Hotel Employees Expectations of the Quality of Work Life - Research Paper Example

Social Science Research – Article analysis Kandasamy, I., Ancheri, S. (2008) Hotel Employees’ expectations of QWL: A qualitative study. InternationalJournal of Hospitality Management 1. Introduction The evaluation of a research article is usually based on specific criteria. In order to identify the quality of the work done in the specific piece of text it is necessary to search for the study’s main characteristics – including the scope, the structure and the material included. At a next level, the evaluation of the research methods employed and the explanation of their credibility and effectiveness is necessary – showing the potential needs for improvement in studies with similar context. 1.1 General overview of the research article The article under analysis focuses on the examination of ‘employees’ expectation on the quality of work life (QWL) dimensions’ (p. 1). The article is divided into five major parts, the introduction, the literature review, the methodology, the analysis of results and the conclusions section. The authors have employed the qualitative method of research – as it will be explained in the sections that follow; the specific method has been – probably – considered to be most effective for the particular study. Literature is rather short – just about 1 ½ pages; however, it refers to a series of studies describing effectively the theoretical framework of the issue under examination. The methodology used in the specific article is analyzed and explained in the following sections – focusing on specific methods of research. 1.2 Deductive research v. inductive research Deductive research refers to the development of assumptions using the theory published on the issue under investigation. On the other hand, inductive research does not set limits – within the above context – regarding the criteria used in a particular research study. The differences between the above two research methods are highlighted through various studies. In accordance with Bitektine (2008, 160) ‘some limitations of post hoc qualitative methods in deductive theory testing can be alleviated by using a prospective case study design’. In other words, deductive approach can be combined with qualitative research but only under specific terms. Deductive approach can be also used in the case of a quantitative study but – again – a specific theoretical framework would be required in order to retrieve credible findings. The specific issue is highlighted in the study of Lynham (2002) where it is noted that the potential combination of deductive and quantitative approaches of research would be effective only if an appropriate theory was used – the theory of Dubin is mentioned by the above researcher as an example. On the other hand, no particular requirement seems to exist regarding the potential combination of the inductive approach of research with the qualitative or the quantitative research methods (Locke, 2007). 1.3 Method of research employed in the article under examination – choosing among the deductive and the inductive approach When developing a research on a complex issue – i.e. an issue that has many different aspects – it is important that the method chosen is effective and adequate – referring to its effectiveness as it has been proved to exist through different studies referring to similar problems. The challenges related with the identification of the appropriate method of research are highlighted in the literature; in most studies the need for combination of research approaches is highlighted – in this way it is believed that the credibility of the study is increased. Amis et al. (2008) noted that ‘encouraging a plurality of methods and representations will better position the field of organizational studies to address the most significant questions of our time’ (Amis et al., 2008, 456). On the other hand, it is made clear that ‘an examination of the rationales that are given for employing a mixed-methods research approach and the ways it is used in practice indicates that the two do not always correspond’ (Bryman, 2006, 97). In the article under evaluation, the inductive research has been chosen. The specific method is considered to be more effective – taking into account the needs of the study but also the resources available – referring mostly to the employees and the students that have accepted to participate in the research conducted for this study. The inductive method of research allows the researchers to make use of a wide range of resources/ material and develop their assumptions in accordance with the findings – there is no dependency of the empirical research on the theory – like in the case of deductive research. 1.4 Quantitative research v. qualitative research Qualitative research has many advantages compared to the quantitative one; through the qualitative research the researchers are able to critically analyze the views of participants – in the quantitative research the responses of participants are transformed into data – only trends on the study’s main issues can be highlighted. In accordance with Swift et al. (2007, 327) ‘researchers can face a number of challenges while undertaking qualitative research; these include issues relating to rapport development, use of researcher self-disclosure, listening to untold stories, feelings of guilt and vulnerability, leaving the research relationship and researcher exhaustion’. On the other hand, it is noted that ‘writing the proposal for a qualitative research methodology study is a double challenge because of the emergent nature of qualitative research design and because a methodology study entails describing a process to produce a process’ (Sandelowski et al., 2003, 781). In other words, the development of a qualitative study can be a challenging task but it is worthy especially when the personal perceptions of participants on the issue under examination needs to be captured; data are important in qualitative research but they are not a priority; rather the views of participants need to be highlighted – and partially published – in order to explain the various aspects of the issue under examination. 1.5 Method of research employed in the article under examination – choosing among the quantitative and the qualitative approach In the article under evaluation the qualitative approach of research has been employed. The specific method has been considered to be most appropriate especially since the issue under investigation is related mostly to sociology – it is not a research focusing on the examination of a math’s or a physics’ problem where quantitative approach would be most appropriate. On the other hand, the authors focus on the use of views rather than on statistical data. Indeed, the qualitative research can be characterized as most appropriate to examine the specific issue – when the personal perceptions of participants need to be identified and used for the development of the study’s conclusions. Authors have emphasized on the importance of the specific method of research by putting in the title of their article the phrase: ‘a qualitative study’. It is clear that the authors want to avoid any potential misunderstanding on the research tools used for the development of the particular study. 