Alornyeku, FK 2011, The Impact of Bureaucracy on Public Service Delivery: A Study of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (Doctoral dissertation, Institute of Distance Learning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology). American Public University System 2016, Institutional Review Board. Available from: < http://www.apus.edu/community-scholars/institutional-review- board/research.htm >. [3 June 2016]. Baki, R 2004, ‘Gender-Segregated Education in Saudi Arabia: Its Impact on Social Norms and the Saudi Labor Market,’ Education Policy Analysis Archives, vol. 12, no. 28, p.1-12. Box, S 2012, Transferable skills training for researchers: supporting career development and research, OECD Publishing, Paris. Chapman, J 2006, ‘Anxiety and defective decision making: an elaboration of the groupthink model,’ Management Decision, vol. 44, no. 10, pp. 1391 - 404. Chiappetta-Swanson, C., 2011. Supervision & Mentoring of Postgraduate Students. Available from: < https://cll.mcmaster.ca/resources/pdf/Supervision%20&%20Mentoring%20of%20Postgrad%20Students.pdf >. [3 June 2016]. Regents of the University of Minnesota 2016, Typical roles and responsibilities of the Director of Graduate Studies. Available from: < https://policy.umn.edu/education/appointdgs-appa >. [3 June 2016]. Schweisow, D 2010, 7 research challenges (and how to overcome them). Available from:. [3 June 2016]. Stephenson, CB 2012, What causes top management teams to make poor strategic decisions?, DBA thesis, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW Thomson, N 2015, People skills, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke. Read More