BSBRES801 Initiate and Lead Applied Research Assignment Sample

Sample Initiate and Lead Applied Research Assignment

Question

Coffee Rome is a reputational coffee brand that operates 21,000 stores across the world. Along with the coffee stores, the business also has a wholesale business of whole bean and ground coffee.

Business Model

Coffee Rome operated as Franchise model. The company is known for its replicated consistency across the globe. Franchising helps this company to access capital easily as well as reduces risks that would tarnish its brand image.

Focus and Branding

Coffee Rome’s primarily brands itself as a provider of beverages offering a more typical coffee house dining experience. The firm’s locations are designed with their customer’s comfort in mind. Inviting décor and free internet provides a more enticing option for people who looks for a place to speak with friends, relax or read. All these attract customers who are willing to pay more for quality services.

Coffee Rome compared to its competitors has tighter margins as it operates its own stores. Also, the company offers an extensive menu while maintaining its quality which attracts more customers and makes more profits.

Coffee Rome, especially in its supply chain, has no room for inefficiency and waste.

Global Challenges Coffee Rome Faces in The Supply Chain

The company had exponential growth over the past few decades. But over the period of the last three years, the company has faced issues relating to increase in the operational cost coffee production. The supply chain has contributed to a great extent to the operational cost.

This is because there is a high degree of risk and uncertainty in supply chain, namely the threat of disease, significant rain or changing temperatures meaning coffee yields vary substantially from year to year.

The Global Challenges Coffee Rome Faces in The Supply Chain:

• First and foremost is climate change. Coffee is one of the agricultural products which fell victim to climate change impacts. Disproportional high rains, extreme temperature and severe hurricanes have enabled high-cost pests and disease onslaught that directly impacts the coffee farms as well as the coffee yields.

• Logistics is the largest global challenge that faces Coffee Rome. Logistically issues of this firm are only the starting point. The uncertainty of especially when working with numerous suppliers across the world is endless.

• Another challenge that the company faced is the rising prices of coffee beans. This has resulted partly by the increasing demand for coffee beans. The Coffee Rome margins are affected by price hikes of the coffee beans and the shortage in supply.

Supply Chain Risks That The Coffee Rome Faces

The company identified the following major risks to the coffee supply chain:

• Production risks

Drought
Pest and disease outbreaks
Erratic rainfall

• Market risks

Coffee price volatility risk
Steep and prolonged price fall
Counterparty risk
Exchange rate & Interest rate volatility

• Enabling environment risks

Reputational risk
Theft

Considering the challenges and the risks that the company faces management has decided to change its strategic direction and develop strategies to introduce in Coffee Rome’s global supply-chain management with a view to cost reduction by developing a sustainable coffee supply chain management.

The main factors for sustainable supply chain network are:

• A centralised system to manage its logistics networks and its supply chain across the continents.

• Digital technologies to ensure the Coffee Rome supply chain is efficient and that the company can cope with the high-quality growing demand globally.

• Monitor the demand in real-time. Production, distribution, and schedules may be modified and developed in the time of need giving the supply chain of the company an added flexibility and allows Coffee Rome to address agility peaks of demand.

• Supply chain management: the innovation of supply chain and logistics management to reduce energy consumption and control the pollution levels from transportation and the production process.

• Reverse logistics: the recycling of containers, packaging materials and the use of environmentally friendly materials

• Corporate social responsibility towards farmers and the environment.

Task:

You are working as a Research and Development (R&D) Manager at Coffee Rome. The management
has asked you to initiate and lead applied research.

To do so, you need to complete the following project activities:

a) Formulate a research proposal or plan
b) Design an applied research project.
c) Compile a research report.
d) Present research findings.

Instructions This assignment help requires you to design an applied research project using applied research tools and techniques. Write case study report for me that must include:

A description of the review and evaluation of the applied research methods and techniques, including at least two methods and at least three techniques. You need to select the methods and techniques which will optimise the collection of useful data for your specific research. Justify the methods and techniques selected. Design three (3) data collection tools for your research project, which are examples of the techniques selected. Include the required specifications for participants, supporting documents and instructions and the proposed analysis procedures. Collect data using the selected data collection techniques. Provide evidence of how the selected research tools, resources and techniques were appropriate for the context. Provide a reference for the research tools, resources and techniques used. Conduct a review of the tools used with your trainer/assessor. Document any modifications made and why these were made.

