Business Research Methods - Comparing two research methodologies

This report compares two research methodologies for Boots, a British health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain, to resolve their supply chain management problem. The report discusses research problem, key reading, instrument, conclusion, and communication of research.

Business Research
Methods

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Section 1.....................................................................................................................................3
Comparing two research methodologies...............................................................................3
1.1 Research Problem..............................................................................................................3
1.2 Selected Key reading.........................................................................................................4
Pantitanonta, P., 2020. A study of employees' motivation in a small-sized business to
encourage employees to improve their professional skills.................................................4
Section 2 Instrument and conclusions.................................................................................10
2.1 Instrument..........................................................................................................................10
2.2 Conclusions.......................................................................................................................12
2.3 REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................14
Appendix........................................................................................................................................15
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Research Methods is explained as process and techniques that is used by an
individual to conduct research and collect data appropriately. Research method is a kind
of tool that uses to do research and managing the activities. Whenever there is need to
get information about topic, is likely to conduct study (Pangestika, and Budiningsih,
2021). This is important for everyone to understand what problem is running around and
how it can be resolved. In using research, qualitative and quantitative are two
methodology which is used to collecting data and attaining research objectives. To
understand about methodology Boots has been selected that is British health and
beauty retailer and pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom and other countries and
territories involving Ireland, Italy, Norway, and Netherlands, Thailand, and Indonesia.
The organization was founded in 1849, by John Boot. The organization is facing
business problem that directly affected business negatively. The report involves
comparison of two research methods, research problem, key reading, instrument,
conclusion, and communication of research. (Pangestika and Budiningsih, 2021).
MAIN BODY
Section 1
Comparing two research methodologies
1.1 Research Problem
A research problem is defined as statement about an area of concern, condition to
be improved, difficulty to be eliminated, and other issue that needs to be resolve and
manage the activities.
The current report mainly focused on analysis and selection of research methods
that is relevant to topic and support to develop understandings. Boots is large size
organization that faced problem of supply chain management due to lack of delivery
boys and changing government regulations that directly affected business and reduce
sales turnover.
To operate a business and maintaining sustainability, management needs to
analysis the environment and resolve issue by applying effective strategies and
planning that can help to bring changes and manage higher performance. With the help

of current study and analysis, it would be easy for organization to resolve business
issues and organise all activities. The researcher will select appropriate methodology
and practices for understanding issues and solve it (Fiaz, Su and Saqib, 2017).
1.2 Selected Key reading
Pantitanonta, P., 2020. A study of employees' motivation in a small-sized business to
encourage employees to improve their professional skills
The above article tend to provide an understanding and information about the employee
motivation along with its needs and importance in ensuring and leading better business strategy
has been made. Relevant theory and concept in relation to topic is needed as it supports
to develop understanding and insights to complete study. The current study is about
issue of supply chain management faced by Boots organization while providing
products and services. For each organization it is important to analysis the market and
comes to know what kind of problems is facing by business and how it can be resolves.
To bring changes in every activity and function is natural where existing work is turning
into new working that can help to reach targeted customers and development of
business (Pantitanonta, 2020).
As per viewpoint of Minbaeva (2018), Resource based View (RBV) theory is based on
supply chain management that states designing of supply management process should
be based on resources which are available to the company. To operate a business
continuously there is need of proper supply chain management and resources which
can be used to manage the organizational activities and functions that supports to
organizational development. According to Resource base view supply theory, if there
are resources in organization then, are likely to grow a business and manage higher
performance. The resources such as human being, capital, transportation facility,
marketing management, products and services, human resources, and proper
arrangement of services that used by Boots company to operate their business and
providing products to their customers. This theory helped to use all available resources
in optimum manner that helped to manage activities and functions. After doing research
it has analysed that chosen organization facing issue of supply chain management due
to lack of delivery employees in organization and changing government regulation due
to pandemic attack. This directly affected on business industry as reduction in sales and

