Matching y Radio

Strategy choices refer to the research style that is used to collect and analyse data, such as grounded theory. Each one has its benefits and limitations. This needs to be thought through, explained, and balanced throughout the research. Choices may be more commonly associated with different philosophies and philosophical standpoints, as shown in the research onion (Figure 16). Experimental designs are more rigid and

127

scientific in their structure to enable the research to be replicated. These designs test the causal effects of phenomena on a group compared to a control group who are not subjected to any phenomena. The causal effect is the independent variable on the dependent variable. Experimental strategies generate data that can be statistically analysed. A survey strategy is often associated with a deductive approach. It offers the researcher a highly economical way of collecting large amounts of data to address the who, what, where, when, and how of any given topic or issue. This strategy can generate both rich and statistical data (Somekh, 2006).

Grounded theory uses inductive methods to predict and explain behaviour to build theory. This starts with data being collected from observation and theory. Predictions are generated from that data and those predictions are then tested. This strategy, although generating new theory, is still grounded by existing theory and literature on the topic (Strauss, 1998, Wertz, 2011). Ethnography is rooted in anthropology, which is the study of others from a detached point-of-view. However, ethnography requires the researcher to be a part of the community or situation they are researching. This may be time consuming for the researcher to achieve full integration into a social scene to experience and document long-term changes in actions and opinions (Crang and Cook, 2007). Archival research strategy centres its data collection on existing data sets or archive documents. This allows for exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive analysis of changes tracked over a long period of time. However, the accuracy and breadth of information available may be an issue for a researcher relying solely on this type of secondary data.

4.4.1 Research Strategy Chosen

This study is seeking to explain how the actions of buffering and bridging in response to supply chain disruptions events affect the performance of shortage management, and is seeking detailed explanation of the constructs and propositions summarised in the Research Question (section 3.2) based on constructs that were developed and extended from the original constructs of Bode, Wagner, Petersen et al. (2011). A theory testing emphasis approach will be most appropriate (Rao and Perry, 2003), as shown in Table 6. Table 6 contrasts the different strategies best employed to approach different research problems. As this research addresses the theory testing emphasis, a survey strategy choice is appropriate. This research will use a survey strategy which will be conducted after the initial interviews, where the aim will be to test the

128

propositions and thus give further novel insights on supply chain response management.

Theory building emphasis

Theory testing emphasis Research Problem What kind of strategies

are implemented?

What impact do these strategies have on

performance?

Literature Review Exploratory Explanatory: constructs have been measured

before

Paradigm Interpretive Positivist

Methodology Case study Survey

Table 6. Research Approaches (Rao and Perry, 2003)

The overall research strategy is outlined below in Figure 21, which describes the research work flow plan from the initial in-depth literature review (both academic and industry based), the identification and development of the theory framework (as described in the research question, section 3.2), through to the desk research and UCLH mining and initial descriptive analysis, followed by interviews and the main survey design to test the theory based propositions. The outputs of this are analysed, and feedback and further interviews and focus groups are conducted, the results of which are critically collated, theory refined, and conclusions and limitations drawn. The work flow, which is outlined in Figure 21, follows the theory testing plan (Dul and Hak, 2007) explained in Flowchart 2A and in the research approach chosen section (4.3.1).

129 Literature Review Desk Research Exploratory Interviews Survey Design Pilot Test Survey Survey Interviews Focus Groups Data Analysis Results Theory Framework UCLH Data Base Initial Analysis Theory Testing Propositions Theory Refinement Conclusions

Figure 21. Research High Level Design Flow Chart

Figure 21 outlines the research high level design flowchart followed by this research. The initial literature review composed three main elements; supply chain management, an industry review of the pharmaceutical supply chain, and a literature review of supply chain reductions.

This provided the supply chain post disruption theory framework for the research. The initial secondary research included desk research which revealed and facilitated the data mining of the University College London Hospital (UCLH) shortage management

130

historic database. This and other secondary research provided informed background for the exploratory interviews after the initial analysis. The exploratory interviews guided the survey tool design, and later provided expert advice in the pilot testing of the survey to facilitate a robust final survey online tool. The survey tool was used to test the theory propositions extending the existing theory framework. The interviews were then conducted after ethical approval was granted. The last data collection method used was the focus group, which comprised of three focus groups reflecting the spectrum of the target population. The data analysis of each of the data collection methods was then carried out, refining and informing the new theory framework understanding so the research data analysis findings could be presented and the research conclusions drawn and explained.

Section 4.5 is separated into two parts. The first illustrates the research methodology considerations, including the time horizons, and then the second part specifies the research methodology selected for this research.