Review and evaluation of applied research methods and techniques (100-150 words)

In this following research paper, the data have been collected by various methods and techniques. The methods used are surveys and interviews. Individual perceptions and experiences can be measured using surveys. Surveys, when performed right, include concrete figures on people's attitudes and habits, which can be used to draw major conclusions. An interview is a qualitative study technique that entails asking questions and elicits information to engage respondents about a topic (Wang & Yu, 2016).

The three techniques used are Quantitative and Qualitative data collection and Observation techniques. Thirty respondents were given a survey form in regard to this research paper. By using various books and the internet, different cases and situations were interpreted.

Selection of methods and techniques to optimise the collection of useful data for your specific research

Both Primary and secondary data have been used. Primary data is accessed by means of an online questionnaire of thirty supply chain participants of multiple companies who have consented to take part in the study by completing a consent document. In order to get a deeper idea of the value of the distribution chain and the methods to overcome the problems in it, secondary data is gathered from various sources such as websites, and publications. They are useful tools for explaining ideas and for showing how various aspects of an individual's life are linked.

Why you have chosen the above techniques (50-100 words)

There are various techniques available for the clean conduction of a research paper. In this particular paper, the above-mentioned techniques are preferred over others. the best way to interpret and research the study topic is to conduct the surveys as it provides personal experiences of people who work in similar companies and face similar problems. It was important to study different articles and documents because it helps the researcher to understand the problems in a detailed manner (Synder, 2019). These techniques are better than the other mentioned techniques due to all these advantages.

Three (3) data collection tools for your research project

In this research study, both primary and secondary data collection methods have been used. there are different tools available for data collection and analysis (Paradis et al., 2016).

The three data collection tools used are surveys, case studies, and face-to-face interviews. Thirty people employed in different companies were surveyed who live in the local regions and share similar cultures. The supporting documents are survey and consent forms which are provided in the appendix section. The data have been analyzed by Qualitative and Quantitative methods.

Data collected (400-500 words)

Through the different interviews and survey questionnaires, a huge amount of data has been gathered (Benti et al., 2020). Data gathered from the interviews are:

How long are you involved in coffee production?

Ans. I have been working in this sector for the past ten years.

What problems do companies face while growing good quality coffee beans?

Coffee is becoming more difficult to grow and perhaps less tasty as the temperature increases. Coffee producers, states, and farmers are collaborating to produce more robust beans.

What measures are farmers undertaking?

Ans. Different places like Costa Rica, that grow coffee and are prone to extreme temperatures are planning to shift their farming locations. Producers in Vietnam are concentrating on Robusta coffee, a less aromatic variety but is resistant to diseases.

How are scientists dealing with the issues?

Ans. Scientists are working on producing varieties that will be more flavourful and tasteful so that farmers profit more and the production increases gradually. Other independent researchers are investigating how other effective strategies, such as coffee production under larger tree canopies to help the plant cope with drought conditions can be effective. During heat waves, farmers are also working with approaches such as harvesting rainwater for cultivation.

What initiatives must be taken by the Government?

Ans. Even though there are many theoretical solutions, with improvements in farming practices or genetics, there are limitations on what can be achieved. The coffee companies and the government throughout the globe's coffee belt will need to do much more, including increasing climate services that provide farmers with knowledge on improved breeds and crop management techniques. Some states are currently experimenting with new services, including a free application that provides farmers with weather and pest alerts as well as fertilizer use guidance. In certain places, irrigation may be added, but it will be difficult as water sources become less secure. Farmers can need relocation expenses.

How do you think instabilities in your firm can be resolved?

Ans. Interviews revealed that as the firm is facing huge instabilities, they can be resolved by choosing suitable lands according to the weather conditions of the area, by avoiding regions of high rain or extreme temperature.

As per the survey:

- 49% of the people were males and 51% of the people were females.

- 35% of the people think that their companies do not require any more advancements whereas 65% of the people think it to be necessary.

- 87% of people agreed that their companies face problems regarding the supply chains, whereas 13% of people did not agree.

- As per the Survey, 70% of the people think employing experienced farmers will generate more revenues, 20% of people do not agree and the rest are not sure.

