Asking chatgpt to produce a dissertation proposal on merger failure: for MBA students

Asking chatgpt (accessed via poe.com) to produce a dissertation proposal on merger failure: for MBA students

My question 1: "I am a part-time MBA student, currently trying to formulate my dissertation proposal. My research theme is on the external and internal factors that contributes to Merger failure and its negative consequences in general. The dissertation project is primary academic in orientation, trying to enhance academic knowledge on this research theme. It is feasible for me to conduct in-depth interview to three of my friends, all working in the same company (ABC Ltd) 4 years ago in different departments to learn their perceptions on my research theme with regard to that ABC Ltd's merger failure. I will also carry out desk research to study news and magazine articles, business-related statistics as well as annual reports of companies that have undergone merger, especially those with unsatisfactory outcomes. My literature review will also focus on academic ideas and findings related to my research theme. For data analysis, I will mainly apply qualitative data analysis on relevant data gathered via the chosen research interview, desk research and literature review. some kind of comparison of qualitative data analysis findings from these three sources is to be carried out, i.e. on (i) internal and external factors that contribute to merger failure, (ii) how these internal and external factors operate in the dynamics process of merger failure, and (iii) how merger failures lead to various negative merger outcomes. There could be some quantitative data analysis on data gathered via the desk research. The research philosophy for the whole project is pragmatism. Based on these information, could you produce a dissertation proposal for me? Try to indicate what could the academic and practical value of this dissertation project. Tks a lot."

The reply from chatgpt: "Title

Exploring the Internal and External Factors Contributing to Merger Failure: A Case Study of ABC Ltd

Introduction

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are pivotal strategies for corporate growth, yet many mergers fail to achieve their intended outcomes. This dissertation aims to explore the internal and external factors contributing to merger failures, specifically focusing on the case of ABC Ltd, which experienced a merger failure four years ago. The insights gained from this research will enhance academic knowledge in the field of M&A and provide practical recommendations for organizations considering future mergers.

Research Objectives

To identify and analyze the internal and external factors that contribute to merger failures.

To understand how these factors interact within the dynamics of the merger process.

To investigate the negative outcomes resulting from merger failures and their implications for organizations.

Research Questions

What internal factors contributed to the failure of the merger at ABC Ltd?

What external factors influenced the merger's unsuccessful outcome?

How do these factors operate together during the merger process?

What are the negative consequences of merger failures on organizations like ABC Ltd?

Methodology

Research Design

This dissertation will employ a qualitative research design, complemented by quantitative analysis where applicable. The study will consist of three primary data sources:

In-Depth Interviews: Conduct interviews with three individuals from different departments at ABC Ltd who were involved in the merger process. These interviews will provide personal insights into the perceived internal and external factors that contributed to the merger's failure.

Desk Research: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, news articles, business statistics, and annual reports related to mergers that have resulted in failure. This will help contextualize the findings from the interviews and provide a broader understanding of the issue.

Literature Review: Explore academic theories and findings related to merger failures, focusing on both internal and external factors, the merger process dynamics, and the resulting negative outcomes.

Data Analysis

Qualitative Analysis: The qualitative data gathered from interviews will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes related to the research questions.

Comparative Analysis: Compare findings from interviews, desk research, and literature review to triangulate data and strengthen the validity of the results.

Quantitative Analysis: Where applicable, utilize quantitative data from desk research to support qualitative findings and provide statistical insights into merger failures.

Research Philosophy

The research will adopt a pragmatism philosophy, focusing on practical implications and real-world outcomes. This approach allows for the integration of multiple data sources and the flexibility to employ various methods to address the research questions effectively.

Academic Value

This dissertation will contribute to the academic body of knowledge surrounding mergers and acquisitions by:

Providing insights into the specific internal and external factors that lead to merger failures, particularly in the context of a real-world case.

Enhancing understanding of the dynamics of merger processes and the interplay of various factors influencing outcomes.

Addressing gaps in existing literature regarding the consequences of merger failures.

Practical Value

The findings of this research will have significant practical implications for organizations considering mergers by:

Offering recommendations for identifying and mitigating risks associated with internal and external factors during the merger process.

Providing a framework for evaluating the potential success of future mergers based on insights derived from past failures.