profitability. This became most important for organization to understand issues and
made efforts to resolve it properly by sharing with all staff and managing activities.
As per viewpoint of Subhash and Cudney, (2018), Strategic theory is based and
dependent on several strategic theories that are taken by the management to make
sure that organisation make rightful decision on the supply chain. If all functions and
activities are properly managed as well as organized, then it will be good task to grow a
business by reaching to the potential customer base. Another theory is system theory to
supply chain which is based on systems in which institution's supplies are handled. In
this, organization manage the supply activities by following an appropriate structure or
system. This could help Boots organization to resolve issue by increasing supply chain
activities and maintain higher performance. The human resource management of
selected organization recruits skilled and talented people that perform their
responsibilities to logistics which supports to develop the organizational performance
and productivity (Fiaz, Su and Saqib, 2017). By using Mind map diagram, management
of selected organization could maintain good relations with its suppliers, investors,
transportation employees, and customers that can help to organise the supply activities
in changing environment and maintain good performance. The mind map helps to
remember information, learning new concepts, boost creativity, and improve
productivity. This also supports to bring changes by using modern supply chain
management theory that develop understandings and bring changes in existing
performance.
Further, as per the viewpoint of Pantitanonta, P., 2020, it has been seen that Boots is
being a British health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain thus it is having a retail
Supply Chain Management that comprises of the process of managing the entire supply
chain of retail organisations. The differentiating factor of retail supply chain
management from other supply chain management is in the volume of product
movement and the fast-moving nature of the products of the retail industry. Further, it
has been also seeing that the pharmaceutical supply chain is the means through which
prescription medicines are delivered to patients. Along with this, there are many
variations on this basic structure, as the players in the supply chain are constantly

evolving, and commercial relationships vary considerably by geography, type of
medication, and other factors.
Two appropriate research methods
Research Methods is defined as specific planning and procedure that is used by
researchers to improve their knowledge and skills in relation to a particular topic. The
research methodology is the activity of gaining understanding and bringing changes in
their existing performance. To collect data and information it became important for
researchers to conduct research by understanding a topic clearly (Saini and Kaur,
2019). To collect data, there is a need to have proper information and skills for use of
the research method as its supports to complete the study. In collecting data and
information there is a need to focus on reliability and validity that can help to manage
business functions as well as activities. To discuss research methods, a research onion
is considered an important component that involves different methodologies to research
the topic. Research philosophy and research approach are two methods of research
which are taken in using research onion framework that is used to collect information
about a particular topic (Bell, Bryman and Harley, 2018). The research philosophy
explains the set of beliefs encompasses the nature of reality being investigated. This is
the underlying definition of the nature of knowledge. A researcher needs to understand
the topic first and then make a decision to conduct the study properly. The research
philosophy can differ on the goals of research and the way that might be used to
achieve goals. To collect relevant and valid information regarding a particular topic there
is a need to investigate the topic and manage performance. The philosophy is based on
positivism, realism, and interpretivism that is applied for a different purpose. Positivism
philosophy involves research questions that can be researched. This helps researchers
to find explanations by using people's knowledge and skills. Realism allows one to use
new research methods, that can help to carry out research first. Another philosophy is
interpretivism that states how people see their actions and others' own.

It has been seen and analsysed that the two common types and forms of
research method that are being used and applied with an investigation comprises of the
qualitative and quantitative method of research. Further, it has been seen and analyse
that the qualitative method of the research is the one that tend to includes and
comprises of the use of the in-depth information to lead a theoretical view point about
the selected topic. On the other hand, the quantitative method of research is the one
that is based on numeric facts and analysis through making of statically graphs and
tables therefore leads to more measurable set of results.
In other words, interpretivism helps to know people's culture and its participation in
social life in making decisions. In relation to the current business problem in Boots
organization, the researcher decided to use positivism philosophy because questions
could be tested by accepting people's knowledge. This can help to manage all functions
and research activities clearly that support completing the study. The use of positivism
research methodology could be beneficial for the chosen organization as management
will ask their staff that what problems they are facing in supply chain activities and put
efforts to resolve it. The management of the selected organizations will use system
theory and strategic theory that could help to improve their supply chain activities
(Donthu, Kumar and Pattnaik, 2020). To operate a business and provide products to
their customer's supply chain is important that used by companies in order to sell their
products and increase sales. Under positivism philosophy, strategy supply theory could
be supportive for Boots as management needs to formulate effective plans and
strategies for bringing changes in their existing performance. The management of the
selected organization makes the right business decision by selecting effective supply
chain activities. As pandemic occurred in the whole world where government restricted
companies to supply their products and services in another country, affected business
negatively. This issue can be resolved by conducting a study and analysing the
prepared questions that can help to develop understandings and supply the

