[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.

13348]

Research proposal on how the channels of communication among employees improved in a Multinational Organisation.

UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND

ON

APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS FOR BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

LECTURER

Hassan Mahmood

Submitted By

Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

Shaji Viswanathan

Submission Date.20/01/2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE.NO

Chapter-1 INTRODUCTION 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Introduction and background of the Research............................................ Aim Of The Research................................................................................. The Objectives Of The Research................................................................ The Scope Of The Research....................................................................... The Significance Of The Research............................................................. The Limitations Of The Research.............................................................. Chapter-2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 2.1 An Introduction to Literature Review......................................................... A Review On Relevant Theories On Literature.......................................... Chapter-3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.0 Research Methodology............................................................................. 3.1 The Research Approach, Strategy and Philosophy.................................. 3.2 Research Design.......................................................................................... 3.2.1 The Types And Sources Of Data................................................................. 3.2.2 The Data Collection Tools........................................................................... 3.2.3 Sampling Techniques................................................................................... 3.2.4 The Techniques Of Data Analysis............................................................... 3.2.5 The Presentation Of Data............................................................................. 3.3 The Ethical Implications of the Research.................................................... 3.4 Schedules For the Proposed Research......................................................... 3.5 The Reflection on Personal Development................................................... 11 11 2 2 4 5 6 9

12 13 15 15 18 19 20 21 22 23

Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

Chapter-1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Introduction and background of the Research

According to (Oates, 2009) Research is the creation of new knowledge, using an appropriate process, to the satisfaction of the users of the research.

The concept of research according to (Oates, 2009) consists of a particular type of

day to day thinking as well as it creates new knowledge by identifying the problem, gathering data or evidence to address the problem with analysing and interpreting data similarly collect more data to draw a conclusion. In addition the charataristics of a good research depends the enough and appropriate data sources, accurately recorded and properly analysed without any hidden assumptions with a well founded conclusion with proper presentation. The optimal target of the entire organisation is to achieve the strategic goals and the attainment of these goals also inter linked with the communication net work. The communication has significant role in human relations and existence, as well as it is the medium that develops the relationships and also it establishes new relationships, further the role includes not only establishing and extending relationships but also maintaining for sustainability. The communication process in managerial lairs through different channels of communication in a multinational organisation is a continuous flow of information in a pre-planned structure with multi dimensional in all directions such as power distance, individuality, uncertainty, avoidance and masculinity. The dynamic channels of communication system are vital for functional, divisional matrix or hybrid type of organisations and also important to any organisational structure. The flow of information through the top level, middle management, operating core, infrastructure
Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

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and supporting team with a multi dimensional manner reduces the barriers of communication problems exists in the global companies due to the difference in cultural, economical, Political, social environment. The proposed research will be carried out for M/S. Asea Brown Boveri one of the Europes largest Industrial Firm, Head Quarter at Zurich, Switzerland with 102,000 employees worldwide with a annual turnover of US$20 billion and operates local and global terms , as well as maintains deep local roots where ever in the global it operates and it helps them to modify both products and operations to that specified market with the reason of that the trained managers to adopt cultural difference, more over learned managers knows how to communicate effectively not only internally but also with local customers. Source:- http://www.abb.com/

Aim of the Research

The aim and reason for doing this research is to investigate how the channels of communication with employees might be improved in a multinational organisation and the topic has a wide scope to add knowledge in particular area, as well as the topic is vital for to recognize how the communication channels functioning within the organisation and who are the responsible persons for smooth flow of information, where is the authority and responsibility located and who are the responsible persons to ensure the smooth flow of communication , further more to find out where is the malfunction of communication process originated and why this originated and what are the remedies for it. This research is significant to the proposed area of research and aims to solve the research objectives and question.

1.2

The Objectives of the Research

The research objectives set from the identified problem and to fulfil the aims and raised research question of how the channels of communication with employees might be improved in a Multinational Organisation, it is vital to gather data or evidences to analyse and interpretation, the process not only generates a conclusion but also to create new knowledge to the particular area. The research objectives set as follows:1. To examine the line of authority, levels of management and flow of communication within the proposed organisation. 2. To critically examine the existing communication problems in the proposed organisation. 3. To carry out an investigation to the proposed organisation about how the channels of communication might be improved.
Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

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4. To suggest new methods of channels of communication for improving the employees in proposed organisation. 5. To list the merits and demerits of suggested new methods of channels of communication for the proposed organisation.

