Project Proposal
"Feasibility analysis for, WI-FI (acronym for wireless fidelity) wireless technology for Information system/Information technology change management in operational contexts."
By:
Bhupendra Raghaw
MBA IT 2004-2005
Feasibility analysis for, WI-FI (acronym for wireless fidelity) wireless technology for Information system/Information technology change management in operational contexts.
Aim-
To evaluate and compare WI-FI wireless technology with other wireless technology on the basis of reliability, flexibility, interoperability, cost, security and implementation for operational IS/IT change management in order to enhance efficiency and efficacy.
Objectives-
> To carry out in-depth analysis of literature and statistics available, pertaining to wireless technologies, in order to obtain firm background knowledge for the research.
> To compare and contrast different wireless technologies with WI-FI and come up with an un-biased report suggesting the better wireless technology.
> To use different data collection methods in order to ensure Data triangulation (discussed later) to reduce ambiguity.
Background and justification-
Change is the only thing constant in today's fast paced world. Organisations have been sincerely working towards achieving competitive edge over others by introducing new technologies and strategies. Over the last year great leaps have been made in wireless communication technologies. Most of the technology world is lamenting the death of WAP or anxiously awaiting the arrival of 3G telecommunications. This research project will give me a chance to study, evaluate various technologies, which are available in the market or are up-coming.
IS/IT change management module has been a part of my course curriculum (MBA- IT), this being the only core module which makes me stand apart from other regular MBA students (Finance, Marketing) lead me to base my research on upcoming technologies and strategic changes which may get involved with these technologies, which could change face of the future.
Research methodology -
Most approaches to research are represented as a multi stage process, usually including, but not limited to; formulating and clarifying a topic; reviewing the literature; choosing a strategy; collecting, processing and analysing data; and presenting the results (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 1997.Mathews 1999)
Basic Research design-
I. Clarification of topic and problem identified: Research questions and objectives to be determined.
II. Literature review: Background information and situation clarification.
III. Research strategy identification on the basis of literature review:
IV. Collation and analysis of data derived as an outcome of process involved in stage III
V. Result consolidation and Conclusions to be drawn.
Data Triangulation -
Triangulation refers to the use of different methods to research the same issue with the same unit of analysis, thus cross-checking one result against another, and increasing the reliability ...
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Basic Research design-
I. Clarification of topic and problem identified: Research questions and objectives to be determined.
II. Literature review: Background information and situation clarification.
III. Research strategy identification on the basis of literature review:
IV. Collation and analysis of data derived as an outcome of process involved in stage III
V. Result consolidation and Conclusions to be drawn.
Data Triangulation -
Triangulation refers to the use of different methods to research the same issue with the same unit of analysis, thus cross-checking one result against another, and increasing the reliability of the result. Contradictory results often bring up important problems with question design, as well as fundamental issues surrounding researcher understanding of a topic.
Use of multi method approach cancels out some of the "method effect" (Saunders, Lewis and thornhill, 1997, 80) and thus
* Reduces ambiguity
* Increases reliability
The information collected through various data collection methods (questionnaire's, interviews e.t.c) is considered to be valid and reliable when it converges i.e. the information gathered through different methods is analysed through different perspectives, and the result of analysis is same.
Advantages of using multiple methods
> Data from various sources gives a sense of completeness
> More likely to show the complete picture
> More reliable results
-Inconsistencies from the data gathered can be clarified quantitatively
> Increases validity of outcomes
-Approaching the question from various perspectives moves closer the reality.
This research will be based upon primary as well as secondary data being collected through various data collection methods. This research mainly being a qualitative research requires to be validated, In order to ensure reliability and validity, different data collection methods will be incorporated during research to ensure convergence of data collected (Data triangulation).
Data collection Methods-
It is believed that during this research, complete data can be collected through Email reason being all the respondents to questionnaires or interviews are believed to be related to IT/IS field in some way or the other, this will surely help me in completing my dissertation in relatively short span of time.
