Sustainable Purchasing - Research Proposal Example

Sustainable Purchasing Executive Summary Rationale: The proposed research study will be conducted with the intention of determining the importance ofsustainability for an organisation in the present competitive business scenario. The proposed study will also assist in evaluating the sustainability of an organisation’s suppliers based on three pillars comprising social, environmental and economic aspects. Methods: The proposed research study will be based on quantitative research approach. Data collected will be analysed through correlation analysis and regression analysis. The analysed data will be further evaluated with the assistance of hypothesis testing. Data Presentation. Data for the proposed study will be collected from 200 respondents comprising the managers of medium and large-sized companies. Primary data will be mainly obtained from questionnaire survey to conduct the proposed research study. Conclusion. The proposed study will be conducted systematically, so that findings obtained are reliable. Additionally, the research study will be principally based on quantitative research approach, which might be its limitation in terms of lacking rich data that might be obtained from conducting qualitative research approach. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Rationale for the Research Study 4 Background Details of the Proposed Research Study 4 Aims and Objectives 5 Proposal Structure 5 Literature Review 5 Organisational Change for Sustainability 5 A Brief Description of the Three Pillars of Sustainability 6 Assessment of Sustainability of an Organisation’s Suppliers Based on Three Pillars 7 Research Methodology 9 Sampling Plan 9 Research Approach 10 Data Presentation 14 14 Plans for Data Presentation 14 Ethical Issues 15 Discussion & Conclusions 16 References 18 Introduction Rationale for the Research Study In present scenario, organisations are required to conduct business operations with better competitiveness for sustaining in this competitive landscape. Notably, sustainability of business operations is fundamentally based on the performance level of the suppliers and three important pillars including economic, social and environmental aspects. The proposed research study will be conducted with the aim of monitoring the sustainability of an organisation’s suppliers across each of the aforementioned three pillars. Background Details of the Proposed Research Study The present business market scenario has intensified with extreme competition owing to different factors that include globalisation and technological advancement among others. Globalisation and technology have been two important factors accountable for augmenting market competition. In this context, organisations are required to be competent in their approaches with the aim of ensuring that their respective business operations are conducted competitively. Presently, business performances of an organisation are based on three important pillars that include economic, social and environment. These three factors are equally important, ensuring that business operations are performed with better sustainability. Additionally, sustainability of business operations is also dependent on the performance level of the suppliers (Kocmanova and Docekalova, 2011). Aims and Objectives The proposed research study will be conducted with the aim of determining the importance of sustainability for effective business performance. The objectives of the proposed research study have been depicted hereunder. To determine the significance of three pillars including economic, social and environment promoting sustainability To recognise the prominence of suppliers in relation to performance of an organisation To identify the importance of suppliers’ performance towards the sustainability of an organisation Proposal Structure The proposal structure is based on five chapters comprising introduction, literature review, methodology, data presentation and conclusion. These have been discussed in detail in the following. Literature Review Organisational Change for Sustainability In this present day context, factors including globalisation and technological advancement have immensely changed business operations in a diversified form in overseas market segments (Sebhatu, 2008). According to Sebhatu (2008), sustainability is an important consideration based on which organisations adopt different corporate strategies with the intention of performing sustainably and competitively. In this context, sustainability is implemented by organisations as an important consideration in order to accomplish bottom-line objectives successfully. Sebhatu (2008) in this regard stated that organisations for making better sustainable business performance are required to consider values relating to non-economic along with economic aspects by a greater degree (Sebhatu, 2008). In this similar perspective, Kocmanova and Docekalova (2011) noted that sustainability is a procedure in accordance with which businesses are able to conduct their respective operations with greater sustainable development. Specially mentioning, organisations with appropriate integration of economic as well as non-economic aspects are able to conduct operations sustainably as well as competitively at large (Kocmanova and Docekalova, 2011). A Brief Description of the Three Pillars of Sustainability According to Doane and MacGillivray (2001), organisations with the intention of ensuring better sustainability in the long run and accomplish organisational objectives effectively tend to develop their operational capacity. In this regard, organisations with the aim of accomplishing organisational objectives are required to address dilemmas, opportunities as well as threats arising from social, environmental and economic factors that they experience while conducting varied operational functions. The three factors that include economic, social and environmental aspects are identified to be interlinked, as these are accountable for sustainable development of businesses in worldwide market segments. Contextually, management of organisations are required to manage the above stated three