1.3

The Scope Of The Research

The research will be carried out within the period of five months and the collection of data from the proposed multinational organisation only. It covers the Europe region, covers the age group 23 to 60 with both genders, and focused to channels of communication between employees within the proposed multinational organisation. The research literature not covering the publications from other languages as well as the financial and time scarcity limits the scope.

1.4

The Significance of the Research

The significance of the research is the outcome and it is vital to the target user of the proposed organisation for the practical use and it helps as follows:1. It will help the organisation to improve the channels of communication. 2. It will help to answer the raised question and contribute improved knowledge to the organisation by new or improved evidence, methodology, analysis, concept or theories. 3. It will help to develop better understanding between the hierarchies of bureaucracy in the organisation. 4. It will help to develop new or improved model or technique of channels of communication for the organisation. 5. It will help to solve the problems, improve the situation and with better and improved system the organisation can attain the organisational goals. The research outcome has commercial value in the knowledge based market and the budget is economical to the multinational organisation as well as the resources spending through the society, moreover it following ethic codes and also academically it is worthy. Finally the research is vital to the researcher for improving the experience and knowledge and the financial benefits from the research.

1.5

The Limitations Of The Research.

The proposed research has some limitations and those are as follows:1. It is focused only one organisation.
Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

2. The research will be carried out within three months. 3. It is not covering the literature in other languages. 4. It is focused to European region only. 5. It is allowing participating only the employees of the proposed organisation.
6. It is focused to the improvement of communication channels within the multi-national organisation between the employees only. 7. It is not considered the philosophical, political, psychological, ethnical factors.

Chapter-2

LITERATURE REVIEW
An Introduction to Literature Review
According to (Hart, (1998) 2008(Re-Print) Literature Review is the selection of available documents (both published and unpublished) on the topic which contain information, ideas, data and evidence written from a particular standpoint to fulfill certain aims or express certain views on the nature of the topic and how it is to be investigated and the effective evaluation of those documents in relation to the research being proposed The existing concepts on corporate communication defined by various bodies in different standpoints and styles as well as different arguements and motives. The interpretations and conclusions for the raised questions in a multiple ways of thinking and the events and evidences justified by various politics and techniques. The published literature for corporate communication concludes that, Communication is vital to all the national and multinational organisations to achieve the strategic goals, without proper communication methods the organisation is in frustration, lack of unity and in confusion especially employees are located in globally, but maintain certain processes will keep the channels of communication smooth and open. The organisational communication progressed through business information, business communication and mass communication in 1930 to 1950 and from 1950 to 1990 it focused to improve and reached to organisational communication consists of learning organisation and system thinking. As a part of interdependent international network, the global organisations should acquire linguistic and cultural knowledge for integrating perpetual success on the market place as well as for the dynamic communication, further the cross cultural communication is crucial in global game. So the different language, translation, cultural awareness and multilingual websites take part a vital role and the scope of these variables has to identify and also the literature and data has to explore.

Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

The derived questions consists of that, the global economy and organisations changing beyond the fundamental boundaries and became the part of an interdependent international network as well as the intercultural communication with different languages and culture are significant and the cross cultural communication has a prime Role in attainment of strategic goals. Source:-http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/interculturalbusinesscommunication/tool.php The historic traditional literature and research ends with the turning point of the global economic changes and globalisation and needs to be add new knowledge based on that the global organisations are part of the interdependent international network based on the variables of multilingual website, language, culture, philosophy, politics, psychology,
ethnicity.

The process of communication can maintain a dynamic communication pyramid system within the global company and it can make effective communication globally through the region or country wise heads can communicate the executive decisions and information to the subordinate managers and to all levels of management and the initial information limited to few top levels and allow them to take their own decisions to communicate subordinates. Maintaining a website for the global company can communicate with employees and they can enter to the important information easily. The design of the website acted as a virtual human resources department and the employees can access to the current work and personal informations. Allow the employees to feed back and it linked with the web based centre as well as the comments and their requirements can sent to particular regions human resource department and should replied and it is efficient , easy to access and swift responses will be the result.

