Proposal
Introduction
Product Management is one of the four areas of marketing (). The other three parts of the marketing mix are pricing, promotion, and distribution. Basically, this paper aims to analyze and determine the effectiveness of DFMA principles in product management. According to (1980), products designed using DFMA principles have higher quality and reliability than those developed using traditional design methods. According to his research, DFMA also ensures that the transition from the design phase to the production phase is as smooth and rapid as possible. With this regard, this paper aims to conduct a study regarding the effectiveness of DFMA principles in product management. To do this, the researcher will conduct an in-depth investigation to different business organizations in Australia particularly to two shoe manufacturing companies, two wooden containers pallets or packing cases manufacturing companies and two dairy products manufacturing companies. Using these three product cases, this research will determine and identify the effectiveness of DFMA principles resulting to redesign of products. This research proposal discusses in detail the general purpose of the study. Moreover, the objectives of the study and the research statements are presented. Here, vital concepts, questions and assumptions are stated. Finally, the scope and limitation of the study, overview of the methodology used and the significance of the research are discussed.
Statement of the Problem
Generally, the purpose of this study is to conduct a study on the effectiveness of DFMA principles to the product development of different business organization in Australia with respect to three different products (i.e. shoes, wood containers and dairy products). This study tries to answer the following queries:
1. What are the variables that significantly affect the perception of the costumers regarding satisfaction?
2. Does appropriateness of DFMA principles significantly affects the progress of certain organization?
3. Does costumer satisfaction contribute to the progress of a certain business organization?
4. Is there any significant relationship between the use DFMA principles and organization’s progress?
Hypothesis of the Study
Based on the research questions the research project works out on the following null hypotheses:
1. The use of DFMA principles has no significant effect to the progress of businesses in Australia.
2. Consumer’s perception regarding the use DFMA principles has no significant relationship to the progress of business organizations.
Significance of the Study
This study will be a significant endeavor in understanding the importance of DFMA principles in a certain organization. This study will be helpful to business administrators and management practitioners for this will be a guide for them when they employ effective product development approach to their organization. By examining the risks and other factors involved in production strategies, business administrators and management practitioners will be able to design measures to minimize the risks. Further, through the understanding of the needs of their consumers in terms of satisfaction, this study will help different manufacturers to satisfy their consumers. Moreover, this study will be a significant endeavor in promoting effective production strategies that suffice the needs of costumers.
This study is deemed useful for future researchers on production strategies and its application to different business organizations. This study could also serve as an academic tool in informing its reader about the business development and organizational change. Moreover, this research will provide recommendations on how to value business development as they are taking a large part in the organizations success. In addition, this study will provide information to business leaders regarding business progress and development. Knowing how consumers perceive development of an organization will assist business leaders in establishing programs, policies, and staff development.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to examine and determine the perception of the respondents regarding the use of DFMA principles in product development particularly to companies with the following products: shoes, wood containers and dairy products. To address this objective, the researcher explores the nature of six (6) business organizations and production and management programs: its benefits and advantages to different consumers. Moreover, this study will focus consumers’ perceptions of production strategies.
The objectives of this study will be to:
Apparently, a survey is conducted to the costumers to determine what attributes affects their criteria in identifying the progress of business organizations in Australia. An interview takes place to know what are their problems and concerns regarding the production programs. Finally, this research comes up with pertinent findings, and provides insightful recommendations on production programs.
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework that will be used in the study is the Input-Process-Output Model. In the IPO model, a process is viewed as a series of boxes (processing elements) connected by inputs and outputs. Information or material objects flow through a series of tasks or activities based on a set of rules or decision points. ( 1997) Flow charts and process diagrams are often used to represent the process. (, 1997) What goes in is the input; what causes the change is the process; what comes out is the output. ( 2001) Figure 1.1 illustrates the basic IPO model:
Figure 1.1
Input – Process – Output Model
The IPO model will provide the general structure and guide for the direction of the study. Substituting the variables of this study on the IPO model, the researcher came up with the following:
Figure 1.2
Conceptual Framework
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
Methods
Description of the Research Design
For this study, the descriptive research method was utilized. In this method, it is possible that the study would be cheap and quick. It could also suggest unanticipated hypotheses. Nonetheless, it would be very hard to rule out alternative explanations and especially infer causations. Thus, this study used use the descriptive approach. This descriptive type of research utilizes observations in the study. To illustrate the descriptive type of research, (1994) guided the researcher when he stated: Descriptive method of research is to gather information about the present existing condition.
The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the cause/s of particular phenomena. The researcher opted to use this kind of research considering the desire of the researcher to obtain first hand data from the respondents so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the study.
