Expert: Katherine A. O'Neill - 2/24/2009

Question
Q. 1   Research performs distinct function to assist manager to enhance decisions making process in the course of effectively gathering information? Elaborate this statement.   

Q. 2   Being a researcher in manufacturing organization, how can you search the opportunities and monitor the threats of your product


Answer
1.  This statement is not very clear.  Was it translated from another language?  My best interpretation of this is that you are looking for an understanding of how research supports decision making.  When a business decision is being made (e.g. should we open a new store), research can be conducted to support the decision.  For this example, you would conduct research on the demand for your services/products, who the customers are, the location of the new store, cost of opening the new store, sales required to justify opening the new store.  Then you project what sales would be based on location, costs, demand etc. and decide whether opening the new store is a good business decision or not.

2.  In a manufacturing organization, you need to research not only your product and its competitors, but the manufacturing process.  Collect information on your competitors and determine whether they are producing a better or worse product, using a better or worse manufacturing process.  Study trends in terms of sales - is the demand for the product growing or not?  Why  or why not?  Can you reduce costs by introducing a more efficient manufacturing process?  Can you improve sales by using a 'green' manufacturing process that will have more appeal to customers?   These are just a few suggestions.