Comparative Analysis of Environmental Risk Disclosure in German and UK Companies - Paper Example

1. RESEARCH AIM

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The primary aim of this research is to provide a comparative analysis of environmental risk disclosure in German and UK companies.

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This section will look into the research philosophy, the data collection methods, the data analysis method as well as the ethical issues and conclusions and recommendations. For this research to be conducted, qualitative and exploratory data will be utilized. According to Geertz 2000, qualitative research can be defined as an analysis of techniques or rather the procedures as well as the in-depth understanding of the impacts of different phenomena, a kind of information that aids in fortifying by embracing full descriptions or images.

3.1 Research strategy/philosophy

This section as stated by Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill, (2012), acts as a guideline regarding the route in which data about the subject matter need to be collected, analyzed and embraced. To accrue best results, several interviews are often done and a wide range of questions asked as part of the study and the sorting out thought of a continuum is embraced with much precedence placed on one side and constructionism, on the other hand, to be able to determine the contention. According to Hanson and Grimmer, (2007) every concept can be depicted based on ontology, research aim, and epistemology. A whole research paradigm often must have aspects of Epistemology as well as Ontology. Ontology focuses on examining the certainty of nature. It comprises of two main parts objectivism which depicts the situation that things on common substance exist as a conviction outside human characters linked with their existence. Subjectivism is the second part of the ontology. It mainly grasps a social marvel shaped through observation and accrues activities that are easily influenced by a human code of conduct.

According to Black (2006) on the other hand, Epistemology is essential as it helps in explaining the relationship between the reality and the researcher or even how the current situation is perceived. There are various categories of positivism, Epistemology, critical realist, Interpretivism as well as activity research. Epistemology and positivism are the most utilized and contrasted while activity research and Critical realize most utilized by researchers.

Since environmental risk disclosure in the UK and German companies works and is shaped by human activities, this research dissertation will be based on the interpretive approach. The findings from this research study will be linked through subjectivism.

3.2 DATA COLLECTION METHODS:

Just as in any other research, data will be collected analyzed and interpreted in the best way possible so as to attain accurate findings. Essentially, research can be sorted either through quantitative or qualitative approaches to data collection. The quantitative methodology focuses on developing out of a solid scholarly custom which depends on numbers showing ideas or assessments. Conversely, qualitative methodology places precedence on perceptions and words to express endeavors and reality to signify individuals in characteristics circumstances. Qualitative methodology, according to Nancarrow et al. (2001), it encompasses systems that fit the center of the continuum getting to the constructionist end. Controls on an ontology that has some influence have been examined by different researchers such as Brown (1993) and state that there is still much to be examined and it has also been determined that epistemology is probabilistic. Furthermore, the primary objective of qualitative research methodology is to deliver knowledge, other than to measure as in quantitative methodology.

This study will focus on obtaining subjective or rather qualitative methodology; it will embrace the qualitative research design. The researcher will utilize both secondary and primary qualitative approaches because it is linked to interpretative reasoning about the severity of environmental risk in companies in both UK and German. The primary source of data collection according to (Bischoping, 2005) of data under this research design technique would be through observation techniques and also through comprehensive interviews. Qualitative data will provide adequate data regarding the environmental risk disclosure in both nations.

3.2.1 Observation approach

The observation technique will be utilized to collect data from both UK and German companies since environmental risks are easily visible. Observation technique is a methodical depiction of practices, occasions or the social setting in a study. It is important to researchers in different ways. For instance, it enables researchers to use different approaches to check and manage the nonverbal movement of evaluations, understand who adjoins with whom or what to take a small group of individuals to help in providing feedback on how associates can interact with one another and evaluate the total time taken on various approaches.

In this particular case, the researcher will not engage in any form of taking part in data collection with the companies from UK and German. According to (Brinberg, Cook and Reichardt, 1981) the observation technique is not a simple process since it entails a significant measure of endorsements. The researcher takes authorization from her or his senior to watch the groups without the knowledge of the UK and German companies that they are being observed with regards to their environmental conservation approaches and the severity of environmental risk that is accrued from the selected companies. These companies could be monitored for a specific period of time like three weeks, through the use of instruments like cameras which can be placed at strategic places within the selected companies to see their activities and the information can be utilized as a reference in the future. The camera will be able to show how the companies are disposing off their effluents and taking care of the environment around them and based on the gathered information prompt conclusions drawn.

