The Role of Industry Clusters in Promoting Competitive Advantage - Dubai Based Clusters - Research Paper Example

The Role of Industry Clusters in Promoting Competitive Advantage: An Investigation of Dubai Based Clusters Name Institution Instructor Course Date of Submission Table of Contents The Role of Industry Clusters in Promoting Competitive Advantage: An Investigation of Dubai Based Clusters 1 Table of Contents 2 3.1 Introduction 3 3.2 Validation of the Case Study Methodology for this Research 4 3.3 Criteria for investigating the quality of case study design 5 3.4 Role of Previous Theory and Case Study Research 5 3.5 Selecting Criteria of Multiple Case Studies 6 3.6 Data Collection Procedures 7 3.7 Selecting Multiple Case Studies 9 3.9 Documentary Analysis 10 3.10 The Analysis Procedures of Case Studies 12 3.13 Conclusion 14 3.1 Introduction In research, there are different methodologies that have a repetition of producing accurate results. The current technological advances has led to the invention of computer programs that have within them, efficient methods that can be used in data analysis and comparison. Effective use of methodology techniques and approaches serves as the systematic way and effort while seeking to gain new knowledge about a substantial subject under consideration. In another perspective, it is looked upon as an entity that requires one to utilize the unknown knowledge towards the known (Horizons Populations Council 2005). When one is confronted with the unknown phenomenon, the first approach is to activate the thinking and link it to the problem so that at the end, a new voyage of discovery is conceived. Use of good methods in studying new concepts and approaches requires one to connect the methods in a systematic way that will result into an accurate, precise, and careful investigation. The researcher will combine theoretical concepts and other data collection approaches to get industrial data of Dubai. The researcher will also apply effective and accurate methodologies in order to achieve expected results according to the objectives (Yin 1989). Before one chooses a research method, he or she must first determine whether they have a capability of manipulating concepts towards the formulation of theories or if they are efficient in determining the impact of the underlying pedagogy. All methodologies applied in all stages of research should have a good repetition when research is considered to be a contribution to the existing knowledge (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). Research methods are chosen depending with the type of research that is eyed for because of the variations in the mode of data collection, analysis, and expected conclusions. Methods used in conducting a quantitative research may not apply to qualitative researches even though they may generate approximate values and projections (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). This therefore means that methods must be defined accurately in order for the results to be empirical and relevant to the research. 3.2 Validation of the Case Study Methodology for this Research Validation is required in almost every aspect of the research and it is of great need if the validation is applied in a more scientific method than with use of manual applications. Use of computer based models and programs have been analyzed and proved to be the best intellectual models that connect reality with the impending nature of normal life occurrences that exists in industrializations (Yin 1989). Many models are dynamic and therefore, the models should be used with regard to the underlying specific objectives and or needs (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). A good example of suitable methods in research includes the AMSIDO-2, AMSIDO-1, and CASID (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). These models have a high efficiency of delivering associated and integrated information networks from the data sets collected. Use of models is a scientific input in research that will allow the investigator to classify the collected data into codes and classes (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). There have been many questions and answers from different scholars as to whether qualitative researches are really necessary in today’s world. Thinking of validation and exploratory needs, it becomes valid that such researches are to be done much in diversified ways that will give reliable results and benefits to the intellectual world. The pedagogy that outlays the old methodological and validation aspects remains among the world leading academicians and scholars who have devoted their time to solve or explain the relevance of the pedagogy (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). The researcher will apply use of accurate and precise validation methods in order to validate the data that will be collected. This will be done while considering that research objectives are strictly adhered to and that the results will be discussed and addressed in a special way and intellectual style. To validate the data collection methodologies, researchers are required to avail any measuring instrument, research equipments, and reference materials to other experienced researchers. This ensures that research instruments and equipments are assessed for accuracy and precise before they are used in the field (Dawson 2002). After the assessment exercise is over, the researcher can proceed with the investigation. With regard to this, investigators should closely follow usage instructions. However, the usage and handling procedure will be according to the instructions from the manufacturer or from the measurement guidelines (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). Conceptual models will also be used to validate the collection of data and storage of data for further analysis and discussion (Egonsdotter and Oberg 2000). 