sample research proposal for mba

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Starting the research process
• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a problem statement | guide & examples, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples, how to write a literature review | guide, examples, & templates, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

200+ Subject-Wise MBA Dissertation Topics to Check Out This Year

Link Copied

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

Research, Discuss, Dissert

Feeling the dissertation pressure mounting? Don't let writer's block turn your thesis into a 'to-do' list!  Here’s a list of 200+ MBA dissertation topics that go beyond the usual suspects.  From unique tech trends to the future of sustainability, we've got ideas to start your research passion and impress the professors. So, forget the generic, and let's craft MBA dissertation ideas that make your thesis stand out!

3 Key Considerations when Selecting MBA Dissertation Topics

Picking an MBA dissertation idea isn't everyone's favourite task, but knowing how to select the best MBA research topics is crucial. Three key things to remember when searching for MBA dissertation ideas are:

1. Choosing Unique MBA Dissertation Topics

Selecting MBA dissertation ideas may seem daunting, but don't fret if they've been explored before. The key lies in infusing your unique perspective into existing topics. Be innovative in your research approach to stand out.

2. Ensuring Availability of Secondary Data

Avoid last-minute topic changes by ensuring ample secondary data for your chosen MBA thesis topics. Don't delay the search for secondary data; confirm its availability during topic selection to streamline your research process.

3. Inculcating Quantitative Study

While textual analysis is appealing, integrating quantitative study enhances the depth of your MBA thesis topics. Numbers provide credibility and engage readers effectively. Strike a balance between theory and numerical analysis for impactful research.

Pursuing an MBA will help you advance your career in the business world. Many of the top universities and colleges in the world offer MBA programs in various fields. 

Subject-Wise Best Research Topics for MBA Students

The possibilities for MBA thesis topics are vast, covering all facets of business administration. To narrow down options, consider various subjects. Despite constraints, here's a list of excellent research topics for MBA students for your research and exploration.

Accounting 

1. Investigating the influence of industry and public knowledge on market share index fluctuations

2. Assessing the significance of auditing for large corporations

3. Analysing the country’s tax scheme

4. Factors to consider when investing in financial markets

5. Evaluating risk-taking in companies from an accounting perspective

6. Providing recommendations for circular debt management in business firms

7. Exploring the differences and similarities between external and internal auditors

8. Examining the challenges faced by external audits due to equal value calculations

9. Analysing taxation as a human rights policy and supporting it with evidence

10. Understanding the impact of the current tax structure on lower-income individuals

Operations Management Dissertation Topics

1. Defining the concept of ‘Legality’ in supply chain design

2. Exploring the role of virtual supply chains in facilitating short-term business collaborations

3. Assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of self-driving cars in supply chain management

4. Impact of big data analytics on efficient inventory management

5. Significance of RFID in Toyota's inventory management

6. E-commerce inventory management strategies

7. Production scheduling strategies in manufacturing environments

8. Production scheduling strategies in the automobile industry

9. Case study: Toyota's production scheduling strategies in the UK

10. Utilising AI for quality control: A case study of Amazon.com

Business Management Dissertation Topics

1. Strategies for supporting gender equity in traditionally male-dominated industries

2. Impact of management's socio-cultural background on leadership relationships

3. The effect of employment benefits on employee and company productivity

4. Adaptation of small business strategies to globalisation

5. Role of feedback in cultural shifts within multinational corporations

6. Assessing team performance in multinational corporations

7. Examining small business strategies in the context of globalisation

8. Analysing team performance in multinational corporations

9. Human resource management and policies in non-profit organisations

10. Role of foreign direct investment in the economy of developing countries

Finance Dissertation Topics

1. Exploring the swift expansion of international microfinance

2. Investigating the growth of microfinance within the UK banking sector

3. Analysing the impact of microfinance on emerging economies

4. Assessing the role of credit and financial services in investment

5. Examining microfinance's contribution to poverty alleviation and economic growth

6. Contrasting FDI strategies between Europe and Asia

7. Studying emerging market stock synchronicity and analyst coverage

8. Evaluating the influence of foreign direct investment on developing nations

9. Assessing the effects of European financial regulations on cross-border investments

10. Scrutinising ongoing banking sector reforms in emerging economies: the Brazilian case

We also have a list of different finance dissertation topics in brief. You can also check out these topics for more information.

Marketing Dissertation Topics

1. Evaluating the significance of personalization in digital relationship marketing during the COVID-19 era

2. A case study on UK fitness brands building customer loyalty through high-value content

3. Analysing obstacles facing Tesco’s loyalty card scheme in today's market dynamics

4. Leveraging social media for customer acquisition through relationship marketing

5. Investigating the impact of product quality on consumer satisfaction

6. Assessing consumer understanding of brand values through a Starbucks vs. McDonald’s case study

7. Using digital methods to enhance brand salience: a case study approach

8. Exploring the impact of product availability on SME brand image

9. Transitioning a brand's reputation across industries: lessons from Virgin Cola

10. Assessing beauty brands' direct marketing efficacy using YouTube

Information Technology Management Dissertation Topics

1. Predicting the future impact of information technology on global business

2. Assessing the pace of technological advancement in meeting global financial system demands

3. Analysing the impact of the Sony hack on international market transactions

4. Exploring how technological advancements enhance global trade

5. Investigating the influence of religion on IT adoption in Yemeni universities

6. Assessing the impact of mobile technology on international students in British universities

7. Examining online discussions' role in promoting interaction and collaboration in blended learning environments

8. Applying instructional techniques to improve problem-solving abilities

9. Evaluating the effectiveness of automated tools in literature reviews for students

Write your MBA dissertation peacefully with amber's accommodation!

Book through amber today!

