Business Research Report: Strategies and Decision Making

This research report delves into the strategic and operational aspects of businesses, particularly within the UAE context. It begins with an analysis of strengths and weaknesses, considering economic, geographic, and socio-cultural factors. The report then explores problem-structuring and analysis methods, highlighting the importance of identifying root causes and employing frameworks like the Fishbone diagram. Decision-making tools, such as the decision-making matrix, are examined for their effectiveness. The report also covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, emphasizing their practical application in business contexts. Finally, it addresses report presentation and articulation of business problems, providing a comprehensive overview of key business concepts and practices.

Running head: RESEARCH REPORT
Research Report
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Notes:

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Table of Contents
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Strategic and Operational Strengths and Weaknesses.......................................................2
1.2 Problem Structuring methods and Problem Analysis methods.........................................5
1.3 Effective decision making.................................................................................................7
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Qualitative and Quantitative research on a practical level................................................7
2.2 Research and development Priority definition..................................................................9
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Proposition analysis.........................................................................................................10
3.2 Effective presentation of Reports....................................................................................12
3.3 Effective reports to articulate business problems............................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

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Task 1
There are various strategies that can be used by companies in order to gain favourable
nature of operations regardless of the industry that they are operating in. In a motive to gain
effectiveness in operations, the organisations have to adopt varied strategies that determines the
effectiveness of companies while they are operating in dynamic business environments (Petro
and Gardiner 2015). The aim of the company while operating in a particular industry depends on
the nature of strategies that are taken by the companies. Hence, there needs to be effectiveness
choosing the right strategies that help the company is to cater to the needs associated with the
development of effective nature of operations. UAE has been identified as a market that is
characterised by high degree of growth (Tamimi, Lafi and Uddin 2016). The country that was
once recognised for the abundance of oil reserves has now transformed into a pool of industries
that has been responsible for the rapid rates of development of the industries. Regardless of the
nature of the industry in the county, there country has been able to effectively attract companies
investing in the diverse industries that are available in the industry (Bernstein, Lerner and Schoar
2014). It can be said that the main nature of operations that are associated with an industry
depends on the strengths and weaknesses of the respective locations. The following section will
discuss the implications of the range of diverse factors that affect the efficacy of operations of
companies in UAE.
1.1 Strategic and Operational Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
There are diverse aspects within the industrial sector in the country. There are diverse
economic, geographic, commercial, organisational, social cultural and industrial advantage that

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are experienced by the organisations that are associated with UAE. The following points will
discuss the advantages that are enjoyed by organisations while they operate in the UAE.
Economic strengths: According to Salahuddin, Gow and Ozturk (2015), the economy of UAE is
considered robust and the steps taken by the regulatory bodies associated with the motive of
resurrection of the economy. As a result of the initiative that has been taken from the part of the
economic regulatory bodies in the country, the economy has been able to recover at a rapid rate.
Furthermore, it can be said that economy has been recognised for the contribution of crude oil in
the global market. The country has been recognised as the third highest exporter of crude oil in
the (Ebrahimi and Ghasabani 2015). The lack of control needed in term of foreign-exchange
backed up by the fact that there are no trade barriers help in attracting potential investors towards
the country. Moreover, the real estate costs and labour cost in the country are considered to be
competitive in nature.
Geographic Strength: The biggest competency of the country lies in the geographic position of
the country (Naizghi and Ouarda 2017). The country is located in an effective position in the
Middle East. Thus, this allows effective communication various industrial units located in the
surrounding areas. Europe, China and south East Asian countries can be effectively be reached
from the strategic location of the Middle East. Hence, companies who are investing in the
country can effectively reach and form supplier relations with the companies in the nearby
locations.
Commercial Strength: The business environment of UAE is deemed to be friendly and open in
nature. As a result of the same, industries operating in the country are subject to considerable
amount of support from the part of regulatory bodies that exist in the country. Apart from the

