The Importance of Integrated Production System in the Manufacturing Industry.

CHAPTER 3

Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

The chapter 2 literature review emphasized several approaches and key academic theories for the examination of role of integrated production system in the manufacturing industry to enhance the productivity. At this stage, it is crucial to expand knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and methodology of research. It is essential for the selection of most suitable methods to reach at the consistent and authentic conclusion according to the defined research objectives.

3.2 Research Philosophy

Research philosophy can explain as the expansion and environment of the information (Saunders and Thornhill, 2007).

Saunders and Thornhill (2007) explained three main ways to think to understand the research philosophy, which are epistemology, ontology and axiology. These three ways can be defined as followed:

Table 1: Definition of the three ways of thinking about research philosophy

Epistemology Common set of assumptions that are associated with the best way to inquire the nature of the world.

Ontology Assumption that are developed about the real nature of the world.

Axiology Judgement studies about the value of the world

Easterby-Smith, Thorpe and Lowe, 2006

Acquiring knowledge about the research philosophy and philosophical issue is integral to assist the researcher to recognize and make research designs according to the past understanding and experience (Cooper and Schindler, 2006).

Easterby-Smith et al (2006) asserted, it is important to take a balance vision of different philosophies of research to draw a combination of research methods to evaluate a single problem more effectively. The predominate research philosophy in management research are Positivism, Interpretivi...

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...k of their personal interest in the study. Constant changes in the modern business world restrict the previous case study approaches related to the integrated production system to apply in the present and future evaluation of Toyota’s production system.

3.12 Research Ethics

The ethical and legal standard will be strictly followed by this research study and the research would not involve in any kind of unethical issues such as deception of participants, financial inducements, possible psychological stress, access to confidential information, etc. The research study will follow the laws and regulation, which are based on ethics and culture of compliance. The researcher will also ensure the participants about the confidentiality of their personal information and their anonymity. The data collect in this research will also be used exclusively for academic work only.