Research Methodology For Investigating Daigou Business In Australia

Components of Research Onion

A Daigou is a personal shopper who eases the buying as well as selling of intercontinental products on the behalf of customers dwelling in China (ZhuoXiao, 2018) It is an industry which is well-developed as well as has been mostly run by global students or the new migrants who have connections, relatives or friends in China. The presence of the Daigou market in the nation has been one of the major concerns during the past few years for the luxury retail brands aiming to access as well as gain control of their profits (Chong, 2008). Thus, it is one of the most exceptionally lucrative practices. The practices also involve avoidance of the import tariffs along with the inflated price on the luxury goods. Thus, it allows the customer to save money whereas enables the Daigou to make profit. The shopping agents are usually the immigrants or students seeking for extra source of income. These agents also use communication sites like the Weibo and WeChat for the purpose of connecting to the customers in China.

The objectives of the research are:

1. To investigate on the Daigou business in Australia
2. To study the background and the significance of such business in Australia
3. To evaluate the impact of such business on other luxury brands
4. To evaluate the impact of such business on customers and their satisfaction level

1. What is the success level of Daigou business in Australia?
2. What is the WOM based CRM in Daigou business and its effectiveness in Australia?
3. What is the impact of such business on luxury brands and customer satisfaction level?

Defining the methodology, which will be used in any particular research, is believed as a significant phase. There are a number of aspects, which must be considered before taking up the final research or investigation. The following research methodology has been discussed using the research onion so as to validate the research objectives. This includes research philosophy, research design, research approach, research method, data collection method, and method for data analysis. 

The research onion is a framework used to explain the research methodology which is adopted from Saunders and Lewis work. The following are the components of research onions. 

Research philosophy deals with the way in which the data with regard to any phenomenon will be gathered, evaluated and utilized in the research (Mackey and Gass, 2015). There are three major philosophies namely positivism, realism and interpretivism. Positivism deals with the view that only factual knowledge which is attained through observation, such as measurement, is reliable, i.e. quantitative research (Jones,2009). The role of the researcher is limited to data collection as well as its interpretation in an impartial way. On the other hand, realism relies on the idea of independence of reality. The philosophy is highly based on the supposition of scientific approach towards the growth and development of the information or knowledge. Interpretivism accentuates philosophical position of idealism and prefer qualitative analysis over quantitative analysis (Siccama and Penna, 2008).

In this research, Realism will be used do as to the subject matter and validate the objectives of the research. This will help in gaining access to the real world business aspects of Daigou business in Australia.

Research design is a systematic approach as well as the complete management of identified components or data, thereby resulting to a reasonable outcome (Jonker and Pennink, 2010). There are four types of research designs commonly used by researchers namely, exploratory research design, descriptive research design, explanatory research design and evaluation research design. The exploratory design is beneficial in exploring different aspects of the research, on the other hand, descriptive design is in-depth research of a particular subject with appropriate analysis of each level or component o the study. The explanatory design pursues to elucidate the subject matter that is being researched and the evaluation design is quite extensive, since it helps in measuring the efficiency as well as effectiveness of the research.

Research Philosophy

The exploratory research design will be the well-suited method to explore the areas of research, authenticate the research objectives, and answer the research questions.

The very next layer of the research onion is research approach which involves selection of either inductive approach o deductive approach. The inductive approach begins where the theories are proposed towards the end of the research process (Cottrell and McKenzie, 2010). In addition to this, this approach encompasses search for pattern from observation as well as development of explanations for those patterns via a number of hypotheses. On the other hand, the deductive research approach would provide an understanding of diverse activities with regard to Dsigou business in Australia and tits effectiveness by means of using empirical data and information. Holton (2008) contends that the inductive approach is mostly related to qualitative research, whereas the deductive approach is generally associated to the quantitative research. On the other hand, Kitchin and Tate (2013) argue that deductive approach generally begins with hypothesis, whereas inductive approach use research questions so as to narrow the study scope.

 Thus, in this research, the deductive approach will be used, which would provide those observations, which are extremely necessitated so as to form the views concerning the outcomes of the research for addressing the research objectives and research questions.

The research strategy involves a step-by-step plan of activities, which provides direction to the researcher’s thoughts as well as their efforts, thereby allowing them to conduct research in a systematic manner on scheduled time for the purpose of producing high quality results as well as comprehensive report (Biggerstaff and Thompson, 2008). There are 2 major types of research strategy which is used by most of the academics so as to authenticate the research objectives. These include qualitative research and quantitative research. In the qualitative strategy, there is use of thoughts and ideas of the researchers without the use of any numerical data on the other hand, the quantitative research involves the use of numerical data in order to conduct the research. In quantitative research, the results or outcomes are measurable in terms of figures ad quantum, which is not possible in the other strategy. Thus, in this research, quantitative research strategy will be used. This will enable the researcher to have a complete acknowledgement of the outcomes and to validate the data and the information collected from primary research and link the same with the objectives.