3.3 Criteria for investigating the quality of case study design The quality of case study design serves as one of the most important and valuable element in research. In the past, case studies were intensively read and later on misused by undedicated scholars and academicians. The use of case studies as a research tool started in European countries and later on, it spread to other areas (Green and Thorogood 2004). Top researchers from top learning institutions in the world have used this method for along time and the degree of usage increased with time. When undertaking an analysis of pre-existing literature, considerations should be made such that they should be much relevant to the studied topic (Guler 2008). The researcher will first review other literature from different case studies that have been conducted by other scholars. While doing this, the researcher will pay a very close attention to that analyzes completeness in sound observations and in reconstruction techniques (Ziebland and Mays 2000). The views of the other evaluators and exploratory researchers will be incorporated in the basic general report (Neuman 2000). A lot of knowledge is generated especially when various scholars starts to criticize other researcher’s work. Whether the case study has a small sample or not, the objective of any case study should be specified and should be conducted while following all other standards (Maxwell 2008). This means that the case studies should not be looked upon as microscopic duties but as a serious entity (Ziebland and Mays 2000). 3.4 Role of Previous Theory and Case Study Research Theories that are based on theories stands out to be the most reliable and valuable input into research. Reading and analyzing the past case studies helps an investigator to know types of research methods that can be used in the exploratory studies. Every case study is carried out or contacted because of the underlying problem statement that has been identified. Because of this, analyzing other case studies leads to an increased standard and platform of exercising an empirical research while comparing the results to the standard changes or variations that do happen to other researchers (Yin 1989). The research to be contacted is exploratory in form and it requires one to conduct case studies research, filed work as well as collecting relevant data at an identified place or determination (Yin 1989). The three exercises can be conducted first to generate enough evidence and information that will lead to the formation of research questions and hypothesis (Sandelowski and Barroso 2003). The researcher will carry out a prior field work before the hypotheses are formed and scientifically outlined. 3.5 Selecting Criteria of Multiple Case Studies When case studies from different scholars present information on powerlessness, and poverty, the document looks relevant from the viewpoint and analysis of the elite (Guler 2008). Cultural systems in research can be interlinked by different actors and investigations through case studies (Guler 2008). The result from such diversification forms a comprehensive unity that relates research characteristics in a holistic manner. When different investigators end up writing on different topics and sub-topics, case studies are developed. (Maxwell 2008). It is a difficult task for one to identify the most relevant case studies when multi case studies exist in any given investigation. Multiple case studies are called multi-spectral oriented analyzes that arises from the view points of different individuals and it is a combination of different view points from different intellectuals (Kumar 2005). From a different perspective, they are viewed as different entities that present one or multiple issues that affect the community or a specific population. The investigator will scrutinize the various relevant case studies while applying analysis techniques and research ideological protocols (Krueger and Casey 2000). The researcher will use defined procedure and knowledge from different case studies in a holistic approach to collect relevant data that will generate ideologies to meet goals of the research (Corbetta 2003). 3.6 Data Collection Procedures There are many methods that are more efficient in collecting both primary and secondary data. The choice of the method however depends upon an empirical forecast to assess the viability and reliability of the data. An investigation study will seek to collect primary data from the industrial clusters practitioners of Dubai. Before this is done, there is need to conduct the governing body of Dubai for more prior explanation on matters of industrialization in Dubai. Customarily, the information received at the provincial or district headquarters should only be used in directing the efforts of the researcher towards finding the primary truth and knowledge about the same. To program methods in a systematic manner, the researcher will strictly use effective tools of data collection while ensuring that the objectives are achieved (Morse et al 2002). Observational data collection is considered as the best in case scenarios where the respondents are not much willing to provide information at any given time (Gilham 2002). Since the research is a descriptive or investigative, structured observation should be identified as one of the methods incase the targeted respondents will retard or switch off unexpectedly (Kawulich 2005). Observation has limitations vary depending with the objectives of the