Strategic Risk Management Dissertation Topics

1. Exploring the Influence of Current Global Supply Chain Trends on Risk Management Strategies

2. Investigating Social Risks' Impact on Multinational Corporations and Shareholder Value

3. Assessing Liquidity and Credit Risk Management in Financial Markets

4. Best Practices in Operational Risk Management for Warehousing

5. Comparative Analysis of Risk Management in Financial Sectors

7. Critical Factors for Operational Management Success in Financial Services

8. Analysis and Mitigation of Social Risks

9. Overcoming Obstacles in Operational Risk Management

10. Utilising Risk Assessment to Manage Medical Errors

11. Long-term Risk Management in the Banking Sector

Entrepreneurship Dissertation Topics

1. Consequences of Chronic Unemployment in Major Economies

2. Government Bailouts vs. Corporate Responsibility

3. Profit Dynamics of Insurance Firms

4. Subsidised Loans and Business Practice Ethics

5. Risk and Reward in High-Risk Investments

6. Tactics for Long-term Financial Security in Small Companies

7. Real Estate Investment Risks and Myths

8. Investment Opportunities During Economic Downturns

9. Strategies for Risk-free Profits in the Stock Market

10. Factors Influencing Business Bankruptcy Probability

11. Human Resource Management Dissertation Topics

Implementing HR Philosophies in the Workplace

1. Collaboration Between Corporate Management and HR

2. Choosing Interpersonal Skills: Soft vs. Hard

3. Objectivity vs. Subjectivity in Employee Appraisal

4. Employee Engagement and Incentive Impact

5. HR Departments' Role in Organisational Change

6. Performance Improvement Strategies for Employee Evaluation

7. Employee Perspectives on Performance Reviews

8. Impact of Motivation Programs on Productivity

9. Enhancing the Employee Selection Process

E-Commerce Dissertation Topics

1. Investigating New Businesses' E-Commerce Strategies

2. Analysing Traditional Businesses' E-Commerce Migration

3. E-Commerce Strategies: Serendipity or Strategy?

4. Components of a Successful E-Commerce Strategy

5. Examining Payment Processing Models

6. Evaluating Social Media's Role in E-Commerce

7. Strengthening Customer Relationships through E-Commerce Tactics

8. The Significance of Unique Selling Points in E-Commerce Growth

9. E-Commerce Marketing Mix: Online vs. Hybrid Presence

10. Comparing Pay-Per-Click and Pay-Per-Click Advertising

Economics Dissertation Topics

1. Impact of Market Competition on Corporate Growth Strategies

2. COVID-19's Influence on Corporate Market Entry

3. Non-Profit Financing Models and Long-Term Viability

4. Privatisation's Economic Policy Ramifications

5. Challenges Posed by Digitalization in Industries

6. Brexit's Effects on UK Industrial Policies

7. COVID-19's Impact on the Entertainment Industry

8. Global Perspectives on Alternative Energy Markets

9. Shifting Consumer Preferences Over Two Decades

10. Cultural Influence on Entrepreneurial Behavior and Business Initiatives

Health Care Management Dissertation Topics

1. Examining Mid-Level Providers' Role in Healthcare

2. Telemedicine's Impact on Healthcare Administration

3. Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Healthcare

4. Growth and Consequences of Urgent Care Clinics

5. Supporting Families Caring for Dementia Patients

6. Health Literacy's Influence on Prostate Cancer Outcomes

7. Governance and Ethics in Patient Portal Use by Guardians

8. Employee Turnover Due to Tuition Reimbursement Programs

9. Follow-Up Procedures After Medical Errors

10. State Legislation's Effects on Medical Malpractice Insurance

International Business Dissertation Topics

1. Investigating the Success of Global Business Teams in Multinational Companies: Testing an Interfering Process Model.

2. Exploring Corporate Governance's Role in Globalization and Firm Performance.

3. Assessing Brexit's Impact on British SMEs: An Examination of Likely Effects.

4. Analysing Business-Government Relations: Contingency Theory Perspective.

5. Understanding Globalization's Method and Impact on Business Collaboration.

6. Retail Management Dissertation Topics

7. The Contribution of Visual Merchandising to Clothing Brand Income in UK Malls.

8. Management's Role in Revenue Generation in Automotive Retail.

9. Evaluating Store Location Effects on Apparel Brand Sales in UK Malls.

10. Assessing the Impact of Retail Promotions on Inventory Turnover.

11. Applied Retail Analysis in B2B Industries: Optimal Store Placement.

Rural Management Dissertation Topics

1. Examining Media Influence on Rural Development.

2. Rural Development and Community Health Administration: Exploring Roles.

3. Cooperative Societies' Impact on Rural Development.

4. Community Banks' Contribution to Rural Development.

5. Identifying Socioeconomic Barriers to Rural Growth.

Change Management on Dissertation Topics

1. Dissertation Topics on Managing Change

2. Incorporating Change Management Education in Universities

3. Identification of Tools and Techniques for Change Management in Construction Projects

4. Critical Analysis of Organisational Change Management in UK-based Companies

5. Impact of Change Management Processes on Performance in Mega Programme Projects

6. Change Management Perspectives among Veterinary Nurses

7. Inter-organisational System Performance and Change Management

8. Examining Africa's Change Management Approaches: The Ubuntu Values

9. The Influence of Business and IT Functions on Organisational Change Management

10. Evolution of Change Management Perspectives over Time

11. Change Management and Cultural Revitalisation Movements in Organisations

12. Change Management in Healthcare Nursing: A Comprehensive Review

13. Hexagonal vs. Pentagonal Models in Change Management

14. Significance of Grounded Theory Approach in Change Management

15. Ethics, Values, and Leadership in Change Management

1. Entrepreneurship Trends: A Recent Boom

2. Impact of Increasing Entrepreneurs on the UK Economy

3. Entrepreneurial Adoption of Cloud Technology for Quality Control and Cost Savings

4. Scope of Entrepreneurship in the UK: Implications for Competition and Productivity

5. Technological Developments and Entrepreneurship Effects

6. Gender Dynamics in Developing Entrepreneurial Skills

7. Government Policy Influence on Entrepreneurship

8. Entrepreneurial Role in Economic Development

9. Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Creativity

10. Entrepreneurship Education's Impact on Skill Development

11. Public Support for Technology-based Ventures

12. Factors Affecting New Ventures' Growth

13. Legislative and Fiscal Policies Encouraging Entrepreneurship

14. Alternative Marketing Tactics for Small-scale Food Entrepreneurs

15. Crowdsourcing: Definition and Functionality

Logistics and Supply Chain Management Dissertation Topics

1.  Investigating the Importance of Supply Chain Management in Company Outsourcing

2. Assessing Risks within a Supply Chain

3. Analysis of Technology's Role in Present Supply Chain Structures

4. Examining the Connections Between Supply Chain and Company Logistics

5. Investigating Tax Evasion in Car Supply Chains and Its Impact on Procurement Costs

6. Challenges to Implementing an Effective Supply Management System

7. Evaluation of Information Dissemination and Sharing Among Supply Chain Intermediaries

8. Evaluating Cost Reduction Measures in China's Car Exports and Imports

9. Importance of Logistics Management in UK Clothing Reorders

10. Coping with Supply Chain and Logistics Changes: A Study on UK Businesses

So, there you have it! A diverse buffet of MBA dissertation topics to tantalise your intellectual taste buds. Remember, choosing the right one is key. Don't be afraid to get creative and explore uncharted territory. After all, your dissertation is your chance to shine, showcase your expertise, and leave a lasting mark on the business world. Dive in, research, analyse, and remember, the perfect MBA dissertation idea awaits!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i choose an mba thesis topic, what is an mba dissertation, what is the best topic for mba thesis, what are the key components of an mba dissertation, how do i find unique mba dissertation topics, how many pages is a dissertation, what are the common challenges in writing an mba dissertation.

Your ideal student home & a flight ticket awaits

Follow us on :

Related Posts

Top 12 Creative Side Hustles to Start This Year

Explore The Top 10 Tuition Free Universities in Germany

What Is A Sandwich Course?

amber © 2024. All rights reserved.

4.8/5 on Trustpilot

Rated as "Excellent" • 4800+ Reviews by students

Rated as "Excellent" • 4800+ Reviews by Students

• How It Works
• Prices & Discounts

Navigating the MBA Research Landscape: Topics, Tips, and Success Stories

Table of contents

Share this article

Achieve Academic Success with Expert Assistance!

Crafted from Scratch for You.

Ensuring Your Work’s Originality.

Transform Your Draft into Excellence.

Perfecting Your Paper’s Grammar, Style, and Format (APA, MLA, etc.).

Calculate the cost of your paper

Get ideas for your essay

The Right Approach to Writing an MBA Research Proposal

If you are developing an MBA research proposal, then it is very important to take an appropriate approach while writing it. There should be a proper plan when you create its outline. While your MBA research proposal should be clear and concise, it should also be timely planned. Here are some tips for creating an effective research proposal.

Make a clear plan

It is very important that your research proposal be approved by your committee members. Thus, you should make a clear plan before you start writing it. Make sure your proposal is convincing, concise and oriented toward your target readers. A well-planned proposal is always more effective.

