LD7091 Research Methods for Professional Practice Assignment Sample 2023
Introduction
Managing the businesses in the highly competitive and technologically advanced world is not easy. The business processes are becoming more efficient with the help of highly advanced technologies and automation. There are different sectors in which the automation and effective technologies are being used for managing the business process in efficient way. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also being widely used in the different areas for making the business processes more effective (West, 2018). Manufacturing sector is the one which focuses on use a lot of technologies which can help them in managing the issues related to production which are being faced by them. In this report the researcher would be focusing on explaining the impact of AI and the automation on the manufacturing sector. This would focus on exploring that what are the different areas in which improvements has been made after the use of these technologies.
With the increasing use of the automation the employment issues are increasing and this is affecting the workers negatively. Along with this the use of machines, AI or the automation is not an easy task as it requires high cost of installation. Apart from this it has been found that automation and AI are making the manufacturing process more efficient for the businesses. Due to this it is very important to understand that how these technologies are affecting the entire sector. There are both the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of latest technologies in the manufacturing unit. Increasing the operational efficiency is important but the impact of the technologies on the environment and cost factor is also important (Au-Yong-Oliveira et. al. 2019). Due to this reason this research will focus on a lot of factors which are affecting the manufacturing sector positively and negatively due to the use of the different strategies. In this research study the researcher would be focusing on exploring and discussing the case of different companies using automation and AI in their manufacturing process. This would help in understanding the influence of these technologies in the manufacturing process in an effective manner.
For understanding all the researcher would be focusing on conducting an high quality secondary research. For this different articles and case studies related to the use of Automation and AI in manufacturing sector would be explored. Also the researcher would be collecting the information through different high quality literature sources. This would allow the researcher in conducting an high quality research in an systematic manner and getting better results out of it.
Rationale of the study
This research study would help the student in expanding the knowledge that how the businesses are making use of the latest technologies and how they are getting benefitted from that. Along with this it would help them a lot in ensuring that how the automation and AI can be used for different business processes. It can be said that this research study would help them in understanding the research topic and also this would help them in exploring that how the different research methods can be used for conducting an high quality research. Thus it can be said that this research study would help the students in developing their skills and knowledge which is very important for them.
Aim and objectives
Aim
The aim of this study is to identify that how the use of automation and AI in manufacturing process is affecting the manufacturing industry.
Objectives
- To identify that how the technologies are affecting the manufacturing sector
- To explore the influence of AI on manufacturing processes
- To ensure that both Automation and AI are supporting the manufacturing processes of the company positively
Research Questions
- What is the use of AI and Automation in the manufacturing industry?
- How the manufacturing sector is affected due to the use of Automation and AI?
Literature Review
Artificial Intelligence and automation
In the recent decades the use of automation and AI had increased to a greater extent. Artificial intelligence is referred as the stimulation of human intelligence in the machines which makes them smart. This helps the robots or the digital computer to think and act like human being (Tschang and Almirall, 2021). There are a lot of areas where AI is being used such as healthcare, manufacturing, financial and many more.
Automation is being referred as the process of using the machines for reducing the human resources. Instead of human resources the machines are being used in different area for reducing the chances of errors and improving the company performance in an effective manner. Nedelkoska and Quintini, (2018) had stated that automation would be changing the way in which the businesses are operating in an effective manner.
Use of Automation and AI in manufacturing industry
Kinkel, et. al. (2021) had stated in their study that in the recent decades the use of AI in manufacturing industry had increased to a greater extent. These researchers had focused on conducting an cross national study on the different companies operating in the manufacturing sector. The study had showed that there are different factors due to which the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in the production and manufacturing. The factors such as lates technologies, digital workplaces, R&D and the company size are some of the important factors which are the important reason behind the increasing use or adoption of AI in manufacturing. The report had concluded that in industry 4.0 it has become very important to make sure that all better technologies are used in all the area for managing the firms effectively.
Figure 1 AI in manufacturing
(Source: Aiws, 2021)
In the view of Tortorella, et. al. (2019) in industry 4.0 the businesses would make sure that they would use the best technologies. Automation and interconnectivity of the business operation are the area in production and manufacturing on which the businesses are working. Along with this the lean production and automation of the manufacturing process is helping the firms alot by adding great value to their operational efficiency.
