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The broad problem area

Earlier in this book we have described business research as a systematic and organized effort to
investigate a specific problem encountered in the work setting. Indeed, managers have to be alert
and responsive to what is going on, both whitin their organization and in its environment in order
to take effective decisions and develop affective courses of action. The origin of most research
stems from the desire to get a grip on issues, concerns, and conflicts whitin the company or in its
environment. In other words, research typically begins with a problem.

The origin and history of the company, when it came into being, business it is in, rate of growth,
ownership and control and so on
Size in terms of employess, assets, or both
Information gathered on relevant contextual factors will be usefull in talking knowledgeably with
managers and other employess in the company and raising the appropriate issues related to the
problem. Along these lines, un understanding of these factors might be helpful in arriving at a
precise problem information. Depending on the situation, the type of problem investigated, and
the nature of some initial responses received, certain aspects may have to be explored in greater
depth then others.

Defining the problem statement
After gathering premilimary information, the researcher is in a position to narrow down the
problem from its original broad base and define the issues of concern more clearly. As we have
explained earlier, it is critical that the problem statement is unbiguous, specific, and focused, and
that the problem is addressed from a specific academic perspective.

What makes a good problem statement
A good problem statement includes both a statement of the research objective and the research
question. Whereas the purpose of fundamental or basic research in business is related to
expanding knowledge of business and management in general, the aim of applied research is to
solve a specific problem encountered in the work setting.
A problem statement is relevant if it is meaningful from a managerial perspective, an academic
perspective, or both. From a managerial perspective, research is relevant if it relates to
A problem that currently exists in an organizational setting
An area that a manager believe needs to be improved in the organization
From an academic perspective
Nothing is known about a topic
Much is know about the topic, but the knowledge is scatted and not integrated
Much research on the topic is available, but the result are contradictory
Established relationship do not hold in certain situations.

Managerial implication
Managers sometimes look at the symptoms in problematic situations and treat them as if they are
the real problems, getting frustrated when their remedies do not work. Understanding the
antecedents problem consequences sequence and gathering the relevant information to get a real
grasp of the problem go a long way towards pinpointing it.
Ethical issues in the preliminary stages of investigation
Preliminary information is gathered by the researcher to narrow the broad problem area and to
define a specific problem statement. In many cases, the researcher interviews decision makers,
managers, and other employess to gain knowledge of the situation so as to better understand the
problem.

Bab 4
A second review of the literature, or critical literarture review is essential in most research
project.
In deductive research a literature review will also help the researcher you to develop a theorical
framework and hypotheses. In inductive research you do not develop a theorical framework
The purpose of critical literature review

A critical literature review ensures that no important variable that has in the past been found
repeatedly to have had an impact on the problem is ignored in the research project.
Along these lines, a critical review of the literature provides researcher with a framework for
their own work, this included the identification and definition of the relevant concept related to
the study and an explanation of how and why these relevant concept are related to each other.

Pencarian literature
With modern technology, location sources where the topics of the interest have been published
information.
Your library is probably subscribed to journals that are published or made available online
A glance at the titles of the articles or book will indicate which of them may be pertinent and
which others are likely to be peripheral to the contemplated study.

Masalah etika
When you summarize add to or challenge the work of others
Note that many universities use software such as turnitin or ephorus to detect plagiarism.

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