Bmgt 520: Research Methods Question Paper
Bmgt 520: Research Methods
Course:Master Of Business Administration (Mba)
Institution: Kabarak University question papers
Exam Year:2011
KABARAK UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
2011 ACADEMIC YEAR
FOR MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
BMGT 520: RESEARCH METHODS
DAY: WEDNESDAY DATE: 11/04/2012
TIME: 3.00 – 6.00 P.M. STREAM: SEM 2
INSTRUCTIONS
ANSWER QUESTION ONE AND ANY THREE
QUESTION ONE:
CHALLENGES FACED BY HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGERS IN THE ERA OF
GLOBALIZATION
Read the following and answer the questions that follow:
“The real wealth of a nation is its people. And the purpose of development is to create an
enabling environment for people to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives. This simple but
powerful truth is too often forgotten in the pursuit of material and financial wealth.”
Globalization of Kenyan economy is compelling organization to rethink their future
strategies. It is now widely recognized that transformation is a pre-requisite to their survival
and growth. Business organization in Kenya especially public enterprises are experiencing
winds of change. For the HR function, there would not be a more existing and challenging
opportunity than managing the complexities of change and transformation. HR today is
playing a lead role along with business functions in creating the necessary momentum and
internal capabilities. Now first let us understand what we mean by globalization. But first, what is globalization? Every day we hear it on news, we read it in the newspapers, we overhear people talking about it… and in every single moment the word ‘globalization’ seems to have a different
meaning. So what is globalization? “…integration of business activities across geographical and organizational boundaries.” “The capacity to treat the world as one market while…dealing with many culturally diverse merchants.” “…the process by which markets expands to include competitors for customers and productive inputs without regard to national boundaries”. “…doing business with a world wide focus… rather than doing business in an international market with the focus from a home-country viewpoint.” Globalization is not just a recent phenomenon. Some analysts have argued that the world economy was just a globalized 100 years ago as it is today. Yet the term is used since the 1980’s, reflecting technological advances that have made it easier and quicker to complete international transactions, both trade and financial flows. The most striking aspect of this has been the integration of financial markets made possible by modern electronic
communication. At a political and economic level, globalization is the process of denationalization of markets, politics and legal systems i.e. the use of the so-called global economy. Globalization refers to an extension beyond national borders of the same market forces that have operated for centuries at all levels of human economic activity (village markets, urban
industries, or financial centers). It means that world trade and financial markets are
becoming more integrated. At a business level, we talk of globalization when organization decides to take part in the emerging global economy and establish themselves in foreign markets. First they will adapt their products or services to the customer’s linguistic and cultural requirements. Then, they might take advantage of the internet revolution and establish a virtual presence on the
international market place with a multilingual corporate website or even as an e-business.
Overall, globalization requires a combination of linguistic, engineering and marketing
knowledge that is not easily available. (Sparrow, Paul, R, 2006).
Answer the following Questions:
a) Based on reading about globalization above, come up with a research topic that
would be useful for a company thinking about doing international business - but must
first prepare itself in every other aspect including in human capital development - to
achieve market penetration and competitive advantage. Provide a one page problem
of the statement
b) Provide the objectives and research questions for your chosen topic.
25 Marks
QUESTION TWO
Discuss the importance of introduction and background a study in research and how they
differ from literature review 25 marks
QUESTION THREE
Discuss the various methods of data collection, giving the justification of using any of the
methods 15 Marks
QUESTION FOUR
What is research methodology and what are the various components of research
methodology in a research proposal 15 marks
QUESTION FIVE
Explain the following research terminologies and explain their usefulness:
a) Variable
b) Hypothesis
c) Theory
d) Population and sample (difference)
15 marks
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