3.2.2 Comprehensive Interviews

A comprehensive interview as defined by (Webb, 1995, p. 121), an interview is an unstructured personal interview that uses comprehensive probing to make respondents to speak freely and express comprehensive feeling and beliefs regarding the subject matter. This methodology is essential as it has the capability of getting imperative information regarding environmental practices.

This research proposal will place precedence on semi-structured interviews since it involves essential inquiries regarding the companies to be researched and intrigues the interviewer to seek for more clarification to obtain in-depth information about the subject matter.

The researcher plans to make about 20 in depth interviews on different firms both in the UK and in German. The questions of the interviews will focus on the environmental risk disclosure in UK and German companies. Furthermore, the interviews will be scheduled for a time frame of about 40-50 minutes each.

3.3 Data Analysis Method

After the collection of data, the next step is to choose the right methods that will be used for the data analysis. The data that have been collected must be well looked into, scrutinized before the analysis to come up with solid evidence that will give the results of the study. There are two main methods that can be used for the analysis of the data that have been collected. This can be through the inductive and the deductive methodologies. A deductive methodology is an approach that entails hypothesis testing process that is started upon the built up hypothesis, investing into every way possible to look when the hypothesis is in line with the examples that have been provided by the study. On the other side, the inductive methodology is the approach that entails hypothesis building process, beginning with the perceptions of some given cases and then later trying to set up the speculations about the occurrence that is under analysis.

Following the data collection methods that will be used in this study, I t will be wise when the inductive approach is used as the data analysis method. It will start with the background analysis of the method and then, later on, build on the main topic under study. This will help give a lot of supporting evidence to the conclusion of the study. Inductive approach is later subcategorized into grounded theory, template analysis, discourse analysis and analysis induction. There will be the special focus on template analysis in this study.

Template analysis is a technique for particularly looking into qualitative data/subjective data. This can be illustrated through the electronic meetings, he copies of interviews or deciphered surveys or any perception that has been noticed and have been put down in writing on paper. The expert involved in this should be able to give a coherent clarification of the information by translating them. This strategy adds to a coding which audits the subjects supposed by the subject. At this point of the analysis, a survey that is done beneath shows the design of how the coding outline works. It is then applied as part of the information that has been obtained from the interview that was led by the interviewee and the human resource managers of the organization.

Interview Questions Coding Outline

Question 1 There are a number of environmental risks in the German and UK Companies? Do you agree?

If yes, according to your own opinion, what are the environmental risks that are faced in the German and UK companies

Operational manager: Yes there are a number of environment risks. The environmental risks may pose numerous risks to the organization. Some of the environmental risks are frequent extreme weather that may increase the insurance cost, disrupt the power and water supply and damage properties and resources worth a lot amount of money. Furthermore, it has made customers not to visit the organization and also suppliers to stay away from the organization. There are also global impacts that are environmental risks to the organizations in German and UK. The overseas suppliers have found a lot of difficulties delivering goods or services to areas in the UK or German that experience climatic change events. Environmental risks also cause increased risk as the companies in the region experience higher cost for water, energy and other resources. The water restriction also impacts negatively to the organization Economic risks as a result of environmental risks in the UK and German Companies

Question 2 What can be the possible causes of the environmental risks that are being experienced by the UK and German Companies?

Operational manager: The main cause of the environmental risks that these organizations are faced with human activities such as deforestation or release of polluted water to main water bodies. Fumes and air pollution is also another contributor to the environmental risks that is being suffered. Causes of environmental risks in the UK and German Companies

When the survey shall have been concluded, the results will be analyzed and interpreted. The analyzed data will then give the comparative analysis of the environmental risks in the UK and the German Companies.

3.4 Ethical Issues

Ethics in research helps in establishing the validity of the data that has been obtained. Ethics refers to the prescribed code of behavior that should be adhered to during research. The response from the respondents will depend on the moral issues of the researcher, and that will also help in assembling and assessing of data. The environmental risks are global matters, and therefore the researcher should ensure that the research is well-guided and all the ethical issues are observed. As have been discussed in the...