Research Methodology: Dubai Municipality Innovation Practices Report

This report presents the research methodology employed in a study focusing on business innovation, specifically within the context of Dubai Municipality. It details the mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The methodology includes interviews, questionnaires, and a case study design to gather comprehensive insights. The report outlines the design of these instruments, including the use of both open-ended and closed-ended questions, and the rationale behind these choices. The sample consisted of 104 respondents from the Dubai Municipality's Building Permits department. Chapter Four provides an analysis of the survey findings, presenting the results of key questions related to innovation knowledge, technology usage, and benchmarking practices. The analysis includes figures illustrating the responses and provides a summary of the findings, which are supported by references to relevant academic literature. The report concludes by highlighting the significance of the research methodology in understanding innovation within the organization.

Chapter Three : Research Methodology
3.0 Introduction :
Research methodology is considered to be vital in research study. In this section,
the researcher describes research philosophy, significance, methodology,
approaches, sample, etc.
3.1 Research Philosophy:
There are three major research methods. As Creswell (2013), points out these three
major research methods are quantitative, qualitative, and mixed. These methods are
based on nature of the research and the questions mentioned, the research will
depend mainly on the mixed method of qualitative and quantitative approach that
consists of integrating one set of data, using theoretical and philosophical frame
works. The reason for having the mixed method can be as Kumar, (2005) highlighted
the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data, will neutralize weakness of
analysis findings and makes its results comprehensive and applicable. By using
reports for the current and past situations, enhance the overall view of the research.
According to Easterby-Smith, Thorpe & Jackson (2008), descriptive study of data
collection, allows the researcher to use both quantitative and qualitative data to find
characteristics of the phenomenon being studied and offers a valuable multifaceted
approach for the data collection. It is where the researcher seeks for adequate
description of processes and accurate information. As Monsen (2007) states,
descriptive approach supports facts that are uncovered rather than to test predicted
relationship among variables. For this study, descriptive approach is the best model
to adopt, because it is keen to collect information regarding existing situations .
Initially, the data summary is critically reviewed through analytic tools to analyze
them completely. The next stage is to ask about the findings. Then, the researcher
will explore why these findings here exist and what more investigation, explanation of

justifications should be sought. The researcher will try to remove weakness factors of
the descriptive approach as the objectivity, confidentiality and bias concerns to
avoid human interests (Berg, 2004). Atkinson, P. & Hammersley, M.,(1988)
suggested that qualitative research approach can be strengthened by integrating
interviews with the study observations.
3.2 Research Design:
This study is designed to provide help in evaluating, selecting, and determining the
best actions for the situations studied. Based on Bryman and Bell (2015), research
design is the milestone for performing any research.
3.3 Methods of Data collection:
A- Interviews:
According to White, M.D. & Marsh, E.E.,(2006) interview is a popular instrument for
data collection and this can give valuable data and information when it is organized
properly. Even King, and Horrocks (2010), stated that qualitative interview
approach is one of the most useful methods for collecting data.
The purpose of the qualitative interview is to share with the knowledge that is
conceptual and theoretical and based on the interviewee experience (Patton, 2005).
It is also demanded that in the interview, information should be followed and sought
in depth around the topic, and therefore, whatever is gained is for study and
investigation purpose only. Furthermore, the researchers employ their expertise,
hypothesizing and analyzing data collected from interviews.
Denzin and Lincoln (2000), recommended that semi-structured interviews are most
likely to be used in healthcare industry research due to its content of vital questions
to address the areas for exploring. Because it enables the interviewer to move freely
to follow ideas or responses with more details. Such flexibility approach gives an
opportunity for expansion of relevant information and discovering areas that might be
previously thought not relating to the research.
2

B- Questionnaire:
According to Burgess (2001), questionnaire is a tool of collecting data and recording
information on specific topics or issues of interest. Hence the questionnaire mainly
consists of a list of questions and these questions should be directed with
instructions, based on its nature and purpose.
Boynton and Greenhalgh ( 2004), mentioned that defining aims of the study is the
first step in doing a survey. According to Krause (2002), researchers should review
the relevant literatures, study previous researches on the same topic, examine
previous questionnaire designs and check the latest findings. Therefore, before
conducting the survey all these principles were taken into consideration for this
study.
The questions of the study were categorized and organized in a logical order. The
questionnaire was designed to suit to a case based situation, with a view to attract
respondents to read and complete easily.
According to Bryant and Smith (2001), rushing for the survey indicates that quality
and reliability of survey might be questioned. In the survey, design of questionnaire,
time needed for answering survey questions, the purpose of survey and the
participants’ profiles to be included. Even there should be details in the introductory
letter such as title, purpose of the survey, questions being asked, and who will
conduct it.
C - Design of interview / Questionnaire
Bradbur ,et al ., (1992) suggested maximum ten questions to be asked for in any
group. Questions for the interviews to be designed as open ended questions. It
should also considered to be clear to point and short, avoiding ambiguous words.
Brace, (2008) mentioned that questions of the interviews are ideally to be semi-
structured in nature with open ending format.
3