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latter, there are free trade zones in the county that can bolster the competency of foreign bodies
investing the said country. The latter is backed up by professional immigration business policies.
Business environment strengths: As mentioned before, the business environment of the country
is deemed to be friendly in nature backed by the fact that there are rigorous IP enforcement and
laws (Singh and Sharma 2015). Moreover, in the country, business entities can own hundred
percent of their property along with favourable attitudes towards capital repatriation.
Socio-cultural strengths: The social communities are tolerant and respective of every ethnicity.
As a result of this, multiculturalism is a reality in the country (O’Neill, Hodgson and Al
Mazrouei 2015). The primary language that is used to communicate with business entities or
individuals working in the country is English that bolster smooth communication with other
countries neighbouring the country.
Infrastructural strengths: The country has effective transportation and distribution facilities that
bolster the effectiveness of institutional development in the country. The array of road networks
that exist in the country are well planned and help in ensuring that the communication and
transportation is efficient. The connectivity is bolstered through the efficient airway connectivity,
the number of ports that the country has in diverse locations. The latter is backed by effective
support provided by the efficient IT infrastructure and modern telecommunication competency
of that is available in the country (Mwafy and Alam 2017). The effectiveness of smooth
operations of business entities is bolstered with the help of smooth infrastructural facilities
associated with the effective logistic infrastructure of the companies in the industry.
Furthermore, it should be identified that presences of the company is bolstered by the high
profile banking sector of the county. The nature of banking in the country is private to such an
extent that it is compared with Swiss banking.

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Weaknesses
Real Estate: Even if Real estate is available in abundance, the price that is associated with the
latter is deemed to be high. The economic development of the country has resulted in elevation
of the standards of living in the industry (Malkawi and Pillai 2013). Thus, the prices that are
associated with the real estate prices that exist in the country. Hence, companies aiming to
acquire property have to pay high prices.
High maintenance: The services costs that are associated to the maintenance in the industry is
deemed to be costly in nature. The prices that are associated with the repair and maintenance of
the infrastructure in the country is high which adds up to the cost associated with effective
rationale of operations in the industry. There are services that are associated repair and
maintenance of the roads are high and the same amount is added in the freight taxes that the
industrial units are subject to.
Individual jurisdiction: The country consists of different emirates. The different emirates that
exist in the conglomerate state, are all governed bodies fall under individual jurisdiction units
(Bomah 2016). Furthermore, in various states there exist separate sets of rules and regulations
that organisations have to cope with in order to be able to function effectively as profitable and
successful business units.
1.2 Problem Structuring methods and Problem Analysis methods
In order to effectively identify the scope of the issues that are associated with the aim of
the organisations operating in the UAE. There needs to be a structure of identification of the
issues that are associated with the development of the perspectives of identification of the

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problems. Following is the process that is associated with the development of the problem
resolution structure;
 Identification: This is the stage that helps in identification of the problems that are
hindering the smooth nature of operations in the concerned location. It is only after
identification of the issue that effective resolutions can be formed for effectively tackling
the problem.
 Breaking down: After identification of the problem, the problem should be broken down
into parts. This helps in identification of the root cause of the problem. Thus, catering to
the root cause can help in mitigation of the issues that will be associated to the problem.
 Analysis: Once the problem has been effectively identified the problem is analysed to
determine the scope of the problem. The analysis that is to take place will help in terms of
forming resolution that will help in mitigating the problem. The analysis of the problem
can be implemented in an effective manner by utilising various model frameworks.
Frameworks such as the Fishbone diagram or the Ishikawa framework has been
deemed to be effective for the current problem analysis. The framework underlines the
causes and effects of solutions that the said problems can be result in. This method of
problem analysis takes into consideration factors such as the environment, the equipment,
the methodology, materials, measures and the man power related factors. By analysis of
individual factors helps in determining the scope of the issues and the main scope of the
problem.
 Implementation and monitoring: On development of a resolution to the problem, the
latter needs to be implemented. Strategic planning will help in catering to the issue that

