Assignment Task
Introduction
The central objective of the MSc programme is to offer candidates the opportunity to enhance their personal and professional development by exploring in some depth, through independent study, an area that is relevant to the field of International Business (IB). We have tried to avoid being too prescriptive about the precise focus of the dissertation, but we do encourage research work that enables candidates to critically assess and analyse the linkages between firms and industries and the changing international business environment. Equally, we would welcome research topics that are focused on specific theoretical and conceptual issues in IB such as political risk, technology transfer, and MNE organisational structures. Above all, the dissertation is an individually prepared piece of work, which needs to be of a high standard conceptually and presented in good English
There are many different ways in which the dissertation might be satisfactorily researched and presented. What must be remembered, however, is that research is a process of enquiry and investigation, which is systematic and methodical, such that it increases knowledge (Collis & Hussey, 2009). The notes presented in this handbook are for guidance as there is no single best way to conduct and present dissertation research. Indeed, there is certainly no intention to penalise creative approaches just because they do not follow some of the advice given here. However, there are some aspects, which arise from the regulations, which are not negotiable.
The present method of assessment is by publication of a 13,000 to 15,000 word dissertation, which should be issue or problem centred. Experience suggests that dissertations often suffer from excess length, and our advice is to see 13,000 words, excluding appendices, as an upper rather than a lower limit. In fact, markers will stop reading after the 15000 word limit has been exhausted and will only mark content up to this point.
Excessive length is often a symptom of vague focus and attempts to disguise inadequate content by increasing the weight of the dissertation. This will be penalised by the examiners, so you should try to adhere to the recommended word length, ensuring your work is relevant and focused on the issues being investigated.
The dissertation should be issue or problem centred, in which a transferable IB issue of concern to many organizations is researched, such that conclusions of general applicability may be drawn. Thus, if the research is centred upon one organization, a high priority should be given to developing valid generalisations and to critically analysing the relevant concepts rather than reflecting upon the process relationships that were involved in the research work.
The dissertation should be concerned with informing practice with theory. Other than in very exceptional cases the dissertation will need to show a critical understanding and examination of the literature and research relevant to: the chosen issue and the field work and research methodologies yielding the primary data.
A successful dissertation will demonstrate critical awareness. Analysis rather than description is of prime importance.
The dissertation should be presented in a form appropriate to the conventions for masters’ dissertations (see sections on Presentation and Suggestions for structure). Basically, the dissertation is an academic piece of work, not a consultant’s report. However, appropriate use of headings, lists, figures, tables, etc., is encouraged so long as the overall effect is to add to the scholarly thoroughness of the work.
The Requirements of a Masters Dissertation
Your investigations need to be thorough, rigorous and well organised and will involve undertaking systematic research to discover and learn about human resource management Your research will, therefore, involve using appropriate methods to systematically collect and analyse the data. It will argue why the results obtained are meaningful, and explain any limitations that are associated with them (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2009).
Specifically, the dissertation should:
1 Analyse and develop an issue associated with the field of IB.
2 Critically select and discuss, and rigorously apply an appropriate research methodology in a reflective manner.
3 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various social and political relationships, and interactions that impacted upon the research.
4 Demonstrate a rigorous understanding of the theory and literature relevant to the issues under investigation.
5 Reflect upon and assess the generalisability of any findings and the extent to which the research contributes to the understanding of IB problems and issues.
6 Have a critical and reflective understanding of the processes involved in undertaking the research.
