English
中文The paper first presents a theoretical framework and methodology used by eminent authors and then later examines empirical research on how comparative research is used for the construction industry.
1. Theoretical Framework
Couch (2003) who has provided a good discussion on the importance of international comparative research used this method to study the concept of urban regeneration. According to the author, urban regeneration is the field of public policy that deals with issues of changes in economic base, social structures, physical, fiscal and environmental changes. He has begun his work with a brief comparative analysis of some key European regions to lay the foundation for the research. Please refer to the following table.
The above table shows how the author has used data to clearly demonstrate the changes in activity for different sectors. Explaining the use of comparative research the author has pointed out that there are two general reasons for undertaking international comparative research: the furtherance of explanatory and productive theory and the understanding and transfer of policy from one country to another. There are three aims of comparative planning research: to advance theory, to improve planning practice and to bring about a unification of policy between countries. Explaining further Couch (p. 7) argues that there are a number of potential uses of comparative research and they are: past success and failures in planning policy, contemporary planning processes; future developments in planning systems using likely scenarios and innovation diffusion process in the exchange of ideas between nations. He has further clarified the purpose of international comparative studies as: to develop theory within a particular discipline; to explain or interpret social phenomena; to describe social reality, policy development and policy evaluation (Couch, p. 9). The author state
“While peoples lives continue to be mainly circumscribed by the localities in which they live and work, can they exert an influence on the fate of those places given that so much of their destiny is increasingly controlled by global political and economic forces”:
2. Issues in comparative research
While comparative research is a useful tool, there are several problems and issues that have to be considered. A main issue is the choice between quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative approach gives a strong impression of rigor but it can be misleading. If the quantitative analysis is based on secondary data, international researchers would face problems of lack of comparability of data in terms of availability, definition of terms, periodicity and methods of collection, level of aggregation and questions of interpretations. These problems force many international researchers to consider data collection surveys but these become expensive and difficult to administer in an equitable manner (Couch, p. 10-13). The authors have used the case steady approach to research their book and they have suggested that case studies can reveal a depth and richness of detail and expose differences that more rigoursly comparative but less precise quantitative studies cannot show. Case studies expose similarities and differences of experiences and policy and pose questions for future research and they can also help to provide local explanations for the findings of more generalised quantitative comparisons. But they have to conform to a common design and should be based on a common template (Couch, p. 17-20)
3. Empirical studies of research reports
Carter (2006) has argued that while conducting comparative research in the infrastructure development sector, the objective of the research and study must be clearly identified. This is more so on the construction and office development industry that sees wide swings in preferences for the type of building, interior set up that can vary from the Spartan to the plush. Ragin (1929) points out that to allow international comparisons that provide a global view of the construction sector, the reliability of data obtained is very crucial. Also the applicability for the firm that has taken up the study is important because if the firm wants to operate within its town or municipal limits, then international comparisons may not help it at all
The research article by Ruddock (2000) has examined if there has been any positive change in the availability and quality of international data for construction macroeconomists. Using a survey instrument, the author drew respondents from many countries that replied to the questions and provided the required data. This data is useful when companies wish to examine macroeconomic indicators and correlate them to the opportunities in construction. The authors report that in the early stages of a nation’s economic development, there is a rise in the construction activity and this reduces as the country advances and there is a lesser need for more buildings. To allow for proper comparisons, countries have been Category 1 with GDP per capita less 1000 $ and this includes countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Surinam and others; Category 2 with a GDP between 1000 to 2499 $ and it includes countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia and others while Category 3 has a GDP between 2500 to 9999 $ and includes countries such as Venezuela, S. Africa, Bahrain and others and Category 4 with a GDP more than 10000 includes countries such as Qatar, UK, US and others (Ruddock, 2000, p. 5). This division of categories is very comparative research as it brings a proper perspective into the business.
The author agrees that for the construction, the very question of what is construction activity becomes important while making a comparison research. A set of guidelines were used to bring uniformity and these were: ” does the activity produce a useful output?; is the product of the activity marketable and so has a market value?; if the product does not have a meaningful market value, can a meaningful market value be assigned?; would exclusion (or inclusion) of the product of the activity make comparisons between countries or over time more meaningful?” (Ruddock, 2000, p. 2). So it is very important that a sense of uniformity be brought about while making comparative studies.
Once the country categories had been created and the nature of construction to be considered had been defined, the study adopted a methodology to administer the survey and collect responses and later analyse them. There were two stages for the survey and stage 1 involved setting up a network of researchers and stage 2 was to administer the survey to previously identified respondents. The survey instrument was split into four parts, and each part dealt with a specific aspect of the study: part 1 dealt with the availability of macroeconomic data on the country’s construction sector; part 2 dealt with market data systems for the construction sector while part 3 dealt with evaluation of information and part 4 dealt with setting up a comprehensive information system (Ruddock, 2000, p. 9).
Considering that systems in less and least developed countries of category 1 were very different from systems in developed countries of category 2, a number of adjustments were made in the comparative research. Some of the adjustments included covering the grey unofficial construction activity, absence of organisations that gather such data in developing countries, differences between government and private sector activity and so on.
Throughout the paper, the author has attempted to make the study rational and relevant and it is possible to make comparative assessment between a respondent from UK and US that are developed countries to one from Tanzania, which is a category 1 country. After detailed analysis, the author has made the required conclusions and recommendations that would help researchers and governments to understand the importance of creating reliable and accurate data.
4. Conclusion and Recommendation for XYZ Company
I have attempted to show the importance of using comparative research when we explore new opportunities in other regions and countries. By using comparative research, it is possible to create a level field on which different cities can be examined for business opportunities. But before a research of this nature is undertaken, certain preparations have to be done and these include the objectives of the study, parameters to be explored, creating different set of categories for data gathering and analysis and making adjustments to the data where needed. Considerable skills are needed for this type of research but the studies are certainly worth the effort.
