Research Methodologies

This document provides an overview of research methodologies, focusing on the 'Dieselgate' scandal and its impact on Volkswagen's performance. It discusses data collection methods, data analysis procedures, and ensuring reliable data. The document also includes a literature review and research methods. The aim is to investigate the issues raised by the scandal and identify ways to overcome them.

Research Methodologies

Table of Contents
Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Aim.........................................................................................................................................4
Objective.................................................................................................................................4
Research questions.................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
Determine data collection methods........................................................................................9
Determine data analysis procedures ....................................................................................10
Discuss different methods to ensure that the data is reliable and valid................................10
Determine limitation of this research...................................................................................10
CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................11
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................12

Abstract
Environmental concern is one of the major issues that is related with safety of individuals and
society's health. There are different functions and operations performed by a business and they
are completed within micro and macro environment. Volkswagen perform their operations
among all over the world and it define management is responsible for reducing impact related
with environment. Research on Volkswagen demonstrate due to unethical practices or
inappropriate technology generate challenges for organisation as it release more pollution from
their vehicles. Along with this methods to ensure reliable data is also analysed to perform all
operations and functions according to environment guidelines. In the last, limitations of research
is also included in this report for performing research in a systematic manner.

INTRODUCTION
The term research is explicated as a process that is used for discover of new knowledge.
Research process involve test of different methods like, analytical thinking, argument analysis,
data management and theory application to perform research in an informed manner. With
understand of different system management analysis about all research aspect that manage all
work according to proposed study. This research is based on Volkswagen which is a well-knwon
auto-mobile organisation that deliver their vehicles at a global level. Moreover, it highlights on
research question and objectives to complete research with a proper structure. Literature review
and research-methods will also be included in this report (Allam, Scagnelli and Corazza, 2020).
The topic of this research is based on safety of environment to protect health of individuals. It is
also essential for organisation to manage work with controlled device and it refers about analysis
of all points that is fuel additives and constitution according to environment guidelines.
Aim
To investigate the issues raised because of ‘Dieselgate’ scandal and its influence
over business performance. "A study on Volkswagen".
Objective
 To study about the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal in context to Volkswagen.
 To identify the issues faced by Volkswegan because of ‘Dieselgate’ scandal.
 To analyse the impact of ‘Dieselgate’ scandal over the performance of Volkswagen
 To examine the ways that can be opt by Volkswagen for overcoming the
issues associated with ‘Dieselgate’ scandal
Research questions
 What concepts are essential to study in context of Volkswagen?
 Which type of challenges are faced by Volkswagen because of Dieselgate scandal?
 What are the major impacts of Dieselgate scandal on organisation performance?
Rational of research
The main reason to study about all the emission control is to enhance knowledge about
environment safety (Allen and et. al., 2019). One of the clean air device define about functions
and operations that is related with emission control. With identify of all emission control system
this is understand that emission control system, in auto-mobiles, it is employed that discharge of

noxious gases from internal-combustion engine. With analyse of all resources all sources related
with gases, engine exhaust, crankcase and carburettor create problems to reduce emission.
LITERATURE REVIEW
A Literature review is explained as a survey of different scholarly sources that is related
with a specific topic. By write of literature review it is identified that management engage or
involve finding of numerous application that is relevant or related with publications. Along with
this literature review identify about survey books, scholarly articles and different sources that is
related with particular issue. Moreover, area of research, theory and description define about all
problems that relates with research problems. It is also used to investigate about all research
problems relations that impact on research value. Moreover, with published information towards
a subject area this is easy for management to perform work at a certain time period (Carabott,
2019). In simple terms, Literature review refers to a simple summary of resources that is usually
relates with patterns of both summary and synthesis.
Study about scandal related with Volkswagen
From the point view of Russell Hotten, 2015, this is used to maintain environmental
aspect through which all task are performed by managing work according to decided laws and
regulations of country. There are many Volkswagen cars are sold within America that is happen
because of defeat device or the software that is implemented in diesel engine. It also detect about
all task through which research is performed according to improve results. The German car aids
towards admitted of cheating emission that work in US. Volkswagen face a major push because
of diesel cars in US, that is backed by huge market campaign. In the month of November, carbon
dioxide emission level impact due to change in number of cars. Within the month of
investigation that is December, it is established that 36,000 cars is impacted due to emission
scandal. Full details that is relates work with sketchy is included in system of Volkswagen cars
and this results EPA had to check about the emission level of vehicle (Arora, 2017). Moreover,
EPA said that engine check computer software which make sense and test scenario, for this
monitoring speed, engine operation, position of steering level and air pressure etc. are checked
by authorities. This also aids to perform work with motive of managing work through controlling
and managing work in an organised manner. Typically, their are various operations performed
by management and it refers that engine are started with low emission. So basically this is used
to control the pollution level of vehicle on road. The group executive of environmental

