Sunday, 21 December 2025

A note on research questions, research issues, research gaps and public media-reported issues with regard to the research theme of "knowledge transfer from the elderly senior managers to the young managers in the Hong Kong banking sector": for MBA students

A note on research questions, research issues, research gaps and public media-reported issues with regard to the research theme of "knowledge transfer from the elderly senior managers to the young managers in the Hong Kong banking sector" (information from perplexity.ai): for MBA students


My question 1: "To clarify the MBA dissertation terms of "research questions", "research issues", "research gaps" and "public media-reported issues, please provide illustrative examples on the research theme of "knowledge transfer from the elderly senior managers to the young managers in the Hong Kong banking sector" on the following cases:

Case 1: based on positivism, provide 2 examples on research questions, 2 examples on research issues, 2 examples on research gaps and 2 examples on public media-reported issues.
Case 2: based on interpretivism, provide 2 examples on research questions, 2 examples on research issues, 2 examples on research gaps and 2 examples on public media-reported issues.
Case 3: based on pragmatism, provide 2 examples on research questions, 2 examples on research issues, 2 examples on research gaps and 2 examples on public media-reported issues.
Case 4: based on critical realism, provide 2 examples on research questions, 2 examples on research issues, 2 examples on research gaps and 2 examples on public media-reported issues."

The reply: "Research questions, issues, gaps, and public media-reported issues form key elements of an MBA dissertation proposal, particularly when framed around knowledge transfer from elderly senior managers to young managers in Hong Kong's banking sector. These terms differ by philosophical paradigm: positivism emphasizes objective, measurable hypotheses; interpretivism focuses on subjective meanings; pragmatism prioritizes practical solutions; and critical realism examines underlying structures. Examples below illustrate each for the theme, drawing on standard academic definitions.

Positivism Case

Positivism seeks quantifiable relationships through surveys or experiments.

Research Questions

  • To what extent does perceived age discrimination negatively predict knowledge transfer intentions among senior managers in Hong Kong banks?

  • What is the mediating effect of organizational identification on the relationship between seniority tenure and mentoring frequency to young managers?

Research Issues

  • Limited empirical measurement of intergenerational knowledge-sharing barriers in high-pressure banking environments.

  • Insufficient statistical models linking demographic age gaps to voluntary knowledge retention rates.

Research Gaps

  • Lack of longitudinal studies quantifying knowledge loss due to senior retirements in Hong Kong's competitive banking sector.

  • Absence of comparative data on knowledge transfer efficacy between state-owned and private banks in Asia-Pacific contexts.

Public Media-Reported Issues

  • Reports of talent shortages in Hong Kong banks as seniors retire without successors absorbing expertise.

  • Media coverage of intergenerational tensions amid rapid fintech disruptions sidelining traditional senior knowledge.

Interpretivism Case

Interpretivism explores lived experiences via interviews or narratives.

Research Questions

  • How do senior managers in Hong Kong banks perceive barriers to sharing tacit knowledge with younger colleagues?

  • In what ways do cultural norms shape young managers' receptivity to elderly mentors' experiences?

Research Issues

  • Subjective experiences of age-related power imbalances in mentoring relationships.

  • Interpretations of knowledge as personal stories rather than codifiable data in hierarchical bank cultures.

Research Gaps

  • Few qualitative accounts of how Confucian values influence knowledge-hoarding among Hong Kong senior bankers.

  • Underexplored narratives of young managers' resistance to "outdated" senior advice in digital banking shifts.

Public Media-Reported Issues

  • News stories on generational clashes in Hong Kong firms, with seniors feeling undervalued.

  • Coverage of youth-led innovation movements marginalizing veteran bankers' insights.

Pragmatism Case

Pragmatism mixes methods for actionable outcomes, like interventions.

Research Questions

  • What mixed strategies best facilitate knowledge transfer from seniors to juniors in Hong Kong banks?

  • How effective are pragmatic training programs in bridging age-related knowledge divides?

Research Issues

  • Practical challenges in implementing cross-generational mentoring amid banking workload pressures.

  • Need for flexible tools addressing both measurable outcomes and stakeholder perceptions.