pillars for attaining greater success as well as growth and fulfilling the needs of the stakeholders (Doane and MacGillivray, 2001). In addition, Slaper and Hall (2011) noted that in this current business scenario, sustainability is regarded as an important factor responsible for accomplishing organisational goals as a whole. In this regard, the three dimensions of business performances comprising social, economic and environmental factor play an imperative role towards the growth as well as the development of businesses with better sustainability in long term. Generally, organisations adopt the three sustainability measures with the aim of determining their overall development. In this context, economic measures ascertain values relating to incomes, taxes and expenditures among others. Similarly, the environmental measures of an organisation are based on certain factors like ‘corporate social responsibility’ (CSR) policies. Conceptually, CSR policies ensure that business operations are conducted with the provision of developing environmental variables such as efficient use of natural resources and minimum impact of environment through wastage disposal among others. The social measures evaluate the communal variables that are offered by an organisation that include health facilities, employment opportunities and educational services among others (Slaper and Hall, 2011; New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, 2003). Assessment of Sustainability of an Organisation’s Suppliers Based on Three Pillars In the contemporary business environment, organisations in order to make sustainable as well as competitive business performance on a global context need to rely on the performance of the suppliers to the fullest extent (Warhurst, 2002). In this regard, Warhurst (2002) noted that stakeholders including employees, suppliers and shareholders play an important role in ensuring greater business sustainability. In this regard, suppliers are considered as an important player for sustainability due to the fact that an organisation procures required materials from the suppliers while producing a product. Businesses in order to ensure sustainability are required to ascertain that sustainability is maintained in the procedure of supply chain, so that overall capability of businesses can be ascertained (Seuring and Muller, 2008; Warhurst, 2002). According to Stefan and et. al. (2008), supply chain operations of an organisation comprise different activities that include distribution, procurement and manufacturing among others with the aim of ensuring that business activities are conducted in accordance with three pillars that include economic, social and environmental aspects. In this context, suppliers are required to integrate the three pillars in their respective operations with the aim of ensuring corporate sustainability. Subsequently, an organisation with the aim of managing operations relating to material, capital flows and information of supply chain is required to ascertain that supply chain operations are conducted on the basis of three pillars related to sustainability. An organisation is entrusted with the responsibility of seeking that supply chain operations are conducted in alignment with corporate goals (Business and Society, 2012). Moreover, Stefan and et. al. (2008) noted that sustainability of an organisation is based on a large extent in the performance level of suppliers. Correspondingly, an organisation is required to monitor the standards relating to environment, social and economic aspects adopted in the management process of supply chain. Sustainability is maintained by an organisation in its supply chain procedure through proper selection of suppliers and appropriate integration of operational procedures. Accordingly, by following this approach, an organisation is able to build a suitable network for better exchange of products and/or services as well as gain enhance satisfaction level of the customers. It will be vital to mention in this regard that the integration of suppliers is important for effective sustainability in the entire business processes (Stefan and et. al., 2008; Seuring and Muller, 2008). According to Seuring and Muller (2008), suppliers are duly considered to be an important external stakeholder of an organisation. This can be justified with reference to the fact that an organisation with the assistance of suppliers is able to procure raw materials and supply finished products and/or services to the end consumers efficiently. In this regard, an organisation is identified to adopt different measures with the aim of ascertaining that suppliers performing operations on the basis of three pillars including social, environmental and economic aspects (Seuring and Muller, 2008). Similarly, Ratan and et. al. (2010) noted that the notion of ‘sustainable supply chain management’ is a proactive approach with the aid of which an organisation is able to enhance its business processes by effective consideration of economic, social and environmental factors. Businesses of a global context are recognised to be relied on supply base as well as customers for gaining sustainability in business process. Subsequently, an organisation ensures that suppliers conduct their operations with utmost focus laid towards social as well as environmental responsibilities for better sustainability in the long run. This is mainly because business operations and performances of an organisation are dependent on suppliers for developing products and/or services that are commercially viable, effectively manage workforce as well as communities and protect environmental resources (Ratan and et. al., 2010). Research Methodology Sampling Plan Sampling technique is a procedure of selecting appropriate respondents from a population in a survey through employing probability or non-probability statistical methods. Identifying appropriate sample size is crucial for any research study. The right selection of sample size ensures the reliability of the research study to a substantial extent. The survey based on appropriate sample size will help to generalize findings from the desired sample representative of a population. In this