This reflection is personal, but it also takes a team perspective. The business research taking place on the topic of cybersecurity proved to be a source of opportunities. From the stage of topic selection to the final shape of the research, this research process has been a great experience of learning. The following sections have noted how each section of the research is accomplished. Cybersecurity is a contemporary topic that is worth pursuing further research. Reflection has helped to serve this purpose to put research on cybersecurity in the limelight. Furthermore, learning lessons becomes the guiding lessons to move ahead with the research process. Business research should be a comprehensive piece that should present solutions and opportunities, so; reflection helps in this attempt.
Contribution to the Topic Selection, Problem Definition, and Other Stages:
The first and foremost step in business research has been the selection of the topic of the research. I contributed to this stage by recommending that we should choose a topic that is of contemporary relevance. I have always been fond of technology and the innovation taking place as a result of it. My team members also liked the idea, but the selection of the topic, cybersecurity, was the team effort (Al-Moshaigeh et al., 2019). The stage of problem definition and preparing for research questions were further steps to move ahead. It was part of the team charter that all decisions must have the backing of the team. I contributed to it by only recommending changes in my position. I never tried to be stubborn or show insistence on an option. It has been a source of great experience where I felt I was being listened to and owned by the whole team. I learned from experience that one should contribute to a team effort effectively and actively. However, one should not act stubbornly because it is against the team process. I am pleased to note that all team members showed professionalism and the perfect attitude necessary for business research. The topic selection proved to be very learning because I learned plenty of useful information regarding cybersecurity (Kita & Šimberová, 2018).
Contribution to the Literature Review Report:
The literature review was a very important part of business research because it required a collective effort. I came to know that the literature review is like a bouquet where each research study acts as a flower. I searched for articles and provided the team with relevant research studies. However, there was difficulty in selecting relevant research studies. Every research study that is related to cybersecurity cannot be part of the literature review. Here, I learned the importance of problem definition and research questions that guided which research study should be part of the literature review (Widmann & Mulder, 2018).
I played a crucial role in structuring the literature review as I focused on how the research should flow ahead. The type of research studies and their relation to the research topic was part of my keen interest. I learned here that the literature review is a team effort, and my suggestions must win team support. I also learned that the research should access credible and peer-reviewed journal articles for having the appropriate literature review (Klimanov & Tretyak, 2019).
Contribution to the Research Methodology:
Business research on cybersecurity has conducted a well-developed methodology that has gathered data from respondents to complete the research. The discussion on methods, sampling, data collection tools, and analysis has been an important part of the research. This is the area that has been the source of learning for me because I did not know much about methodology. However, I contributed by taking part in discussions. I fostered the need for making a questionnaire and participated in the process of questionnaire development. Here again, research questions from the first chapter have been guiding the whole research because questions in the questionnaires followed them. Moreover, the sampling and having access to respondents were other crucial areas of the research. My experience of the discussion was filled with learning because I gained new perspectives and aspects from the discussion taking place in the team. This experience and learning made it clear that teamwork helps everyone in the team as it guarantees a consistent and continuous learning process (Callaghan, 2019).
Reflection on the Research Experience:
The whole research experience of working on this business research was outstanding and marvelous. I learned the value of work individually and being part of the research. Certainly, I faced challenges and issues because I have to follow the teamwork. Sometimes, I was not in line with the views of the team, and I faced difficulty being part of the group. However, later I became an effective member of the team and enjoyed the synergy through it. Business research is a complex and integrated activity that has many activities close to each other. Doing things being a team and then having the supervision of the professor are valuable assets that have made business research possible. I learned that anything could be successful if there is such integration. I, as a member of the team, focused on my contribution to the team, and collective discussions taught everyone. However, in case of any confusion, we found the research supervisor as the mentor, and it was a pleasant feeling. But I would like to restate here that working as a team is always a challenge because accepting a difference of opinion is not easy. I learned how to reach consensus and ensure coexistence with others. But I am pleased to say that the outcome of teamwork has been the synergy that I, along with other team members, achieved (Vignoli et al., 2018).
A statement indicating the Sections of this Research that offer Opportunities for Learning about Business Research:
Each section of this research project has my contribution, but the literature review has got the largest contribution from me. Moreover, I also took an active part in formulating research questions and methodology sections of the research. When I started to review the literature, I found that research questions lead the process. I felt their impact throughout the research process because the research answers these questions. I learned how to plan for an activity, and the integration of all sections revealed synergy. Planning took place in the first chapter was helpful in the coming sections, and then, it guides the research process further. Teamwork is the learning outcome of this business research because I could not meet the research objectives without a collective approach. Moreover, I also took part in sections other than the literature review. It was due to the group effort that helped me feel that I am part of the research in every section. Collectively, it becomes an opportunity that enriched me with knowledge and information on the topic of business research, i.e., cybersecurity.
Conclusion:
The above reflection concludes that business research was a collective and group effort. It has also affected me as an individual because I took part in activities collectively. I brainstormed and discussed with team members that made it possible to reach this final shape of business research. However, one has to take responsibility for a section that is reflected in my main contribution to the literature review section. However, I have learned that team effort owns all individual endeavors that are a great aspect of the research process.
References
Al-Moshaigeh, A., Dickins, D. & Higgs, J.L., 2019. Cybersecurity Risks and Controls: Is the AICPA’s SOC for Cybersecurity a Solution? The CPA Journal, 89(6), pp.36-41.
Callaghan, C.W., 2019. Business Research Methodologies and the need for Economies of Scale in the Business Research Process: Harnessing the Innovation Opportunities of Novel Technologies and Technological Change. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 17(3), pp.179-90.
Kita, P. & Šimberová, I., 2018. Business model research proposal: novel business model concepts based on sustainable multiple customer value creation in a selected country. Scientific Papers of the University of Pardubice. Series D. Faculty of Economics and Administration, (44), pp.114-26.
Klimanov, D. & Tretyak, O., 2019. Linking business model research and marketing: new network-based approach to business model analysis. The Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 34(1), pp.117-36.
Vignoli, M., Depolo, M., Cifuentes, M. & Punnett, L., 2018. Disagreements on leadership styles between supervisors and employees are related to employees’ well-being and work team outcomes. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 11(5).
Widmann, A. & Mulder, R.H., 2018. Team learning behaviours and innovative work behaviour in work teams. European Journal of Innovation Management, 21(3), pp.501-20.
