... This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The University of Western Australia. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering 1998 Abstract This research investigated how social, environmental and ethical factors can be better included in theories of engineering design. The research focused on designing as an essentially human activity via consideration of the epistemological and ontological issues involved in constructing coherent design theory. The research investigations led to a clearer understanding of the roles of ontology, epistemology and methodology in design research and this clarification enabled the construction of a post-positivist approach to engineering design theory that better includes social, environmental and ethical factors alongside the existing products of scientific engineering design research. Other contributions to knowledge that emerged from the research process and which underpin the conclusions include; clarification of the terminology and basic concepts of design research and engineering design research, historical reviews of ways that the terms ‘design’ and ‘design process’ have been used in the literature of engineering design research and design research in the period 1962–1995, clarification of the role of disciplinary structure in the development of coherent design theories, the development of conceptual tools and...
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... This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The University of Western Australia. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering 1998 Abstract This research investigated how social, environmental and ethical factors can be better included in theories of engineering design. The research focused on designing as an essentially human activity via consideration of the epistemological and ontological issues involved in constructing coherent design theory. The research investigations led to a clearer understanding of the roles of ontology, epistemology and methodology in design research and this clarification enabled the construction of a post-positivist approach to engineering design theory that better includes social, environmental and ethical factors alongside the existing products of scientific engineering design research. Other contributions to knowledge that emerged from the research process and which underpin the conclusions include; clarification of the terminology and basic concepts of design research and engineering design research, historical reviews of ways that the terms ‘design’ and ‘design process’ have been used in the literature of engineering design research and design research in the period 1962–1995, clarification of the role of disciplinary structure in the development of coherent design theories, the development of conceptual tools and...
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...FORUM: QUALITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH SOZIALFORSCHUNG Volume 11, No. 3, Art. 17 September 2010 The Case of Value Based Communication—Epistemological and Methodological Reflections from a System Theoretical Perspective Victoria von Groddeck Key words: Abstract: The aim of this paper is to reflect the epistemological and methodological aspects of an communication empirical research study which analyzes the phenomenon of increased value communication within theory; form business organizations from a system theoretical perspective in the tradition of Niklas LUHMANN. analysis; Drawing on the theoretical term of observation it shows how a research perspective can be functional developed which opens up the scope for an empirical analysis of communication practices. This analysis; Niklas analysis focuses on the reconstruction of these practices by first understanding how these practices Luhmann; stabilize themselves and second by contrasting different practices to educe an understanding of organization different forms of observation of the relevant phenomenon and of the functions of these forms. studies; George Thus, this approach combines system theoretical epistemology, analytical research strategies, such Spencer-Brown; as form and functional analysis, and qualitative research methods, such as narrative interviews, system theory; participant observation and document analysis. value communication Table of...
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...Research Dilemmas in Management and Business Studies John Mendy University of Lincoln, UK jmendy@lincoln.ac.uk Abstract: This paper examines some of the philosophical and practical dilemmas that are faced by researchers in management and business studies – in the context of the epistemological and ontological assumptions introduced. The relevant methodological frameworks to be used stem from Strauss and Quinn (1997). The importance of employee language and organisational discourses are presented from the empirical data on “Aspects of Organisational Culture and Change” in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire to demonstrate the epistemological and ontological dilemmas faced by researchers in organisational analysis. Symbolic interactionism and stories are also used to highlight the importance of speech actors within an organisational change context in order to surface some of these dilemmas in business studies in general and management research in particular. These two provide alternative positions to Strauss and Quinn’s “maintained” analysis of how organisations and managers implement change interventions and employees’ reactions to these. Amongst some of my principal objectives is to demonstrate what can be contributed when researchers focus on what can be considered credible and valid knowledge that can be generalised in organisational and management studies. Keywords: language, methodological dilemmas, epistemology, theory and practice. 1. Introduction This paper focuses on...
