Research methods for managers - Essay Example

Research Methods for Managers Table of Contents Defining Terms 3 Research Topic 3 Application of Research Philosophies 3 References 6 Defining Terms Positivism philosophy is the highly structured methodology that enables quantifiable observation, generalization and result evaluation by implementing statistical method (Oriesek, 2004, p.38). Positivism is the critical objective based method that is used in natural science. The approach includes several philosophic aspects of natural science like universal law, as well as philosophy of unchanging which takes place in nature.

Interpretivism is a methodology that represents the critical thinking of positivism (Karlsoon, 2008, p.62). According to interpretive philosophy, business management in social world is so complex that faces several difficulties while formulating laws and theories like in natural science. Moreover, the philosophy represents the meaning and truth of simple facts for every situation. Research TopicIn order to justify the application of research philosophies, the research topic which has been selected for the purpose of the study is “Motivation of knowledge workers in the financial service industry in Japan”.

In this research topic, both positivism and interpretivism as the research philosophies can be applied as the topic covers the motivation factor and knowledge level of employees. The application of both philosophies is described below. Application of Research PhilosophiesThe study covers the application of positivism and interpretivism. The applications are highlighted below in order to justify the research topic.Positivism PhilosophyPositivism philosophy is a typical philosophy that analyzes and evaluates the result of a task or an input by the implementation of few statistical methods.

The motivation level of knowledge employees in Japanese financial sector is increasing. To overview the study, positivism philosophy can be implemented. The companies are paying the extra monitory incentives to the knowledge employees after achieving their monthly, quarterly or yearly targets in order to motivate them. Several scientific and statistical methods are being implemented in order to increase business performance in the company. The strategy of incentives is creating threat for the typical Japanese businesses.

Moreover, the economic changes affect the business performances of the financial companies. Increasing costs of required software, computer hardware and telecommunication equipments are driving the financial service companies to implement more aggressive business strategies. Several statistical methods in positivism philosophy can be implemented to identify the natural factors that impact business (Burns & Burns, 2008, p.17). Interpretivism PhilosophyThe philosophy reflects the critical thinking of positivism philosophy (Daymon & Holloway, 2010, p.71). In order to study the motivation of knowledge worker in the Japanese financial service sector, interpretivism philosophy can be applied.

The management style and the business structure in a business are changing in Japan due to global information technology development and rapid liberalization. The traditional Japanese management model is seniority based salary system and life-time employment. Japanese companies are under the threat from the western financial industry. After conducting the research, few factors have been discovered that impact upon motivation factor of the knowledge employees in Japanese financial service sector.

The factors are monetary incentives, task achievement and rapid personal career growth which are totally opposite of traditional Japanese management model of motivating the employees of financial service sector (Pfeffer, 1998, 149). Moreover, the employees are staying in the organizations for a long span of time. The western financial companies are threatening the traditional Japanese management model of several businesses. ReferencesBurns, R., & Burns, R., 2008. Business Research Methods and Statistics Using SPSS.

London: Sage.Daymon, C., & Holloway, I., 2010. Qualitative Research Methods in Public Relations and Marketing Communications. New York: Routledge.Karlsoon, C., 2008. Research Operations Management. New York: Routledge.Oriesek, D., 2004. Maximizing Corporate Reputation through Effective Governance: A Study of Structures and Behaviors. Florida: Universal-Publishers.Pfeffer, J., 1998. The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First. New York: Harvard Business Press.