Data collection involves the methods used by the researchers to gather and assemble data and information from diverse sources. These can be in the form of case studies, focus interviews, personal interview, survey, questionnaire, and many other forms, which will enhance the quality of the data. According to the point of view of the scholars Joyner et al. (2018), it is essential for the researchers to have a complete ideology with regard to the resources from where he data will be collected. For an example, for primary research, the data can be gathered through survey or questionnaire approach whereas in the secondary method, the data and information can be collected by means of case studies, literary works of academics which are fund in books or journals.

Research Design

In this research, the data will be collected through primary sources using a questionnaire method to the customers in Australia. The primary research will aim at providing the results associated with the structured questionnaire along with the results that are used in the deductive approach.

Sampling is a technique, which is used in the research field so as to select the samples from a large pupation or group of respondents in any region or area under the study field. There are a number of sampling techniques, which are used by academics for conducting research, such as random sampling, stratified sampling, confidence sampling, clustered sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling and many others. The most commonly used sampling technique is random sampling which has been considered as the most convenient way to approach and allow the respondents to participate in the research.

In this research, random sampling will be used so as to provide an equal opportunity to the respondents to participate in the research. In addition to this, Anderson and Shattuck (2012) are of the view that random sampling decreases the chances of any biasness. The questionnaire will be directed after the initial development of the set of questions so as to test out the clarity as well as to ensure that the questions were consistently understood by the samples selected in this regard.

Data analysis involves evaluation of the data and the information which are collected from diverse sources, either primary or secondary (Carey, 2013). According to the point of view of the scholars Grant and Osanloo (2014), the data that are collected through the primary sources must be analyzed by means of using descriptive statistics or mathematical valuation so as to validate the quantitative evaluation technique. On the other hand, Hesse-Biber and Leavy (2010) also support the above view and have clarified that the use of statics is helpful in evaluating the data collected from primary respondents at a measurable scale as it provides an opportunity to the researcher to assess the results of the research quantitatively. In this research, the primary data will be evaluated by utilizing the descriptive form of statistics that would further help in analyzing the satisfaction level of the customers and the dealers in Australia.

The project schedule involves the time line of the activities, which will be conducted throughout the research (Harper, 2012). These not only involves the activities for primary research on-site but also the supporting tasks that are necessary for the completion of the research. The time schedule has been represented in the below table 1 with clarification of the activities which will be taken up during each week.

Table 1: Time Schedule of the Research

Timing	Activities
1st and 2nd month	Presenting the drafted proposal and begin with the research
3rd, 4th and 5th month	Review and analysis of the related literatures of academics
6th and 7th month	Preparation of the  primary research
8th, 9th and 10th month	Primary research being conducted
11th and 12th month	Summarization of the  results
13th, 14th and 15th month	Drafting the thesis on the basis of the outcomes achieved
16th and 17th month	Consultation with the professor
18th-24th month	Finalization of the research paper after the incorporation of the feedbacks
24th month	Submission of the dissertation

(Source: Author’s Creation)

The above table represents the time schedule of the research from week 1 to week 10. This involves the activities from presenting the proposal of the research to submission of complete dissertation. Thus, the total time, which would be required to complete the research, is 10 weeks from the date of submission of proposed research.

Research Approach

The primary research limitation of this research will be time, which will be required for the completion of the work. Another limitation will be the ability of the researchers for involving a larger sample size for research. Due to limited time, the research will be limited to few questionnaires and regarding the respondents on a part of the large population of Australia will be taken into consideration. This will also narrow down the research exploratory area. However, efforts will be made in this regard to maintain the integrity as well as to cover the maximum area possible to validate the objectives of the research.

As this exploration will involve primary research, ethics will be applied broadly throughout the research to ensure robust and relevant results.  The research ethics principles that would utilized will embrace informed consent, anonymity as well as privacy or confidentiality.  With regard to the informed consent, it will involve providing an understanding to the respondents of the objectives of the research and allowing them to opt in or out of the primary research. For anonymity, the details of the participants will not be included or linked to any of the results. On the other hand, the research results will be shared with only those who are part of the research, in order to maintain confidentiality. Thus, the ethics of research will be held high to preserve the moral principles of research and the respondents therein.

Reference List

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