University Business Research Reflective Writing Assignment

This document is a reflective writing assignment on a business research project, focusing on the student's learning experiences and the research process. The student explores their chosen topic, which is the management of global teams using Global Information Systems (GIS), and details the twelve stages of the research project, from formulating research questions and objectives to data analysis and conclusions. The reflection highlights the challenges and insights gained, including the importance of researchable topics, realistic objectives, and the formulation of hypotheses. The student discusses how the business research experience has improved their skills in academic writing, locating academic sources, and understanding research methodologies, particularly qualitative and quantitative approaches. The student also considers how these skills will be applicable to future assignments, their program, and their future career, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the workplace.

Running head: REFLECTIVE WRITING ON BUSINESS RESEARCH WORK
Reflective Writing on Business Research Proposal
Name
Institution

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Introduction
A significant amount of time in university is spent thinking; about what people say, what
we read as student and what lecturers and instructors say. There are two aspects of thinking;
reflective thinking and critical thinking (Moniz et al., 2015). The former is the focus of this
assignment. A reflection entails an individual’s reaction to his/ her experience, circumstances,
events or new knowledge; in this case learning experiences. It is a phase in life when one
processes things that have happened; two things happen in this process-thinking and learning.
Reflective writing is a time to revisit the topic and examine the knowledge gathered in the
learning process (El-Helou & Kalman 2018). It is important for the student to understand that in
every learning experience they bring with them a lot of knowledge. This knowledge is
instrumental in getting clarifications regarding how what you already know converges with or
departs from what you are learning. In reflective writing, one’s perspective of the content of the
course should be discussed. The next matters to be tackled should be ideas and encounters as
well as considerations (observations) that one has had in the learning process. Reflective writing
should discuss happenings that were difficult, inspiring, captivating or challenging and explain
why (Ottenberg et al., 2016). I will also explore how I solved problems, found solutions and
arrived at points of understanding during handling the business research writing task. The paper
will also identify any alternative perspectives depending on what other sources infer, challenges
presented by new ideas and the possibilities I can explore in action or thoughts.

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What happened in the Learning Process?
The assignment task that we were expected to handle was the writing of a business
research project. My chosen area of study was ‘The Management of Global Teams using Global
Information Systems (GIS). My focus was to do a case study analysis on a multinational
Australian company named Rip Curl Company operating in four different geographical
locations. I chose these topics because it has always been of interest to me to find out how
multinationals are able to manage their employees and how they do so against cultural
boundaries in order to realize the goals of the organizations. My expectation was that at the end
of my research work I should have obtained a richer perspective of how multinationals use the
GIS in cross cultural employee management.
After identifying the topic of study, another twelve stages followed. Firstly, I came up
with the research questions. These are the central claims that ought to be validated or invalidated
by the research (Badenhorst et al., 2015). My supervisor insisted on the fact that the research
questions needed to be empirical and researchable. That is a quality of research questions that is
very essentila to the success of a research. The step that followed after that was that of coming
up with the research objectives. These are expectations that are supposed to be met by the study.
Research objectives ought to be realistic rather than idealistic, not exaggerated and should
possess the quality of being achievable (Economou & James 2017). After this I drafted the
research questions. These were the queries that in my view, the study was expected to respond
to. One of the fundamental questions was the need for global business systems in firms. I sought
to know the best methods of implementing a global information system and queried which
models of the GIS had been successful in the said multinational. Research questions should be
formulated within the objectives of the research and should be answered by way of meeting the

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research objectives. They researcher should also avoid the tendency of drafting complicated
questions or questions that make the study to be expensive.
The next phase is the research hypothesis. This is the point at which I stated the
postulation that I wanted the study to verify (by approving or disapproving it). Research
hypotheses are claims that are expected to be validated/ invalidated by the results of the study
(McCartin et al., 2018). Subsequently, I defined the scope of the study. In this stage I had to
outline the locality where I would conduct the study. Literature review then followed. In this
part, I went on to investigate sources such as books, articles and peer reviewed journals. Before
embarking on a study, it’s vital for the researcher to gather substantial information from already
existing scholarly works in the same field of study (Townes 2017).
The methodology section then followed. In this segment I unpicked different aspects for
the study. I settled on a quantitative approach as the chosen method of research. Given that my
case study would involve a multinational, it was necessary that I come up with a workable
sample size as well as select a sampling technique. I settled on a large sample size of 150
employees to survey. With a bigger sample size, the outcomes of the study are likely to be more
proximal to normality (Lee et al., 2011). Beyond this point I chose the instrumentation to be
applied in the collection of data. Collected data was then analyzed. Based on the outcomes of the
data analysis, I then made conclusions and recommendations.
How Business Research was useful to my research Learning Process
The business research project was a period of discovery for me. Without having the
benefit of having been exposed to research writing before it was a time for me to learn. The very
first instance was drafting a topic for my study. Although this was easy because I already had an