organizational products and services. While conducting research, the selection of the
research method is very critical for a researcher as it creates confusion, having a
number of options. Having good knowledge and skills about research method selection
could help to make the right decision and maintain higher performance (Brown and
Danaher, 2019).
Another research methodology is the research approach which is related to the
procedure of study that explains steps of data collection, analysis, and interpretation
assumptions. This can help to bring changes in the existing performance of data
collection and analysis properly. The reader can improve its knowledge and skills by
managing all information and studying properly. The main approaches of research are
inductive and deductive which is used for different purpose. The deductive approach
based on hypothesis information and pre-existing theory then formulates the research
approach to test it. This also permits statistical testing and gives results accordingly.
The base of selecting approach as a qualitative and quantitative technique to data
collection. The quantitative is used to gather practical and statistical information that
could be used to complete the study (Kingsley, Noordewier and Bergh, 2017). Whereas
the qualitative technique is used to collect theoretical information only that can relate to
the topic. The inductive approach allows individuals to create a theory instead of pre-
existing or hypothesis one in the deductive. These states move activities from specific to
general. This can help to generate new theory which could be generated and support to
analysis of the data. In relation to current research, the deductive approach is used by
researchers that is based on quantitative data and help to collect different information
about particular topics and problems. In context to Boots' organization, supply chain
activity is less due to lack of delivery drivers and lack of relationship between suppliers
and customers. Due to this issue customer base falling down continuously where the
deductive approach can be used to supply products in different stages that support the
developing of understanding and managing all activities effectively. The chosen
organization can improve its selling activities by solving supply chain issue that supports
to development of organizational productivity and performance (Groenland, 2018).
To overcome the issue of supply chain management in Boots organization, human
resource management will recruit talented people who have good knowledge of supply

products at different places by following government guidelines and following all
preventive measures that could help to build customer trust that the company is
providing products for social welfare and would support to increase customer base. The
present business problem of the selected organization is related to the supply chain
issue where management also needs to create good relations with supplier and
customers that helps to know what they want and how they could be satisfied ( Paul and
Feliciano-Cestero, 2021). This can help to manage all business activities and functions
while working and maintain higher performance. Having good knowledge and skills in
relation to a particular topic could be an opportunity for individuals to share their views
and reach targeted results. Thus, Boots organization is applying deductive approach
and positivism philosophy in order to collect data about supply chain management
strategy and theory that can help to bring changes in their existing process and
introduce new one which would help to reach the targeted customers and maintain
higher performance. The method of research used by researchers leaves gaps in
understanding the topic clearly. This gap might be creating the challenge of not
completing study as valid data is not getting by individuals. If there is not valid and
relevant data between methodology, then gaps would be arising obviously. This creates
a challenge for a researcher to resolve such an issue by managing all functions and
activities that support bringing changes in existing performance and completing the
study by filling gaps. In relation to current research, there is a gap between philosophy
and approach where right decision is taken by the investigator that would support
arranging available resources and completing their study effectively (Hausberg, Liere-
Netheler, Packmohr, Pakura and Vogelsang, 2019).
According to Evans, and Lewis (2018), Semi structure interview and self-completed
questionnaire are effective method of research that is used by an individual for the
purpose of gather information in context to particular topic. The semi structured is a
research method that mainly used in social science and couple interview. Oppositely,
Self-completed research method is explained as survey which is designed to be
completed by the respondent without guidance of interviewer. This is kind of informal
method which is used to ask questions without assistance of others. In relation to
current research, semi structured interview is being used by researcher in which