protection agency identify that approximately 590,000 diesel motor vehicles of Volkswagen
violate the clean air act. So with improve of devices this is easy for organisation to improve their
work performance in an organised manner.
Issue faced by organisation due to environment scandal
According to the Clifford Atiyeh, 2019 Volkswagen face massive scandal and it define
about organisation that is used to manage work with improve in diesel engine. In the present
scenario, organisation owns 70 percent of U.S. passenger-car diesel market. The major trouble
which is related with cheating on diesel engine emission test. With years of promoting clean
diesel as an option of hybrid and electric vehicle. Their are major problems faced by
Volkswagen due to installed emission software (Dube, 2015). It drive that more than defect
device of emission Volkswagen vehicles impact on pollution at a worldwide level. This is
because their are no changes done by management of Volkswagen to minimise pollution. Even
they deliver defected chip in vehicles among all over the world. So major issue faced by
management is that brand image of respective organisation is impacted on global level. Another
issue which is faced by management is that test mode, of cars is fully complaint within emission
level. This results management face complaints because at time of driving computer switch to a
another mode. So it change in fuel pressure, exhaust gas-recirculation and injection timing. This
impact on organisation and due to this heavier nitrogen oxide or emission generate challenge. It
also results that a smog forming pollutant generate pollutants that are approximately double than
EPA guidelines. All major vehicles such as Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche which came under
Volkswagen are impacted. Environment protection authorities identify that diesel engine of
mention vehicle generate challenges and due to no recall, all cars pass state inspection.
Moreover, Volkswagen admitted towards violate of federal emission law and it results that the
low state of vehicles generate problems due to which safety issue is faced by management (Fu,
Ogasavara and Sousa-Filho, 2018). Moreover, break in environment law results that now
environment authorities ensure and double check that Volkswagen vehicles are safe for
environment due to which this is easy for management to manage all work in an appropriate
manner. Moreover, Volkswagen admitted towards violate of federal emission and within some
countries some of the vehicles are recall by Volkswagen. This also results it prevent owners to
renew registration for utilising all vehicle and renew them towards environment. Major problems
which is faced define that U.S. district court judge create problems to manage work according to

environment guidelines. Moreover, in the month of January 2016, department of justice filed a
complaint on the behalf of EPA against the Volkswagen AG, Audi AG and Volkswagen group
of America. From the perspective of environment protection act, Volkswagen group of America
Chattanooga operations, Porsche AG, Porsche North America face failure due to alleged
violation of clean air act (Jacobs and Singhal, 2020). So monetary issue is the another challenge
which is faced by management as Volkswagen authorities pay $2.8 billion as criminal penalty.
Regulatory investigations define that management constantly face challenge and on behalf of
consumers Volkswagen face a case against the breach of environment law.
To analyse the impact of ‘Dieselgate’ scandal over the performance of Volkswagen
As per according to the viewpoint of Gwyn Topham, 2021, the Volkswagen has been
cheating in their emission test by making their car very less polluting in comparison to other car.
The US environmental protection agency has discovered the protection agency of 482,000 of
VW diesel cars on roads is releasing up to 40 percent more toxic and poisonous gas than the
permission of the government. And the Volkswagen company also accepted their fraud of 11
millions in all over the world. This will also mean that it affect the environment, and released the
more harmful NOX emissions gases like, nitrogen dioxide, have been released into the air. After
the assessment then it was found that between 2,50,000 to 1 million extra pollution released
every year in the air, that will be very harmful for the environment. Some of the hidden damage
from the Volkswagen vehicles that it affects also the all power station, vehicles, and also some
of the industry and agriculture. Volkswagen also have the “defeat device'' this is not a physical
device but also a programme of the engine software that examine the car and test under the test
conditions for testing their performance.
To examine the ways that can be opt by Volkswagen for overcoming the
issues associated with ‘Dieselgate’ scandal
According to the viewpoint of Saralyn Lyons, 2021, Volkswagen thinks that it would be
possible to recover in the UK, Volkswagen need to think from two perspective (Oldenkamp, van
Zelm and Huijbregts, 2016). That is the existing car owner of the Volkswagen and Audi brands
they have the two options to think and start the opportunity to won the trust of the peoples, and
the other good thing about Volkswagen that probably the age group between 24-35, they are
influenced by the features of Volkswagen . This opportunity, Volkswagen will have to grab and
be focused to attract the younger peoples of that nation. But then there is some another group