Focus on critical aspects

You should also make sure that your MBA research proposal follows the recommended style guidelines and format for writing, as requested by your academic institution. You should clearly explain your research problem, hypothesis and research design while explaining the importance of your study. Make sure that your suggested topic is significant for research work. Further, you should explain the methodology briefly and also describe about possible research outcomes. Make sure that your writing does not exceed the given word limit. An effective description of such critical aspects will display your understanding of your proposed study. It will also show the way you would approach the whole thing.

Remain objective and accurate

Justify all aspects of your proposed study and present the facts accurately. Remember that you should always remain objective while writing a research proposal. It is also necessary to write your original ideas and thoughts. While you mention your study’s significance and likely contributions, you should also mention its limitations clearly. This will show your objective and fair approach while taking up the study. Thus, your writing should be brief yet comprehensive for your target readers.

CopyRight © 2023 MBAThesis All Rights Reserved.

• The University of Warwick

MBA dissertation help: How to choose a topic, plan, and write your dissertation

Share this article:

MBA dissertations, internships or consultancy projects are the final modules on most MBA programmes . Our Full-time participants can opt for either a traditional dissertation (with a theoretical focus), an internship, or a hands-on project, which will see you consulting for a real organisation alongside a team of peers.  

Whether you choose an internship, dissertation or consultancy project, you will still be required to submit a written exploration of a research question that is relevant to the world of business as part of the module. This guide offers MBA dissertation help that remains applicable whichever route you take on your Full-time MBA.

Read on to learn about the early stages of the process, choosing a topic, planning out your workload, and how to write an MBA dissertation, report, or learning journal. Written by the MBA team here at Warwick Business School (WBS), this article also features some helpful first-hand advice from one of our MBA graduates, Kristen Rossi who studied our Full-time MBA.

An introduction to MBA dissertations, internships and consultancy projects

Completing an MBA dissertation or consultancy project is a requirement for fulfilling the Capstone module . on our  Full-time MBA courses ; alternatively you can choose to undertake an internship.

Although this work will be completed towards the end of your programme, it’s worth getting ahead of the game. Given that your dissertation or project will contribute significantly towards your final result, we recommend learning about the requirements and how the process works even before you apply for an MBA.

As Full-time Warwick MBA graduate, Kristen Rossi, puts it: 

From the second the MBA started, there was talk of “The Capstone module” – the part of the MBA that is worth the most credit, which will probably involve an outside company

Your first port of call is to choose between an MBA dissertation, internship, or a consultancy project. Seem like a daunting decision to make? We’ve outlined the key points of difference to help you get on the right track. You'll also receive guidance from the support teams at WBS, including our Programme Team and Employer Relations Team.

What is an MBA dissertation?

An MBA dissertation is an independent, yet supervised, research project. It is designed to demonstrate that you have assimilated your learning throughout the MBA course and that you can explore a business issue thoroughly, considering multiple perspectives on the subject.

The output from an MBA dissertation is a piece of written work that explores a research question relevant to the world of business. You could explore any one of a wide range of different topics as part of the dissertation, but your writing should have an academic focus with a strong grounding in theory and your own independent research.

At WBS, you may also choose to focus on Entrepreneurship or Social and Environmental Sustainability as part of your MBA dissertation, which is a requirement if you choose one of our specialisms.

What is a strategic consultancy project?

A strategic consultancy project provides you with hands-on experience of consulting on behalf of a real organisation and investigating a specific business challenge that it faces. Taking place for 10 to 12 weeks over the summer period, you’ll work alongside a group of your peers at the same organisation.

WBS participants can choose their own groups and, as Kristen comments, are given support in sourcing a project: 

The strategic consultancy project is usually supported by a client who has a topic or question that they would like to know more about. WBS provides specific, mandatory careers sessions dedicated to the consultancy project.

The Business School has partnered with many global industry leaders as part of the consultancy projects, from Barclays to Sony and Microsoft. 

Once you’ve chosen a group and organisation, each participant selects their own distinct research question. The deliverable is then an individual consulting report addressing this question.

You can find out more about consultancy projects from Antonia in the film below:

The differences between an MBA dissertation and consultancy project

A consultancy project still requires you to produce an extended piece of written work in the form of your individual consulting report, but it differs from an MBA dissertation in a number of ways:

• A strategic consultancy project is hands-on, requiring you to engage with a business issue faced by a real organisation, whereas an MBA dissertation is more theoretical.
• The scope of the issue you explore as part of a project will typically be much narrower and more focused than a dissertation, which can investigate a much broader topic area.
• An MBA dissertation should aim to further the academic community’s understanding of a particular area of business; a consultancy project is geared towards solving a real-world business problem for a specific organisation or group of organisations.
• A strategic consultancy project will require a group presentation element as part of your assessed work.

How will your Capstone module benefit you?

This final phase of your MBA course gives you the opportunity to explore a particular topic in great depth, enhancing your academic or practical understanding of an area of business. 

For many participants the dissertation, internship or strategic consultancy project is a formative experience that has a tangible impact on their future career paths, supporting their professional ambitions.

But don’t just take it from us. What does Kristen have to say?

“I can only speak for myself, but with the Capstone module, I gained three things. Firstly, slightly superficial, I now have a fabulous new brand on my CV, Aston Martin Lagonda. 

“Secondly, through the interviews I conducted for my primary research I had the privilege to learn a lot about the luxury automotive sector, which I would otherwise have not had the opportunity to learn as much about. Writing to and setting up a conversation with the CMO of a major firm is made easier when you have WBS and the justification of a dissertation, and the information they share is priceless. 

“Thirdly, although tedious, I had the opportunity to deep-dive into a particular topic – marketing ROI best practices. This really helped me to understand the challenges and remedies of this topic in depth and will certainly help me as I make my career jump in the coming months.”

Choosing an MBA dissertation topic

Like many participants, you may feel nervous about the thought of choosing a suitable MBA dissertation topic. In reality, however, this is nothing to worry about.

As you progress through the early stages of your MBA programme, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself drawn to a particular area of study or type of business problem. The direction you take is also likely to be influenced by your pre-existing career goals and professional experience. 

On this point, Kristen recommends that you make the project work for you:

When choosing your dissertation, try to focus on an industry and topic that you hope to transition into. If you are looking to move into finance, work on a project that will provide you with the knowledge to help you land the job!

It’s also worth noting that you’ll be given extensive support when it comes to picking a research question or sourcing a project. You’ll attend sessions dedicated to selecting the right topic in the run-up to the start of the dissertation or project module — and there is always additional help available at WBS.

How to write an MBA dissertation

Once you’ve chosen a topic for your MBA dissertation, your work on the module can begin in earnest.

As a Warwick Business School participant, you’ll be guided through the process from the outset. But if you’re still at the stage of wondering whether this is something you’d want to pursue in the first place, here’s a brief overview packed with MBA dissertation advice from one of our graduates.

The planning phase

Delivering a successful MBA dissertation, report, or learning journal is an exercise in sound project management; just one of the many ways in which it sets you up well for later working life. And it’s universally acknowledged that the best approach to take with any large-scale project is to break it down into bite-size chunks.

Kristen suggests seeking support to divide up the dissertation into smaller components, from the draft of your first chapter through to the final submission:

With the help of your supervisor, work backwards and set up a timeline to tackle each section of the dissertation. Include milestones where you will check-in with your supervisor (face-to-face is recommended) as well.

Preparing your literature review

The literature review is the all-important foundation of any dissertation – MBA-level or otherwise. 

Kristen’s experience speaks to the value of starting your research early and keeping a record of all the papers and publications you encounter along the way:

“Once you roughly know the topic of your dissertation, start researching. Do not wait until you have a supervisor or until your elective modules are finished. I recommend this for three reasons.

