Statistical analysing using SPSS

In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to show that you are able to combine some statistical

techniques in a logical way in order to analyse data and answer specific research questions related a real-

case scenario. You will find an SPSS data file called ‘Asia Banks Survey.sav’. The ‘Variable View’ of the SPSS

data will give you an idea of what the variables in that data set represent. You do not have to understand

the details of the various measures in order to complete this assignment successfully. You can (and may

need to) create new variables based on this data, selectively analyse just some sub-sets of it and/or

transform the data into new values to answer the assignment questions.

In order to pass this assignment you will need to show that you understand the principles and practice of

using statistical techniques find evidence and make logical conclusions on quantitative based analysis. To

do this you need to show that you are competent in choosing and treating appropriate data, applying

established statistical techniques, performing the analysis and reporting your results. Some of the

questions can be answered by basic statistical tests, others may need, for example, multivariate

approaches. Some questions can be answered using several different methods and you will not be

penalised for choosing more complex analyses – we are looking for understanding and basic competence

at threshold level for passing. As always at this level, justification of what you have done is very important.

You are not expected to provide a reference list for this assessment, apart from any citations you may

wish to make in justification of specific aspects of your chosen analytical methods. This is only done in

exceptional circumstances (general appreciation of statistical techniques can be assumed in the reader

and it would not be normal to reference techniques from text books for instance).

Background case

A major shareholder of four bank corporations in Asia has decided to develop the leadership skills of

branch managers in the region. For this, after a competitive process they have selected the company

Global Exec (Global Executive Training Ltd*) to develop a training programme in leadership throughout

the different markets in Asia where the four banks operate.

Global Exec is a British-based consulting company which has developed a very good reputation on the

quality of their Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource development programmes and their

Leadership Training programme is particularly well-known for its high level of efficiency and effectiveness.

Over the years the company has developed a standardised leadership development programme based on

highly interactive activities based on social multimedia technologies, team development workshops and

collaboration projects.

However, this is the first contract Global Exec has won a contract for delivering their training programme

in such a large regional scope involving different countries in Asia. They want to know if their standardised

leadership training programme will have to be adapted or not for an effective delivery in the different

cultures, values and management attitudes predominant in the regions the banks operate.

In order to have a better understanding of the similarities and differences characteristic of the banks and

regions where they will deliver their training programme, Global Exec has conducted a major survey with

bank branch managers from the four banks. More specifically, the data was collected from a sample of

bank branch managers mainly composed by respondents of three different races: Malay, Chinese, and

Indian. Most of the banks have branches in five different regions (Northern, Central, South, West Coast,

and East Asia). The four different Banks are identified as Nantong Bank* (Bank 1), Jaipur Bank* (Bank 2),

Ampang Bank* (Bank 3) and Union Bank* (Bank 4).

Assignment activity As a member of the Global Exec team of analysts, you are required to conduct some

statistical analysis of the data and write a report that provides evidence and conclusions that will support

the company’s decision on the extent to which they can preserve standardised formats or make

adjustments in the training programme they will deliver to the bank across different regions. Important

issues concerning Global Exec’s strategic decision are listed below. Analyse them and explain your results.

* DISCLAIMER: This is a fictitious company’s name used in this case. Any association with a name of a real company is a mere

coincidence.

1. Are there similarities or differences between races (variable RC) in terms of Interpersonal Trust

(variables IPT1-IPT5) and Age of branch managers (variable AGE)?

Clearly state the related hypotheses and conduct the quantitative analysis to test the hypotheses. Explain

your conclusions on the hypotheses based on the results obtained. Discuss the implications of the results

for the Global Exec training programme.

2. Analyse correlation patterns involving the variables AGE, YORG, FAIR, AMB, and IPT.

Conduct the quantitative analysis and comment on the significant results obtained (if any). Discuss the

implications of the results for the Global Exec training programme.

3. Use Factor Analysis to reduce the 15 variables measuring the construct ‘Job Related Tension’ (JRT1-

JRT15) into a few factors. Analyse and define the meaningful factors that can be derived from the analysis.

a. Show your summarised results grouping the factors (and related measure items) you have

found.

b. Name each of the new factors found in terms of what they represent in relation to their

respective factor loadings.

4. Can we predict….

a. ‘FEEL FREE TO DISCUSS JOB PROBLEMS’ (variable IPT1 as dependent variable) from ‘YEARS IN

PRESENT ORGANISATION’ (variable YORG)?

b. Variable IPT3 from variable AMB1?

For each item above, clearly state the related hypotheses, conduct the quantitative analysis to test

the hypotheses, and explain your conclusions on the hypotheses and the related implications for

the Global Exec training programme.

5. Provide an overall conclusion of your report based on the evidence from the results of your analysis for

all the questions above. You general conclusion should make clear to the Global Exec directors whether

they should preserve standardised formats or make adjustments in the training programme they will

deliver to the bank across different regions. If they have to make some adjustments, which bank manager

aspects the company should take into account?

Assessment Criteria

• To PASS in this assessment you have to apply the following approach for each of the questions

above:

a. Clearly explain your analysis plan (i.e. point out which statistical test you used and explain why

you have chosen the specific test)

b. Analyse your data by presenting your results in summarised tables and explaining their

meaning. Do NOT explain by just repeating what is shown in the tables, explain the results by

discussing what they mean for the related hypotheses or issues involved.

c. Interpret the results by making connections between the findings and their implications for

the case study (i.e. what do the findings mean for the company Global Exec?)

• The general conclusion of your report should answer the following question:

a. Based on the evidence from the results of your analysis for the questions above, should

Global Exec preserve standardised formats or make adjustments in the training programme

they will deliver to the bank across different regions? If they have to make some adjustments,

which bank manager aspects the company should take into account?