Pat is a HR Manager with a manufacturing firm that employs 57 people in Wexford. In 2016, eight of his staff are due to retire and Pat is worried about lost knowledge. Though the company has a ‘shadow’ scheme where newer staff are trained by their more experienced co-workers, John is anxious that the retirees will take years of experience and know-how with them.

Worried about the potential problems associated with these employee’s departures, Pat wants to conduct some research into the actual impact that retirements will have on his business. He would like to find out if he really should be concerned and try to retain some of the retirees on a part-time basis; or whether this knowledge drain is just a myth and will ultimately have no negative effect on the company.

Your business research agency has been chosen to design and structure a business research project to assist Pat in his decision making.

Develop a comprehensive research project for the client. This should include a detailed discussion on the research aim, the nature of the specific problem being addressed, your research philosophy, preferred research methodology, research strategy, time horizon and delimitations of scope. Outline what type of data should be collected. Support your approach with a detailed discussion on the recommendations which you have made. (100 marks)

Maximum 2,000 words

Note: This is a fictitious case and does not reflect any organization or individual.