A Review on Relevant Theories of Literature

According to Zachary Fenell (2010) Global communication also called intercultural communication, refers to communication between cultures for international business, effective global communication proves to be an important aspect of business communication The attainment of organised strategic goals depends some extend to the global communication as well as it is not only communicating between different cultures but also it is the function of communication within the company involved with stakeholders, corporate advertising, communication between employees, government relations and also relations with media and public.

Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

The traditional theories of communication classified in to formal, informal and unofficial. The formal communication is the flow of information from top level to the bottom about the organisations goals, policies, procedures as well as directions through the chain of command. The informal communication not only fills the gaps or omissions of formal communication but also supplements outside the hierarchical structure.( Source:- http://www.bizmove.com/skills/m8m.htm) The unofficial communication is taking place within the organisation as interpersonal and it consists of Grapevine, Rumours and Gossips. Grapevine is the positive counterpart of rumour and it originated from the interaction between humans in the organisation as well as it spread to unpredictable areas and rumour is the information flowing without certainty among the people of the organisation and it is in the view of public communication with private hypothisis about that how works the world and it is attempts to work sense out of uncertain situations . (Kestor. K.O, 2008). The global communication and the channels of communication in international business has holds a vital role in team work and management, further negotiations and meeting deadlines. The open mindedness and curiosity required for the success of smooth communication further to the patience and self awareness in an intercultural communication. Internal communication channels and networks helps to attain the tasks at right time and patterns of networks such as chain, wheel, star, all channel network and circle can adopt and internal communication distribution methods through electronic, print, face to face and work space. The electronic methods includes computer based internet, email, website, blogs, voice mail, and telephone, television, video, newsletters and SMS. Print based methods included all the paper based form from top to bottom. Face to face includes team meetings, briefing, conferences, site visits and consultation forums. Work space method is notice boards, LCD screens. The efficiency and effectiveness of communication channel depends the circumstances and nature and culture of the organisation as well as the rapid changes in technology and information system, the electronic based communication systems are more effective. The advantages and disadvantages of communication systems are based on cost and effectiveness. The available system can use for communication or new system can introduce based on the audience where they are located and how they are accessing the information and what extend it is effective. The lines of authority and flow of communication existing In any form of organisation or in any classification or structure and type of organisation and it effective through the hierarchical organisational structure, as well as the hierarchical system has different levels of management and each employee has assigned position in the bureaucracy of hierarchy and decision making power exists in the top level of the
Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

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hierarchy, so it is vital to improve the flow of communication through different channels for the attainment of organisational goals.

Chapter-3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology
According to (Chris Hart 2003) Methodology is system of methods and rules to facilitate the collection and analysis of data. It provides the starting point for choosing an approach made up of theories, ideas, concepts, and definitions of the topic, therefore the basic of a critical activity consisting of making choices about the nature and character of the social world (assumptions), this should not be confused with, techniques of research, the application of methodology. The methodology is not only the systematic study of methods that can be applied to the discipline but also the analysis of the principles of methods and rules employed by that discipline. It is the methods or procedures; moreover it is the philosophical assumptions that related to a particular study. The concept of Scientific Research disclosed that the step of attempt to erase some common misconceptions and the steps involved begins with general questions and narrowing to focus to the specific aspect and concluding and generalize to real world.
Source :-( http://www.experiment-resources.com/research-methodology.html)

The proposed research focused to improve the channels of communication with employees in a multinational organisation of M/S. Asea Brown Boveri and the approach will be deductive with a strategy of imperical and the philosophy will be positivism. 3.2

Research Design

This proposed research designed to investigate the facts behind the research question by studying the subject, searching carefully and by methodical process. The systematic and logical approach will helps to review the existing literature and background according to the significance of the research. The hypothesis and re-examination of theories resolve the controversial issues and by the improved practice , the outcome can use practically. Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

3.2.1 The Types And Sources Of Data The proposed applied research will use primary qualitative and quantitative data and secondary qualitative data . 3.2.2 The Data Collection Tools The secondary data will collect from published literature and the primary data will collect from the participants through questionnaires, interviews and emails. 3.2.3 Sampling Techniques
The proposed research will use cluster sampling and each cluster has representation to the whole population as well as a random sampling technique will use for which cluster to be considered for the research.