investigation and the problems outlined. This is because; most of the observational methodologies can not accurately determine feelings, attitudes, and beliefs of selected sample (Kawulich 2005). When the limitations stand out to be a drawback, a replacement of the method is required instantaneously. Because of the impact that the method can give to results, survey method of data collection is chosen as a replacement tool. Survey methods are unique and different from observation because of the reason that it gives the respondents a great time to answer specific questions without interruptions and harassments (Maxwell 2008). The results generated on survey questions are compared with views of the other correspondents before a conclusive decision is made. For industrial investigations, semi-structured interviewing method stands out to be the best and more reliable method in comparison of the other methods. Structured survey involves use of formal lists of directive questions that inquires information from all respondents in similar manner without alterations of statement, punctuations, and focus (Ziebland and Mays 2000). Effectiveness and efficiency of answers generated on questionnaires depends on how the questions have been structured and rearranged. They should be directive and investigative in order to generate enough and relevant information. This means that the data collected from respondents should be positively correlated and relevant. From the dependences given, a researcher can make empirical deductions and determine which information answers which research question and problem (Kumar 2005). For efficiency, the answers given as per survey questions are rated on Likert scale so that the obtained answers are further assessed for significance and relevance (Gray 2004). One stands for excellent response, two for very good response, and three for good response, four for fair answers or correspondence and five for poor and irrelevant response. The ratings on the Likert scale can be suspicious in one way or the other if, the criteria of groupings is not systematic and joined significantly. While using the survey methods, cautions in a bid to minimize the limitations that they may pose at different evaluation stages of the investigation. Some respondents may be reluctant to give information on topics they feel are private to them. In the same way, busy intellectuals or personnel may shun off in giving answers because of the perceptions that they will waste a lot of their precious time. Some who may give can hurriedly give barren information that is not significant and relevant to the questions asked (Green and Thorogood 2004). The research will use semi-structured interviewing method, observation, documentary analysis, and oral interviewing methods to collect relevant and significant data. A holistic approach of using the methods will generate ideas and views in an integrative manner. The methods selected will be reviewed from time to time to ensure errors are minimized to scientific and allowable levels. 3.7 Selecting Multiple Case Studies Multiple case studies will be selected on basis of relevance and significance. Only ideas from scientifically validated case studies will be relied on, in research with the reason of reducing the effect of over reliance on the case studies. The researcher will look at case studies that analyze levels of industrialization in Dubai and economic restrains that affect industrialization in Dubai and Middle East. The message from the analysis of the case studies will be combined in an intellectual and exploratory way before any further idea generation and analysis is done (Guler 2008). 3.8.1 Interview Conditions Interviewing is viewed and spotted as one of the limitations that exist while carrying out investigative research using the research survey method (Morse et al 2002). A fraction of the respondents are sometimes unable to answer questions outlined in the survey because of the difficult to remember the facts or because of lack of giving enough thought to what they normally do (Gilham 2000). The researcher will minimize the related effects by formulating direct and easily understood interviewing questions (Krueger and Casey 2000). Personal interviewing has over a long time been ranked among suitable methods used in collection of primary data from diversified research environments (Marshall and Batten 2005). It is an intrusive and flexible method used to collect large and elaborated amounts of data and ideologies. During the interviewing exercise, a researcher can easily make an inquiry to suit his research question and problem statement. The researcher will use inquisitive techniques and approaches to hold up attention of the identified niche or respondents. The identified respondents in industrial analyzes will include managers, directors, and other industrial experts or other industrial practitioners. Difficult issues discussed with the correspondents can be verified and conclusively compared to the answers given by the sample population on survey question papers. Personal inquiry has a tendency of guiding the interview, probing at the time when the interview situations change as well as exploring new issues (Kawulich 2005). During the personal interviewing exercise, the specific interviewer has a capability of showing available advertisements, packages, and financial statements, a scenario in which the interviewer can record behavior and reactions of the correspondents (Horizontal Populations Council 2005). 