	Why ads?

		BPR and Organisational Culture

Appendix 3
Preliminary Research Terms of Reference

Scope

Practicalities limit the investigation to UK organisations.
Because insufficient UK organisations have fully completed a BPR implementation, the research will also focus on the 100 or so UK organisations which are currently undertaking BPR implementation.
Views of the BPR project sponsor or manager from each organisation to be sought. These people are presumed to be aware of the cultural changes envisaged and of any actions taken to change the culture.

Method

Identification of companies by reference to the literature (magazines, newspapers, etc.).
- Search of CD-ROM on "BPR and organisation*/change/cultur*" to identify organisations completing or undertaking BPR. Main databases to be McCarthy (full-text) and ABI (abstract). This to be supplemented with researcher's own cuttings library. Note that BPR books give organisations but most are US and they do not give contact names.
Telephone call to ensure BPR sponsor or project manager is available; to explain purpose of survey; to get his personal commitment; and to check the postal address.
- Normally articles give a 'contact' name. Where absent contact to be made via Personnel Manager / HR Director.
Questionnaire to BPR sponsor or project manager in each organisation. Maximum of 2 A4 sides.
- Given the seniority of respondents and the numerous questionnaires that are distributed, then the questionnaire will consist of mostly lists and tick boxes.
Post-interview with BPR project manager if required to clarify the findings.
- Unusual answers to be particularly investigated.

Survey Assumptions

That of the 120 UK organisations known have undertaken or are undertaking BPR, a response from 25 organisations is sufficient for this initial primary research.
Time to complete is estimated at 10, maximum 15, mins per questionnaire.
Given the personal contact with the BPR project manager and the size of the questionnaire then a minimum 50% response rate is expected from a mailing to 50 organisations.
Total expected response of 25 questionnaires is a practical number which will require 1 days data processing.
Researcher has required basic skills derived from career as business analyst using skills in interviewing and surveys using questionnaires.

Possible Influences and Problems, and Action to Overcome

Researcher lacks detailed skills in formulating questionnaires and surveys.
- Acquire and read suitable books.
Known and participating organisations are likely to be large.
- None, as this reflects the type of organisation that is implementing BPR.
Known organisations are likely to have been successful with BPR.
- None, the bias must be recognised in the findings.
General reluctance to respond.
- Initial telephone call to give personal touch and commitment. Covering letter will highlight that questionnaires and results are anonymous; and that an overall response for all organisations will be provided for comparison. Chase slow respondents.
Questionnaire may be passed down to a lower level.
- Highlight on questionnaire that it needs to be completed by a senior person with a broad view of the organisation and HR changes.
Number of responding organisations may be too small for the variety of BPR implementations.
- Using control variables select only those organisations that reflect full BPR implementations and a high degree of change.
Those who respond may have a tendency to overplay the actions taken and the success of their project.
- Questionnaire to try to avoid stating or hinting at hypothesis or issue being researched. All answers to appear reasonable and of equal value.
Time available and lack of track record inhibits in-depth research within a few companies
- Preliminary research across many companies as a fore-runner to later in-depth research.

Instruments Used

This research is predominately by questionnaire but follow-up telephone calls or visits will be used to gain further empirical data. The questions listed above in Appendix 2 Issue 5 will form the basis of the questionnaire, and the BPR attributes in Appendix 2 Issue 6 lists the BPR attributes that might influence the data and will act as control variables.

Procedure to be Undertaken

Prepare telephone brief for initial contact (1 hour).
Identify from journals etc. possible candidates together with contact names. Check names still responsible for BPR and gain commitment to respond (2 days).
Prepare written brief to accompany questionnaire (1 hour).
Prepare questionnaire (1 day).
Test questionnaire with personal contacts in similar position. Revise as necessary (1 day).
Copy questionnaire, send with accompanying letter & reply paid envelope (1 day).
Receive questionnaire and log for each organisation. Check quality. Chase organisations with slow response (0.5 day).
Data entry of all quality questionnaires and production of statistics (1 day).
Planned analysis of results and further analysis as seems appropriate (1 day).
Post-questionnaire interviews as appropriate, by visit or telephone (1 day).
Formulate thank you letter with attachments of findings and any necessary explanations and distribute (1 day).
Write-up following sections and chapters 6, 7 and 8 of dissertation (1 day).

Total effort: 10 days.

To Appendix 4. Initial telephone contact prompt sheet

[Front Page] [Executive Summary] [Abstract] [Content] [1 Introduction] [2 BPR] [3 Culture] [4 BPR & Culture]
[5 Preliminary Research] [6 Findings] [7 Summary] [8 Conclusions] [Appendices] [Bibliography]