EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

Identifying a Process of Finding Employment Opportunities in Business Intelligence

Table of Contents
List of figures...................................................................................................................................3
Identifying a Process of Finding Employment Opportunities in Business Intelligence..................4
Methodology....................................................................................................................................5
Introduction..................................................................................................................................5
Steps involved in Action Research..............................................................................................6
Models for Action Research........................................................................................................7
Kemmis action research model...............................................................................................7
Lewins action research model................................................................................................8
Susmans action research model..............................................................................................9
Action Research Implementation..............................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................12

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List of figures
Figure 1. Kemmis Action Research Model. Source
Figure 2: Lewins Action Research Model .......................................................................................
Figure 3: Susmans Action Research Model..................................................................................10

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Introduction
Action Research study provides a good basis for review of opportunities available in the
Business Intelligence field. The study provides better understanding of the requirements of
qualification and experiences that one should have in order to secure a job in the Business
Intelligence field. Many software applications have been designed and have been used over the 3
decades in Business Intelligence. Advancements in technology have led to consequent
advancement in the versions of the Business Intelligence available in the market. SAP
Corporation makes business management software, among them, business intelligence software
SAP BI. This software is subject to changes from time to time due technological changes and the
rising need for change attributed to changes in the operations and the requirements of an
organization (Czernicki, 2010). This research helps in outlining the job opportunities created by
the need for changes of the software within an organization. This topic lays out the opportunities
available for system analysts in updating the business intelligence software within an
organization.
System analysts are professionals that major in analyzing the operations of a program in a
company, its effectiveness and any arising need for change that may be required. The worldwide
use of software and applications in data collection, processing, management and reporting has
led to an increased demand of system analysts. System analysts are required to hold relevant
qualifications relating to Application and Software Management. This is because of the required
knowledge on the system operations.
Upgrading SAP Business Intelligence will help a company to derive unlimited number of
advantages. Among them include reduced costs and risk (Williams & Williams, 2007). With
better business intelligence software, the overall risk of data loss and corruption is reduced and
the cost associated with the audit trail. Upgrading also ensures that the enterprise operates
effectively with better decision making and also better data safety.

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Many companies use business intelligence applications. With this usage, the projected
number of employment will rise due to the rising need of software upgrading. Upgrading the
software creates employment for many system analysts in different companies. Action research
also helps to point out the skills and competences that the system analysts should possess.

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Methodology
Introduction
Action research is believed to have originated with Kurt Lewin, who described it as
proceedings of spiral steps composed of planning, action and evaluation of the results of the
action. According to Reason (2008) Lewin argued that, to understand and change certain social
practices, involvement of practitioners from the real social world is crucial in all steps of inquiry.
Kurt Lewin describes action research as a research that compares the condition of various social
actions and their respective effects and one that leads to social action (Schein & Gallos, 2006).
Action research is focused on studying a system and simultaneously collaborating with the
members of the system in changing it to what can be considered a desirable direction.
Action research can be generalized to mean a method that involves identification of a
problem, looking for resolution measures, evaluation of the effectiveness of these measures and
re-evaluation if the measures are not successful. Among the many definition of action research,
four themes are featured. They include empowerment of participant, collaboration through
participation, acquisition of knowledge and social change (McNiff, 2013).
From the various definition of action research, AR is stated to have three minimum
requirements. The first requirements incorporates the goals of improving and involving, which
characterizes any action research project. For action research to exist, conditions that are
considered sufficient and necessary are set. The second requirement is that the project must take
up a social practice as its subject matter, and regard it as a strategic action subject to
improvement. The project must proceed through a spiral of cycles which involve planning,
acting, observing and reflecting. Each of these activities must be analytically and self-critically
implemented and interrelated. The third requirement is that the project must involve all the

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participants in each activity, and broadening the involvement including those affected by the
practice and maintaining collective control of the process.
Steps involved in Action Research
AR is suitable for such areas with a wide coverage and requiring flexibility and
involvement of people in the research (Greenwood & Levin, 2007). Action research involves
several steps process:

Selecting a focus- this step involves selecting a topic worth researching. The action

researcher aims at stating what elements or aspect they wish to investigate.

Clarifying theories-this steps involves identify the theoretical perspectives, theories or

believes that they hold with regards to their focus.

Identifying research questions-meaningful research questions that will help in the inquiry

are chosen at this stage.

Collecting data- several sources of data are identified to ensure validity and reliability of
the data. Techniques used to collect data should capture the desired qualities under
research. Valid and accurate data should be collected so that the information collected can

be a true representation of study area.

