Final answer:
To formulate a research aim on the relationship between strategic planning and business performance, a. one must define key variables, b. develop a clear research statement, and c. specify the study's scope and objectives, which includes developing a question, conducting preliminary research, and formulating a hypothesis. Option d is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
To formulate a research aim about the relationship between strategic planning and business performance, particularly for an empirical study of manufacturing SMEs in the Western Province in Sri Lanka, all of the steps listed in the options, a, b, and c, should be included. Firstly, defining the key variables such as 'strategic planning' and 'business performance' and their expected relationships is critical. This would involve operationalizing these variables so that they can be measured. Secondly, developing a clear and concise research statement or aim is essential. This statement could be "The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of strategic planning on the performance of manufacturing SMEs in the Western Province of Sri Lanka." Finally, it is important to specify the scope and objectives of the study, which would clarify the boundaries of the research and the key questions it seeks to answer.
Considering the relevant steps of the scientific method, the first step would involve asking a question related to your topic, for example, "How does strategic planning influence business performance in manufacturing SMEs?" The second step is conducting preliminary research, where you would look for existing literature on strategic planning and business performance. The titles of articles, books, and reputable sources should be noted. The third step is formulating a clear hypothesis based on your research, such as "Manufacturing SMEs in the Western Province of Sri Lanka that engage in strategic planning will exhibit higher business performance compared to those that do not."