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BUSI 600 - Group
Discussion 1
International Business (Liberty
University)
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Chapter 1, Question 5 (1.5):
The statement that “theory is impractical and thus no good” illustrates a misconception of the
true meaning of theory. The second quotation is more to the point: there is nothing so practical
as a good theory (Kurt Lewin) because of the power it gives us to explain and predict the target
phenomenon. We use theory constantly as we explain why certain events occur or why one
procedure succeeds and another does not. Theory represents an identification of key causal
relationships, which explain outcomes in a variety of situations. It is an effort to extract the
essence of relationships, ignoring less important contextual factors. The adequacy of a theory
comes from its capacity to explain phenomenon in a variety of contexts and situations and this is
referred to as its capacity to “travel.” Often, theories are too simplistic, and therefore lack
explanatory power across situations. The solution lies in improving the theory, possibly
introducing more variables, rather than rejecting the central concept.
Citations:
Schindler, P. S., & Cooper, D. R. (2019). Business research methods. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Education.
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Chapter 1, Question 7 (1.7):
A.
It is important to understand the difference and similarities between concepts and constructs
prior to determining which ones will be best to study this phenomenon. A concept is defined as,
"a generally accepted collection of meanings or characteristics associated with certain events,
objects, conditions, situations, and behaviors" (Cooper, 2014, p. 50). Whereas a construct is
defined as, "constructs constitute a general class of scientific concepts, including but not limited
to hypothetical constructs, intervening variables, operational definitions, and other classes of
theoretical concepts (e.g., technical concepts, names of apparatus, etc.)" (Nathalie, 2013, p. 23).
Although these two topics have different definitions, they can be related to each other. For
example, a table is an objective concept; however, an abstract concept, like personality, is called
a construct.
There could be a variety of concepts on why female sales representatives have a lower customer
defection than male sales representatives. First, it would be important to determine the male-to-
female ratio and observe the hours both the male and female sales representatives work. Also,
the number of hours each gender works. Another concept would be the average age of the male
and female representatives that work at the store compared to the average age of the male and
female that shops in the store.
A variety of constructs could influence why female sales representatives have a lower customer
defection than male sales representatives. Some constructs could include: job satisfaction, job
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commitment, brand awareness, brand loyalty, service quality, and image. These would all play
an abstract, instrumental role on why male sales representatives struggle to retain customers.
B.
A variety of these concepts and constructs can be related to explanatory hypotheses. Explanatory
(casual) hypotheses can be defined as, "an implication that the existence of or a change in one
variable causes or leads to a change in the other variable" (Cooper, 2014, p.59). Therefore, a
change in one of the concepts could lead to a change in the outcome that female sales
representative has lower customer defections than do the male sales representatives. As Park
states, "It has recently been determined that generating an explanatory hypothesis to explain a
discrepant event is important for conceptual change" (Park, 2006, p. 1). Here are a few examples
of explanatory hypotheses that relate to the male-to-female topic:
An increase in the number of male sales representatives leads to a lower customer
defection. Ensuring the number of hour's males and females work is equal; leads to an
increase in male representatives retaining more customers.
An increase in items that appeal more to males leads to a lower customer defection.
Prior to proposing an explanatory hypothesis, researchers should consider their influential
impact. By looking at the concepts, constructs and variables, it can be easy to determine how the
researcher is going to state his hypothesis. A hypothesis from the Bible states, "And God said,
"Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God
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separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.
And there was evening and there was morning, the first day." (Genesis 1: 3-5, ESV).
Citations:
Schindler, P. S., & Cooper, D. R. (2019). Business research methods. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Education.
