Research Methodologies

Copyright (c) 2012 Morgan D

Research design The study is intended to take the approach and methodology of quantitative research design, which is a functional design in data analysis. This is because the attributes of the study are collected and analyzed in numerical terms. It is an ideal method because profitability and information databases are structured in numerical characters. This study attempts to establish the association and causality of the two variables thus essential for this study.

Conceptual model Knowledge management system entails collection of company organization, financial and operational framework of the company. It has the interaction of the products, customers, and skills of organizational employees. Companies are important institutions that entail routine functions and utilization of knowledge management system thus calls for exhaustive study to be done. The Engineering Change Order system is a formal process that is used in order to maintain and validate accurate knowledge in an enterprise

The knowledge management system connects each database thus making collaboration between different departments a possibility. For example, if the knowledge in the department of sales is documented and available in the system, another department can retrieve that knowledge and gain a better understanding of what procedures drive sales. Implementation of a knowledge management system can be a detailed process that requires an extensive amount of time and resources to set the system in place. It is relevant to create support for this new system from the top down in a company, which is the first step (Wright 2005, p.159). There could be a vital correlation of knowledge management systems and extend of productivity or profitability of the companies.

The executive management should portray practical interest in knowledge management system. It should have a popular belief and confidence in the importance of knowledge management system in order to be successful. It points out that collaboration and innovation is the chief procedure to realizing this success. In the company and business situation, setting priorities about what knowledge should be leveraged first is paramount. For instance, if a company depends on marketing campaigns for revenue, the information stored in the departments of sales and advertising should be availed through the system first of knowledge management to benefit other departments. It includes the use of subjects in the knowledge, information resources management and the workforce of the companies.

Sample size design The study sample would be pooled from numerous and various departments in related companies. This will include the databases of different companies, employees and the management of companies. The study involves four companies and four departments in each company. The Statistical significance is a standard but a complicated approach. The sample size will big enough to detect the smallest worthwhile effect or relationship between the variables. This will help in detecting the effect 80% of the time. Statistically significant effect will be more than 95% of the time expected to see a value for the effect numerically smaller than what will be observed, if there is no effect at all in the study subjects in other words, the p value for the effect has to be less than 0.05. If the subjects are few subjects in study and the study becomes statistically significant effect, it will be regard as findings being publishable. This will be effected by the selection of large sample size. It is essential to collect data from this large and diverse sample from different companies and internal departments. This large sample size will help in developing accurate estimation of relationship between variables in this descriptive study. This high participation rate will help in countering the likelihood of bias. The sample will be randomly drawn from the departments of companies like the information, advertising, sales and marketing departments. The random sample would be representative as it consists of heterogeneous randomized sample. It will help in handling study hypothesis through confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Data analysis Data collected will be subjected to statistical tools of analysis. It will include subjecting data to measures of central tendencies. Data is organized in clusters so that a calculation of mean, probability, which is the p value and standard deviation, is performed. Clustering data help in performing independent tests. The significance levels will be achieved using independent tests like the t-test. It will help in obtaining the p values and accept or reject the hypothesis of the study. Data analysis will include the calculation of mean and standard deviations so that possible relationship and association of attributes is determined. Measures of central tendencies and the t-test are important because it will establish the causal association of variables that is the knowledge and profitability of the company. It will also help in developing validation of the study findings. Statistical significance and p values will be addressed hence validating the study hypothesis. There are varied types and categories of knowledge in the company that include the explicit knowledge, which is formal and organized in company documents or procedure manuals. This makes these methods of analysis effective.

Tacit knowledge is unstructured or personal and has the basis on the experiences of the employees. The strategic knowledge is typically coupled with restrictions. It gives limited access for example, the patent regulations, and marketing. It is a simple idea but implementation creates a big dilemma and tussle hence analysis method of implementation data is essential. Corporate knowledge management system creates a correlation of departments. It entails planning, performance, strategic knowledge, financial and operational knowledge. On the other side, consideration of customer, supplier, and competitor knowledge is critical. There is also the knowledge on products, services, processes, and technologies. Most significant knowledge is the organizational, skills of the employees and competences, which are instrumental in effecting other corporate knowledge in the knowledge management systems

These methods of data analysis are limited to the scope of numerical information (Joubish 2009, p.49). It does not have the provision for any extra information captured in open-ended questionnaires. Furthermore, there could be a possibility of errors during the calculation and performance of tests on data that may give wrong interpretation of data. The hypothesis of the study design will provide answers to the study objectives and study questions. This is considered to be accepted or rejected after data analysis and subjecting the findings to varied tests. Null hypothesis would be knowledge management does not improve profits and success of a company while the alternative hypothesis would be knowledge management improves profits and success of a company. This is ideal for consideration of validating the study during data analysis and presentation of findings.

Limitations of the study The study is subject to limitations that may create bias instead of controlling the bias. This includes the difficulty in accessing databases and information of some companies. Companies may not expose up-to-date information because of the threat by the competitors. Establishing uniform sample may pose challenges because of difference in company sizes and varied organizational or management structures. This presents limitation n determining equal sample size for the study companies. Accessing company employees sampled for the study could prove difficult because of the responsibilities and duties bestowed upon them. There leadership style may not have the provision of such time in their work schedules. Responses and answers in questionnaires may also give biased response thus not giving the ideal reality. Issues of conceptualization and measurement may be limiting factors like measuring organization structures and customer trends.

Ethical considerations For the purpose and success of the study, the level of confidence should be maintained at all stages of the study regardless of the companies involved. This will be important in fostering professionalism and avoid interference with company trends or competition. Consent for the study should be obtained and administered during the study. The study will be voluntary and not mandatory among companies and participants.

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