Critique of Research Methodology of PDF file - Essay Example

Critique of Research Methodology of PDF file E-commerce developments and strategies for value creation: The case of Russia Critique of Research Methodology of PDF file: E-commerce developments and strategies for value creation: The case of Russia Introduction: A Research Methodology could be defined as method or technique of collection and collation of data for the purpose of Research Studies. In this case, it could be said that research methodology entails the most suitable and appropriate way in which the data could be gathered during survey for the purpose of building the research study. It is not possible to have a Standardised Research Methodology format for all types of research studies. This is primarily, because different types of research entail different levels, depths and focus of studies, population and demographic considerations and testing devices. A research methodology, which is to be used for one research study, say, incidence of HIV in underdeveloped countries may not be applicable for yet another study, say, role of governess in children welfare, etc. So there is nothing like the best, or most suitable research methodology. “A Research on reading comprehension needs to develop alternative methodologies which have a more qualitative orientation.” (Hewitt 1982, pp. 9-21). A lot would definitely depend upon the circumstances of the case study, its theoretical presentations, the research proposal and what exactly is needed to be achieved, through the proposed Research Study. Therefore, a lot would depend upon the availability of data, as is evidenced in the current study of the effects of e-commerce, on the developments of e-commerce in Russia. Deficiency in E-commerce in Russia: The growth of e-commerce in Russia has not kept pace with the growth rate experienced in other parts of the world, especially UK, USA and other countries of the European Union. Due to lack of purchasing power by the people (27%), lack of people with needed infra-structure (25%), poor quality of telephone services, (18%), inadequate postal system in the country (16%) and other impeding circumstances, it has not been possible to carry out an extensive research as would have been necessary to fully analyse the impact of ecommerce in Russia in recent years. (Doern 2006, p.315- 327). The following are the major lacunae in the research undertaken. In the first place, the population sample concentrates of just the two big cities in Russia, St. Petersburg and Moscow, have been taken for research purposes. Therefore it could be said that the study has limited itself to study of samples available in these two cities. It is necessary that in order to assess the impact of ecommerce on the economy of Russia, it is necessary to take an extensive study which encompasses, nearly all the major computer using population of the country. It is seen that, in the first phase, the sample has been drawn from the e-commerce support industries, 17 individuals, being senior managers, professionals and consultants from the telecommunications, transportation and computer programming, who are being interviewed for the survey. Russia had introduced eCommerce in 1999, and these people have 2 years’ working experience in this field. In order to understand how ecommerce has created value in the Soviet Russia, it is necessary to compare the pre ecommerce status with the post e-commerce status, in order to understand the difference caused by the introduction of ecommerce in the country. For illustration, if the Soviet Union had a growth rate of around 4 % in the pre e-commerce stages, but experienced a growth rate of 7% in the post ecommerce state, it could be said to have directly attributable to this. This has gained further significance, because it has been said that the present study was undertaken, due to a fundamental lacunae of the earlier systems, to address to the aspects of the environmental impact on the value creation caused by ecommerce. If the present study was indeed undertaken, to fill the lacunae, of assessing the role of the environment, and its impact on eCommerce business models, than it is believed that the study has not addressed to the key factor, that is the business models itself, and what gains have accrued due to introduction of ecommerce governance. It is vital that the methodology should have considered a larger sample of entrepreneurs and not just professionals, but should have gathered information from large software generating companies who have been responsible in infusing ecommerce into the Russian economy. At best, the professionals would have narrow specialized views of their own industry, but would not be able to address to the common problems created by the induction of ecommerce strategies and internet usage, in the economy as a whole. For this it is necessary to select samples of intellectuals, economists, businessmen and seasoned thinkers who have contributed substantially to the development of eCommerce in the country. Similarly, the second part of the Research Methodology has concentrated on getting data from 18 of the 29 successful business firms in the Soviet Union. It is seen that the degree of success adjudged was in terms of financial success, gained by relatively younger companies who used novel, original, progressive and forward looking business models. It is seen that the use of successful business firms did not include the larger firms who did not participate in the event. (Doern 2006, p.315- 327). Therefore, it could reasonably be said that the population representative did not include in its scope the totality of successful firms in the area under study. Maybe the results of the findings of the 18 firms surveyed could have been different, if all the 29 firms had participated. How it could be improved: In the opinion of the writer, the Research Methodology should have considered the following: Questionnaire Method: Questionnaires need to be circulated to the directors of the e-commerce companies and organisations on the choice of their viewpoints on the likely impact of ecommerce on business models and the attitude of the software professionals and users, regarding the extend of applicability of eCommerce and its impact on the economy as a whole. 