independent action learning project icp emba11
TRANSCRIPT
RSM EMBA Research ProjectEMBA11
Arkadiusz Mironko
Director MBA Programmes
Academic Director Full-time, EMBA and Global Executive OneMBA Programmes
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
November 26, 2010
What is the EMBA Project?
The EMBA Project is an academic research project with a real-life practical application. In this sense, the Project is meant as an exercise that will help you to further develop your skills and management concepts learned during the program.
Furthermore, the Project should:Generate value (knowledge) from the academic point of view
Generate value (economic) to your organization
Generate value (professional and personal growth) to the author:
Broaden your horizons
Expand/strengthen your network
Writing process
How long does it take to write a 150 words of research?
How many drafts, on average, are needed to produce a final theses (essay)?
“Genius is 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration”Thomas Alba Edison
Action research at a glance
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ACTION PLANNING
Considering alternative courses
of action
TAKING ACTION
Selecting a course of action
EVALUATING
Studying the consequences of an
action
SPECIFYING LEARNING
Indentifying general findings
DIAGNOSING
Indentfying or defining a problem
Gerald I. Susman, "Action Research: A Sociotechnical Systems Perspective," ed. G. Morgan (London: Sage Publications, 1983) 102.
What leads to a good project?
Careful thinking and selection of a good / clear topic:Assess the situational background for the intended topic/question
Identify causes of the symptoms
Clarify the symptoms
Assess types and adequacy of information available to specify the research objectives
Identify the variables to be taken into consideration for the study
Specify solutions to the causes
In short: What do I want to learn more about?
The topic must be specific enough to be investigated (i.e. what are my research questions?)
Business plans are not suitable for research projects
ExpectationsWhat is expected of the Proposal?
Outline of research intention:Describe purpose and objectives
Define your research questions
Method & requirements (data collection, literature, access)
Fit (for you, for the company, for RSM)
Your timeline of research activities and writing following the RSM schedule
1600 words (7-8 pgs) (see Project Manual pg. 8-9)
What is expected of the Draft?Well-structured
Comprehensive
Well-presented
Inclusive of a description of expected reflective learning
Well-referenced
A comprehensive independent document that articulates:Objectives: clear, operational, achievable
Academic grounding: choice of frameworks & reflection, references
Methodology: appropriate & well described, planned & executed, critiqued for strengths, weaknesses & possible changes or implications.
Analysis: thorough & supported by sound research, does it make sense?
Conclusions & reflection
Presentation & referencingStructure of the report: Concise but complete argumentation, “independence”, professional written academic format
Complete referencing: In the body of the text and as a reference list; sourceable
Reflective learningWhat has been learned with respect to: personal objectives, development needs, capacity for project work, information sourcing, potential further research
Draft should approximate final version:
Source: Page, M. (2007). RSM Executive MBA Project Preparation. Presentation delivered at RSM Erasmus University. November 13, 2007.
Key questions that must be answered
a. Were my research questions answered?
b. What are the implications of my findings for the
theory base, for the background assumptions, or
relevant literature?
c. What recommendations can I make for the
company I studied and for practitioners in this
area?
d. What suggestions can I make for further
research on this topic?
For instance…2
1. Title page – includes researcher contact information2. Executive Summary – the most read section
a. Statement of purpose, key research questions & brief description of research design
b. Summary of statistical results & written answers to research questionsc. Practical business implications
3. Table of Contents4. Introduction – describes purpose5. Literature review6. Research methods and data used7. Results8. Recommendations and Conclusions – plus limitations9. Appendices – technical detail, etc
2 Page, M. (2007). RSM Executive MBA Project Preparation. Presentation delivered at RSM Erasmus University. November 13, 2007.
Examples
The following slides contain captions from actual reports submitted at RSM. Some parts have been edited in order to guarantee confidentiality.
Sample 1: Outline of a paper with clear structure
Sample 2: Outline of a paper with clear structure
Sample 3: Outline of a paper with vaguestructure
Key Performance Criteria 1(3)
OriginalityRelevant/applicable
Grounded in appropriate theory
Quality of primary and secondary sources and data
Efficient & effective
“Contained” inferences (i.e. don’t jump to conclusions!)
