Introduction of E-Banking Service in HSBC - Research Paper Example

Research Methodology 2 Research Approach 2 Research Strategy 3 Research Methodology 4 Data Collection 5 Historical Document Research 5 Interviews 6 Data Analysis 8 Conclusion 9 References 10 Research Methodology Research method plays a vital role the entire procedure of the dissertation project. In this project, the research method of project will be chalked out; highlighting research approaches strategy and also determines the important literature review. Research Approach The research approach that develops the methodology explained below is based on descriptive (qualitative) research theory and inductive reasoning. This is important to develop the foundation by which the research will be designed, conducted and analysed by. First, it is important to establish the research approach to significantly create a qualitative methodology. The research approach undertakes a specific design that is "the overall strategy chosen to obtain the information required to answer the research question" (Ghauri and GrØnhaug p 47 2002). The research approach will review the types of research design and data collection methods. The research approach is built on logical relations and not just beliefs. Descriptive research is used when the research question is understood (Ghauri and GrØnhaug 2002). In the research approach, the data measurements are dependent on the obtainment of required information and the quality of the information. The outcome of the research, therefore, is dependent on the measurement procedures used in the collection of the data, and this in turn is dependent on the types of data collection (Ghauri and GrØnhaug p 47 2002). This is an important concept of qualitative research, where the description is either inductive or deductive. Inductive research begins with a question and seeks to describe it, and deductive research begins with the problem by working backwards to the answers. Therefore, this research uses the inductive approach to build the theory from the data gathered to explore possible conclusions towards E-banking - Modifications in SCM (Supply Chain Management of the Bank) and Security issues such as Phising & Pharming. Research Strategy The selected research methodology is a descriptive interview with one manager at HSBC Bank in London. This will be a structured interview that focuses on E-banking - Modifications in SCM (Supply Chain Management of the Bank) and Security issues such as Phising&Pharming. Secondary research is to review published materials such as: articles previous researched etc. which would be analysed to gain a broader perspective of the issue. This brings the question of research strategy. Combining the approach as an inductive, qualitative description with a well-established research strategy will allow for a better data analysis. In relation to research strategy, the field of strategic management is built on several different schools, including perspective and emergent approaches (Lynch 2002). The rational planning school defines the objective in advance by determining the current strategic position, and then using a prescriptive approach that exemplifies the strategic analysis, development and implementation (Lynch 2000). This is a strong foundation of the research proposal as the perspective approach is a systematic method that follows in sequence (Lynch 2000). The emergent strategy, on the other hand, would form the strategy from trial and error, experimentation and discussion (Lynch 2000). This is used as a cyclic approach to a series of rationales instead of being sequential, and is most often seen in organisations where environment and strategy are constantly analysed (Lynch 2000). The strategy in this research is the rational perspective, where the data analysis and the final recommendations follow the sequential gathering of information. Research Methodology The previous two sections established that the research is to be conducted through inductive and descriptive approach, using a rational perspective. While it is possible to conduct quantitative research by systematically examining revenue and asset changes as the management strategy changes, this would only establish the numerical value of the change. This would not lead to conclusive evidence of how and why the management strategies in E-banking - Modifications in SCM (Supply Chain Management of the Bank) and Security issues such as Phising & Pharming. Qualitative data will be collected due to some components of the study not having material outputs. Collection of information will be by multiple sources to include historical documents (based on case study research described below) and interviews. This will allow the research to develop beyond core statistics into recorded responses. This method is particularly important, as qualitative information will allow for an opportunity to respond to the comments, studies and suggestions. Therefore, while some quantitative analysis based on cost and revenue will be shown through historical evidence, it is not believed that this would provide a holistic description of the issue at hand. The research methodology chosen is historical document and interview research. Data Collection The data collection plan includes two qualitative research methods. This will allow for the previously mentioned research questions to be addressed. The scope of the data collection is to gather information in regards to the characteristics, techniques, usage and implementation of management strategies in HSBC Bank of London. Historical Document Research Historical document research includes journal articles and company information gathered from their web-site and other relative information. An example of relative information would be company annual reports and news media release relative to the subjects of E-banking - Modifications in SCM (Supply Chain Management of the Bank) and Security issues such as Phising & Pharming. This is considered ‘case study’ research because all information collected will be directly related to HSBC bank. This is separate from the literature review and does not seek to establish theory in management strategy, but rather the actual mannerisms in which management strategy is used. To effectively conduct case study research, the methodology is to establish valid and reliable evidence for the research process as well as presenting findings result from the research (Yin 2003). In the case study, documentation on the usage of management strategy applications will be analysed. The result will come from an analysis of all-available qualitative documents, processes and recommendations. The case study is organised so that an approach to management strategy implementation can be developed in chronological order to portray the issue. Case study research is very common as a qualitative method. The scope is to develop an empirical inquiry that investigates the content and context in which management strategy is utilised, as well as what