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interest in global information system, it wasn’t easy to come up with the precise words that could
capture the meaning I intended. As observed in the business research proposal, the topic needed
to take a form that was researchable. If a research topic does not meet the quality of being
empirical and researchable is not worthy of the study (Stichler 2014).
The business research writing also helped me to know how to come up with the
objectives. My assumption before did not capture that fact that the objectives of a research must
be realistic. Going forward, I know that once I come up with the objectives of a study, I can use
those to them derive the research questions. Research questions should be derived within the
scope of the objectives of the study (Huang 2017). I also got guidance from my supervisor on
how to ensure that the research questions are not idealistic or cause any unnecessary inflations on
the budget,
The hypothesis formulation part was of particular interest to me. In my earlier years of
study, I had met the word ‘hypothesis” and wondered how it applied to research. A hypothesis is
a postulation coined on the basis of reason or evidential material (Bastalich, Behrend &
Bloomfield 2014). In the course of this business research writing I got to learn about the
differences between a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis. I was able to gain the skill
of examining a hypothesis by applying it to observations and experiments.
Stating the geographical location of a study is really not a requirement in research
writing. This is yet another assumption I had made before embarking on the project. But as I
write down this reflection, I see the way in which new knowledge challenged what I thought I
knew. Even more informative was the literature review section. Although it involved a lot of
reading, it aided me to grasp all the information I needed to have in order to effectively handle

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the research. An understanding of existing literature on a chosen research topic helps the
researcher to unpick the research gaps in the scholarly field (Townes 2017). In future research
works, I am confident that the skills of looking for information from academic sources will be
very handy.
The methodology section was the hallmark of the business research writing. For the first
time I made frequent reference to the terms ‘qualitative and quantitative’. Drawing the line
between the two methods of study and how they are applied was valuable to my learning
process. In the course of the study I learnt that in choosing sample size its necessary to select a
larger population since a large sample size yields results that nearly mirror normality. Larger
sample sizes are better to work with since they are more representative of the larger population
(Economou & James 2017. In the process of collecting data, I gathered a lot of information about
Rip Curl Company that was vital in doing my study.
The data analysis part fronted yet another major challenge that was very necessary in my
learning experience. My project work required me to analyze the data obtained in the survey
using Software Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). Given that my computer technology skills
have been limited to ordinary basic computer packages, I had to consult with colleagues on how
to achieve this task. It is nearly impossible to successfully conduct a research study without
sufficient computer technology skills (Badenhorst et al., 2015). These are vital skills that will
certainly find application in other courses too.
Finally, as can be seen from the time schedule attached in the proposal, all these activities
were supposed to be done within a specified time frame. This was another learning point for me.

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That business research project have to be timed was a challenging fact for me. Activities have to
be planned out carefully and implemented within the timelines.
How will this learning experience be applied to?
Course
This learning experience that I have gathered through the process of carrying out the
business research writing shall find application in several ways in the rest of this course. From
time to time our lecturer issues assignments and term papers and other write ups that require to
be done. In the past, I had a challenge of locating the right sources to use in academic writing. A
major problem in undergraduate research writing is that most undergraduate students have
challenges locating worthy academic literature (James 2012). Even when I did, finding relevant
information from the sources was quite a struggle. After conducting the business research
writing, it has equipped me with skills that I can apply anytime I need to find academic sources.
With this experience, future assignments and write ups in the rest of this course will be much
easier to handle.
Program
As mentioned in the preceding section (on course), the skills learnt through the writing of
business research will help me to complete other assignment in the course. Likewise in other
courses scheduled under this degree program, there will also be assignments, term papers and
other write ups. It is my observation that business research writing format actually applies to a
wider scope of subjects in the discipline of social sciences. This means that even in other