Horvat, et. al. (2019) had discussed about the use of automation in the manufacturing sector during the early stage of industry 4.0. The study had found that due to digitalization of the industries it has become very important for the firms to make sure that they must use better technologies. The usage of automated technologies and automation had helped the companies a lot in improving their productivity. Along with this it had helped the company in improving their performance which is very important for remaining competitive in the industry.
Impact of automation and AI on the manufacturing industry
Whenever the companies focuses on making use of any of technology then it is important to understand that how it would be affecting the companies or the entire sector. In this view Laura (2020) had focused on explaining the influence of the automation on manufacturing industry in detail. In the technologically advanced world the machines would be taking the places of employees and will make the work automatic. Due to the industrial revolution the businesses had started making use of automation in the manufacturing industry for making the manufacturing process more advanced and effective. There are several advantages which are being offered by the use of automation had improved the entire production processes. The use of automation in manufacturing sector had improved the safety, enhanced the ability of the firm to increase their productivity volume and had reduced the production time in an significant way (Szozda, 2017). Apart from this there are different limitations which are being associated with the use of the automation include the higher cost of using the machines for automation, reducing the human resources and limited flexibility (Tschang and Almirall, 2021). Apart from this environmental factors are the major issue of concern. The use of automation in the manufacture industry is having a major adverse effect on the environment and increasing the environmental issues in an effective manner. Thus it can be said that automation is offering both the advantages and disadvantages to the companies while using automation.
Figure 2 Industry 4.0
(Sources: Hyman, 2018)
Whenever the companies focuses on making use of automation then it reduces the work of manpower and this is having an adverse effect on the automation. Christian and Hauge, (2020) had conducted a research study for exploring the impact of automation on the manufacturing jobs. For this study the researcher had conducted a qualitative research. The results of the study conducted on the developing nations had stated that automation would not affect the employment rate. Along with this the study had concluded that there are chances that with the use of automation the productivity would be improved. This would be creating better job opportunities and will have a positive impact on employment. In contrast to this the views of Sospeter, (2020) were completely different. The study had stated that Coca cola company is using in automation in their manufacturing process significantly. This is helping them in improving the product quality and improving the overall operational efficiency. The results of the study had stated that the automation had reduced the jobs. This is due to the requirements of highly skilled and limited employees for working in the manufacturing sector. So it can be said that automation is reducing the jobs and can become an important factor leading to unemployment.
Biegel et. al. (2021) had explained that the use of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector is creating great opportunities for the firms. The study had mentioned that artificial intelligence is helping the company in improving their company performance and operating in cost effective way. This is very important as it allows the companies in working on quality improvements and overall business. Along with this the use of AI is also helping the businesses in improving the existing issues faced by manufacturing companies and the production related issues in an effective way. Thus it can be said that AI is having better impact on the firms who are making use of automation in their manufacturing processes.
Research Methodology and Planning
Research Philosophy
Philosophy in the research study is the basic beliefs and ideology of the researcher with the help of which data is being collected and organized in a systematic manner. The research philosophies are of four different types which includes Interpretivism, pragmatism, positivism and realism. In the present study positivism would be used as it would allow the researcher in investigating the study in an appropriate manner and getting better results out of it. This would allow the researcher in getting more factual information related to the research study (Abutabenjeh and Jaradat, 2018). The philosophy would help the researcher in collecting more detailed information that how the different businesses are making use of the latest technologies AI and automation for making their manufacturing processes much advanced.
Research Design
While doing the research it is very important to structure and align the research in a systematic manner. This is very important to ensure that all the things need to be designed in an appropriate manner. There are diverse research designs which might be selected by the investigator. The methods-research designs such as exploratory, informal, case study, introductory, descriptive, correlations, causal and the experimental research designs can be used by the researcher. For this study the researcher would be making use of the descriptive research design as this report is focusing on an particular sector or the industry. When this design would be used then it would allow the researcher to conduct more specific research and gather the information accordingly. Also this would help in understanding both the positive and negative impact of use of AI and automation in manufacturing sector.
