An example of asking poe.com to come up with a dissertation proposal (blind box toy business related)

An example of asking poe.com to come up with a dissertation proposal (blind box toy business related): for MBA students [information from poe.com] {related to the agile literature review approach [the academic-oriented project type]}

My question 1: "I am a part-time MBA student, currently trying to formulate my dissertation proposal. My research theme is on "how can the Hong Kong blind box toy sector strengthen its viability with business model innovation " I intend to use 2 business model theories, notably on business model innovation as well as 2 strategic management theories for my dissertation project. My dissertation proposal should specify 4 research objectives that explicitly respond to 2 research gaps and 2 public media reported issues. I will conduct semi-structured interview with 5 of my friends, 2 of whom being blind  box toy store owners in Hong Kong, 3 being blind box toys customers in their 20s. I will also conduct a focus group with 6 of my friends, 2 of whom being regular Hong Kong customers of blind box toys, 1 of whom being a blind box toys store owner in Hong Kong and 2 being frequent toy customers (non-blind box ones) in Hong Kong and the last one being a blind box toys store owner in Taiwan. My last research method is a desk research to study my research theme. My overall research philosophy is pragmatism. With these ideas from me, could you offer a dissertation proposal to me? Tks in advance."

The reply: "Certainly! Below is a structured dissertation proposal based on your research theme and methodologies.

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Dissertation Proposal

Title

Strengthening Viability in the Hong Kong Blind Box Toy Sector Through Business Model Innovation

Introduction

The blind box toy market in Hong Kong has gained significant attention, yet it faces challenges that threaten its sustainability. This dissertation aims to explore how business model innovation can enhance the viability of this sector. By addressing specific research gaps and public media reported issues, this research will provide valuable insights for stakeholders in the industry.

Research Objectives

1. To identify and analyze the current business models utilized in the Hong Kong blind box toy sector.

   • This objective addresses the gap in understanding existing models and their effectiveness.

2. To explore customer perceptions and expectations of blind box toys among young consumers in Hong Kong.

   • This objective targets the lack of research on consumer behavior and preferences in this niche market.

3. To evaluate the impact of innovative business models on the operational success of blind box toy stores.

   • This will respond to the public media's concern regarding sustainability and profitability in the sector.

4. To compare the strategies of Hong Kong and Taiwan blind box toy retailers to identify best practices.

   • This objective addresses the reported issues of competition and market differentiation in the industry.

Research Gaps

1. Limited understanding of existing business models within the blind box toy sector in Hong Kong.
2. Insufficient research on consumer behavior and preferences for blind box toys, particularly among younger demographics.

Public Media Reported Issues

1. Concerns over the sustainability of blind box toy stores due to rising competition and changing consumer preferences.
2. The challenge of market differentiation as more retailers enter the blind box toy market.

Methodology

1. Semi-Structured Interviews:

   • Conduct interviews with five friends, including two blind box toy store owners and three customers aged in their 20s. This qualitative approach will help gather insights on business operations and customer perceptions.

2. Focus Group:

   • Organize a focus group with six participants: two regular customers of blind box toys, one blind box toy store owner in Hong Kong, two frequent toy customers (non-blind box), and one blind box toy store owner in Taiwan. This will allow for deeper discussions on consumer behavior and competitive strategies.

3. Desk Research:

   • Conduct a literature review on business model innovation and strategic management theories relevant to the toy industry. This will provide a theoretical framework to support the primary research.

Research Philosophy

This study will adopt a pragmatic research philosophy, focusing on practical implications and real-world applications of the findings. By combining qualitative methods with theoretical insights, the research aims to provide actionable recommendations for enhancing the viability of the blind box toy sector in Hong Kong.

Conclusion

This dissertation will contribute to the understanding of business model innovation in the blind box toy sector and provide practical solutions for store owners and marketers. By addressing the identified research gaps and public issues, the findings will be beneficial for both academic and industry stakeholders.

References

(A placeholder for references will be included here once the literature review is conducted.)"

My question 2: "Tks for the proposal made. Could you provide me with a more concrete research method design for each of the three research methods chosen, i.e. focus group, semi-structured interview and desk research? Tks a lot."

The reply: "Sure! Here's a more detailed research method design for each of the three methods you've chosen:

1. Semi-Structured Interviews

Objective: To gather in-depth insights on the perspectives of blind box toy store owners and customers regarding business model innovation.

Participants:

• 2 blind box toy store owners in Hong Kong
• 3 blind box toy customers in their 20s

Interview Structure:

• Introduction: Brief overview of the study and its purpose.
• Demographic Questions: Age, occupation, and familiarity with blind box toys.
• Core Questions:
  • What motivated you to enter the blind box toy market (for store owners)?
  • How do you perceive the current challenges facing the blind box toy sector?
  • What innovative business models do you think could enhance viability?
  • How do customer preferences influence your business strategies?
  • What role does community or social media play in your marketing?