proposed research study, the sample frame will be the managers working in medium and large-sized organisations in the UK (Rubin and Babbie, 2012). The recruitment method for the proposed study will be based on certain policy in order to ensure that recruitment of participants are made in an equitable manner and the information acquired from the participants is appropriate. The survey will be mainly performed on the managers of small and large organisations and in this regard, no monetary payments or gifts will be used as incentives for increasing the sample size. In this similar context, the proposed study will provide incentives in the form of security by ensuring managers that survey data obtained will be stored effectively and the name as well as the company wherein the individuals work will not be disclosed (Lynn, 2009). Research Approach In this proposed study, the sample size for the questionnaire survey will be 200 respondents i.e. the managers of medium and large size organisations. These respondents will be interviewed through a structured process. The managers of the medium as well as large organisations are selected owing to the fact that they are able to possess adequate knowledge as well as experience about the importance of sustainability based on the three pillars including economic, environment and social aspect. Notably, the samples will be selected on the basis of define criteria following a stratified sampling technique. Research approaches are vital consideration for the commencement of any research study. There are various research approaches that entail qualitative along with quantitative, inductive and experimental methods among others. Specially mentioning, the proposed study is conducted with the aim of determining the importance of sustainability amid suppliers in an organisation. In this context, a quantitative research approach will be adopted with the intention of conducting the study in an appropriate manner. Theoretically, quantitative research is described as an experimental exploration of collected data with the assistance of mathematical, computational as well as statistical techniques. The major objective of quantitative approach in relation to the proposed research study will be thus to create and utilize mathematical models, theories and hypotheses for recognising certain practical facts. One of these facts can be monitoring the sustainability of an organisation’s suppliers on the basis of social, environmental and economic aspects. The proposed research study will be conducted on the basis of certain structure or process in order to ascertain that the study is performed systematically and completed within the desired timeframe. In this context, a specific research design or process will be followed in order to complete the research study within a desired timeframe. The proposed study will comprise a series of activities, which will be necessary for conducting the entire study in an effective and appropriate manner (Kumar, 2010). The research design will mainly consist six phases that have been depicted hereunder. Source: (Kumar, 2010) Data collected in a research study can be analysed through different research approaches or methodologies. In this proposed research study, the collected data will be analysed through quantitative research approach with the intention of ensuring appropriate findings. In this regard, a certain procedure will be followed on the basis of which data analysis will be conducted, which includes correlation along with regression analysis. Additionally, the statistical information obtained through the analysis will be examined through the assistance of hypothesis testing. Correlation analysis will be appropriate in this regard, as the proposed study is based on three important pillars in relation to sustainability that include social, environment and economic aspects, which are interrelated to each other. On the other hand, regression analysis will assist in determining the association prevailing amid these variables. Subsequently, the relationship amid the variables will be evaluated through hypothesis testing. Experienced and trained researchers in the field of conducing questionnaire survey will collect the data for the proposed study. The researchers will be trained in communicating as well as interpreting data or information acquired through conducting a survey with 200 participants i.e. the managers of medium and large-sized organisations operating in the UK having intense connectivity with different suppliers. A single survey will be conducted for around 30 days in order to complete the questionnaire suitably. It is worth mentioning that the data collection procedure based on the three pillars for monitoring the sustainability of an organisation’s suppliers will be taken into concern after confirming reliability and validity tests. Reliability is considered as a process of deriving consistent outcomes within a research study. During data analysis, test should be considered as reliable if a researcher obtains same outcomes repeatedly. Validity comprises two important parts i.e. internal as well as external. Internal validity reveals whether the outcomes of any study are justifiable or not. Moreover, it depends on the way in accordance with which a sample size is selected, data is gathered and analysis is performed. Subsequently, external validity depicts whether the outcomes derived from the study is transferable to other groups of interest and can be duly considered for future references (Handley, 2012; Golafshani, 2003; Balnaves and Caputi, 2001). In this proposed research study, reliability and validity of the accumulated data will be ascertained through the importance of the data obtained from the questionnaire survey. Moreover, due focus will be laid on the data obtained from the questionnaire survey. The survey data collected from the survey is to be compared as well as contrasted in order to determine the reliability along with validity of the proposed study. Validity and reliability of this proposed study will assist in mitigating measure errors. Validity will ensure that the study has been executed properly in accordance with its aims along with