Determinant of Organization Performance - Research Proposal Example

?A Study on Strategic Management as a Determinant of Organization Performance Table of Contents Topic or Area 3 Aim and Objectives of the Study4 Literature Review and Rationale for the Study 4 Research Methodology 7 Research Question 7 Research Philosophy 7 Research Approach 8 Research Strategy 8 Sources of Data 10 Ethical Issues 10 Time Table 11 References 13 Bibliography 16 Topic or Title Area The term strategic management has become a widely established word in all the sectors of modern economies. However, it has a major impact upon the larger organizations. It helps to enhance the productivity as well as the effectiveness of the organizations. When the personnel practices are integrated into strategic planning process then the organizations can better achieve its objectives, goals and maintain its strategic position in the market. This research proposal is related to the strategic management that assists in determining the organizational performance. Therefore, the proposal will begin with the research objectives and aim of the overall study. It will also try to focus on the literature review and case study method in order to support the research objectives and solve the research problem. Literature review is conducted in order to summarize the research based knowledge for practice or to support for the development of the study in order to increase the evidences that is required to guide the practices. It is important to take into account the research methodology while conducting the research. Research methodology can serve as guidelines for the research. It provides the researcher the opportunity to study the subject in depth and therefore make sound decisions. Time table plays a significant role to understand the actual time that will be required to effectively complete the project. Therefore, in light of this fact a Gantt chart will be prepared that will help the researcher to work according to the schedule. Aim and Objectives of the Study The main aim of this research study is to identify the strategic management as a determinant of the organizational performance. Through this research proposal, the productivity of the employees in the organization can be increased and they can work in an efficient manner. However, the objective is a bit different. The main objectives of this proposed research study would be to assist in decision making and actions with the aim to improve the short term performance of the organization. The other objective of the study would be to identify the various strategies that can help the organization to cope up with any kind of situation and improve the performance of the organization. The study will help the organization to cultivate a proactive management culture that will enable them to take advantage of the opportunities that lie in its operating environment. Literature Review and Rationale for the Study According to Joyce & Woods (2001), strategic management can be defined as the pursuit of the superior performance in the organization by the usage of the strategy that would ensure matching the corporate strength to the needs of the customers (Joyce & Woods, 2001). Strategic planning helps the organization’s members to concentrate on individual endeavor in order to convert into a team effort. The strategic management can assist in the development of the total quality management and the enhancement of the objective based performance appraisal system. According to Hitt & Et. Al. (2001), managers pay attention when they are confronted with important information regarding the organizational performance. When the changes in the performances are unexpected then it prompts search for explanation. If there is continuous negative performance then the management needs to change either the strategy or the structure (Hitt & Et. Al., 2001). According to Jauch & Kraft (1986), the environmental uncertainty has been recognized as one of the variables that help in the explanation of the organizational performance and equilibrium. It has been assumed by most of the practitioners that uncertainty is generally dysfunctional by its nature as it doesn’t help in maintaining the equilibrium and organizational performances. They have even suggested various ways through which managers can either lessen or absorb the negative impact of uncertainty (Jauch & Kraft, 1986). Evans & Davis (2011) opined that the internal social structure of the organization may help to enhance the connection between the high-performance based work systems and the organizational performance (Evans & Davis, 2011). Day (1994) observed that innumerable progresses have already been made in order to understand the market-driven businesses conducted by them. However, the next important task is to gain insights on the organizational orientation that can be achieved and sustained. It is to be noted that when the ‘emerging capabilities approach’ to the strategic management is linked to total quality management, then it offers different ways to design change programs that help to