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...Management knowledge and knowledge management: realism and forms of truth John Mingers1 1Kent Business School, University of Kent, Canterbury, U.K. Correspondence: John Mingers, Kent Business School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7PE, U.K. Tel: þ44 1227 824008; E-mail: j.mingers@kent.ac.uk Received: 24 July 2007 Accepted: 15 October 2007 Abstract This paper addresses the issue of truth and knowledge in management generally and knowledge management in particular. Based on ideas from critical realism and critical theory, it argues against the monovalent conceptualization of knowledge implicitly or explicitly held by many authors and aims instead to develop a characterization that recognizes the rich and varied ways in which human beings may be said ‘to know’. It points out and conceptualizes a fundamental dimension of knowledge that is generally ignored or cursorily treated within the literature, that is, ‘truth’. It identifies four forms of knowledge – propositional, experiential, performative and epistemological – and explores their characteristics, especially in terms of truth and validity. It points out some implications for knowledge management. Knowledge Management Research & Practice (2008) 6, 62–76. doi:10.1057/palgrave.kmrp.8500161 Keywords: knowledge management; knowledge; information; critical realism; critical theory; truth Introduction Although knowledge management (KM) has established itself as a bona fide subject both in practice...
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...SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS COURSE OUTLINE COURSE DESCRIPTION Business Research Methods seeks to expose MBA students to the theory and praxis of epistemological notions in relation to business phenomena. The course seeks to create an inter-face between the theoretical construct of corporate world. Emphasis is on understanding real corporate life experiences within their proper intellectual framework. The idea is to add value to a student’s appreciation of the business world, its structure, networks and composition. To facilitate this, the course equips the student with practical business research tools and skills such as questionnaire design and application, interview process design and techniques. In essence, BRM is integrative course which seeks to synthesise students’ experiences from other MBA courses into a coherent appreciation of the methodological configuration of business phenomena. Thus, BRM prepares students for their dissertation work. COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT: 30% 1. Research Proposal- First Semester- 10% 2. Research Project- Second Semester- 10% 3. Intra-Sessional Test – Second Semester- 10% COURSE OUTLINE 1. Introduction to business research -The purpose of business and management research -The research process -Outsourcing or internally administered researches 2. Formulating and designing research topics -Attributes of a good research topic -Generating and reefing research ideas ...
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...Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods In Environmental Accounting Research Evangeline Elijido-Ten Faculty of Business and Enterprise, Swinburne University of Technology Address for correspondence: Faculty of Business and Enterprise Swinburne University of Technology John Street, Hawthorn Victoria, Australia 3122 Phone: +61 3 9214 4471 Fax: +61 3 9819 2117 E-mail: eelijidoten@swin.edu.au 1 Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods In Environmental Accounting Research Abstract Purpose: To explore how the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods can enhance a study on the environmental reporting decisions made by Malaysian companies using the emergent stakeholder theory. Methodology/approach: The paper provides an illustration of how the descriptive, exploratory and explanatory type of research is entrenched with the objectives of the research and how the combination of quantitative (statistical regression and weighting/mean ranking) and qualitative (archival analysis, qualitative interviews) methods may enhance accounting research not only from results that corroborate. Findings: The three-fold objective of this study, corresponding to its three phases, illustrates that combining qualitative and quantitative methods involves considerations at each phase of the investigation. The research design shows that when the researcher work with different types of data within the same project, the way data is used varies according...
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... | | | | | | | | On what criteria have you decided that a paper is core/periphery. Core papers are: • Texts that acknowledge and discuss the problem statements of your research and discuss the reality of the related situation. • Texts that reflect on the link between areas of focus in research • Texts that discuss the various forms of the main theme. • Texts that explicitly discuss your topic of research Peripheral papers are: • Texts that provide definition and deep detail or discussion on one very specific aspect. • Texts that consider some isolated perspectives of your research. 2. Making Conceptual Framework State your research question and map out your literature domains.Try...