that was thinking of the car-owning experience in fully financial terms. Because they are more
concerned about the resale value of the car, and also Volkswagen also really going to hit hard,
because they are facing the big loss in resale value immediately for the Volkswagen. Apart from
this the Volkswagen have to come back with a well recovery plan, and also keeping in mind
there are so many stakeholders, consumers, employees, investors, dealership has effected, so
car owner have to ensure them to safety of the vehicles (Roddy and Wang, 2018). And also have
to do something immediately, to calm the press because they are the one, try to viral the news
and it will change the mindset of the peoples for Volkswagen. And also when it comes to
nostalgic group they are forgiving by the nature, because they have attachment from the
Volkswagen.
Research Philosophy
As the name speaks itself, it is a belief in respect of ways in which phenomenal data are
required to be precisely collected, effectively analysed and efficiently used. Data is generally
analysed through the primary and secondary research in order to evaluate effective outcomes.
The research philosophy is used to devise assumptions and further use them as a base to
formulate research strategy. There are four main philosophies:-
 Pragmatism
 Positivism
 Realism
 Interpretivism
Thus, the choice among such philosophies are according to the practical implications.
Under this report Positivism Philosophy is used which portrays the research in an objective way.
In this type of research the role of researcher is limited to the collection and interpretation of the
data (Russell and et. al., 2016). Further the findings are generally expressed in quantity.
Research Approach
The research approach formulates the plans and procedures to conduct the research.
Further broad the steps of assumptions to the detailed methods of collecting. Analysing and
interpretating of data. There are three basic approaches:-
 Deductive
 Inductive
 Abductive

The research approach which is used in the report is the Deductive Research Approach.
This approach focuses on testing the validity of the assumptions formed. In simple words it
means that the relation or link is true if it is implied in a particular theory or used as an example.
And further design strategy in order to evaluate that such relationship or link can be implied on
more general cases. Thus, find the possible ways to generalise the research findings.
Research Strategy
After this an individual is required to formulate the strategies accordingly. The research
onion suggests strategies such as action research, experimental research, surveys, case study,
literature review etc. The strategy chosen in this report is the surveys as it is suitable for the
required data and seem purposeful for the study. Survey research is generally used where the
data are expressed quantitatively i.e. includes numerical items. Survey tool is considered as best
for collecting data from a target population (Sabbagh and et. al., 2017). In this questionnaires are
formed and asked from the people, nowadays in the pace of technology such surveys can be
conducted online as well as offline. Thus, an easy method to collect the data by using effective
survey tool.
The possible ethical issues that need to be considered in this research
Ethical research signifies the ways and strategies formulated to conduct the research in an
effective manner. The values such as respect, non biasness etc. are required to be set in order to
deliver effective research. Such ethical issues creates trust and reliability of people towards the
research. Following are the ethical practices required to be followed:-
 Reliability: The research should be in such a way that public rely on the data attained
from it. False and inappropriate data shall not be published as it will mislead the public.
 Confidentiality: Some data are required to be kept in private and thus, such sensitive
information are to be protected. For example bank details etc.
 Legality: Research should be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations
and further should not be contrary to the public.
 Openness: Research should be free to allow to receive criticism, ideas and feedback.
Thus, data shall be published in order to elaborate the knowledge of public.
Determine data collection methods
Types of data