enhance a market orientation and stimulate the performance of the organization as well (Day, 1994). Abu-Jarad & Et. Al. (2010) opines that the factors which determine the organizational performance are many. For instance, according to the strategic management literature there are two major areas of research that impacts upon the factors which influence the performance of the organization. One of them is based upon the economic tradition that puts more emphasis upon the significance of the external market forces while determining the organizational performance. The other one has been built on the socio-cultural and behavioral paradigm that sought organizational factors along with their fit within the environment as being the major determinant of success. It is utmost important for the organizations to have a performance measurement system as this plays a vital role in development of the strategic plans and thus assist in evaluating the fulfillment of the objectives of the organization (Abu-Jarad & Et. Al., 2010). According to Ayanda, the term strategic management can be defined as a disciplined approach that helps to utilize the principles and the procedures of the management in order to identify the corporate objectives and the mission of the business. If the organizations put more emphasis on the goal centered approach, then the organizational effectiveness can be guaranteed. The corporate planning also plays a vital role in determining the organizational effectiveness (Ayanda, n.d.). Therefore, the rationale of the study can be recognized as multifarious scope for investigation that can provide valuable knowledge and understanding on the crucial factors of the impact as well as importance of strategic management as a determining factor for organizational performance. Research Methodology The term research methodology can be defined as a logical and a purposeful investigation in order to identify the validity of the existing knowledge and generate certain new ideas and knowledge (Uys, 1991). Research Question The research question can be stated as follows. Is strategic management a determinant of the organizational performance? It is to be noted that the research will be based upon the research question mentioned above. Research Philosophy There are three core traditions of research philosophy. They are positivist, interpretivist and transformative theorists. In case of positivist philosophy, more attention is paid towards the data collection and analyzing them in a free way. On the other hand, the researcher in case of interpretive philosophy emphasizes to dig the deeper layers of reality. In this research proposal, the interpretive philosophy will be used (Leeds Business School, n.d.). Research Approach There are generally two research approaches. They are empirical and non empirical study. It is to be noted that the non empirical study focuses upon the pre-existing body of knowledge while the empirical research focuses on the data that is collected based upon observation and experience. The empirical study is further classified into three parts. They are qualitative and quantitative research, subjective and objective research and inductive and deductive research. This proposed research study deals with only qualitative research approach as literature review will be conducted to gather the information and case study method will be utilized in order to serve the research objectives and answer the research questions. The deductive research approach is a top-down approach while the inductive approach is a bottom-up approach. In this proposed study the deductive approach shall be applied as case study method is being applied (Burney, 2008). Subjective approach indicates that the researcher has an impact upon the outcome of the study while in case of objective approach the observer is at distant place while conducting the research. This research proposal will focus on the subjective research approach. Research Strategy This section consists of the purpose of the research study and the process of the study. Therefore, it becomes imperative to understand the purpose of this study. The key purpose of this study is to develop an understanding as to how the strategic management is a determinant of the organizational performance and to resolve the research question. This topic can be well supported by developing a case study on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The employees associated with the organization can be interviewed in order to gather the relevant data. It is to be mentioned that the research process consists of the steps that the researcher needs to take while conducting the research. The first step is data collection. In this research study, the data will be collected by developing a case study on National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The interviews will be conducted with the employees of the organization in order to understand how strategic management has an affect on the organizational performances of the firm. After the case study is ready, analysis becomes utmost important, to