Submitted by: Submitted by Shrawanmandal07
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Words: 15660
Pages: 63
Category: Business and Industry
Date Submitted: 03/14/2016 08:44 AM
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After studying this chapter, you should be able to
1. Explain why proper “problem definition” is essential to
useful business research
2. Know how to recognize problems
3. Translate managerial decision statements into relevant
research objectives
4. Translate research objectives into research questions
and/or research hypotheses
5. Outline the components of a research proposal
6. Construct tables as part of a research proposal
CHAPTER 6
PROBLEM
DEFINITION:
THE FOUNDATION
OF BUSINESS
RESEARCH
Chapter Vignette: Deland Trucking
Has a “Recruitment” Problem
© COMSTO
CK IMAGES
/JUPITER IM
AGES
David Deland, who has owned his trucking business for 20 years, struggles with the spreadsheet
in front of him. His recruitment specialist sits glumly across from his desk, pondering what kind of
response to give to the inevitable question, “Why are our recruitment costs so high?”
Next to the specialist sits James Garrett, a business research consultant
who has been hired by the Deland Trucking Company to get a handle
on the recruitment expenses the company has seen skyrocket over the
last six months.
“I just don’t get it,” David sighs in frustration. “We have seen a 45 percent increase in our trucker recruitment advertising costs, and our trucker
intake and orientation expenses are killing us! James, I just don’t understand what is happening here.”
James and the specialist have had some initial discussions, but there is
no easy way to reduce those costs without reducing the number of truckers
that Deland hires. “Perhaps we can find a more efficient way of advertising
our openings,” suggests the recruiting specialist. “Maybe we can reduce the
number of orientation sessions or travel expenses associated with the hiring
process.” David counters, “Well, I don’t see how we are any different from
our competitors. We use the same recruitment and orientation approach that
they use. I have...