3.8.2 The Protocol of Interview In research, there are frameworks and guidelines through which research interview is handled and it is therefore of great importance that the protocols of interviewing are followed. Getting data from corresponds requires a coordination of intellectualism and socialism networks that combines values and protocols in a systematic manner (Gilham 2000). Before any interview is conducted, the back ground of the corresponds should be analyzed to see if there is an abundant reliability or not. To achieve the necessary objectives, it will be necessary and of great importance if the researcher sets out a list of inquisitive questions. For this research, the researcher will set out questions and each question will be tailored specifically for multiple interviewing (Krueger and Casey 2000). Time of interview, date, and aims of the research for that specific day will also be put forward in enabling the formulation of inductive conclusion. The interview questions will be send to relevant departments before the day of interview in order to request for the availability of relevant documents that may serve as pilgrim of data sourcing. If allowed, the investigator will record some of the interview sessions for future reference or for further analysis (Valenzuela and Shrivastava 2013). Before the interviewing exercise starts, the investigator will check and verify the sustainability of spare batteries, and visual tapes. 3.9 Documentary Analysis Documentary analysis is one of the most effective methods that are used as an investigative or as a research method. It is an analysis approach that exists in research as a section or as part of major recognized schemes of research triangulation. Scanned documents that comprise of necessary information are scanned and fed into a computer (Mogalakwe 2006). The data on scanned documents is analyzed, evaluated by use of a qualitative and exploratory software package. The documents that will be selected for evaluation will be relevant to the problem statement and objectives of the study. Reading will be done intensively at the desk study and the relevant information will be categorized into significant classes (Dawson 2002). Sources of documents for analysis will be obtained from the private papers of individual industries in Dubai and the other objective will be obtained from the industrial public records. In many case scenarios, biography is quite often used as an interviewing tool for data collection (Kumar 2005). The informant is encouraged to give a description of how industrial and individual livelihood has changed over time (Mogalakwe 2006). The biography will enable the researcher to determine extend to which the industrial researches are to be referenced and used in carrying out the exploratory investigations. Because the research is qualitative, there is quite a good number of qualitative methods that can be used to analysis the documentary reading outcome (Mogalakwe 2006). These methods include semiotics, discourse analysis, conversational analysis, grounded theory interpretations, and interpretive analyzes. Semiotics is a discipline that explores culture, natural phenomenon, and societal lives as signs. The signs include pictures letters, natural object, phenomenon, actions, and words. Any investigator using semiotics will need to interpret and analyze meanings of signs at both the individual level and societal level. Discourse analysis involves use of texts and talks to get a meaning of something. So far, language has been identified as the major tool that is utilized during the discourse analysis. Interpretative analysis is used when there is need to understand hidden ambiguity and meaning. It simply analyses to determine whether the messages are hidden, latent, or encoded. Conversational analysis looks at the interactions that exist during the interviewing process. Among these methods, the researcher will use the grounded theory approach. This approach relates inductive and interpretative analyzes into a social structure. Through this, the investigator can inductively generate ideas or formulate hypotheses from the talks or data collected (Dick 2002). The central focus of this specified method is that it is interpretive, inductive, and can be used to generate ideologies, hypotheses, and in conducting an inductive and social investigative research. Before the method is used, the research will interpret the existing materials for meaning, credibility, representativeness, and for authenticity (Dawson 2002). Deductive research is an entity whereby the researchers generate specific ideas from the general knowledge. Some times, research experts call it a top down investigative approach. For this method to be effective, the researcher has to have a broader spectrum of ideologies and knowledge about the same topic. In addition, the hypotheses are further narrowed down from the broader formulations. Before concludes, he or she will compare the obtained data against the general theoretical information. On the other hand, inductive research is an approach whereby the researcher moves from the most specific knowledge to a broader spectrum of knowledge. In this type of research, the investigator observes things in a critical manner then he detects irregularities and patterns (Crossman 2013). 3.10 The Analysis Procedures of Case Studies Case studies are analyzed by applying an empirical approach that synthesizes information and ideas from a scientific perspective (Gray 2004). Analysis of case studies will include evaluation of methodologies and techniques that were applied and used for collection of data and information. First, the problem statement of various case studies will be evaluated and scrutinized for relevance and significance (Corbetta 2003). The second phase will be to evaluate the objectives that were outlaid during the research designing phase. Methods of data collection, validation and data analysis will be looked at keenly to evaluate the significance and viability of the methods (Law and McComas 2001). While doing this, the investigator will keenly look at the discussions of results that were put forth for evaluations and relativity. Empiricism is required in any research and therefore the outline methodologies in different case studies will be evaluated and compared considerably (Mogalakwe 2006). 