For this study, the annual report and reference document of KFC and McDonald’s, data in published paper, published books and journals are also the main possible sources, as well as the consulting reports from consulting companies and meeting minutes of industrial summit. The financial data is focus on the company performance on the annual report from leading fast food companies.
On one hand, according to Bryman and Bell’s analysis in their book, the secondary research is considered by all business researchers. Desk research offers high-quality data with lower cost and time due to the rational procedure, widely variety of regions and experienced researchers. Meanwhile, secondary analysis offers the opportunity for longitudinal analysis and cross-cultural analysis. Desk research provides wide range of data and research results for this study in the changeable and cross-cultural business environment, in order to identify the difference between KFC and McDonald’s in Chinese market. At the same time, the unique culture effect Chinese consumer behaviour when they purchase fast food. The secondary research from other scholars who interested in competitive strategy and Chinese fast food environment would broaden the horizons of this study and make it clear and credibly.
One the other hand, there are several limitations about the desk research used in this study. Firstly, the dataset is generated by other organisations and researchers so that it is hardly very familiar with the structure and content required by this study. Secondly, the large volumes of data and research result