inferential stats

Introduction

The power of business research is to inform managerial options and decisions with evidence-based assessments and explorations, rather than with anecdotal information and hunches. This kind of systematic process of distilling and evaluating the complex moving pieces within a business can increase the chances for effective managerial decision-making (Cooper & Schindler, 2014, Chapter 1, Research in Business).

Company background

Alpha Mobile was founded in 1983 and is currently still the largest communications company in the world. Its mission is to connect people all over the world by providing the best communications and technology service possible in the areas of mobile services, TV, and high-speed Internet. It is the world’s largest provider of pay TV and is flourishing in international markets. In addition to this, more than 57 million customer locations utilize Alpha Mobile’s high-speed Internet, and over one million business locations enjoy the high-speed fiber it delivers to meet business needs (AT&T, 2016).

Business problem and the role of the team

As industry competition continues to increase, Alpha Mobile now faces difficulties in maintaining a consistent high-speed technology service to their customers, and has seen a rise in customer complaints and decreased customer retention. Team D’s objective is to quantitatively determine if there is a correlation between stronger connectivity capabilities and increased customer satisfaction.

Variables

Independent variable: Increased bandwidth

In this research process, we will be dealing with two variables: the independent and the dependent variable. The independent variable is also known as the predictor. It is the variable that is manipulated to determine if a change in its value results in (or is correlated to) a change in the dependent variable. In this way, we can study the relationship, if any, between the independent and dependent variable. In addition to this, it important to recognize that not all measurable relationships between the independent and dependent variables qualify to be a true causal relationship. This is because additional independent variables could be simultaneously working to impact the dependent variable. Correlation is not as powerfully direct a relationship as causation but still has both research and business significance. Team D’s study will address the increase in bandwidth available and the quantity of connectivity complaints from customers. Increased bandwidth, the independent variable, is measurable and can be translated into a research-appropriate defined value (Cooper & Schindler, 2014, Chapter Chapter 3, Thinking Like a Researcher).

Dependent variable: Connectivity complaints

The dependent variable, also known as the criterion variable, is the variable observed and studied as an outcome or result of the manipulations made to the independent variable. Team D’s inquiry into Alpha Mobile is seeking to determine if increased bandwidth is related to the frequency of connectivity complaints. Therefore, the dependent variable is the frequency of connectivity complaints. If research determines a correlation between increased bandwidth and decreased connectivity complaints, Alpha Mobile will have research that validates this as a research-backed method to become more competitive, and therefore both retain and potentially gain customers (Cooper & Schindler, 2014, Chapter Chapter 3, Thinking Like a Researcher).

Research question

Did Alpha Mobile’s bandwidth increase from January 2015 to January 2016 due to high- speed Wi-Fi connection improve customer satisfaction and retention?

Null and alternative hypothesis

H0: Increases in Alpha Mobile’s bandwidth due to high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity correlate to a decrease in customer complaints.

H1: Increases in Alpha Mobile’s bandwidth due to high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity do not correlate to a decrease in customer complaints.

Conclusion

Utilizing reliable business research methodologies, Team D will embark on a study that aims to measurably illuminate the quantifiable relationship between Alpha Mobile’s technological connectivity power and its customer satisfaction.

References

 AT&T. (2016). AT&T Company Information. Retrieved from http://www.att.com/gen/investor-relations?pid=5711

Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business research methods (12th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.