This book focuses on research methodologies that apply to business research, particularly for researchers and managers embarking thereon to support managerial decision-making in the industry. In doing so, the book's objective is to guide business researchers in identifying, defining, and applying rigorous academic methodologies that will enable them to formulate, design, and execute effective research that answers their specific management problems. Such guidance can empower organizational managers to understand that business research can contribute to practical solutions to actual problems experienced in the industry. In addition, by emphasizing the integrative nature between (1) academic research and (2) experienced industry problems, it becomes possible to foster an awareness of such research's potential impact on organizational performance management, sustainability, and resilience. With that, attention is given to narrowing the gap between theory and practice, which requires that fundamentals of scientific research be adhered to while maintaining the delicate balance between a practice-friendly guide to pragmatically sound and academically rigorous business research.
Author(s): Pieter W. Buys, Merwe Oberholzer
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 413
City: Singapore
Foreword
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
1 Background
2 Contextualization
3 Research Paradigms
4 Objectives
4.1 Theme 1: Positivism
4.2 Theme 2: Post-Positivism
4.3 Theme 3: Interpretivism
4.4 Theme 4: Critical Theory
4.5 Theme 5: Pragmatism
5 Closing
References
2 A Roadmap to Business Research
1 Introduction
2 The Concept of Research
2.1 Research Defined
2.2 Systematic Process
2.3 Contribution
2.4 What Research is not
3 Research Demarcation: The Three-World-Framework
4 The Conceptual Framework of the Research Process
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Research Problem (ProDEC)
4.3 Research Design (ProDEC)
Introduction
Design Approach
4.4 Research Evidence (ProDEC)
4.5 Research Conclusion (ProDEC)
5 Summary and Map
5.1 Roadmap
5.2 Layout of Essays
6 Closing
References
3 The Effect of the Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards on Foreign Portfolio Investment in Africa
1 Introduction
2 Research Problem
3 Research Design
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Paradigmatic: Positivism
Defining a Research Paradigm
Positivism
3.3 Research Approach: Deductive Reasoning
3.4 Theory: Decision-Usefulness Theory
3.5 Methodological Choice: Quantitative Research
3.6 Strategy: Ex Post Facto
3.7 Time Horizon: Longitudinal Design
3.8 Techniques and Procedures
The Population
Data Collection Method
Model Specifications
Methods of Estimation
4 Research Evidence
5 Research Conclusion
6 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
4 Determining the Impact of Different Forms of Stationarity on Financial Time Series Analysis
1 Introduction
2 Research Problem and Research Question
3 Research Design
3.1 Philosophies
3.2 Research Approach
3.3 Choice of Methodology
3.4 Research Strategy
3.5 Decision of Time Horizons
3.6 Research Techniques
Data Collection
Model Choice
Modelling Process
4 Research Evidence
5 Conclusion
6 Practical Experience/Issues
References
5 Measuring the Relationship Between Intraday Returns, Volatility Spillovers, and Market Beta During Financial Distress
1 Introduction
2 Research Problem and Research Question
3 Research Design
3.1 Research Philosophy
3.2 Research Approach
3.3 Choice of Methodology
3.4 Research Strategy
3.5 Decision of Time Horizons
3.6 Research Techniques
Data Collection
Model Choice
Modeling Process
4 Research Evidence
5 Conclusion
6 Practical Experience/Issues
References
6 The Relationship Between the Forward and the Realized Spot Exchange Rate in South Africa
1 Introduction
2 Research Problem and Research Question
3 Research Design
3.1 Research Philosophy
3.2 Research Approach
3.3 Choice of Methodology
3.4 Research Strategy
3.5 Decision of Time Horizons
3.6 Research Techniques
Data Collection
Model Choice
Modelling Process
4 Research Evidence
5 Conclusion
6 Practical Experience/Issues
References
7 Policy Implementation of Credit Management at Selected South African Universities of Technology
1 Introduction
2 Background of the Study
3 Research Problem and Objectives
4 Research Design
4.1 Underlying Sociological Paradigms
4.2 Inductive and Deductive Reasoning with Triangulation
4.3 Mixed Method
4.4 Data, Data Collection, and Analysis
Qualitative Data (Archival Research)
Quantitative Data (Survey)
5 Research Evidence
5.1 Qualitative Data (Archival Research)
5.2 Quantitative Data (Survey)
6 Research Conclusion
7 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
8 Analyzing White Maize Hedging Strategies in South Africa
1 Introduction
2 Research Problem
3 Research Question and Objectives
4 Research Design
4.1 Philosophies
4.2 Research Approach
4.3 Strategy and Choices
4.4 Data and Data Collection
Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data
5 Research Evidence
5.1 Percentile Ranking and Cluster Analysis Results
5.2 Hedging Strategy Results—The Filter Model
6 Research Conclusion
7 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
9 Developing a Water Disclosure Index: An Integrative Perspective
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 Research Problem and Objectives
4 Research Design
4.1 Research Philosophy
4.2 Research Approach
Theories and Contextual Framework
4.3 Research Strategy
4.4 Research (Data) Design
4.5 Data Collection
4.6 Data Analysis
5 Research Evidence
6 Research Conclusion
7 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
10 Perceptions of School Management Teams on the Influence of Instructional Leadership on Accounting Learner Performance in Secondary Schools
1 Introduction
2 Background of the Study
