Leadership and Sustainability: Research Methodology Report, MBA

This report details the research methodology employed in an MBA dissertation investigating the impact of Lean, Agile, and Leagile methodologies on sustainability within a milling organization. The study utilizes a qualitative, exploratory approach, incorporating semi-structured interviews with 19 participants, including directors, managers, and consultants. The research philosophy is based on positivism. The deductive research approach is used to develop hypotheses. The study's data collection involves direct interviews and literature reviews. The report outlines the interview question mapping to research questions addressing challenges, external impacts, and internal opportunities within a Leagile framework. The report also addresses ethical considerations and research limitations. The research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these methodologies influence sustainability in the milling industry.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Table of Contents
Chapter 3: Research Methodology............................................................................................3
Introduction...........................................................................................................................3
The rationale for the chosen method of research..................................................................3
Research Philosophy.............................................................................................................4
Research Approach................................................................................................................5
Units of Analysis...................................................................................................................5
Sampling Method..................................................................................................................6
Industry and Position of Chosen Sample..............................................................................6
Data Collection Tool.............................................................................................................7
Research Question and Interview Question Mapping.................................................8
Data collection.......................................................................................................................9
Data Analysis......................................................................................................................11
Data Validity and Reliability...............................................................................................11
Research Limitations...........................................................................................................12
Ethical Consideration..........................................................................................................13
References...............................................................................................................................15

Chapter 3: Research Methodology
Introduction
This section of study is imperative in selecting the suitable tools and technique in collecting
favorable data towards the research matter named as philosophies, approaches, strategies,
information gathering technique, data evaluation technique, sampling method, ethical
consideration, and research limitations. These tools have been vital in attainment data
towards study matter. The researcher will critically evaluate such factors before implying it
in the study (Jamshed, 2014). It will lead to increase the possibility to obtain positive
responses in favor of the study issue.
The rationale for the chosen method of research
In this study, the qualitative, as well as exploratory method, has been practiced by a study to
gather information with respect to the research issue. An exploratory method is effective at
the time of collecting the new phenomenon towards the research matter. This kind of data
could require initial questions and new perception towards specified research dilemma. It
can be imperative in meeting aim of study effectively (Smith, 2015). Moreover, the
qualitative method facilitates to use of a method that does not consider the numerical
measurement tool. This tool can be vital in getting data about the research concern. It is
stated that the qualitative design a tool that is generally used in the research is subjective in
nature and requires subjective data. The key goal of this learning is to address new
behaviors in which research will be conducted. This tool will also assist investigator for
increasing depth understanding about the factors that will be effective in the study. It will
also support to develop theory in the context of the research matter (McCusker & Gunaydin,
2015). Furthermore, it is examined that the qualitative method is more effective as it
secures the cost and time of the researcher to collect reliable information about the research
dilemma. Moreover, there are many tools which can consider by investigator to get the data
with the favor of research issue as it can be known as the articles, books, journals, online
sources, and academic articles. This method will assist the researcher to get the conceptual
data from the different authors, which will lead to obtain higher result. It is illustrated that

this method will be less expensive as compared to other method and more reliable hence
this method has been preferred as compared to other methods. This study will consider
semi-structured interview method to conduct study. The interview will be collected by
directly meet with the research participants. It will lead to get the favorable outcome about
the research matter (Mukhopadhyay & Gupta, 2014).
Research Philosophy
Research philosophy develops knowledge and consideration of investigator towards the
research issues. Selection of appropriate research philosophy leads the research scholar to
determine the tools of evaluating, collecting and utilizing the process of research. There is a
different part of research philosophy which are used in research study named as positivism,
realism philosophy, as well as interpretivism philosophy (Litosseliti, 2018). Realism research
philosophy relied on the actual situation and perception of human that are surviving in the
environment. Apart from this, the positivism research philosophy creates conceptual
knowledge as per the pooled statistical data and information. In order to this, interpretivism
research philosophy facilitated the research scholar to comprehend detailed understanding
related to research issues. In such a way, research scholar pools views and beliefs of research
participants about the leadership and sustainability. Positivism research philosophy is
practiced by the investigator to perform this research as a hypothesis is needed to be
developed for this investigation (af Wåhlberg, 2017).
Under this research philosophy, as per generalization developed hypothesis is proved and
then the result is evaluated as this philosophy provides highly organized methodology. It also
enables the research scholar to make a feasible conclusion along with the detailed
information about leadership and sustainability. In opposed to this, interpretivism and
realism both research philosophies would not be used by investigator as it permits
investigator to analyze beliefs and views of research participants and conduct the study
effectively. In addition, it is evaluated that the researcher has not given more priority to other
methods (Anney, 2014).