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...ver the past 10 years of teaching courses on research methods and feminist approaches to methodologies and epistemologies, a recurring question from our students concerns the distinctiveness of feminist approaches to methods, methodologies, and epistemologies. This key question is posed in different ways: Is there a specifically feminist method? Are there feminist methodologies and epistemologies, or simply feminist approaches to these? Given diversity and debates in feminist theory, how can there be a consensus on what constitutes “feminist” methodologies and epistemologies? Answers to these questions are far from straightforward given the continually evolving nature of feminist reflections on the methodological and epistemological dimensions and dilemmas of research. This chapter on feminist methodologies and epistemologies attempts to address these questions by tracing historical developments in this area, by considering what may be unique about feminist epistemologies and feminist methodologies, by reviewing some of sociology’s key contributions to this area of scholarship and by highlighting some key emergent trends. The chapter begins with a brief overview of the theoretical and historical development of feminist epistemologies, followed by a similar overview of feminist methodologies. The final section discusses how feminist 36 epistemologies and feminist methodologies have begun to merge into an area called feminist research and details some key pillars of contemporary...
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...Towards a typology for undertaking doctoral research in the built environment Ade Alao Abstract This paper considers issues associated with identifying a typology for doctoral research in the built environment. It argues that a definition of the built environment knowledge base in terms of its constituent subject disciplines is unhelpful for doctoral research as the generation of new knowledge in an interdiscipline requires integration across the various subject disciplines. A typology for research design is identified as being capable of guiding the doctoral researcher but will require further research to tested and verify it’s theoretical and empirical basis. Keywords: Typology, Doctoral Research, Built Environment, Interdisciplinarity 1. Introduction “The built environment disciplines is a term that has come to be used by many UK universities to refer to a range of practice-oriented subjects concerned with the design, development and management of buildings, spaces and places….. …..they are a very heterogeneous collection of fields of study and practice, including architecture, town planning, land and property management, building surveying, construction technology, landscape design, housing policy and management, transport planning and urban regeneration. In some institutions disciplines such as geography and environmental management are also included. As such, they comprise something of a microcosm of the university as a whole, comprising business-oriented...
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...Nursing Ethics http://nej.sagepub.com/ Demarcation of the ethics of care as a discipline: Discussion article Klaartje Klaver, Eric van Elst and Andries J Baart Nurs Ethics published online 22 October 2013 DOI: 10.1177/0969733013500162 The online version of this article can be found at: http://nej.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/10/21/0969733013500162 Published by: http://www.sagepublications.com Additional services and information for Nursing Ethics can be found at: Email Alerts: http://nej.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts Subscriptions: http://nej.sagepub.com/subscriptions Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav Permissions: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav >> OnlineFirst Version of Record - Oct 22, 2013 What is This? Downloaded from nej.sagepub.com at Tilburg University on October 24, 2013 Article Demarcation of the ethics of care as a discipline: Discussion article Nursing Ethics 1–11 ª The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permission: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav 10.1177/0969733013500162 nej.sagepub.com Klaartje Klaver, Eric van Elst and Andries J Baart Tilburg University, The Netherlands Abstract This article aims to initiate a discussion on the demarcation of the ethics of care. This discussion is necessary because the ethics of care evolves by making use of insights from varying disciplines. As this involves the risk of contamination of the care ethical discipline, the challenge for care ethical...
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...University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Business - Papers Faculty of Business 2014 Actor Network Theory Karin Garrety University of Wollongong, karin@uow.edu.au Publication Details Garrety, K. (2014). Actor Network Theory. In H. Hasan (Eds.), Being Practical with Theory: A Window into Business Research (pp. 15-19). Wollongong, Australia: THEORI. http://eurekaconnection.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/p-15-19-actor-network-theorytheori-ebook_finaljan2014-v3.pdf Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: research-pubs@uow.edu.au Actor Network Theory Abstract Actor-Network Theory (ANT) emerged from science and technology studies, though it was inspired by grounded theory and semiotics. In the 1970s, Bruno Latour (a French anthropologist and social scientist) and Steve Woolgar (a British sociologist) undertook ethnographic field work at the Salk Institute in California. This research was inspired by grounded theory and Latour and Woolgar approached their study of work in the endocrinology laboratory as if they were anthropologists observing a hitherto unknown and strange set of practices. In other words, they did not fit their observations into any preconceived notions of scientific method, or how science 'should' be done. The resulting, highly influential book Laboratory Life: The Social Construction of Scientific Facts(1979, re-released...
