Wednesday, 28 January 2026

Asking AI to suggest an MBA research theme and a dissertation proposal: on business schools

Asking AI to suggest an MBA research theme and a dissertation proposal: on business schools (information from perplexity.ai)


My question 1: "Please suggest an MBA research theme, via the pragmatism lens, based on the following key words: impacts of AI on the competitive landscape, business model of the Hong Kong tertiary education business schools, shifting critical success factors of the Hong Kong tertiary education business schools."

The reply: "An MBA-suitable theme through a pragmatist lens could be:

“How generative AI is reshaping competitive advantage and business models of Hong Kong tertiary education business schools: a pragmatist mixed-methods investigation of shifting critical success factors.”

1. Core focus and problem

This theme examines how AI (especially GenAI) is changing what it means to be competitive (programs, rankings, student value, industry relevance) among Hong Kong business schools, and how their business models and critical success factors (CSFs) are evolving in response.

2. Why it fits pragmatism

  • Pragmatism emphasises producing actionable knowledge that solves real organisational problems, rather than abstract debates about “truth.”

  • Your project can explicitly aim to offer practical recommendations for programme design, assessment policies, AI-enabled pedagogy, and revenue model innovation for Hong Kong business schools.

You can frame your research questions around “what works, for whom, and under what conditions” in AI adoption and competitive positioning.

3. Possible research aim and questions

Example overall aim:
“To identify how the adoption of AI in teaching, learning, and administration is reshaping the competitive landscape, business models, and critical success factors of Hong Kong tertiary education business schools, and to generate pragmatic recommendations for strategic positioning.”

Illustrative research questions:

  1. How are Hong Kong business schools currently deploying generative AI in teaching, learning, student services, and programme management?

  2. How do these AI-related initiatives affect perceived value propositions to key stakeholders (students, employers, faculty, and university management)?

  3. In what ways are AI and digitalisation altering the business models (e.g., programme portfolio, delivery modes, revenue mix, lifelong learning offerings) of Hong Kong business schools?

  4. Which critical success factors are emerging or declining in importance (e.g., AI-enabled personalised learning, hybrid delivery, industry partnerships, executive education, global reputation) in the AI era?

  5. What context-specific, actionable strategies can Hong Kong business schools adopt to sustain or enhance competitive advantage under rapid AI-driven change?

4. Pragmatist methodology angle

  • Use a mixed-method design (e.g., survey of students/employers plus qualitative interviews with deans/programme directors) and justify it via pragmatism’s openness to multiple methods to address practical problems.

  • Treat “success” in terms of useful consequences: student outcomes, employer satisfaction, enrolment trends, and perceived value, not just philosophical constructs.

5. Variant titles you could choose from

You might pick one of these wordings depending on your supervisor’s preference:

  • “Generative AI and the evolving business model of Hong Kong business schools: A pragmatist study of shifting critical success factors and competitive positioning.”

  • “AI-enabled business education and the competitive landscape of Hong Kong tertiary business schools: A pragmatist mixed-method inquiry into emerging critical success factors.”

  • “From traditional MBA to AI-enabled lifelong learning: Pragmatist insights into business model innovation and competitive advantage in Hong Kong business schools.”


My question 2: "Based on the proposed research theme , please offer a part-time MBA dissertation proposal with the following information: 


1. Dissertation report title 2. 3 research issues (including research gaps) and 3 Hong Kong public media reported issues 3. 4 research objectives and 3 research questions 4. 2 primary research methods and 1 secondary research method 5. 4 academic theories related to business model, competitive landscape, AI and tertiary business education, notably on MBA programs (with a reference list in Harvard reference format)
6. A brief justification of the dissertation proposal in terms of academic, practical and originality value."."

The reply: "

  1. Dissertation Report Title
    Generative AI's Impact on Hong Kong Business Schools: A Pragmatist Inquiry into Evolving Business Models and Critical Success Factors.

  2. 3 Research Issues (Including Research Gaps) and 3 Hong Kong Public Media Reported Issues

    Research Issues/Gaps:

    • Limited empirical studies on how AI specifically alters business models in Hong Kong's competitive tertiary education sector, particularly for MBA programs amid global rankings pressure.

