Sample Research Proposal on The Impact Of Internet Marketing on Dubai Business Proposal

Introduction Dubai has become a border region in which one can detect a variety of conflicts that includes modernization/fundamentalism, Arab/Asian conflicts, East/West struggles and so on. These conflicts are resolved spatially through a policy which on the face of it attempts to reconcile through co-existence, but a closer examination reveals an exclusionary direction through the development of clearly defined borders. Many would argue that globalization has been part of the socio-political landscape in the Middle East since colonial times. Finding theoretical justification through disciplines such as Orientalism which were meant to establish the superiority of the West, and an establishment of another which needs to be carefully studied, analyzed and in turn domesticated to fit with a universal notion of appropriateness (Elsheshtawy 2004). However, a theoretical shift has occurred recently whereby the cultural imperialism perspective and the ultimate hegemony of Western forms have been replaced by a cultural hybridization paradigm. Globalization has thus become another form of domination primarily catering to those who have the necessary resources. While the imagery associated with the production of spatial forms is linked to cultural elements it ultimately caters to elite elements, thereby excluding ordinary citizens (Elsheshtawy 2004).   Unfortunately, hybridity becomes a conspiratorial actor by concealing its real intentions, cloaking itself in the mantle of tradition and heritage. Dubai developed an economy based on international commerce because it has been playing the role of a commercial entrepôt since the late 1800s. Attesting to the ingenuity of the local population, they have been able to overcome the decline of the pearling industry. They began a re-export business using the tax-free zone and the Dubai Creek. Due to the dredging of the creek, and the discovery of oil noted earlier, the city witnessed an unprecedented expansion and construction boom. Oil revenues were used to spur infrastructure development such as schools, hospitals, roads and a modern telecommunications network. A new port and terminal building were built at Dubai International Airport. A runway extension that could accommodate any type of aircraft was implemented. The largest manmade harbor in the world was constructed at Jebel Ali, and a free zone was created around the port which was an ingenious response to changing market conditions (Elsheshtawy 2004).   The massive and rapid expansion of Dubai is the most tangible manifestation of urbanization that has transformed the city from a small fishing village to a major city. This spatial expansion is manifested in size, appearance, and urban morphology. Three factors contributed to this growth: economic affluence, technological advancements in transportation and public utilities, and government land-use policy (Elsheshtawy 2004). Dubai is one of the most successful emirates in UAE; this emirate is achieving success for its ability to adjust to various changes in its strategies. One change it has accepted is internet marketing. This proposal will focus on discussing the need to study the impact of internet marketing on Dubai businesses. Statement of the problem Internet marketing is one of the newest trends in the business world. This trend is being used by various businesses to make their products be known to more people and for them to acquire competitive advantage over rival firms. But not all business may not be pleased with this new trend; there are some businesses that are concerned of the effects of this trend to the existence of their business. The proposed study will determine the impact of internet marketing to businesses in Dubai.   Aims of the study While the research questions only refer to the information that the researcher intended to question. The objectives, however, will focus on the necessary problems and objectives that should be clarified in order to gather the intended information and also be able to derive specific information that are not limited by the previous questions. With these objectives, the study will be able to attain the necessary information that can help derive further conclusions and proper recommendations. The study intends to determine the impact of internet marketing on Dubai business. There are other aims and objectives of the study. This includes Determining how internet marketing affects business. Finding out the benefits of internet marketing to business. Knowing whether internet marketing is a threat to the businesses in Dubai. Gathering people's thoughts about internet marketing in the emirate. Theoretical Framework/Literature review Marketing and its practices Marketing promotes the sale of goods and services. In exploring whether ethical norms should guide marketing motives and methods, one possible response would be to deny any ethical relevance and simply rely on the principle of caveat emptor, i.e. let the buyer beware. Under this approach, the seller can seek to maximize self-interest gains by using the most cost-efficient and profit-effective methods of increasing product sales (Kline 2005). In economic market theory, such free interplay might result in maximum efficiency gains for all parties. In real-world practice, market failures occur when seller and buyer operate on very different levels of knowledge and competence, generating calls for compensating actions to promote more just, fair and even more economically efficient outcomes (Kline 2005).   