Upload
gatitip
View
239
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
1/23
MBA Dissertation
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
2/23
Expected outcomes
To achieve this, you are required to produce a Dissertation project ofbetween 15,000 and 20,000 words by choosing one of the following:
1. A work-based project, which will involve you working in aconsultatative capacity with a specific organisation, where the
emphasis will be on analysing and evaluating substantive strategicproblems or issues within the organisation and formulatingappropriate solutions and/or recommendations.
Or:
2. A project which will involve analysing and evaluating substantivestrategic problems in a specific business sector and formulatingperspectives on how the problems might be tackled and making anassessment of the future changes that will affect developments inthat sector.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
3/23
Regardless of which type of project you decide toundertake, you must address the following key areas:
How your recommendations could be implemented giventhe studies that you have undertaken and your priorexperience of the organisation or business sector. Youwill also be expected to include within yourrecommendations an outline plan detailing thetimescales, management interventions andresources that would be need to be available to
implement the recommendations. A reflection upon the development of your skills and
competences derived from the experience of undertakingthe dissertation.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
4/23
Upon successful completion of this
module, students will be able to: Identify specific substantive problems/issues/tasks within
organisational/business sector placing them in a strategic
context in their investigations. Formulate a related research question via a review of theactivities and operations of the organisation/businesssector and the environment within which it operates.
Demonstrate a clear understanding of different research
methodologies and their limitations, and be able toexplain when one might be more appropriate thananother in the context of the chosen research project.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
5/23
Apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative
research methods including action research as
necessary to analyse organisational/business
sector strategic problems.
Critically review your own personal development
as a manager and set actionable objectives.
Demonstrate appropriate skills in recording,interpreting and analysing qualitative and
quantitative data relating to the research topic.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
6/23
Demonstrate that the project findings have been
logically derived and that conclusions,
solutions/recommendations are fully supported
by evidence.
Derive strategic recommendations for changes
in an organisations or business sectors
activities and strategies and articulate these in a
concise and coherent manner for
implementation by management.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
7/23
FORMAT OF YOUR THESIS
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
8/23
Front Matter
Cover page
Declaration page declaration as given bysunderland
ABSTRACT page
Acknowledgements/Dedication page
List of tables
List of Figures
Abbreviations page
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
9/23
ABSTRACT/SYNOPSIS.
SEE WORD DOCUMENT
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
10/23
CHAPTER ONE
Heading is
INTRODUCTION Setting a Context for the Chosen Topic You must provide an insight into the context
underpinning the project, e.g. you may need
to give a review of what is currently happeningwithin a specific organisation or particularbusiness sector and to review some keythemes relating to the strategic problems
you are investigating. Setting an appropriatecontext will help the reader to appreciate whyyou have chosen the topic and why thetopic is significant.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
11/23
3. Stating clear Objectives for your Dissertation
Topic
You must provide a coherent statement of
what you hope to achieve by undertaking yourinvestigations. The stated objectives will help the
reader to appreciate the scope of the work
undertaken. A specific research question or
questions needs also to be stated and this would
often be supported by specific research
hypotheses.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
12/23
1. Brief discussion of base theory usuallylink to corporate strategy and operationalissues e.g. if area of study is marketing
strategy 2. Brief discussion of case study-
Name of company, products, size, brief
history. Need clear statement of research
question/ objective(s) of study
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
13/23
CHAPTER TWO Heading is
Literature Review
Undertake a Literature Review
You must carry out a comprehensive review of thepublished work from secondary sources, which is ofspecific interest to the central themes of your
intended investigation. When doing this, you needto:
Identify the leading authors and practitioners andreflect upon the implications of their contribution to thecentral themes of the topic area.
Clearly state the aims and objectives of the review andprovide a logical presentation of the research done.
State the specific research question(s) supportedwhere applicable with a specific researchhypotheses.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
14/23
Requirements 4000-6000 words review of
relevant literature including review of key
strategic and operational literature.
NB the literature review should underpin/
guide the research
20 50 up to date refs books + journals
Analytical + Integrated with key questions
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
15/23
CHAPTER THREE
4. Developing Valid Methodologies
You must provide substantive evidence of why youhave used particular research methods andtechniques to take your investigations forward.
When doing so, you will need to: Explain why such techniques and methods are
appropriate.
Indicate that you are aware of the scope and limitationsof the methods adopted.
Discuss the theories, concepts and models used, theirrationale and how They have been applied.(conceptualandOperational framework)
Checkworddocumentformoreinformation.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
16/23
Notes - 1500 2500 words
Explanations and Justification
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
17/23
CHAPTER FOUR/five heading will be
Data Review/ Analysis of
Findings/ Data Analysis (4000-5000 words) You need to critical evaluate the
factors/issues/problems relating to your chosen
topic area. You must recognise that there are different
perspectives on problems/issues and on thesolutions to those problems/issues.
Therefore you need to generate balancedarguments and use illustrative examples to
justify your findings.
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
18/23
CHAPTER FIVE/SIX Heading will be
Conclusions and
Recommendations 7. Conclusions/Solutions/Recommendations You must summarise the results of your
investigation and emphasise the significance of theresults. When doing so, you will need to:
State solutions to problems. Make future recommendations for future action and
future research.
Include time scales relating to the review of yourrecommendations and
their potential implementation together with theresources and management actions likely to berequired to support the measures that need to betaken.(CHECK WORD DOCUMENT)
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
19/23
APPENDICES
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
20/23
Personal Development
.(CHECK WORD DOCUMENT)
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
21/23
. Referencing
You will have used a wide range of
sources in undertaking the dissertation. Allsources of information will need to be
appropriately acknowledged and
referenced as per the Harvard Convention
(Refer to the Student Handbook).
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
22/23
Clear and easy to follow
Professionally produced
Full refs in alphabetical order Harvardstyle
8/3/2019 MBA Dissertation (1)
23/23
From Today , what next???
1) Research Topics/Titles to be
In ( Rose) on the 6th, October
2011.2) A 1500 proposal/synopsis to
be send to Sunderland by 27th,
October2011