Research Approach
In this research study, a suitable selection of research approach is a prominent tool as it
authenticates the selected research design and method. Research approach also leads the
investigator to illustrate the data in a systematic way. It considers certain types which are
deductive research approach as well as inductive research approach that supports the research
scholar to justify the execution of a particular data collection technique and data analysis tool
for investigation. Hence, it is effective for research scholar to attain detailed knowledge and
practices with respect to these tools in research (Dumay & Cai, 2015). The deductive
research approach is significant because it offers favorable result with positivism research
philosophy whereas, the inductive research approach is feasible when it used with the
interpretivism research philosophy. Hence, deductive research is utilized by the researcher to
make the hypothesis related to research issues through practicing various theories. On the
other hand, inductive research approach demonstrates the resilience as hypothesis towards
the research concern is not required for this approach.
Investigator has use deductive research approach as this approach is more suitable for this
dissertation and leads the investigator to comprehend their knowledge with respect to
research issues. Along with this, it also assists the Investigator to enhance trustworthiness
and authenticity of study result. Further, this approach is significant for making the relevant
hypothesis to collect the responses in the favor of research questions. Apart from this,
research scholar has not used inductive research approach named as theories development
related to research concern, is not required for this research study (Brannen, 2017).
Units of Analysis
From the evaluation of data, it was identified that perception of views and opinion of
participates that included the directors, senior managers, as well as management
consultants. These key people could be effective for completing their accountabilities to
meet purpose of research. It is founded that the researcher could consider such people for
meeting aim of study.

Sampling Method
The sampling method can facilitate the discoverers to select a reliable size of sample as it
facilitates for conducting the research and accomplish the research study. The sampling
method could entail two kinds of tools that are considered by the researcher to get the
information as it could be known as probability as well as non-probability sampling tool.
These tools will allow the researcher to getting the data towards the study matter. The key
purpose of the study is to collect valid and reliable data hence the non-probability sampling.
This method could assist to discoverers for choosing appropriate sample size by entailing
convince sampling technique in which the research candidates have been selected by
entailing certain elements named as age, education, gender, experience, and other factors. It
will affect the overall outcome. For the application of this method, the discoverors of this
study will be capable to get positive responses towards research outcome. It is stated that the
sampling method could also allow to research candidates to get accurate data that is
associated with the study matter. This study will be conducted on 19 employees of the
different organization for getting the thoughts of researcher towards leadership and
sustanability. It is evaluated that researcher would be capable to get effective information due
to selecting suitable research participants (Abdulghani, et al., 2014).
Industry and Position of Chosen Sample
Industry Positions Number of Respondents
Consulting
Chairperson 1
Owner/Director/CEO 5
Human Resource Manager 1
Partner 2
Education
Professor 1
Director 1
Associate Director 1
Retail Owner/ Managing Director 1