“Firstly, the initial articles you find will most likely not be the gems you hope them to be and it will take a lot of speed-reading and trial and error before you uncover the wisdom that will actually inform your research. 

“Secondly, once you find relevant research, it will take time to read it and most academic literature is not a page-turning detective novel (I can attest to falling asleep mid-read on several occasions). 

“Finally, I am a believer that to truly understand and process new material, you need time. Give yourself the time to read, step away and think, and come back to it. In the end, you will be grateful that you did.

Further to this point, when reading journal publications look at the references the author cites. Seek out these additional authors and their publications.”

Communicating with your client contact on a consulting project

Should you opt for a strategic consulting project, the way you manage the relationship with your client organisation is just as important as the write-up of the final report. Kristen offers this final piece of advice:

“If you are not going to their office, then from the beginning of your relationship set in place weekly 30-minute Skype sessions to keep the client up-to-date with what you are doing. This will allow you to build a relationship with them and will help you to address any hiccups along the way. 

“Sometimes after starting your research, you may find that the client’s initial request is too broad. This is okay, but you will need to bring it up and negotiate a more realistic deliverable. The weekly updates are also beneficial. As you research, you may find yourself going off in the wrong direction. Checking in with your client on a weekly basis will help you stay on track.”

------------------------

MBA programmes at Warwick Business School

Are you looking to develop yourself into a global leader who makes an immediate impact in business? You'll discover new thinking, access global networks, and invest in your future when you choose to study your MBA with us.

There are a variety of different ways to achieve your Warwick MBA. The best route for you depends on your current level of experience, life circumstances and career goals. Whether full-time or part-time, online or in person at Warwick or The Shard – study the Warwick MBA your way.

Related Blogs

Estela Carmona Cejudo, participant of the Global Online MBA Programme, offers valuable advice and suggestions for the application process.

Full-time MBA participant Sebastian shares the tools and techniques that have helped him to stay on top of his mental health throughout his year at Warwick Business School.

Online MBA participant, Aidan Munday, shares how the CareersPlus team supported his MBA journey. 

MBA Research Proposal: 5 Writing Tips to Present a Masterpiece

Before any student writes and submits their MBA dissertation, they need to prepare what is known as a research proposal. A research proposal is mainly a rough idea or draft of what the dissertation will talk about. It gives tutors the basics of what a student will produce in their final draft and requires careful planning to conduct it successfully. Any mistakes done in a proposal can easily be carried on into the final dissertation is they are not dealt with or shown to a tutor. There are 4 writing tips every student must follow to present a masterpiece of a proposal to their tutor. These guidelines were borrowed from academic experts at PhD research proposal writing service with years of experience.

Come up with the topic

An MBA research proposal will not get off the ground if a student does not have a topic and that is why this is the first step. A topic is very important because it is the subject matter that will be analyzed by the student. A student needs to pick a topic that is narrow and not too broad. Picking a subject matter that is too broad can make things complicated as plenty of time and effort will be required to find all the necessary information. This can be challenging and stressful for some students if they are feeling the heat to get a good grade. Keeping the topic simple is advisable because information will easily be found and you will finish the research proposal on time.

Create a very good introduction for your research proposal

Apart from the conclusion, an introduction can be tricky and difficult to write when compared to the main body. Since an introduction sets the tone for the research proposal, many students struggle to come up with a good one because they want it to be perfect. Coming up with an introduction that read and flows well is not that difficult at all. The first thing that a student has to do in their introduction is to spell out the reason for their investigation. Once that is done, you have to come up with the hypothesis for your research paper. Lastly, evaluation of the usefulness of the topic to your own developments as well as for the company it is based on. It is very important to make this part of the research proposal very precise and straight to the point without adding unnecessary things or facts to it. The last thing that a student needs is to have an introduction that is not attractive on the eyes. This can easily put readers off.

Begin writing the literature review

Once the introduction is over and done with, it is time to add some meat to the research proposal and that is where the literature review comes in. When you are performing your research for the topic you picked, you really need to pick ideas and facts that matter. This will make your research proposal stand head and shoulders above everyone else’s. Failure to do so can result in producing a piece of work that is not only underwhelming but lackluster at the same time. You need to provide at least 5 sources to show your tutor that you are looking at relevant information to get your topic off the ground. Relevant information, in this case, means looking at things that are not outdated and recent. Adding content that is way out of date or too old can get you a very low mark. Make sure you read different materials from different authors to fully grasp the topic you have picked. The more authors you use to support your facts and work, the better and it will add the meat you need to make your literature review the masterpiece you want it to be.

Show your methodology

The last thing you need to do to make your research proposal a masterpiece is to have a methodology section. There is no denying that this section of the MBA research proposal is important because it shows a tutor the thought process of a student. It also shows the methods a student used to analyze their topic. In order to show a level of diversity, you need to use different methods to analyze your data. You need to be careful and pick a method that suits the topic because using the wrong method of analysis can lead to wrong or inconclusive results. You have to do everything you can to choose the best methodology for the research because this section can either make or break your research proposal.

Close with a nice conclusion

Closing a research proposal with a nice proposal is just as tricky as coming up with a good introduction. While an introduction as pointed out before setting the tone, a conclusion sums up the results that will be found in the research. It is basically a summary of everything that will be touched on in a future dissertation. Wording this section is not easy however, if you have your facts and information right, it can make life easy. Overall the tips mentioned above will help you present a masterpiece to your tutor if followed religiously. Although writing a proposal is not as time-consuming as a dissertation, it still requires attention to detail. You have to make sure that you have a good plan of action and spell out from the get-go why you picked that particular topic and not any other.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

MBA THESIS PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

Related Papers

Mîna Florina

Stella Atter

Danilo Alain González

Madiha Melissa

Niamh M. Brennan

This book is based on my experiences in completing my PhD thesis in 1995 and as Programme Director of the Master of Accounting at University College Dublin. I have prepared, evolved and used these notes as part of the Master of Accounting Research Methodology course. They are now being published for a wider audience, thanks to generous funding from the Irish Accountancy Educational Trust. The Irish Accountancy Educational Trust was established in 1981 by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland as an independent charitable trust. Its objectives are to promote and facilitate the development of accountancy. The policy of the Trustees is to act as a catalyst for activities which would otherwise not be feasible. The author gratefully acknowledges the generous support received from The Irish Accountancy Educational Trust in respect of this publication. This book would not have been published but for its support. This is an introductory text. The complexities of many of the topics introduced here are left for more specialist and advanced publications. The book aims to be a concise, practical guide to the basics of doing research in accounting and preparing a research report – usually a dissertation. The primary audience for the book is undergraduate and masters-level students, although PhD students starting off may find some topics useful. Examples, references etc. are taken from the accounting literature, but students in other business disciplines may find some of the material applicable to their subject.

Nelleke Bak

Some practical steps to consider when developing a research proposal

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

• Postgraduate

Research degrees

• Examples of Research proposals
• Find a course
• Accessibility

Examples of research proposals

How to write your research proposal, with examples of good proposals.

Research proposals

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It tells us about the question you want to answer through your research. It is a chance for you to show your knowledge of the subject area and tell us about the methods you want to use.

We use your research proposal to match you with a supervisor or team of supervisors.

In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page.

