Pure , Applied and Consulting Research

Compiled by Dr S. Sridhar

Summing up from the previous Unit-

Characteristics of Research
Research is a systematic and critical investigation into a phenomenon, process or system. It is not a mere compilation, but a purposive investigation; it aims at describing, interpreting and explaining a phenomenon. It adopts scientific method It is objective and logical, applying appropriate tests to validate the measuring tools and the conclusions reached. It is based on observable experience or empirical evidence.

Why do we need to conduct research at all? What happens if there is no research in natural sciences, physical sciences, medicine and social sciences?? Think of situations

Researcher, Manager and Consultant

Pure research is closer to an idea. Applied research is closer to practice. Ideas emanating from researchers have to be tailored and made workable in the context of an organization this tailoring is done by the consultant. Purpose of management research is to bring about positive fundamental change, whether at individual, organizational, social or ecological levels.

The Consultant
Japanese soap factory story

Pure Research
Details from the literature review

The Research question

Propositions, corresponding hypotheses and conclusions

Utility of Pure Research

The insight provided by the theoretical model itself; (the model allows
for the emergence of new variables that are interesting and useful, throws up new classification schemes and opens up hitherto unexplored interrelationships for the study).

Utility of Pure Research. The empirical findings help to uncover actual relationships. If there is a strong empirical evidence of new relationships, there is good scope for the findings to be leveraged to benefit practitioners.

Applied Research
The key decision variable The base of the IH (initial hypothesis) pyramid The key strategic decisions Think of a cylinder bloated at the middle

Distinguishing features
Applied research Pure research

Referent: organization (unit of analysis) It deals with commercial issues such as : to enter a new field or not; suitable means to enhance profits by cost cutting or revenue enhancements or downsizing

Referent: idea (unit of analysis) Cannot be applied directly to an organization (as the outcome of such research is general; The higher the generality of a piece of research, the higher the domain of its applicability and its power)

Distinguishing features.
Applied research Evaluation of existing practices (impact of advertising campaign for a product) Pure research .
Pure research has to be assessed and tailored for specific application by the consultant (external or internal)/ training department of a company or an academic-consultant. A certain customization is usually required for ideas from pure research to be profitably used in practice. Examples: Bath tub curve; BlackScholes Model; Relationship between intelligence and creativity;

Examples
Applied research Improve productivity of employees in an organization Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation Discover a new method to reduce defects in products Improve fuel efficiency of cars and two wheelers Pure research How did the universe begin? What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of? What is the specific genetic code of the honey bees?

Examples of Pure Research

Fluid / heat flow through a pipeline

Basic Research (Fr Ozzies material)

Basic Inputs Basic Processes
Search for objective truth or Knowledge through discovery of anomalies and identifying new problems

Basic outcomes
Creating new ideas, concepts, paradigms, theories and knowledge in a given domain, industry or discipline Reduction of anomalies; Expanding frontiers of knowledge; New inventions, new discoveries, new principles and laws. Knowledge repositories maintained by domainspecific and field-specific gatekeepers.

Basic Research (Creating new knowledge and paradigms); Primarily conceptual

Existing knowledge, ideas, concepts, constructs, theories and axioms in ones own discipline or allied disciplines Substantive and approximating assumptions.

Scientific methods; Quantitative and qualitative inquiries; analogical reasoning; logical, deductive and inductive reasoning; objective observation, analysis and measurement

Free scientific inquiry and Experimentation, imagination researcher skills and eureka experiences. Peer reviews; Discovery and justification. Often subsidized/ funded by Governments, Foundations and Universities

Applied Research (Fr Ozzies material)

Basic Inputs Existing knowledge, ideas, concepts, models & theories in (Validating & ones own discipline diffusing or allied disciplines. new K, Heuristic models & assumptions for theories). reducing risk/ Primarily uncertainty. analytical for reducing risk & uncertainty. This type of research is often subsidized by MNCs, private research grants, foundations etc. Basic Processes Scientific methods & methodologies, quantitative and qualitative inquiries; analogical reasoning; logical & inductive deductions; observation, analysis & measurement basically to generate K that reduces risk & uncertainty. Basic Outcomes Validations, extensions, expansions, replications and new applications of existing K, ideas, constructs, theories & axioms in the same or allied domains, fields & industries. K retailing and diffusion

Applied Research

Consulting Research (Fr Ozzies material)

Basic Inputs Basic Processes Context specific & case specific methodologies for resolving client problems. Problem identification & classification; problem formulation; problem specification; looking for alternative solutions; evaluating & choosing the best alternative; Follow up research and assessment Basic Outcomes Resolves client problems but does not add new K. Problem resolutions provide better sustainable competitive advantage to the clients via new strategies, improved decision making & market practices, new products & services. Industry- academy interface. Patents & technologies.

Consulting Research
(Resolving client- specific problems); Primarily descriptive and axiological

Client problems (e.g. declining sales, brand image erosion, employee problems, low productivity, increasing product defects, new market entry, new product developments, M & A

Funds or consulting fees from the client

Managers and Knowledge

Managers deal with knowledge at three fundamental levels: 1. Tactical level expertise: where one is called upon to take quick on-the-spot decisions (ex: when a crisis occurs, or when a high degree of MBWA exists); In this scenario, time available is limited and decisions are made under limited information and scarce or inadequately mobilized resources. Here the referent is the situation. Think of examples: how crises are managed at home, in a bank or in a plant, at airports

Managers and Knowledge .

2. Second level knowledge for making premeditated moves Planning; Strategic Planning Referent here is the collective/ organization the activities, individuals, elements within and outside the organization and such other entities and their interactions that collectively make the organization perform.

Managers and Knowledge .

3. Third level knowledge is the ability to act in the light of the larger picture; the interconnects and the meta-protocols that have application possibilities in disparate circumstances. Third level knowledge is full of potentialities with deep meaning and wide application possibilities, and requires wisdom for application. It is the triumph of ideas, and the referent here is the idea itself.

Managers and knowledge

The three referents along with the corresponding levels of knowledge form a Natural Hierarchy. Think about Industrial Engineering techniques to improve efficiency: Work study (referent: situation) Method study (referent: organization) Motion study (referent: idea)

Managers and knowledge

At the most elementary level, work has to be measured and improved upon this is achieved through work study; At the next level, method study, defines and refines the work that employees perform in workplaces; At the third level is motion study, which defines general principles of motion of human limbs and body and is concerned about meta-rules and principles that apply to all physical effort at workplaces.

Practitioner Consultant- Researcher Triad

Role Referent Knowledge

Practitioners (Managers) Consultants

Situation

Tactical level expertise Strategic Planning

Organization

Researchers

Ideas

Tacit knowledge, wisdom for application