Research Methodology Chapter: Kindred Group Dissertation

This research methodology chapter outlines the comprehensive framework for a study investigating the feasibility of remote working, its impact on employee commitment, satisfaction, and financial benefits for an organization. It details the application of the research onion, explaining the research philosophy (positivism), approach (inductive), design (descriptive), and strategy (mixed method). The chapter justifies the selection of these methodologies, emphasizing their suitability for analyzing remote work's influence on employee performance and organizational outcomes. It also highlights the use of both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (surveys) data collection and analysis methods, ensuring a robust and well-rounded approach to achieving the research objectives. The chapter also references the research outline, which is based on Saunders' research onion to describe the various stages involved in a research study.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY CHAPTER
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY CHAPTER
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Overview
The research methodology forms a critical part of the study and it is essential to include a
research methodology in all studies as it enables the author of the study to lay down the different
research methods which have been applied for the study in order to attain the overall objectives.
In association with this, the research methodology also provides an idea to the readers regarding
the research methods, the way in which the data has been collected for the research and
additionally, the style in which the research objectives of the study will be attained. Hence, as the
study intends to define the concept of remote working, underline how it is being applied in an
enterprise, critically evaluate the employee performance, understand the impact of remote
working on the employee commitment and satisfaction along with understanding how it would
benefit the organization financially. Therefore, the given chapter will follow a systematic format
whereby the concept of the research method which is being applied will be explained and this
will then be followed by a discussion on the style in which the study will attain the outcomes it
intends to achieve.
Research Outline
The research onion by Saunders tends to illustrate the various changes which are
involved in a research method for a study. The onion layer provides a detailed description of the
various stages which are essentially involved in a research study and describes a progressive
approach towards conducting a research study. In association with this, the research onion can be
applied to any research methodology and is generally used in a variety of contexts. In association
with this, the correct method of using a research onion is by going from the outer layer of the
onion to the inner layer (Saunders and Bezzina 2015). Each layer of the onion describes a
detailed stage of the research process. In association with this, the goal of the research onion is to
ensure that the entire research results can be attained as per the outcomes and the overall aims of
the study.

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Figure 1: The research onion
(Source: Saunders and Bezzina 2015).
Research Philosophy
The research philosophy can be stated to be the main purpose for which any research is
generally undertaken. In consideration of this, the Research Philosophy tends to lay down the
beliefs as well as the assumptions which are undertaken for a study before proceeding with the
collection of the data for the study and to attain the main aims which have been outlined for the
study. There are several types of research philosophies which are available for the study. In
consideration with this, it can be cited to be critical to understand that the Objectivism and the
Positivism philosophy (Basias and Pollalis 2018). The Objectivism research philosophy helps the
researcher in being aware of the social phenomenon and their different meanings as well as the
influences which have to be undertaken. Another type of the research philosophy which is
available is the constructivism research philosophy which researches upon the actors who are
responsible for creating the particular phenomenon which is being researched upon. In

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consideration to this, by adopting this kind of a philosophy, the information is observed and the
data is interpreted in a consistent style.
Another type of a research philosophy which is general undertaken is a researcher can be
stated to be the positivism research philosophy. In this kind of a research philosophy, the author
of the study generally comes up with research questions and hypothesis for the study (Bresler
and Stake 2017). The positivism research philosophy can be described as a research philosophy
whereby the research generally makes use of a mixed research method in the form of a survey to
find the results. This passivism approach indicates that factual data has to be collected and the
scientific data has to be used accordingly. In association with this, it becomes effective to
mention that, the research will involve the consideration related to the topics such as remote
workplace, job satisfaction and job involvement as well (Dumay and Cai 2015).
Justification of the research philosophy
The purpose why the positivism research philosophy has been considered to be an
effective mode of study can be cited to be because it shall assist in finding how remote work
conditions generally tend to influence an employee at the workplace and in relation to this, it will
also assist in finding the style in which this remote working aspect has a significant influence on
the overall operations and goal achievement endeavors of the enterprise.
Research Approach
The research approach is the perspective based on which the research is generally
undertaken. Relating to this, it can be effectively cited that, the adoption of the right kind of a
Research Approach would be appropriate for the study as it will assist in understanding how the
outcomes of the study will be attained. In consideration of this, the researcher would be required
to adopt an approach which suits its research topic and with the help of which the research
outcome will be attained (Engwa and Ozofor 2015). Hence, the two critical research approaches
which are available for the study can be stated to be the deductive and the inductive research
approach. The deductive research approach is generally based on testing the theory based on
which the result is formulated whereas the inductive approach takes a comprehensive approach