When you write your proposal you need to:

• Highlight how it is original or significant
• Explain how it will develop or challenge current knowledge of your subject
• Identify the importance of your research
• Show why you are the right person to do this research
• Research Proposal Example 1 (DOC, 49kB)
• Research Proposal Example 2 (DOC, 0.9MB)
• Research Proposal Example 3 (DOC, 55.5kB)
• Research Proposal Example 4 (DOC, 49.5kB)

Subject specific guidance

• Writing a Humanities PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
• Writing a Creative Writing PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
• About the University
• Our culture and values
• Academic schools
• Academic dates
• Press office

Our wider work

• Business support
• Work in the community
• Donate or support

Connect with us

York St John University

Lord Mayor’s Walk

[email protected]

01904 624 624

York St John London Campus

6th Floor Export Building

1 Clove Crescent

[email protected]

01904 876 944

• Policies and documents
• Module documents
• Programme specifications
• Quality gateway
• Admissions documents
• Access and Participation Plan
• Freedom of information
• Accessibility statement
• Modern slavery and human trafficking statement

© York St John University 2024

Colour Picker

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Dui id ornare arcu odio.

Felis bibendum ut tristique et egestas quis ipsum. Et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac. Hac habitasse platea dictumst vestibulum rhoncus.

Nec ullamcorper sit amet risus nullam eget felis eget. Eget felis eget nunc lobortis mattis aliquam faucibus purus.

Need Help with Developing a Great Topic?

• A great topic is certainly the foundation of a successful research project. If you seek help with, say, a dissertation topic or guidance with developing a relevant & researchable topic , we got you.
• Do you have ideas on the topic you want to research? Maybe you are totally unsure and not even aware of where to start. Our services are comprehensive, and we will guide you through them.
• Our support desk will guide you and we shall develop sample topics for you, each with some background information, and then you choose the best from the same.

Our service Advantage

01. - Develop a Relevant Research Topic.

You need to have a great research idea that addresses a relevant research gap. We are more than willing to support you, let us know.

02. - Defend & have your Topic Approved.

If possible, review or have your topic approved by your supervisor or senior research advisor so that you do not start and later stall midway.

03. - You can now Start your Research Process.

When your topic has finally been approved & is researchable, you can now start the research process : We can help you Step by Step.

 Guidelines for Writing an Exceptional Research Project Topic!

Our Service Process

MBA Research Topics - Project Titles for MBA Students

Master of business administration research topics in leadership.

Leadership is a crucial aspect of any business. Exploring different aspects of leadership allows us to better understand how businesses thrive and succeed. Settling for a leadership MBA research project title means coming up with very clear research questions as the area is quite wide.

• Exploring the Impact of Transformational Leadership on Enhancing Employee Morale and Increasing Productivity Within Organizations.
• An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility in Modern Corporations.
• Investigating the Role of Various Leadership Styles in Fostering Innovation and Creativity Across Different Organizational Contexts.
• Evaluating the Effects of Leadership Changes on the Development and Transformation of Organizational Culture.
• Analyzing the Influence of Gender Diversity in Leadership Roles on the Overall Success and Effectiveness of Organizations.

MBA Research Topics in Operations Management

Operations Management is a vital area that focuses on designing, managing, and enhancing the processes that create and deliver a business's products or services. We are able to develop new MBA topics in this field for consideration, we are not limited to the samples listed below.

• Examining the Impact of Diverse Supply Chain Management Strategies on the Overall Business Performance and Competitive Advantage.
• Investigating the Role of Quality Management Systems in Enhancing Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Service and Manufacturing Industries.
• A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Lean Manufacturing Systems in Reducing Waste and Improving Production Efficiency.
• Exploring the Application of Big Data Analytics in Optimizing Operational Efficiency and Decision-Making Processes in Businesses.
• Assessing the Influence of Environmental Sustainability Practices on the Strategies and Outcomes of Operations Management in Organizations.

MBA Research Topic Examples in Strategic Management

Strategic Management involves the formulation and implementation of strategies that guide an organization toward its goals. This is a very interesting area and below sample topics ideally serve as helpful hints and ideas that MBA students can consider as they seek to find the most credible one.

• Investigating the Role of Strategic Management in Facilitating the Digital Transformation of Businesses in the Modern Economy.
• Analyzing the Effect of Merger and Acquisition Strategies on Facilitating Business Growth and Market Expansion.
• A Detailed Evaluation of the Implementation and Success of the Blue Ocean Strategy in Creating New Market Value and Competitive Edge.
• Examining the Impact of Corporate Governance Practices on Strategic Decision-Making and Organizational Effectiveness.
• Assessing the Effect of Strategic Alliances on Enhancing Competitive Advantage and Strengthening Market Position in Various Industries.

Sample Finance Topic Ideas for Master of Business Administration Research

Finance is the lifeblood of any business, and research in this area can significantly contribute to a firm's financial health and sustainability. An MBA topic in finance needs thorough preparation to ensure that there are research gaps that it will sufficiently address.

• Examining the Impact of Financial Technology (FinTech) Innovations on Traditional Banking Practices and Industry Evolution.
• Investigating the Role of Financial Risk Management in Enhancing the Sustainability and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
• Comprehensive Analysis of the Effects of Cryptocurrency Adoption on Business Operations and Financial Transactions.
• Evaluating the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Enhancing Financial Performance and Stakeholder Trust.
• Assessing the Influence of International Trade Agreements on Financial Markets and Economic Diplomacy.

Some of the Best MBA Research Titles & Ideas in Project Management

Project Management plays a critical role in ensuring that business projects are completed efficiently and effectively. MBA topics in this area could be most interesting for students who desire to be managers and supervisors later in their careers.

• A Comprehensive Evaluation of Agile Project Management Methods and Their Effectiveness in Enhancing Productivity in the Tech Industry.
• Investigating the Impact of Risk Management Practices on Ensuring Project Success and Mitigating Potential Failures.
• Exploring the Role of Communication in Facilitating Effective Project Management and Team Collaboration.
• Understanding the Influence of Cross-Cultural Differences on the Dynamics and Success of International Project Management.
• Analyzing the Effect of Resource Management on Improving Project Completion Rates and Operational Efficiency.

How to Choose a Research Topic for Your MBA Research Project

Choosing a research topic for your MBA project can be an uphill task, but it's an essential step in the research process. When you understand how to develop a great topic, you end up having an easy dissertation defense process . The right research topic can make your project more engaging, meaningful, and rewarding. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right topic. We specialize in drafting sample research topics for MBA students from which they consider the best and seek approval for developing their BA research projects. Here are some tips to help you choose a research topic for your MBA project:

• Start by identifying your interests and passions:   Consider what aspects of the business you are most interested in and what topics you have studied or worked on previously. This will help you narrow down your options and choose a topic that you are passionate about.
• Research current trends: Conduct research on current trends and hot topics in the business world. Read industry publications, business news, and academic journals to identify emerging issues and areas that require further investigation.
• Analyze your career goals:  Consider your career goals and what skills you need to develop to achieve them. Your research project can be an opportunity to develop these skills and gain a deeper understanding of a particular area of business.
• Discuss with your advisor: Discuss your ideas with your MBA advisor or a professor who specializes in your area of interest. They can provide valuable insights and help you narrow down your options.
• Consider feasibility: Finally, consider the feasibility of your research project. Make sure that your topic is manageable within the time and resources available, and that you can access the necessary data and information.

By following these tips, you can choose a research topic that aligns with your interests, career goals, and the needs of the business world. Remember, your research project is an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the field of business and to develop your skills as a researcher and business professional.

MBA Thesis Topics: Best Business Administration Research Titles

List of examples of  mba   thesis topics good for  research in 2024.

