Based on the research question and the possibility for the researcher to actually intervene in the current processes of the company studied during the fieldwork, the decision was taken to apply an Action Research approach using qualitative methods for data collection and analysis.
Evaluation of the selected approach has been done applying the Strengths- Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) - analysis technique as described in Kaplan and Norton (2001).
Exhibit 3.1 shows the SWOT findings which will be explained in detail hereafter.
Exhibit 3.1 : Research Methodology SWOT Analysis
Strengths
+ Deep insights into a specific ccntextuai prcbiem situation + Meets budget and tim e constraints of the researcher + Resuits are of real and practical value for the company involved + The iterative approach enables rapid process innovation +The application of the „iean startup" (Ries 2011 ) idea supports radical changes leading to superior results
+ Allows developm ent of a unique innovative approach to solve the research problem
+ Provides a suitable approach to solve a real- world problem while meeting scientific requirements for methodology, analysis, and rigour
Opportunities + Deep insights into a specific contextual problem situation + Study forms a baseline for further research
+ Results are useful for other airlines and aviation industry players + Results can be transferred to other contexts
+ The developed approach can be continuously improved
• Results are not generaiisabie
■ Knowledge is contextually bound the the specific situation
Weaknesses
- Validity and reliability of the study
- Low acceptance from the scientific com m unity due to Action Research application
T hreats
Souce: present author
The selected approach has numerous strengths.
From a practical point is meets budget and time constraints of the researcher.
The budget constraint is mainly self-opposed whereas the time constraint mainly comes from XYZ Cargo requirements. The company is under extreme pressure to solve its inventory management problem in order to ensure business continuity. Therefore the company requires ad hoc intervention
providing quantifiable improvements in the short term. These results are then of real and practical value for the company.
The researcher gets deep insights into a specific contextual problem situation.
Taking the role of a practitioner researcher enables the researcher to become actively involved in the company’s business. She can obtain first- hand information and does not need to rely on secondary data. Applying creative interviewing for data collection supports the deep understanding of the situation
as the researcher can react flexibly and adapt her interview technique to obtain the maximum amount of data.
The Action Research strategy enables the researcher to develop a unique approach for solving the company’s problem. The Operational Factor Approach derived is the result of four iterative Action Research cycles. The iterative process enables rapid process innovation which meets the time constraints of XYZ Cargo. Results are obtained quickly and as soon as the outcome of an intervention is not deemed suitable, a following intervention is planned and executed. This is further supported by following the “lean startup” idea
developed by Ries (2011 ). In this study not a “minimum viable product” (Nobel 2011) is concerned but a “minimum viable process”. The initial Inventory Management process is not suitable. Therefore it gets modified by the
researcher in iterative cycles. Immediate feedback is obtained after completion of each cycle. If the result is not sufficient another cycle follows.
The final result of the field work is a unique approach to solve the research problem. The literature review has not revealed any research that has developed the Operational Factor Approach.
The chosen research methodology offers some promising opportunities based on its strengths discussed before.
The deep insights and contextual knowledge obtained during the field work form the baseline for further research. Further, the results of this study are useful for other airlines and aviation industry players. They can also be transferred to other contexts. The Operational Factor Approach is reviewed from aviation experts and considered suitable (see Chapter 4). The use for other contexts will be further discussed in Chapter 5.
This study also forms the baseline to continuously improve the Operational Factor Approach. Further iterative cycles can follow in order to optimise the application of the Operational Factors. Also additional Operational Factors can be selected to meet e.g. requirements which are specific for an airline’s business model but have not been considered in this research.
A critical evaluation must not ignore the downsides of the chosen research methodology.
The approach has certain weaknesses, i.e. the results are not generaiisabie and the knowledge obtained is contextually bound to the specific situation.
However, this research has never aimed to provide generaiisabie outcomes. It is acknowledged that additional studies with same results are necessary to claim generalisability (Yin 2009).
Some threats are also apparent. For every research activity reliability and validity is crucial. Here, the Action Research protocol in Appendix B ensures reliability. The risk of bias is tackled by the researcher by e.g. asking all
questions only once, being the only researcher in the project and highlighting to participants that the findings are not expected to suit the researcher. Validity was ensured by aviation experts reviewing the study. Further, the settings and procedures applied are described as detailed as confidentiality agreements allow.
As discussed before. Action Research has many critics in the scientific
community as Action Research is often considered to be consultancy work but not research. However, even the researcher here worked with a client company she based her research on a sound literature review and a thorough
methodology. The suitability of the Action Research approach to answer the research question in its actual context has been confirmed as strength.
To conclude, the selected research methodology is suitable to solve a real- world problem while meeting scientific requirements for methodology, analysis, and rigour. The strengths and opportunities clearly outweigh the weaknesses and threats which have been mitigated to the best extent.
3.13 Summary and Conclusions
This chapter outlined the methodology applied in this research. The main findings can be summarised as follows:
This research aims to add value to the existing body of knowledge in business management. It also intends to contribute to management practice. This
research should not only help XYZ Cargo but should also contribute to the body of knowledge on inventory management for critical spare parts in aviation, and ideally, in other industries.
Perceiving that reality depends on the person observing it, constructivism is the underlying research philosophy. Individuals are part of the research. Their behaviour influences others and the researcher herself has some effect on the people she is working with in the field. The results of the research will be interpreted by the researcher subjectively. The selected inductive approach aims to develop theory based on data collection and analysis. This is supported by the lack of literature and research on critical spare parts inventory
management in the aviation industry. With its exploratory character this study aims to get a close understanding of the nature of the problem. This supports the overall aim adding to management knowledge and practice.
Action Research is the chosen research strategy. The research started on request of the client organisation. The researcher gets actively involved in the context of her investigation by collaborating with the participants of the client organisation. The goal is to produce new knowledge by solving the real world practical problem. Therefore qualitative methods based on creative interviewing are used for data collection. Action Research protocols, peer reviews and other means are used to establish credibility of the research findings.
Finally, the selected approach was critically evaluated with regard to
advantages and drawbacks. The application of the chosen methodology during the fieldwork will be described in the next chapter.