2.1 Research Problem and Objective
2.2 Research Paradigm
2.3 Philosophical Assumption in the Pragmatic Research Paradigm
Ontology
Epistemology
2.4 Research Approach
3 Research Design
3.1 Research Techniques and Procedures
Population of the Study
Sampling and Data Collection Technique
Data Analysis
4 Research Evidence
5 Research Conclusion
6 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
11 Using Interpretive Phenomenology to Understand the Tax Compliance Lived Experiences of Small Business Owners
1 Introduction
2 Research Problem and Objectives
3 Research Design
3.1 Philosophies
Ontology: Subjectivism
Epistemology: Interpretivism
3.2 Research Approach
3.3 Data Collection
Semi-Structured Interviews
Development of Interview Questions
Sample Selection and Size
3.4 Data Analysis
Uncovering Thematic Aspects
Isolating Thematic Statements
Composing Linguistic Transformations and Gleaning Thematic Descriptions
4 Research Evidence
5 Research Conclusion
6 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
12 Utilising an In-Depth Qualitative Approach in a Non-western Context: Exploring the Demands and Resources of First-Year Students from the Perspectives of Support Structures at a Peri-Urban University Campus
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Underpinnings
3 Aims and Objectives
4 Practical Insights on Conducting Qualitative Research
4.1 Planning Research: Designing and Preparing an In-Depth Qualitative Research Study
Choosing a Worthy Topic
Formulating a Convincing Argument for the Importance of the Study: The Literature Review and Identifying Gaps that Should Be Addressed
Formulating a Central Research Question or Objective(s) for the Phenomenon Under Investigation
Choosing a Research Design and Methodology
Institutional Permission and Ethical Clearance
4.2 Executing Research: Data Collection and Fieldwork
Research Procedure: Negotiating Access to and Relying on a Trusted Gatekeeper
Describing the Participants and Context of the Study
Conducting Interviews: Initiate Meaningful Conversations that Are Culturally Appropriate
Language and Cultural Considerations
Equipment, Tools, and Training
Sincerity
Setting up Strategic Research Questions that Align with Answering the Phenomenon Being Studied
Setting up a Timeline for Conducting Fieldwork
4.3 Conducting Analysis: Data Analysis and Reporting the Results
Data Analysis
Results: Synthesise and Find Insights
4.4 Disseminating Findings: Practical Research Outputs and Share Results with Stakeholders
5 Conclusion
References
13 The Legitimacy Predicament of Current-Day Accounting Theory
1 Background
2 Perspectives on Accounting
3 Research Problem and Objectives
4 Research Design
4.1 A Reflective Approach to Accounting Research
4.2 Paradigm Perspectives
4.3 Research Approach
5 Research Evidence
5.1 Ethical Considerations
5.2 Accounting Philosophy
5.3 The Value Concept
5.4 Decision-Usefulness
6 Research Conclusion
7 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
14 A Case Study Approach to Develop a Competitive Strategy for a Selected Automotive Distribution Company in Preparation for Saudi Vision 2030
1 Introduction
2 Background of the Study
3 Research Problem and Objectives
4 Research Design
4.1 Philosophies
4.2 Conceptual Framework
4.3 Case Study Approach
4.4 Sequential Mixed Method and Triangulation
4.5 Data, Data Collection, and Analysis
Qualitative Data Collection (Interviews)
Quantitative Data (Questionnaire)
Triangulation
5 Research Evidence
5.1 Qualitative Data Collection (Interviews)
Quantitative Data (Questionnaire)
Triangulation
6 Research Conclusion
7 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
15 A Risk-Based Approach to the Acquisition of Electronic Mine Safety Equipment
1 Introduction
2 Background of the Study
2.1 Research Problem and Objectives
3 Research Design
3.1 Research Philosophy
3.2 Research Approach
3.3 Research Strategy
Research Methods
Research and Development Process
Data, Data Collection, and Analysis
Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data
4 Research Evidence
5 Research Conclusion
6 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
16 Developing a Channeling Framework for Healthcare Service Provider Networks for a Medical Scheme in South Africa
1 Background
2 Introduction of the Study
3 Research Problem and Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Stakeholder Theory
4 Research Design
4.1 Methodology
4.2 Empirical Study
Action Design Research
Elaborated Action Design Research
Cyclic Research Activities
5 Data Collection and Analysis
5.1 Diagnosis Phase
5.2 Design Phases
6 Research Evidence
7 Research Conclusion
8 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
17 Synthesis and Evaluation of Engineering Processes for the Development of Airborne Electronic Equipment
1 Introduction
2 Background of the Study
3 Research Problem and Objectives
4 Research Design
4.1 Research Philosophy
4.2 Research Approach
4.3 Research Strategy
Research Methods
Research Process
5 Data, Data Collection, and Analysis
6 Research Evidence
7 Research Conclusion
8 Concluding Remarks on the Research Process
References
18 The Development of a Growth-Strategy Support Model to Enable Cross-Border Expansion Stratagems
1 Background
2 Introduction to the Study
3 Research Problem and Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Theoretical Foundation
4 Research Design
4.1 Methodology
4.2 Empirical Design
5 Research Evidence
5.1 Data Sampling
5.2 Data Collection
5.3 Data Analysis
Problem-Centered: Diagnosis
Objective-Centered: Alpha Design
Objective-Centered: Beta Design
6 Research Conclusion
7 Practical Experiences
References
19 Concluding Comments
1 Background
2 Summative Observations
2.1 Theme 1: Positivism
2.2 Theme 2: Post-positivism
2.3 Theme 3: Interpretivism
2.4 Theme 4: Critical Theory
2.5 Theme 5: Pragmatism
3 Closing
References
Index
