Analyzing Research Design for FedEx Supply Chain Management

This report outlines the research design and methodology for a study on the supply chain management of FedEx. It begins by establishing the research philosophy, justifying the selection of a positivism approach, and rejecting interpretivism due to potential bias. The report then details the chosen deductive approach, emphasizing its efficiency in leveraging existing models. The research worldview is identified as pragmatism, allowing for a mixed-methods approach. The descriptive research design is selected to facilitate both qualitative and quantitative data collection. Furthermore, the report discusses the research strategy, favoring a descriptive approach to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research topic, and the methods for data collection and analysis.

Running head: STUDY OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN FEDEX
Study of Supply Chain Management in FedEx
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Table of Contents
Research Design and Methodology.................................................................................................2
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................2
2.0 Research Philosophy..................................................................................................................2
2.1 Justification for Research Philosophy...................................................................................3
3.0 Research Approach....................................................................................................................4
3.1 Justification for Research Approach......................................................................................5
4.0 Research Worldview..................................................................................................................5
4.1 Justification for Research Worldview...................................................................................6
5.0 Research Design........................................................................................................................7
5.1 Justification for Research Design..........................................................................................8
6.0 Research Strategy......................................................................................................................8
6.1 Justification of Research Strategy.........................................................................................9
7.0 Method of Data Collection........................................................................................................9
7.1 Justification for Method of Data Collection........................................................................11
8.0 Population................................................................................................................................11
9.0 Sample.....................................................................................................................................11
10.0 Method of Data Analysis.......................................................................................................12
10.1 Justification for Method of Data Analysis.........................................................................12
11. 0 Ethical Consideration............................................................................................................13

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12.0 Proposed Schedule.................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................15

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Research Design and Methodology
1.0 Introduction
Research design and methodology define the outline of methods for conducting the
research study. It actually provides the framework and blueprint for collecting most accurate set
of information (Tuohy et al., 2013). This section will select appropriate research design and
methodology for assessing the factors influencing the supply chain management of FedEx. The
chapter will select appropriate research worldview for getting appropriate direction of research
design and methods for collecting authentic information about the supply chain management at
FedEx. On the other hand, the chapter will also select appropriate research philosophy, research
approach and research design for collecting most relevant research information. Apart from that,
the chapter will also provide justification for the choice research philosophy, research approach
and research design. Furthermore, the chapter will majorly focus on selection of appropriate data
collection method for gathering accurate information regarding the issue of the research.
Moreover, the study will choose primary method for assembling relevant research information.
The study will also select appropriate data analysis method for properly analyzing the collected
data towards reaching at accurate research result.
2.0 Research Philosophy
Research philosophy is associated with type, basis and progress of information through
gathering. Addressing research viewpoint includes becoming aware and formulation of beliefs
and assumptions regarding the research topic (Choy, 2014). Pragmatic philosophy accepts the
concepts as relevant only if the concepts support actions. As per this philosophy, research

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questions are the most significant determinants of research philosophy. It can combine both
positivism and interpretivism position within the single research as per the nature of the research
questions (Roberts, 2013). Positivism philosophy ensures collection of factual data through
observation. Positivism philosophy deals with quantifiable observation, which leads to statistical
data analysis. Moreover, the factual data collected in the positivism philosophy enhances the
quality of the research outcome.
Interpretivism philosophy facilitates in gathering socially constructed data, which is also
related to reality. Gathering such real acts helps in proper understanding of the research topic,
which can lead to accurate research result. On the other hand, the qualitative approach used in
this philosophy helps in gathering detailed information around the research theme. On other
hand, philosophy through realism is the mixed approach of interpretivism and positivism
philosophy (Farooq & O'Brien, 2015). Realism philosophy relies on ideas of independence of
reality in human mind. The direct realist approach of realism philosophy facilitates in gaining
fuller and clear picture about the subject of the research. Such philosophy facilitates in collecting
authentic research information along with socially constructed data, which can improve the
excellence of research value.
2.1 Justification for Research Philosophy
The social nature and subjective nature of Interpretivism philosophy can lead to biasness
in the collected information. Therefore, this philosophy has been rejected for conducting this
research study. On the other hand, positivism philosophy facilitates in gathering factual data,
which can enhance the quality of research outcome. Therefore, positivism philosophy will be
nominated for leading this research.

