METHODOLOGY

Introduction

          Methodology is an overall approach to the process of the research from theoretical underpinnings to collection and data analysis. In fact, it is defined as the degree of correlation between a dependent variable and independent variables (“MBA Research Methodology”, 2005)

            This chapter describes the research methods that are used for the current study. Generally, research design, data processing and data analysis are the topics that will be discussed in this chapter.

           The present study was carried out with a motive to find out the reasons for the women employees of hotels not reaching the top management level and the reasons for their turn over. The study finds out the reasons they would motivate and satisfy the women employee. Through this study the researcher aims to find the progress promotion and problems faced by the women employees by gathering information and suggesting ways to retain them for the benefit of the hotel .The study was conducted on the following terms of reference.

         The information that is required to compile the research project work involved the study of various hotels of western Maharashtra .For this, the following procedure were applied for deriving the conclusions. This required-

          Area of selection

         Selection of adequate sample

           Selection of appropriate tool that would be profitably used         for  reliable measure.

    Selection of suitable statistical technique for analyzing the data.

Research Design

            Research design refers to a master plan that specifying the methods and procedures in order to collecting and analyzing the needed information or data (Zikmund, 2003). Besides, a research design is also refers to framework for coordinating the research project that specifies the procedures compulsory to obtain the data or information needed as well as to solve the marketing research problem (Zikmund, Babin, Carr & Griffin, 2010).

            In addition, there are 3 types of business research method which are causal research, descriptive research and exploratory research.

·         The causal research explores the effect of one thing on another as well as the effect of one variable on another.

·         Exploratory research is refers to preliminary research conducted in order to increase understanding of a concept, to make clear the exact nature of the problem to be solved, or identifying the important variables to be studied, whereas

·         Descriptive research is conducted to identify cause-and-effect relationship among variable

3.1.1    Descriptive Research

            For the purpose of this study descriptive research has been used. Descriptive research refers to the different type of research question, design as well as data analysis that will apply to a particular topic. Descriptive research can be either qualitative or quantitative. The purpose of descriptive research is to gain information about the association between independent variables. In addition, there are 3 types of business research method which are causal research, descriptive research and exploratory research.

·         The causal research explores the effect of one thing on another as well as the  effect of one variable on another.

·         Exploratory research is refers to preliminary research conducted in order to increase understanding of a concept, to make clear the exact nature of the  problem to be solved, or identifying the important variables to be studied, whereas,

·                   Descriptive research is conducted to identify cause-and-effect relationship among variables.

Sampling location

SELECTION OF AREA

            The western region of Maharashtra (refer map of Maharashtra and Western Maharashtra) was selected for the study, which include the following cities:

            The above cities were selected as there are large numbers of five star hotels in these cities and also for easy accessibility .These cities have large number of five star hotels catering to business and tourist clientele. Only five star hotels were selected for the study as these hotels value their employee and so have human resources strategies in place for the wellbeing of the employees and for the benefit of the hotels.(refer list of 5 Star Hotels Of the four selected cities)

            Prior to deciding upon the category of hotel a general survey was carried out in pilot study which concluded that three star hotels did not prefer to employ women employee. And the four star hotels too did not prefer to hire women employee.

SAMPLE SELECTION

Women employees

            The samples 300 no were selected from the five star hotels of these cities adopting purposive random sampling. The sample comprised of women working at managerial level selected through purposive random sampling.  The women employees were working at managerial levels, in different departments of the hotels. The women employee only from operational and revenue producing departments were selected for the study. (Front office, housekeeping, food and beverage)These women were employed in the industry for at least six months of period. The women sample belonged to the age group of 20 years to 50 years.

Human Resource Managers

            The human resource managers, who are the medium of link between the employee and the top management, are responsible in formulating policies for the organizations. In their endeavors to do so, they are guided by company's own policies and the international conventions for workers working conditions requirements, such as policies made by ILO, OHSA These guideline provide a detailed study of the working hours, work environment and stress aspect of the human resources and how to keep the employees .Out of the 20 hotels surveyed, only 12 hr. managers agreed to opine on their policies and practices. The information from the HR managers were collected through scheduled interviews with prior appointment.

