A Focus On Research Methodology Business Essay

A Focus On Research Methodology Business Essay 3.1 Introduction: The previous chapter discussed about the existing literature of how the innovation process and product life cycle works within a company. This chapter will focus on research methodology which is the set of method, providing a systematic technique to accomplish research aims and objectives and research questions. As per Kumar (2005), research methodology is the way to answer all the research questions. The researcher will clarify the types of research methods and also it will illustrate the correct process to meet the research aims and objectives, data collection process and evaluation of the data. The centre point of any research is to data collection and the analysis. Saunders et al. (2009, p-106) described this centre point as a centre of an onion which has different layers that need to be peeled away to get into the centre point. This onion is known as a ‘research onion’, which is shown below: Figure 3.1: Research Onion Source: Saunders et al. (2009 ) 3.2 Research philosophy: According to Saunders et al. (2009) research philosophy is the term that develops the knowledge and there is a strong relation between the nature of that knowledge and the research. To support to select the research strategy method it is important to take the supposition of the research. As per Johnson and Clark (2006) stated in Saunders et al. (2009, p.108) the management and business researchers need to be aware of the philosophies that be chosen for research report. They also added the significance of the research need to understand by investigation. In addition, there is been supportive statement by Saunders et al. (2009, p.108), â€Å"The important issue is not so much whether our research should be philosophically informed, but it is how well we are able to reflect upon our philosophical choices and defend them in relation to the alternatives we could have adopted.† According to ‘research onion’ from Saunders et al. (2009, p.108), there are four main areas which cover the research philosophy. These are as follows: Pragmatism Interpretivism Realism Positivism 3.2.1 Pragmatism: In research philosophy pragmatism is the most important determination that focuses on the research question. In this part it is also possible to argue within both positivist and interpretivist view. This is also applicable for practical approach. It helps to collect and analyze data by integrating different perspectives. (Saunders et al. (2009, p.109) 3.2.2 Interpretivism: The term ‘interpretivism’ stands for, as a researcher it is required to be aware of the difference between humans in their role as social actors. According to Saunders et al. (2009, p.116), â€Å"The difference between conducting research among people rather than objects such as trucks and computers. The term ‘social actors’ is quite significant here. In the same way we interpret our everyday social roles in accordance with the meaning we gi ve to these roles. In addition, we interpret the social roles of others in accordance with our own set of meaning†. 3.2.3 Realism: Realism is another important point of research philosophy which focuses on scientific enquiry. In other word, the existence of autonomous reality of the human mind is the realism. As per Saunders et al. (2009, p.114), quoted that,

The Relationship between history, theory, and doctrine in the Essay

The Relationship between history, theory, and doctrine in the evolution of military tactics - Essay Example Military Tactic and Strategy Military tactics are the means and art of which an organization of army employs techniques and weaponry to defeat the enemy during battle (Clausewitz, 1832). It is the lowest level of military planning, followed by operational, and encompassed by the highest level which is military strategy. Military strategy has evolved to mean more than war time but now encompass even peace time and the strategies involved to prevent war itself (Lider, 1981). Previously, Clausewitz (1832) defined military strategy as â€Å"the deployment of the battles as the means toward the attainment of the object of war,† (12). Hart (1980) also re-joined with his description as â€Å"the art of distributing and applying military means to fulfil the ends of policy,† (page) both of which imply armed violence. However, it is also notable that strategy meant more that the use of armed violence but covered policy, political, economic, ideological and techno-scientific means of nations in pursuit of victory (Lider, 1981). Earle (1944) included in military strategy even activities of peacetime to encompass non-military factors of economic, psychological, moral, political, and technological aspects to become an art of controlling all the resources of a nations and its allies to secure vital interests against enemies, perceived or otherwise. It integrates all military efforts and policies as a â€Å"grand strategy† for peace and war time. War is the object of which should be prevented or prepared for in peacetime. Osgood (1962) also defined military strategy as â€Å"nothing less than the overall plan for utilizing the capacity for armed coercion – in conjunction with the economic, diplomatic, and psychological instruments of power – to support foreign policy most effectively by over, covert and tacit means,† (5). Third definition of military strategy included both the means and the ends so that it uses the entire state power o r its aggregate potentials to attain the whole or majority of its political goals (Lider, 1981). Holloway (1979) added in the grand strategy all elements of a society’s power to support its security objectives with the main one being the prevention of â€Å"the loss of our way of life† (19). Principles of Military Tactics There are a variety of military tactics employed in battlefield. One of them is the United States’ Army’s version which trains soldiers of the following: Simplicity in a tactical plan maintains simple concept and execution where failure points are avoided. Direct tactics can make other people understand fully their actions and the part of others. This will aid them in contributing to the success of a maneuver. Surprise will keep the enemy wondering and can be employed using subtle appearance in urban self-defense, stealth and deception in battlefield, or any daring action which is least expected by the enemy camp. Speed is doing as fast as possible whatever is needed and be ready for the next long before the enemy has time to react on the first. Security considers safety at all times with its rear and flanks to keep the enemy from doing what the combatant wants to do to them. Violence of action will destroy the will of the enemy to fight (Curahee, 2008) The principle of military tactics also cover the main objective, which is a particular aim such as disengagement from an advancing enemy or maintaining movement through protection of advancing troops. Principles also employ various practical tactics that include