Research Strategy
Selecting the appropriate strategy is very important. Basically there are two strategies which were being used in the study which are qualitative and quantitative. On the basis of the strategy the other methodological choices also varies. In the current study the researcher would be making use of qualitative strategy (Barlow et. al. 2017). For this more textual information would be gathered and the numerical data would not be collected and analysed in this research study. This strategy suits well to the research topic and is easy to use also. Due to this reason the researcher had focused on making use of this strategy.
Research Approach
There can be different ways in which the research would approach towards the data collection and analysis. The plan and procedure used in the study for conducting the study in a systematic manner. The research approaches are of three types which are deductive, inductive and abductive. When the premises are known then the inductive research approach is being used. On the other hand if the premises are unknown then the researcher focuses on using the deductive research approach. In the existing study the researcher would be using the deductive research approach in which the aims and objectives would be developed for the research study. On the basis of the developed aim and objectives the researcher would approach towards collecting the data and analysing it in an systematic manner for getting better results.
Data Collection
This study would be focusing on making use of the secondary data collection methods. This method is being selected as there is a lot of data available related to the research topic which makes it easier for the researcher to gather data through different academic sources. The major factor behind skipping the primary data collection method is the risk of covid-19 and the high cost of conducting the study. For this study the researcher would be focusing on gathering the information through different literature sources which would be including books, article’s, journals, research papers and other published data (Barrett and Twycross, 2018). The researcher would make sure that high quality and authentic sources would be selected for gathering the information related to the study.
Data Analysis
Ensuring that the collected information is analysed in a systematic manner it is very important to select the best analysis method. For this study the researcher would be making use of Thematic analysis. This is an effective methods widely used for analysing the qualitative data. Also this will help in ensuring that all the common themes are being identifying and then the gathered information is well analysed for getting better results of this study.
Risk assessment and management
While doing the research it is important to look on the different factors which are having the ability to create the risk for the researcher. While doing the research the issues related to the budget are important and for this the budget would be already fixed for the study so that it would reduce the issues related to the cost of conducting the research. While doing research storing the information and making all the resources available are also important. The research plan would be followed in an appropriate manner so that the risks related to the timely delivery of the research would be reduced and the research can be completed on time.
Gantt Chart
| TASK | TIMESCALE | ||||
| WEEK 1 | WEEK 2-4 | WEEK 5-7 | WEEK 8-10 | WEEK 10-12 | |
| Selecting topic and discussing it | |||||
| Creating aim and objectives | |||||
| Preparing the proposal | |||||
| Literature review | |||||
| Methodology | |||||
| Data Analysis | |||||
| Results and submission | |||||
Conclusion
From the above mentioned research proposal it has been evaluated that due to increasing use of automation and AI in manufacturing it is important to understand that how it is affecting the industry. The above proposal had described all the details in an appropriate way which can help in exploring that how the study would be conducted in an ethical manner. The developed gantt chart would be very helpful in ensuring that all the tasks related to the research would be completed on time and will proper accuracy. Along with all this the different ethical and the legal considerations on which the researchers would be focusing while doing the research are well explained in this section. All the risk factors would be reduced and the researcher would stick to the deadlines so that all the task need to completed on time with proper analysis.
Ethical consideration
Ethics are having an major role to play in life and are equally important to be considered while doing the research. While doing this research the researcher would make sure that the reliability and the authenticity of the research would be taken in concern in an appropriate manner. For this high quality and authentic sources would be used for gathering the information related to the research topic. Along with this the researcher would make sure that the data would be stored and analysed in an systematic manner. Plagiarism is the important ethical consideration for the secondary researcher. For avoiding this not work would be copied only it would be well analysed and interpreted in the literature review section of the research study. The data protection act would be taken in concern while ensuring that the data is collected and analysed in the safe manner (Arifin, 2018). Along with this the researcher would focus on avoiding the legal issues and will make sure that no biasness would be practised. For this the researcher would be representing the clear results which would be increasing the reliability and validity of the study in an effective manner.
