PA1 Paper - Business Research Methodology

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CASE STUDY ON E-ZPASS

Introduction

E‑Z Pass is an electronic toll-collection use on most tolled roads, bridges, and tunnel in the Mid-western and Northeastern United States, south to North Carolina, and west to Illinois. E-Z pass is also an electronic toll pass system that allows one card to be used on toll facilities spanning the Northeast and Midwestern United states. At present, there are 37 agencies spread crosswise over 16 states that make up the E‑Z Pass Interagency Group (IAG). All member agencies use the same technology, permitting voyagers to utilize the same E‑Z Pass transponder all through the IAG system. Different independent systems that use the same technology have been coordinated into the E‑Z Pass system. It is noteworthy in that it involved high technology applied to a common and pervasive problem: traffic congestion. Originally it was developed for New York and New Jersey and later extended to other state of United States. The E-Z pass electronic toll collection (ETC) works like this: commuters use an electronic ‘tag’ (transponder) about the size of an audio tape cassette which is attached to a vehicle’s inside windshield.

Ans 1:

Problem definition alludes to how well the issue has been characterized. It is the first step of the research process. Decision issue that organizations face must be changed over into a statistical surveying issue. This problem is talked as inquiries that characterize the data and how this data can be picked up/gained. Problem definition changes over the business issue into an investigation issue. It can be a problem or an opportunity while doing research. If problem definition is not correct, research will be wasted regardless of how well research is conducted. It also frequently needs some initial research to help define the problem. To problem definition background of the problem must be understand also state research questions and objectives are needed. The case shows all the process as well as objectives are included decisive the number of account needed, statements that will be received, how to pay E-Z pass, which lane will be useful to use and so on.

As per the case problem definition process for the given case in reflection is to basically inspect and decide the possibility and desirability of embracing electronic toll gathering (ETC) for the interregional roadways of the territory. Additionally, a complete report of the procedure is incorporated and different targets of the research incorporate deciding the quantity of records required and additionally the announcements that will be gotten, by what method can an individual really pay for E-Z Pass, the lanes that will be open for use and also the way they will be confined, figuring out whether the tag will be transferable to different vehicles or not and also the cost of the tag. To a noteworthy degree the problem definition is clear as sub-objectives of the research incorporate a key mean to offer workers with small transceiver (tags) that create a tuned radio sign. The process of defining the problem includes numerous steps:

1.  Determine the decision maker’s objectives.

2.  Understand the background of the problem.

3.  Segregate and identify the problem, not the symptoms.

4.  Determine the unit of analysis.

5.  Determine the relevant variables.

6.  State the research questions (hypotheses) and research objectives.

The problem was distinguished and suburbanites were chosen as the unit of analysis. The case shows a few all around characterized research questions. At the time NY-NJ agencies were contemplating the service electronic toll gathering was at that point being utilized effectively as a part of Texas and Louisiana. The business problem is to identify the ideal pattern of service quality for each agency's commuters and how parallel or different these might be across agencies. Reading the case we can conclude that problem is defined well. It has touched and specifies well defined research questions. The problem is to see the commuter's first choice for the services. Delegates from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recognized that setting requirements for organization attributes and investigating level-slants inside qualities were gigantic issues.

Ans 2:

For this case I would suggest to use exploratory research. Because the initial research conducted must to be clarify and define the nature of a problem. It also does not provide conclusive evidence. It helps to identify the problems. The survey kit was designed to appear as “friendly” as possible.  It contained the demonstration videotape, a self-administered questionnaire (with a glossary of all terms used), and a small set of full profile situation recounting different ways that ETC might be used. The team was most intrigued by distinguishing the perfect arrangement of service attributes for every agency's commuters and deciding how comparative or unique in relation to these designs may be crosswise over agencies. It will help or assist in recognizing the consumer preferences which are showed in seven research questions. Exploratory research is much more beneficial on case. It is recommended as a focus group.

Ans 3:

As regarding the case I will suggest:

How does and where one pay for E-Z Pass?

Is the tag transferrable to other vehicles?

These two variables will be tried to ensure the E-Z Pass tag can be bought or requested effortlessly. Moreover the E-Z Pass specialists will need to test if the tag is transferable to different vehicles. They would need to test this on the grounds that the tag is basically expected to produce income. The test will demonstrate that autos ought to have their own particular labels and ought not to be transferable. Meaning in the event that you have two autos in your family you ought to have two labels. This is a technique for administrative activity standard, implying that NY and NJ will have information that will help their choice to make every auto have its own particular tag. The team considered its main part to examine commuters' inclinations for how the service ought to be designed preferably.

Ans 4:

Using dummy table will help the exploration group realize what results will be created by the examination. The outcomes are speculative on the grounds that the tables are loaded with invented however likely information. Utilizing dummy tables are an approach to interface specifically to research goals. Utilizing a dummy table as a part of this particular case would anticipate the free variables result. Below are the independent variables being the 6 culled questions

· How many accounts are necessary and what statements will be received?

· How and where does one pay for E-Z Pass?

· What lanes are available for use and how are they controlled?

· Is the tag transferrable to other vehicles?

· What is the price of the tag and possible service charges?

· What are other possible uses for the E-Z Pass tag (airport parking, gasoline purchases etc)

From a business researcher's point of view it likewise appeared to be imperative to evaluate commuter interest for the service. In any case, the team was not persuaded that it required a projection of interest since it was focused on actualizing ETC paying little heed to starting commuter acknowledgment. The team considered its chief part to explore workers' inclinations for how the administration ought to be designed in a perfect world.

Reference

Antoniou, C., Ben-Akiva, M., & Koutsopoulos, H. (2004). Incorporating automated vehicle identification data into origin-destination estimation. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (1882), 37-44.

Al-Deek, H. M., Mohamed, A. A., & Radwan, A. E. (1997). Operational benefits of electronic toll collection: case study. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 123(6), 467-477.

Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2011). Business Research Methods, 11th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Riley, P. F. (2008). The tolls of privacy: An underestimated roadblock for electronic toll collection usage. Computer Law & Security Review, 24(6), 521-528.

Zikmund, W. G. (2003). Business Research Methods (7 Th ed.). New Delhi, India: Cengage Learning India Private Limited.