FAQ List
Overview
This section of the website contains a FAQ list. This list has the objective to ensure that research
FAQ
 | What is the structure of the questionnaire? |
The research questionnaire is divided into 3 sections. The first section (questions 1.1. - 1.7) raises questions concerning the importance, organization and instruments of strategic planning of your bank. The second part (questions 2.1. - 2.2.) raises questions concerning key factors in today's retail banking business from your perspective. The last section addresses criteria for bank classification.
| We have different business segments with specific planning processes. Which planning process should be considered? |
In case of a bank with different business segments (or strategic business units) the answers should consider the situation within "retail banking business" segment (in the case that this business segment has a strategic planning process of its own). In the case that the bank has a strategic planning process "just" for the entire organization, the answers should consider this process and its conditions.
| Our retail bank is part of bank group. Can we participate and what do we have to consider when aswering the question? |
A retail bank that belongs to a bank group can participate in the field research, too. There is one important issue to consider: This questionnaire has the objective to research structure and sequence of strategic planning of YOUR retail bank. A specific focus is give to its organization, tools and appraoches. Please answer this questionnaire from YOUR bank's point of view (and not from a possible corporate group's perspective).
| Which financial institutions can participate in the research? |
The following list offers examples of those financial institutions which can participate: Pure retail banks, online banks, so called Universal banks, credit cooperatives, savings banks, online broker (when it also offers standard retail banking products)
| Which financial institutions can't participate in the research? |
You can't participate when your organizations does not offer "typical" retail banking products within its product range.
For example:
- Your organization is a building and loan association and offers ONLY so called "savings and loan contracts". In this case your organization cannot participate.
- Due to its business model your organization serves only corporate customers. In this case your organization cannot participate, too.
Opposite to this (example): Your organization is a building and loan association and offers so called "savings and loan contracts" AND retail banking products in addition (e.g. saving certificates) to retail customers. In this case your organization can participate - and I am looking forward to your answers.
| We are a so called "special bank", but we have a retail banking business segment, too. Can we participate in the research? |
That depends on the materiallity / significance of the retail business segment. In the case that your retail banking business has (a) significant size (business volume, number of customers etc.) or (b) a strategic importance for the entire organization, your organization can participate.
| What means European in the context of this thesis? |
To develop the research question several aspects in terms of the research focus have been discussed. A delimitation is the "European market". In general it covers the countries in West-Europe, Middle-Europe as well as the countries in East-Europe. Several sources in literature identified cultural differences between Anglo-American and European organizations. Taking those cultural impacts as a determining factor into consideration, it is recommended to use a geographic focus as a delimitation of scope of research activities. The objective of this approach is to reduce the impact of those differences. But: It has to be taken into account that - despite the attribute "European country" - a number of differences and diversities between the selected countries will still exist.
| Which countries will be considered? |
In order to get a deeper insight into the various conditions and processes in different countries the research will focus on particular countries. This selection will consider both two attributes: the importance of the financial market as well as the age of the economic conditions. For the latter one the focus will be on young countries in terms of market economy. Hence retail banking business of the following countries will be considered in the research: United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany, Poland and Hungary.
| What is the meaning of the research topic? |
Since the appearance of the planning concept scientists and managers deal with the process of strategic planning. Their common objective is to gain a better understanding of methods, impact factors and conditions for strategic planning to improve organisation, process and tools of planning. A further objective is to respond to new challenges, which arise from different changes.This thesis considers that there are some specific recommendations in the academic literature for the strategy research in terms of identified gaps. A clear definition of the concept of strategic planning in general and of the term "strategic planning" in particular is missed . Hence the thesis will compare and discuss the different definitions and ideas for the concept. Some sources also identified gaps in terms of conditions for efficient strategies; hence these authors recommend to explain efficient strategies instead of searching for strategies and to gain knowledge about steering of corporations in their environment . Therefore this thesis will analyse a particular business (i.e. market conditions, product features, critical success factors). The above mentioned sources also suggest to identify and to prefer general rules for behaviour instead of specific strategic recommendations. Another gap is the explanation neediness for both existence and emersion of strategies . Sometimes strategies occur in an organisation without any specific measures or process structures before. Hence it is recommended to identify those conditions in terms of organisational structures, roles and behaviours, which support a clear and stable strategy process.
| We did not order the report when we submitted the questionnaire. However, how can we order the report now? |
This requires the identification of your submitted questionnaire. If you have submitted the questionnaire without contact details (question 3.2) I have to ask you to submit a copy of your questionnaire. In this case a subsequent report order is only possible together with a copy of the questionnaire.
In the case that you submitted your questionnaire including contact details. Please send me an e-mail with the name of person and name of bank that did fill in the questionnaire form. In this case I will check the participation of your bank. When the check is positive, I will put your address to the list of interested persons.
| Is it possible to receive the report without participating in the reseach? |
Unfortunately this is not possible. The report will be offered exclusively to bank which participated in the research.
| Which benefits do we have from participation? |
You can receive different types of results reports which discuss the current status of strategic planning in your industry. There are three different options to choose from:
a) You can receive a general report for free. This report describes and analyses strategic planning processes in retail banks.
b) You can receive a specific benchmarking report for your organization. With this report you can identify your status for strategic planning in comparison to the status of the industry.
c) You can have a presentation in your bank in which I discuss options to improve strategic planning in your organization.
| When will the reports be submitted? |
The reports will be written after finishing all analysis. The submission of reports is expected for mid to end of second quarter 2010. This does also apply for presentations; furthermore individual appointments have to made in this case.
| We would like to have the presentation in our bank. How do we organize this? How much is this? |
Our first step is to manage an appointment. Furthermore we should clarify the specific interest ouf your organization (e.g. focus on benchmarking, focus on general outcome of the research). I would like to re-emphazise that research data will be presented in a statistical format to ensure data privacy. Considering the expected content I will evaluate the term that is needed for presentation. Furthermore I will consider enough time for discussion.
The presentation and its prepartion itself is free of charge. However I would expect that your bank will bear all expenses in connection with travel and accomodation. Considering the location of your bank I will decide about the most appropriate way of travel (car, train or plane).
| How is data privacy organized? |
The outcome of this questionnaire are subject to data privacy and will be treated in the strictest confidence. They will be used exclusively in a statistical format for the research purpose of my PhD-thesis. All data and data reports will be presented only in a statistical format; hence an analysis of a particular organization is not possible.
| How long will it take to fill out the questionnaire? |
In order to identify conditions and management tools correctly the questionnaire has a size of 10 pages (page 1 contains the cover sheet, page 12 contains volountary contact data). Answering all questions will take you app. 70 minutes.
| Why is the area code of fax and phone different? |
The area code of my home town Russelsheim is (0)6142. The fax device is part of a Unified Messing Service (USM), that means that your fax will be delivered to me as an email. For the UMS the national area code is (0)32 in Germany.
| How was this website developed? |
This website was programmed with a construction kit for websites "Web to date " from Data Becker; pdf-files have been generated with Adobe Acrobat Pro version 9.
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