Legal Consideration
While doing the research the researcher would make sure that they might not break any of the rules and regulations. The researcher would ensure that the respect and dignity of any of the researcher whose work is being used in the study would be affected negative. Also the researcher would make sure that proper citation and references would be done for giving recognition to that author or the researcher. This would help a lot in conducting a high quality research.
Social Considerations
The researcher would make sure that the rights and respect of any of the stakeholders of the study should not be affected. For this the researcher would make sure that the respect, dignity and integrity of any of the stakeholders should not be compromised.
Based on the above mentioned consideration it can be said that the researchers had identified all the research factors which were having an ability to affect the study negatively. So, while following all the consideration the researcher would be able in conducting a high-quality research based on the above proposal.
References
Abutabenjeh, S. and Jaradat, R., (2018). Clarification of research design, research methods, and research methodology: A guide for public administration researchers and practitioners. Teaching Public Administration, 36(3), pp.237-258.
Aiws, (2021). Artificial intelligence in manufacturing: How Does AI Impact the industry? [Online]. Available through: < https://aiworldschool.com/research/artificial-intelligence-in-manufacturing-how-does-ai-impact-the-industry/>.
Arifin, S.R.M., (2018). Ethical considerations in qualitative study. International Journal of Care Scholars, 1(2), pp.30-33.
Au-Yong-Oliveira, M., Canastro, D., Oliveira, J., Tomás, J., Amorim, S. and Moreira, F., (2019). The Role of AI and Automation on the Future of Jobs and the Opportunity to Change Society.
Barlow, J., Best, M., Bohnenstengel, S.I., Clark, P., Grimmond, S., Lean, H., Christen, A., Emeis, S., Haeffelin, M., Harman, I.N. and Lemonsu, A., (2017). Developing a research strategy to better understand, observe, and simulate urban atmospheric processes at kilometer to subkilometer scales. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 98(10), pp.ES261-ES264.
Barrett, D. and Twycross, A., (2018). Data collection in qualitative research. Evidence-based nursing, 21(3), pp.63-64.
Biegel, T., Bretones Cassoli, B., Hoffmann, F., Jourdan, N. and Metternich, J., (2021). An AI Management Model for the Manufacturing Industry-AIMM.
Goodluck, S., (2020). The Impact of Automation on Employment in Manufacturing Industry: a case of Coca Cola company in Tanzania (Doctoral dissertation, Mzumbe University).
Horvat, D., Kroll, H. and Jäger, A., (2019). Researching the effects of automation and digitalization on manufacturing companies’ productivity in the early stage of industry 4.0. Procedia Manufacturing, 39, pp.886-893.
Hyman, N. (2018). Automation and Manufacturing: Embracing the Need for Automated AM [Online]. Available through: < https://www.leolane.com/blog/automation-manufacturing-embracing-need-automated/>.
Kinkel, S., Baumgartner, M. and Cherubini, E., (2021). Prerequisites for the adoption of AI technologies in manufacturing–Evidence from a worldwide sample of manufacturing companies. Technovation, p.102375.
Laura, (2020). HOW HAS AUTOMATION AFFECTED THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY? [Online]. Available through: < https://mantec.org/how-has-automation-affected-the-manufacturing-industry/>.
Nedelkoska, L. and Quintini, G., (2018). Automation, skills use and training.
Parschau, C. and Hauge, J., (2020). Is automation stealing manufacturing jobs? Evidence from South Africa’s apparel industry. Geoforum, 115, pp.120-131.
Szozda, N., (2017). Industry 4.0 and its impact on the functioning of supply chains. Logforum, 13(4).
Tortorella, G.L., Giglio, R. and Van Dun, D.H., (2019). Industry 4.0 adoption as a moderator of the impact of lean production practices on operational performance improvement. International journal of operations & production management.
Tschang, F.T. and Almirall, E., (2021). Artificial intelligence as augmenting automation: Implications for employment. Academy of Management Perspectives, 35(4), pp.642-659.
West, D.M., (2018). The future of work: Robots, AI, and automation. Brookings Institution Press.
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