Most ethical controversies related to international marketing center on charges that corporate practices limit or distort the application of free choice principles. Other qualifying terms can be added to this general concept in order to provide more specific criteria to determine whether a particular consumer or groups of consumers are exercising free choice decisions in their purchases. Ethical analysis can use case scenarios to explore such applications by examining the interrelated effects of three factors: the characteristics of a target audience, the marketing techniques employed, and the nature of the product involved. These factors help establish the value basis for ethical concerns, the impact of particular marketing practices and the level of critical need presented by a case. One way to evaluate how marketing information affects informed free choice would be to array various examples along a continuum (Kline 2005). The impacts on consumer choice range from rational persuasion to a created compulsion. Between these extremes appear various forms and levels of manipulation as marketing techniques present, withhold, misrepresent, embellish or otherwise alter product-related information to promote sales. The specific labels represent general tendencies rather than precise points on the continuum, as interpretations will vary regarding the significance or impact of particular advertising techniques. However, the further a particular technique falls to the left side of the continuum, the more certainly the marketing practice can be judged to violate an informed free choice principle (Kline 2005).   Ethical marketing should employ communication methods that assure all potential customers can understand potential risks and recommended safe-use procedures. More broadly, marketing techniques utilizing exaggeration or imagery also impact differently on diverse audiences. Even in developed countries, not all consumers become inured to exaggerated advertising claims or product lifestyle associations common in media marketing campaigns (Kline 2005). Marketing practices varies among the different situation in the environment. Marketing practices is always accompanied by ethical decisions wherein the relationship between the company and its environment is put into consideration. Internet Marketing As the marketing channels of entire industries were changing, the value chains of distinct companies would have to follow. If, indeed, the entire infrastructure of the economy were changing, clearly such shifts would not take place without substantial consequences in strategic marketing management. The more perceptive observers began to question the absence of time in marketing practices. That paved way to future ideas on various forms of speed economies. In the past, marketing managers had focused on transactions, persuasion, and broadcasting, without active or reactive feedback. The new marketing managers began to focus on relationships, dialogue and interactivity, and feedback loops (Steinbock 2000).   `           As the new value chains reflected the accelerating bargaining power of the buyer, intense rivalry in new and emerging industries reflected both the efforts to increase entry barriers and the attempts to raise switching costs through dense seller-buyer relationships. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, several perceptive observers paid increasing attention to the implications of this shift in bargaining power. Their writings heralded and made way for those ideas and practices that would proliferate in the early years of Internet marketing (Steinbock 2000).  In retrospect, the common denominator lies in the centrality given to the idea of relationship, interactivity, or feedback loop. With the launch of the Web and the first browser generation, it became the function of Internet marketing to sell the new media to companies and consumers alike. Since firms could exploit the Web far faster than households, the experiences in the business-to-business marketing would also lead the way in consumer marketing. That reflected a drastic historical change in marketing paradigms (Steinbock 2000).   The introduction and tremendous growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web have raised questions about the impact of these new technologies on media use as well as non media-related activities. Online storefronts offer direct sales via an electronic catalog or other more innovative format. Marketing communication in these environments may resemble point-of-purchase sales promotions. This model combines elements of direct marketing with in-store shopping and it has the potential to be vastly more efficient than either. However, it is currently inhibited by the slow transmission of online communication and by marketers' lack of knowledge about online shopping behavior (Schumann & Thorson 1999). Internet presence sites may take the form of flat ads with simple Non linked information, image sites that have an emotional appeal to the consumer, or information sites that provide detailed rational information about the firm and/or its offerings. Flat ads resemble magazine advertising. Image sites combine the kind of entertainment and corporate message that might be associated with corporate sponsorship of sporting events. Information sites often resemble corporate brochures (Schumann & Thorson 1999). Internet marketing is slowly playing a vital part in business organization. It is becoming recognized as an important innovation by some companies. It is becoming popular because of the positive changes it has created to some business. Methodology Type of research The research process onion of Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2003) will guide the researcher in order to come up with the most suitable research approaches and strategies for this study. The research process union will be used as a basis to show the researcher's conceptualization of the most applicable research approaches and strategies that will lead to the gathering of the necessary data needed to answer the research questions stated, as well as to arrive to the fulfillment of this research undertaking's objectives. The research will use the descriptive method to determine the impact of internet marketing to Dubai business. Descriptive research tries to explore the cause of a particular event or situation. It also wants to present facts concerning the nature and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study (Creswell 1994). In addition, such method tries to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the participants of the research. Basically, a descriptive research utilizes observations and surveys. For this reason, the study calls for the use of this approach because it is a goal of the study to gather first hand information from bank managers and other people knowledgeable about risk management and financial stability.    