Session 2 Questions & Aims

MSc International Business Research Methods Session 2

The dissertation and the dissertation proposal Suzana Rodrigues

Agenda Part 1: l What is a dissertation l What is a dissertation proposal Part 2 l The dissertation topic Characteristics of a good dissertation topic Part 3 l The research questions and aims

Learning objectives At the end of this session you should be able to: l Write research questions l Write the objectives and aims of a research

What is a dissertation?

An analytical work which derives from an approved project or research which makes a contribution to the current body of knowledge in a scholarly field and to practice

Dissertation Why do Masters Courses require a dissertation for the degree? l l l l l

To demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge and skills acquired on the course To demonstrate deeper knowledge regarding a problem/issue/topic in International Business To demonstrate critical understanding of the relevant theory and literature To develop and demonstrate skills of critical reflection, logical thinking and clear expression To use the appropriate research methodologies in a rigorous fashion

All dissertations must.... Involve the analysis of a situation by applying the relevant theories and concepts l Collect the relevant data in an rigorous manner l Formulation of conclusions on the basis of that analysis/data l Demonstrate capacity of reflection upon what you have learned by doing the project l Show an appropriate structure and layout in a clear and incisive manner l

The content of the dissertation 1. Introduction Significance of the topic Research questions and aims The dissertation content (what goes in each chapter) 2. Literature review Insights from previous research and discussion Defining concepts, drawing out hypotheses, defining a framework 3. The research methodology Research approach (qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods) Sample and sampling methods Research procedures Research techniques The field work Ethical issues

The content of the dissertation 4. Findings Presentations and analysis of results

5. Conclusions Contribution to knowledge Implications for practice Research limitations Suggestions for future research

6. References 7. Annexes

All dissertations must be formulated around a research, which is based on empirical data or material already published by credible source

The Purpose of research is: l l l l l l l l

To review and synthesize existing knowledge To investigate some existing situation or problem To provide solutions to a problem To explore and analyse more general issues To construct or create a new procedure or system To explain a new phenomenon To generate new knowledge A combination of any of the above Collis and Hussey,2003, p.2

Content of a Research Proposal l l l l l l l l l l

Title Abstract or summary Background/ introduction Statement of purpose or aim: Research questions and objectives Review of the relevant literature Methodology (including paradigm) Ethical issues Plan of work/Timescale Resources References

Silverman, D (Doing qualitative research, 2000:116)

Refining your research proposal l Narrowing

the scope

l Defining

the expected structure of the dissertation

l Define

the tasks and the estimated time for each task

Characteristics of a good dissertation topic l Need

for research l Achievable in reasonable time l Fit between the student capabilities and interest l Offer an opportunity for professional development l Availability of research facilities and data

Part 2: The dissertation topic

Sources for the selection of a topic l Current

events

l Suggestions

from the literature

l Suggestions

by an authority on the subject

l Suggestions

by practitioners in the field

Ten ways to think of a research topic A checklist l l l l l l l l l l

From topics you liked most from the different modules you attended In your previous jobs, which kind of topic would you have liked to have understood better Ask your supervisor, friends, colleagues, customers, parents Look at previous research work Relate it to your other interests Think of a title Start from a question or a quote that engages you Follow your hunches Draw yourself a picture or a diagram But be prepared to change direction

Part 3: Research questions and aims

Research questions l Research

questions evolve from your topic

l The

research questions provide guidance to your research, and lead to the aims of the project

l It

is important of a MSc dissertation not to be over ambitious

Checklist for research questions Keep in mind that research questions l Should not be ‘too big’ (e.g. impossible for you to manage) l Should not be ‘too small’ (e.g. irrelevant or too trivial) 3. ‘Too hot’ (e.g. could be politically sensitive) 4. ‘Just right’ (adequate in terms of time and resources) (Clough and Nutbrown 2002: 34)

Examples of research questions in International Business l l

l

l

l

‘Why are British companies offshoring into India? ‘What are the differences in management systems of subsidiaries in France and India? (too broad) What are the entry modes of Brazilian MNCs in the US? What are the challenges facing European SMEs when they seek to enter an emerging economy (a broad topic) What are the accountancy practices of British firms? (broad and inappropriate for IB)

Research objectives

Research objectives should originate from questions or from the research problem in its context

How to transform questions into objectives Questions 3. 4.

