business research 1

Ga discussion,

1. The concept in the study is positioning the nation’s largest auto insurer, State Farm, as the most safety-conscious insurer by providing funds for communities to further research their dangerous intersections and initiate improvement based on the research. The constructs in the study are:

· Granting $20,000 to every city with a dangerous intersection on the overall list to defray the cost of a comprehensive traffic engineering study of the intersection.

· Granting $100,000 to each city named to the national top 10 dangerous intersection list to defray some of the cost of making improvements.

Sabirov states, “… a concept is a complex of views on something phenomena related to each other and forming an interconnected system; it is a certain way of understanding, interpreting any phenomena in some field” (2021, p. 7).

2. A hypothesis that might drive the research of one of the cities on the top 10 dangerous intersection list is the number of fatal incidents that have occurred at the intersection. “The formulation of a hypothesis provides a study with focus. It tells what specific aspects of a research problem to investigate, what data to be collected, and what not are to be collected, thereby providing focus are to be the study. As it provides a focus, the construction of a hypothesis enhances objectivity in a study” (Pawar, 2019, p. 3).

3. State Farm’s research uses a multiple-methodology design. Data is collected from State Farm’s databases and internal incident reports, and information is gathered from the industry market share. Čančer explains that a multi-methodology, “… uses more than one quantitative and/or qualitative method or methodology in tackling some real-world problem” (2017, p. 3).

4. If I were representing State Farm and was given the task of reviewing feedback from the transportation engineers, I would listen to what is being said without any prejudgments. Their concerns would be acknowledged and given a chance to be considered. “… feedback is defined as “perspectives, feelings, and opinions individuals have about their experiences with an organization, product, or service that are used to inform and improve the practice and decision-making of that organization” (Nolan, 2019, p. 2). The first concern of the transportation engineers is the demand for immediate solutions. It would be addressed by stating that the purpose of this study is to improve dangerous intersections. It is a process that cannot be rushed, and an immediate solution would be given when research is finished. The transportation engineers’ second concern of accidents with injuries and deaths to be given more attention is understandable and would be considered for research. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (King James Bible, 2017, Proverbs 25:2).

5. Traffic volume counts would be part of the 2003 study. Some jurisdictions were upset that it wasn’t initially included in the study. An engineer’s expert opinion is appreciated in this study. Traffic volume must have a relationship with dangerous intersections, as well as the accident rate data that was also requested. It was noted that traffic volume is needed for the accident rate. After measuring and comparing traffic volume to accidents at a dangerous intersection, accident rates can be used as a variable for the accidents that occur at dangerous intersections.

            Other concerns that should be considered in the 2003 study is the weather and the driver’s condition as variables. The weather may have a random occurrence but is still a factor to consider as the cause of an accident. The condition of the driver can also be a valid reason because an intersection could have been designed properly. The driver could be at fault for negligence. They could be driving while intoxicated, driving while holding a cellphone, or driving without prescription glasses. “While most people are aware that intoxicated driving means operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted driving may be a less familiar term. NHTSA identifies distracted driving as "any non-driving activity a person engages in while operating a motor vehicle." This includes the driver physically, visually, or mentally focusing on something other than driving, as well as factors like fatigue or a driver's physical and emotional state” (The cars of the future are headed to your courtroom, 2020, p. 1). NHTSA stands for, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

            If I were State Farm, it might not make a huge difference, but I would be concerned about this study being bad for business. An investment is being made to gain the position of the most safety-conscious insurer, by lowering accidents at dangerous intersections. We sell insurance to cover damages from accidents. It is possible to attract new clients with the gained reputation. We can also lose existing customers and potential customers due to lowered accidents.