Business Research Methods - coursework

This report compares two research methodologies for Boots organization, which is facing a supply chain management problem due to lack of delivery employees and changing government regulations. The research methods used are quantitative and qualitative. The report also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of semi-structured interviews and self-completed questionnaires.

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
Section 2 Instrument and conclusions...................................................................................9
2.1 Instrument............................................................................................................................9
2.2 Conclusions.......................................................................................................................12
2.3 REFERENCES......................................................................................................................14
Appendix.......................................................................................................................................16
Questionnaire...........................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Research Methods is explained as process and techniques that are used by an
individual to conduct research and collect data appropriately. The research method is a
kind of tool that uses to do research and manage activities. (Pangestika, and
Budiningsih, 2021). This is important for everyone to understand what problem is
running around and how it can be resolved. There are different methods of research
such as philosophy, approach, Strategy, choice, time horizon, and data collection which
is used by researcher to develop their understanding and knowledge in relation to
particular topic. In using research, qualitative and quantitative are two methodologies
which is used to collect data and attaining research objectives. To complete this
research Boots is being selected which is operating as British health and beauty retailer
and pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom and other countries and territories involving
Ireland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Indonesia. The organization was
founded in 1849, by John Boot. The organization is facing a business problem that
directly affected business negatively. The report involves a 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 a statement about an area of concern, condition
to be improved, difficulty to be eliminated, and another issue that needs to be resolved
and manage the activities.
The current report mainly focused on analysis and selection of research methods
that are relevant to the topic and support to develop understandings. Boots is large size
organization that faced the problem of supply chain management due to lack of delivery
boys and changing government regulations that directly affected business and reduced
sales turnover.

To operate a business and maintain sustainability, management needs to analyze
the environment and resolve the issue by applying effective strategies and planning that
can help to bring changes and manage higher performance. With the help of the current
study and analysis, it would be easy for organizations to resolve business issues and
organize all activities. The researcher will select appropriate methodology and practices
for understanding issues and solving them (Fiaz, Su, and Saqib, 2017).
1.2 Selected Key reading
Relevant theory and concept about the topic are needed as it supports to
development of understanding and insights to complete the study. The current study is
about the issue of supply chain management faced by Boots organization while
providing products and services. For each organization, it is important to analyze the
market and come to know what kind of problems is faced by business and how they can
be resolved. 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 the 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 that are available to the company. To operate a business
continuously there is a need for proper supply chain management and resources which
can be used to manage the organizational activities and functions that supports
organizational development. According to Resource base view supply theory, if there
are resources in the organization then, are likely to grow a business and manage higher
performance. The resources such as human beings, 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 been analyzed that chosen organization facing the issue of supply chain
management due to lack of delivery employees in the organization and changing
government regulation due to pandemic attacks. This directly affected on the business
industry as a reduction in sales and profitability. This became most important for

organizations to understand issues and made efforts to resolve them properly by
sharing with all staff and managing activities.
As per the 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 organization makes rightful decisions on the supply chain. If all functions and
activities are properly managed as well as organized, then it will be a good task to grow
a business by reaching 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, the organization manages the supply activities by following an appropriate structure
or system. This could help Boots organization to resolve the issue by increasing supply
chain activities and maintaining higher performance. The human resource management
of selected organizations 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 a Mind map diagram, the
management of the selected organization could maintain good relations with its
suppliers, investors, transportation employees, and customers that can help to organize
the supply activities in changing environment and maintain good performance. The mind
map helps to remember information, learn new concepts, boost creativity, and improve
productivity. This also supports bringing changes by using modern supply chain
management theory that develops understandings and brings changes in existing
performance (Paul, and Feliciano-Cestero, 2021).
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 the process of managing the entire
supply chain of retail organizations. 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 seen that the pharmaceutical supply chain is the means through which
prescription medicines are delivered to patients (Copacino, 2019). 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.
The main findings are taken out through reviewed articles is that supply chain
management is known as an integral part of businesses and an organisation needs to
improve company success level and customer satisfaction. It is identified that with the
assistance of supply chain management retailers quickly deliver products that are
expensive for avoiding holding of inventories that are costly in stores. Retailers and
manufacturers greatly depend on the procedure of supply chain management for
designing networks that majorly focus on meeting objectives of customer service at the
least total cost (Copacino, 2019). Effective supply chains enable an organization to gain
a more competitive edge in the marketplace.
It is also identified that companies that value supply chain managers and supply
chain management experience improved flow of products to customers. It also reduces
the usage of large and heavy fixed assets such as warehouses, vehicles and plants in
the supply chain (Ben-Daya, Hassini and Bahroun, 2019). Supply chain designers
redesign the network so that companies can make its production and supply without
depending upon heavy machineries.
Two appropriate research methods
Present research report is conducted with the help of quantitative research
method which is mainly a process of collecting as well as analysing data in numerical
form. With the help of taking advantage of this research method in present research
average and patterns are being defined which helps in making predictions in testing
casual relationship in effective manner. By taking use of this method generalization of
result a wider population is being conducted efficiently which provide the advantage of
satisfactory research outcome. Furthermore it has been underlined that the quantitative
approach research method helps in reaching a higher sample size which benefits in
collecting data and information quickly that fulfill present research objectives in effective
manner. In addition to this with the help of taking advantage of quantitative research
method in which random sample size method is being selected this is mainly a subset