As we step into 2024, the landscape of business research is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing market dynamics, and emerging global trends. Today's MBA students must navigate a complex and interconnected world where innovation, sustainability, and diversity are paramount. Selecting a thesis topic that resonates with contemporary issues not only enhances academic engagement but also prepares graduates for the challenges and opportunities in their professional careers. The following 10 examples of MBA thesis topics are meticulously curated to reflect the most current and impactful areas of research, ensuring relevance and value in the fast-paced business environment of 2024.

• Exploring the Transformative Impact of Digital Technology on Contemporary Marketing Strategies: This thesis topic explores the profound changes that digital technology is bringing to marketing strategies. It critically examines the tools and methodologies companies are adopting to remain competitive in an increasingly digital landscape, providing comprehensive insights into how digital innovations can enhance customer engagement and expand market reach.
• Investigating the Pivotal Role of Leadership in Effectuating Organizational Change: Delve into how leadership is crucial in spearheading successful organizational change. This MBA thesis research title focuses into the strategies that leaders employ to manage resistance, motivate stakeholders, and effectively implement change initiatives, thus navigating the intricate dynamics that characterize organizational transformations.
• Assessing the Impact and Effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility Programs on Business and Society: This thesis topic scrutinizes the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. It evaluates how companies strategically utilize CSR initiatives not only to enhance their reputation but also to contribute meaningfully to social and environmental sustainability, while achieving core business objectives.
• Strategic Approaches to Enhancing Business Ethics and Corporate Governance within Modern Corporations: Explore the strategies for promoting business ethics and establishing robust corporate governance within organizations. This thesis research topic emphasizes the creation of cultures of ethical behavior and accountability, discussing their crucial role in sustaining long-term corporate success.
• The Comprehensive Impact of Globalization on Business Operations and Strategy: This thesis topic provides an in-depth analysis of globalization's effects on businesses. It investigates the adaptive strategies necessary for companies to succeed in a globalized marketplace, addressing challenges such as managing cross-cultural differences, navigating international regulations, and handling global supply chain complexities.
• The Integral Role of Data Analytics in Enhancing Business Decision-Making Processes: Explore the critical role of data analytics in business decision-making. This thesis research title focuses on how companies can exploit data analytics to refine their strategies, enhance operational efficiency, and foster an organizational culture that prioritizes data-driven decisions.
• Evaluating the Transformation and Effectiveness of E-commerce in Revitalizing the Retail Industry: This topic examines how e-commerce is revolutionizing the retail industry. It assesses how digital platforms are being used by companies to enhance customer experiences, increase sales volumes, and improve their overall financial performance.
• Exploring the Significance of Diversity in Enhancing Workplace Culture and Company Performance: This MBA thesis topic investigates the impact of workplace diversity on organizational culture and performance. It explores how fostering an inclusive environment that embraces diversity can be a key driver of innovation and overall business success.

The Role of Aviation Management in Improving Airline Operational Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction: This is one of the thesis topics in MBA in aviation management that examines how effective aviation management practices can enhance the operational efficiency of airlines and improve customer satisfaction. It explores strategies such as optimized scheduling, resource management, and customer service innovations that contribute to a more efficient and customer-centric airline industry.

Evaluating the Impact of Technology on Aviation Safety and Security Management: This thesis topic investigates the influence of advanced technologies on aviation safety and security management. It explores how innovations such as AI, big data analytics, and automated systems can improve safety protocols, risk assessment, and security measures within the aviation industry.

Choosing the best among many potential MBA thesis topics can be a very involving process, but by considering your interests, relevance, originality, and feasibility, you can select a topic that is engaging, relevant, and researchable. By using the examples provided, you can gain inspiration and insight into potential undergraduate & postgraduate business topics that could contribute to the existing body of knowledge in your field of study.

Different Subject Areas

• B.Ed . |  B.A . 
• B.Com  |  BSc  
• BSN  |  DBa  
• DNP  |  Doctoral
• Ed.D  |  M.Ed  |  RN  
• Masters  |  MBA  
• MBus  |  MCom
• MEntr  |  Msc  
• MSN  |  PhD  
• Post graduate  
• Undergraduate

Client Testimonials

Thanks a lot for the research topic writing Services!

Read More...

Quality & Reliable Services

• Recent Topic Ideas
• Dissertation Project Ideas
• Case Study Topics 
• Topic Writing Tips
• Secrets to a Great Topic 
• Literature Review Topics
• Urgent Research Ideas Help
• Topic Brief Assistance
• Relevant Research Ideas
• Thesis Title Defence
• Topic Reviewing Aid
• Significance in a Title
• Base Paper Help

Topic Ideas by Paper Type

• Dissertation Topics
• Thesis Topics
• Proposal Topics
• Research Paper Topics
• Capstone Project Topics

Remarkable Help

There are some services that we recommend for related services, they are reliable but subject to your review.

• Literature Review Help
• Methodology Writing Aid
• Research Proposals Help
• Research Writing Service
• Best Thesis Writing  Help

Is Thesis & Dissertation Projects Writing for MBA Students Necessary

• Development of Expertise: Thesis and dissertation projects are pivotal in helping MBA students develop deep expertise in their chosen area. By identifying great MBA dissertation topics, students transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills, navigating through real-world business challenges and proposing innovative solutions. This immersive experience is crucial for honing analytical, strategic, and decision-making skills that are vital in the business world.
• Application of Learned Concepts: MBA programs are designed to equip students with a broad set of business management tools and theories. Thesis and dissertation projects require students to apply these concepts to solve complex business problems. This application helps in solidifying their understanding and ability to leverage these concepts effectively in their professional lives.
• Contribution to Professional Identity: Choosing and exploring dissertation topics allows MBA students to carve out their professional identity and specialization. This can significantly influence their career trajectory, opening doors to opportunities in preferred niches or industries. The research project acts as a bridge, connecting academic achievements with future professional pursuits.
• Networking Opportunities: During their research, MBA students often interact with industry professionals, academic experts, and other stakeholders. This network can be invaluable as it provides insights, feedback, and potential career opportunities. It also helps in establishing a professional reputation in the student's area of interest.
• Skill Enhancement: The process of completing a dissertation or thesis enhances various transferable skills, such as research, writing, critical thinking, and project management. These skills are essential for any business leader and are highly valued in the job market.
• Advancing Business Practices: These research projects encourage innovation and could lead to significant advancements in business practices. MBA students often explore emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies, contributing fresh perspectives that could benefit the entire field.
• Personal Fulfillment and Achievement:  Completing a significant research project like a thesis or a dissertation paper provides a sense of personal accomplishment. It represents the culmination of years of study, hard work, and dedication, marking a milestone in an academic journey.

Ideally, writing a master's thesis or say a  DBA dissertation project  plays a critical role in the academic and professional development of business administration students. These postgraduate projects are not just academic exercises; they are essential for applying and testing knowledge, contributing to the field, and setting the stage for a successful career. As students explore various MBA dissertation topics, they not only fulfill academic requirements but also lay the groundwork for future leadership roles in the business world.

FAQs on Topics & Research Titles for MBA Dissertations & Thesis Projects

• What makes a good MBA research title?

Answer: A good MBA research title should be clear, concise, and specific. It should indicate the focus of your research and include key terms that reflect the scope and objectives of your study. A well-crafted title can attract interest and give readers an immediate understanding of the topic.

• Can I collaborate with businesses or external organizations for my MBA project?

Answer: Yes, collaborating with businesses or external organizations can enhance the practical relevance of your thesis or dissertation and provide access to valuable data and insights. Many MBA programs encourage or even facilitate such partnerships. However, ensure you have formal agreements in place to handle data confidentiality and project expectations.

• How important is originality in MBA research projects?

