Chapter 3 & 4 - Problem Definition and Research Questions

Question 1

USEFUL QUESTIONS TO ASSESS THE POSITION OF
STAKEHOLDERS

Answer 1

• Who are the key stakeholders?
• How important do they think the project is and why?
• What type of information do we need from various stakeholders?
• Are they willing and able to provide us with the necessary information?
• What are their objectives, tasks and responsibilities?
• What are their objectives in relation to the project?
• What are their ideas and feelings about the project?
• Are they open to change?
• Are they emotionally involved?
• What do various stakeholders have to lose in the course of the project?
• Will that lead to resistance? How problematic is that? How will this affect the process?

Question 2

In order to assess the value of information, several considerations
are taken into account (Lehmann, Gupta & Steckel, 1998):

Answer 2

1. Time pressure: under what kind of time pressure is the manager?
2. How easy is it to collect information?
3. What is the cost of a bad decision?
4. How do the viable alternatives differ?
5. How likely is it that more information will change the decision?

Question 3

In a situation where a manager is proactively looking for decision
opportunities or areas for improvement, we might formulate management problem as follows:

Answer 3

1. The existing situation In order to grow, we are considering to enter a new market.
   — However, it is unclear how attractive this market is in the long
   run.
2. Why this situation is problematic
   — This is problematic because we want to make a market entry
   decision.
3. The desired situation (the management objective)
   — Obtaining insights into the long-term attractiveness of the
   market.

Question 4

SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORATION

Answer 4

• Keep an open mind.
• Do not focus too quickly: a broad scope is better than a narrow one at this stage.
• Do not jump to conclusions.
• Make sure that your information comes from many different sources (people and documents).
• Distinguish facts from interpretations.
• Uncertainty is an important characteristic of this stage. This makes it difficult for many people.
• There is no need to come up with a final definition of the problem at this stage. You may want to formulate one or more preliminary problem definition(s).
• Keep everything flexible.
• Do not accept predefined solutions.
• Try to make a realistic assessment of the severity of the problem.
• Think about the organization of next stage: diagnosis. What do you need from whom?
• You may come to the conclusion that the process ends here.
• Do not continue if the issue is not worth investigating.

Question 5

information problem

Answer 5

A particular type of action problem where there is clarity and
agreement on what the problem is and the constraints of the
solution. In contrast to routine problems however, it is not clear
how the problem can (best) be solved.

Question 6

consensus problem

Answer 6

There is sufficient knowledge about how to solve the problem, but
due to, for example, conflicting interests or different value
systems, beliefs or ethical standpoints, every viable solution to
the problem is blocked.

Question 7

Secondary data

Answer 7

Data that already exist and do not have to be collected by the
researcher.

Question 8

primary data

Answer 8

Data collected first‐hand for subsequent analysis to find solutions
to the problem researched.

Question 9

research objective

Answer 9

The purpose or objective of the study explains why the study is
being done. Providing a solution to a problem encountered in the
work setting is the purpose of the study in most applied research.

Question 10

research question(s)

Answer 10

Specify what you want to learn about the topic. They guide and
structure the process of collecting and analyzing information to
help you to attain the purpose of your study. In other words,
research questions are the translation of the problem of the
organization into a specific need for information.

Question 11

Exploratory research

Answer 11

A research study where very little knowledge or information is
available on the subject under investigation.

Question 12

descriptive study

Answer 12

A research study that describes the variables in a situation of
interest to the researcher.

Question 13

Correlational study

Answer 13

A research study conducted to identify the important factors
associated with the variables of interest.

Question 14

causal study

Answer 14

A research study conducted to establish cause‐and‐effect
relationships among variables.

Question 15

research proposal

Answer 15

A document that sets out the purpose of the study and the
research design details of the investigation to be carried out by
the researcher.

Question 16

Problem definition

Answer 16

A problem statement includes both a statement of the research
objective(s) and the research question(s).

Question 17

2. ‘The problem definition stage (definition of the management and the research problem) is perhaps more critical in the research process than the problem solution stage’. Discuss this statement.

Answer 17

The problem stage is the most important stage because if you can’t define the problem it will be hard to come up with an accurate answer.

Question 18

Problem

Answer 18

Common use of the word implies that something is wrong, substandard, potentially harmful, and requiring attention

Question 19

Establishing a Causal Relation

Answer 19

• Association
• Temporal precedence
• Isolation

Question 20

What is IV

Answer 20

Independent Variable

Question 21

What is DV

Answer 21

Dependant Variable

Question 22

Causal Relation - Association

Answer 22

Independent and dependent variables covary (vary in correlation with another related variant)

Question 23

Causal Relation - Temporal Precedence

Answer 23

Presumed cause (IV) precedes presumed effect (DV)

Question 24

Causal Relation - Isolation

Answer 24

– Presumed cause (IV) must be able to affect the presumed effect (DV) all by itself (not due to another factor)
– Does NOT mean that there is only one cause for any given effect (DV) – think “a” cause, not “the” cause

Question 25

Provide an example of an action problem

Answer 25

An action problem is a type of problem that requires individuals or groups to take specific actions or make decisions to achieve a desired outcome.

Problem: Environmental Cleanup Initiative

Scenario: A local river, which has been a vital source of drinking water and recreation for your community, has become heavily polluted due to industrial runoff and littering. The water quality has deteriorated significantly, and the ecosystem is suffering. Residents are getting sick from drinking contaminated water, and the once-thriving wildlife is disappearing.

Question 26

Compare technical and information problems.

Answer 26

Technical problems are clear-cut with straightforward solutions and require technical expertise. Information problems involve uncertainty and require data collection, analysis, and informed decision-making, relying on knowledge, research, and judgment.

Question 27

Are technical problems always simple problems or do you think that technical problems could also be complicated?

Answer 27

Technical problems vary in complexity, ranging from simple to highly intricate issues, depending on the problem and required expertise. Simple problems can be solved with basic skills, while complex ones demand extensive expertise, research, and resources.

Question 28

Describe action-oriented research in your own words

Answer 28

Action-oriented research prioritizes collaboration between researchers and those affected by the research topic. Its main aim is not just knowledge generation but also positive change and practical problem-solving in real-world contexts.

Question 29

management problem

Answer 29

a technical or routine problem