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3.0 Research Approach
Research Approach is the most useful method for gathering huge knowledge regarding
the topic of the research. The assortment of appropriate exploration approach is extremely reliant
on exploration topic as well as research variables. Two types of investigation methods are mostly
used in directing research. These are inductive approach and deductive approach. Inductive
approach generally leads to inductive inference, where known premises are used for generating
untested conclusion of the research study (Lather & St. Pierre, 2013). Inductive approach
requires generating new theories and models for collecting and evaluating the information related
to the research topic. Moreover, this approach generalizes the information from specific to
general. The data collection of inductive approach is associated with exploring the research
phenomenon. It can identify themes and patterns for creating effective conceptual framework or
the research stud. Moreover, this approach is basically related to theory generation towards
collecting authentic information about the research topic.
Deductive approach facilitates in leading the deductive inference. In this approach,
conclusion of the research is true, when the premises of the research are also true. This approach
allows in utilizing previous theories and models for gathering reliable info concerning the theme
of the investigation. It helps in implementing various theories and models, which are actually
related to research variables (Isaacs, 2014). The previous and relevant research theories and
models can provide detailed and in-depth information about the research topic towards
enhancing the quality of the research. Moreover, deductive approach generalizes the information
from general to specific towards reaching at standard quality of research outcome. In this
approach, data is collected for evaluating propositions and hypotheses in relation to existing

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theories. This approach is actually related to theory verification and application of the best
relevant theory for collecting effective information about the research topic.
3.1 Justification for Research Approach
Inductive Approach entails generation of new theories and models for collecting relevant
information around the theme of the investigation. Consequently, the inductive method requires
huge and money for creating new theories and models. In this way, this approach actually
increases the period and budget of the research. Therefore, this research approach has been
rejected for this research study. On the other hand, approach through deductive method
facilitates in using preceding philosophies and models for collecting important information about
the research study. In this way, this research approach actually saves the time and budget of the
research study.
4.0 Research Worldview
In research study, worldview provides the foundation for the inquiry of research
information. It is extremely important to be aware of the worldview for designing, carrying out
and interpreting the research result. The worldviews of research study are constantly evolving
and there is no fixed standard for it. However, the worldviews of research method are classified
in four categories like Post Positivism, Constructivism, Advocacy or Participatory and
Pragmatism. Post positivism method facilitates in rejecting and confirming a hypothesis
(Fletcher, 2017). Positivists believe that researched person and researcher are actually
independent of each other. Post positivist accepts that the background, theories, values and
knowledge can have huge influence on observed matter. It depends on deterministic and theory

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verification approach. Moreover, quantitative research design used in Post positivism method
helps in collecting accurate research information.
Constructivism philosophy considers reality as the construct of human mind. In this
philosophy, reality is perceived to be subjective. This research philosophy facilitates in gathering
qualitative information for getting in-depth knowledge about the topic of the research. It also
brings personal values of research participants towards analyzing the collected data. Moreover,
collaboration with the research participants and including their values actually validates the
accuracy of findings (King & Mackey, 2016). On the other hand, in Advocacy philosophy, the
data, methods and findings of the research actually negotiated with the research participants. In
this philosophy, the approaches to research do not respond to the situation or needs of the people
from vulnerable and vulnerable groups. This approach also uses qualitative method for collecting
authentic research information. Furthermore, Pragmatism philosophy facilitates in testing the
hypotheses and providing multiple perspectives (Gabriel, 2015). In this philosophy, a proposition
is accepted, when it seems to have a practical consequence in reality or otherwise the
propositions are rejected. It used mixed method approach of research design for gathering both
quantitative data and qualitative data.
4.1 Justification for Research Worldview
Pragmatism philosophy will be selected for collecting most authentic information about
the research topic. This philosophy allows in using both qualitative and quantitative research
design for collecting both subjective and objective information about the topic of the research.
Therefore, this philosophy can provide most authentic set of information about the research
study.