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has been identified. It is to be followed by monitoring through which it will be ensured
that plan is carried out effectively.
1.3 Effective decision making
Depending on the relevant business scenario, the objectives of the problem analysis
should be identified. Furthermore, there should effective identification and identification of the
decision making tool that can help in terms of problem resolution. The chosen decision making
tool that has been deemed to be effective in the fore the current scenario is the Decision making
matrix (Arockiarani 2014). The latter involves measures to be taken by companies in order to
rate one decision over another. All the factors that might affect the viability of the decision that is
to be taken in order to solve the said problem. Furthermore, the latter help in development of the
idea that will determine the importance of the problem by rating one against the other. The
problems are rated and weighted with the help of effective rationale development and hence,
provides resolution through effective decision making. This decision making matrix is deemed to
be one of the most effective ways of formulating a decision as it takes into consideration various
aspects that can either bolster or hinder the nature of operations of the individuals or institution
operating in the identified or the concerned industry.
Task 2
2.1 Qualitative and Quantitative research on a practical level
In order to identify the nature of the strategic operations of companies or organisations
regardless of the industry that that they are operating in, it is to be ensured that one incorporates
effective market research. Effective market research is bolstered by the effectiveness of the
organisation in terms of carrying out research using both quantitative and qualitative techniques
(Slater, Mohr and Sengupta 2014). Qualitative information is assessed in order critically evaluate

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the scope of the scenario that is being dealt with. Methods of qualitative data interpretation such
as interpretivism, positivism and others are used in order to form inferences regarding certain
issues (Thanh and Thanh 2015). It helps in terms of identification of the methods that can be
applied in order to satiate understanding regarding the scope of the issue that is being analysed. It
helps in gaining understanding regarding the scenario under which the research is being carried
out along with development in terms of identification of the issues associated with the analysis of
the problem. While qualitative research helps in bolstering the competency and the
understanding regarding a said issue, quantitative analysis can be applied in order to gain
understanding that is justified by figures (Nakajima and Telyukova 2017). The evaluation and
analysis of the quantitative data obtained through research can help in identification of the
accurate measures of data that help in gaining understanding regarding a certain aspect
associated with the research or another. The aim of research to be carried out in a quantitative
nature can help in term of development of the competency of the organisation in identification of
the constraints that can help in terms of effective decision making from the part of eth
researchers who are conducting the said research.
In real word practices of market research conducted by companies, the companies need to
identify the scope of certain aspects that the company needs to analyse with the help of the
research that is being carried out. There might be needs of the research that helps in developing
understanding regarding one of another aspect for which the companies might want to be on the
receiving end of quantitative data that could help the organisation in terms of development of
understanding and inferences regarding a certain aspect of the study. It can be opined that in
circumstances when the company might need quantitative data, the company might want to pitch
the masses or the located target segment with questionnaires. The questionnaires can contain

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analysis tools such as the Likert scale or severity indexes or Multiple Choice Question using
which the target population can help the company in completing the research. By compiling and
interpreting the questionnaires the company can interpret the data into charts or figures that can
help in terms of gaining favourable nature of understanding regarding the issue that is being
catered through the research. In other cases the company might need to understand an issues in a
qualitative manner for which the company might need to conduct a qualitative research. The
qualitative data can be gathered by identifying and locating the perception of the people who are
subject to the research. The methods that can be applied by companies to source qualitative data
are interviews, focus groups, group discussions, stress interviews and bytes on the streets. An
organisation that carries out both qualitative and quantitative research can enjoy a competitive
advantage that is characterised by the company gaining favourable nature of understanding
regarding the figures and the qualitative insights.
2.2 Research and development Priority definition
There are various instance in which companies need to carry out research. The main
objective of the research that is to be conducted by the company needs to be based in the need
associated to the need as a result of which the research needs to be conducted. There might be
various internal and external aspects, stakeholder related issues such as motivation, staffing
issues, incentives, commercial issues such as lack of turnover or other that might give rise to the
need for research and development. The cause for which the research is being conducted depends
on the severity of the issues that the company has been able to identify. In case the main nature
of operations of the company is associated to innovation, they have to prioritise on research and
development for the same issue. If the company operating in UAE is operating in the FMCG
industry, they have to identify the needs associated with the tastes and preferences of the