    • Insufficient exploration of shifting CSFs (e.g., from traditional credentials to AI-enabled personalization) in Asian business schools, creating a gap in context-specific strategies.

    • Lack of pragmatist-framed mixed-methods research linking AI adoption to measurable competitive outcomes like enrollment and employer perceptions in high-density markets like Hong Kong.

    Hong Kong Public Media Reported Issues:

    • PolyU's launch of AI research institute and integration into business curricula highlights talent shortages and compliance challenges for SMEs in AI adoption.
      ​

    • HKUST's pioneering AI-centric MBA elective with Microsoft underscores demand for AI skills in business leadership amid 4th Industrial Revolution.

    • Government push for Hong Kong AI Research Institute signals need for academia-industry bridges in AI for finance/education, with 38% GenAI adoption in finance.
      ​

  3. 4 Research Objectives and 3 Research Questions

    Objectives:

    • To map current AI integration in Hong Kong business schools' MBA programs and operations.

    • To analyze AI's effects on business models, competitive dynamics, and CSFs.

    • To identify emerging strategies for sustained advantage via pragmatist evaluation.

    • To provide actionable recommendations for policymakers, deans, and MBA directors.

    Questions:

    • How is generative AI reshaping business models and CSFs in Hong Kong business schools?

    • What AI-driven capabilities create competitive edges in MBA education delivery and outcomes?

    • Which pragmatist strategies optimize AI for long-term positioning in Hong Kong's education market?

  4. 2 Primary Research Methods and 1 Secondary Research Method

    • Primary 1: Mixed-methods survey of 200+ MBA students/alumni and employers on AI perceptions and CSF shifts (quantitative scales + open-ended).

    • Primary 2: Semi-structured interviews with 15-20 deans/directors from top Hong Kong business schools (e.g., HKU, HKUST, CUHK) on AI strategies.

    • Secondary: Thematic analysis of university reports, rankings (e.g., Eduniversal), and media on AI/business model evolution.

  5. 4 Academic Theories Related to Business Model, Competitive Landscape, AI, and Tertiary Business Education (Notably MBA Programs)


 

Theory

Key Application to Theme

MBA/ Education Relevance

Business Model Canvas (Osterwalder)

Maps AI impacts on value propositions, revenue streams, and key resources in education .

Analyzes shifts from tuition-led to AI-hybrid lifelong learning models.

Resource-Based View (RBV)/ VRIO (Barney)

Assesses AI as Valuable/ Rare/ Inimitable/ Organized resource for competitive edge .

Identifies AI talent/integration as VRIO assets in MBA rankings .

Dynamic Capabilities (Teece)

Explains sensing/seizing AI disruptions and reconfiguring MBA curricula .

Enables business schools to adapt to AI amid volatile edtech markets .

Human-AI Complementation (Krakowski et al.)

Shows AI substituting routine tasks while complementing human judgment in education .

Shifts MBA focus to AI-augmented strategy/ ethics over knowledge delivery .

 

  1. Harvard Reference List:
    Barney, J. (1991) 'Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage', Journal of Management, 17(1), pp. 99-120.
    Krakowski, S. et al. (2023) 'Artificial intelligence and the changing sources of competitive advantage', Strategic Management Journal. Available at: 
    https://research.cbs.dk/files/93816687/sebastian_krakowski_et_al_artificial_intelligence_publishersversion.pdf
     (Accessed: 28 January 2026).
    ​
    Osterwalder, A. and Pigneur, Y. (2010) Business model generation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
    ​
    Teece, D.J. (2018) 'Dynamic capabilities as (workable) management systems theory', Strategic Management Review, 1(2), pp. 1-26.
    ​

  2. Brief Justification of the Dissertation Proposal
    Academic Value: Advances pragmatist management research by bridging AI-edtech gaps with Hong Kong-specific mixed-methods, contributing to theories like RBV/dynamic capabilities in education.

    Practical Value: Delivers strategies for business schools (e.g., AI curriculum, partnerships) amid real issues like talent shortages, aiding enrollment/competitiveness.

    Originality Value: First pragmatist lens on AI's business model disruption in Hong Kong MBA sector, using local media/university data for timely, actionable insights."



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