Page 113 - [Uma_Sekaran]_Research_methods_for_business__a_sk(BookZZ.org)

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 97

Exercise 5.9
List and label the variables in the following situation. Explain the relation-
ships among the variables and diagram them. What might be the problem
statement or problem definition for the situation?
The manager of Haines Company observes that the morale of employ-
ees in her company is low. She thinks that if their working conditions are
improved, pay scales raised, and the vacation benefits made attractive, the
morale will be boosted. She doubts, however, if an increase of pay scales
would raise the morale of all employees. Her conjecture is that those that
have supplemental incomes will just not be “turned on” by higher pay, and
only those without side incomes will be happy with increased pay with
resultant boost of morale.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Having examined the different kinds of variables that could operate in a situ-
ation and how the relationships among these can be established, it is now
possible to see how we can develop the conceptual model or the theoretical
framework for our research.
The theoretical framework is the foundation on which the entire research project
is based. It is a logically developed, described, and elaborated network of associa-
tions among the variables deemed relevant to the problem situation and identified
through such processes as interviews, observations, and literature survey. Experi-
ence and intuition also guide in developing the theoretical framework.
It becomes evident at this stage that to arrive at good solutions to the prob-
lem, one should correctly identify the problem first, and then the variables that
contribute to it. The importance of conducting purposeful interviews and doing
a thorough literature review now becomes clear. After identifying the appropri-
ate variables, the next step is to elaborate the network of associations among the
variables, so that relevant hypotheses can be developed and subsequently tested.
Based on the results of hypotheses testing (which would indicate whether or not
the hypotheses have been supported), the extent to which the problem can be
solved would become evident. The theoretical framework is thus an important
step in the research process.
The relationship between the literature survey and the theoretical frame-
work is that the former provides a solid foundation for developing the latter.
That is, the literature survey identifies the variables that might be important,
as determined by previous research findings. This, in addition to other logical
connections that can be conceptualized, forms the basis for the theoretical
model. The theoretical framework elaborates the relationships among the vari-
ables, explains the theory underlying these relations, and describes the nature
and direction of the relationships. Just as the literature survey sets the stage