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customer community. The most important aspect that must be incorporated into operations in
terms of research and development is the need for research. The same can help in development
of prioritising the research and development questions.
Framing favourable research questions helps in breaking down the need for research into
components using which the objective can be formed. Hence, after the objectives have been
formed, the same can be transformed into research questions. Incorporation of activities based on
the same help companies in targeting problems which can then be resolved effectively.
Following are examples of research questions;
 What are the methods that are used by companies in terms of identifying gaps in the
service of the product portfolio?
 What are the aspects that ensure that the company able to effectively target and identify
problems effectively?
 What are the aspects of the behaviour of the consumers that companies regardless of the
industry?
 What are the methods of assessment of qualitative and quantitative data?
Task 3
3.1 Proposition analysis
The value proposition offered by a company is one the mist important factors that contribute to
the effectiveness of companies in development of favourable impressions in the consumer
community. Value proposition refers to the unique quality or utility that is provided to
consumers with the help of the products or services that are being provided by the company
(Osterwalder et al. 2015). The value proposition of certain products or services offered by a

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company determines the nature of positioning of the company or the products and services
offered by the company while they operate in a particular market.
It must be recognised that the market of UAE is multicultural in nature and thus, there are
various aspects that companies have to look into in order to gain favourable responses in the
location that they are operating in. There might be issue that hinders the nature of operations of
companies while they are operating in a said industry. The analysis of the economic environment
of the
company helps in forming inferences regarding certain aspects. UAE has been placed in the
bracket of high income countries, with a multicultural population of approximately 9,400,145.
The business environment of the country is deemed to be effective in nature as a result of which
they have been ranked 11 in the ease of doing business index (Doingbusiness.org 2019).
Furthermore, there are various activities that contribute to the effectiveness of the companies
through identification of industries that can be subject to favourable outcomes while operating in

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UAE. UAE has been identified as a country where it is easy to get electricity access and paying
taxes. Furthermore, activities such as investment, registering property, international trade factors
has been ranked according to the propensity of the same while the companies comply with the
same while carrying out activities in the said country. It has been found out that insolvency is an
issue that has the least conversion rate when it comes to operations in the said country.
Following is the representation of the same in bars;
3.2 Effective presentation of Reports
Reports include combination of factors aspects that help in providing the reader a
complete understanding regarding the effectiveness of the issues that are being critically
evaluated in the said sections. In case a report is to be pitched to senior management or higher
level authorities, it must be ensured that the report includes an executive summary or an abstract.
The latter helps in providing ideas regarding the issue that are being discussed in the report. The
report should be able to introduce issues that will be discussed in the body part of the report. In
case of reports that are being pitched to the high levels of the management, the language that
should be used in the report should be highly professional. It should be ensured that there is no
use of language that is deemed to be informal or casual in nature. One should also be able to
identify the form of speech to be used. It should be either in active or passive voice. Unless the
report that is being developed is not reflective in nature, it can be said that the report should be
written and presented in a third person basis. There should be use of no foul language while
development of the report. The presenter of the report should be respectful of the organisation or
the issues that they are presenting in the said report. The analysis parts of the report should
include the statement of the problem that is being analysed and the finding supported by
research. Moreover, presentation of appendices can help in supporting the research. The factors

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that make the report compelling are factors such as the format of the report, the evidence that is
the quality of the references used along the flow of ideas and the context of the problem that is
being analysed. Furthermore, the use of effective fonts and size of the text also determines the
nature of the report that is being addressed.
3.3 Effective reports to articulate business problems
It can be said that the nature of the issue that is being evaluated with the help of the issue
determines the nature of the problem. The aim of the organisation developing the report helps in
shaping the nature and structure of the problem that is being analysed. There might be instances
that are characterised by recognition for the needs to develop the report. Reports can be
developed in order to develop marketing plans for organisations, it can be carried out for the
development of issue that is characterised by organisational needs. Problems that affect the
sustainability of the stakeholders of the organisation and problems and issues catered to by the
organisation can be produced effectively with the help of reports. It helps in presentation of
problems, identification of loop-holes, and presentation of solutions for the problem that has
been identified. Hence, it is recommended that extensive analysis abilities and time should be
invested in the phase of development of the report.

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