MBA Research for Strategic Development

MBA Research for Strategic DevelopmentSubject: Research for strategic Management
Program: MBA
Professor: Dr. Dina El Kayaly
Deadline: April 9, 2021
Kindly note that:
– Plagiarism (copy and paste from the internet or other resources) should not exceed 20%.
– The deliverable should be in Word form. Font type: New Romans and Font Size is 12.
– No PDFs will be accepted.
Take Home Exam
The candidate is asked you to produce a formal proposal of at least 3000 -3300 words
describing the research problem and the report detailing the insights.
Your research must achieve the learning outcomes at the standards provided. It must be
related to a topic associated with strategic business development.
You must prepare a portfolio of evidence which includes all the work completed for the
following tasks.
Goals:
This take-home exam has three goals:
▪ To help develop an effective research plan for the MBA thesis considering the topic,
body of knowledge, research questions, sources, potential implications, ..etc..
▪ To practice working with the Research Proposal needed in academic field
▪ To practice effective academic writing
Requirements:
Task 1 – Formulate a Research Proposal
• Consider and identify a valid area for research to support the strategic development of
a business area
• Explain the aim, scope and objectives for a chosen area of research
• Formulate a specific research proposal
• Establish success criteria for the achievement of the research proposal
• Prepare a project plan that identifies key milestones and critical pathways.
Task 2 Carry out the research using different research methodologies
• Complete a review of different literature sources identifying those which are most
appropriate for your chosen area of research
• Use different research methodologies to gather data from primary and secondary
sources. The data must be sufficient in order to ensure you can make valid
conclusions
Task 3 – Presentation of Research Findings
You must prepare a report that presents all of your research findings. This must be presented
in an appropriate format for the target audience.
In the report, you must:
• Provide a comprehensive explanation of the purpose, methodologies, findings and
recommendations.
• Reference all sources using a recognized system.
• Use the information you have collected to justify conclusions and recommendations.
Task 4 – Reflective Log
On completion of your research project, you are to prepare a reflective log which contains an
evaluation of the skills you used while undertaking the research.
The reflective log must include:
• A review of your own skills using personal reflection and feedback.
• Recommendations on ways to improve your personal skills while undertaking
research.
Deliverables
▪ Word document that includes:
Proposal: literature review, research problem, research objectives, research questions,
research methodology (design, population, sampling, limitation), timeline
Research report include: Design of various data collection tools, conducting research,
analysis, conclusion and recommendations
Reflective log
▪ Excel sheet containing all quantitative data used
Important note:
Select a simple topic as the most important issue is to demonstrate the ability to conduct the
research and document it in a report. Topics could be:
– Assessing customer satisfaction
– Assessing employee satisfaction
– Effect of employee satisfaction on employee engagement
– Customer acceptance towards a new product or service
Grade Rubric
The assignments submitted by learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the
standards specified by the assessment criteria for the unit. To achieve a merit or distinction
grade, the learners must demonstrate that they have achieved all the criteria set for these grades.
Where work for the pass standard is marginal, assessors can take account of any extension
work completed by the learners.
Each task accounts for 25% of the gradeTask Suggested evidence
PASS (50-55%)
Suggested additional
evidence MERIT (56-75)
Suggested additional
evidence DISTINCTION (76 +)
1
(25%)
▪ The learner will identify
one area of research
which is linked to the
strategic business
development.
▪ The learner will need to
explain clearly and in
detail the research
problem and objectives
of the research which is
to be undertaken.
▪ The learner will create a
research proposal with
the development of a
suitable research
question(s)
▪ The learner must design a
research plan
▪ The final proposal must
be presented in writing
and oral (short
presentation – 5-10 min)
▪ The learner must
produce detailed
written
justification for the
choice of research
question showing
how it is directly
related to an aspect
of strategic
business
development.
2
(25%)
▪ The learner should
prepare a sufficient
literature review and
accurate bibliography in
an appropriate
referencing format.
▪ Appropriate and relevant
information sources must
have been considered,
▪ The learner must
produce a
comprehensive
explanation of the
reasons for
choosing the
research
methodologies
including academic
journals, reports, texts
and valid online material
▪ The learner will then use
research methodologies
using primary and
secondary sources.
3
(25%)
▪ The learner will present a
final written report of
3000 -3300 words and
bibliography
▪ The report should be
presented in a suitable
format and include
sufficient evidence to
show that the learner has:
• applied relevant
research methods for
the area and type of
research undertaken
• provided a
comprehensive
explanation of
findings and
recommendations
• referenced all sources
• analyzed the research
findings
• justified results and
conclusions
▪ The learner will be
required to answer
verbally questions
asked by instructor
during discussing
the proposal.
▪ The learner used
number of tools
and charts to
analyze the data
▪ The learner will
produce a written
piece of work that
analyses how the
findings of the
research can be
used in a specific
business context.
4
(25%)
▪ The learner will be
required to prepare a
reflective log that
reviews their own
learning in carrying out
research investigations
▪ The learner will
develop their
written work
completed and
identify and
analyses actions
for improvement
for the future.
▪ The learner will
prepare a written plan –
this will be a detailed
plan with clear specific
actions, in timeframes,
to show how their skills
will be improved for