To come up with pertinent findings and to provide credible recommendations, this study utilized two sources of research: primary and secondary. Primary research data were obtained through this new research study. Questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were conducted. On the other hand, the secondary research data were obtained from previous studies on the same topic.
The primary sources of data came from the survey-questionnaire and interviews conducted by the researcher. The secondary sources of data were based on published articles from DFMA principles, business and production development journals, books and related studies on the product management.
Description of the Sample
The general population for this study is composed 66 individuals from different business industries in Australia which are related to the use of DFMA principles and development. Basically, 60 customers of six business industries in Australia (10 respondents per organization) that is engaged to the use of DFMA principles in production practices will be surveyed. These companies are manufacturers of shoes, wood containers and dairy products. In addition, six administrators (1 administrator per organization) of these companies will be both surveyed and interviewed.
Description of the Instruments
To determine the effects of the use of DFMA principles, the researcher prepared a survey-questionnaire. The respondents graded each statement in the survey-questionnaire using a Likert scale (1991) with a five-response scale wherein respondents were given five response choices. The equivalent weights for the answers were:
Range Interpretation
4.50 – 5.00 Strongly Agree
3.50 – 4.49 Agree
2.50 – 3.49 Uncertain
1.50 – 2.49 Disagree
0.00 – 1.49 Strongly Disagree
The decision was made to use a questionnaire for the data collection for this project due to the sensitivity of the information being obtained. It is important for the respondents to be open and honest in their responses. The use of the questionnaire provides the project owner with the ability to test the views and attitudes of the managers. The questionnaire was designed to allow the collection of specific information about the participants to conduct statistical analysis, e.g. age, sex, length of business time with the company.
In the interview, open-ended questions were used to obtain as much information as possible about how the interviewee feels about the research topic. Interviews took between one and two hours. The questions being used during the interview have been based on the research questions for this project, they have been reviewed, refined and approved by the project supervisor. The researcher designed a semi-structured interview. Here, the researcher encouraged the interviewee to clarify vague statements and to further elaborate on brief comments. The interviewer did not share his/her own beliefs and opinions.
Statistical Treatment of the Data
When the entire survey questionnaire have been collected, the researcher used statistics to analyze all the data; and was assisted by the SPSS in coming up with the statistical analysis for this study. For the interview, a content analysis was drawn in order to identify factors pertaining to the effective/ineffective impact of the use of DFMA principles in production development.
Explanation of Procedures
The project procedure will be broken down into five key stages; problem definition, research design, data collection, analysis of results and presentation findings and recommendations.
The project owner develops the original idea for the research project. The idea is discussed with the supervisor and other students. The project supervisor then provided guidance on developing the hypotheses and key reference material that would be needed for the project. After the approval of this research proposal, the researcher will review literature pertaining to the topic. Afterwards, significant issues and problems will be identified. The researcher will then start determining the population for the study, following the sampling. For this study, the researcher will focus on the impact of the use of DFMA principles to product development. The researcher will ask the consent of the intended respondents. They will be ensured that their response to the survey and interview will be handled with high confidentiality. The procedures in data gathering will cover three months. The researcher will collate, tally and tabulate the results. A preliminary analysis will be done before submitting the final draft to the supervisor.
Discussion of External Validity
The researcher will attempt to make the sample as representative to the population as possible. The population will be 60 individuals from different business industries in Australia which are related to the use of DFMA principles and development. The study will only cover individuals in Australia. Different organizations will be selected through stratified random sampling so as to have a representative sample in relation to socioeconomic backgrounds. In each organization, ten respondents will be selected through a systematic random sampling.
Discussion of Internal Validity
The researcher will make sure to rule out any threats to the internal validity of the study. The researcher will consider events that occur during the course of the program that might impact the final outcome. In the testing part, the researcher will make sure that the content of the testing instrument used in pretest does not duplicate the posttest. Instead, the researcher will make the content of the posttest reflective of the pretest. Moreover, the researcher is hoping that participants will not drop out from the program. In presenting the findings of the study, the researcher will ask the help of a statistician in interpreting the results of survey and tests.
Timetable
TASK
Month
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Select topic
Undertake preliminary literature search
Define research questions
Write-up aims and objectives
Select appropriate methodology and locate sources of information. Confirm access.
Write-up Dissertation Plan
Undertake and write-up draft critical literature review.
Secondary and Primary Data Detailed
Sources
Consulted
Research Findings:
Analysed
Evaluated
Written-up
Discussion:
Research findings evaluated and discussed in relation to the literature review
Methodology written-up
(including limitations and constraints)
Main body of the report written-up and checked for logical structure
Conclusions drawn
Recommendations made
Introduction and Executive Summary written-up
Final format and indexing
References:
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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