Analyzing data and reporting-in this step, the action research data is analyzed using user
friendly techniques that help the researcher to identify trends and patterns. This gives a
researcher a better understanding of the observed phenomena. Using this, the researcher
can come up with a theory or recommendable results on what may be done to improve

the situation.
Taking informed action- this step will involve the implementation of the researchers
results.

Models for Action Research

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In action research, researchers aim at inquiring about a certain situation and coming up
with a desirable action. In doing so, the processes involved in action research will remain the
same in all practices. Action research method can be adopted by both large and small companies
and institutions. There are several models for action research that have been in use.
Kemmis action research model.
According to Carr &Kemmis as cited by Willis (2014), action research will entail a
cyclical inquiry. The cycle will consist of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting and
consequently, re-planning, further action, further observation and further reflection.

Figure 1. Kemmis Action Research Model. Source: MacIsaac (1995)

Lewins action research model.
Lewins Action Research models involves a detailed description of three cyclical
processes. It starts with a series of planning actions that are initiated by the client and the

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researcher. In this stage, there is preliminary diagnosis, data gathering, result feedback and a joint
action plan. The second stage of the action research is the transformation phase. In this stage,
actions relating to the learning process are established. Any feedback from this stage are moved
to the initial stage and alters the initial action plan in order to bring the learning activities in line
with the objectives.In the third and final phase, the actual changes that have taken place as a
result of taking the corrective measures from phase two. Data is gathered once again and
progress is assessed. Any necessary adjustments pertaining the learning activities are made.
Minor adjustments can be made in phase two, otherwise, adjustments are made in the first phase
(Schein &Gallos, 2006).

Figure 2: LewinsAction Research Model

Source:Schein &Gallos (2006)

Susmans action research model.

This model states that in each research cycle, five phases are taken (Stringer, 2007). On
the initial stage, the research problem is identified and data is collected for which diagnosis is
carried in details. Suppositions on possible alternativeoutcomes arise. From these, a single plan

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of action is identified and implemented. The consequences of the action are evaluated. Data on
the result after implementation is collected and the findings are interpreted with respect to the
success of the action taken. At this point, the problem is reassessed and another cycle is started.
This is done until the problem is resolved.

Figure 3: Susmans Action Research Model Source: Susman (1983)

Action Research Implementation
Action research has been in use in the social practice and organizational development
fields (McNiff, 2013). Its application extends to the fields related to scientific and technological
advancements. These fields are concerned with the development of software, assessment of their
performance as well as restructuring and upgrade of programs. Business intelligence is a vital
part of data process and analysis in any organization. Upgrading the SAP BI will help
organizations to boost their performance as well as make informed decisions. The upgrading
system creates employment opportunities to those involved with the upgrade process. Action
research method will require that the researcher be well equipped with knowledge on the tools,

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techniques and the operations of the SAP BI in the analysis of data. With the participation of the
researchers and other parties, an assessment for upgrading need to be carried out. The
shortcomings and the deficiencies caused by the current version will be identified. The
researcher will use this information to evaluate the viability of the versions under consideration.
Realization of a gap will necessitate upgrade and this creates employment (McDonald, 2006).
Undertaking action research is guided by a professional researcher in the area under
study. The main aim of undertaking an AR is to improve the strategies applied in a certain
practice as well as advance knowledge on the environment of the practice with a goal of
improving performance. Action Research is a practical method and it will provide professional
inquiry on the upgrade project for SAP BI. If there is need to upgrade, a company will be
required to hire specialists. This means that there will be creation of employment opportunities
within the organizations.

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References
Czernicki, B. (2010). Silverlight 4 business intelligence software. New York: Apress.
Greenwood, D., & Levin, M. (2007). Introduction to action research social research for social
change (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.
McDonald, K. (2006). Mastering the SAP business information warehouse leveraging the
business intelligence capabilities of SAP NetWeaver (2nd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Wiley
Pub.
McNiff, J. (2013). Action research: Principles and practice.
Reason, P. (2008). The SAGE handbook of action research: Participative inquiry and practice
(2nd ed).
Schein, E. H., &Gallos, J. (2006). Organization development: A Jossey-Bass reader (Vol. 4).
John Wiley & Sons.
Stringer, E. (2007). Action research (3rd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Williams,S., & Williams, N. (2007). The profit impact of business intelligence. Amsterdam:
Elsevier/Morgan Kaufmann
Willis, J. W. (2014). Action research: Models, methods, and examples.