Learning the Elements of Qualitative Applied Business Research

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Learning the Elements of Qualitative Applied Business Research
The business world is somewhat confusing in terms of availability of solutions to any defined problem. For businesses, communication is critical and how it is conducted has important dimensions to any perceived outcomes. Welch (2014) looked at how businesses solve communication problems that involve long distances. The article focused on two main possible solutions to these problems; commercial air travel and computer-mediated communication. The article presents a study that places both modes of communication side by side and evaluates the applicability of each.
The author paid particular emphasis on the problem of communication between employees and their offices, especially when traveling. Businesses often have communication needs, due to the expanded nature premised under globalization, use of consultants, increased project management, and disbursement of work. Further, the author pointed out that the increase in the mobility of conducting business. With the current technological advancements, the author questions why computer-mediated communication cannot be substituted with face-to-face communication, which adds to costs. For businesses with an eye on efficiency, the validity of face-to-face communication is put into question, especially when commercial air traveling is put into perspective.
The study draws inspiration from the statistics that business air travel in 2008 reduced by more than 6.1%. The recovery from the same decline has been slow. The statistics unearthed the problem that has been at the center of the article. With this problem, the author has figured out a research problem out of the statistics and applied research methods to find convincing solutions to the problem, a concept supported by Jackson (2015). Out of the problem, the author was able to deduce that a combination of both air travel and computer-mediated communication, especially email and video conferencing are critical in achieving the desired end.
Welch (2014) used a phenomenological study that was aimed at exploring the lived experiences of business travelers. According to Van Manen (2016), a phenomenological study is a qualitative research method that is used in describing human experiences to a specific phenomenon. In this case, Welch (2014) aimed at understanding the philosophy and psychology of business travelers in a specified location. The study aimed at setting aside biases and feelings about business travel. To arrive at this conclusion, the researcher described that 60 participants were interviewed to get their reason and justification for certain specified behavior.
The author in his own right was justified to research the business problem. The research problem aims to fix a serious problem that affects people’s economic wellbeing in a different industry such as airline and hospitality. The author, through research, has been in a position to describe the genesis of how the airline industry has been on the downward spiral. As such, the stakeholders can thus, use the analysis provided by the author to describe or formulate a strategy that will salvage the affected business, or develop strategies that will see such businesses adopt new methodologies that will open new opportunities.
The author, an Associate Professor in Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship Department has the authority to conduct studies on what bothers businesses and out of the same, develop possible solutions to the problem. The author has an MBA and a doctorate in Business Administration. This further demonstrates that the author is well placed to make comments and studies on means and ways that are possible in making business more sustainable.

References
Jackson, S. L. (2015). Research methods and statistics: A critical thinking approach. Cengage Learning.
Van Manen, M. (2016). Phenomenology of practice: Meaning-giving methods in phenomenological research and writing. Routledge.
Welch, M. (2014). Exploring the impact of communication technologies on business air travel. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communications, and Conflict, 18(1), 187–213.