Helping practitioners understand the broader implications of merger failures on organizational performance and employee morale.

Conclusion

This dissertation proposal outlines a comprehensive approach to studying the factors contributing to merger failures, using ABC Ltd as a case study. By integrating qualitative and quantitative data, the research aims to provide valuable insights that will benefit both academic scholars and business practitioners in the field of mergers and acquisitions.

Feel free to modify any section to better suit your vision or specific requirements for your dissertation!"

My question 2: "If I produce three conceptual frameworks based on qualitative data analysis, each from the three studies on (i) the in-depth interview, (ii) on the desk research and (iii) literature review, how could I make use of these frameworks to enhance academic knowledge on my dissertation research theme?"

The reply from chatgpt: "Creating three distinct conceptual frameworks based on your qualitative data analysis from the in-depth interviews, desk research, and literature review can significantly enhance academic knowledge on your dissertation theme in several ways:

1. Integration of Perspectives

Each framework will represent different perspectives on merger failures:

In-Depth Interviews: This framework will capture subjective experiences and insights from employees at ABC Ltd, highlighting personal perceptions of internal and external factors.

Desk Research: This framework will synthesize empirical data, statistics, and case studies that illustrate broader trends and common issues faced by organizations during mergers.

Literature Review: This framework will distill academic theories and findings, providing a theoretical foundation that contextualizes the practical insights from the other two frameworks.

2. Comparative Analysis

Utilizing the three frameworks allows for a comparative analysis that can reveal:

Common Themes: Identify overlapping factors and themes across the frameworks to understand how various elements contribute to merger failures.

Divergent Views: Highlight differences in perspectives, which can lead to a richer understanding of the multifaceted nature of merger failures.

Contextual Variability: Explore how the context of ABC Ltd differs from other cases or theoretical frameworks, adding depth to the discussion of merger dynamics.

3. Development of a Comprehensive Model

By integrating insights from all three frameworks, you can develop a comprehensive model that illustrates:

Interconnections: Show how internal and external factors interact and influence each other throughout the merger process.

Causal Relationships: Propose causal relationships between identified factors and the outcomes of merger failures, enhancing theoretical contributions to the field.

Feedback Loops: Illustrate how negative outcomes from a merger may feed back into organizational practices, potentially impacting future mergers.

4. Theoretical Contributions

The frameworks can enhance academic knowledge by:

Filling Gaps: Addressing gaps in existing literature related to merger failures, particularly from an empirical standpoint.

Proposing New Theories: Based on your findings, you may propose new theoretical constructs or modify existing theories related to M&A, contributing to academic discourse.

Guiding Future Research: Your frameworks can serve as a foundation for future studies, suggesting new research questions or areas of investigation.

5. Practical Implications

While enhancing academic knowledge, your frameworks can also provide actionable insights for practitioners, leading to:

Best Practices: Recommendations based on identified factors that organizations can monitor or address to minimize the risk of merger failures.

Strategic Frameworks: Develop strategic frameworks for assessing merger readiness and success potential based on both qualitative and quantitative insights.

6. Publication and Dissemination

Finally, the distinct frameworks offer opportunities for academic publication:

Journal Articles: Each framework could serve as the basis for separate articles, focusing on specific aspects of merger failures.

Conference Presentations: Presenting the frameworks at academic conferences can stimulate discussion and feedback, further refining your contributions.

Conclusion

By developing and utilizing these three conceptual frameworks, you will provide a multidimensional analysis of merger failures that enhances both academic knowledge and practical understanding. This comprehensive approach will not only strengthen your dissertation but also contribute to the broader field of mergers and acquisitions research."

My question 3: "What are the limitation of the research methods and research philosophy of my dissertation proposal?"

The reply from chatgpt: "Limitations of Research Methods

Qualitative Data Limitations:

Subjectivity: In-depth interviews rely on participants’ perceptions, which can be subjective and influenced by personal biases or experiences.

Small Sample Size: Conducting interviews with only three individuals from the same company limits the generalizability of the findings. Insights may not represent broader industry trends or other organizational contexts.

Desk Research Constraints:

Data Availability: Accessing relevant and reliable desk research may be challenging, especially for private companies that do not publicly disclose detailed information about their merger processes.

