Pure and Applied Research in Business_ssdhar

7/31/2019 Pure and Applied Research in Business_ssdhar

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Pure , Applied and ConsultingResearch

Compiled by

Dr S. Sridhar


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Summing up from the previous Unit-

Characteristics of Research

Research is a systematic and critical investigation

into a phenomenon, process or system. It is not a mere compilation, but a purposive

investigation; it aims at describing, interpreting.

It adopts scientific method

It is objective and logical, applying appropriatetests to validate the measuring tools and the

conclusions reached. It is based on observable experience or empirical

evidence.


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Why do we need to conduct research at all?

What happens if there is no research in

natural sciences, physical sciences, medicineand social sciences??


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Researcher, Manager and Consultant Pure research is closer to an idea.

Applied research is closer to practice.

Ideas emanating from researchers have to betailored and made workable in the context of an

consultant.

Purpose of management research is to bringabout positive fundamental change, whether at

individual, organizational, social or ecologicallevels.


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The Consultant

Japanese soap factory

story


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Pure Research Details from the literature

review

The Research uestion

Propositions,

correspondinghypotheses andconclusions


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Utility of Pure Research The insight provided by

the theoretical modelitself; (the model allowsfor the emergence of newvariables that are

interesting and useful,throws up newclassification schemesand opens up hitherto

unexploredinterrelationships for thestudy).


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Utility of Pure Research.

The empirical findings

help to uncover actualrelationships.

If there is a strong

empirical evidence ofnew relationships, there

is good scope for the

findings to be leveragedto benefit practitioners.


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Applied Research

The key decision

variable

The base of the IH

Think of a cylinder

bloated at the middle

(initial hypothesis)pyramid

The key strategic

decisions


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Distinguishing featuresApplied research

Referent: organization (unit

of analysis)

It deals with commercial

issues such as : to enter a

Pure research

Referent: idea (unit of

analysis)

Cannot be applied directly

to an or anization as the

new field or not; suitablemeans to enhance profits

by cost cutting or revenue

enhancements or

downsizing

outcome of such research isgeneral; The higher the

generality of a piece of

research, the higher the

domain of its applicability

and its power)


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Distinguishing features.

Applied research

Evaluation of existing

practices (impact ofadvertising campaign for a

product)

Pure research .

Pure research has to be assessedand tailored for specific

application by the consultant(external or internal)/ trainingdepartment of a company or anacademic-consultant.

cer a n cus om za on s

usually required for ideas frompure research to be profitablyused in practice.

Examples: Bath tub curve; Black-

Scholes Model; Relationshipbetween intelligence andcreativity;


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Examples

Applied research

Improve productivity ofemployees in anorganization

Pure research

How did the universe

begin?

What are protons, neutrons,

efficiency of homes, offices,or modes of transportation

Discover a new method toreduce defects in products

Improve fuel efficiency ofcars and two wheelers

and electrons composed of? What is the specific genetic

code of the honey bees?


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Examples of Pure Research


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Fluid / heat flow through a pipeline


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Basic Research (Fr Ozzies material)

Basic Inputs Basic Processes Basic outcomes

Basic

Research

(Creating

new

knowledge

and

Existing knowledge,

ideas, concepts,

constructs, theories and

axioms in ones own

discipline or allieddisciplines

Search for objective truth or

Knowledge through discovery

of anomalies and identifying

new problems

Creating new ideas,

concepts, paradigms,

theories and knowledge

in a given domain,

industry or discipline

Substantive and

approximating

Scientific methods;

Quantitative and qualitative

Reduction of anomalies;

Expanding frontiers of

paradigms);Primarily

conceptual

.

reasoning; logical, deductiveand inductive reasoning;

objective observation,

analysis and measurement

New inventions, newdiscoveries, new

principles and laws.

Free scientific inquiry and

researcher skills

Experimentation, imagination

and eureka experiences. Peerreviews; Discovery and

justification.

Knowledge repositories

maintained by domain-specific and field-specific

gatekeepers.

Often subsidized/ funded

by Governments,

Foundations and

Universities


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Applied Research (Fr Ozzies material)

Basic Inputs Basic Processes Basic Outcomes

Applied

Research(Validating &diffusing

new K,

models &

Existing knowledge,

ideas, concepts,

models & theories inones own discipline

or allied disciplines.

Heuristic

Scientific methods &

methodologies,

quantitative andqualitative inquiries;

analogical reasoning;

logical & inductive

Validations,

extensions,

expansions,replications and

new applications of

existing K, ideas,

theories).Primarily

analytical

for reducing

risk &

uncertainty.

reducing risk/uncertainty.

,

analysis & measurement basically to generate K

that reduces risk &

uncertainty.

,

& axioms in thesame or allied

domains, fields &

industries.

This type of research

is often subsidized

by MNCs, private

research grants,

foundations etc.

K retailing and

diffusion


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Consulting Research (Fr Ozzies material)

Basic Inputs Basic Processes Basic Outcomes

Consulting

Research(Resolvingclient- specific

problems);

Primaril

Client problems (e.g.

declining sales, brand

image erosion,employee problems,

low productivity,

increasing product

Context specific & case

specific methodologies

for resolving clientproblems. Problem

identification &

classification; problem

Resolves client

problems but does

not add new K.Problem resolutions

provide better

sustainable

descriptiveand

axiological

,

entry, new productdevelopments, M & A

specification; lookingfor alternative

solutions; evaluating &

choosing the best

alternative; Follow up

research andassessment

advantage to theclients via new

strategies, improved

decision making &

market practices,

new products &services.

Funds or consulting

fees from the client

Industry- academy

interface. Patents &

technologies.


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Managers and Knowledge Managers deal with knowledge at three fundamental

levels:

1. Tactical level expertise: where one is called upon totake quick on-the-spot decisions (ex: when a crisisoccurs, or when a high degree of MBWA exists); Int s scenar o, t me ava a e s m te an ec s onsare made under limited information and scarce orinadequately mobilized resources.

Here the referent is the situation.

Think of examples: how crises are managed at home,in a bank or in a plant, at airports


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Managers and Knowledge .

2. Second level knowledge for making pre-

meditated moves Planning; Strategic

Planning

Referent here is the collective/ organization

, ,

outside the organization and such other

entities and their interactions that collectively

make the organization perform.


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Managers and Knowledge .

3. Third level knowledge is the ability to act in the

light of the larger picture; the interconnects and

the meta-protocols that have applicationpossibilities in disparate circumstances.

Third level knowled e is full of otentialities with

deep meaning and wide application possibilities,and requires wisdom for application.

It is the triumph of ideas, and the referent here is

the idea itself.


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Managers and knowledge

The three referents along with the

corresponding levels of knowledge form a

Natural Hierarchy.

Think about Industrial Engineering techniques

:

Work study (referent: situation)

Method study (referent: organization)

Motion study (referent: idea)


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Managers and knowledge

At the most elementary level, work has to bemeasured and improved upon this is achievedthrough work study;

At the next level, method study, defines andrefines the work that employees perform in

At the third level is motion study, which definesgeneral principles of motion of human limbs andbody and is concerned about meta-rules and

principles that apply to all physical effort atworkplaces.


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Practitioner Consultant- Researcher TriadRole Referent Knowledge

Practitioners

(Managers)

Situation Tactical level

expertise

Consultants Organization Strategic Planning

Researchers Ideas Tacit knowledge,wisdom for

application

Documents

Pure and Applied Research in Business_ssdhar