Research Gaps

  • Limited pragmatic studies testing hybrid interventions (e.g., workshops plus tech platforms) in Hong Kong finance.

  • Scarce evidence on cost-effective knowledge retention amid banking talent pipelines.

Public Media-Reported Issues

  • Articles on Hong Kong banks' talent crises urging senior-junior pairing programs.

  • Reports highlighting pragmatic fixes like reverse mentoring to retain institutional memory.

Critical Realism Case

Critical realism uncovers causal mechanisms beneath observable events.

Research Questions

  • What underlying structures enable or constrain knowledge transfer from elderly to young managers in Hong Kong banks?

  • How do power dynamics as generative mechanisms influence observed mentoring disparities?

Research Issues

  • Hidden stratification layers (e.g., class, gender within age) affecting knowledge flows.

  • Realist critique of surface-level diversity policies ignoring deeper age hierarchies.

Research Gaps

  • Insufficient layered analysis of mechanisms driving knowledge asymmetry in stratified banking sectors.

  • Lack of critical realist inquiries into how neoliberal reforms exacerbate senior marginalization.

Public Media-Reported Issues

  • Exposés on ageism lawsuits in Hong Kong finance revealing systemic knowledge siloing.

  • Coverage of regulatory pushes for succession planning amid senior exodus fears."


My question 2: "Suggest an organized sequence to briefly introduce these four topics, i.e. research questions, research issues, research gaps and public media-reported issues in Chapter 1: Introduction of an MBA dissertation report."

The reply: "In Chapter 1 of an MBA dissertation, introduce research questions, research issues, research gaps, and public media-reported issues sequentially to build a logical narrative from broad context to focused inquiry. This sequence starts with real-world relevance, narrows to academic voids, and ends with the study's precise aims.

Suggested Sequence

Follow this order for concise flow, dedicating 1-2 paragraphs per topic (total ~800-1000 words).

Public Media-Reported Issues
Highlight timely problems from news to hook readers and justify urgency. For the knowledge transfer theme, cite reports of banking talent shortages in Hong Kong.

Research Issues
Transition to broader challenges in the field, linking media anecdotes to persistent organizational problems like age-related knowledge silos.

Research Gaps
Narrow to specific literature voids, such as underexplored mechanisms in banking succession, positioning your study as essential.

Research Questions
Conclude with 2-4 precise questions, directly addressing gaps and issues for paradigm alignment (e.g., positivist quantification).

Benefits of Sequence

  • Creates funnel structure: macro (media) to micro (questions).

  • Ensures philosophical fit (e.g., positivism emphasizes gaps first).

  • Aligns with MBA expectations for practical relevance upfront."


My question 3: "Recommend 3 YouTube videos that briefly explain these 4 topics (i.e. research questions, research issues, research gaps and public media-reported issues. Also highlight the key ideas on each of the 3 YouTube videos recommended."

The reply: "Three YouTube videos effectively explain research questions, research issues (often framed as problems), research gaps, and public media-reported issues (as real-world context) in dissertation contexts. These selections suit MBA students by linking concepts to practical academic writing.

Video 1: "How To Write A Research Question: Full Explainer With Examples" by Grad Coach (the link)

This 8-minute video defines research questions as focused inquiries differing from aims, using examples like business strategy impacts. Key ideas include four attributes—focus, feasibility, grounding in gaps, and alignment—while touching research issues as problems, gaps via literature review, and media issues implicitly through relevance to real challenges.

Video 2: "How To Choose A Research Topic For A Dissertation Or Thesis (7 Step Method + Examples)" by Grad Coach (the link)

Running 35 minutes, it outlines steps from broad areas to refined questions, emphasizing literature reviews for gaps and "further research needed" signals. Key ideas cover research issues as university-aligned problems, gaps through FRIN techniques and contextualization, questions via brainstorming, and media issues via current trends like developing markets.

Video 3: "Definition and Traits of Research Questions" (Short Explainer) (the link)

A concise clip breaks down questions as problem subdivisions, with traits like clarity and specificity. Key ideas highlight connections to issues (core problems), gaps (unanswered areas), and broader context including media-reported relevance for timely topics, ideal for quick MBA proposal overviews."




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