WEEK 1 TO DO DISCUSSION Demonstrate your understanding of philosophy, epistemology, and research paradigms by applying them to a real-world business challenge relevant to your industry or professional

WEEK 1 TO DO

INCLUDE THIS REFERENCE

Bordens, K. S. (2021). Research Design and Methods: A Process Approach: 2025 Release. McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US). https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781264169634

DISCUSSION

Demonstrate your understanding of philosophy, epistemology, and research paradigms by applying them to a real-world business challenge relevant to your industry or professional context.
Instructions:
1. Identify a Complex Business Problem:
Choose a current, real-world business issue from your industry or organization (e.g., digital transformation, declining customer engagement, ethical leadership dilemmas, global supply chain disruptions, etc.).
2. Apply Epistemological Lenses
Analyze how two different epistemological perspectives (choose from positivism, interpretivism, constructivism, critical realism, or critical research) would frame and approach this problem:
o What assumptions would each perspective make about reality and knowledge?
o What kind of data would each require?
o What research methods would be most appropriate under each?
3. Discuss Methodological Implications:
Reflect on how the chosen epistemologies would shape your methodological choices if you were to investigate this problem empirically. Include:
o Type of research design (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods)
o Role of the researcher (objective observer vs. co-constructor)
o Nature of analysis (statistical, thematic, critical, etc.)
4. Personal Insight
Conclude with a brief reflection on which paradigm aligns more closely with your worldview and professional experience, and why it might be more effective in addressing the selected problem.
Instruction: Scholarly, reflective, and applied

To earn full credit, you must post at least 600 words and cite two outside scholarly resources and your textbook (at least three sources) . You must also respond to at least 2 of your classmates (at least 300 words each) . In your responses, you must build upon the original thread or offer a contrasting viewpoint. Each response must be substantive, use at least two scholarly resources, and must further the discussion. 

Top of Form

ASSIGNMENT

Title: Epistemological Lenses in Business Research: A Paradigm-Based Analysis of a Real-World Problem

Objective:

To demonstrate a deep understanding of the philosophical foundations of research by analyzing a real-world business problem through the lens of at least two different epistemological paradigms (e.g., positivism, interpretivism, constructivism, critical realism, critical research). This assignment aims to help doctoral candidates apply abstract philosophical concepts to real-life business research contexts.

Instructions:

1. Select a real-world business problem relevant to your industry or area of professional interest.
   Examples include: high employee turnover in a tech startup, declining customer satisfaction in retail banking, ineffective leadership in remote teams, resistance to digital transformation, etc.

2. Describe the business problem clearly and concisely (approximately 200–300 words), providing context such as industry, stakeholders involved, and why the issue is significant.

3. Choose two epistemological paradigms from the following list:

   • Positivism

   • Interpretivism

   • Constructivism

   • Critical Realism

   • Critical Research

4. Analyze how the business problem would be approached differently under each of the two selected epistemologies:

   • What kind of questions would a researcher ask?

   • What assumptions would guide the investigation?

   • What data collection methods would be used?

   • What role does the researcher play in the process?

   • How would “truth” or “knowledge” be understood in each paradigm?

5. Compare and contrast the methodological implications of the two approaches. Reflect on the strengths and limitations of each paradigm in addressing the selected business problem.

6. Conclude by stating which epistemological approach (or combination) you believe is best suited to researching the chosen problem and justify your choice (e.g., based on practical considerations, depth of understanding, stakeholder involvement, ethical implications, etc.).

Required- 

• Word Count: 2000–3000 words

• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt

• Spacing: 1.5

• APA 7th edition referencing style

• Include citations from at least 4 scholarly sources, including seminal authors in epistemology and methodology.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.