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Table 1: Relationship between Research Worldview, Design, Strategy, Method of Data
Collection and Analysis
(Source: Fletcher, 2017)
5.0 Research Design
Research design defines the set of procedures and methods for gathering and studying the
actions of variables, which are specified under the problem for research. It also provides the
framework for getting accurate answer to the research questions (Wiesche et al., 2017). Success
completion of research study is highly dependent on proper understanding of research topic.
Proper understanding of research topic is dependent on gathering adequate knowledge about the

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research variables (Pavan & Kulkarni, 2014). Effective research design highly emphasizes on
proper understanding of research topic. Three most common types research designs are
exploratory, explanatory and descriptive. Research design through Explanatory approach
facilitates in recognizing connection among dissimilar research variables. This research design
connects the ideas towards identifying the cause effect connection among dissimilar research
variables. Moreover, this research design assists in linking the research variables with each other.
Research design through Exploratory method enables in identifying the contextual
underpinning of the research study. Moreover, this research design recognizes the common
grounds behind the research topic. Furthermore, this research design recognizes the current
issues behind the research topic. It also attempts to find the groundwork for the research study,
which can also lead to future research studies (Saunders & Bezzina, 2015). In this way,
recognition of social causes behind the research topic leads to accurate research result. On the
other hand, descriptive research strategy enables in getting proper explanation of the research
topic. This research design facilitates in accumulating actual purpose of the research topic. It also
provides additional information regarding the topic of the research, which ensures high quality of
research outcome. In descriptive research design, it is possible to use both qualitative and
quantitative research design for collecting both subjective and objective information about the
research topic (Hooper & Gunn, 2014).
5.1 Justification for Research Design
This research study will use descriptive research design, where both qualitative and
quantitative research design can be used. Such research design will help in collecting both
detailed subjective information and accurate objective information about the research topic.

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6.0 Research Strategy
Research strategy provides the direction to the thoughts and ideas, which facilitates in
conducting the research study systematically. Moreover, it defines the strategies towards
gathering authentic research information about the research topic. Popular types of research
strategies are like survey, interview, case study, focus group, observation and lots more. Case
study strategy helps in gathering authentic research information regarding the topic of the
research study (Gioia et al., 2013). It provides empirical in-depth inquiry about the topic of the
research. Furthermore, in can also provide reliable data regarding the theme of the examination.
On the other hand, Focus Group defines small group of people, which can be used for gathering
authentic data concerning the research topic. Moreover, in this research strategy, data is collected
from same group of people, which can improve the excellence of the research consequence.
Survey research strategy helps in collecting objective information from the selected
respondents. Moreover, in this research strategy, survey questionnaires are distributed among the
selected respondents of the research study (Newington & Metcalfe, 2014). Moreover, the
selected respondents are asked to provide answer to the research questionnaires as per their own
opinion. On other hand, interview strategy helps in collecting detailed and descriptive research
information regarding the topic of the research (Pearson et al., 2015). Moreover, in this research
strategy, information is mostly collected from the organizational heads of the concerned
organization. Therefore, this strategy facilitates in collecting organizational specific information
from the organizational heads of the concerned organization.
6.1 Justification of Research Strategy
This research study will choose survey and interview strategy for collecting most
authentic data concerning the issue of the research study. Survey strategy helps in collecting

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most reliable and accurate objective data about the research topic. On the other hand, interview
strategy helps in collecting core organization specific information regarding the topic of the
research topic.
7.0 Method of Data Collection
Data collection method is the most substantial activity for collecting facts regarding the
issue of the research study. Collection of relevant information is highly dependent on appropriate
choice of data collection method (Lynch & Mannion, 2016). Both primary as well as secondary
method of data collection is extremely important for collecting useful research information. In
secondary method of data collection, data is collected from various secondary sources. It is
possible to obtain the secondary data both from the external as well as internal sources to the
organization. Moreover, secondary data is mostly collected from authentic journals, websites,
books, company information, case studies and others (Kim et al., 2015). The secondary data can
be both quantitative as well as qualitative in nature. The qualitative data is mostly obtained from
newspapers, interviews, diaries, transcripts and others. On the hand, secondary quantitative data
is mostly obtained from financial report, business journals, business magazines and others. In
this research study, secondary information will be used for preparing the literature review
section. Moreover, the authentic information collected from the secondary sources will enhance
the quality of the research outcome.
On the other hand, the research study will basically use primary method of data collection
for collecting most authenticate and relevant data about the investigation topic. In this research
study, primary data collection will be used for collecting first hand data set from the selected
respondents (Golichenko, 2016). In primary data collection, both qualitative and quantitative