Literature Review-
A literature review should provide a reader with "a statement of the state of the art and the major questions in the field under consideration"(Gill and Johnson 1991). This enables to obtain background knowledge regarding the problems and helps in understanding and clarifying the situation; it basically forms the platform for the research study. Internet is expected to be the main source of literature review as far as this research topic is concerned, as this research study demands current opinions and developments in this particular field of technology, sites dedicated to wireless technologies and online journals will act as preliminary source of data for research, A list of research routes taken (in order to avoid repetition), and all documents reviewed will be maintained (Julie Hughes, 2002) whereas, articles regarding WI-FI as an developing technology published in the past will act as an secondary source of data.
Primary source of data collection
It would be judicious to outline that subjects (concerned professionals) who will be interviewed or asked to fill up the questionnaires will be from the Information technology department revealing that end users of the technology may not be considered during this research.
Interviews -
Interviewing is the systematic collection of data, through asking questions and carefully listening to, and recording or noting the answers. Interviews can take place in any location, at any time, and with different individuals or groups of people.
Detailed structured and semi-structured interviews will be carried out in order to realise the first hand information from the people who will or who are going to harness WI-FI as a technology.
The structured approach of interviewing is believed to deduce whether people are genuinely interested to consider WI-FI technology as a change and closed ended questions will also help me ascertain whether WI-FI has really helped organisations to attain a competitive edge, maintenance cost have gone down, production, efficiency e.t.c (Particularly for organisations who are currently using WI-FI technology).
The semi-structured interviewing approach would be adopted in order probe for validating the points and answers derived from the formal structured interviews. This way data can be crosschecked and surely be reliable.
Advantages:
* Serious approach by respondent resulting in accurate information.
* Good response rate.
* Completed and immediate.
* Possible in-depth questions.
Disadvantages:
* Need to set up interviews.
* Time consuming.
* Geographic limitations.
* Can be expensive.
* Normally need a set of questions.
* Respondent bias - tendency to please or impress, create false personal image, or end interview quickly.
Questionnaires -
Questionnaires are an inexpensive way to gather data from a potentially large number of respondents and they are ideal for this case, as the respondents may be from different parts of the world. These questionnaires are proposed to be carried out, either by telephone or Interviewer administered as, it is important to note and observe the respondents expressions, these will be very helpful in determining the truthfulness of the respondent which in turn will be helpful in reducing ambiguity. The questionnaires will be designed to cover the technological advancements in the field, comparing and contrasting the current and upcoming technologies. Information gathered by the Interviews will form the basis for designing the questionnaires.
Case study -
Case studies emphasize detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions and their relationships. Researchers have used the case study research method for many years across a variety of disciplines. Social scientists, in particular, have made wide use of this qualitative research method to examine contemporary real-life situations and provide the basis for the application of ideas and extension of methods. Researcher Robert K. Yin defines the case study research method as an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context; when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident; and in which multiple sources of evidence are used (Yin, 1984, p. 23).
It would be judicious to use a case study in order to compare and contrast different wireless technologies or various mediums of data transfers. It is possible to use a case study with two companies, out of which one using one using wireless communication system and one with wired Information system.
Critique -
This is a qualitative research and the main source of information and data collection will definitely be WWW, Online journals, Discussion groups , scope of primary sourced of information is very less, however data interpreted from real life case study will be definitely be helpful in putting the point across , it is to be considered that data collected from interviews , questionnaires e.t.c is very hard to interpret, so might be possible that researcher may set a common notion on the basis of the response of first few interviewees because this the research may get biased, as the questionnaires are also based upon the information obtained from Structured and Semi-structured Interview sessions.
Chronological Plan -
Days
Activities/Aims
-2
* Literature review will be carried out.
* A research strategy and data collection method(s), which are to be adopted, will be chosen.
2-35
* Interviews and Focus Group meetings will be carried out with different categories of professionals..
* Preparation and process of questionnaire being filled up through interviews or thru telephone will be being carried out.
35-40
* Interviews meetings will be referenced and analysed.
40-50
* Feedbacks from the questionnaires will be analysed and interpreted.
* Expected to come up with valid, reliable and unambiguous result
* Formal report documentation.
References -
. Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (Eds) (2000), Research Methods for Business Students, (2nd edn), Prentice Hall, Great Britain.
2. Research methods for Managers John Gill, Phil Johnson, 1991
3. Julie Hughes, MBA 2002
4. Yin, R. K. (1984). Case study research: Design and methods. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
5.