benefits and limitations have been experienced by the organisations. Case studies have been used in varied investigations, particularly in sociological studies, but increasingly, in instruction. Yin (2003) has identified some specific types of case studies: Exploratory, Explanatory, and Descriptive. This will be a descriptive case study analysis. The case study allows for a multi-perspective analysis, where multiple sources of data are examined to come to a conclusive meaning in relationship to the accounting methods. While the case study analysis has sometimes been considered a generalisation, Yin (2003) describes this method as a template to develop empirical results, but asserts that there is a caution towards generalisation. This means that not all-empirical evidence from a case study can be lumped into one category because of various factors, such as organisational behaviour and management strategy that would affect the outcome of the case study. To overcome the concern of generalisation, primary qualitative research will include an interview with a manager at HSBC Bank of London. Interviews Saunders et al (2003) define an interview as “a purposeful discussion between two or more people," and can collect data which is both reliable and valid. Saunders et al (2003) describe a structured interview as using questionnaires based on predetermined and standard or identical sets of questions; a semi-structured interview as having a list of themes and questions to be covered; and an unstructured interview as informal but used to explore in depth a general area of interest. In this research, a semi-structured interview is used. The semi-structured interview is chosen because it allows for specific data to be discovered based on the manager’s perceptions. The semi-structured interview is useful in situations where the respondents range of replies may be estimated and there is a need to clarify details, opinions or ideas. The interview will developed based on the following decisive criteria: (1) what data should be wants to elicit from the interviewees; (2) who are going to be interviewed and why; (3) how to explain the aims of the interview; (4) where the interview will take place; (5) whether to pilot the interview; (6) how to analyse and follow up (if necessary) the interview. In an interview, questions should be clear and non-threatening; the interviewee should speak more than the interviewer. The interview avoids complex, double-barrelled, dichotomous and leading questions (Cohen and Manion 1994). According to Zikmund (2000), some ethical implications could arise when collecting data during interviews. The interview should not intrude into the sales staff’s personal life and assure that the analysis maintains confidentiality and anonymity if required. HSBC managers were selected as participants because preliminary meetings with HSBC representatives established that organisation stakeholders (as managers, employees) would receive a beneficial description of internal difficulties and accomplishments that have arisen because (or in spite of) the management strategies being utilised in the subjects: E-banking; Supply Chain Management of the Bank; Security. This will lead to recommendations and possible modelling of planning for overcoming future complications. The participants selected are two managers at HSBC Bank of London. One manager interview has been authorised, and the second interview is pending authorisation for middle to late December. The interview data will be collected through scheduled discussions with the managers selected. Managers were selected based on their schedule and willingness to participate. Data Analysis For both the historical document research and the interview, the data analysis turns to ways in which qualitative information can be analysed. This analysis methodology, termed “lad­dering” (Reynolds and Gutman, 1984), for uncovering means-end hierarchies defined by these key elements and connective relationships. Laddering in­volves a tailored interviewing format using primarily a series of directed probes with the express goal of determining sets of linkages be­tween the key perceptions across the range of at­tributes (A), values (V) and consequences (C). The theory of linkages is a foundation for the interview development. Therefore, the categorisation of the interviews follows as previously noted, where each has a phenomenology approach of describing situation and reactions and are categorised by attribute, consequence, and value. Attributes are the description of the environment and occurrences that will be explored using the inductive approach with a goal for a holistic explanation of the changes in management strategy. Values are the empirical evidence of why these changes occurred, such as what organisational goals created the changes in management strategy as related to the subject matter. Consequences are the results. This gives a description of what happened after the environment and occurrences changed because the organisation (or management strategy) goals and values changed. By linking these three categories together, this research can give a holistic view of E-banking - Modifications in SCM (Supply Chain Management of the Bank) and Security issues such as Phising & Pharming. Conclusion The insights to be gained are empirical-behaviours in usage; observational-what strategies work; functional-how strategies work; recommendations based on benefits and limitations. These principles can be used throughout the organisation lifecycle in a continuous and flexible manner with the hope to maintain sustainable, accurate and proactive accounting strategies. The considerations of the methods, benefits and limitations will remove the assumptions in techniques that can lead to inaccurate or inefficient methods. Once the data has been collected by the above procedures, it will be assembled in the final research project to formulate a conclusive recommendation for accounting management strategy in organisations. This research proposes to create an all-inclusive recommendation towards management strategic methods based on the participants responses, suggestions and concerns as well as a complete case study through historical document analysis. References Cohen, Louis and Manion, Lawrence (1994), Research Methods in Education 4e, Routledge: London Ghauri, Pervez N., Grønhaug, Kjell (2002). Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical Guide. Pearson: London Lynch, R. (2000) Corporate Strategy. Pearson Education Limited: Harlow, Essex Reynolds, Thomas J and Jonathan Gutman. (1984) Laddering: Extending the Rep­ertory Grid Methodology to Con­struct Attribute-Consequence-Value Hierarchies. In Personal Values and Consumer Psychology, Vol II., R. Pitts and A. Woodside, eds. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, D. (2003), Research Methods for Business Students, 3rd Edition, London: FT Prentice Hall. Zikmund, W.G. (2000) Business research methods 6th Edition. Orlando: Harcourt Publishers. Read More