MBA (Digital Innovation Management)
1. Research topic:
2. Research problem/issue to be investigated: (maximum 300 words)
Your choice of topic may be inspired by current issues, but whatever the subject, your Business Project involves identifying a research problem or issue that merits investigation using recognized research methods. As it is an individual piece of work, significant emphasis will be placed on your ability to select and apply appropriate methods and manage your research.
The requirements of the Business Project are demanding. It draws on the knowledge and skills you have developed on the MBA programme and aids the development of specialist knowledge in a preferred field of business or management. The skills required to complete a successful project based on fieldwork are different from those required to complete the taught modules and you will need to prepare accordingly.
The initial idea for the Business Project needs to satisfy the following general criteria:
• The research problem or issue is amenable to enquiry
• The study is set in an identifiable business/management context
• There is a realistic expectation of the study reaching a meaningful conclusion
• The study is sufficiently focused to allow its completion within the specified time
• The study is of appropriate intellectual level and context for a Master’s programme
This assignment is the first step in developing your business project. Before you start this assignment, you will find it useful to study Chapters 1, 2 and 5 in Collis and Hussey (2014). You must pass this assignment before you can submit your Business Project Proposal.
2.1 Requirements
Identify a topic that is relevant to your degree programme. It may be a subject where you have prior knowledge from your studies or from your work experience or it may simply be something that interests you.
The next step is to identify a business problem that is related to the topic by conducting a literature search to find previous studies of the topic in high quality academic journals.
In addition, you should reflect on current issues related to the topic that have been discussed in your programme or are being discussed in the media.
2.2 Structure and format
Use the form on the next page to present your Business Project Idea. The following gives guidance on the main sections.
1. Research topic –
In this section you will identify the general subject area you have selected (eg accounting information systems, e-business, change management, digital communications, supply chain management)
2. Research problem/issue to be investigated –
In this section you will describe the research problem or issue you have selected. You should define key terms as they arise in your narrative. You will also provide background information in terms of the academic and business context, citing at least one previous study that is relevant to the problem or issue and has been published in a high quality academic journal). Do not write more than 300 words.
References –
Using the Harvard system (see Chapter 5 in Collis and Hussey, 2014), list the bibliographic details of all the sources you have cited in in alphabetical order (do not number them or use bullet points).