3.11 Limitations of Research Methodology The research will be limited to the objectives of project and if in excess, the explanations will be within the frameworks of explaining the scientific pedagogies and dilemmas (Yin 1989). The general objective with respect to the aims and goals will control the activities of the research. The study will be carried on the industrial cluster formation of Dubai and therefore the research will not discuss other sectors that does not directly relate to matters of industrializations (Gilham 2000). Major problems associated with qualitative research are those of generalisability, validity, reliability, induction and transparency. These issues and possible limitations concerning generalisability, validity, reliability, induction and ways to overcome such limitations. The remaining issue of transparency is the problem that most “bedevils qualitative research”, due to the aura of mystery, which often surrounds some interview and observation-based findings, where readers are left to speculate on how results were reached. Since qualitative research is carried out specifically to identify industrial clusters, it will be important to use small samples. This category of research seeks to understand why and how a certain phenomenon happened. It seeks to know the level at which variables have changed or been impaired (Gilham 2000). In addition, it gives specific answers to specific questions and the conclusions made are inform of assertions that requires empirical methods for validation. Several investigations have failed to achieve their objectives because of the limitations that are caused by epistemology and ontology. Epistemology is neither a finished discipline nor a normative entity. It is an entity that has left many researchers to doubt whether there are other methods that can be used to collect data. It becomes a difficult task for researchers to identify characteristics of research objects when what they wish to know can not be proved by the existing theories and conceptualization models. Due to this, social sciences outlines that it will of great value if investigators use empirical method of data collection and verification. Ontological is the study of realty, existence, and of being really. It also seeks at looking the relationships between the traditions and cultures of a phenomenon being investigated. It looks at how research entities can be grouped, or related in a hierarchy (Gialdino 2009). Researchers can utilize these aspects in order to synthesis data to get required and reliable information. During the research, the investigator will carry out the research while putting into considerations the epistemological and ontological aspects that can occur during the case study (Gialdino 2009). Any qualitative data obtained should be verified in order to make sure that the data is reliable (Law and McComas 2001). For validation, computer software programs are used to indicate the reliability index of the data. In this method, the softwares allow options for an investigator to enter data into spaces provided. The data can be coded or assigned characters then the data is run mathematically by the softwares (Mogalakwe 2006). 3.12 Ethical Considerations Dubai is considered one of the most diversified economic zones that consist of people from different religious, academic, and economic backgrounds (Horizons Populations Council 2005). Due to these reasons, the investigator will make sure that the interviewing questions are directed on the basis of neutrality and significance. All interviewees and corresponds will be handled in such away that the religious and other limiting reasons are considered. 3.13 Conclusion Analyzing methods of data collection and data analysis before conducting field work helps one to conceive ideas and practices before the disposal to the truth and knowledge is achieved (Dawson 2002). Good use of methods forms firm scientific platforms on which ideologies are collected, manipulated, presented, and defended. The explanation of the outcome must be well elaborated and related to the specifically identified research problem. Caution should be taken so that the research is protected against the effects of outliers and extreme influencing factors of the research. The effects of outliers can be eliminated by checking the value of literal representation, checking significance of research impacts, and weighting the evidence against the existing theories (Kumar 2005). There are suitable strategies that can be used generating good results after analyzing data with effective methods. According to research guidelines, framework approach can be used in identifying concepts, themes, and key issues that relate to the problem themes. In reporting of the results, the information can best be delivered using themes, and groupings of information as per the research question being considered at the time. These approaches will suit best on the project of investigating the industrial clusters of Dubai (Gray 2004). Research methods are applied in a systematic way while considering that poor application of research methods can generate errors. Conclusions drawn from research results should be accurate, precise, and relevant to the research topic. 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