Case Assignment 1: Questions 1-2
H. Elizabeth Farrar-Clary
BUSI 600
Liberty University
Case Assignment 1: Questions 1-2
Build the management-research questions hierarchy, through the investigative questions
stage. Then compare your list with the measurement questions asked.
Proverbs 2:2 “Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to
understanding[The94].” The foundation of the research process is the management-research
question hierarchy. When constructing the hierarchy of research questions, the management
question comes first, stating the dilemma, which is in a question form, that the manager needs
resolved. Next are the three research questions, that are the fact-based translation of the question
the researcher must answer to contribute to the solution of the management question[Coo14].
Following, are the measurement questions, which are the questions that participants must
answer if the researcher is to gather the needed information and resolve the management
question. To make an informed decision, a decision maker needs to know the investigative
questions that represent the necessary research information. These are the questions that the
researcher needs to answer to conclude the research questions[Coo14].
It is not always easy to create and find the answers that are needed for effective research
performance. According to an article by Luigi Pistaferri, it is becoming more challenging for
researchers to find the data needed, due to the rapidly changing access and availability of the
data in particular areas, especially on household spending, regarding research on the study of
consumption[Pis15]. Another research area that is finding difficulty is that of supply chains.
There is a lack of performance measurements and of their related information and organizational
structures[Taj15].
Management Dilemma
NCRCC needs to increase membership.
Management Questions
1. How can NCRCC increase membership?
2. Why is the NCRCC not attracting new members?
Research Questions
1. How does NCRCC’s membership rates and dues compare to the eight other privately
owned golf clubs?
2. How can NCRR capitalize on its accomplishments (PGA Championship host, U. S. Open
Host, Golf Digest ratings) to increase its membership?
3. What can the NCRCC do to increase interest in the club during the off season to increase
membership?
4. What other amenities can NCRCC add to be more comparable to other privately owned
golf clubs?
5. How can NCRR improve their level of services to better satisfy their members?
Investigative questions
1. What is the member’s position regarding the NCRCC’s services/amenities and their use?
a. What specific services/amenities are used?
b. How attractive are the various services/amenities?
c. What social and environmental factors influence a person’s use of particular
services/amenities?
2. What is the NCRCC’s competitive position?
a. What are the social patterns of our members and of our competitor’s members?
b. What demographic differences are revealed among our members and those of our
competitors?
c. What descriptive words or phrases does the public (both members and nonmembers)
associate with NCRCC? With NCRCC’s competitors?
d. How aware is the public of NCRR’s promotional efforts?
e. What opinion does the public hold on NCRCC and its competitors?
f. How does growth in services/amenities compare among competing organizations?
Comparison
The McMahon Group performed a lot of detailed measurement questions that involved
statistics and percentages of ages, penetration rates among employees, and retirees. My questions
focused more on dues and the comparison to other country clubs, in addition to how they can
determine which services and amenities to add, and use their accomplishments to promote
themselves. For the individuals that are answering the questions, my questions gave an in depth
look at possible competitive advantages and the member’s position regarding the current services
and amenities.
Given the research question, how appropriate were the measurement questions?
The measurement questions were appropriate, but warrant more research, detail and
clarification on the findings. By the response to the measurement questions, it is clear that two
main areas of desired improvement are the golf course and the bar/lounge area. Now that these
two areas have been narrowed down, the management questions need to evolve into how
NCRCC can improve their golfing and social experience.
Some suggestions for improvement would be: renovation of the golf course, possibly
landscaping, benches, new signs, maintenance of wooded areas and ponds; also possible youth
golf lessons or tournaments to attract the young and growing families, to cultivate future
members; as for suggestions on the social environment, more modern conveniences, such as on-
line ordering from the golf course, so that the order will be ready when they are done playing,
also possibly add more social events, such as family night with activities and care for the
children, senior nights for retirees and also employee only night.
References
Cooper, D. R. (2014). Business research methods (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Pistaferri, L. (2015). Household Consumption: Research Questions, Measurement Issues, and
Data Collection Strategies. 360 Link, 1-4.
Tajbakhsh, A. (2015). Performance measurement of sustainable supply chains: a review and
research questions. Emarld Insight , 744-783.
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