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which is concerned with understanding how the new theory can be derived from the data. The
deductive research approach generally tends to begin from the hypothesis whereby the inductive
research approach tends to use the medium of research questions in order to understand how the
study can be narrowed. The inductive research approach looks at focusing on exploring a new
phenomenon and viewing the previously researched phenomenon from a unique perspective
(Fletcher 2017). Moreover, generally the deductive research approach generally works on the
quantitative research method whereby the inductive research method tends to focus on the
qualitative research method and the mixed research method as well. As the given study is related
to the feasibility of the remote working conditions on the employees and finding the style in
which the job satisfaction can be attained with the help of the related study, this research
approach has to be used so that the outcomes of the report can be elaborated accordingly (Flick
2015).
For the purpose of the study, the research approach which has been used for the given
analysis can be stated to be the inductive approach. In the inductive approach, the feasibility of
the remote working conditions can be tested accordingly and based on it the advice to the firm
can be given. The inductive research approach will be suitable and applicable to the study as it
will make use of the phenomenon behind the scenario to understand the influence on the overall
performance of the study.
Justification for the research Approach
The research approach helps in determining how the research will be carried out and the
style in which the outcomes of the study can be attained accordingly. In consideration with this,
the research approach which is the inductive research approach will be applicable for the study
as it will assist in finding the influence of the remote working on the enterprise and also assists in
understanding how a firm will be able to perform well using this research approach.

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Research Design
The research design can be cited to be the format and the overall layout of the study. In
association with this, it can be cited that, deciding upon the right kind of research design helps in
ensuring that the research outcomes can be attained accordingly (Gray 2019). The research
design is the main framework which is selected by the researcher. In consideration with this, the
research design allows the various researchers to hone in on the methods in a style such that the
subject matter can be aligned accordingly and how the outcomes of the study will be attained
accordingly. For any researcher, an impactful research design will create minimum biasness in
the data and will assist in increasing the accuracy of the collected data. The main types of
research designs which are generally used for the study can be cited to be the descriptive
research design, the experimental research design, correlational research design and the
diagnostic research design (Krishnaswamy 2016). In consideration of this, the descriptive
research design aims to describe a scenario or a case which is within the domain of their case
study. In association with this, the theory based design has to be created and gathered
accordingly to gain the results of the study accordingly. It helps in understanding the needs of the
research and in consideration of this, identifies the issue.
However, in case the research problem on which the study is generally based is not clear
then in such a scenario, the research design which is generally used by the researcher can be
understood to be the experimental research design. The experimental research design enables and
establishes a relation between the cause and effect of a situation. Another research design which
is available to the researchers can be cited to be the correlational research design (Kumar 2019).
This research design can be cited to be a non-experimental research design technique which
assists in establishing a close link between various variables. There does not exist any
assumption while carrying out the research for the study. Many researchers often make use of
the explanatory research design for their study whereby the aspects related to the about and how
the issue exists can be explained accordingly (Ledford and Gast 2018).
Hence, for this study, the research design which has been used for the study can be cited
to be the descriptive research design. This research design will be largely useful in discussing the
overall phenomenon accordingly. Through this research design, the author will aim to undertake

