Page 116 - [Uma_Sekaran]_Research_methods_for_business__a_sk(BookZZ.org)

100 THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Figure 5.8
Schematic diagram for the theoretical framework in Example 5.13.

Communication among
cockpit members

Communication between
ground control and cockpit
Air-safety
violations
Decentralization

Training of cockpit crew

Independent variable Dependent variable

2. The relationships among the variables were discussed, establishing that the
four independent variables are related to the dependent variable, and that the
independent variable, decentralization, is related to the other two indepen-
dent variables, namely, communication among the cockpit members and
between ground control and the cockpit crew. The nature and direction of the
relationship of each independent variable with the dependent variable and
the relationship of decentralization to the two independent variables were
clearly stated.
For example, it was indicated that the lower the training level of the cock-
pit crew, the greater the chances of air-safety violations. Thus, as the training
is lowered, the hazard is increased, or conversely, the higher the training, the
less likely the air-safety violations, indicating a negative relationship between
the two variables. Such a negative relationship exists between each of the
independent variables excepting decentralization, and the dependent variable.
There is also a negative relationship between decentralization and communi-
cation among cockpit members (the more the decentralization, the less the
communication) and between decentralization and coordination (the more the
decentralization, the less the coordination).
3. Why these relationships can be expected was explained through several log-
ical statements, as for example describing why decentralization, which
worked before deregulation, would not now work. More specifically, it was
argued that:
a. lower levels of communication among cockpit crew would fail to alert the
pilot to the impending hazards;
b. poor coordination between ground control and cockpit crew would be
detrimental because such coordination is the very essence of safety;