IT General Manager 1
Mining Executive Vice President 1
Constructi
on
Director 1
Oil & Gas General Manager of HR 1
Finance CEO 1
Global Head of HR 1
Total 19
Data Collection Tool
This tool is vital method to conduct the exploratory study as it could be possible by
considering the academic tool, literature review, and other existing sources. It will lead to
getting a positive result with the favor of the research dilemma. It is one of imperative tool
that could assist in reaching at the accurate conclusion. It is most imperative tool to
effectively performed the study and complete the aim of the study. For gathering depth data
of research, the researcher has used the semi-structured interview as well as face to face
interview tool, which will facilitate to obtain the data in the context of the research matter.
The researcher has been considered the employees, management consultant, and CEO of the
organization as it allows to get the accurate data towards the study matter (Abdulghani, et
al., 2014). The depth interview could be quite a time consuming but effective for getting a
higher outcome. It is examined that the researcher has also used an interview method in this
convenient location has been preferred to collect the data as it could save the time of
research participants. It is stated that the researcher will send all instruction about the
questionnaire by considering the email method for accurate data towards the research. For
conducting the research, the literature review method has been also practiced by researcher
to get conceptual data towards the research matter. This tool will also be imperative as
compared to other methods (Tuck & McKenzie, 2014).

Research Question and Interview Question Mapping
Research Questions from
Chapter 3
Interview Questions
Research Question 1: Phase 1:
The aim of this phase is to
determine the most volatile
challenges that a milling firm may
encounter.
1. In your opinion what are the processes that
constrain innovation in your company/department
especially focusing on the Leagile environment?
2. What is your understanding of the terms: Lean
Manufacturing and Agility?
3. Can you describe some of the modern day
challenges a milling firm may encounter on a
daily basis?
4. How would adopting the so-called Leagile
methodology overcome these modern day
challenges a company faces on a daily basis? And
Why?
Research Question 2:
The aim of this phase is to
determine the external
challenges impacting on the
sustainability of a milling firm.
5. If you look at your organization as of today. How
effective is your business in expecting changes
from an external customer base? For Example
Fluctuations in raw materials prices, markets,
governmental requirements, human capital needs,
cash flow, and customers’ requirements.
6. Changes occur now on a daily basis. How
prepared is the company/department in dealing
with these demands?
7. What would the external challenges be for the
organization that strives to become Agile?
8. What external challenges will you face
implementing a lean approach with sustainability

in mind?
Research Question 3:
The aim of this phase is to
explore the internal
opportunities created by Leagile
methodology within a milling
firm.
9. What would be the most significant benefits be
for a Leagile organization?
10. What would the internal challenges be for the
organization that strives to become Agile, with
lean practices methodology already in place?
11. Do you think that if internal challenges are dealt
with correctly, your business can be sustainable
for the future and why?
12. Company culture is an important part of a Leagile
organization. Do you agree with this statement
and why?
Data collection
In the study of research, collection of the information is essential for researcher for the
accurate as well as reliable information. For collecting the information, the researcher
generally selects either primary or secondary method. An investigator has chosen the primary
data gathering method, which include survey, interview method, focus group and many
others (Quinlan, et al., 2019). The method that has been selected by the researcher includes
the interview from the different participants. The information gathering is done by scholar in
format of semi-structured, open-ended, face-to-face and in-depth interview of only 20
experts that majorly include CEO, executives, directors, senior managers as well as
management consultants of the company. All these members become formed part of the
selected sample (Beckman, 2014).
The design of the sample remains simple so that the researcher can ensure that they have
developed the open dialogue and the conversation that has taken place related to the