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the analysis of a particular research domain which shall thereby assist in understanding how the
outcomes of the study can be attained accordingly.
Justification of the research design used
The purpose why the descriptive research design has been used for the study can be
stated to be due to the purpose because, it will assist in finding the different ways in which the
study tends to engage in finding the remote working concept as involved in the firm and how this
remote concept will have a critical influence on the workplace performance and the style in
which the job satisfaction and related factors influence the overall workplace performance
accordingly.
Research Strategy
The research strategy can be rightfully defined as the overall Research plan which is used
for the study. The research plan for the study has to be formulated in such a style that it will be
able to attain the overall research objectives outlined for the study and in addition to this; the
discussion on which the study is based on can be carried out in a comprehensive style (Leiva
2015). Keeping this in mind, the research strategy which shall be used for the study can be cited
to be the Primary mixed research method. In association with this, the Primary method of data
collection has been undertake for the study whereby the information of the study will be based
on the respondents and participants in the various interviews. In association with the data
analysis part, the method which has been used can be cited to be the mixed analysis method
whereby the combination of both the qualitative in the form of the interview analysis will be
undertaken and the quantitative analysis indicates to the results of the survey questionnaires
design for the study (Mackey and Gass 2015).
Justification of the research strategy
The primary purpose why this kind of a research strategy has been taken for the study can
be cited to be the fact that the aspects related to the job satisfaction and remote working have to
be considered accordingly. In consideration of this, it becomes very essential to ensure that the

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study is being able to attain the research outcomes effectively. When this research strategy will
be made use of for the purpose of the study, it will assist in ensuring that the overall study can be
carried out accordingly.
Sampling and research instrument
The sampling technique can be described as the style in which the sample size will be
adequately selected for the purpose of the study. In association with this, it can be cited to be
critical that an appropriate sampling technique can be used for the purpose of the study can be
cited to be the simple random non-probability sampling technique. This kind of a sampling
technique uses the primary method of data collection whereby the author will undertake the
survey and related interview of a large number of participants based on which the study will be
carried out accordingly. In consideration with this, the employees who are present at the Kindred
Group plc shall be interviewed accordingly and their perceptions regarding the remote working
and the job satisfaction will be found accordingly (Nayak 2015). For this study, the
questionnaire has been distributed 7% of the employees who are not involved in the management
position. In association with this, these employees were selected on a random basis who has been
working at the Malta Headquarter of the enterprise for over a year. Although none of the
employees have been working remotely, the gaining of some information was useful in
understanding how the personal information and the self-perceptions are subject to being
investigated in (Quinlan et al. 2019).
Another questionnaire was sent out to the 5% of the employees of the firm who are
involved in the managerial position. Even these managers were selected randomly from those
individuals who are employed at the Malta headquarters for a period of more than one year. In
association with this, the sampling method also involved the collection of interviews and other
related information from the point of view of the manager. A total number of 3 interviews have
been undertaken and these individuals are being allowed to work remotely (Rosskam 2018). The
main purpose of this interview was to understand how the employees felt about such an
arrangement and how it is affecting their overall performance.
In order to ensure that the data collection method turns out to be comprehensive in nature,
the interview from the COO of the Kindred Group has also been collected. As this manager was