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...Mrinalini mahidhar Phil 1102 sec 01 Chapter 8 8.1 Eco centric ethics was systematically presented first by Aldo Leopold in his collection of essays a sand county almanac in his essay titled the land of ethics. The author says that this chapter of the book by Aldo focuses on land ethics as the best example of eco centric ethics Leopold was the one who changed the thinking about the predators in his early research he was In agreement about the Pinchot idea that all natural resources are commodities and this is one of the reasons why he wrote a book called game management which had the ways of increasing our harvest by natural resources. According to him the biggest threat to higher productivity was predators and they needed to be controlled and his view all the hunter gamers and conservationist should come together and try to stop this. After years of experience Leopold understood that the conservationist approach had problems and he jotted it down to two main concerns, first it doesn’t understand the interconnectedness of nature we cannot manipulate one part of nature and the expect the other to be same. Secondly it sees earth as dead whereas ecology views everything on this earth as living. He talks about how Leopold recognized that we need to look at a broader perspective and think like a mountain so that nature can be saved. 8.2 According to Leopold’s land ethics all land should be treated ethically we as humans have some obligation to it and should be viewed as a...
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...RESEARCH PROPOSAL PART I: BASIC INFORMATION PROJECT TITLE: “TRACER STUDY OF GRADUATES OF THE COLLEGE OF HOME SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY OF IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY POTIA CAMPUS, ALFONSO LISTA, IFUGAO: S.Y 2006 – 2011” STUDY TITLE: TRACER STUDY AS A PARADIGM FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY COURSE PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT AT IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY, POTIA CAMPUS. RESEARCH PROPONENTS: 1. Sheila Mae F. Alojado 2. Jericoh B. Ticgue 3. R-jay S. Villarta Adviser: Dr. Patricia A. Alguyon IMPLEMENTING / FUNDING AGENCY: Ifugao State University PROJECT DURATION: June 2012 – October 2012 PROJECT LOCATION: COLLEGE OF HOME SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, IFSU Potia Campus FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT: Introduction It must be acknowledged that Ifugao State University, Alfonso Lista Campus has some of the best higher education institutions in the Region with well equipped workshops and laboratories and professionally staffed with a variety of scholarly professionals. These institutions turn out a large number of associates, graduates and post graduate students in various disciplines and professions. In addition with these, institutions reform their curricula and course programmes at regular intervals to be able to keep abreast with the needs of the rapid technological, societal and institutional changes to be able to meet the requirement of clients. However, once these...
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...Research Proposal Author: Saiful Islam Research Title: Critical Success Factors for implementing an ERP System in a University Environment. Purpose of the Research Proposal: Submitted for the requirements of the admission in Doctoral Program. 1. Introduction The proposed research project will study involves the factors that influence an implementation of an enterprise-wide information system in a large organisation. More specifically, it will examine what the critical success factors (CSF) are for implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in a university environment. This Research proposal introduces the research project that will be undertaken, giving an outline of why such research needs to be done, placing the research in context and demonstrating its importance. The research questions are then outlined. 1.1. Research Topic Introduction As discussed above, this research project involves the ERP phenomena and specifically ‘what factors can be seen as critical when implementing an ERP system in a university environment’. Issues regarding the software vendor providing the ERP system are outside the scope of this research project, as is the actual measurement of the critical success factors or the dependency relationship between the factors that will be identified. A theoretical framework (TF) will be developed in order to aid the research process. The framework will list broad factors derived from...
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