BA (Hons) Business Management
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7228
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Item An investigation into leadership in virtual team environments, exploring implications for motivation, performance and culture(2020)The following study will examine the leadership styles and behaviours that are applied within a virtual/remote working environment. It will draw in on and analyse leadership approaches while exploring links with performance, motivation, and culture within a virtual context. This study used a qualitative methodology and data was collected via an online questionnaire to help answer the research question which was, what is the most effective leadership style used to help ensure employee motivation, performance and culture within the virtual/remote working environment? A purposive sampling model was used and the inclusion criteria for the study outlined that participants were required to be in a leadership position within a virtual working environment. In order to help meet the aims and objectives of the study, current literature surrounding virtual leadership and motivation, performance and culture within the virtual environment was critically reviewed. Data collected was then reviewed and grouped into themes following a similar flow to the literature review. Results from the study clearly outline that a transformational leadership style and traits associated with this approach are favoured by virtual leaders in helping effectively manage their teams. It was also concluded that communication between managers and staff, motivating staff, lack of cohesion, and building trust were outlined as the biggest challenge for virtual leaders. The researcher found that tools to overcome these challenges included: • The use of regular and varied communication methods • Providing staff with financial rewards and constructive feedback • Providing social engagement activities Lastly, the researcher has outlined recommendations for future research and an overview of the current research process used in chapter 5.Item Small Business Adaptations to a Global Pandemic in Scotland(2021)This dissertation explores the changes in which business owners have implemented into their business in Scotland during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Also, throughout this research it will explore the business owner’s thoughts and feelings throughout and how it has affected their business as a whole. The main topics throughout this dissertation which is backed with literature is Crisis Management, previous challenges businesses have overcome, the changes in businesses and this will also explore the impact that the global pandemic has had on business owners whether that is financial or causing them stress and anxiety. A qualitative research method was used to conduct the research through an email interview as it was important to get the results first-hand from participants which is why qualitative was the best approach for this study. The sampling used for this project was both purposive sampling and maximum variation sampling as these were identified the most effective for this particular project. 7 Participants were interviewed for this project with structured interview questions, ranging from different industries through the beauty sector. They were all based in small businesses in the Scottish Borders. Analysis of the data shows that small business owners in Scotland have not responded well throughout the global pandemic. Other themes emerged from the results from the participants are the worries that business owners are faced with and also the restrictions that not only the pandemic is having on businesses but also the measures put in place such as social distancing and personal protective equipment. In the conclusion, recommendations for future research have been made aware, by using a different location for the participants so that there is information from smaller areas and larger areas as it would be interesting to see if different locations affected them in a different way. Also, interviewing business owners who work with partners to gain insight on how it affected them but also if it was any easier or harder especially due to the financial impact.Item Exploring the Discrepancy Between the Consumers’ Green Narrative and Purchasing Behaviour: A Scottish Perspective(2021)Purpose - The aim of this study was to explore the gap between Scottish consumers environmental concern and positive attitudes of green products not materialising into green purchasing behaviour. It aimed to achieve this by assessing the barriers that impede consumption, and what barriers where more impeding. Specifically, assessing the role of situational barriers: price, quality, attributes and availability, and the perceptions of consumers of how these barriers impede green consumer behaviour. Furthermore, the perceptions of green consumption were investigated, and the role of marketers perpetuating negative green perceptions, namely through greenwashing. Though Scottish concern for the environment has increased, this advocation has not translated into green purchasing behaviour. in addition, no literature addresses what impedes the green conscious Scottish consumers purchasing behaviour. Methodology and Design - A qualitative approach was utilised; 13 participants were interviewed that where demonstrative of the green gap criteria (Cowe and Williams 2001). The data was coded and thematically analysed. In addition, a table that rated the top barriers of participants green purchasing behaviour. Findings - High price sensitivity, a lack of availability, and the perception of the overall difficulty to commit to green living, where perceived as the main barriers to green behaviour. However, these barriers affect may vary depending on experiences with green products and green product knowledge. Correspondingly, greenwashing was found to negatively affect consumer trust and purchasing intention. Value- This research explored participants most relevant barriers to their green consumption. in addition, to indicating a gap between green attitude and purchasing behaviour within Scottish consumerism. With this knowledge, Marketers can address the perception of the lack of utilitarian attributes of green products, that impede green consumption and also greenwashing practices which may also contribute to the “green gap”.Item Will the changes in consumer behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic be permanent?