Sampling Design

3.3       Sampling Design

            Sampling is a procedure that researches engage in to find conclusion based on measurements of a portion of the population or sample (Zikmund et al., 2010). Sampling also refers to a process where a sample is selected from a population and it involves a set of processes which are to identify the target population, determine the sampling location, decide the sampling elements, select the sampling technique, and determine the sample size and execution of the entire sampling process.)

3.2       Data Collection Methods

3.2.1    Primary Data

            Primary data refer to the information that is collected for the first time and it is useful for researcher to deal with the problem on hand (Mathotra, 2006). In this research, the primary sources had been gathered by using the questionnaire survey as a research tool. 5-point Likert Scale with anchor of (1) ‘strongly disagrees’ to (5) ‘strongly agree’ will be used in the questionnaire.

3.2.2    Secondary Data

            Secondary data refers to the data that other researcher have already collected and published (Mathotra, 2006). In this research, the secondary data was obtained by reviewing and summarizing the articles and books. By using the online database such as UM Database as well as UTAR’s online Database, and retrieved the relevant journals that are useful and helpful for the research. Most of the secondary data were obtained from internet, text books, books, journals and articles.

            Data collection refers to the process that obtains useful information to improve the decision made for a research. In this research, both primary and secondary data are collected. To collect information and understand concepts in detail regarding the association between independent variables) -) and’ dependent variable in is the main objective of data collection.

TOOL FOR DATA COLLECTION

Research Instrument

            A survey questionnaire was used as the primary research instrument in the anticipation of subsequent large sample. Keeping in mind the nature of f study; two questionnaire were designed.

Questionnaire Design

A)        Questionnaire for the women employed in five star hotels at the managerial levels.             (from junior management to high level management.

B)        Questionnaire for human resource managers of these selected 5 star hotels. Questionnaire for both the samples were prepared with the consultation of women employees, psychologist, social scientists.

The questionnaire was framed keeping in mind the objectives, the respondents perception of the sources of the problems, their opinion for the betterment of their status(women employee)

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR WOMEN EMPLOYEE

            This questionnaire was prepared basically to analyze the reasons for the women employee dissatisfaction and ways to satisfy them and ultimately leading to their retention.

            The questionnaire was divided in to different sections ,consisting questions related to demographic status of the employee ,section having question related to work ,reasons for opting out ,problems faced while dealing with job and home front ,ranking of agreement or disagreement of w f c on 5 point liker scale. The last section contained questions pertaining to the changes that they accept from their organization. All the questions cover the independent and dependent variables required in the study. Each of (this variable is operational by a set of measurement variable: observed by questions to. respondents. The researcher applied a 5 point liker scale; this format questionnaire is very simple for respondents to answer. The respondents need to spend only 3-5 minutes check a scale upon each perception attribute.

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HR MANAGERS

            This questionnaire was design In order to gather the view point of HR managers representing the management so as to get insight into their perception regarding the advantage of having women employee. A section was also devoted to gather various strategies designed by them to retain women employee. Keeping in mind the very purpose of its use, the questionnaire was divide into various sections. The first part dealing with the qualities of women that help in hotel operations, the second part of questionnaire was to find out what are factors they think are responsible for their not reaching the talk and their turnover. The last part dealt with the present inputs put up by the organization for their retention.

Pilot Study

            The questionnaire, to check for its correctness was pre tested in a pilot study .A pilot group of respondents were asked to fill in the questionnaire and allowed to discuss the questions. And further amendments were made to assure that the questions would in simple manner be able to measure the variables and were based on a common interpretation of their intention.

DATA PROCESSESING

            Data processing is a process that involves checking, editing, coding and transcribing as well as specifying and unusual and special and treatments of data before it is analyzed(Malhotra,2004)                                                                         

DATA CHECKING

            Data processing starts with data checking. This step involves checking the questionnaire for completeness as well as the interviewing quality of the research. In addition, questionnaire checking detects the problems earlier in pilot study after which the real survey can be conducted after the correction of error. Thus, this step typically essential as it will detect the problem and make correction before conducting the survey.                    

DATA EDITING         Data editing is a second process of checking mistakes make either by the interviewer or the respondent during data collection activities. This is to ensure that the data or information provide is accurate, complete and consistent. Besides that, data editing also include reviewing the questionnaires in order to accuracy and precision .In addition, editing help to discard the unsatisfactory responses and it is important.