Executive Summary

This report describes the procedure of designing a sound methodology for research on the following topic: The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in the Republic of Uzbekistan , on the base of the approaches of Research Methodology of Business. The methodology presented in the report describes, explains and justifies methods that will be applied for studying of the research problem. Accordingly, it clarifies the technical procedures or steps that will be taken to conduct the research on the development of the Uzbekistan textile industry.

The report consists of three chapters; each chapter is devoted to the following concept: Chapter 1: Introduction. It sums up the research objectives and describes the steps involved in the research design. Chapter 2: Data-collection methods. It provides a brief summary on sources and methods of the data collection. Chapter 3: Data analysis. These section discuses the techniques exploited for processing, as well as the methods applied for the data analysis and interpretation. LIST OF REFERENCES the data

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

1. Introduction
1.1 Summary of Previous work 1.1.1 Objectives The formal objectives for the study are : To discover and analyze the problems, which hinder the efficient interaction between supply chain in the textile industry of Uzbekistan, particularly in cotton industry. To identify and analyze the main factors, which lead to the unstable financial condition of Uzbek textile enterprises.

The questions should be answered in the report are :

How can be interaction between of the supply chain improved to ensure further development of the textile industry? What measures should be taken to increase solvency of the Uzbek textile companies?

1.2 Research Design While methodology is the theory of how research should be undertaken, including the theoretical and philosophical assumptions, upon which research is based and the implications of these for the method and methods adopted (Saunders, M., Lewis P., and 2009) , the research design is a blueprint for collecting and analyzing data required to answer the researching questions. Whether we are considering the physical sciences, the life sciences, the research process begins with an interesting thought about the world around. Without this there is no research. The interesting thought or research question is common starting point of all research work in all fields of study. From this point the research is always concerned with the emergency of evidence and the evaluation of results. It is worth always keeping in mind the final result of research is to add something of value to the body theoretical knowledge. (Remenyi, D. 2002). Paurav Shukla (2008) outlines that research design links all parts and stages of the project together. A weakly built up design would fail to provide accurate answers to the research question under investigation and in turn does not assist the manager in the decision making process (Shukla, P. 2008) The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan 2

Thus, the research design should be accurately developed and include at least the following stages: Objectives that addressed to research questions; Statement on data collection technique; The analytical methods that will be applied to data; Limitations.

Figure 1.2 Stages of a Research Design

PROBLEM FORMULATING

NATURE OF STUDY

UNIT OF ANALYSIS

T Y P E S OF I N V E S T I G AT I O N

SAMPLING DESIGN

EXTENT OF RESEARCHER INTERFERENCE

T I M E HORISONT

STUDY SETTING

MEASURING

DATA COLLECTION

DATA ANALYSIS

Source: Adapted from Sekaran(2003) 1.2.1 Purpose of study The most researchers recognized that research designs can be classified into two groups: descriptive and exploratory. A descriptive design in applied to acquire information about 3

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

phenomena at the current time; it describes what exists in terms of variables in current situation. Researches employ an exploratory design to obtain a deeper understanding of situation with underling the causes of phenomena. Figure 1.2.1 Comparison of research designs

EXPLORATORY. EMPHASIS Discovery of ideas and insights FEATURES Flexible, instructed Focus groups, in-depth TECHNIQUES USED interview, mostly qualitative research

DESCRIPTIVE Frequency of occurrences

Hypothesis based, structured Surveys , observation, panel data, mostly quantitative research

Source: Paurav Shukla (2008), pp 49 To answer the research question, a descriptive design will be employed to identify the factors that could hinder the interaction among different branches in the supply textile chain in Uzbekistan. Moreover to evaluate the nature of the phenomenon in terms of the textile industry development, the hypothesis formulated in Literature Review, will be tested. To investigate the second research question, an exploratory research will be applied due-to the complex nature of insolvency issue. It involves evaluation of competitiveness of the industry. Such approach requires not only identification of the key indicators of the textile industry related to its solvency but also exploration of causes that led to the existing situation. Finally, the results of analysis will be summarized and the main advantages and disadvantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan will be outlined. Additionally, the trends forecasted for its development would be presented as well as policy recommendations. 1.2.2 Type of investigation There are two investigation approaches that can be utilized depending of the level of relationship between variables. If there is necessity to predict a definite cause-and-effect relationship, the research involves a causal study. However, if research requires study of the variables associated with the problems , correlation techniques are applied The variables that would be studied in the