Answer: Originality is important as it demonstrates your ability to contribute new insights or approaches to the field. While it’s not always necessary to choose a completely unexplored topic, adding a unique perspective or challenging existing assumptions can significantly enhance the value of your research.

• What are common pitfalls in selecting MBA dissertation project topics?

Answer: Common pitfalls include choosing a topic that is too broad, too narrow, or not well-defined. Another pitfall is selecting a topic with limited data availability or that is not supported by sufficient resources at your institution. Avoid topics that are more suited to PhD-level research , which may be too ambitious for the scope of an MBA project.

• How can I ensure my dissertation research topic is relevant to current business practices?

Answer: Stay updated with the latest business journals, attend industry conferences, and follow thought leaders on social media. Choose a topic that addresses current challenges or trends in your field of interest. Consulting with industry professionals during the topic selection phase can also ensure that your research is aligned with real-world needs.

• What resources are recommended for researching MBA thesis or dissertation topics?

Answer: Utilize academic journals, business reports, case studies, and industry publications. Online databases like JSTOR, Business Source Complete, and Google Scholar can provide access to scholarly articles. Additionally, your university’s library and your advisors are valuable resources for finding relevant literature and data.

Try our services...

Essay Topics | Sociolinguistics Research Topics | Creative Writing Topics | Descriptive Essay Topics | English Essay Topics | Informal & Formal Letter Topics | Criminal Law Research Topics | Economics Research Topics For Students | Psychology Research Topics | Management Project Topics | Topics For Persuasive Essays   | Environmental Essay Topics | Shodhganga Project Topics

RESEARCH TOPIC HELP.

[email protected]

 +1(813)489-6985  | Chat with Us

Reliable & Legit

100% original help.

We do not Plagiarize

We help Edit Plagiarism

Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2024 Research Topic Help. All Rights Reserved

Let us know how we can help...

Research Proposal Sample

by kasi | Mar 18, 2017 | Business Research | 0 comments

Project Title: Relationship between perceived organizational ethics and effectiveness of e-business: A case of SMEs in UK. Introduction: Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) constitute an integral part of the economic development and sustainability in United Kingdom. It has been noted that in 2012, there were approximately 4.8 million SMEs operating within the country (Business Innovation and Skills, 2012). Furthermore, SMEs contribute to the 99.9% of business related processes within the private sector of the economy. The factors that determine the success of an SME are attributed to the ability of the management to capitalize on the strengths and opportunities. However, the role of consumers or customers as central stakeholders can’t be overlooked. Technological advancements have also changed the outlook of the business environment for SMEs within UK. An increasing number of organizations have integrated e-business or e-commerce as a part of their operations to fulfill the demands of the consumers in an effective manner (Taylor & Murphy, 2004). The SMEs as well as large scale corporations have perceived e-business as a profitable opportunity, thus leading to the integration of e-business models in SMEs.

Consumers in today’s world engage in decision making process which involves the consideration of various factors. The increased awareness of corporate social responsibility as well as the organizational ethics displayed through the firm’s interaction with the online consumers determines the level of success of SMEs. Creyer (1997) have stated that failure to understand the potential of consumer’s perception about organizational ethics can have negative implications for an organization. This area has also been relatively unexplored as most of the scholars have focused on the impact of corporate social responsibility on the overall performance of SMEs in UK (Spence, Schmidpeter, & Habisch, 2003; Castka, Balzarova, Bamber & Sharp, 2004; Baden, Harwood & Woodward, 2009). Based on this background, the researcher has proposed to investigate the role of perceived organisational ethics by consumers as a factor that has significant impact on the effectiveness of electronic mode of business for SMEs operating within UK (Daniel, Wilson & Myers, 2002).

Literature Review

Various researchers have analyzed the factors that encourage the consumers to engage in online transactions with an organization (Gefen, 2000; Close & Kukar-Kinney, 2010; Kardes, Cronley & Cline, 2011). Such positive online behavior is expected to be facilitated by a wide array of reasons. Limayem, Khalifa and Frini (2000) have used the theoretical framework of planned behavior to identify the factors that result in increased participation of online transactions by the consumers. It was found that the perception of the consumers about the repercussions of their use of internet and the subsequent purchase was the main factor which determined their future internet based purchase behavior. Taking this view into consideration, the ethical behavior of the organisation can support the online consumers in establishing feelings of trust towards the company. According to Kracher and Corritore (2009) the businesses operating in the online world apply similar ethical rules as the businesses that have physically established set ups in the market. Therefore, the presence of trust and credibility holds equivalent importance within e-business context. Most of the organizations engaging in electronic business use the financial output as a tool of identifying the degree of effectiveness.  However, the return on investment seems to offer limited scope of understanding the notion of success. As proposed by Walker and Brown (2004), the SMEs can utilize non monetary criterion to identify their capability to maintain effective level of performance. The same criterion can be applied within the online arena as customers’ decision to purchase a product or avail a service from an SME is determined by a wide array of non monetary variables.

So and Sculli (2002) have identified the presence of trust as one of the key elements that promotes online consumer behavior. A consumer is likely to develop trust on a business if they underlying perception is supportive of the ethical conduct of the company. It has been further asserted that firms that are not able to maintain positive perception among the target market are likely to face significant loss. The overall ethical outlook of a company is linked with the maintenance of consumer privacy and confidentiality of the data. McKnight, Choudhury and Kacmar (2002) have demonstrated the role of positive perception of the business in the consumer base. It has been stated that in order to facilitate a potential consumer to become an actual consumer of a company, the firm needs to establish validated feelings of dependability. This proposition is further reinforced by the persistent display of moral and ethical choices by the company. One of the dimensions related to ethical conduct of a business has been identified by Culnan and Armstrong (1999) who regarded the sharing of information with customers as a means of establishing goodwill among them. The consumers who were informed about the company about the nature and scope of use of their profile information were able to view this as a reflection of organizational ethics. On the other hand, firms that collected and used consumer related information, but were reluctant to provide knowledge about the process were perceived with suspicion and low credibility. The tendency of a company to display ethical behavior in the online communication and transactions with the consumers develops a low risk profile of the business in the market (Kim, Ferrin & Rao, 2008). This indicates that the variables of perceived risk and perceived organizational ethics are significantly related to each other.

Ferrell and Hartline (2010) have suggested that the quality of relationship of a company with its external stakeholders can have a strong influence on the pace of logistics and operations. Similarly, in the online context, positive relationship with online consumers can result in increased sales and profitability. The perceived ethical conduct of the firm in this case tends to play a mediating role in the consumer purchase decisions. Boatright (2003) also supported this notion by asserting that e-business success of an organisation in terms of customer retention and loyalty is dependent upon the perception it generates in the mind of the consumers. Organizations that focus on acting in morally responsible ways establish the foundation of long term trust in the consumers. On the other hand, management that keeps its own vested interest central is likely to develop an ethically damaged perception in the market. This in turn has negative implications for the sales, profitability and revenue.

Research Objectives and Research Questions

The behavior of consumers is not only guided by available information about the features of products or services. The rising participation of consumers in online transactions and e-business activities indicates that the customer’s perception about the degree of trustworthiness of a business also play an important role. The consumer’s perception about trustworthiness of an organization is based on their view about the adoption of ethical business practices by the firm. If an organization is deemed as valuing the ethical and moral principles, the consumers automatically attribute the features of trustworthiness and credibility with the firm. As a result, they are more likely to retain their loyalty with the business entity (Kracher & Corritore, 2009).  Based on this assumption, the researcher has established a central question “What is the relationship between perceived organizational ethics and effectiveness of e-business of SMEs in UK?”

