A collection of notes on academic writing style evaluation: for MBA students

A collection of notes on academic writing style evaluation: for MBA students

1. on green innovation

2. on cross-border acquisitions

An example of evaluating the academic writing style of an article: on cross-border acquisitions: for MBA students

An example of evaluating the academic writing style of an article: on cross-border acquisitions: for MBA students

The article reviewed in this note:

Anderhofstadt, D., Wesson, N. and Viviers, S., 2026. Cross-Border Acquisitions by African Firms: The Effect of Corporate Governance on Ownership Participation. Thunderbird International Business Review, 68(3), pp.305–331. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.70041 [Accessed 16 May 2026].

 

What are the: (1) research philosophy, (2) research objectives, and (3) research questions of the article? And does the article mentions the researcher positionality of the article?

·  Based on the article "Cross-Border Acquisitions by African Firms: The Effect of Corporate Governance on Ownership Participation" by Anderhofstadt, Wesson, and Viviers (2026):

1. Research Philosophy: The article adopts an agency theory perspective to explore corporate governance factors influencing ownership participation decisions in cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) by African firms. This approach reflects a positivist research philosophy, emphasizing objective analysis of firm-level governance mechanisms and their impact on strategic choices in internationalization.
2. Research Objectives:

• To investigate the corporate governance factors that influence the equity ownership stake pursued by African firms in CBAs.
• To explore how executive remuneration and the monitoring role of domestic institutional investors affect ownership participation.
• To analyze the interplay between firm-level corporate governance and institutional distance between home and host countries in shaping ownership decisions.

3. Research Questions: While the article does not state specific research questions verbatim, the study focuses on questions such as:

• What corporate governance mechanisms affect the level of ownership participation by African firms in cross-border acquisitions?
• How does executive remuneration relate to potential agency problems in ownership decisions?
• What role do institutional investors and institutional distance play in moderating ownership participation strategies in CBAs?

4. Researcher Positionality: The article does not explicitly discuss the researcher positionality or reflexivity regarding their influence, perspective, or potential biases in conducting the study.

In summary, the article is anchored in a positivist, agency theory framework aimed at understanding the corporate governance influences on African firms' ownership stakes in CBAs, with no explicit mention of researcher positionality.

 

 

Could you indicate 5 main features of the academic writing style of this article?

Based on the article "Cross-Border Acquisitions by African Firms: The Effect of Corporate Governance on Ownership Participation", the five main features of its academic writing style are:

1.     Formal and Objective Tone: The article maintains a formal, professional tone typical of scholarly publications, focusing on presenting research findings and theoretical discussions in an impartial and objective manner without personal bias or emotive language.

2.     Use of Discipline-Specific Terminology: It consistently employs technical terms related to corporate governance, international business, and agency theory—such as "ownership participation," "institutional distance," "executive remuneration," and "emerging market multinational enterprises"—reflecting its target audience of academics and practitioners in business and management research.

3.     Clear Structure and Organization: The manuscript is well-organized, following a conventional academic article structure with defined sections including Introduction, Literature Review/Theory, Hypotheses Development, Methodology, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. This systematic layout supports clarity and logical flow.

4.     Evidence-Based Argumentation: Arguments and conclusions are supported by references to prior literature, empirical data analysis, and theoretical frameworks. The authors cite numerous previous studies and theoretical concepts to position their research within the existing academic discourse.

5.     Impersonal and Third-Person Perspective: The writing avoids first-person pronouns, favoring passive voice and third-person descriptions (e.g., “the study explores,” “the authors hypothesize”) which is conventional in empirical research to emphasize the study over the researcher.

These features collectively ensure the article conforms to standards of rigorous academic communication in international business research.

 

Is the overall academic writing style in this case appropriate with regard to the research philosophy and research objectives of the article?

·        Yes, the overall academic writing style is appropriate in relation to the research philosophy and objectives of the article.

o   Alignment with Research Philosophy: The article adopts a positivist research philosophy, emphasizing empirical analysis, objectivity, and measurable outcomes related to corporate governance influences on ownership participation in cross-border acquisitions by African firms. The formal, objective, and evidence-based writing style supports this by focusing on data-driven analysis, avoiding subjective or anecdotal narratives.

o   Suitability for Research Objectives: The objectives include exploring firm-level corporate governance factors using agency theory, complemented by institutional theory, to understand equity ownership decisions in CBAs. The clear, structured, and precise style effectively communicates complex constructs such as executive remuneration, institutional investor roles, and institutional distance in a way that facilitates scholarly comprehension and practical application [T2–T3, T5].

o   Use of Technical Language and Theoretical Frameworks: By embedding specialized terminology and theoretical perspectives, the style reflects the academic rigor necessary to advance knowledge in international business and governance fields, addressing a gap in research on African firms’ internationalization strategies.

o   Impersonal and Formal Tone for Analytical Clarity: The impersonal tone and third-person voice enhance the neutrality and credibility needed for agency-theoretic analysis and hypothesis testing, ensuring the focus remains on the phenomena studied rather than researcher bias.