Bernie Madoff (Ethics) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bernie Madoff (Ethics) - Essay Example Most Ponzi schemes or pyramid schemes end up collapsing because new investors begin to dwindle and the return on investment promised quickly declines. What Madoff did that set him apart was to run a successful Ponzi scheme for years and to use charisma, charm, intelligence and advanced accounting to keep auditors, regulators and investors at bay. One thing that clearly contributed to Madoff's success, both because it expanded his resume and because it allowed him to know how to make his business appear legitimate, was that he was a well-established Wall Street player in legitimate operations. He made his money as a stocks wholesaler in the early days of the telecommunication boom when Wall Street would transform utterly. He could point to years of legitimate success when he wanted to assuage the fears of his investors. The frightening fact about Madoff's one-time legitimacy is that it indicates, as do the Enron and WorldCom examples, that Wall Street's mainstream culture does not see m to weed out potential conmen. Rather, the opposite seems to happen: The culture of Wall Street either seems to sharpen existing predatory urges or causes businessmen and financial whizkids to seek out ever-higher rates of return. Of course, Madoff pointed out as he was being arrested and tried that no one was complaining when he was returning them double-digit returns, even though it is clear that it is almost impossible for such returns to be legitimate. One issue might be the inequality at the top of the ladder itself: Hacker and Pierson in Winner-Take-All Politics point out that winner-take-all inequality, where the top 10% gain the lion's share of economic growth, leads to a situation where the rich are more and more likely to invest into extremely risky financial instruments. Madoff, like all good conmen, made sure to psychologically control, reward and assuage his participants. Investors in his money management scheme always were given the direct benefit of his individual ch arm. He cultivated an exclusive atmosphere, allowing only invited investors to come in, which seemed to indicate both safety (after all, why be so careful about an investment if it wasn't legitimate?) and power. People in Madoff's web felt that they were unique and special, part of a small club. Madoff consciously cultivated this image. One of the things that contributes to the eventual transparency of Ponzi schemes is that their affectations at exclusivity are totally superficial: It's obvious to anyone that they're desperately trying to get anyone involved, which makes smart people wonder what they're doing with their money. But Madoff was willing to walk away; he managed to cover up his Ponzi scheme not least with the way he treated investors. Madoff made sure, for whatever reason, to distance his family: Mark, Shana, Ruth and Peter Madoff all seemed totally distant from the planning process. Ruth acted as a public face but it seemed that she was unaware of the fraud. It may have been a desire to protect his family, but it may also have been smart business. The legitimate businesses Madoff ran not only generated profit but were also, in essence, a front: He could use those ventures to shield problems in his illegitimate schemes and could use it to find victims. By scrupulously preserving the integrity of his family and the firm, he made the Ponzi scheme more viable alongside protecting his cash cow. He even hired people who were less educated and perhaps less intelligent than him, people who would be