Effective Communications at FedEx UK - Essay Example

Research Proposal for Effective communications at FedEx UK NUMBER AND DEGREE ROUTE: OF CHOSEN SCENARIO FOR PROPOSAL OR RESEARCH PROPOSAL Research Proposal for Effective communications at FedEx UK 2. OVERALL AIM The current paper focuses upon analysing the importance of internal organizational communication. Accordingly the researcher develops suitable techniques by which the internal operations existing at FedEx can be improved. This is essentially required to make the operations of the company swifter. 3. RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCH The logistics industry in the recent times has experienced massive growth of business due to enhanced online purchases. There are more than 200,000 consignments passing through the FedEx U.K network on a daily basis. Almost 5000 employees are involves in the process of delivery. Commercial organizations rely upon the efficiency of such logistics firms to procure materials from suppliers as well as delver finished products to consumers. Hence it becomes essential that the internal systems of working are efficient so that there are no delays and errors. For FedEx communications is an essential aspect which impacts the flow of logistics and speeds up the process of delivery. Hence researching upon various systems and techniques that may facilitate the company to improve their communication systems are required to be assessed (Jablin and Putnam, 2000). The research is expected to improve the internal communication systems existing for FedEx U.K and thereby allowing the organizational members to respond quickly to various orders received and make deliveries swiftly. In the logistics industry, speed and timeliness are the most important virtues for success. Hence firms operate in this sector consistently look for ways in which they can improve their services. Based on the findings of the researchers, managers at FedEx are required to device suitable policies which would guide the organization towards improving the communications process occurring internally (Jablin and Putnam, 2000). The current research is primarily expected to improve the communications occurring between employees and their scheduling managers. Accordingly the researcher expects to identify communication tools that are most effective in terms of receiving responses and speed of action being taken when drivers are required to make unscheduled parcel pickups during their delivery rounds. The paper would therefore concentrate upon identifying important objectives of effective internal communications. 4. SPECIFIC RESEARCH OBJECTIVES OR QUESTIONS 1) What are the key elements of effective internal communications? 2) What are the opportunities and drawbacks of e-technologies communication tools? 3) How to manage communication tools in order to improve FedEX U.K road delivery road employees communicate with their scheduling managers? 5. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY Research strategy The research incorporates the mixed strategy whereby both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data will be carried out. The data collected from different sources would be assessed qualitatively analysed so that detailed explanations can be provided. Quantitative analysis in the current paper is mainly carried out through analysing the responses obtained through questionnaire survey. The responses received would be numerically codified using Likert scale values and according statistical analysis would be carried out. Such quantitative analysis facilitates reaching strong scientific and logical conclusions (Cooper, Hedges and Valentine, 2009). Qualitative analysis facilitates developing in depth theoretical perspective of the different criteria’s set or obtained through the data collection process. Qualitative analysis requires to be focussed upon the area of study and draw relevant data from the external environment on this basis. Usually such exhaustive qualitative analysis is carried out by referring the works of experts and highly knowledgeable theorists. Qualitative analysis is also essential to provide broad explanations for the criterions evaluated through the quantitative process. The current research evaluates and tries to establish a suitable technique for improving the internal communications system of the FedEx. To meet such a criterion the researchers are required to conduct both elaborate theoretical as well as statistical analysis of the responses received through the questionnaire survey. As a result the mixed strategy is considered to be most suited to meet the aims of the research (Welman, Kruger and Mitchell, 2005). Ethical issues The current project is based on acquiring information through conducting a questionnaire survey as well as an interview. When such methods are utilized the ethical aspects are required to be essentially considered. Ethical issues mainly arise in respect of keeping the identity of the respondents discreet. Before the survey and the interview with the respondents are initiated necessary intimation in respect of keeping their identities discreet must be provided. The respondents for the current survey would largely be organizational members. They would prefer the information provided by them to be discreet to avoid internal organizational conflicts. Respondents must also not be pressurized in any manner to participate in the survey or the interview process in any manner. Other ethical issues required to be considered are data consistency and avoid discriminating or hurting the sentiments of the respondents. Any ideas or stated comments in the research work must not directly or indirectly disrespect the interests of the associated individuals of the research work (Berg, H. Lune and H. Lune, 2004). Data collection tools and methods Data for the current research is collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data is mainly procured through conducting a questionnaire survey. The survey questions are set in a manner such that they facilitate statistical analysis. Responses received are therefore categorized on the basis of a likert scale. The questions must facilitate analysing all the aspects of the set research questions and objectives. The survey would be carried out with the employees of FedEx. The questionnaires would be mailed to them. Additionally the researcher considers carrying out a series of interviews with the mangers of the company. The questions asked during the interview are required to be open ended. The researcher must provide adequate opportunities to the respondents to express their own opinions and they must not be pressurized to answer in a particular direction. In case of the questionnaire survey it is essential that the questions are set in