Evidence of consideration of a range of available research tools, resources, and techniques appropriate to the context (100-150 words)

As evidence of consideration, there are multiple surveys conducted, different documents, and case studies are also made into use for the research purposes. A total of thirty people were provided with the questionnaires, out of which 17 people were females and 13 were males. Various photographs and videos were also used to study the topic of this survey in a detailed manner. The following links are provided as evidence for case studies and documents:

https://www.fastcompany.com/90579241/how-to-save-coffee-from-climate-change

https://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Exporters/Sectors/Fair_trade_and_environmental_exports/Climate_change/Climate-Coffee-Ch-13-MS-ID-3-2-2010ff_1.pdf

For evidence of the surveys, the survey form has been added in the appendix section.

Outcomes of the review of the tools with trainer/assessor. (50-100 words)

As per the suggestion of the professor, this research methodology has been modified accordingly. According to the needs of the research paper, few data were included, like, pieces of evidence and consent form as referred by the professor. After gaining feedback from him, proper techniques were addressed, which were not up to the mark. Also, proper reasons have been provided for the techniques that are chosen.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Researcher’s Name(s):

Consent to take part in research

Project Title: STUDY ON STRATEGIC WAYS TO INCREASE THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF COFFEE ROME

I……………………………………… voluntarily agree to participate in this research study.

I understand that even if I agree to participate now, I can withdraw at any time or refuse to answer any question without any consequences of any kind.

I understand that I can withdraw permission to use data from my interview within two weeks after the interview, in which case the material will be deleted.

I have had the purpose and nature of the study explained to me in writing and I have had the opportunity to ask questions about the study.

I understand that participation involves…[outline briefly in simple terms what participation in your research will involve].

I understand that I will not benefit directly from participating in this research

I agree to my interview being audio-recorded if necessary.

I understand that all information I provide for this study will be treated confidentially.

I understand that in any report on the results of this research my identity will remain anonymous. This will be done by changing my name and disguising any details of my interview which may reveal my identity or the identity of people I speak about.

I understand that disguised extracts from my interview may be quoted in…[list all forum in which you plan to use the data from the interview: dissertation, conference presentation, published papers, etc.].

I understand that if I inform the researcher that I or someone else is at risk of harm they may have to report this to the relevant authorities - they will discuss this with me first but may be required to report with or without my permission.

I understand that signed consent forms and original audio recordings will be retained in [specify the location, security arrangements, and who has access to data] until [specific relevant period – for students this will be until the exam board confirms the results of their dissertation].

I understand that a transcript of my interview in which all identifying information has been removed will be retained for [specific relevant period – for students this will be two years from the date of the exam board].

I understand that under freedom of information legalization I am entitled to access the information I have provided at any time while it is in storage as specified above.

I understand that I am free to contact any of the people involved in the research to seek further clarification and information.

Names, degrees, affiliations, and contact details of researchers (and academic supervisors when relevant).

----------------------------------------- ----------------

Signature of participant Date

I believe the participant is giving informed consent to participate in this study

------------------------------------------ ----------------------

Signature of researcher Date

Appendix 2

SURVEY FORM

1. What is your gender?

Male
Female
Others

2. How long are you employed in your company?

3. Do you think that the companies need to have more effective strategies for protecting the crops from diseases?

Yes
No
Maybe

4. How does your company tackle the problems caused by climatic changes?

5. Do you face any issues in the supply chain of your firm?

Yes
No
Maybe

6. Do you think the supply chain has any impact on the revenues of the employees?

Yes
No
Maybe

7. Do you think that employing experienced farmers will lead to more revenue generation?

Yes
No
Maybe

8. How does your company plan to optimize its profits by bringing in changes?

References

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333-339.

Benti, T., Gebre, E., Tesfaye, K., Berecha, G., Lashermes, P., Kyallo, M., & Kouadio Yao, N. (2020). Genetic diversity among commercial arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) varieties in Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat markers. Journal of Crop Improvement, 1-22.

Wang, E. S. T., & Yu, J. R. (2016). Effect of product attribute beliefs of ready-to-drink coffee beverages on consumer-perceived value and repurchase intention. British Food Journal.

Paradis, E., O'Brien, B., Nimmon, L., Bandiera, G., & Martimianakis, M. A. T. (2016). Design: Selection of data collection methods. Journal of graduate medical education, 8(2), 263.

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Sample Initiate and Lead Applied Research Assignment

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