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data collection technique will be used for collecting information both in the nature of subjective
as well as objective. In quantitative technique, the employees from the supply chain department
of the FedEx will be selected as the respondents (Hickson, 2016). Moreover, survey
questionnaires will be distributed among the employees of supply chain department of FedEx.
These questionnaires will be close end in nature. On the other hand, in qualitative technique,
managers of FedEx will be selected for gathering authentic information regarding the supply
chain management of the organization.
7.1 Justification for Method of Data Collection
Primary data are first hand in nature, which can reduce the chance of biasness in the
research method. Therefore, this method of data collection can provide most exact data
concerning the examination topic, which can enhance the quality of the research outcome.
Therefore, primary method of data assortment will be carefully chosen for collecting correct
information about the research topic.
8.0 Population
Research Population refers to well defined collection of individuals, which can almost
similar characteristics. 80 employees from the supply chain department of FedEx will be selected
as the population size of the research study. Sample will be simply the subset of this population
size. Moreover, the sample will be the representatives of the population for provide accurate
information about the research topic.

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9.0 Sample
50 employees from the supply chain department of FedEx will be selected as the
respondents for quantitative data collection. On the other hand, 3 managers from FedEx will be
selected for conducting qualitative data collection. Simple random sampling method will be used
for conducting the research study. In this research method, the respondents will be gathered at
their convenient place for collecting accurate research information. Such method will also
enhance the participation level of the respondent and enhancing their willingness towards
responding to the survey questionnaires and providing most accurate information about the
research topic.
10.0 Method of Data Analysis
Data analysis method is the most important activity towards accurately analyzing the
collected data from the selected respondents. Effective data investigation method simplifies in
changing the overall data about the research topic into precise manner (Burr et al., 2014).
Inferential analysis tests the hypothesis and draws the conclusion regarding the population based
on the sample. In Inferential analysis, the collected information is analyzed through ANOVA, T-
Test, confidence interval, regression, Chi-Squared and others (Harsoor & Bhaskar, 2016). In this
statistical test, the change the data pattern is identified for reaching at an effective research result.
It is also possible to take the result of an analysis using sample and its can also be generalized to
the larger population that the sample represents. On the other hand, descriptive statistical
analysis quantitatively summarizes the features of collected data. Descriptive statistics are more
likely to summarize the sample rather than population. In this data analysis method, the measures
of central tendency are used for describing the data set. Moreover, descriptive data analysis uses

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mean, median, mode and standard deviation for analyzing the collected data from the selected
respondents (Ahmad et al., 2014).
10.1 Justification for Method of Data Analysis
Descriptive statistical method will be used for analyzing the collected data from the
selected respondents. The mean value will provide the average tendency of the collected data for
reaching at a conclusion. Furthermore, the mode value will provide maximum tendency of the
collected data for reaching at accurate research result. In this way, descriptive statistical method
will lead to accurate research result.
11.0 Ethical Consideration
Successful achievement of research outcome is extremely reliant on proper consideration
of ethics. It should be safeguarded that the respondents are not forced to participate in the facts
gathering process. The respondents should be allowed to take professional partaking in the data
collection process. Moreover, they should have the right to quit their contribution any time from
the process even after procuring their initiative in the process (Shabani Varaki et al, 2015). The
willingness to participate in the data collection process is completely dependent on the selected
respondents of the research study. There should not be any unethical activity in collecting data
from the respondents. On the other hand, the respondents should not be influenced by any means
in responding to the questionnaires. The respondents should be allowed to respond to the
questionnaires only from their own perspectives. It should also be ensured that the data gathered
from the respondents will be used only for private purposes and not for profitable purposes
(Friedman, 2014). Furthermore, the research study should also maintain the confidentiality of the

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information shared by the selected respondents. Moreover, the research study should ensure all
data protection act for protecting the information from unauthentic access.
12.0 Proposed Schedule
Figure 1: Proposed Schedule
(Source: Created by Author)

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