of individuals in which randomly samples are being selected to represent an entire
group as a whole. The main reason behind taking advantage of this method is to get a
sample of people those who are representative of a larger population with the help of
under taking advantage of ramble sample size method equal chances of selection and
all the respondents has been provided which helps in conducting research with less
risk. With the help of selecting the sample of population by taking assistance of random
sampling method overall outcomes of research is being assured in effective manner.
Furthermore in order to fulfill present research use of questionnaire as an instrument
for research is being considered this is mainly inclusive of list of questions along with
the choices of answer that has been presented to respondence this form of research
instrument (.Hausberg, Liere-Netheler, Packmohr, Pakura, and Vogelsang, 2019). It
helps in acquiring specific information in data from the respondence in an effective
manner. Furthermore it has been underlined that the main advantage of questionnaire
survey method as a research instrument is that it helps in conducting research in
inexpensive manner and offer practical results. Along with this with the help of taking
advantage of this researcher assures results in a quick manner in which easy analysis
and visualization is being done. This is an effective method which provide researchers
an advantage to conduct cost effective research and assured data accuracy.
Furthermore it has been underlined that to fulfill present research outcome analysis of
data is being conducted with the help of demonstrating data with the assistance of
questionnaire research method. Furthermore to fulfill research objectives investigator
emphasise towards ethical consideration and practices. It is important to assure all the
ethical measures in context with present research the ethical issue that has been
encountered during conducting research is inclusive of maintaining privacy as well as
authenticity of collected data. In this to significantly overcome this challenge researcher
implement BERA code of ethics. Furthermore researcher also ensure to comply with
the Data Protection Act provision which helps in maintaining privacy as well as
authenticity of data. Furthermore approval and consent all the respondents is being
undertaken in order to assure that research objectives get fulfilled while focusing upon
ethical countries situation effectively.

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. 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). Having good
knowledge and skills about research method selection could help to make the right
decision and maintain higher performance (Brown and Danaher, 2019).
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. 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). 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 (Farrukh, Meng, Wu, and
Nawaz, 2020).
The two used articles for the collection of information about the topic of supply
chain management is used as secondary source. These articles have acted as for the
collection of second-hand data (Min, Zacharia and Smith, 2019). This also assisted in
identifying the benefits experienced by company due to effective supply chain
management (Langley and et. al., 2020).
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). I have used questionnaire as an instrument for collecting first-hand information
about the topic of supply chain management.
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.
In order to fulfill present research objectives use of quantitative research method in
which questionnaire as a research instrument is being undertaken by researchers.
Furthermore, with the help of random sample size method researcher selected sample
of respondents that helps in acquiring appropriate data and information associated to
this research topic. With the help of random sampling technique researcher aim towards
accomplishing research while offering a chance to perform data analysis which will be
less risky to conduct research in effective manner. By taking the use of random
sampling size method researcher will conduct research in more appropriate manner that
helps in acquiring overall research outcomes in a well defined effective manner. The
research will be conducted with the help of selecting respondents those who will be the
employees of organization. The main reason behind selecting them as a respondent is
that with the help of selecting employees as respondents researcher will acquire

information and data that will be authenticated and justifiable which helps in acquiring
overall research outcomes in effective manner. The developing of questionnaire is being
done in effective manner while considering all the aspects of selected topic. In this
researcher will emphasise upon avoiding double barrelled question and also avoid
negative questions that can affect any respondent personal belief, values or other
element. This is being mainly done through which researcher assure that research will
get accomplished in effective manner without facing any challenge. Along with this use
of LIKERT scale is being undertaken to develop questionnaire which helps in providing
respondents an easy way to state their responses. All these considerations will be
emphasised by researcher to fulfill research in effective manner to gain overall
outcomes more efficiently. With the help of emphasising upon random sampling method
technique and selecting respondents those who are employees of organization the
overall accomplishment of research objectives and aim can be assured effectively. This
helps in fulfilling all the research objectives by avoiding double barrelled questions.
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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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?