Research methods in management - tools necessary for solving management problems in any company. The article describes the main approaches to the study of organization management issues.
What is a study?
The very concept of “research” includes a set of actions to identify problematic issues, establish their role and place in the study area, study and describe the relationships and patterns of change in objects, phenomena and their properties. As well as the search and substantiation of solutions for using the acquired knowledge to improve the system under study or to solve the problems posed in the study.
Any research has a specific purpose. In management, research is aimed at improving the efficiency of the management system. In this case, a variety of tasks can be set that solve the management problems that have arisen or increase the quality of the latter.
The subject and object of research in management
All research methods in management are aimed at studying the object - the management system. What is she like?
Management is based on a person whose leadership qualities allow him to form around himself a network of interconnected controls that work according to established regulations. If the object of management research is the management system, then the object of management is the company (organization). Thus, the well-being and development of the latter is also included in the object of study.
The subject of research in management is usually a contradiction or problem of the management process.
Fundamentals of research methodology in the management system
The methodology and research methods in management depend entirely on the chosen approach. The latter is conceptual, aspectual and systemic.
One and the same problem can have a different aspect, for example, social or economic, depending on the “angle” of its consideration.
The concept is a broader concept and includes the development of the main provisions for research before starting the process of studying the problem.
The most popular today is a systematic approach to research. The system, as mentioned above, is a network of interconnected elements, so this approach allows you to most widely and comprehensively study the object of study and achieve your goal. A systematic approach also involves the study of external factors, phenomena and objects that can affect the object under study. Concretization of the integrity of the system also leads to a more thorough study of its internal relationships, stability, and risks.
Goal setting is one of the key aspects of the research methodology in management. Any control system needs two groups of goals - external and internal, which should be interconnected and not contradict each other.
The research approach may also be empirical or scientific in nature. An empirical or experienced approach is an approach that includes specific experimental tools for acquiring new knowledge.
The second approach includes methods of scientific research in management. This approach allows you to more accurately study management issues in the organization and choose a reasonably effective solution.
What are the research methods in management?
There are many tools, methods, techniques, techniques for studying control systems. How to understand this variety? What to look for?
Each manager searches for the answer to all these questions independently, however the search process can be simplified by competent grouping.
The classification of research methods in management includes two main clusters: theoretical and empirical.
Theoretical methods are based on a knowledge base and logical conclusions contained in books, textbooks, monographs, and articles. Empirical (experimental, pragmatic) methods operate on experiments and expert opinions. One cannot authoritatively state which methods are better, since they treat the same problem in different ways. Therefore, in management practice, as a rule, there is a synthesis of several methods and tools.
Theoretical methods
Research methods for management problems are often based on management theory as a key scientific base.
The first group includes the ascent from the abstract to the concrete. He offers the researcher to go from general to particular, that is, relying on objective knowledge, to draw conclusions about solving a specific management problem.
Abstracting as a research method suggests ignoring the insignificant elements of a management system to identify key relationships, including by modeling business processes.
The group of theoretical methods cannot but include analysis and synthesis, which allow us to separate (decompose) the object of study for subsequent independent study and reunion to recreate the previous design with the awareness of the processes taking place inside the system.
Deduction and induction are also vivid representatives of the first group, which are based on logical expressions: from particular to general (induction), from general to particular (deduction), from particular to particular (transduction).
Practical methods
Pragmatic methods of research on the management of organizations are often used for the initial assessment of the problem.
Observation is the most obvious of empirical methods. Information is collected from all departments of the company involved in the management process. The main criterion is the non-interference of the researcher in the business process during the observation process.
The comparative method assumes the presence of an analog or standard with which it will be possible to compare the indicators of the object under study.
Also referred to the pragmatic method of polemic (discussion). Such a reasoned discussion of organization’s management issues is usually carried out as part of an initial assessment of the situation (a scheduled meeting with the director). Controversy can take place between researchers.
Modeling methods
Modeling is one of the most popular theoretical methods for assessing the effectiveness of the management system and conducting research to improve it.
The model is an “image” of a real object, but not in a static state, but in a position of functioning close to actual conditions. For modeling, one has to resort to the method of abstraction, that is, to exclude from consideration non-key factors and processes. The launch of the model can show not only the existing management problems, but also predict the effect of negative factors on the system in the future.
Expert methods
The expert judgment method is a widespread empirical method based on the opinions of competent specialists. Despite the simplicity of obtaining such estimates, there are many examples of incorrect collection or interpretation, which leads to negative research results.
The expert research process involves several steps.
Firstly, preparatory work is being carried out to collect a group of experts and draw up the necessary documents.
Then a detailed study of the problem takes place.
The study continues by developing options for solving the problem.
The implementation of a ready-made solution is not without the participation of experts.
As a rule, a group examination is carried out, in connection with which the selection process of specialists is paramount. To do this, it is worth deciding on the form of the examination: experts can discuss the problem together and give out a ready-made collective solution, or they can work autonomously and express their ideas in writing individually.
Whatever research methods are used in management, the final document is the most important completion of all work. So in the examination method, it is important to correctly fill in the forms and write down opinions and ideas, unmistakably highlighting the essence.
Foreign management research methods
Research methods in management recently include such an expert method as SWOT analysis. This is the foreign practice of four-phase analysis, which includes an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the company, as well as its capabilities and external threats.
Brainstorming is also often used. Its essence is to find the maximum number of ideas on a given topic within one or several hours. This is also a subspecies of the expert method, however, an analysis of research methods in management has shown that when solving creative problems, the method of “throwing ideas in a matter of minutes” shows itself to be one of the best.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that today there is a lot of literature containing the most diverse research methods in management. A textbook or monograph on this topic will certainly be useful for choosing a research tool, but do not forget about the specifics of management systems in various organizations.