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

report do not show definite cause-and- effect relationship therefore a causal study will be employed. 1.2.3 Extent of researcher interferences. According Sekaran (2003), the level of researcher influence depends on whether it a causal or correlation study is conducted. In a causal research, a researcher may attempt to change

particular variables in the setting to evaluate the effect of that change on the dependent variable of interest. Thus, a causal study may have a moderate or high extent of manipulation. On other hand, a correlation study is carried out in the natural environment; therefore the level of interferences is minimal. The research of the textile industry exploits a correlation approach therefore the extent of the researcher interferences in minimal. 1.2.4 Study setting The theory of business research implies that research could be conducted both in natural environment and artificial settings. This research is carried out in the real-life settings since the factors of researcher interest in the textile industry of Uzbekistan , such as infrastructure, production costs, price and availability of raw material, capital, rivals and etc., are the same as they have been before the study is taken. In fact, it is a field study because it employs a correlational approach in the natural setting. 1.2.5 Unit of analysis At different stages of the research, the researcher will have to aggregate the data to different extent. The part which is focused on the supply chain study requires the information from the different divisions; therefore the unit of analysis on that stage is a division. The researcher will also aggregate data at the national industry level consequently the units of analysis will be a national industry. 1.2.6 Time horizon Research may employ either longitudinal or cross-sectional data. In a cross-sectional design, to answer a research question data is collected at one point of time, whereas for a longitudinal study data are gathered a few times. The research on the textile industry of Uzbekistan involves mostly primary data where the researcher will use cross-sectional design. Nevertheless, some parts of the study would require secondary data that is available from the national and international statistical agencies. Since much national and international data is collected on a periodic basis The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan 5

over time, it allows longitudinal research studies not normally possible through primary research in view of cost and time constraints( Greener, S. 2008). 1.2.7 Sampling Design Paurav Shukla(2008) states that sampling involves selecting a relatively small number of elements (characteristics) from a larger defined group of elements and expecting that the information gathered from a larger group of elements will provide accurate judgment about the larger group. The process of sampling, which will allow creating the sample from the

population under this research, is described in table (1.2.6). Table 1.2.6. Process of sampling
Representatives of sector-relevant companies Government Officials and consulters from the local and international advisory policy units with the relevant knowledge about the textile industry

POPULATION

SAMPLINT UNITS

A division of the industry An industry

Sampling frame in the research represents population to the extent that allows obtaining significant data and avoiding biases.

SAMPLING FRAME
Non-Probability Sampling

SAMPLING DESIGN
100 managers from relevant companies of the industry 25 government officials and policy advisors 4 groups of industry factors: (in accordance with the Porters' model) are required , 1 group related to chain value analysis includes 12 points of interest, while the rest 3 groups include 5 factors

SAMPLING SIZE

SAMPLING PLAN

People who have the relevant knowledge on the textile industry will be preferred Managers will be assigned into 6 groups in accordance with the activities of the company in the textile chain supply (for example, raw- material processing, final product manufacture, wholesalers and etc) to make sample more representative of population Data will be gathered by face to face interview, questionnaires and online survey

To implement the sampling plan for obtaining the sample

SAMPLE

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

1.2.8 Measurement and measure

Scales can be defined as series of items that arranged in accordance to its value or magnitude. Different scales of data can be classified into the following categories: interval, ordinal, nominal and ratio. Nominal data is the simplest scale which cannot be ranked. In the research, nominal data will be mostly obtained from questionnaires based on multiple choices to assign labels for identification and classification. Ordinal scales allows ranking data, therefore the key factors of the industry will be depending on their influence. Interval scales allows not only assigning and ranking but also defining difference between two variables. Ratio scales incorporates the qualities of the scales discussed before and represents of the actual amounts of variable, in our research it will costs, price of raw-materials and etc. rank

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

2. Data Collection Methods

2.1 Source of Data Data can be divided into two categories: secondary and primary data depending on the sources. While secondary data is collected from various established sources, primary data are originated by the researcher for the specific purpose of addressing the problem at hand( Shukla, P. 2008). Figure 2.1. Data sources.