According to Kothari (2004), questionnaire design is essential for collecting useful
data and information. It requires lot of efforts and exerting more thoughts to be
developed in sequential stages. Therefore, all questions of the questionnaire are
selected to provide value to the topic, being understandable, clear, and to avoid
confusion. Questions were so selected to examine attitudes and opinions of people
related to the same subject .
Here for this study the online method was chosen because it allows a very wider
number of facilities to share in, a speedy communication mechanism of responding
and receiving. The reasons for using closed ended questions is that closed
questions are easily managed and also coded (Kelley, et al., 2003). The main reason
for selecting these type of questions is because it will allow comparisons of different
respondents and observes the variations. Just few questions were open ended.
D - Case Study Design:
According to Merriam (1988), case study is a research approach by which
exploration of a phenomenon within its given setting can be prepared by using a
wide variety of data sources.
The case study finds exploration and understanding of some complicated issues
(Yin, 2011). Hence, it is considered to be one of the genuine research tools to be
used for in depth investigations. This approach seems to be fit to align with the
study purpose while tries to understand deep complexity and the barriers.
From the varied case study designs, selection of a specific type of a case study
entirely depends on purpose of the study. Four types of case study designs were
observed : single - case (embedded) design, single - case, (holistic) design, multi-
case (embedded) design, multi-case (holistic) design. Stake (2013) highlighted that
the evidences and findings generated from this type of study is dependable and
reliable. However, some disadvantages can be anticipated like cost and time
consuming factors.
4

Therefore, it is clear that the reason behind selecting the mixed approach and the
questionnaire is designed in a way to have both closed ended and open ended
questions as it required.
E. Sample :
A questionnaire was designed and sent via e-mails / Online surveys to 126
respondents in Dubai Municipality – Building Permits department; out of which 104
responses have been received. A response rate of 82.5 has been obtained through
the
Surveys which the researcher found a good response rate. A blank questionnaire
is attached at Annexure 1 at the end.
5

Chapter Four : Analysis & findings
4.0 Introduction :
Analysis and findings of the survey is described in following pages :
4.1 Analysis :
Question 1 : I have knowledge in innovation
This question assesses the knowledge level of employees on Innovation. Out of
104 surveys, 65 respondents (62.5%) have agreed that they have knowledge and
aware of innovation process. Analysis is shown in figure 1 below :
17
48
22
9
8
Q1 : I have knowledge on innovation
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Figure 1 : I have knowledge in innovation
6

Question 2 : I believe using knowledge of innovation increases my productivity at
work
To test usage of innovation in work, this question was asked. A total of 74
respondents (71.15%) have agreed that they believe usage of innovation increases
productivity in their work place. Analysis is shown in figure 2 below :
Q2 : I believe using knowledge of innovation increases my productivity at
work
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
27
47
21
8
1
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Figure 2 : I believe using knowledge of innovation increases my productivity at work
7

Question 3 : I feel overwhelmed by understanding innovation practices in other
countries
To understand awareness of innovation practices in other countries, this question
was put. A total of 64 respondents (61.5%) have agreed that they are aware of the
innovation practices being followed in other countries. Still 25 respondents (24%)
have not been able to clearly articulate practices in other countries. Analysis is
shown in figure 3 below :
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
20
44
25
13
2
Q3 : I feel overwhelmed by understanding innovation
practices in other countries
Figure 3 : I feel overwhelmed by understanding innovation practices in other countries
8

Question 5 : My organization makes effective use of technology in implementation
of innovative practices.
From this question it was understood effective use of technology in implementation
of innovative practices. 60 respondents (57.6%) have agreed that they are using
technology in implementing innovation practices. 31 respondents (29.8%) have
remained neutral. Analysis is shown at figure 5 below :
Q5 : My organization makes effective use of technology in implementation of
innovative practices
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
14
46
31
8
5
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Figure 5 : My organization makes effective use of technology in implementation of innovative
practices
9