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a line manager and is being allowed to work remotely on a permanent basis. The COO has been
selected for the purpose of the study because at present he is involved in managing various
employees and in association with this, the standard work arrangements are being provided to
them. In consideration with this, it is essential that, their views have been incorporated in the
study so as to ensure that, the information can be gained (Saunders and Bezzina 2015).
Additional semi structured interviews have been taken who work remotely with the COO. This
provides a better view of the style in which the study has been carried out accordingly. Such
interviews have been carried out at suitable locations.
The research instrument which has been made use of for the purpose of the study can be
cited to be the structured and semi structured questionnaires. In consideration of this, it can be
considered effective to mention that the questionnaire has been distributed amongst the
participants and this first questionnaire will comprise of 15 questions. The results were assessed
and analyzed accordingly.
The second instrument to target the managers has also been taken as the questionnaire
that has been selected randomly. The questionnaire format remains the same (Skinner 2015).
This questionnaire had been designed in a style such that the research outcomes could be attained
accordingly. The study aimed to ensure that the research questionnaire was distributed in a
systematic style and the questionnaires and interviews have to be collected accordingly. The
participants were also provided with a signed Privacy note and a consent letter.
Further details about the sample size and criteria have been given as follows:
Participant Data
Collection
Method
Purpose for
choice of
method
Population
Size
Sample Size Sample
Criteria
Data
Colle
ction
Date
Employees
(non-
managers) of
Kindred
Questionnaire To understand
what the
employees think
about remote
398 27 (this being
more than 7%
of the
The
employee
should have
at least a

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Group
Company
working in
Malta
working and if
they feel it will
have any benefit
and what these
would include.
population.) minimum
experience
of 1 year in
the
company.
Managers at
Kindred
Group Malta
selected
randomly
Questionnaire To obtain
information on
what they know
about remote
working and
obtain their
personal opinion
on this working
arrangement
72 5 (7% of the
total)
Selected
randomly
from
amongst
different
departments
Employees of
Kindred
Group
Company
working
remotely
Interview To determine
how employees
feel about
working
remotely:
- Difficulties if
any that they
encounter.
- The positive
aspect of
working
6 3 (50% of the
sample)
Employees
allowed to
work
remotely
from at least
2 months

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remotely.
CCO of
Kindred
Group (also
heading the
Malta office)
Interview To better
understand:
-The financial
and non-
financial benefit
and/or negative
effects of remote
working for the
organization
- The perceived
benefit and/or
negative effects
on the
employees
1 1 Only
managers
having
remote
working
employees
reporting to
him.
He is also
the most
senior
person in
Malta and he
is seating on
the
boardroom
of the entire
group.
Data collection
The data collection can be adequately described as the means using which the
information related to the study is generally used by the researcher to ensure that, the research
outcomes and aims can be carried out successfully. The data collection method related to the
research needs to be such that, the outcomes of the research can be carried out adequately. In
association with this, there are two main means of collecting data for the research and the study.

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In consideration of this, it is effective to state that the data collection methods can be of two
types which can be stated to be the Primary data collection and the Secondary data collection.
However, in order to carry out the research in a comprehensive style, the data collection
method which has been selected for this given study can be cited to be the Primary research
method. In association with this, it is essential to mention that the purpose why the Primary data
collection method has been selected for the study is because, it will assist in finding the research
outcomes of the study adequately and pertaining to this, the method of survey questionnaire and
the interview will be undertaken (Taherdoost 2016). In addition to this, by making use of the
primary data collection method, the researcher will be required to ensure that, the remote
working aspects can be critically assessed and the ways in which the emote working contributes
to adequate job satisfaction and work goals can be assessed accordingly. The questionnaire was
distributed through Hardcopy and the consent of the different participants as involved in the
research was also gained accordingly (Wiek and Lang 2016).
Justification for choosing the Data collection method
The data collection method which has been used for the study is the Primary method of
data collection. In association with this, by using this primary method of data collection, the
author will be able to find the different ways in which the respondents feel about remote working
and the influence this aspect generally has on the overall job satisfaction and the work
performance at the enterprise. When the opinions of the different participants have been applied
to the study, it will then assist in ensuring that the right kind of outcomes is attained.
Data analysis
The data analysis method can be cited to be a method using which, the data which is
generally collected for the purpose of the research is assessed and in association with this, the
objectives of the study are attained accordingly. The two main methods which are generally
made use of for the purpose of the analysis can be cited to be the qualitative and the quantitative
data analysis. The qualitative data analysis can be described to be a medium using which the
phenomenon are explained accordingly (Wiek and Lang 2016). This is then followed by the
quantitative data analysis whereby the outcomes of the research will be explained with the help