concerned subject of the research. This allows them to address or acknowledge the issues
that are required to determine. In addition, the need for the derived question being centered
on the different predetermined themes of the research (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016). In the
research, the researcher has formed the interview questions keeping the base directly from
the questions of investigation that are set out in report and the appendix present the interview
question. The nature of the questions is complicated as well as the purpose of these questions
is a semi-structured approach. It has been found that effect on the skills on the interviewers
might create an impact on the results of a qualitative examination (Taylor, et al., 2015). The
interviewer maintains the questionnaire adequately so that they can ensure the required level
of the skills in interviewing that has been formed and used at the time of interview.
The interview that has been conducted begins with the formal introduction and with the brief
explanation of the research concern and throws the understanding of the context in which the
concept of accountability can be elucidated. In addition to this, the interviewer asks an open-
ended question from participates so that they remain free to share their personal perceptions
as well as opinions on the present experiences. The participants are motivated to answer the
question without any pressure as this helps them to support the nature of research (Bryman,
2016). In addition, interviewer ensures that they manage the accuracy in research due to
which they have hand-written notes at time of interview. In the procedure of data collection,
interviewer is willing to determine all the key themes and new insight from participants.
Once interview has been showed by investigator they analyze data after this purposeful
conversation in which the responses are accepted from participants. The researcher continued
until and unless there was the point of the data saturation and there was no scope of any new
data from the interviewee (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016). The interview is taken place to get the
final thoughts from the participants to determine the opportunity for asking any additional
question.
Prior to the duration of the commencing the data collection, an investigation is conducted
where the two pre-interviews are conducted with the motive to test the guideline related to
the interview and techniques implemented by the interviewer. Further, the researcher is left

with the opportunity to review any sort of issues and limitations that are identified so that
improvement can be done if it is required. The researcher has conducted the interview in the
manner like actual interview used to take place so that they can collect the reliable results
that are essential to prove the research.
Data Analysis
The evaluation of the data could be associated with the determination of the common issues
as well as perception which could emerge to gathered data by entailing the interview tool.
It is also evaluated that the data evaluation tool will be effective in evaluating the collected
data and make favorable information. Further, investigator has been using the thematic data
analysis method as it facilitates to evaluate the non-numerical data of the study. This
method facilitates researcher to deeply evaluate the themes that will be considered in the
study and support to make to complete the study. It is evaluated that data is evaluated for in
meeting the aim of study (Patten & Newhart, 2017). It is illustrated that data gathering
technique tool also facilitates to get accurate data in favor of the research matter. This
method has been also enabled to comprehend the opinion as well as views of participants in
oppose to research. The information has been based on the other researcher study. It could
be effective for saving time as well as the cost of the firm. Apart from this, it is stated that
the thematic analysis tool is practiced determining and evaluate the themes of the qualitative
data. In this study, the research has practiced this process for evaluating information and
make reliable decision with the favor of study. It is evaluated that Phases of Thematic
Analysis could facilitate to meet the study task. Each face to face interview has been taken
approximate 4 hours to examine information as well as accomplish the research aim (King
& Mackey, 2016).
Data Validity and Reliability
In the study, there are two factors that might be effective for measuring the collected data
and supports to get the data. It is stated that the reliability tests for measuring the accuracy
of the survey through questionnaire while validity tool is effective to comprehend the
consistency of the data. It would offer a path by which the investigator will get a positive

result.
Research Limitations
The research biases could affect the overall outcome of the study. In this study, there are
many reasons that might be affected by overall productivity of research. It is stated that if
the interview has a lack of interview conducting skills then it could affect overall outcome
of study (Barnham, 2015). It is illustrated that the sample size could not be thus it can be
evaluated that the researcher could decline the number of the participants as it relies on the
subjective concern hence the researcher will be capable to select only top management
people and get their responses towards research issue (Hyett, et al., 2014). It is also
examined that the specified area for conducting the study will restrict the researcher for
getting a favorable result towards study. It is evaluated that the generalization of data could
create a problem for the researcher to get an accurate result about research dilemma (Lushey
& Munro, 2015). Various research limitations create difficulty in accomplishing the
research study that is described as below:
Time constraint
Research scholar has a short time duration for performing the cross-sectional study because
the investigator has to take classes and accomplish almost 2-to 3 assignment along with the
research study. This factor also exhibits that research scholar has spent more time for pooling
the data with respect to the research study (Bell, et al., 2017).
Fund
Fund constraint is a major research limitation that restricts the researcher for conducting the
research study. As the investigator belongs from the low-income group family so that they
don’t have sufficient money for traveling expenditure in various areas of the country. Along
with this, it also restricts the researcher to perform the online monkey survey for getting the
opinion from at least a hundred research participants in the context of the research dilemma
(Hickson, 2016).
Ethnocentrism