Potential Bias in Sources: News articles and reports may have inherent biases or perspectives that can skew the understanding of merger failures.

Literature Review Challenges:

Scope of Existing Literature: The literature available may not fully address the specific internal and external factors related to merger failures, leading to gaps in understanding.

Variability in Theoretical Frameworks: Different studies may use varying definitions and frameworks for understanding mergers and acquisitions, which could complicate the synthesis of findings.

Analytical Complexity:

Comparative Analysis Difficulties: Integrating qualitative insights from interviews, desk research, and literature can be complex, and drawing clear comparisons may pose challenges.

Data Interpretation: Analyzing qualitative data often involves a degree of interpretation, which may introduce researcher bias.

Limitations of Research Philosophy

Pragmatism Limitations:

Lack of Depth in Theoretical Exploration: Pragmatism focuses on practical implications and real-world applications, which might lead to less emphasis on theoretical depth. This could limit the development of robust theoretical contributions.

Potential for Ambiguity: The flexibility of pragmatism might result in ambiguity in how research findings are interpreted, particularly if the integration of qualitative and quantitative data lacks clarity.

Integration of Methodologies:

Methodological Alignment: The combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches in a pragmatic framework might lead to challenges in ensuring that both methodologies are aligned and contribute cohesively to the research objectives.

Conflicting Findings: If qualitative and quantitative analyses yield conflicting results, it may be difficult to reconcile these differences within a pragmatic framework.

Conclusion

While the chosen research methods and philosophy offer valuable insights into merger failures, they also present limitations that need to be acknowledged. Understanding these limitations will help in framing the research findings and providing context for the conclusions drawn in your dissertation. Addressing these limitations in your discussion will also enhance the credibility and rigor of your research."

My question 4: "What would be the benefits if I encourage the interviewees in my interview research to make use of narrative to clarify their viewpoints?"

The reply from chatgpt: "Encouraging interviewees to use narrative in your qualitative research can offer several benefits:

1. Enhanced Depth of Understanding

Rich Context: Narratives provide context to the interviewees’ experiences, offering deeper insights into their perspectives on merger failures.

Complexity of Experiences: Participants can share the complexities of their experiences, highlighting nuances that might be missed in more structured responses.

2. Improved Engagement

Personal Connection: Narratives can create a more engaging and conversational atmosphere, making participants feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Emotional Resonance: Sharing stories can evoke emotions, which may lead to more candid responses and reveal underlying motivations or beliefs.

3. Identification of Key Themes

Thematic Insights: Stories can help identify recurring themes, patterns, and issues related to internal and external factors contributing to merger failures.

Holistic View: A narrative approach allows for a comprehensive view of the participant’s experience, making it easier to draw connections between different factors.

4. Contextualization of Data

Situational Context: Narratives help place the data within specific contexts, making it easier to understand why certain factors influenced the merger outcome.

Real-World Examples: Participants can provide concrete examples that illustrate abstract concepts, enhancing the clarity of their viewpoints.

5. Facilitation of Comparative Analysis

Diverse Perspectives: Different narratives from various interviewees can provide contrasting viewpoints, enriching your comparative analysis across the three data sources.

Cross-Referencing: By comparing narratives, you can identify commonalities and differences that may highlight broader themes or unique aspects of the merger experience.

6. Encouragement of Reflection

Critical Thinking: Asking participants to narrate their experiences may prompt them to reflect more critically on their roles and the merger process, leading to richer insights.

Learning from Experience: Participants may articulate lessons learned from the merger, which can be valuable for both academic and practical implications.

7. Validation of Findings

Triangulation: Using narratives alongside other data sources (desk research and literature review) can help validate your findings by providing multiple perspectives on the same issue.

Increased Credibility: Rich, narrative-based data can enhance the credibility of your research by illustrating findings with real-world examples.

Conclusion

Encouraging interviewees to use narrative in their responses can significantly enrich your qualitative research. It allows for a more nuanced understanding of their experiences and perspectives, ultimately leading to more robust and insightful findings related to merger failures. Emphasizing narratives can enhance the validity and depth of your analysis, contributing to a more comprehensive exploration of your research theme."

** note: This example is on the academic-oriented type of dissertation project.

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