A note on the MBA degree program design and MBA dissertation projects

A note on the MBA degree program design and MBA dissertation projects [information from perplexity.ai]

My question 1: "What is the MBA degree programme all about in the field of management education?"

The reply: "A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate degree focused on business administration, designed to expand a student's skills and knowledge in management and business13. MBA programs aim to prepare future managers for leadership positions and the responsibilities that come with them3. They are interdisciplinary, drawing from fields like psychology, sociology, economics, accounting, and finance7.

Core components of an MBA program:

• Curriculum MBA programs generally have a core curriculum and elective courses that may allow for a subject specialty or concentration1. The core curriculum is similar in Executive MBA programs, but may emphasize leadership1. MBA courses usually cover finance, marketing, human resources, strategy, and corporate management3.
• Course Structure In the first year, students acquire a working knowledge of management functions and analytical skills, while the second year allows students to pursue elective courses for specialization1. Many full-time students seek internships after the first year1. The degree culminates in coursework in business strategy1.
• Learning experience MBA programs expose students to theory and practice through lectures, case studies, and team projects1. Practical learning includes consulting projects with real clients and often involves external practitioners and business executives1.
• Specializations MBA programs offer specializations such as accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, and marketing1. Programs might also include training in soft skills, hard skills, and thinking skills1.
• Capstone For the business strategy component, the focus is on finding competitive advantage and the long-term positioning and management of the entity as a whole1. The MBA dissertation generally includes a discussion of literature, a critical review, and a case study with analysis1. Some programs allow for a major project instead of a dissertation1.

The MBA program is designed to cultivate a student’s ability to deal successfully with the challenges and opportunities presented by continued technological development and globalization2. An MBA program cultivates a deep understanding of organizational dynamics6."

My question 2: "What kinds of research topics are suitable to be adopted for an MBA dissertation project study?"

The reply: "Suitable research topics for an MBA dissertation span various specializations and emerging trends43. When choosing a topic, you should consider your interests, expertise, and career goals, as well as the topic's relevance, feasibility, and originality14. It's also important to ensure the availability of secondary data and to incorporate quantitative study to enhance the depth of your research7.

Here are some popular and relevant topics for MBA dissertations:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Digital transformation in entrepreneurial ventures1. The role of social media in entrepreneurial growth4. Analyzing factors that lead to bankruptcy in small-scale enterprises4.
• Finance and Accounting Corporate debt management strategies in emerging markets3. Risk management in cryptocurrency trading3. Ethical issues in corporate financial reporting3. Impacts of financial literacy on investment behavior4.
• Human Capital Management Employee engagement strategies in hybrid work environments3.
• International Business The role of cultural intelligence in international trade3. Managing cultural diversity in global teams3. Effects of international regulations on businesses3. Factors leading to the rapid growth of international microfinance4.
• Marketing Effects of "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO) on online marketing4. Relationship between emotional branding and customer loyalty4. Analyzing the relationship between business advertisement and customer purchasing behavior in the 21st Century4.
• Organizational Behavior Impact of remote work on organizational productivity3. Influence of corporate culture on business performance3.
• Project Management The role of project management software in enhancing project performance2. Enhancing virtual collaboration and communication in project teams2.
• Sustainability and Social Responsibility Sustainable practices in the food industry3. Renewable energy adoption in businesses3. Green supply chain management strategies3.
• Technology and Data Analytics The role of artificial intelligence in transforming customer service operations5. The impact of product management on business growth6. Evaluating the role of mobile technologies in the gap between small-scale enterprises and large scare corporations4."

My question 3: "Do MBA dissertation projects favour research objectives with certain investigation features or problem-solving orientation?"

The reply: "MBA dissertation projects benefit from research objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound ("SMART")14. A focused research problem is essential, as it directs the entire dissertation6. The dissertation should aim to provide new knowledge that can be used toward a resolution, with practitioners in the field typically solving the problem using input from researchers6.

Problem-solving skills are highly valued in MBA graduates9. MBA programs are incorporating problem-solving and communication courses to help students develop these abilities9. To enhance problem-solving skills, a structured approach like the MECE principle (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) or the 4P framework (Problem, Players, Process, and Payoffs) can be adopted3.

When formulating research objectives, it's important to:

• Specify the population or sample being studied1.
• Define the variables or concepts being investigated1.
• Address the research problem or question1.
• Set geographical or contextual boundaries, if applicable1."

My question 4: "Do MBA dissertation projects have preference on certain research philosophies, e.g. positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism and critical realism?"

The reply: "MBA dissertation projects can align with various research philosophies, including positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism, and critical realism, each offering a distinct perspective on conducting research5. The choice of research philosophy should complement the research strategy and support the chosen methods of data collection and analysis5.

Here's a breakdown of these philosophies:

• Positivism: This philosophy emphasizes objective observations and measurements to obtain knowledge, often using quantitative data and experimental designs3. It is rooted in the belief that reality is independent of the observer3. Positivism is widely used in accounting and business research because of its characteristics of independent reality and objectivity4. Researchers remain objective and detached from the subject of study, ensuring that personal beliefs and biases do not influence the research findings2.
• Interpretivism: Taking an opposing position to positivism, interpretivism suggests that reality is subjectively constructed by the observer through their experience of it3. It focuses on subjective meanings and typically uses qualitative research methodology5. Interpretivists explore the rich tapestry of meanings and subjective experiences6.
• Pragmatism: This philosophy attempts to find a middle ground, focusing on the usefulness and applicability of research findings, rather than an all-or-nothing, mutually exclusive philosophical position3. Pragmatism is flexible, choosing methods based on research questions5.
• Critical Realism: This combines elements of both positivism and interpretivism, recognizing an objective reality but acknowledging subjective interpretations5. Critical realists explore the interplay between individual actions and broader social structures6.

The selection of a research philosophy depends on the nature of your research aims and research questions3. Consider whether your study is primarily exploratory, descriptive, or explanatory, and whether you’re conducting academic research that seeks to build theory or applied research aimed at solving specific problems5. The stage of the research also matters; early exploratory stages might benefit from interpretivist approaches, while later stages testing hypotheses might lean towards positivism5. Ultimately, good research aligns its philosophical underpinnings with its practical objectives5."

My question 5: "Do MBA dissertation projects tend to favor consulting-oriented type of project or academic-oriented type of project?"

The reply: "MBA programs offer different types of projects for the Master's Thesis, with options that are more practical or more academic1. The MSM-MBA program distinguishes between business plans for entrepreneurial start-ups, business consultancy projects for existing companies, and academic research papers applicable to multiple organizations1.

Here's a breakdown of the two main types:

• Consulting-oriented projects: These projects are management-concerns driven and focus on a kind of formal ‘client organization’14. They allow businesses to benefit from the skills of MBA students, who can bring innovative business thinking to the organization2. These projects often involve students working in teams to deliver expert advice on a strategic business issue5.
• Academic-oriented projects: These are research-gap driven and applicable to more than one company14. These projects are often inspired by a specific academic article or a specific academic dissertation report4.

Both project types have a strong research element, requiring students to identify and apply academic literature and develop a clear research methodology for analysis1. The University of Edinburgh Business School's MBA Consultancy Project is all about strategy and can cover any strategic business or management issue in any commercial, industrial, public sector, or non-profit organization5."

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.