different types of question are designed to supply chain logistics and follows it properly.
This can help to bring improvement in their existing performance and maintain higher
performance. The advantages of semi structured interview are interviewer can prepare
questions by using their knowledge and maintain open-ended responses from
participants in depth in formation (Kishita and et.al., 2018). Moreover, it encourages
two-way communication. The disadvantages of research method are time consuming as
it takes time to gather information while asking questions. This requires extensive
resources and capital that might be impact negatively. The advantage of self-completed
questionnaire is cost saving as it is most affordable method of data collection out of
wider audience. This also helps to keep multimedia capabilities by collecting
information. The disadvantages of self-completed questionnaire are lack of monitoring,
and control over response rate that could impact negatively on business activities.
Further, the two-research method that are commonly sued with the current literature
review are based and focused on qualitative and quantitative nature of method.
Qualitative nature of research method is the one which supports in-depth data thus it is
more complex and time consuming in nature. On the other hand, the use of the
quantitative nature of data is more effective and vital as it supports numeric collection of
facts and leads to easy presentation and analysis of the data.
Section 2 Instrument and conclusions
2.1 Instrument
The current research is about supply chain management where organization faces
issue and selling activities also being reduced. The aim of conducting proposed
research is to develop understanding and knowledge that how to resolve business
problem by applying effective supply chain strategies. When I was studying in college,
my tutor has assigned me a project in which I was accountable for supplying the goods

and services to the customers. While working I felt that selling activities of organization
is reducing continuously where it became most important for me to resolve issues. I
have built an effective team by analysing skills and abilities of individuals who was
learning with me and interested to work with me. It was good assignment where I
analysed my capability to handling any business issue and solve it properly. I found the
root of issue that there was lack of wholesale drivers who gets products and used to
sale in other countries and places that can help to support the organizational activities. I
used the semi-structured interview method under research methodology where different
types of questions being prepared by me regarding topic and issues which faced while
working (Eltaybani, Abdelwareth, Abou‐Zeid and Ahmed, 2020). I came to know that
there is need to recruitment of supply managers and build good relations with other
countries. These activities helped me to understand the issue and solve the problem by
selecting talented people in supply chain activity (Evans and Lewis, 2018). I allocated
the work between team members as per their skills and interest that supported me to
develop own skills and get work done more. In conducting the research, I used a
research instrument such as survey and questionnaire which was effective method to
gather information about a specific topic and study. The questionnaire was designed by
me by remembering all key points of quality questions where respondents also have
given their response towards questions. This was good task for me, and I enjoyed a lot
to worked. The survey method is based on analysing market by preparing questions
and asking to others that helped me to improve my learning and skills in particular field.
As previous argued, the problem area and research question that I used a mixed
method under research strategy. The all information and data which gathered while
conducting research and choosing appropriate method became helpful for me as mixed
method helped to analysis about more than one topic (Farrukh, Meng, Wu and Nawaz,
2020).
There was two method of research such as semi-structured and self -completed both
were analysed by me in relation to gather information about specific topic. I thought, if I
use self- completed questionnaire then I have to prepare more questions without
concerning of others or interviewer that might be wrong and difficult to answer for
others. In learning stage, I understood that research questions should be of good

quality, clear, and easy to understand so that everyone could answer properly and feel
good to share their knowledge. If research questions are not relevant and valid to topic
then it could be challenging for researcher as well as respondent to share their data and
reach at the conclusion. However, I have selected the semi-structured method where I
designed interview questions and asked to employee that helped me to bring changes
in supply chain activities and control over all functions. I organized all resources and
improved my communication, collaboration, and learning skills. This provided me a
good opportunity to enhance my knowledge and get future employment by using own
skills as well as capability (Iddagoda and Opatha, 2017).
Further, the two main form of research instrument that are commonly used within
an investigation comprises of the use of the questionnaire and interview. A
questionnaire is a research tool featuring a series of questions used to collect useful
information from respondents. Further, making use of the questionnaire as research
instruments include either written or oral questions and comprise an interview-style
format. Beside this, the making use of the interview as research instrument includes a
structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides
answers which ensures collection of detailed information.
2.2 Conclusions
From the report it can be concluded that selected research methods (self-completed
questionnaire and semi-structured interview) are mostly used as research method. This
is important for an individual to understand topic clearly and managing the activities. It
has been seen that before going to any decision there is need to give proper time and
cost to research activities as it is used to gather information from different sources and
activities. The research method is supportive hand of researchers which is used to
complete the study properly. A researcher is an individual who have research skills,
communication skills, collaboration skills, question designing skills, and time
management skills which is used to manage and organise particular activities and
maintain higher performance. The semi-structured interview believes that relevant and
appropriate data has been collected by using valid source that can help to complete
study. This is based on available knowledge and skills of a person that support to
improve skills and study effectively. In relation to current research, researcher has been