Developing the research questionGrounded in your organizational experience and needs
Contained focus & scopeFormulate a researchable question
Clarity in definitions
Answering the questionGathering appropriate data
InterpretationNeed for an a’priori framework
Issue of confirmation
Distinguishing between “Identifying & describing” and “explaining & prescribing”
Key Performance Criteria 2 (3)
Answering the Question (2):Quantitative versus qualitative approaches
Description, categorization and causation
Example:Symptom = Low customer service ratings
Question = What factors influence customer service ratings?
1. If you know or think you know them, then develop hypotheses:
“Inadequate training of service staff is associated with low customer service ratings.”
“Customer service ratings differ by geographic region, bank branch, or part-time vs. full-time employees.”
2. If you don’t know them, a thorough literature review should suggest factors associated with customer service ratings. If not found, or if outdated, then exploratory research (primary data!) could be conducted.
Never forget the….
…iceberg principle!3
Obvious Measurable Symptoms
Real Business/Decision Problems and/or Opportunities
Decision Maker
Researcher
What is causing symptoms? How
can they be eliminated?
3. Page, M. (2007). RSM Executive MBA Project Preparation. Presentation delivered at RSM Erasmus University. November 13, 2007.
Key Performance Criteria 3 (3)
Following the academic rules of the game
Critical use of concepts & data (don’t just present them, analyze and evaluate)
Argument (logic) and evidence
Transparency in process (replication)
Modesty in findings
Critical review
Grading Criteria
The project is graded on the basis of a number of criteria. The following gives an overview of the weight of each criterion in determining the project grade:
10% Project Proposal – focus, structure and content quality
30% Introduction, statement of the objective(s), articulation of
the theoretical framework(s) and academic reflection (relating
back to materials / subjects covered in the courses to date)
30% Research method details, analysis and conclusions
10% Referencing
10% Presentation
10% Personal development and reflective learning
RSM, EUR. Project Manual 2011, p. 19.
The ReaderAssigning a reader
Project registrationNot necessarily an expert in the field of your research but knowledgeable about method and subject area
Project remains an independent “in-company” experienceReader assesses your independent efforts and may advise, but is not a “supervisor” Reader’s main focus is to provide constructive critique on the project
Feedback pointsPhase 1: The proposal
Strengths, limitations and indication of challenges to completionRelationship between learning thus far and needs of the project
Phase 2: Completion of a substantive section of the project (report)Proposed framework and justificationFactual material & critique/analysis thereofArgumentation and referencing
Phase 3: Submission of comprehensive draftQuality comments concern the written work rather than the intentionFeedback on strengths and deficiencies (not absolute level)
Requirements of readerAssess the quality of contained interim submission and provide feedbackGrade final report
Pitfalls to avoid!!
Procrastination
Not getting or requesting secondary information
Insufficient contingency planningIs your success contingent on one specific effort?
Time mismanagementTime needed to collect data must be contained
Too much time “organizing” data
Insufficient time spent on higher level analysis and inference
Not building in sufficient buffer time (set your own deadlines!)
Insufficient progress check points
Inadequate referencing
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Further reading on Research Methods
1. RSM Executive MBA Programme Project Manual (2011)
2. Remenyi, D., Williams, B., Money, A. & Swartz, E. 1998. Doing Research in Business and Management. London: Sage.
3. Hair, J.F., Money, A.H., Samouel, P. & Page, M.J. 2007. Research Methods for Business. England: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
4. Strunk, W. & White, E.B. 2000. The Elements of Style. Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.
http://www.eur.nl/ub/english
On campus access is http://www.eur.nl/ub/english/search/online_resources/e_journals/
Click on “Online resources” in listClick on “E-journals” for all databasesSelect in “Search for discipline”Select “Economics / Business administration”or, in the “Search for title” box enter the title of the particular journal
Do not forget to reference
Further reading on Research Methods
In-company Project Time-line
January 31, 2011 Project registration due
February (week 3), 2011 Project reader notification
April 4, 2011 Project proposal due
July 18, 2011 Complete project draft due (no later than – specific date to be agreed with project reader)
August 22, 2011 Final Project Report submission on Blackboard
(deposit printed and collated document at the MBA office no later than September 2nd , 2011)
Thank you for your attention!
Questions?