This is a basic introduction to research methods. It draws draws upon epistemology although does not set out the background in that regard.

1. Business Research
Methods – new
developments
Dr Robert Shaw
School of Management

2. Today
The origins of business & management research methods
A justified classification of research methods
Research as Technology
Research as Science
Research as Phenomenology
Future directions

3. The problem of classifying
research methods
Classifications that are common
(management textbooks)
Classification by purpose
Classifications by inherent assumptions

4. Classifying by inherent
assumptions
Epistemology
(how we know, kinds of knowledge)
Ontology
(what there is to know or explain)

5. Business research as technology
Marketing research / policy research / evaluation research
The handmaiden to business
Standards not derived from the discipline
The banner of science
The Philosophy of Technology

6. Research into
business & management
Received View
of science
Constructivist
theories of science
Phenomenological
theories of science
Positivist
theories of management
Constructivist
theories of management
Phenomenological
theories of management

7. Research into
business & management
Received View
of science
Constructivist
theories of science
Phenomenological
theories of science
Husserl
Heidegger
Positivist
theories of management
Constructivist
theories of management
Phenomenological
theories of management
Searle
Shaw

8. Positivist theories of science
in business
Science is theory, laws, propositions (particularly mathematical)
Reality is out there: let us mirror it
Modern science starts with Galileo & Newton
Science is objective
Social science are similar to other sciences
Measure everything – what does this involve
From 1964, not a serious view

9. Constructivist theories of
science in business
Kant
Science is characteristic of human beings
Science is a form of “culture”
Science is subjective
The business environment, stakeholders

10. Phenomenological theories of
business & management
Husserl & Heidegger
Misuse of the word
Two recent initiatives:
John Searle
UC Berkeley
Robert Shaw
GDUFS

11. The social construction of
institutions
Based on experience / reflection
Society, institutions, organisations, individuals
Husserl – intentionality
Searle – collective intentionality

12. My research in local
government
Work with councils in USA, UK, New Zealand
Method of enquiry
Bracketing out (Husserl)
Findings for local government
Work on democracy

13. Some of my papers
Is there a position in management for Martin Heidegger?
Customers are equipment
The phenomenology of local government
Phenomenology of democracy
Husserl’s phenomenological method in management
Phenomenology of entrepreneurship
Phenomenology of union decision-making

14. The future
Technology will continue
The Positivist View – laws of business
Constructivist accounts - popular
Phenomenology – strict applications