used positivism approach that supports to check data more than one time and arranging
it well. This also helps to complete the study by developing knowledge about particular
topics and attaining higher performance. The deductive approach is used by researcher
to get valid and relevant data about business problem faced by Boots while running
their business and gotten guidance to solve business issue properly. Moreover, mixed
method under research strategy helps to focus on more than one topic and area of
research that provide in-depth knowledge as well as insights.
The main disadvantage of conducted interview is lack of quality questions as flow of
questions was very high which needs to be slow and short that created challenge for
respondents to answer it continuously. Another issue was, questions which have ask to
employees not related to topic where they feel embraced while giving answer. In the
semi-structure interview many people have participated who shared their knowledge
and give guidance what changes should bring in supply chain activities. The pilot study
also conducted by researcher that helped to know reason of business issue and
formulated different planning that could be used to resolve problems.

2.3 REFERENCES
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Entrepreneurial Motivation on Nopia Snack Business in Banyumas District.
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Pantitanonta, P., 2020. A study of employees' motivation in a small-sized business to
encourage employees to improve their professional skills.
Fiaz, M., Su, Q. and Saqib, A., 2017. Leadership styles and employees' motivation:
Perspective from an emerging economy. The Journal of Developing Areas, 51(4),
pp.143-156.
Minbaeva, D. B., 2018. Building credible human capital analytics for organizational
competitive advantage. Human Resource Management. 57(3). pp.701-713.
Subhash, S. and Cudney, E. A., 2018. Gamified learning in higher education: A
systematic review of the literature. Computers in human behaviour. 87. pp.192-
206.
Saini, R. and Kaur, B., 2019. Entrepreneurial Motivation and Challenges: A Study on
Women Entrepreneurs in Punjab. Indian Journal of Economics and
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Bell, E., Bryman, A. and Harley, B., 2018. Business research methods. Oxford
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Donthu, N., Kumar, S. and Pattnaik, D., 2020. Forty-five years of journal of business
research: a bibliometric analysis. Journal of Business Research. 109. pp.1-14.
Brown, A. and Danaher, P. A., 2019. CHE principles: Facilitating authentic and
dialogical semi-structured interviews in educational research. International
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Kingsley, A. F., Noordewier, T. G. and Bergh, R. G. V., 2017. Overstating and
understating interaction results in international business research. Journal of
World Business. 52(2). pp.286-295.
Groenland, E., 2018. Employing the matrix method as a tool for the analysis of
qualitative research data in the business domain. International Journal of
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Paul, J. and Feliciano-Cestero, M. M., 2021. Five decades of research on foreign direct
investment by MNEs: An overview and research agenda. Journal of business
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Hausberg, J. P., Liere-Netheler, K., Packmohr, S., Pakura, S. and Vogelsang, K., 2019.
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020
Appendix
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you having any underdoing about the concept of supply chain management?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Are you agreed with the fact that having an efficient supply chain is vital for

success of every form?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
c) Neither agree nor disagree
Q3) What are main types and forms of supply chain?
a) Transaction Cost Analysis
b) Channel Coordination
c) Network Perspective
Q4) Why it is important to have effective supply chain?
a) create value for customers
b) ensure regular and smooth supply
c) Brings higher cost efficiency
Q5) What are the main principles of supply chain management?
a) Customize Logistics Network
b) Develop IT that Support Multilevel Decision Making
c) Adapt Supply Chain to Customer's Need
Q6) Is Boot company is having effective supply chain?
a) Yes
b) no
Q7) Is a vital role is played by managers is creating a coordinated and well managed
supply chain?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8) What overall impact of effective supply chain management is seen on the
performance and efficiency level of organisation?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) No impact
Q9) What are effective ways that supports effective management of supply chain?
a) Expand your supply chain visibility.

b) Automate your supply chain processes
c) Implement supply chain software.
Q10) Any further recommendation to have improvement in supply chain management
of a firm?