In summary, the writing style is well-matched with the positivist, empirical research philosophy and the study’s analytical, theory-driven objectives, ensuring the findings are presented with clarity, rigor, and scholarly integrity.

An example of evaluating the academic writing style of an article: on green innovation: for MBA students

An example of evaluating the academic writing style of an article: on green innovation: for MBA students

The article reviewed in this note:

Yadav, A., Gyamfi, B.A., Agozie, D.Q., Asongu, S.A. and Behera, D.K., 2026. Unveiling the Dynamics of Green Innovation on ESG Performance: The Role of Financial Distress and the Impact of the Paris Agreement. Thunderbird International Business Review, 68(3), pp.379–397. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.70042 [Accessed 16 May 2026].

 

What are the: (1) research philosophy, (2) research objectives, and (3) research questions of the article? And does the article mentions the researcher positionality of the article?

Based on the provided content from the article "Unveiling the Dynamics of Green Innovation on ESG Performance: The Role of Financial Distress and the Impact of the Paris Agreement":

1. Research Philosophy: The article adopts a positivist research philosophy, reflected in its use of rigorous econometric methodologies, quantitative data analysis, and statistical models (such as Quantile Regression, Generalized Additive Model, and Random Forest). The approach aims to empirically test hypotheses about the relationships between green innovation, financial distress, firm characteristics, and ESG performance using large-scale panel data from top firms in China and Europe over a decade.
2. Research Objectives: The primary objectives of the study are to:

• Empirically analyze the impact of green innovation on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance.
• Examine how financial distress moderates the relationship between green innovation and ESG outcomes.
• Investigate the roles of firm-specific factors such as firm size, growth, and debt profile on ESG performance across different industries and economic contexts.
• Explore the impact of international policies, especially the Paris Agreement, on amplifying green innovation effects on ESG.
• Provide insights to bridge gaps in understanding the interaction of corporate factors, financial distress, and ESG outcomes under varying economic conditions.

3. Research Questions: While not explicitly enumerated as formal research questions, the study addresses the following key inquiries implicitly through its hypotheses and analysis:

• How does green innovation affect ESG performance across firms?
• What role does financial distress play in moderating the effect of green innovation and other firm factors (size, growth, debt) on ESG outcomes?
• Does firm size, growth, and debt profile have a significant impact on ESG performance?
• How did the Paris Agreement influence the dynamics between green innovation and ESG performance?

Regarding researcher positionality, there is no explicit mention of researcher positionality, reflexivity, or the subjective stance of the authors in the article. The focus is primarily on quantitative empirical analysis grounded in secondary data, which aligns with the positivist stance that typically minimizes subjective bias or positional statements.

Summary:

Aspect	Details
Research Philosophy	Positivist, quantitative, empirical econometric analysis.
Research Objectives	Analyze impact of green innovation on ESG; role of financial distress; firm characteristics; policy impact.
Research Questions	Effects of green innovation on ESG; moderating role of financial distress; effect of firm size, growth, debt; Paris Agreement impact.
Researcher Positionality	Not explicitly mentioned.

These points are synthesized primarily from sections on the introduction, literature review, hypothesis development, and methodology.

 

Could you indicate 5 main features of the academic writing style of this article?

Based on the content of the article "Unveiling the Dynamics of Green Innovation on ESG Performance: The Role of Financial Distress and the Impact of the Paris Agreement", here are five main features of its academic writing style:

1.     Formal and Objective Tone The article maintains a formal and detached tone appropriate for scholarly communication. It focuses on presenting evidence, analysis, and findings without personal or emotional language, which reflects its positivist quantitative approach.

2.     Use of Technical and Specialized Vocabulary The writing incorporates domain-specific terminology related to finance, economics, sustainability, and econometrics (e.g., “quantile regression,” “generalized additive models,” “financial distress,” “green innovation,” “ESG scores”) to communicate complex concepts precisely to an expert audience.

3.     Structured and Logical Organization The article is well-organized into conventional academic sections—introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and policy implications. This structural clarity facilitates logical progression and allows readers to follow the research argument and findings systematically.

4.     Evidence-Based and Cited Arguments Claims and hypotheses are supported by citations of relevant literature, providing a foundation for the study and situating it within existing research. The article systematically references prior empirical and theoretical studies to justify hypotheses and interpret results.

5.     Precision and Clarity in Data Presentation Quantitative results are reported clearly, with statistical terms, parameter estimates, significance levels, and implications carefully described. The authors translate technical outputs into practical implications to enhance reader comprehension without losing rigor.