SOURCES OF DATA

SECONDARY

PRIMARY

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Source: Designed by the author. 2.2 Data Collection Methods There are many techniques that researcher can utilize for data collection: surveys, questionnaires, interviews and etc. However, the choice of the tools for collecting process depends on the aims of a study, the availability of resources for conducting researches and the required degree of data quality . 2.2.1 Interviews An interview is a purposeful discussion between two or more people (Kahn, R., Cannell, C. 1957) . Interviews may help researches to collect reliable data that are relevant to the researchers questions. Interviews can be divided into 3 categories depending on their structure: structured, semi-structured and in depth-interview. The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan 8

The researcher will employ semi-structured and unstructured (in-depth) interview for collecting data for the study, since for a exploratory research these kind interviews can be very helpful to find out what is happening and to seek a new insights(Robson, C. 2002). Table 2.2.1. Interviews Plan

Face to Face Interview

Semi-structured interview

Unstructured Interview

Managers of textile companies from

Officials and policy advisory who related to the textile industry

Target group

different divisions on supply chain

Identify

the main constrains for

Study in deeps the various issues related to the industry development and growth, as well the nature and impact of the regulatory policy in Uzbekistan

Goals

development of a specific division of the textile industry

Researcher will have a list of questions

Researcher

will

give

an

opportunity

for

Procedure

on the topic, but during the research some questions can be skipped or added

interviewees to express freely his or her ideas on the topic, no predetermined list is needed

2.2.2 Questionnaires A questionnaire is the robust tool collecting primary data for both exploratory and conclusive studies. Regardless of the form of administration, a questionnaire is characterized by two main objectives. First, it must convert the information required by managers in a format of questions. Second, the questions asked must be created in a format in which respondent will understand it and be willing to answer them (Shukla, P. 2008). Since the exploratory and descriptive nature of research, the questionnaires would be include both qualitative and quantitative questions on the textile industry operation and structure. While the quantitative questions will be helpful to define some factor of interests such number of the workers, volume of sales and etc, the qualitative question will provide data on location, marketing facilities, raw-material availability, labor skills. Researcher will use internet- and- intranet-meditated questionnaires due-to wide geography of the study. The relevant recipients will be contacted by email with advice to expect a

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

questionnaire, then he or she will get a questionnaire and web link with a covering latter. It will help motivate a recipient to respond the letter. 2.2.3 Secondary data Data that have already been collected for some other purposes, perhaps processed and subsequently stored, are termed secondary data. There are three main sources of secondary data: documentary, survey and those from multiple sources (Saunders, M., Lewis, P.et al. 2009). In the research the author will mainly collect secondary data on the textile industry provided by the government statistical agency of Uzbekistan. Another source of information for the research is International agencies, such as World Bank, UNDP, and ITC. Both these sources provided secondary data with high degree of reliability. The secondary data will be employed not only to define industry trends, but also to support and validate primary data.

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

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3. Data Analysis
3.1 Data Processing Data processing is an important stage of the research which prepares the data for analysis. The researcher will have to convert the data collected in the fieldwork into a format that can be used to answer the research questions and to test the hypotheses. The process of converting the data involves a few steps which allow getting data ready for analysis. First, the data collected will be edited. Editing process includes checking and correcting the data for omissions and consistency, as well as for legibility. The special attention will be paid for the handling blank responses. The decision rule for blank-responses handling will be the following: to put a neutral or average value for a missing response. The questionnaires with more than 30% missing answers will be eliminated from consideration. At next stage of data processing, the researcher will translate the data from questionnaires or interviews and design a structure to categorize the data. Finally, the data will be entered in computer and saved in a data file. Moreover, the researcher will check the data on errors during the coding and entering process, because the errors of coding and entering data into computer may undermine the validity of measures and lead to bias. 3.2 Data Analysis 3.2.1 Introduction Once the data processed, a researcher makes analysis of data collected. However, Bryman (1998) pays attention to the fact that researchers should distinguish between qualitative and quantitative analysis and apply different tools for its conducting depending on data types. Figure 3.2.1 Distinctions between quantitative and qualitative data

QUANTITATIVE DATA based on meanings derived form numbers collection results in numerical and standardized data analysis conducted through the use of diagrams and statistics

QUALITATIVE DATA based on meanings expressed through the words collection of results in nonstandardized data requiring classification into categories analyses conducted throughthe use of conceptualization

Sources: adopted from Saunders, M., Lewis, P. et al. (2009). The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan 11