There are two types of data in primary and secondary data. Primary data is determined when the
data is collected from the original source or it is also called as first hand data. Secondary data is
determined when data is collected from secondary sources like books, journals, newspaper, word
of mouth etc. secondary data is also called as second hand data (Sarkar and Spieler, 2020). This
research covers both primary and secondary data to collect the relevant and accurate data.
Sampling method
Data sampling is method where researcher uses few samples of data of analyse the whole event.
To analyse the scandal of Volkswagen the researcher have taken 30 data samples of the
employees to scrutinise and analyse ‘Dieselgate’ scandal.
The target customers here are employees of the Volkswagen, the researcher have taken proper
survey for evaluating the outcomes and causes of the scandal.
Determine data analysis procedures
For analysing the causes of the scandal, different methods used by researcher to analyse the
whole scandal.
Conduct survey
Researcher have collected relevant data from employees of the Volkswagen, who have closely
monitored the causes of the scandal. For this, questionnaire was been prepared, different
employees were been asked related questions to determine the details of the scandal.
Research
For determining the trueness of the data, the researcher have collected information from different
journals, internet and then accumulated the data to draw conclusions. Researcher have analysed
different books of company, to collect reliable data pertaining to the scandal.
Discuss different methods to ensure that the data is reliable and valid
Different data analysis procedures used by the researcher involves primary and secondary data
from different sources, researcher have investigate employees of the company to analyse the
situation and event (Silvia, 2018). Whereas, the researcher have gather secondary information
from the books, journals, newspapers regarding the scandal.
Determine limitation of this research
Data collection from different sources might also lead to faulty conclusion. This happen when
data is been manipulated and wring concluded by different researcher. Some of the limitations
on this research are discussed below:

Data manipulation
Data manipulation is major drawback of collecting information from this research, when
different researcher adds their own interpretation in the data which are not pertaining to the
original data it leads data manipulations.
Data bais
Data bais is defined by the data is been modified in the according the convenience of the
different researcher then it results in data basis. Data baisness leads to faulty conclusion which
can negatively impact the goodwill.
Problem statement
Volkswagen's is recognised as a good name and this is tarnished regularly on the basis of
media. But from the past years management face low-level decision-making and also
irresponsibility towards the environment safety. Their are different financial penalties is also
meted due to punitive and corrective measure. It also generate confessed that vehicles face
problems that impacts on environment value.
CONCLUSION
With understand of above research it is concluded that Volkswagen face different issue
that generate challenges for organisation to perform their work in different geographical
locations. Environment safety perform an important role and it define all task are performed in
an appropriate manner. Moreover, there are different task performed by management and this
aids to complete work through presenting task with analyse of environment rules and
regulations. Along with this by understand of emission system management is able to manage
their work by analysis of environmental values and rules.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Allam, I., Scagnelli, S. and Corazza, L., 2020. Sustainability Reporting, a New Type of
Companies’ Hypocrisy: Zara and Volkswagen Cases. In Responsible Business in a
Changing World (pp. 195-211). Springer, Cham.
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Volkswagen Short Squeeze. Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper, (17-64).
Arora, J., 2017. Corporate governance: a farce at Volkswagen?. The CASE Journal.
Carabott, R., 2019. An influence of crisis situations on customer perceptions of corporate
reputation in Malta: Volkswagen case study (Master's thesis, University of Malta).
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Journal Of Scientific Progress And Research, 17(40), pp.72-74.
Fu, L., Ogasavara, M.H. and Sousa-Filho, J.M.D., 2018. Location choices at the subnational
level perspective: the case of the Volkswagen Group in BRIC countries. International
Journal of Comparative Management, 1(1), pp.106-126.
Jacobs, B.W. and Singhal, V.R., 2020. Shareholder value effects of the Volkswagen emissions
scandal on the automotive ecosystem. Production and Operations Management, 29(10),
pp.2230-2251.
Oldenkamp, R., van Zelm, R. and Huijbregts, M.A., 2016. Valuing the human health damage
caused by the fraud of Volkswagen. Environmental Pollution, 212, pp.121-127.
Roddy, A. and Wang, Y., 2018, September. Groups Decision Making Under Uncertain
Conditions in Relation—A Volkswagen Case Study. In International Workshop of
Advanced Manufacturing and Automation (pp. 406-410). Springer, Singapore.
Russell, K and et. al., 2016. How Volkswagen got away with diesel deception. New York
Times, 5.
Sabbagh, O and et. al., 2017. Methodology implications in automotive product–service systems:
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14), pp.1632-1668.
Sarkar, S. and Spieler, A.C., 2020. Corporate Fraud: The Cases of Barings Bank, Volkswagen,
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Silvia, S.J., 2018. The United Auto Workers’ Attempts to Unionize Volkswagen
Chattanooga. ILR Review, 71(3), pp.600-624.
Yang, J., Wang, L. and Jiang, Q., 2020. Volkswagen Vehicle Identification via Multilayer
Perceptron Trained by Improved Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm. In Frontiers in
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