Question 6 : Benchmarking innovation practices of other countries being followed in
Dubai Municipality.
For this question, only 57 respondents (54.8%) have agreed that they are following
benchmarking innovation practices of other countries. But 30 respondents (28.8%)
have neither agreed or disagreed. Analysis is shown at figure 6 below :
Q6 : Benchmarking innovation practices of other countries are being followed
in Dubai Municipality
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
16
41
30
11
6
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
Question 6 : Benchmarking innovation practices of other countries being followed in Dubai
Municipality.
10

References:
• Abushelaibi, A.M., Jobe, B., Afifi, H.S., Mostafa, B.-E., Murad, A.A. and
Mohammed, A.K. (2015) ‘Evaluation of the effect of person-in-charge (PIC) program
on knowledge and practice change of food handlers in Dubai’, Food Control, 50, pp.
382–392.
• Al-Ansari, Y., Pervan, S. and Xu, J. (2014) ‘Exploiting innovation in Dubai SMEs:
The effect of strategic orientation on organizational determinants’, International
Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 11(06), p. 1450039.
• Al-Ansari, Y., Pervan, S. and Xu, J. (2013) ‘Innovation and business performance of
SMEs: The case of Dubai’, Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle
Eastern Issues, 6(3/4), pp. 162–180.
• Al-Ansari, Y., XU, J. and Pervan, S. (2014) ‘A study of organizational determinants
and innovation practices in Dubai SMEs’, International Journal of Innovation
Management, 18(01), p. 1450003.
• Arnwine, D.L. (2012) ‘Effective governance: The roles and responsibilities of board
members’, Proceedings, Bayl University Medical Center,15(1).
• Asquer, A. (2010) ‘Implementing fiscal decentralization: A case study of a regional
tax agency in Italy’, Governance, 23(4), pp. 609–621.
• Atkinson, P., Delamont, S. and Hammersley, M., (1988) Qualitative research
traditions: A British response to Jacob. Review of educational research, 58(2), pp.231-
250.
• Barbeau, A. (2016) ‘Deliberative democracy and corporate governance’, Business
Ethics Journal Review, pp. 34–40.
• Bartley, T. (2014) ‘Transnational governance and the re-centered state: Sustainability
or legality?’, Regulation & Governance, 8(1), pp. 93–109.
• Berg, B.L., (2004). Methods for The Social Sciences. Pearson publishers.
• Boynton, P.M. and Greenhalgh, T., (2004). Selecting, designing, and developing
your questionnaire. British Medical Journal, 328(7451), pp.1312-1315.
11

• Brace, I., (2008). Questionnaire design: How to plan, structure and write survey
material for effective market research. Kogan Page Publishers
• Bradburn, et al., (1992). Improving interview method and questionnaire design. 1st
ed. Ann Arbor, Mich.: UMI, Univ. Microfilms International.
• Bryman, A. and Bell, E., (2015). Business research methods. Oxford University
Press, USA.
• Bryant, F.B. and Smith, B.D., (2001). Refining the architecture of aggression: A
measurement model for the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Journal of
Research in Personality, 35(2), pp.138-167.
• Burgess, T.F., (2001). Guide to the Design of Questionnaires. A general introduction
to the design of questionnaires for survey research. Oxford University Press, USA.
• Chikoto, G. (2015) ‘Steering international NGOs through time: The influence of
temporal structuring in government accountability requirements’, Nonprofit Policy
Forum, 6(1).
• Contractor, F., Yang, Y. and Gaur, A.S. (2016) ‘Firm-specific intangible assets and
subsidiary profitability: The moderating role of distance, ownership strategy and
subsidiary experience’, Journal of World Business, 51(6), pp. 950–964.
• Creswell, J.W.,(2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed
methods approach. Sage publications.
• David, M. (2013) ‘Applied Cyber-security and the smart’, Network Security,
2013(10), p. 4.
• Demil, B. and Lecocq, X. (2010) ‘Business model evolution: In search of dynamic
consistency’, Long Range Planning, 43(2-3), pp. 227–246.
• Demirel, H.O. and Duffy, V.G. (2016) ‘Incorporating tactile cues into human-
centered virtual product design’, Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing
& Service Industries, Vol.27(1), Pp.5-16.
• Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln, Y., (2000). Qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA;
Sage Publications, pp.413-427.
• Easterby-Smith, M, Thorpe, R. & Jackson, P. (2008) Management Research 3rd ed,
SAGE Publications Ltd., London.
• Efthymiopoulos, M.-P. (2016) ‘Cyber-security in smart cities: The case of Dubai’,
Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 5(1).
12