Notes chapter 2

1. Introduction to Business Research

 Business research often focuses on improving organizational performance (e.g., consumer
loyalty, market research, competitor analysis).
 Flexibility in choosing topics varies: students have more freedom, while practice-based
researchers (e.g., in organizations) need more focused research topics based on business
needs.
 This chapter guides you through choosing a research topic and developing research
questions.

2. What is a ‘Topic’?
 Definition: A business-related idea or issue to be explored.
 Broad vs. Specific Topics:
o Broad: E.g., "Marketing in the construction sector" (hard to analyze in-depth).
o Specific: E.g., "Relationship marketing within the UK construction sector" (focused
and manageable).
 Why Specificity Matters: Broad topics complicate in-depth research and focus.

3. When to Choose Your Topic

 Typically chosen by the end of the second year or beginning of the third year for
undergraduate students.
 It's okay to feel unsure—structured steps will help you select the right topic.

4. Criteria for Choosing a Research Topic

 Achievability: Can the topic be researched within time and resources?
 Specificity: Narrow down to a manageable, focused topic.
 Relevance: The topic should contribute to solving real-world business issues.
 Guideline Compliance: Ensure the topic meets project/course requirements.
 Interest: Choose something you’re passionate about—engagement leads to better results.

5. Idea Generation
 Sources: Industry trends, academic articles, case studies, discussions with industry
professionals or professors.
 Passion vs. Practicality: It’s important to like the topic, but ensure it aligns with academic
guidelines.

6. Research Questions
 Clear, focused, and researchable questions guide your study.
 Be mindful of limitations like time, data access, or literature.

7. Aims and Objectives

 Aims: Broad goals of the research (e.g., improving customer satisfaction, analyzing trends).
 Objectives: Specific steps to achieve the aims.
 Theoretical Frameworks: These guide the development of the aims and objectives.

8. Case Study Application

  A case study illustrates how a research topic, objectives, and research questions interlink and
guide the overall research process.

Summary:
 Start with a business-related idea, then narrow it down to something focused.
 Decide your topic by the end of your second or third year.
 Ensure the topic is achievable, specific, relevant, and of personal interest.
 Well-crafted research questions will shape your study.

9. Achievability Factors
 Level of Qualification: Topics should be manageable for undergraduate research.
 Complexity: Avoid overly complex topics with limited data or too many variables.
 Expertise: Ensure access to a knowledgeable supervisor or faculty.
 Data Access: Ensure access to necessary data, considering time, cost, and privacy concerns.
 Financial Costs: Stick to a realistic budget.
 Time Constraints: Plan ahead, considering time limits for your research.

10. Specificity
 Narrow down broad topics to focused research areas (e.g., “Marketing” → “Business
Marketing Relationship Between Cott Corporation and Tesco”).
 Clarify your focus: Who/what is involved? When and where does it happen?

11. Relevance
 Topics must fit within business and management fields (e.g., marketing, finance, HR).
 Consider career relevance: Research aligned with career goals can provide valuable insights.

12. Meeting Project Guidelines

 Ensure your topic aligns with course/project requirements and institutional guidelines.
 If you have a sponsor (e.g., an employer), make sure the topic matches their needs.

13. Interest
 Choose a topic that excites you to stay motivated throughout the research.
 Avoid choosing topics solely for perceived ease—interest leads to better outcomes.
 If you lose interest, switching topics is possible, but it may disrupt your timeline.

14. Generating Research Ideas

 Sources: Discussions with supervisors, brainstorming, reading literature, mind maps, and
relevance trees.
 Research Seminars/Guest Lectures: Attend to gain new perspectives and ideas.
 Employer Support: Part-time jobs or internships can provide real-world data and
inspiration.

15. Brainstorming
 Collaborative idea generation with peers or faculty.
 Guidelines: Group size (5-7 people), no criticism, encourage wild ideas, and build on others’
suggestions.

16. Reading Existing Literature

  Review academic journals and textbooks to identify gaps or unexplored areas.
 Use journals to structure research (e.g., literature reviews, methodologies).

17. Mind Maps & Relevance Trees

 Mind Map: A visual tool to organize ideas, starting from a central theme.
 Relevance Tree: A more structured tool focusing on research questions and key subject
areas.

18. Utilizing Family and Business Networks (FAB)

 Mature or part-time students can benefit from family or business connections for practical
research support.

19. Exploring Real-world Contexts

 Visiting local businesses, such as supermarkets, can provide research inspiration on various
business aspects (e.g., marketing, consumer behavior).