analyze the data, multiple investigators can be used in order to gain the advantage provided when variety of insights and perspectives examine the patterns and the data. The main strength of the research of this kind is that if multiple observations converge then it enhances the accuracy in the findings. The main weakness of the research of this kind is that qualitative method is being applied that may narrow the scope of the study. Sources of Data To complete the study successfully, it is important to take into account the sources of data. There are two sources of data, primary sources and secondary sources. However, for this research paper, the primary data will be collected from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency via interviewing the people who are associated with the organization. Secondary sources will be used to collect the relevant data and serve the purpose of the study. Journals and books can be sought in order to get information on the research topic. Ethical Issues When conducting the research work it is very important to take into account the ethical issues. It is the duty of the researcher when conducting the research on human subjects to disclose the purpose and procedure of the study to the participants and get their permissions. Due attention will be paid to take into account the ethical part when conducting the research work and when writing the research paper. Time Table This section is aimed to develop the time table. Through this table the researcher gets a complete picture of the time required in order to complete the overall research study in a stipulated time period. This can be best possible via the use of Gantt chart. The table below consists of various activities that are related to the successful completion of the study and the expected time period required to complete them. Gantt Chart Activities Predecessor Time Estimates (In Days) Opt (O) Normal(M) Pesst (P) Expected Time (O+4M+P)/6 Selection ------- 10 12 14 12 Definition Selection 15 17 19 17 Planning Definition 25 27 29 27 Proposal 20 22 24 22 Literature Review -------- 40 42 44 42 Data Acquisition 25 27 29 27 Analysis Data Acquisition 30 32 34 32 Synthesis Analysis 10 12 14 12 Draft 5 7 9 7 Final Form of project ----- 20 22 24 22 Submission of project Final form of Project 5 7 9 7 References Ayanda, A. M., No Date. Enhancing Organisational Performance through Strategic Management: Conceptual and Theoretical Approach. Introduction. [Online] Available at: http://www.unilorin.edu.ng/publications/maaremu/Enhancing%20Organisational%20Performance%20through%20Strategic%20Manag.htm [Accessed February 03, 2011]. Abu-Jarad, I. Y. & Et. Al., 2010. “A Review Paper on Organisational Culture and Organisational Performance”, International Journal of Business and Social Science. Vol: 1, Iss: 3, Pp: 26-42. Burney, S. M. A., 2008. Inductive & Deductive Research Approach. Research Methods. [Online] Available at: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:UUzce1WIDccJ:www.drburney.net/INDUCTIVE%2520%26%2520DEDUCTIVE%2520RESEARCH%2520APPROACH%252006032008.pdf+burney,+2008,+deductive+approach&hl=en&gl=in&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgGR5tXyakDmBO694HIx1J5tzYmlHWs89_JAOkSKkxL65_VQSQGmAE_J0tf6-myc8ySa6KZA0PgpsIO8qWjC7yVKBGp-AxrDnDPbBjgQcx31B-oo6NrkLyNiuIX-RyZXru_Oyig&sig=AHIEtbT_seqSiqxCH62DZO77DNd17ItpbA&pli=1 [Accessed February 03, 2011]. Day, G. S., 1994. “The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organisations”, Journal of Marketing. Vol: 58, Pp: 37-52. Evans, W. R. & Davis, W. D, 2011. “High-Performance Work Systems and Organizational Performance: The Mediating Role of Internal Social Structure”, Journal of Management. Hitt, M. A. & Et. Al, 2001. The Blackwell Handbook of Strategic Management. Wiley-Blackwell. Joyce, K. & Woods, A., 2001. Strategic Management: A Fresh Approach to Developing Skills, Knowledge and Creativity. Kogan Page Publishers. Jauch, L. R. & Kraft, K. L., 1986. “Strategic Management of Uncertainty”, Academy of Management Review. Vol: II, Iss: 4, Pp: 777-790. Leeds Business School, No Date. Research Philosophy. Deciding on the Research Philosophy. [Online] Available at: http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CC0QFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.colinwatsonleeds.co.uk%2FPGRM%2FResearch%2520Philosophy.ppt&rct=j&q=research%20philosophy%20ppt&ei=dNVkTIXKO4y2vQOe1amcDQ&usg=AFQjCNHLvy5FY8FNS7VUO09JPjsCKKN3OA&sig2=hmNl1rV53QhFjYhHpmEcDQ&cad=rja [Accessed February 03, 2011]. Uys, H. H. M., 1991. Research Methodology in Nursing. Pearson South Africa. Bibliography Elizabeth, A. O., 2010. A Research Work. Enhancing Organisational Performance through Strategic Management: Conceptual and Theoretical Approach. [Online] Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/29588347/Enhancing-Organisational-Performance-Through-Strategic-Management [Accessed February 03, 2011]. National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, 2009. About NDLEA. Home. [Online] Available at: http://www.ndlea.gov.ng/v1/ [Accessed February 03, 2011]. Read More