the hierarchy -problem definition

7/30/2019 The Hierarchy -Problem Definition

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-hierarchy-problem-definition 1/15

The Hierarchy -

Problem Definition



Broad Problem Area

• Sales volume of the product is not picking.

• Training programs are not as effective as anticipated.

• Introduction of flexible working hours has created

more problem in some organizations than it has solvedin many companies.

• The newly installed I.T system is not being used by themanagers for whom it was primarily designed.

The broad problem area would be narrowed downto specific issues after some preliminary datagathering



The Hierarchy

MANAGEMENT DILEMMA (Level 1)

MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS (Level 2)

RESEARCH QUESTIONS (Level 3)



The Hierarchy

• LEVEL 1 - The top management’s concernsabout the business . These are the symptoms of the actual problem .

• LEVEL 2 - The managers try to raise theissues underlying the symptom .

• LEVEL 3 - The researcher tries to conceptualizethe symptoms in the form of basic issues or causes .



Some Examples …..

Management Dilemma

Declining sales, Increasing employee turnover, Large no.of defective products, Large no. of consumer complaints…..

Management Questions

(In terms of questions to be answered)

• Why are the sales declining?

• What are the reasons for defective products ?• Why are the people leaving?

• Why have the consumer complaints increased?



Research Questions

In terms of fact finding & information gatheringquestions in the form of unstructuredexploration.

• What factors are contributing to the

failure of XYZ dept?

• What kind of complaints are recurrent?• What is the system of quality control in

XYZ dept?



Investigative Questions

In terms of more specific questions aftera careful informal exploration.

• How attractive are our services?• Which region is receiving more complaints?

• Is there enough manpower to handle the

cases?

• What is the system of redressal?• Are there any specific factors influencing

employee performance?



Measurement Questions

In terms of specific information to be sought.

• How can we measure the quality of our

service ?• Which areas of quality need to be covered ?

• What information about the employees is

required (morale, training, experience, healthetc.)?

• How do we get this information?



Management Dilemma toResearch Questions

MANAGEMENTDILEMMA

ManagementQuestion 1

ManagementQuestion 2

ResearchQuestion 1 a

ResearchQuestion 1 b

ResearchQuestion 2 a

ResearchQuestion 2 b



Conclusion

When we proceed from Management Dilemma

to Research Questions we move from

• General level to a specific & focused level.

• Symptoms to the root causes.



Some Examples

• The deposits in the bank are to beincreased.

• Computer department shows excessive

turnover among programmers.• New health insurance is not picking up

sales.

• New branch is to be opened in ruralarea.

• Change in the advertising strategy is tobe brought about.



FORMULATION OF

A RESEARCH PROBLEM



Research Problem

• Research Problem flows from the

Research Question.

• It is stated in a statement form.

• Research Problem should

–be clearly stated.

–be focused. –convey the right meaning.



Some Examples

• Effect of new packaging on the sales of a

product.

• Effects of downsizing on the brand image of

the company.

• Study of performance management

systems in IT industry.

• Evaluation of ABC Policy / Programme /Process.



Objectives

• Specific, concrete & achievable goals of

research.

• Generally flow from the research questions.

• Give the direction to the research. Examples

– To study the consumer perception of the

product.

– To analyse the annual reports of the chosencompanies w.r.t. the chosen parameters.

the hierarchy -problem definition

Documents