(2021)The following study will explore the changes made in consumer behaviour throughout the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. At the start of 2020 consumers found themselves in a state of panic and as a result they shifted their consumer behaviours to allow them to feel more prepared (Dammeyer, 2020). These changes included moving to and from online grocery services, using local farms for produce and increasing their trips to the shop and the number of items they were purchasing. The following study aims to provide the reader with an understanding of the reasons suggested within current literature for these shifts as well as explaining consumers personal reasoning and when/if they will return to their pre-pandemic shopping habits. The research within this study follows a quantitative approach using an online questionnaire, distributed via social media to respondents asking them what changes they made, why and when/if they will return to their previous behaviours once the coronavirus pandemic is over. The researcher obtained 100 responses which allowed an in-depth analysis determining the most popular shifts being increasing shop visits and item quantities – respondents said this was because they were at home more and this meant they burned through quantities much faster. With the least popular shift being moving from online grocery services to face to face shopping – this being because it was a forced shift via lack of slots. The research also found that 49.4% of respondents intend to revert their shopping habits once coronavirus levels fall to much lower levels. Overall, the research discussed in-depth within this dissertation will provide suppliers of an accurate picture of when consumers will begin to return to their previous shopping habits, therefore removing the pressure and demand on retailer and supplier products and services.Item An exploration of the relationships between factors of perceived MOA service quality, their effects on customer satisfaction, and their influence on customer loyalty(2021)This research investigates the influence of mobile ordering applications (MOAs) on the hospitality service experience. MOAs are a form of self-service technology (SST) that enable customers to produce services independent of direct employee interaction. Much of the past SST literature has investigated customers’ acceptance of MOAs, and largely fails to consider the influence of SSTs on post-service experiences. This is important because, post-service evaluations, like customer satisfaction, and post-service behaviours, including customer loyalty, are integral to successful SSTs. To capitalise on MOAs, hospitality managers thus require an understanding of how SSTs influence customer-firm relationships. This research aims to investigate the relationships between attributes of MOA service quality and customer satisfaction, and the influence these have on customer loyalty. The research question, the prevalence of empirical SST literature, and the resource constraints of the project indicated that a quantitative methodology was most appropriate. An online survey was distributed throughout the personal connections of the researcher and was posted on social media to increase exposure. There were 477 respondents altogether, who were generally female and between 18-24 years old. Congruent with previously validated scales, Likert-style questions tested respondents’ MOA service quality evaluations, customer satisfaction judgments, and loyalty intentions. The results conclude that the enjoyment, convenience, reliability, and control of MOAs are important to service quality evaluations, customer satisfaction, and reusage intentions. Accordingly, hospitality managers should develop the MOA attributes that are salient to service quality evaluations, which should lead to greater customer satisfaction and higher repeat usage intentions. Customer loyalty, by contrast, appears to be contingent on a holistic evaluation of the service experience, and while MOAs can provide a competitive advantage, they are not a panacea for customer dissatisfaction. Hence, there is scope for future research to investigate what influence MOAs have on the customer service experience.Item An investigatory study into how the perceived trust and authenticity of Instagram’s Social Media Influencers impacts consumer buying habits, specifically in young women aged 18-25(2021)A fairly recent phenomenon is the implementation of Social Media Influencers as a marketing strategy. With little evidence to suggest the significance trust between consumer and influencer plays in the buyer decision process, this research aims to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between consumer and influencer in order to gain further understanding of elements impacting trust, and act as a foundation for future research and marketers alike. This research will examine how the perceived trust and authenticity of Instagram’s Social Media Influencers impacts consumer buying habits, particularly in young women aged 18-25. The research is carried out from the viewpoint of the consumer throughout to gain an understanding of their perspective, with the collection of quantitative data. The exploration of significant areas of pre-existing literature offers a basis for this research which includes consumer behaviour, the buyer decision process, reference groups and opinion leaders alike, social media influencer marketing and several elements impacting the perceived trust and authenticity of influencers. The findings of this research indicate consumer buying habits can be impacted by influencers, however, to a limited extent due to factors such as scandalous behaviour, sponsorship disclosure (or lack of thereof), pre-determined perceptions consumers make regarding influencers and lack of trust. The lack of trust between consumer and influencer impacts the likelihood of purchase as it is perceived influencers are non-believable sources of information. Consumers would far rather make a purchase following a recommendation from a trusted source such as a family member or friend.Item A critical analysis of the role for the competitive dialogue public procurement procedure to positively impact sustainability of its contracts(2021)The increasing governmental focus on providing added value through sustainable public procurement practices has seen a rise in the integration of sustainability considerations in award criteria. The competitive dialogue procurement procedure (CDP) is one intended for complex, high-value or large