企業研究方法

Many things have changed in the world since the last edition of this book and some of these changes have important implications for how we conduct business research in the present day. Technology, for example, has revolutionized data collection and analysis. Researchers have access to vast datasets that were previously unimaginable, allowing for more nuanced and comprehensive insights. The rise of AI and large language models has profoundly impacted the research landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges. Many of these developments have led to a growing emphasis on ethical considerations in research, including a responsible use of AI and large language models.
    The ninth edition of the book reflects these developments. It includes updated content on formulating the problem, reviewing the literature, the collection and analysis of data, drawing conclusions, writing your research report, the use of AI and ethical considerations. New examples and case studies are incorporated to illustrate the practical application of research methods in contemporary business settings. They aim to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct rigorous and relevant research in today's dynamic and complex business world.
    However, not everything has changed. Previous editions of this book have been used in various courses of research methods with great success. For many years the book has helped thousands of my own students (undergraduate students, graduate students and executive students), as well as many more around the world, to carry out their research projects. The great strength of Research Methods for Business is that students find it clear, informal, easy to use and unintimidating. I have tried to maintain these strengths in this ninth edition.
    The ninth edition of Research Methods for Business has been thoroughly revised and updated. Chapter 2 introduces and discusses alternative approaches to research. This extensively reworked chapter includes a detailed discussion of a scientific and a pragmatic approach to research. Subsequent chapters follow up on this by reviewing a range of topics (such as problem definition, reviewing the literature and report writing) from both perspectives.
    Coverage of AI and large Language Models (addressing both their potential and ethical implications), updated instructions on using software for qualitative and quantitative data analysis, guidance on APA 7th edition referencing and reference management and a thorough discussion of ethical considerations are among the many revisions made in this edition. The structure of the book has not changed, but the storyline has been further improved.
    Examples, exercises and other pedagogical features have also been revised and updated in all the chapters. As in previous editions, the accessible and informal style of presenting information has been maintained and the focus on practical skill building preserved.
    The book provides numerous new examples to illustrate the concepts and points presented. Readers will also note a variety of examples from different areas of the world as well as different areas of business - human resources management, strategic management, operations management, management control, marketing, finance, accounting and information management.
    Most chapters in the book include managerial implications of the contents discussed, emphasizing the need for managers to understand research. The ethical considerations involved in conducting research are also clearly brought out. The dynamics of cross-cultural research in terms of instrument development, surveys and sampling are discussed, which, in the context of today's global economy, will be useful to students.
    We expect that students and instructors alike will enjoy this edition. Students should become effective researchers, helped by the requisite knowledge and skills acquired through this book. Finally, it is hoped that students will find research interesting, unintimidating and of practical use.

●Provides a clear, student-friendly introduction to business research with an informal and accessible writing style
●Covers a wide range of business research methods and practices used in areas such as human resources management, strategic management, operations management, finance, and accounting
●Integrates real-world case studies and examples from various business disciplines to illustrate key concepts
●Emphasizes both scientific and pragmatic approaches to research to ensure a well-rounded understanding
●Enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills through structured exercises and hands-on activities
●Offers comprehensive instructor support with a test bank, PowerPoint slides, and an instructor's manual
●Features a companion website with additional case studies, datasets, and video explanations for deeper learning

Roger Bougie is the Academic Director of the Executive Master of Management and Organization at TIAS School for Business & Society (Tilburg University) and an Associate Professor in Research Methods. He holds a PhD in Marketing from Tilburg University and has more than two decades of experience teaching undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs. A recipient of multiple teaching awards, he has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored books and articles on research methods, marketing, and managerial decision making in complex situations.

Uma Sekaran was Professor Emerita of Management at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She earned her MBA from the University of Connecticut and her PhD from UCLA. A distinguished researcher, she authored or co-authored eight books, numerous book chapters, and more than 55 refereed journal articles. Renowned for her contributions to cross-cultural research, she received multiple awards for her teaching and research excellence from the Academy of Management and other professional organizations.

1 Introduction to Research
2 The Scientific Approach and Alternative Approaches to Investigation
3 Defining the Management Problem
4 Defining the Research Problem
5 The Critical Literature Review
6 Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis Development
7 Elements of Research Design
8 Interviews
9 Observation
10 Administering Questionnaires
11 Experimental Designs
12 Measurement of Variables: Operational Definition
13 Measurement of Variables: Scaling Reliability and Validity
14 Sampling
15 Quantitative Data Analysis
16 Quantitative Data Analysis: Hypothesis Testing
17 Qualitative Data Analysis
18 Conclusions
19 The Research Report
Appendix 1: Different Routes and Structures of a Master’s Thesis
Appendix 2: Checklist for Theses
Appendix 3: Factors Affecting the Upward Mobility of Women in Public Accounting