Business Research MethodsDr Robert ShawSchool of ManagementGuangdong University of Foreign Studies

Today

1. The hegemony of science2. Three kinds of research3. New directions in business research4. How to write5. How to publish

1. The hegemony of science1. The word “hegemony”2. Courses for students3. The ascent & challenges of science

a. Physics as the exemplarUnderstanding

b. Social sciencesUnderstanding

c. Business researchUnderstanding

hegemony

Leadership, predominance, preponderance; esp. the leadership or predominant authority of one state of a confederacy or union over the others: originally used in reference to the states of ancient Greece, whence transferred to the German states, and in other modern applications.

Oxford English Dictionary

Hegemony. (n.d.). In Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from http://dictionary.oed.com

(Hegemony, n.d.)

Business methods courses

1. Textbooks2. Confusion about purposes3. Classification of methods

a. Base on what is done (analogy: menu)b. Needs to be base on epistemology and/or

ontologyPhilosophicalPurpose

2. Three kinds of research

1. Kinds of papersa. Scientific (basic, fundamental)b. Operational research (applied)c. Philosophical (conceptual, argumentative)

2. Examples of eacha. Structure of the paperb. Epistemological / ontological stancec. The production of such papers

Scientific research in business1. Common

SurveysExperimental designs

2. Assumptions / groundEpistemologyOntology

3. Philosophy of sciencePositivismConstructivismPhenomenology

Scientific papers

1. An example (next seven slides)Structure of the paperPrescribed methodKnown standardsEngagement with the tradition

2. The traditions of researchThe narrowing of the focusThe proliferation of sub-disciplines

3. Origin of problems - confusion with purposes

Scientific papers

1. An example (next seven slides)Structure of the paperPrescribed methodKnown standardsEngagement with the tradition

2. The traditions of researchThe narrowing of the focusThe proliferation of sub-disciplines

3. Origin of problems - confusion with purposes

Operational research in business

1. ExamplesMarketingPolicyEvaluationApplied researchConsulting

2. Structure of the paperIn-house useReport formatOften mimics science

3. Epistemological stanceTechnology – a tool

3. New directions

1. Science in business research More about lessDetached from real problemsThe interdisciplinary movement & new requirementsUnderstanding in the social sciences

2. Philosophy as business researchPhenomenologyPhilosophy of managementPhilosophy of sciencePhilosophy of technologyCritical management theory

4. How to write1. Pros and cons

Scientific enquiriesOperational enquiriesPhilosophical enquiries

2. TechnologyScreensGrammar & spell checkerBibliographic software (Endnote)Dictionary and thesaurusAcademic databases

LibraryOthers

My kind of writing

1. Find a project – you need something to say

2. Write the abstract3. Commit to a conference4. Write, write, write – produce organically5. Search online for relevant papers6. Support your writing with references7. Present it as quickly as possible8. Re-write for publication9. Submit for referees report

4. How to publish

1. Control of journals2. Academic societies3. Open access journals4. Set realistic goals