a manner such that all objectives of the research are adequately fulfilled. The current research is based on analysing the communication process existing in FedEx and how the same can be effectively improved. This requires correspondence with the employees and the mangers of the company to obtain first hand information regarding the area of study. Accordingly a questionnaire survey and an interview with the managers of the company would be most suited. A combination of interview and questionnaire survey facilitates the researcher to provide a steered as well as a respondent based direction to the process of data collection. Since, in the questionnaire survey respondents are required to choose from a limited number of options, their responses can be directed or controlled to a large extend by the researcher. However on the other hand the interview survey provides adequate scope to the respondents to express their own opinions and give any preferred direction to the research. It may also happen that new ideas emerge from the responses received from the questionnaire survey. Data would also be collected from suitable secondary sources of information such as journals, periodicals, books and other online publications. These are required to form in depth theoretical understanding of the finding received from the survey and the interview (Silverman, 2010). Sampling The researcher in the current paper considers using the non probability based random sampling technique. Under the random approach the respondents from the target population have equal probability of being selected. The respondents for the questionnaire survey are mainly the employees of FedEx. Once the target population is set, the researcher is required to select the desired the number of responses required to meet the objectives of the research based on random sampling. The non probability based random sampling technique is used when all member of the targeted segment posses similar characteristics. The targeted population for the questionnaire survey consists of only employees of FedEx. Hence other methods of sampling such as stratified and systematic approaches are not useful for the current research considering the nature of the response group. A sample size of 30 has been set for conducting the questionnaire analysis (Welman and Kruger, 2001). Data analysis The data analysis technique has been suitably been described on the basis of the following table: Specific inputs Type of information required Analysis done Outputs Results expected Primary sources of information Direct information regarding internal communication from the organizational members Quantitative as well as qualitative analysis. Recognizing important factors and aspects which are required to be considered while developing a suitable internal communications process. The communications system between organizational members is expected to improve significantly. Secondary sources of information The theories and ideas presented by eminent scholars and research works published previously. Mainly qualitative analysis To understand the importance of internal communications and how they impact organizational efficiency. Same as above. 6. PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL The current research is likely to face the following types of issues: Lack of sufficient time for collecting exhaustive data. Lack of access towards important organizational members to gain reliable first hand information. Reliability of the secondary sources of data. 7. RESEARCH TIMETABLE Research elements 1st – 2nd week 3rd – 5th week 6th – 8th week 9th – 11th week 12th – 14th week Preparation and approval of research proposal Introduction and Literature Review chapters Setting research objectives and methodology. Submission of first draft of the research, its approval and making corrections. Data collection Submission of second draft and its approval Preparing data analysis and findings chapters Submission of final project Correction on the final project 8. REFERENCE LIST Berg, B. L., Lune, H. and Lune, H., 2004. Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Boston: Pearson. Cooper, H., Hedges, L. V. and Valentine, J. C., 2009. The handbook of research synthesis and meta-analysis. London: Russell Sage Foundation. Jablin, F. M. and Putnam, L. L., 2000. The new handbook of organizational communication: Advances in theory, research, and methods. London: Sage Publications. Silverman, D., 2010. Qualitative research. London: Sage. Welman, C., Kruger, F. and Mitchell, B., 2005. Research methodology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Welman, J. C. and Kruger, S. J., 2001. Research methodology for the business and administrative sciences. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 9. APPENDIX Interview questions: 1) How important do you think is the system of internal communications for improving organizational efficiency? 2) What are the issues existing in the internal communications systems? 3) How do you consider mitigating the organizational communication issues? 4) What is the instrument of communication between the road delivery employees and their Scheduling Managers? 5) What according to you are the most important communication tools for speeding up the process of delivery? Survey questions: 1) Do you consider that communication between employees and also between employees and managers are essential criteria for enhancing organizational performance? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. 2. Do you consider that the efficiency and skills of employees would lead to enhancing the swiftness of the organizational activities? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. 3) Do you think that technological advancement is essential for improving the speed of delivery services? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. 4) Would you think that installing advanced communication devices for drivers would facilitate swift pick-ups and delivery? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. 5) It is often seen that lower level employees are not provided with timely information, resulting in delayed work. a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. 6) Tracking the logistics at every stage facilitates enhancing swiftness. a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. 7) Conducting training and thereby motivating employees to perform better is seen to enhance the productivity and make them realize the importance of timeliness. a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. 8) Direct communication between lower level employees with managers is essential for improving the delivery services and maintaining a regular update on activities. a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree. Read More