These features collectively contribute to the article’s clarity, credibility, and scholarly contribution in the field of corporate sustainability and finance.

 

Is the overall academic writing style in this case appropriate with regard to the research philosophy and research objectives of the article?

Yes, the overall academic writing style of this article is appropriate and well-aligned with its research philosophy and objectives.

·        Alignment with Research Philosophy: The article adopts a positivist research philosophy characterized by empirical investigation using quantitative data and rigorous econometric methods such as Quantile Regression, Generalized Additive Models, and Difference-in-Differences analysis. The formal, objective, and technical writing style effectively reflects this positivist stance, emphasizing evidence, measurement, and statistical validation rather than subjective interpretation or qualitative inquiry.

·        Addressing Research Objectives: The research aims to empirically analyze the impact of green innovation, financial distress, and international policy (the Paris Agreement) on ESG performance among large firms. The clear, structured, and evidence-based academic style supports the communication of complex econometric analyses and nuanced findings. Key terms are precisely defined, theoretical hypotheses are logically developed and tested, and results are systematically reported and interpreted.

·        Clarity and Rigor: The detailed presentation of methodology and empirical findings, along with careful citation of related studies, enables readers to assess validity and generalizability, meeting the objective of advancing knowledge on corporate sustainability under financial and regulatory constraints.

·        Practical Implications and Policy Relevance: The writing style balances technical rigor with accessibility by translating statistical results into managerial and policy recommendations, ensuring applicability beyond purely academic audiences.

In summary, the formal, precise, and evidence-focused academic writing style serves the article's positivist philosophy and quantitative research goals effectively, enhancing both the credibility and practical relevance of the study.

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.

A note on research philosophy and its relatedness to research objectives and questions: for MBA students

A note on research philosophy and its relatedness to research objectives and questions: for MBA students 

In the context of doing MBA dissertation projects, please explain how the research philosophy chosen could affect the formulation of the project's research objectives and research questions. Try to illustrate your ideas with reference to the MBA research theme of "A study of the impacts of AI employment on the organizational climate in the Hong Kong banking sector".

The research philosophy you choose acts as the foundational lens that determines what counts as valid knowledge, which directly shapes whether your objectives seek measurable facts or subjective meanings, and whether your questions are hypothesis-testing or exploratory.

Below is an explanation using your MBA theme: “A study of the impacts of AI employment on the organizational climate in the Hong Kong banking sector.”

Key Differences in How Philosophy Shapes Objectives & Questions

Dimension	Positivism (Objective, quantitative)	Interpretivism (Subjective, qualitative)	Pragmatism (Practical, mixed-methods)
View of reality	Single, measurable reality independent of observers	Multiple realities constructed through human experience	Reality is what works; focus on practical outcomes
Research aim	Test hypotheses, identify causal laws, generalize	Understand meanings, interpretations, context-specific insights	Solve a practical problem with actionable recommendations
Typical objective	“To quantify the relationship between AI adoption levels and employee trust scores in HK banks”	“To explore how bank employees in HK interpret and experience organizational climate changes due to AI”	“To identify both measurable impacts and employee perceptions of AI to recommend change management strategies”
Typical question	“What is the statistical effect of AI employment on organizational climate scores?” “Does AI adoption significantly reduce perceived job security?”	“How do bank employees in HK make sense of AI’s presence in their workplace?” “What meanings do staff attach to changes in team dynamics after AI introduction?”	“What are the measurable and perceived impacts of AI on organizational climate?” “What practical interventions can HK banks implement to manage AI-related climate shifts?”
Methodology link	Large-N surveys, standardized climate scales, regression analysis	In-depth interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis	Mixed methods: surveys + interviews, sequential or concurrent

How Philosophy Drives the Formulation Process

1.    Positivism → Deductive, hypothesis-driven

·        You start with theory (e.g., technology acceptance model, job displacement theory).

·        Objectives become: measure variables, test relationships.

·        Questions are closed, often starting with “To what extent…”, “Does…”, “What is the correlation…”.

·        Example objective for your theme:

“To measure the impact of AI-driven automation on employee trust and collaboration scores in 5 major Hong Kong banks.”

2.    Interpretivism → Inductive, meaning-driven

·        You start with people’s lived experiences.

·        Objectives become: understand perceptions, contexts, narratives.

·        Questions are open, often starting with “How…”, “What experiences…”, “In what ways…”.

·        Example objective for your theme:

“To understand how frontline banking staff in Hong Kong experience and interpret changes in organizational climate following AI integration.”

3.    Pragmatism → Problem-driven, mixed

·        You start with the practical problem: HR managers need actionable guidance.

·        Objectives combine measurement and understanding.

·        Questions include both “What is the effect…” and “How do people experience…”.

·        Example objective for your theme:

“To assess both the statistical impact and the subjective experience of AI employment on organizational climate, and to develop practical change management recommendations for HK banks.”