3.2.4

The Techniques Of Data Analysis

The proposed research will use qualitative methods and grounded theory for data analysis. 3.2.5 The Presentation Of Data When reporting the research , the outcome will be the intellectual property of the researcher and it will be maintained by the client for the agreed period of time without publishing as well as the plagiarism should be avoided and proper referencing should be included and further if any assistance from others should be mentioned and should avoid misrepresentation. 3.3

The Ethical Implications of the Research

The Research principles associated with professional associations, obviously the incorporation with the professional bodies and the requirements of ethical research and the oversight of ethical issues and a variety of research to be submitted for clearance to the professional bodies, as a result of the informed consent, the participants can know about the research and purpose as well as the sponsor and how long their participation take place and is it voluntary or not also knows the right of participants to withdraw their participation at any time (Alan Bryman, 2003). The proposed research will be carried out with the responsibility of an ethical researcher such as without any unnecessary interaction, behave with integrity, following the appropriate code of conduct and without plagiarism as well as to be with an eye of an ethical researcher, further more maintain the right of participants
Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

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such as right to not participate, right to withdraw, right to get informed consent, right to anonymity and also will maintain the confidentiality and accessibility of data. The research and the ethics principles interrelated to the client, supplier and the participants, when conducting the research, appropriate evidence collection will be followed as well as the integrity and honesty should be maintained. When processing the data such as using human subjects and sampling ,data accuracy and protection should be maintained and the process should be according to the principles of research ethics. 3.4 Schedule For the Proposed Research

Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

Bibliography
Books
Hart, C. ((1998) 2008(Re-Print)). Doing A LiteratureReview. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publication Ltd.

Reports
Zachary Fenell (2010),Effective Communication Methods in Global Companies, eHow.com.

Journal Articles
Kestor. K.o, A. M. (2008). INFORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL AS DETERMINANTS. LASU Journal of Humanities. ,Vol. 5, 35 to 46. http://artslasu.org/human/vol5/kester.pdf

Conference Papers Web Pages

http://www.ehow.com/way_5787251_effective-communication-methods-globalcompanies.html#ixzz18BnltGuz (Accessed on 10/12/2010) M/S.Asea Brown Boveri http://www.abb.com/ (Accessed on 10/12/2010) Small Business Management, Communicating within the organisation, http://www.bizmove.com/skills/m8m.htm (Accessed on 12/12/2010) Intercultural Business Communication http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural-business-communication/tool.php (Accessed on 15/10/2010)

EXPERIMENT-RESOURCES.COM

Research Methodology http://www.experiment-resources.com/research-methodology.html . (Accessesd on 05/01/11)

Zachary Fenell (2010), Effective Communication Methods in Global Companies, eHow.com. http://www.ehow.com/way_5787251_effective-communication-methods-globalcompanies.html#ixzz18BnltGuz (Accessed on 10/12/2010) http://www.abb.com/ (Accessed on 10/12/2010)

Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348] Small Business Management, Communicating within the organisation, http://www.bizmove.com/skills/m8m.htm (Accessed on 12/12/2010) Intercultural Business Communication http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural-business-communication/tool.php (Accessed on 15/10/2010) Kestor. K.o, A. M. (2008). INFORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL AS DETERMINANTS. LASU Journal of Humanities. ,Vol. 5, 35 to 46. http://artslasu.org/human/vol5/kester.pdf

EXPERIMENT-RESOURCES.COM

Research Methodology http://www.experiment-resources.com/research-methodology.html . (Accessesd on 05/01/11)

Works Cited
Kestor. K.o, A. M. (2008). INFORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL AS DETERMINANTS. LASU Journal of Humanities. , 5, 35 to 46.

Bibliography
Kestor. K.o, A. M. (2008). INFORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL AS DETERMINANTS. LASU Journal of Humanities. , 5, 35 to 46.

Works Cited
Hart, C. ((1998) 2008(Re-Print)). Doing A LiteratureReview. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publication Ltd. Kestor. K.o, A. M. (2008). INFORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL AS DETERMINANTS. LASU Journal of Humanities. , 5, 35 to 46.

Applied Research Methods For Business And Management

[Shaji Viswanathan ETOLA.13348]

References
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Applied Research Methods For Business And Management