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Relation to univariate quantitative data findings
Survey question 15 quantitative finding (dependent variable): It was concluded according to the structured question and based on the sample data scope only that the selection of sellable products to be developed by IT business is of higher importance during volatile periods. The qualitative data received supports the quantitative view that the selection of sellable products to be developed by IT business is of higher importance during volatile periods. The dominant aspect listed by the respondents is that the IT business should have a diversified product portfolio with a lower unit cost, mature and sellable products and also available to be sold off the shelf to customers. Not all products should be in the development status of being “in progress, but not yet available”.
Survey question 16 quantitative finding (independent variable): It was concluded according to the structured question and based on the sample data scope only, that the selection of projects for the IT business as offered by clients to execute is of high importance during volatile periods, more so than during non-volatile periods. The qualitative data received supports the quantitative view that the selection of projects for the IT business as offered by clients to execute is of high importance during volatile periods, more so than during non-volatile periods. The dominant concept is that projects should have value that makes them unique, competitive and have a high ROI with low risk.
Survey question 17 quantitative finding (moderating variable): Thus it can be concluded according to the structured question and based on the sample data scope only, that IT businesses have mature processes in place for planning what organisational capacity (people, infrastructure, financial resources) is required to execute projects. The qualitative data received supports the quantitative view that IT businesses have mature processes in place for planning what organisational capacity (people, infrastructure, financial resources) is required to execute projects. Larger businesses with more formal processes tend to have more formal capacity planning since they execute more project and product development with large but limited teams of people and resources. Smaller IT businesses tend to scope capacity on a per project only with little excess capacity or overhead plan.
Survey question 18 quantitative finding (nominal variable): Thus it can be concluded according to the structured question and based on the sample data scope only, that the formulation of the right product portfolio in support of potential projects to clients is more critical during periods of volatility than in periods of less volatility. The qualitative data received supports the quantitative view that the formulation of the right product portfolio in support of potential projects to clients is more critical during periods of volatility than in periods of less volatility (Hypothesis E). The portfolio must mitigate via the mix of product and services the volatile influences and focus on the overall technology strategy.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
The research in this thesis was narrowed down in scope to ensure sufficient depth could be unlocked for key topics during the investigation, analysis and presentation of new findings. As a result several research areas of interest could build upon the results of this research to create more useable and practical information for management to work with conditions induced by volatility. These areas for potential research include several possibilities: The building of resiliency practices into the management of product development where different scenarios of factors may be adjusted in relation to variables that are changing as a result for volatility. A study could simulate the variables such as, reduced demand, timing, financing, competitor progress vs. own products, and so forth and measure corrective management action taken. Valuable insight by means of systems dynamic modelling could be reached in generic models for IT business if industry case studies are analysed. In the qualitative feedback of this thesis reference was made to the association of risk management and volatility management. Smaller variable changes as part of business cycles vs. significant volatility events will likely have different risk management responses as a consequence. A suitable research project would be to determine the inference between risk and volatility. What measures are typically tracked in volatility and form part of risk management programs. The theory of risk and volatility could be analysed in depth and tested with questionnaires or interviews with risk managers in IT.
CHAPTER I – BACKGROUND, RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.1INTRODUCTION
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1.3THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1.4 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROBLEM
1.5 LIMITATIONS OF THE ON WHICH THE RESEARCH ARE BASED
1.6 CONTRIBUTION OF THE RESEARCH RESULTS TOWARDS SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
1.7 WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESEARCH?
CHAPTER II- THEORY AND RESEARCH REVIEW
2.1 REVIEW OF THEORY
2.2 ANALYSIS OF CURRENT THEORIES, MODELS AND METHODS
2.3 NEED FOR IMPROVED THEORY
2.4 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER III – CONCEPTUAL MODEL / THEORY / METHOD
3.1 DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT THEORIES IN TERMS OF PRACTICAL METHODS
3.2 DEDUCTION OF NEW THEORETICAL PROPOSITIONS BASED ON OBSERVATIONS
3.3 DEVELOPMENT OF MODELS BASED ON THE NEW THEORETICAL PROPOSITION
3.4 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER IV – RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
4.1 THE TYPE OF RESEARCH
4.2 PROPOSED APPROACH FOR PERFORMING THE RESEARCH AND RESULTING MILESTONES
4.3 PROPOSED RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS, METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
4.4 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER V – RESULTS: DATA GATHERED AND ANALYSIS
5.1 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH DATA AND INFORMATION COLLECTED
5.2 SINGLE VARIABLE ANALYSIS OF DATA AND INFORMATION COLLECTED
5.3 TESTING OF THE HYPOTHESIS WITH BIVARIATE ANALYSIS
5.4 INFERENCE OF NEW HYPOTHESIS BASED ON OBSERVED FACTS (DEDUCTIVE AND RETRODUCTIVE REASONING)
5.5 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER VI – CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 WHAT THE RESEARCH IS AND HOW WAS IT DONE
6.2 MAIN FINDINGS, RELATIONSHIPS AND SIGNIFICANCE
6.3 RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THEORY AS WELL AS COMPARISON TO EXISTING THEORY
6.4 IN CONCLUSION AN ASSESSMENT OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED TOWARDS CONTRIBUTION AND SIGNIFICANCE 458 6.5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
7. ACRONYMS
8. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
9. ANNEXURE A: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR SURVEY DISTRIBUTION
10. ANNEXURE B: THEORY PROPOSITIONS LINKED TO RESEARCH DATA
