Research methods in management and their essence

Research methods in management are the tools necessary to solve management problems in any company. The article shows the main approaches to studying the issues of management of the organization.

What is research?

The very concept of "research" includes a set of actions to identify problematic issues, to establish their role and place in the studied area, to study and describe the relationships and patterns of changes in objects, phenomena and their properties. And also the search and justification of decisions on the use of the acquired knowledge to improve the system under study or to solve the problems posed in the study.

Any research has a purpose. In management research is aimed at improving the efficiency of the management system. At the same time, a variety of tasks can be posed that solve the emerging management problems or enhance the quality of the latter.

Subject and object of research in management

All methods of research in management are aimed at studying the object - the management system. What is it?

At the heart of management is a person whose leadership qualities allow him to form around himself a network of interrelated elements of management working according to the established rules. If the object of management research is a management system, then the object of management is a firm (organization). Thus, the well-being and development of the latter also enters the object of investigation.

The subject of research in management is usually a contradiction or a problem of management process.

Basics of research methodology in the management system

The methodology and methods of research in management depend entirely on the chosen approach. The latter is conceptual, aspectual and systemic.

The same problem can have a different aspect, for example, social or economic, depending on the "perspective" of its consideration.

The concept is a broader concept and includes the development of basic provisions for research before the very beginning of the process of studying the problem.

The most popular today is a systematic approach to research. The system, as mentioned above, is a network of interconnected elements, so this approach allows the most extensive and comprehensive study of the object of research and achieve the goal. The system approach also involves the study of external factors, phenomena and objects that can affect the object under study. The concretization of the integrity of the system also leads to a more thorough study of its internal relationships, sustainability, risks.

The goal setting is one of the key aspects of the methodology of research in management. Any management system needs two groups of goals - external and internal, which must be interrelated and not contradict each other.

The approach to research may also be empirical or scientific in nature. Empirical, or experienced, is called an approach that includes specific experimental tools for obtaining new knowledge.

The second approach involves methods of scientific research in management. This campaign allows you to more accurately study the problems of management in the organization and choose a reasonably effective solution.

What are the methods of research in management?

There are many tools, methods, techniques, techniques for studying management systems. How to understand such a variety? What should I look for?

The answer to all these questions is sought by each manager independently, however, the search process can be simplified by literate grouping.

Classification of research methods in management includes two main clusters: theoretical and empirical.

Theoretical methods are based on knowledge and logical inferences, which are contained in books, textbooks, monographs, articles. Empirical same (experimental, pragmatic) methods operate on experiments and opinions of specialists. One can not authoritatively say which methods are better, since they treat the same problem differently. Therefore, in the practice of management, as a rule, there is a synthesis of several methods and tools.

Theoretical methods

Methods of investigating management problems often rely on management theory as a key scientific basis.

The first group includes the method of ascent from the abstract to the concrete. He suggests that the researcher go from general to specific, that is, based on objective knowledge, draw conclusions about the solution of a specific management problem.

Abstracting as a research method suggests ignoring minor elements of the management system to identify key relationships, including by modeling business processes.

A group of theoretical methods can not but include analysis and synthesis, allowing to divide (decompose) the object of research for subsequent independent study and reunion to recreate the previous design with an awareness of the processes taking place within the system.

Deduction and induction are also bright representatives of the first group, which are based on logical expressions: from the particular to the general (induction), from the general to the particular (deduction), from the particular to the particular (transduction).

Practical methods

Pragmatic methods of research management organizations are often used for the initial assessment of the problem.

Observation is the most obvious of the methods of empiricism. Information is collected from all divisions of the company involved in the management process. The main criterion is the researcher's non-interference in the business process during the observation process.

The comparative method assumes the existence of an analog or standard, with which it will be possible to compare the indicators of the object under study.

Also to the pragmatic include the method of polemic (discussion). Such a reasoned discussion of the organization's management issues, as a rule, is carried out as part of the initial assessment of the current situation (a planned meeting with the director). Controversy can also take place between researchers.

Methods of modeling

Modeling is one of the most popular theoretical methods for assessing the effectiveness of the management system and conducting research to improve it.

A model is an "image" of a real object, but not in a static state, but in a position of functioning that is close to the actual conditions. For modeling, one has to resort to the method of abstraction, that is, to exclude non-key factors and processes from consideration. Running the model can show not only the existing management problems, but also predict the effect of negative factors on the system in the future.

Expert methods

The method of peer review is a widespread empirical method based on the opinion of competent experts. Despite the ease of obtaining such estimates, there are many examples of incorrect collection or interpretation, which leads to negative results of the study.

The process of expert research includes several stages.

First, preparatory work is carried out to collect a group of experts and prepare the necessary documents.

Then a detailed study of the problem takes place.

The study continues by developing options for solving the problem.

The implementation of a ready-made solution does not take place without the participation of experts.

As a rule, a group examination is carried out, in this connection the process of selecting specialists is at the forefront. To do this, it is necessary to determine the form of passing the examination: experts can discuss the problem together and issue a ready collective decision, or work autonomously and express their ideas in writing individually.

Whatever methods of research in management are applied, the final document is the most important completion of all work. So in the method of examination it is important to fill in the forms correctly and write down opinions and ideas, without fail, highlighting the essence.

Foreign methods of management research

Research methods in management recently include such an expert method as SWOT analysis. This is a foreign practice of four-phase analysis, which includes evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the company, as well as its capabilities and external threats.

Often a method of brainstorming is also used . Its essence is to find the maximum number of ideas on a given topic within one or several hours. This is also a sub-type of the expert method, but the analysis of research methods in management has shown that when solving creative problems, the method of "throwing ideas in minutes" shows itself as one of the best.

In conclusion, it should be noted that to date there is a lot of literature containing a variety of research methods in management. A textbook or a monograph on this topic will certainly be useful for choosing the research tool, but do not forget about the specifics of management systems in different organizations.