objectives. Reliability of this proposed study will also ascertain that the findings obtained are true, fair as well as error free signalling the sensitivity and the suitability for future referral. Data Presentation Plans for Data Presentation Data collection is an essential part of a particular research study. Accurate data ought to be collected relevant to any research study with the intention of obtaining reliable findings. There are two types of data collection or presentation methods that entail primary along with secondary data. The primary method comprises observation, questionnaires, interview (semi-structured or structured interview) and surveys. On the other hand, secondary data is mainly collected from various secondary sources including journals, books and other online sources. It is worth mentioning that the secondary data collected is based on the researches and findings of other researchers. Conversely, the primary data is recognised to be a fresh one, which is collected through focus groups (Sapsford and Jupp, 2006). The data collected through secondary method is determined to be quite cost-effective as well as time efficient. Moreover, the secondary data is readily available, which may assist in acquiring appropriate information in an appropriate manner (Parasuraman and et. al., 2006). Questionnaire survey is identified to be as easy procedure of collecting data and this method of data collection is economical. With the assistance of this technique, data can be collected in an effective way. In this technique, findings can be obtained from large sample size in a rapid manner (Brace, 2008). In this proposed research study, primary data will be collected with the aim of conducting the study suitably for obtaining appropriate findings. In this regard, the primary data will be mainly collected from the questionnaire survey conducted on 200 respondents i.e. the managers of medium and large-sized organisations. Additionally, the survey will be based on coding, which will imply that the 200 respondents are provided with certain numeric codes that would ensure greater protection of their confidential protection. In this similar context, conducting the proposed research study will aid in analysing as well as interpreting data successfully. Ethical Issues Ethics is duly considered to be an essential element for successful completion of a reliable research study. A research study focuses on the safety of respondents as well as confidentiality of identity. In addition, elements of ethics require that information from respondents are obtained voluntarily through free consent of respondents. It is the responsibility of every researcher to respect and value the core principles of respondents providing valuable input for conducting research study in a successful manner (Paul, 2010). The ethical aspects are mostly observed as associated with characteristics of quantitative methodology. In this regard, the proposed research study is required to be conducted in accordance with ethical considerations. Moreover, the proposed research study will ensure that the data collected is properly managed and carefully documented for future purposes. The participants of the proposed study will be informed about the research subject, so that respondents are aware of the objectives of the proposed study and accordingly, due consent will be acquired for ethically conducting the survey. Additionally, every university follows certain principles and rules from an ethical perspective and thus make the researchers to gain approval to conduct any research. Thus, prior to conducting the research, approval from the concerned authority of the respective universities will be taken. Only authentic secondary sources will be used for analysing the subject understudy. Furthermore, while using secondary sources, proper citation as well as updated information will be used. Discussion & Conclusions The proposed research study will be based on quantitative research approach. The data will be collected from questionnaire survey, which will be conducted on 200 participants comprising managers of medium and large-sized companies. The data collected will be analysed through correlation and regression analysis. The analysis will be evaluated with the assistance of hypothesis testing. In this regard, the proposed study possesses a limitation, which can be determined as that it is principally based on quantitative research study. Contextually, it will be difficult to analyse the perceptions of participants in an immense manner. In this regard, the use of quantitative research approach may ignore the contextualisation of human behaviour, hindering the completion of the research within a stipulated time frame. Additionally, the quantitative research approach might not possess the real world setting and subsequently, lack richness as well as depth of data that can be well acquired from the conduct of qualitative research approach. Thus, as a whole, it can be affirmed that the primary data collected from the questionnaire survey and the conduct of correlation along with regression analysis will certainly validate the proposed research study in terms of reliability and attaining its predetermined objectives. The proposed time frame for the research study has been depicted in the following. From the above tabular representation, it can be affirmed that the projected time frame for completing the proposed research study will be 6 months, only if the above discussed tasks are performed in an efficient manner. References Balnaves, M. and Caputi, P. (2001) Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods: An Investigative Approach. United States of America: SAGE. Brace, I. (2008) Questionnaire Design: How to Plan, Structure and Write Survey Material for Effective Market Research. United Kingdom: Kogan Page Publishers. Business and Society. (2012) Sustainable Purchasing & Supply Chain Management. Available from: http://www.businessandsociety.be/assets/f1efb4f091cd779f16ede762a7661b2a.pdf [Accessed 3 August 2014]. Doane, D. and MacGillivray, A. (2001) Economic Sustainability the Business of Staying in Business. 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