Why This Matters for an MBA Dissertation

·        Alignment: Your philosophy must align with your research questions, objectives, methodology, and data analysis. Mismatch (e.g., interpretivist questions with purely positivist methods) undermines credibility.

·        MBA relevance: MBA dissertations often favor pragmatism because they aim to produce actionable business recommendations, not just theoretical generalizations.

·        Hong Kong banking context: Given the sector’s rapid AI adoption and culturally nuanced workplace dynamics, an interpretivist or pragmatic approach may yield richer insights into how AI reshapes team dynamics, trust, and morale beyond what survey scores alone can show.

In short, your research philosophy determines whether your dissertation will measure AI’s impact statistically, interpret employees’ lived experiences, or solve a practical management problem using both—directly shaping every objective and question you write.

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.

A note on writing the MBA dissertation chapter on “research methodology”

 A note on writing the MBA dissertation chapter on “research methodology”

 

I am a part-time MBA student currently doing my dissertation project. I have a question how to describe the overall research methodology of my dissertation report. Am I correct to say that the research methodology description comprises the following elements: research objectives, research philosophy to use, research approaches to use, research methods to use (both primary and secondary ones), and these elements should constitute a coherent research methodology thinking? A related question is how much content (notably on the relative proportion on each element) should be employed in the research methodology description?

Yes, your instinct is broadly correct: an MBA‑level dissertation research methodology should describe a coherent argument about how you will answer your research objectives, and that argument usually weaves together the following core elements:

·        Research objectives (or questions)

·        Research philosophy (e.g., positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism)

·        Research approach (deductive vs. inductive, qualitative vs. quantitative vs. mixed methods)

·        Research design / strategy (case study, survey, experiment, grounded theory, etc.)

·        Methods of data collection and analysis (primary vs. secondary methods, e.g., interviews, surveys, archival data, financial statement analysis)

·        Sampling / case‑selection (who or what you study and why)

·        Validity, reliability / trustworthiness, and limitations

·        Ethical considerations

These should be presented as a logically connected “chain of reasoning”: why your chosen philosophy fits your research question, how that leads to your approach, how that in turn shapes your design and methods, and how you safeguard quality and ethics.

 

How to frame “coherent research methodology thinking”

You can say something like this in your methodology chapter:

“This dissertation adopts a coherent research methodology in which the research objectives, underpinned by an interpretivist/positivist/pragmatic philosophy, lead to a qualitative/quantitative/mixed‑methods approach, operationalized through a case‑study/survey design, primary interviews and secondary financial data, chosen because they best allow exploration/ testing of…[your topic].”

Key is to justify choices, not just list them. For each element, briefly explain:

·        Why this philosophy suits your topic.

·        Why this approach (inductive/deductive) fits your objectives.

·        Why this design (e.g., case study of selected Singapore REITs) is appropriate.

·        Why these specific methods (e.g., semi‑structured interviews, regression analysis of NAV‑yield data) are suitable.

·        How your sampling strategy and analysis techniques help achieve validity or credibility.

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Suggested relative content “proportion” (for an MBA dissertation)

There is no rigid formula, but as a rule‑of‑thumb in a standard MBA dissertation (around 10,000–15,000 words), the methodology chapter usually sits around 10–15% of total word count, i.e., roughly 1,000–2,000 words. Within that, a typical proportion is:

·        Research objectives / questions

·        Context sentence + 1 short paragraph (≈5–10% of the chapter).

·        Focus: how they drive the methodological choices, not re‑listing the whole proposal.

·        Research philosophy

·        1–2 short, well‑justified paragraphs (≈10–15%).

·        Name the stance (e.g., positivist/pragmatic) and link it explicitly to your data type and objectives.

·        Research approach & design

·        1–2 substantial paragraphs (≈20–25%).

·        Deductive vs. inductive; qualitative vs. quantitative; case study, survey, mixed methods – with clear rationale.

·        Methods of data collection (primary and secondary)

·        2–3 main paragraphs (≈25–30%).

·        Who you interviewed/surveyed, how you selected them, how you administered questionnaires, what secondary sources you use (e.g., annual reports, databases), and why those sources are credible and relevant.

·        Data analysis techniques

·        1–2 paragraphs (≈10–15%).

·        Thematic analysis for interviews, coding strategy, regression / descriptive statistics, ratio analysis, etc., including any software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, NVivo).

·        Sampling and access

·        1 short section (≈5–10%).

·        Who your sample is, how you gained access, and how representative/unique it is.

·        Validity, reliability, limitations, and ethics

·        1–2 paragraphs as a combined subsection (≈10–15%).

·        Triangulation, member checking, bias checks, limitations (e.g., single‑country REITs, limited firm size range), and how ethical approvals/consent were handled.