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assignments in other courses, the skill of locating academic sources and extracting information
from the same are still applicable.
Future Career
Career progression is a very important thing in this competitive 21st Century world. In
order to gain competitive advantage over co-workers, one has to continually read in order to stay
informed and updated on the new developments in their occupation and also to improve their
performance at the work place. Most employees tend to give up their quest for new knowledge
once they get comfortable in the workplace (Arntfield et al., 2016). This trend is observed among
many graduates who are already employed. The paradox is that business research bequeath us
with a rich reading culture that if well applied even in the work place, employees will always
remain relevant. This is because the nature of research work in itself is that one has to delve deep
into a vast scope of academic literature in order to find information. It is my intention to carry
this culture into my career so that I remained in touch with new development s and stay ahead of
the rest. This is necessary because in a world where so many people are graduating with similar
degrees, employers are looking for unique attributes that sets one apart from the crowd and being
well read is one of term.
General life
Writing business research proposal and reports teaches one lot of skills for general life.
Right from the point one selects the topic of study to the formulation of the research questions,
there is always a standard with which to measure. The standard is that the topic of the study as
captured in the objectives of the research and the research questions must be realistic empirical,
measureable and researchable. I compare this to goal setting in life. I think this aspect of business

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research teaches that as we set personal goals in life, it important that we ensure that are realistic,
measurable and achievable. If we apply this I everyday life and success is guaranteed.
Another quality that is exhibited in business research which is worth emulating in general
life is planning or organization. The successful completion of a business research requires of the
researcher to effectively plan and organizes every stage of the study (Kennison 2012). The same
is seen especially in the data analysis and handling stages. These levels of accuracy and
efficiency in planning out activities could make a huge difference in the quality of life if put on
practice in daily living.
Effectiveness and Usefulness of learning experience
The learning experience in my opinion has been quite intriguing. It has been very useful
in the sense that it has bequeathed me with the already discussed skills, values and abilities.
These include critical thinking, planning, organizing, interrogating, and collecting data,
analyzing and reporting. It has also instilled the attribute of adhering to timelines. Business
research writing has also emphasized the necessity of having a strategy for projects management.
Project management methodologies are integral to the success of projects (Stichler 2014).
In terms of effectiveness the business research writing has served to create new
perceptions about the course and its content. Unlike before, it is now clear how the knowledge
we learn in class can be applied to solve problems faced by organizations as big as multinationals
in realizing their organizational goals. Reflective writing involves the examination and
evaluation of ones beliefs and values and how they were impacted during the learning process
(Ottenberg et al., 2016). My perceptions and belief about the relevance of the course are now
changed.

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By reflecting on the Business research writing it emerges that several questions that I had
before about the course and the degree program in general have been answered. In the learning
process, I have made observations, had experiences and captured ideas that are relevant to the
course and program. Reflective writing opens up the researcher to reflect on the hypotheses,
possibilities and speculations in their area of study (Vassilaki 2017). As pointed out by the
scholar, the leaning process has stirred the desire in me to gain better understanding of things and
awakened a curiosity and speculation in me.
The learning process has also aided me in coming up with alternative interpretations of
phenomena that I have read about in the course. Sufficient reflection during writing allows
researcher to develop alternative interpretations of texts that they have interacted with (Poldner,
et al., 2014). This aspect has catapulted me into a position where I can establish comparisons and
connections between what am learning, my prior knowledge and what is known to me of other
courses and disciplines.
Conclusion
Reflective writing was a time to revisit the topic and examine the knowledge gathered in
the learning process. As a student I questioned myself with a view to understanding why I think
in the manner that I do. I have engaged in the examination and evaluation of beliefs and values
and how they were impacted during the learning process. It is important for the student to
understand that in every learning experience they bring with them a lot of knowledge-this is a
vital lesson I have learnt. This knowledge is instrumental in getting clarifications regarding how
what you already know converges with or departs from what you are learning. In this piece of
writing, I have discussed perspectives and the content of the course. In the course of the

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reflective writing, I have tackled should be ideas and encounters as well as considerations
(observations) that one has had in the learning process. I have also explored how I solved
problems, changed perspectives, found solutions and arrived at points of understanding during
handling the business research writing task. The paper has also identified alternative perspectives
depending on what other sources infer, challenges presented by new ideas and the possibilities I
can explore in action or thoughts. Overall, he business research writing has left me a better
student.

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