In the research frame mostly the quantitative data will be collected, some data that will be obtained from the in-depth interviews with the governmental authorities and local and international policy advisors could be in qualitative format though. 3.2.2 Quantitative Analysis of Data 3.2.2.1 Preliminary and Statistical Analysis At first stage of analysis, the researcher will get feelings of data by exploring the data with help of tables, graphs and diagrams. It will allow the researcher judging about variability, ranges and general trends of the factors that define the industry development. After getting a clear picture of how individual variables behaving we can start looking for relationship between variables (Greener, S. 2008). The researcher will use statistics to analyze the relationship between the factors of interest and the industry development indices. In the research frame, the following method will be utilized: central tendency, correlation to test the strength between variables, moving averages and regression analysis to define the trends and to forecast. 3.2.2.2 Analysis of credibility of research findings At this stage the researcher will have to asset to what degree the results are reliable and valid. While reliability refers to the extent to which your data collection techniques or analysis procedures will yield consistent findings (Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. ,et al. 2008), the validity is concerned with whether the finding are really about what they appear to be about (Saunders, M., Lewis, P. et al. 2009). In research, the assessment of reliability will be done to ensure there is no Subject or participant error; Subject or participant bias; Observer error; Observer bias.

To confirm the validity of finding, the following questions will be asked: If the measures of elements are adequate If there is correlation between measures of the same concepts

3.2.2.3 Hypothesis testing Basing on the theoretical materials and research questions the following hypotheses have been formulated:

The challenges and advantages of the textile industry in Uzbekistan

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The current structure of the industry with orientation on the manufacture of intermediate production (yarn, fabrics), but not on the end production with high added cost (sewing, knitted production) hinders the development of the industry.

Restricted access to the top quality cotton and in relatively high price for the Uzbek textile producers may lead to insolvency of textile companies.

In the research frame, Null Hypothesis (the hypothesis formulated by researcher) will be used for testing. The researcher will give the most importance to negative evidence than to positive, since the negative evidence will undermine the hypothesis. Thus, it there will be such evidence the hypothesis should be rejected and an alternative hypothesis would be accepted. 3.2.3 Qualitative Analysis of Data For analyzing some data collected from the in-depths interviews that cannot be quantified the researcher will apply a qualitative approach. The opinions of the key informants on the textile industry development will be summarized, categorized and structured. It will assist to recognize relationships and make conclusions. 3.3 Data Interpretation The findings should be logically interpreted; it means the interpretation must be based on the facts that derived from the data avoiding subjective value of the researcher. The accurate interpretation of the findings will lead to well-grounded conclusions. Thus, the research questions will be answered, and the picture that reflects the advantages and disadvantages in the Uzbekistan textile industry will be created.

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List of References
1 2 3 Bryman, A (1998),Quantity and Quality in Social Research, Unwin Hyman, London Greener, S. (2008), Business Research Methods, Ventus Publishing Aps, ISBN. Giuli, M(1997), The competitiveness of the European textile industry, Centre for International Business Studies Research Papers, No 2 [Online] Available from: www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1793464&show=htm Last accessed: November 2010 4 Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. et al. (2008), Management Research, Sage, London, 3rd edition 5 Kahn, R. , Cannell, C. (1957), The Dynamics of Interviewing, New York and Chichester, Wiley. 6 7 Remenyi, D.(2002), Research Strategies Beyond the Differences.The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods , vol. 1, No1. Robert, M.G (1991), Porter's Competitive Advantage of Nations: An Assessment, Strategic Management Journal, Blackwell Publishing, vol.6 No 5. 8 9 Robson, C. (2002),Real World Research, Oxford, Blackwell, 2nd edition. Saunders, M., Lewis, P.et al. (2009),Research Methods for business students, Pearson Education Limited, 5th edition. 10 Sekaran, U. (2003), Research Methods for Business. A Skill Building Approach, Johh Wiley&Sons, Inc.,4th edition. 11 Shukla, P. ( 2008),Essential of Marketing Research, Ventus Publishing ApS , ISBN . 12 Yamagata, Tatsufumi(2007), Prospect for Development of the Garment Industry in Developing Countries: What has happened since the MFA Phase-Out , IDE discussion paper [Online] Available from: ideas.repec.org/p/jet/dpaper/dpaper101.html Last accessed: November 2010

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