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ABSTRACT
The right choice of a suitable research methodology is a crucial decision to perform effective scientific research and is mainly based on linking research objectives to the characteristics of the available research methodologies. Based on the notion that researchers in the fields of Economics, Business and Technology have to choose among multiple methods and techniques the selection of an appropriate research approach that might support cross-disciplinary research is one of the most difficult decisions for a researcher. For that reason, the aim of this paper is to provide issues related to: (a) Quantitative Research, (b) Qualitative Research and (c) Strategic Management of Digital Systems in order to investigate a suitable research methodology for identifying and analyzing key strategic management factors and phases. The publication of this paper has been partly supported by the University of Piraeus Research Center.
Keywords: Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Strategic Management, Digital Systems.
1.INTRODUCTION
Digital systems have been characterized as social systems where technology is only one aspect of them (Land, 1992). The study of Business and Technology is a multidisciplinary research object and as the literature review shows, there is a lack of a single global research approach that includes all the necessary areas of knowledge required for an efficient study (Galliers, 1992; Walsham, 1995). Strategic Management of Digital Systems is based on the understanding of various variables and key strategic factors related to: (a) business, (b) technology, (c) people, (d) enterprises, (e) economy, (f) law and (g) politics. Research in Business and Technology is characterized by methodological pluralism and the assortment of an appropriate research methodology is a crucial topic that attracts researchers' attention (Galliers, 1992; Miles & Huberman, 1994; Yin, 2011). Therefore, in research issues that combine Economics, Business and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) aspects, researchers has to choose among a variety of research methods, approaches and techniques to develop an appropriate research framework.
Research encompasses creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase knowledge and to use this knowledge to establish or confirm facts, solve problems, develop new theories and provide innovative solutions. There are two key categories of research design: (a) qualitative research and (b) quantitative research. Researchers choose quantitative or/and qualitative research methods according to the research aim, the...