20. Developing a Research Problem and Questions

 Refine your topic into a focused research problem (e.g., "What motivates German
engineering companies to internationalize?").
 Consider key questions that guide your research focus.

Conclusion:
Developing a research topic is about refining ideas and narrowing them to a research problem. Tools
like brainstorming, literature review, and mind maps will help guide the process toward a focused
and feasible research project.

chapter 3

Chapter Notes: Conducting a Literature Review

1. Importance of Selecting Reliable Sources

• Textbooks are often a starting point for learning foundational concepts, but they can be too general
or outdated for in-depth research.

• When selecting textbooks for your research, ensure they:

• Are relevant to your research topic.

• Are written by authoritative authors.

• Are published by reputable publishers.

• Include extensive references to other relevant literature.

• Are up-to-date, particularly in fast-changing fields like technology or finance.

2. Evaluating Web-Based Sources

• Web sources need to be carefully evaluated for reliability and academic standing. Many students
rely on websites, but not all web-based information is credible.

• Snowballing technique is essential:

• Start by reviewing the references in articles that are relevant to your topic.

• Follow these references to locate more sources, gradually building a strong base of literature.

• Google Scholar is an excellent tool to access academic resources, including journals, books,
dissertations, and conference proceedings.

3. Academic Journals

• Academic journals are peer-reviewed, and therefore, their articles tend to be more reliable than
those in newspapers.

• Journals are categorized into different fields, such as:

• Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, and Strategy.

• Journals vary in quality, with higher-rated ones often publishing leading research in their respective
fields. However, lower-rated journals can still provide valid and useful sources.

4. The Role of Newspapers

• Newspapers like the Financial Times can offer valuable practical insights into companies, markets,
and industries.

• Caution: While newspapers can provide useful current affairs and market information, they lack the
depth and theoretical insights needed for an academic literature review.

5. The Importance of Critical Review

• A critical review of the literature is necessary to:

• Identify gaps in the research.

• Compare and contrast different viewpoints and theories.

• Assess the methodologies used in existing research and their appropriateness.

• Develop your understanding of the major issues related to your research topic.

• Key questions to guide your critical review include:

• What is the main topic under review?

• What are the findings and their relevance to existing studies?

• What methodology has been used? Is it appropriate?

• Is the article biased or objective?

• How does this article relate to your own views?

6. Structure of a Literature Review

• Introduction: Define your topic and explain its significance. Provide a clear rationale for choosing the
topic and reference key authors.

• Main Body: Discuss the sources in a logical structure. You can use several approaches for organizing
the body:

• Thematic Approach: Organize by themes related to the topic.

• Methodological Approach: Discuss qualitative studies first, then quantitative studies, or vice versa.

• Chronological Approach: Review studies over time, often useful when tracking changes in the
literature due to historical events or new trends.

• Conclusion: Summarize the main findings, assess the current state of research, and identify any gaps
that need further investigation. Link the existing literature to your own research.

7. Example of Literature Review Structure

• Introduction Example: Discuss the topic of relationships, interaction, and networks. Briefly introduce
important research findings and focus the study on interorganizational relationships rather than
interpersonal ones.

• Body Example:

• Focus on specific definitions of relationship and network theories.

• Include key empirical findings (e.g., studies from the IMP Group).

• Highlight concepts such as commitment, trust, and cooperation.

• Conclusion Example: Provide a summary of key findings, identify gaps, and link to future research
opportunities.

8. Use of Tables and Visual Aids in Literature Review

• Tables are highly effective for summarizing key studies, showing definitions, and summarizing
complex information.

• Example Table: A table comparing different definitions of trust in inter-firm relationships from
various authors. It allows the reader to quickly grasp the main concepts and definitions.

9. Referencing Using the Harvard System

• The Harvard referencing system is widely used, and it is essential to adhere to your institution’s
specific guidelines.

• Common sources: When referencing different sources (e.g., journals, books, websites), make sure to
properly cite each according to the required format.

• It’s important to be consistent with the style to ensure academic credibility.

10. Tools for Searching Literature

• Library Catalogues: Use electronic databases like COPAC to access merged library catalogues from
top UK and Irish academic libraries.

• Citation Indices: These indices, such as Scopus, help track how many times an article or author has
been cited, indicating their influence and quality in the field.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

• Conducting a literature review is an essential step in understanding the landscape of your research
topic.

• Be sure to rely on reliable, current, and peer-reviewed sources.

• Use a critical approach to evaluate the literature, looking for strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.

• Organize your review clearly and logically, using the appropriate structure and referencing style.

• Visual aids like tables can help summarize and clarify key concepts for your reader.