The main focus in this domain will be to investigate the linkages between consumer’s perceptions of a firm’s ethical behavior. The researcher will also explore the perception of consumers about the moral principles upheld by organizations and their willingness to engage in e-business activities with these firms. The research objectives identified for the study are as follows:

1. To understand the perception of organizational ethics among the online consumers of SMEs. 2. To explore the factors developing perception of organizational ethics among online consumers. 3.    To investigate the impact of perceived organizational ethics on effectiveness of e-business for SMEs. The study will be based on the following questions: 1.    What is the perception of organizational ethics among the online consumers of SMEs in UK? 2.    What are the factors which develop the perception of organizational ethics among online consumers? 3.    What is the impact of perceived organizational ethics on effectiveness of e-business for SMEs in UK?

Research Design

The researcher intends to use qualitative research design for conducting the study. Qualitative research is deemed as suitable for seeking information about the areas that are relatively unexplored. The present study is aiming to understand, explore and investigate the role of perceived organizational ethics on success of e-business of SMEs. Considering this context qualitative approach will be provide access to in-depth and detailed information which can be used to develop a comprehensive framework in this regard. The researcher can therefore establish findings which support in enhancing the knowledge and understanding about the phenomenon of perceived organizational ethics. The use of qualitative research is aligned with the deductive approach which is based on the underlying principle of moving from general information to the development of a specific theoretical concept (Bryman & Bell, 2007). Since the context of present study is an under researched area, the use of qualitative approach is more appropriate. Secondly, perception can be explored and analyzed with a greater degree of effectiveness through the use of subjective accounts and narration from the participants.

The researcher will be using grounded theory as a strategy of qualitative research. Glaser (2008) has stated that grounded theory helps a researcher in establishing a clear framework out of the generalized information. Critics have outlined the limitations embedded in the use of grounded theory and qualitative research by asserting that they are based on subjective data only. The researcher can gain insight into the thoughts and beliefs held by individuals; however the observable behavior and objective information are significantly overlooked (Bryman & Bell, 2007). Furthermore, the process of theoretical construction can be time consuming as well. Belk (2006) on the contrary has argued in favor of the use of grounded theory for investigating the various themes related to consumer behavior, as the development of new theory is needed to understand the complex phenomenon of consumer perception.

Data Collection and Analysis

[large]Data collection in a research can be based on primary or secondary sources of information. For this study, the researcher will be collecting primary data which entails collection of first hand information from the sample of study as well as secondary data from peer reviewed journals and books. There are various methods that can be used for gathering primary information. The researcher will be using focus group as it provides access to the perception underlying the behaviour of the participants. Various scholars have used focus groups to obtain information from the consumers about an area of interest (Grunert, 1997; Joseph, Sekhon, Stone & Tinson, 2005; Becken, 2007). The choice of focus group is further facilitated on the grounds that it offers adequate flexibility and validity to the researcher. Moreover, the collection of information is less time consuming as compared to other means of qualitative data collection. Another important benefit of focus group is that the researcher is likely to gain access to unexpected aspects of data. The respondents in the focus group can bring out some information which the researcher wasn’t aware of, thus creating significance of focus group in developing theory (Babbie, 2012). 

The data will be collected from 8 individuals who have indicated that they have engaged in online purchases in the last 2 months (from SMEs located in UK). These participants will be required to respond to the semi structured questions developed by the researcher. The nature of data will be based on direct responses to questions as well as the discussion generated responses. The focus group session is expected to last from 60 to 90 minutes. The session will be recorded by the researcher after obtaining informed consent from the participants. Later on it will be transcribed and coded to identify the various themes discussed by the participants. The analysis of the data will provide an overview of the various factors that have emerged during the focus group discussion. The data from secondary sources will be utilized to develop an understanding about the impact of perceived organisational ethics on the effectiveness of e-business. Peer reviewed journal articles and books will provide content in this regard which can be analyzed to evaluate the validity of this notion.

In order to represent the process of initiation, conductance and completion of research, I have used a Gantt chart. The chart will illustrate various stages of research and the time allocated for each of the research activity. As demonstrated in the chart given below, the research project will be initiated in February in the form of development of proposal. The next step in this regard will be literature review which will last up to 2 months. It will provide the researcher with an understanding of the theoretical constructs that can be used for formulating the questions for participants. Once the questions have been formulated the researcher will conduct a pilot study of focus group to gauge the degree of reliability and validity of the questions. In addition to this, the pilot study will also help the researcher in identifying any problems in the question structure and formatting. After the pilot study, the next phase will be focused on collection of actual research data which will also be done in June. The researcher will collect data through focus group as well as from the plethora of researches conducted by other scholars. The analysis of data will be carried out in July. The last 2 months of the research process will be dedicated for the write up draft and final submission of the dissertation.

The research is focusing on the impact of perceived organizational ethics among the online consumers on the performance of SMEs in terms of their e-business domain. The expected findings in this regard can be summarized on the basis of the three research objectives. The consumers who engage in online purchase and transactions are likely to hold positive perception about the ethical conduct of those businesses. Another expected outcome of the study is that the participants will attach low risk and high trust with organizations that are perceived to be ethical. Moreover, the degree of privacy and availability of information about the use of customer data by firm will also be associated with an indication of organizational ethics.  Lastly, the study is also expected to provide information about the impact of organizational ethics on effectiveness of e-business for SMEs through exploration of pertinent secondary data. The secondary literature will show significant relationship between consumer perception of organizational ethics and the sales and profitability of the e-business activities.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

• StumbleUpon

Research Methodology Example

Detailed Walkthrough + Free Methodology Chapter Template

If you’re working on a dissertation or thesis and are looking for an example of a research methodology chapter , you’ve come to the right place.

In this video, we walk you through a research methodology from a dissertation that earned full distinction , step by step. We start off by discussing the core components of a research methodology by unpacking our free methodology chapter template . We then progress to the sample research methodology to show how these concepts are applied in an actual dissertation, thesis or research project.

If you’re currently working on your research methodology chapter, you may also find the following resources useful:

• Research methodology 101 : an introductory video discussing what a methodology is and the role it plays within a dissertation
• Research design 101 : an overview of the most common research designs for both qualitative and quantitative studies
• Variables 101 : an introductory video covering the different types of variables that exist within research.
• Sampling 101 : an overview of the main sampling methods
• Methodology tips : a video discussion covering various tips to help you write a high-quality methodology chapter
• Private coaching : Get hands-on help with your research methodology

PS – If you’re working on a dissertation, be sure to also check out our collection of dissertation and thesis examples here .

FAQ: Research Methodology Example

Research methodology example: frequently asked questions, is the sample research methodology real.

Yes. The chapter example is an extract from a Master’s-level dissertation for an MBA program. A few minor edits have been made to protect the privacy of the sponsoring organisation, but these have no material impact on the research methodology.

Can I replicate this methodology for my dissertation?

As we discuss in the video, every research methodology will be different, depending on the research aims, objectives and research questions. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your literature review to suit your specific context.

You can learn more about the basics of writing a research methodology chapter here .

Where can I find more examples of research methodologies?

The best place to find more examples of methodology chapters would be within dissertation/thesis databases. These databases include dissertations, theses and research projects that have successfully passed the assessment criteria for the respective university, meaning that you have at least some sort of quality assurance.

The Open Access Thesis Database (OATD) is a good starting point.

How do I get the research methodology chapter template?

You can access our free methodology chapter template here .

Is the methodology template really free?

Yes. There is no cost for the template and you are free to use it as you wish.

Great insights you are sharing here…

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly