CHAPTER 1 Practical Business Research

1. CHAPTER 1 Practical Business Research

2. Practical Business Research Practical business research • A working definition: • Any systematic attempt at collecting and interpreting data and evidence in order to inform thinking, decisions and/or actions in relation to an issue of interest to an organisation and/or its stakeholders

3. The need for Practical Business Research The need for practical business research • If decisions are to be well-informed (and not misinformed) by research, managers need the ability to: • distinguish good research from bad • carry out trustworthy research themselves • commission and manage consultant researchers • judge and use other relevant research advisedly.

4. Related concepts: Related concepts • Academic research: • ‘gathering empirical evidence upon which theories ... can be based’ • Buchanan et al (1988) • Research method: • ‘simply a technique for collecting data’ • Bryman and Bell (2007) • Research, inquiry and investigation have different associations.

5. Practical Business Research Key features of practical business research Results can have real consequences – for your career – for your client – for employees in your research organisation(s) There will be many factors you cannot control The role of theory may be different

6. Practical Business Research – distinctive features Practical business research: distinctive features • There are real and distinctive challenges in carrying out worthwhile research into significant issues. • Meeting these challenges can develop important research-related professional skills, with potential career benefits. Student Activities 1 and 2

7. Specific challenges of PBR ….. Specific challenges of practical business research • Business issues arise within complex contexts. • ‘The problem’ may be merely a symptom. • There may be few objective ‘facts’ available, or even obtainable. • Stakeholders with (different) vested interests and power may influence your research. • There is never enough time. • You, the researcher, may be part of the problem!

8. What does ‘theory’ mean in practical business Research? What does ‘theory’ mean in practical business research? • A theory: • an organised set of assumptions which generate testable predictions about the relationship between variables • versus • Theory: • any concept, construct or conceptual framework which helps us think about and/or better understand some aspect of an issue of concern. Student Activity 3

9. Roles of theory Roles of theory in research

10. Theory as aid or output? Theory as aid or as output? • Practical research usually starts with an issue. Theory helps you address this more effectively – select the theory for its potential utility. • While you may eventually challenge or amend the theory, that is seldom the priority in practical research. • Academic research typically starts with theory and/or a theoretical debate – the priority is to develop theory.

11. The logic of research The logic of research • Logical steps: • Work out what would be relevant. First you need to work out what the issue really is, then decide what data would cast light upon it. • Work out a systematic approach to collecting reliable and valid data and evidence – • Decide how to analyse and interpret your data so that your conclusions are trustworthy. • Do what you have decided! • Communicate your conclusions effectively.

12. Living with messiness Living with messiness • Real-life investigations tend to be messy. • Ideas of what the issue is develop as you gain insights. • Researching complex issues thus requires a spiral or a messier looping process. • Successful looping requires a sound understanding of the underlying research logic. • Capture insights, reframings and other reflections in your research journal.