Chapter 3: Research Methodology for Supply Chain & Firm Performance

This report details the methodology employed in a quantitative research study investigating the relationship between supply chain management and the performance of firms within the textile industry of Pakistan. The study utilizes a non-experimental correlational research design, employing a deductive approach and positivism research philosophy. Data collection is conducted through self-administered questionnaires distributed to employees of textile companies in Karachi, Pakistan, using a convenience sampling technique. The sample size comprises 384 employees, selected from three major textile companies. The research model examines the impact of supply chain management on firm performance, with data analyzed using correlation analysis and linear regression. The questionnaire design incorporates a five-point Likert scale, and reliability is assessed using Cronbach's alpha. The study aims to identify the key relationships between supply chain management practices and firm performance, as well as the impact of sustainable supply chain management and specific supply chain strategies on improving performance within the Pakistani textile manufacturing sector. The study also considers the sources of data (primary and secondary) and the techniques used to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings.

Chapter 3: Methodology Chapter
3.1 Method of data collection:
This study is adopting a non-experimental correlation research design by using a
quantitative research approach. This research only utilizes the relationship between two
variables without manipulating independent variables or changing any of the extraneous
variables of research.
According to Saunders et al. (2013), quantitative method is commonly adopted to measure
data that are numerical, statistical, and mathematical in nature. There are different
techniques that can be used to collect quantitative data such as internet polls, experiment
calculations, and field surveys including questionnaires. A field survey will be conducted in
this research through self-administered questionnaires. The key purpose of questionnaire
will be to utilize the information about relationship between supply chain management and
performance of firms in textile industry of Pakistan (Gray, 2013).
Figure 3.1: Onion model of research methodology (Saunders et al. 2013)

3.2 Key components of research methodology:
According to Saunders et al. (2013), selection of appropriate research methodology requires
consideration for different aspects such as philosophy, approach, strategy, choice, time
horizon, and data collection procedure. The given below is the summary of research
components selected in this dissertation.
3.2.1 Research Philosophy:
This term research philosophy is defined as key idea adopted in research to identify the way
to collect, interpret, analyse and presentation of data on any specific phenomenon. There
are different types of research philosophies such as positivism, objectivism, subjectivism,
humanist, pragmatism, realism, radical humanist, and structuralism. This research thesis
requires collection of research data from real world, therefore positivism research
philosophy was selected to analyse the relationship between supply chain management and
performance of firms in textile industry of Pakistan (Grey, 2013).
The positivist research philosophy is commonly adopted within social business studies. It
helps in collecting the recognisable proof from social world based on instinct, sensation, and
subjective reflection. (Easterby-Smith et al., 2008). This philosophy was adopted for
gathering certifiable information in virtual condition. It also helps in selecting the diverse
statistical tools and utilising quantifiable information for research. It also helps in
considering previous research models, theories, and case studies about the similar research
phenomenon. (Saunders et al. 2013).
3.2.2 Research Approach:
The term research approach is linked with outcome of research approach, whereas it
provides ways for researcher to select single or multiple outcome of research. There are two
types of research approach such as deductive and inductive approach. The inductive
research approach is selected to elaborate one single research phenomenon into different
theories and models. The deductive research approach is selected to summarise different
models and theories into one single outcome of research. (Maxwell, 2012).
This dissertation is adopting the deductive research approach by identifying relationship
between supply chain management and performance of firms in textile industry of Pakistan.
In order to select the deductive research approach, there are different aspects considered in

this dissertation such as deduction of hypothesis, modifying theory, operational term, and
outcome inquiry as shown in figure 3.2.
Figure 3.2: Components of deductive research approach (Maxwell, 2012)
The deduction of hypothesis is key component of deductive research approach, whereas it
helps in supporting the key research questions. The answer to research questions is only
possible by accepting or rejecting the research hypothesis defined in this thesis as explained
below: (Noor, 2008)
 Ho: There is no relationship between supply chain management and performance of
firms in textile industry of Pakistan Hi: There is positive relationship between supply chain management and
performance of firms in textile industry of Pakistan

3.2.3 Sources of research data:
The reliability of any research is depending on quality of information and data sources used
to answer the research questions. There are two types of sources to collect research data
such as primary and secondary sources. The primary research data is unique which is never
been published on any forum, whereas secondary research data is not unique and already
published on accessible forums. (Gray, 2013). The primary research data is collected by
adopting real world methodologies such as questionnaire, interview, and experiments. The
secondary research data is easy available in both digital and paper format such as books,
articles, journals, newspapers, blogs, and others. (Bergman, 2008).
This research thesis is collecting primary research data by adopting questionnaire
methodology. The real world data is collected from respondents which is never been
published on internet. The collected data is analysed by comparing it with secondary
research data on similar field of studies. (Gray, 2013)
3.3 Sampling Technique:
Sampling technique is considered as the most essential method of research that helps in
selecting the appropriate participants of research by accessing and understanding the
diverse field population in depth (Erba
et al., 2018). This research is adopting the
convenience sampling technique for selecting the respondents for our questionnaire.
According to Etikan, Musa, and Alkassim (2016), convenience sampling helps keeping cost
and time consumption relatively low.
The textile sector is highly developed in Karachi because this city only generates 70% of
Pakistan’s total GDP. Majority of textile companies are located on the SITE area in Karachi.
Therefore, field visit will be done by selecting three major textile companies as key source to
collect questionnaire data. The data will be collected by taking proper consent with
explanation about our research to respondents. The estimated time required to collect data
depends on response rate (Michaels, 2017). The data is planned to be collected in 5 working
days.
3.4 Sample size:
The target population of this study are employees of textile companies in Karachi,
Pakistan. It is estimated that textile sector of Pakistan is very big in terms of workforce,

whereas there are no calculable estimates available about the total workforce of textile
sector in Pakistan.
Using Krejcie and morgan (1970) table a sample of 384 employees will be selected from
three major textile companies. The final sample size will be determined after removing
incomplete responses.
3.5 Instrument of Data Collection:
The questionnaire design will be on a five point LIKERT scale (1 confirms ‘Strong
Disagreement’ and 5 confirms ‘Strong Agreement’). The questionnaire will be designed into
three key sections such as first section will be on demographic features, second section and
third sections will be on variables of this study.
3.6 Validity and reliability test:
The Cronbach’s alpha test will be used in this research to check the reliability of
questionnaire, whereas pilot testing will be done with the help of colleagues. The content
and face validity will be checked with the help of subject experts.
3.7 Research model developed:
The model is developed considering the previous research conducted by Malik, Shamin,
and Ahmad (2017). The independent variable is Supply Chain management and dependent
variable is performance of firms.
Figure 3.1: Research model along with key hypothesis
Supply Chain
Management
H1 Performance of
Firms

3.7 Statistical Technique:
Table 3.1: Statistical technique used
1 What is the key relationship between supply chain
management and performance of textile
manufacturing companies?
Correlation analysis
Linear regression analysis
2 How sustainable supply chain management helps in
improving the performance of textile manufacturing
companies?
Descriptive analysis
(mean,
ƒ)
3 What supply chain strategies are helping Pakistani
textile manufacturing companies to improve their
performance?
Descriptive analysis
(mean,
ƒ)