The descriptive approach is also quicker and more practical in terms of financing. Moreover, this method will allow for a flexible approach, thus, when important new issues, probabilities, and questions come up during the duration of the study, a further investigation and confirmation may be allowed. Lastly this type of approach will allow for decisions to drop unproductive areas of research from the original plan of the study. The choice and design of methods are constantly modified during data gathering based on continuing analysis. This will give way for creation of an investigation of important new issues, concerns, probabilities and questions as they arose.    Research Strategy For this research data will be gathered through collating published studies from different books, articles from different related journals and studies, and other literary instruments. The next thing that will be done is to make a content analysis of the collected documentary and verbal material. The study will then summarize all the necessary information. By summarizing it additional knowledge of the study will be imparted to the researcher. The study will then make a conclusion based on the said information.   Data Collection and Analysis The study shall use questionnaires and interview methods to gather pertinent data. The questionnaire and interview will be made in such a way that the employees will spend less time in answering it. Moreover, the study shall also use interviews with open ended questions.  By using such methods the study can be probed deeply and the study will provide a better understanding of internet marketing in Dubai. Sampling To determine the number of respondents that will be asked to participate and give information regarding the study random sampling will be used. The participants are 20 top officials from top 100 companies in Dubai. Interview will be requested with the business managers of some of the firms. As much as possible the respondents should at least have been serving in the company for more than one year so that accurate data can be achieved. The respondents should have been in the company for more than a year so that the information that can be gathered from them will be tested by time and improved by the different experiences they had with the company.   Constraints of the study There can be different constraints for the study. One constraint can be the time constraints. In making sure that the project goes well more time will be used. Another constraint is the confidentiality of information. Participants in the study may not be keen to provide information. This may cause the project some wasted time. Lastly a constraint for the study is the unwillingness to participate of the personnel. Some of the respondents may not be willing to join such study because they believe it is just a waste of time and energy.   Major Risk One of the major risks for the study is getting negative feedbacks from the participants. Some of the people might accept the purpose of the study but some might be offended by it. Some people might also question the importance of the study to their organization. Another risk for the study is to create changes not all people would be willing to accept. Lastly a risk for the study is it not able to find the information it needs at the allowed time. Finding the information may take some more time.    Ethical Considerations In the study participants will be first informed about the purpose of the study and the need for gathering information. Any person asked to participate in a certain research should be given enough information on why the research is important and how the information acquired for the research will be used. It will give them assurance that the information will be used in accordance with proper respect. The participants will be given assurance that their identities will be treated with high confidentiality. Confidentiality is an important aspect of qualitative research because it can help in making sure that participants will have the trust and confidence to indulge in research undertakings in the future. If confidentiality is violated, participants may not want to share information that can be valuable to future research.   Plan The study will initially gather information that will serve as introductory part of the study. These kind of information helps the reader what the study is about, what it intends to do and what will be its result. The study will then gather related literature to prove the need for conducting the study. The literature review can help in determining what are the studies already done, what study needs to be corrected. The study will then determine the methods and means for data to be gathered and analyzed. In this part the data is being readied to be gathered and analyzed but the method to gather it will first be determined.  The next part of the study is gathering, presenting and interpreting the data. In this part the validity of the hypothesis and ideas about the study will be proven. The last part of the study will be the part where conclusions and recommendations will be stated. In this part final statement about the study will be done.   Time frameThe first thing to be done is to collect necessary data and information. This includes colleting data from primary and secondary sources. Within this time frame the questionnaire has been formulated and ready for use, the survey will be conducted to the respondents. After gathering such data the next thing to be done is analyzing it to use it in the study. This will be done for a month. The next activity is formulating the first two chapters. Within the said activity the data is integrated with the research, and the related literature is included. This will be done in 2 weeks. The next activity is formulating the last few chapters of the study wherein the data gathered from the survey is integrated and the analysis of the data is included in the research. This will be done for at least 3 weeks to ensure that the study is done well.  The last activity is finalizing the paper and preparation to present the results of the study.