QNT/275

Business Research

Business Research

Many companies normally carry out research so that they can solve their business problems. Huawei Technologies is one of the companies that have been faced with contemporary business problems that can be resolved through research. Huawei Technologies is a phone company that is based in China. It operates at a global level offering products to various markets. It offers products such as telecommunications equipment and other services such as networking. Basically, the company is the number one leading manufacturer of telecommunication equipment at a global level. Just like any other company, Huawei is faced with challenges that it needs to work on in order to ensure that its operations run efficiently (Shi & Handfield, 2012). Being an international company, it faces challenges from one department to another that may be influenced by global forces or wider business factors. These problems must therefore be addressed for better performance of the company. One of the challenges that are facing Huawei is logistics related problems.

Logistics is one of the most important departments of the company as it ensures that products reach consumers on time (Näslund, 2002). It can be difficult to effectively manage logistics system without a strategy. The first problem that is faced in the logistics department is pricing options. It is hard for the company to price products without considering the fact that customers may complain and buy from its competitors. Apart from disadvantaging consumers, the company may also find it difficult to price goods in such a way that it does not experience loses. The issue of suitable pricing makes it difficult for the company to decide on prices that may benefit both the company and its consumers while factoring the resources needed for its logistics department.

Delays during transportation are also another problem that is facing the company when it comes to logistics. Sometimes, goods get delayed during transportation making customers to receive their goods later than required. Delay in the delivery of goods may bring further problem as consumers become less loyal to the company with substitute products looming in the vicinity. Goods being transported need to be safe from theft and any other condition that may affect them. This means the company must be able ensure the security of its products while in transit. It may be difficult for the company to make this especially if its logistics system is not effective enough (Näslund, 2002). As already highlighted, the logistics problem may make a company to lose more if not well managed. This is because the company operates at a global level. Planning for logistics is therefore an important step in ensuring that logistics system is effective and safe for both the company and its customers.

For a company to solve an issue such as logistics problem, it may need to carry out research on it so that it can come up with an effective solution for it. Research problems may be difficult to deal with especially if it requires extensive sampling and collection of data. Logistics problem may have various research variables that a researcher can use to solve this particular problem. One such variable is the frequency at which goods are ordered from the company. The frequency at which goods are ordered dependent on the period that a company takes before receiving an order after dispatching another. When orders are frequent and in bulk, the company has to be on its toes in order to keep up with the demand in the market. A research process is normally done in steps in order to ensure every factor of the problem is covered, especially in determining what inventory level to maintain within a structured logistics system.

Being a research, collection of data is the first step of solving the problem. A research may be qualitative or quantitative depending on the type of the problem being solved (Sandelowski, 2000). The type of research done can also be determined by the preference of the researcher. For quantitative research data could be collected from checking records on the number of orders sheets, sale invoices and customer requests. This means the researcher must go through all the records of the company that contain sales, orders and related invoices.

For qualitative research questionnaires and interviews could be used to collect data. Customers and employees could be used as a source of collecting data so that the researcher could get a good picture of what goes on in terms of sales and order delivery. Qualitative data collections are normally open ended for better description of the situation. A researcher may also collect data through observation and recording events and surveys. This particular problem combines both the characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research (Bryman, 2006). This is essentially so because the number of units ordered by customers is critical to the potential of the logistics system. This makes quantitative data collection methods, say analyzing order sheets, products profiles, inventory and re-order frequency, integral input to the final decision. Additionally, it is equally important to evaluate the capability of the logistics system in supplying different types of products based on the time limit for delivery. This will utilize qualitative data collection methods like testing the potential of available trucks and other equipment characterizing the logistics system.

After collection of data, it is upon the researcher to analyze the data and determine whether the data will give the expected results or not (Sandelowski, 2000). Data verification refers to the process of ensuring that the data collected can be effectively used. Authentication of data is important because the data will be used to solve the problem facing the company. There are different ways of verifying the data collected in order to ensure its authenticity. The rate at which the business world is changing requires researchers to be able to give matching results when it comes to data collection. In establishing the validity of the data collected, it would be important to utilize practical and theoretical concepts to determine the relationship between each variable chosen to the main subject of the research. In the case of this research, it is essential to establish how the frequency at which goods are ordered from the company (main variable) impacts the logistics system used by the company. This data will generate statistical and qualitative information on the validity and reliability of the data used in the research.

References

Bryman, A. (2006). Integrating quantitative and qualitative research: how is it done? Qualitative research, 6(1), 97-113.

Näslund, D. (2002). Logistics needs qualitative research-especially action research. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 32(5), 321-338.

Sandelowski, M. (2000). Focus on research methods combining qualitative and quantitative sampling, data collection, and analysis techniques. Research in nursing & health, 23, 246-255.

Shi, Y., & Handfield, R. (2012). Talent management issues for multinational logistics companies in China: observations from the field. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 15(3), 163-179.