2. Sample analysis 2.1 Criteria of selection of sample in the paper under examination The sample used in the study under evaluation is described specifically in the ‘Method’ section of the particular paper where it is noted that ‘the sample for the study comprised of hotel employees and final semester hospitality management students’ (p.2). There are specific criteria for choosing the participants: a) the final semester hospitality management students participated in the study ‘had undergone one semester of internship during their degree course’ (p.3), b) most of these students ‘take up employment in various hotels during their vacations’ (p.3). In any case the students participated in the study were of a specific age: between 19 and 21 years old. The working experience of the participants has been set as the most important criterion of their participation in the research. Both men and women were asked to participate in the research. The hotel employees that participated in the study had different age levels – in accordance with the study a percentage of 23.5% was over 40 years old (p.3). 2.2 Size of sample The size of the sample is presented analytically in Table 1 of the article. However, in this article there is no differentiation of participants in terms of their job. The following numbers are mentioned: a) the interviews of potential employees have been estimated to 15 while the interviews of present employees are 25; b) the responses to the open-ended questionnaire have been estimated to 57 (for the potential employees) and 30 for the present employees. There were also individuals that participated in the focus group: 84 – potential employees and 64 – present employees. Total number of participants in the above research can be estimated to 275 individuals – a quite valuable sample. 2.3 Probability sample – non probability sample – description and potential appearance in the study - Population validity – characteristics and relationship with probability sample Probability sampling is based on the principle that one or more participants are likely to have all the characteristics set by the researchers – regarding the ability of individuals to participate in the study; in other words, participants are likely to meet the requirements set by the researchers for participating in the study. In the non – probability sample, one or more of the participants are not expected to meet the requirements set by the researchers for participating in the study. In accordance with the relevant definitions published by the OECD (2009) ‘A probability sample is a sample selected by a method based on the theory of probability (random process), that is, by a method involving knowledge of the likelihood of any unit being selected; a non-probability sample is a sample in which the selection of units is based in factors other than random chance, e.g. convenience, prior experience or the judgement of a researcher’ (OECD, 2009). In the study under evaluation, the participants belong to two specific categories – as explained above – employees and students. In accordance with the Statistics – Canada ‘probability sampling involves the selection of a sample from a population, based on the principle of randomization or chance; probability sampling is more complex, more time-consuming and usually more costly than non-probability sampling’ (Statistics Canada, 2009). Under these terms, there are no many chances that participants do not meet the requirements set by the researchers. In this case, we can refer only to the non - probability sample. More specifically, as explained above, the population of the research has been chosen using specific criteria; there are no many chances – at least there is no relevant reference by the researchers – for individuals that do not meet the requirements set by the researchers to participate in the study. In this context, it is clear that the sample used in the study under evaluation meets all the characteristics of the non-probability sample – a research tool that requires less resources and time spent on the development of the study as highlighted in the literature presented above. 3. Conclusion The study under evaluation is based on specific research methods – as described above – but also on the literature published on its main issue. The achievement of the study’s target – as described in its first page, i.e. ‘the investigation of the attributes that affects the QWL for the hospitality employees’ (p.1) can be evaluated using specific criteria, such as: the findings of the study and the effectiveness of the research methods used. 3.1 Findings in the article The findings of the article could be summarized as follows: a) job motivation is important in order for employees to keep their interest on their work, b) in the specific industry there are a few chances for the employees to be given a ‘clear career growth plan and an objective appraisal system’ (p.8), c) the use of a well-designed workstation is expected to lead to the increase of employee motivation, d) friendly atmosphere in the workplace is quite important for employees and e) various benefits, like pension and healthcare schemes, offered to employees have a positive influence on their motivation in work. 3.2 Potential use of different approach and different methods As explained through the paper, the research used in the article under evaluation is based on specific approaches: qualitative research and inductive approach have been employed for the development of the study’s research. These methods can be characterized as quite effective in terms of the study’s needs and the sample chosen. However, qualitative research could be suggested – as a potential alternative – in case that the production of diagrams and statistical results would be required – under different research requirements. On the other hand, qualitative research could be combined with the qualitative research – see the literature presented in the sections 1.3 and 1.4 – in case that the trends of employees had to be graphically represented reflecting the market trends the average responses of employees in the specific sector. (2065 words) References Amis, J., Silk, M. (2008) The Philosophy and Politics of Quality in Qualitative Organizational Research. Organizational Research Methods, Vol. 11, No. 3, 456-480 Bitektine, A. (2008) Prospective Case Study Design - Qualitative Method for Deductive Theory Testing. Organizational Research Methods, Vol. 11, No. 1, 160-180 Bryman, A. (2006) Integrating quantitative and qualitative research: how is it done? Qualitative Research, Vol. 6, No. 1, 97-113 Cho, J., Trent, A. (2006) Validity in qualitative research revisited. Qualitative Research, Vol. 6, No. 3, 319-340 Kandasamy, I., Ancheri, S. (2008) Hotel Employees’ expectations of QWL: A qualitative study. International Journal of Hospitality Management Locke, E. (2007) The Case for Inductive Theory Building. Journal of Management, Vol. 33, No. 6, 867-890 Lynham, S. (2002) Quantitative Research and Theory Building: Dubin’s Method Advances in Developing Human Resources, Vol. 4, No. 3, 242-276 Sandelowski, M. (2004) Using Qualitative Research. Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 14, No. 10, 1366-1386 Sandelowski, M., Barroso, J. (2003) Writing the Proposal for a Qualitative Research Methodology Project. Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 13, No. 6, 781-820 Swift, V., James, E., Kippen, S. (2007) Doing sensitive research: what challenges do qualitative researchers face? Qualitative Research, Vol. 7, No. 3, 327-353 Torrance, H. (2008) Building Confidence in Qualitative Research. Qualitative Inquiry, Vol. 14, No. 4, 507-527 Websites OECD (2009) Glossary of statistical terms, available from http://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=2134 Statistics Canada (2009) Probability sampling, available from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/edu/power-pouvoir/ch13/prob/5214899-eng.htm Read More