Which kind of markets do SMEs prefer to enter? Why do SMEs avoid entering geographically distant markets?

Objectives 8. 9.

To study the kind of markets SMEs prefer to enter To identify the reasons why SMEs avoid entering geographically distant markets

Questions and objectives Question: l Do exporting SMEs with higher intensity of internationalization report superior levels of business performance? Objective l

This study aims to understand the levels of internationalization of SMEs and corresponding performance

Transform the following question into an objective

What motivates expatriate adaptation in foreign locations?

Objective:

To understand the conditions (factors) that foster expatriate managers to adapt to foreign countries

Transform the following objective into a question l

First, this study examines the relationship between the nationality of the MNC and the performance metrics utilized by the parent to evaluate subsidiary performance

l

Second, this study investigatesthe relationship between the MNC nationality and the mechanisms of control it adopts for its subsidiaries

Questions: l Does

the nationality of the multinational influences the kind of metrics used by the parent to evaluate subsidiary performance

l Is

the nationality of the multinational related to the mechanisms of control it adopts for its subsidiaries?

Identifying a research question

Context Organization Issues A

Focusing

Identifying the research question Identifying the context and the gap in knowledge: “Perhaps the most profound business phenomenon of the 20th century was the internationalization of large, small, established, and new venture firms (Sapienza, Autio, George, & Zahra, 2006). Accordingly, the development of multinational enterprises (MNEs) eventually led to a global economy with an increasingly interrelated set of national economies and financial markets. As prominent businesses expanded their operations overseas to satisfy investors’ desires for growth and higher performance, the demand for support services in these operations increased. Therefore, professional services firms followed their clients into international markets to service their growing needs (Greenwood & Empson, 2003). In this way, professional service firms facilitated the expansion of the MNEs. Yet although there is considerable research on the international strategies of large industrial firms, little research has explored the internationalization of service firms (Cooper, Greenwood, Hinings, & Brown, 1998), particularly the bases for their internationalization. One goal of the present research was to fill this gap. From: Hitt Michael, Bierman L. , Uhlenbruck and Shimizu K. 2006. The importance of resources in the internationalization of professional service firms: the good, the bad and the ugly. Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 49, No. 6, 1137–1157.

Detailing the topic

Identifying gaps

Research question Contribution to knowledge

Re-focusing

“We address the resources needed to internationalize successfully. (The focus) A significant amount of research on international strategy has produced mixed findings regarding its outcomes (e.g., Lu & Beamish, 2004). An assumption in most prior research is that firms go abroad to exploit strategic assets and take advantage of market imperfections, (What has already been done) yet little is known about the specific assets firms need to successfully enter international markets. (Re-focusing)

Cont. Re-focusing Given the extent to which many firms have internationalized and the desire of others to expand their international scope, researchers need to better understand the requirements for expanding internationally and how firms can do so successfully. Prior research suggests the motivations for internationalization include economies of scale and scope, increasing market power, gaining knowledge enhancements leading to stronger capabilities and innovation, and exploiting entrepreneurial opportunities (Barkema & Vermeulen, 1998; Hitt, Hoskisson, & Kim, 1997; Lu & Beamish, 2001; Vermeulen & Barkema, 2001). Despite these arguments and the underlying research, little is known about the specific resources on which international expansion is based and how they facilitate expansion to achieve the aforementioned outcomes (Tallman, 2001)”. (Research question)

Re-focusing: contribution to knowledge “In this paper, we contribute to the international management literature by theoretically arguing and empirically showing a direct link between specific and important firm resources and a firm’s international strategy. Moreover, we show that the holistic effects of these resources and their interaction increase internationalization”… “Furthermore, we argue that these intangible resources moderate the relationship between internationalization strategy and firm performance, thereby extending knowledge of he resource-based view of the firm” From: Hitt Michael, Bierman L. , Uhlenbruck and Shimizu K. 2006. The importance of resources in the internationalization of professional service firms: the good, the bad and the ugly. Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 49, No. 6, 1137–1157

Criteria for definition of the research question/problem l

l l

l l l

l

Was your question/problem clearly stated and defined? Was the question/problem important? Would the responses to this question make important contribution to knowledge or practice? Was the question/problem properly delimited? Were the limitations of the research recognised? Were all the special terms used in special way defined? If the research made any assumptions were these clarified?