Lecture note on where to present literature review tasks findings in an MBA dissertation report

 Lecture note on where to present literature review tasks findings in an MBA dissertation report

 

My question posted to generative AI: Regarding the following literature review tasks in the context of doing MBA dissertation projects, please suggest to me where is the appropriate dissertation chapters to present the literature review findings: task 1 (review of research issues, notably on research gaps and debate issues), task 2 (review of empirical findings), task 3 (review of concepts), task 4 (review of academic theories employed), task 5 (review of research methods used), task 6 (review of theoretical perspectives employed), task 7 (review of the history of development of the research theme involved). My question is: where should these tasks be reported: chapter 1: introduction; chapter 2: literature review; chapter 3: research methodology; chapter 4: presentations of findings; chapter 5: discussion of findings; chapter 6: conclusions and recommendations.

For an MBA dissertation with the six-chapter structure you listed, all seven literature review tasks should primarily be reported in Chapter 2 (Literature Review), with one important exception:

Primary Placement: Chapter 2 (Literature Review)

Task	What it covers	Why in Chapter 2
Task 3	Review of concepts	Builds the conceptual foundation
Task 4	Review of academic theories employed	Establishes theoretical framework
Task 6	Review of theoretical perspectives employed	Shows theoretical positioning
Task 7	History of development of the research theme	Provides chronological context (chronological structure)
Task 2	Review of empirical findings	Shows what previous studies found
Task 1	Review of research issues (gaps & debates)	Critical: Justifies your research question by identifying gaps

Exception: Chapter 3 (Research Methodology)

Task	What it covers	Why also/in part in Chapter 3
Task 5	Review of research methods used	While you review methods in Chapter 2 to show what methods exist in the field, you justify and detail your own chosen methods in Chapter 3

Key Principles

1.    Chapter 2 end goal: The literature review should "funnel" from broad to specific, ending by confirming how the literature led you to your specific research question and identifying gaps

2.    Task 1 is crucial: Identifying research gaps and debate issues is the primary justification for your dissertation—it convince the reader your research is "significant, important, and interesting"

3.    Task 5 has dual purpose:

·        Chapter 2: Review methods used by others in your field

·        Chapter 3: Explain and justify your methodology choice based on that review

4.    Chapter 1 (Introduction): Only briefly mention the research gap (Task 1) to introduce the problem, but don't present the full literature review here

5.    Chapters 4-6: These present your findings, discuss them, and conclude—not literature review content

This structure ensures Chapter 2 serves its core purpose: positioning your study within wider literature and justifying your research question.

 

My question posted to generative AI: What would be your recommended sequence of presenting the literature review tasks of 1, 2, 3. 4, 6. 7 so that the content of chapter 2 is logical and organized?

Based on standard literature review organization principles, here is my recommended sequence that creates a logical funnel structure (from broad to specific), ending with justification for your research:

Recommended Sequence for Chapter 2

1. Introduction to Chapter 2 (brief overview section)

·        Explain what this chapter will cover

·        Outline the structure

---

2. Task 7: History of Development of the Research Theme

(Chronological/foundational starting point)

·        Begin with the broadest context: how the research topic evolved over time

·        Shows the field's development and establishes baseline knowledge

·        Why first? Provides historical foundation before diving into concepts/theories

---

3. Task 3: Review of Concepts

(Build conceptual foundation)

·        Define and explain key concepts, definitions, and terminology

·        Establish what terms mean in your field

·        Why second? Readers need to understand concepts before grasping theories or empirical findings

---

4. Task 4: Review of Academic Theories Employed

(Theoretical framework)

·        Present the major theories used in your research area

·        Explain how these theories relate to your concepts

·        Why third? Theories build on concepts; this establishes your theoretical foundation

---

5. Task 6: Review of Theoretical Perspectives Employed

(Specific theoretical positioning)

·        Discuss different theoretical perspectives/approaches (e.g., positivist vs. interpretivist)

·        Show debates or variations in theoretical positioning

·        Why fourth? More specific than general theories; shows theoretical diversity before empirical work

---

6. Task 2: Review of Empirical Findings

(What previous studies found)

·        Synthesize what previous research has discovered

·        Organize by themes or research objectives (not just listing studies)

·        Highlight trends, patterns, and common threads

·        Why fifth? Empirical findings build on theoretical framework; shows what's already known

---

7. Task 1: Review of Research Issues (Gaps & Debates)

(Critical culmination - justifies your research)

·        Identify specific research gaps in the literature

·        Highlight ongoing debates and unresolved issues

·        Explain why these gaps exist

·        Connect gaps directly to your research question

·        Why last? This is the "payoff" - convinces readers your research is necessary and significant

---

8. Chapter 2 Conclusion (brief synthesis section)

·        Summarize how literature led to your research question

·        Briefly mention your conceptual/theoretical framework

·        Optionally preview your conceptual framework or research model

Flow of This Sequence: task 7 to >task 3 to >task 4 to > task 6 to task 2 > to task 1

 

Key Principles This Sequence Follows

Principle	How This Sequence Achieves It
Logical funnel	Moves from broad (history) → specific (gaps)
Builds progressively	Concepts → Theories → Perspectives → Findings → Gaps
Ends with justification	Task 1 (gaps) is the climax that justifies your dissertation
Avoids pie-by-piece listing	Synthesizes by themes, not just author summaries
Tells a story	Creates narrative from "what existed" to "what's missing"

Alternative Organizing Patterns

Depending on your topic, you might also consider:

·        Thematic: Organize Tasks 2-6 around key themes rather than this sequence

·        Objective-based: Structure around your research objectives if you have clear ones

·        Methodological: If methods are central, group by methodological approaches

However, the sequence above (7 → 3 → 4 → 6 → 2 → 1) is the most universally applicable for MBA dissertations and creates the clearest logical argument for your research.

** A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

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