impact projects. It is characterised by the submission of unique solutions to the posed problem, distinguishing itself from open and restricted procedures, which focus on off-the-shelf solutions. The development of tailor-made solutions naturally comes with an increased potential for sustainable procurement practices as off-the-shelf solutions usually have inflexible supply-chains. There is however an apparent gap in the literature of in-depth, qualitative research on how CDP’s characteristics influence the integration of sustainability considerations in its contracts. This research project aims to critically analyse the potential of CDP as a driver of sustainability in public procurement by evaluating knowledge, experiences and opinions from industry-professionals to inform concrete recommendations to the procedure. The exploratory nature and interpretivist philosophy of this research warranted a qualitative, inductive approach to data collection and analysis. Using Grounded Theory coding techniques, categories and themes were derived from the results. The emerging theories formed the base of the justification for the concrete recommendations presented at the end of the report. Findings from this study indicated a significant gap of knowledge between procurers with training in sustainable procurement practices and those with no formal guidance. Direct buyer-supplier communication contributes significantly to integration of sustainability, which CDP’s main added value. Recommendations include the inclusion of a sustainability-leads in the CDP-team to contribute with meaningful sustainability considerations and more formal guidance on practical implementation of sustainability practices. Future research should explore ways in which direct buyer-supplier dialogue is facilitated in other procurement routes.Item Housing Market in Central Scotland: An Analysis of the Challenges Faced as A Result of Covid-19(2021)This Dissertation seeks to explore the challenges opportunities and effects on the property market caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It Outlines several Key trends in the market such as changes in demand and prices as well as a move from renters away from densely populated areas. It Outlines Challenges faced by business in dealing with the pandemic including issues with supply and renovating properties during the lockdowns of 2020 This dissertation also explores the ways in how the market has changed since before the pandemic and relates it to the 2008 financial crisis through the study of literature. This research project was conducted as part of a Business Management Honours Dissertation.Item A Qualitative Study of CSR in Multinational Coffee Shops: What Impact does it have on the Consumer’s Motivation to Purchase?(2021)This project focuses on multinational coffee shops and what strategies they have in place to ensure their business impact is corporately and socially responsible to the environment and those stakeholders that come within it. The aim of the research was to ascertain if CSR activities carried out from multinational coffee shops have any impact on the consumer’s motivation to purchase. This project has thoroughly believed throughout that this piece of research is extremely important as these coffee shop giants invest significant sums of capital into these strategies and it is quite unclear if this provides the additional benefit of consumer motivation to purchase. To reach the demands of the aim within this research problem, a qualitative questionnaire was distributed among a purposive sample of business associates. It was concluded that a qualitative methodology was most applicable in this project as it could delve into deeper meaning through the answers of the candidate. The questionnaire managed to fully encapsulate the sample’s opinions and beliefs on the matter from initially questioning their preferences in this sector and why and then onto more serious issues like CSR activities from the likes of Starbucks and Costa and how that impacts their behaviours. An example was when candidates were given a list of CSR practices from the major coffee shops and asked in an open question format how important each element was to them and if any activity took precedence over others. The researcher then analysed the data through a thematic analysis technique which generated some significant results. It was apparent that convenience of proximity of outlets held more priority than ethical consumption for numerous responses. On the other hand, many found the questionnaire quite alarming when they looked at their personal spending habits to discover that their investments weren’t aligned with their values and beliefs. Overall, it was generally agreed that the lack of innovation and marketing in the sector was at fault and the opportunity is there for sustainable growth through the additional benefit of the consumer’s motivation to purchase. This linked back to the literature review regarding other industries and sectors.Item An investigation into Innovative, Sustainable Business Models in Fashion Brands: Drivers and Challenges(2021)At present, there is an increased interest into the topic of sustainable business models within the fashion industry, primarily due to the recent light that has been shown upon the harmful environmental effects that this industry is producing. The research hopes to explore the contributory factors – known as drivers to this study – in which fashion brands are influenced by to become more sustainable. The research also hopes to outline these drivers and summarise them and detail what challenges and opportunities they may bring. The research will carry out a literature review, to explore existing studies surrounding this topic and mention recurring ideas. Following on from the literature review, the researcher implemented Saunders’ et al (2012) “research onion”, which allowed for step by step decision making to take place and the most appropriate methods to be selected throughout the investigative process. The data of this study was collected via semi-structured e-mail interviews, exploring brand manager’s understanding of sustainable business models, drivers towards them and challenges and opportunities that they bring. Following on from this, the data collected was then thematically analysed in order to establish key themes from the fashion brand managers in relation to the aim and objectives. Further recommendations have been proposed towards future data which aligns with the literature and findings.