1. The software manufacturers, vendors, developers and delivery systems form the nucleus of ecommerce, and it is vital that their opinions need also be considered and evaluated. Their viewed problems and recommendations need to be taken into consideration and it is believed that, considering their proficiencies and professional expertise, and their ability to proffer right kinds of inputs needed for this kind of research study, separate questionnaires need to be sent to them. “Armed with knowledge from patents, papers, and academic interviews, call the principal companies, developers, researchers, engineers, and marketing experts; ask them the appropriate intelligence questions to satisfy the research requirements.” (Research Methodology: Step 4). This research methodology has not considered the view of an important segment of the population dealing with ecommerce in Russia, i.e., the software manufacturers and delivery specialists. To this extent, the scope of the study has been limited, since it has considered the implementation of the eCommerce, but not considered the basis or the efficacy of the system itself. It is necessary that this aspect also needs to be considered in future research studies. 2. The questionnaire also needs to be distributed to the top Govt. officials of the ecommerce industry, in order to seek their active participation in the research work. “If the questionnaire includes demographic questions on the participants, they can be used to correlate performance and satisfaction with the test system among different groups of users.” (Questionnaire Design). Structured Interviews: In a research study of this nature, data are extremely difficult to come by, due to the fact that ecommerce is of fairly recent origin in Russia having being introduced in the year 1999 only, and proper infra-structural facilities have not been provided to ecommerce. Structural interviews are very important in the context of Russia, since unless surveys are conducted on personal basis, it is difficult to gather data and collect information. “Moreover, the importance of their opinions and judgments calls for more thorough interviewing than conventional survey research permits.” (Qualitative Diagnostic Interviews). Although structural interviews shed light on individual experiences of interviewees, it is seen, that in the present context of Russia, the type of research methodology applied is not representative of ecommerce based industry model. For determination of a sound research based survey, it is necessary to seek and gauge the opinions of a wide cross-section of Individuals, Groups, Agencies and Organisations connected with ecommerce in the country. Further it is also necessary to gather current information from newspapers, trade journals, business magazines and periodicals relating to ecommerce with specific emphasis on its role as catalyst of Russia’s economy and development. Convincing aspects of the survey: However, it is indeed appreciable that efforts have been made to analyze the effects of ecommerce in the economical growth and development of Russia. The relationships between different catalysts agents for growth and the inter- relationships between these catalysts and the environment have been considered. The research strategy based on the induced approach to the development of the theories. In the first instance, the characteristics of the data were localised, and were matched with the concepts expressed in the data. “Based on the importance of the industry parameters, weights are assigned to both the industry segments and the parameters. Combined with the anticipated movement of the industry parameters, the progression index is constructed” (Research Methodology. Develop the Industry Progression Index). The services of three experts were used for locating the firms who would be the sample firms for the survey. These three experts were people, with experience and understanding in the field of ecommerce, and it was due to their initiative that the 29 firms were short listed for being part of the survey plan. It is encouraging that a lot of relevant research has gone into the choice of Research Methodology which has been in this case, a combination of primary data collection through Questionnaire and interviews and also secondary data from journals, books and relevant literature for the subject under research. Conclusion: It may be concluded that in a research study of this nature, the main question would be whether the Research Methodology used is the appropriate and suitable medium for carrying out the research. It is felt that this research study is basically subjective and follows the cause and effect model. There are many aspects regarding environmental, political and socio-economic aspects of Russian industrial setup which impinges on the various aspects of the study. However, it is believed that in future researches taken up for study, the above factors need to be taken into consideration for presenting a more authentic and convincing study on the impact of the study on the business environment of Russia. Bibliography DOERN, Racheal R. (2006). Carl Fey: Ecommerce Development and Strategies for Value Creation: the Case for Russia: Science Direct: Journal of World Business 41. p. 315- 327. HEWITT, Graham. (1982). A Critique of Research Methods in the Study of Reading Comprehension. British Educational Research Journal. [online]. Vol. 8, No. 1 pp. 9-21. Last accessed 8 December, 2007 at: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0141-1926(1982)8%3A1%3C9%3AACORMI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J Research Methodology. Develop the Industry Progression Index. [online]. Frost and Sullivan. Last accessed 8 December, 2007 at: http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/cif-methodology.pag Research Methodology. Step 4. [online]. Frost and Sullivan. Last accessed 8 December, 2007 at: http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/ti-methodology.pag Questionnaire Design. [online]. Last accessed 8 December, 2007 at: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/cs6751_97_winter/Topics/quest-design/ Qualitative Diagnostic Interviews. [online]. Art and Science Group LLC. Last accessed 8 December, 2007 at: http://www.artsci.com/areasqualitat.htm Read More