Data Collection:

• Conduct interviews in a quiet, comfortable setting (in-person or via video call).
• Record the sessions (with consent) for accurate transcription and analysis.

Analysis:

• Use thematic analysis to identify common themes and insights from responses.
• Compare perspectives between store owners and customers.

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2. Focus Group

Objective: To explore collective views on blind box toys and potential business model innovations.

Participants:

• 1 blind box toy store owner from Hong Kong
• 2 regular Hong Kong customers of blind box toys
• 2 frequent toy customers (non-blind box)
• 1 blind box toy store owner in Taiwan

Focus Group Structure:

• Introduction: Explain the purpose of the discussion and establish ground rules for respectful dialogue.
• Icebreaker: Ask participants about their favorite toys as children.
• Discussion Questions:
  • What do you enjoy most about blind box toys?
  • How do you decide to purchase a blind box toy?
  • What improvements would you like to see in the blind box toy market?
  • How do you perceive the differences between blind box toys and traditional toys?
  • What trends do you see influencing your purchasing decisions?

Data Collection:

• Facilitate the session in a relaxed environment (in-person or virtual).
• Record the discussion (with consent) and take notes on group dynamics.

Analysis:

• Analyze the conversation for common themes and notable disagreements.
• Highlight insights that could indicate potential business model innovations.

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3. Desk Research

Objective: To analyze existing literature, market reports, and media articles relevant to the blind box toy sector.

Sources:

• Academic journals on business model innovation and strategic management.
• Market analysis reports specific to the toy industry in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
• Public media articles discussing trends, challenges, and consumer behavior in the blind box toy market.

Research Steps:

1. Literature Review: Identify key theories and frameworks related to business model innovation and strategic management.
2. Market Analysis: Gather quantitative data on sales, market size, and demographic trends in the blind box toy sector.
3. Case Studies: Examine successful blind box toy brands or stores that have implemented innovative business models.

Data Collection:

• Use academic databases, online libraries, and toy industry reports.
• Collect statistical data and qualitative insights from case studies.

Analysis:

• Synthesize findings to identify gaps in current research and practical implications for the blind box toy sector.
• Cross-reference desk research findings with qualitative data from interviews and focus groups to validate insights.

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This structured approach should provide a solid foundation for your research, ensuring comprehensive data collection and analysis. Let me know if you need further assistance!"

My question 3: "Could you indicate which research objective is related to which research gaps and which public-media reported issues? Tks."

The reply: "Certainly! Below is a breakdown of how each research objective relates to the identified research gaps and public media reported issues:

Research Objectives and Their Connections

1. Research Objective 1: Analyze the current business models employed by blind box toy stores in Hong Kong.

   • Related Research Gap: Lack of comprehensive studies on existing business models in the blind box toy sector.
   • Related Public Media Issue: Reports on declining sales in the toy sector, highlighting the need for innovative approaches.

2. Research Objective 2: Identify consumer preferences and behaviors regarding blind box toys among young adults.

   • Related Research Gap: Limited understanding of the target demographic's preferences in the blind box toy market.
   • Related Public Media Issue: Coverage of shifting consumer trends and interests in collectible toys.

3. Research Objective 3: Explore potential business model innovations that could enhance the viability of blind box toy stores.

   • Related Research Gap: Insufficient exploration of innovative business models specific to niche toy markets.
   • Related Public Media Issue: Articles discussing the necessity of innovation in retail sectors facing challenges.

4. Research Objective 4: Assess the impact of community engagement and social media on the marketing strategies of blind box toy stores.

   • Related Research Gap: Lack of insights into how community and social media influence niche market strategies.
   • Related Public Media Issue: Reporting on the effectiveness of social media marketing in engaging younger consumers.

This structure clearly links each research objective to the respective gaps and issues, providing a comprehensive framework for your dissertation."

My question 4: "Tks. Could you indicate which academic concepts and academic theories are employed to (1) investigate which research objectives and (2) inform which research methods chosen? Tks."

The reply: "Sure! Here’s a breakdown of the academic concepts and theories that can be employed to investigate each research objective and inform the chosen research methods.

Academic Concepts and Theories

1. Research Objectives and Corresponding Theories

• Research Objective 1: Analyze the current business models employed by blind box toy stores in Hong Kong.

  • Academic Concept: Business Model Canvas
  • Academic Theory: Value Proposition Theory

• Research Objective 2: Identify consumer preferences and behaviors regarding blind box toys among young adults.

  • Academic Concept: Consumer Behavior Theory
  • Academic Theory: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (to understand motivations)

• Research Objective 3: Explore potential business model innovations that could enhance the viability of blind box toy stores.

  • Academic Concept: Disruptive Innovation Theory
  • Academic Theory: Business Model Innovation Framework

• Research Objective 4: Assess the impact of community engagement and social media on the marketing strategies of blind box toy stores.

  • Academic Concept: Social Media Marketing
  • Academic Theory: Stakeholder Theory (to understand community engagement)

2. Research Methods and Corresponding Theories

• Semi-Structured Interviews:

  • Informed by: Qualitative Research Theory (to gather rich, detailed data)
  • Academic Concept: Thematic Analysis (for analyzing interview data)

• Focus Group:

  • Informed by: Group Dynamics Theory (to explore collective opinions and interactions)
  • Academic Concept: Focus Group Methodology (to facilitate discussion and gather diverse perspectives)

• Desk Research:

  • Informed by: Secondary Data Analysis (to synthesize existing literature and reports)
  • Academic Concept: Literature Review Methodology (to identify gaps and contextualize findings)

Summary

This framework links academic theories and concepts directly to your research objectives and methods, providing a solid foundation for your dissertation proposal."

My question 5: "Could you tell me what are the strengths and weaknesses of the research philosophy and research methods chosen for this dissertation project?"

The reply: "Certainly! Here’s an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen research philosophy (pragmatism) and the research methods (semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and desk research) for your dissertation project.

Research Philosophy: Pragmatism

Strengths:

• Flexibility: Pragmatism allows for the use of multiple methods, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research problem.
• Focus on Practical Outcomes: It prioritizes practical solutions and real-world applications, making it highly relevant for business contexts.
• Adaptability: Researchers can adjust their methods and approaches as new insights emerge during the study.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of Rigidity: The flexible nature of pragmatism can lead to challenges in maintaining a consistent methodological framework, potentially affecting the reliability of findings.
• Potential Bias: The emphasis on practical outcomes may lead researchers to prioritize certain findings over others, skewing results based on personal or societal biases.
• Complexity in Integration: Combining different methods can complicate data analysis and interpretation, making it harder to draw cohesive conclusions.

Research Methods

1. Semi-Structured Interviews

Strengths:

• Depth of Insight: Allows for in-depth exploration of participants’ thoughts and feelings, yielding rich qualitative data.
• Flexibility: Interviewers can adapt questions based on responses, leading to unexpected insights.
• Personal Connection: Builds rapport with participants, encouraging openness and honesty.

Weaknesses:

• Time-Consuming: Conducting and analyzing interviews can be resource-intensive.
• Subjectivity: Responses may be influenced by the interviewer's biases or the participants' perceptions.
• Limited Generalizability: Findings from a small sample may not be representative of the broader population.

2. Focus Groups

Strengths:

• Group Dynamics: Participants can stimulate each other's thoughts, leading to richer discussions and insights.
• Real-Time Interaction: Facilitates immediate feedback and clarification of ideas.
• Diverse Perspectives: Engages multiple viewpoints, enhancing the breadth of data collected.

Weaknesses:

• Dominance of Voices: Some participants may dominate the conversation, limiting contributions from quieter members.
• Groupthink: The desire for consensus may suppress individual opinions and lead to conformity.
• Logistical Challenges: Coordinating schedules and managing group dynamics can be complex.

3. Desk Research

Strengths:

• Cost-Effective: Utilizes existing data, saving time and resources compared to primary data collection.
• Breadth of Information: Access to a wide range of studies, reports, and publications enhances contextual understanding.
• Foundation for Further Research: Helps identify gaps in existing literature and informs subsequent research methods.

Weaknesses:

• Outdated Information: Some sources may be outdated or not relevant to current market conditions.
• Lack of Specificity: Secondary data may not address specific research questions directly, leading to gaps in understanding.
• Quality Variability: The reliability and validity of sources can vary, potentially affecting the study’s credibility.

Summary

By evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen research philosophy and methods, you can better anticipate challenges and leverage the advantages to enhance the overall quality and impact of your dissertation project."

*** try to conduct a preliminary exploratory exercise with perplexity.ai before formulating the dissertation proposal with poe.com.

*** my suggestion:

Research Objectives

1. To identify and analyze the current business models utilized in the Hong Kong blind box toy sector. (main research objective)

2. To explore customer perceptions and expectations of blind box toys among young consumers in Hong Kong. (minor research objective)

3. To evaluate the impact of innovative business models on the operational success of blind box toy stores. (main research objective)

4. To compare the strategies of Hong Kong and Taiwan blind box toy retailers to identify best practices. (minor research objective)

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