Module Code and Title:      RES302 Business Project

Programme:                                      Bachelor of Commerce

Credit Value:                                     12

Module Tutors:                                 Kabita Chhetri, Jigme Tashi, Dip Raj Pradhan, Tirtha Raj Puri,Carl Wonder, Priyanka Sharma, Jeroen Uittenbogaard

Module Coordinator:                        Carl Wonder

General Objective: This module is a semester long business or research project designed to enable students to apply knowledge, skills and abilities they have acquired from their respective specialization areas. Students individually will be required to conduct an in-depth study of a business problem of a business entity or alternatively carry out a group research project. Students are required to identify business problems, design study, conduct a comprehensive investigation and propose analysis-based recommendations or identify research area of their interest and carry out an independent group research. The module further aims to enhance student’s ability to identify researchable problems, formulate business problems, conduct an independent enquiry and propose evidence based decision options. In the process, students will learn how to write project/research proposal, how to design a business /research project and how to determine the nature and source of information and data required, analyse data and communicate/disseminate findings.

Learning Outcomes – On completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. Identify business problem or researchable phenomenon
2. Formulate business or a research problem
3. Rationalize a methodology to best achieve the objective of the business/research project
4. Present and defend the project proposal/research problem to the organization, module supervisors and the external evaluators
5. Collect appropriate data and information
6. Evaluate the merits of different data gathering strategies.
7. Appraise information and data for issues with reliability, validity, and biasness.
8. Transform information and data into specific, concise outputs as appropriate for a particular project, e.g. graphs, tables, diagrams, etc.
9. Formulate sound conclusions based on findings
10. Propose and complete an implementation plan with clear milestones and deadlines
11. Present and justify outcomes/findings of the project

Teaching and Learning Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. Proposal: Portion of Final Marks-20%

Students working on a business project, will individually select, engage and become familiar with the client organization and prepare a report of 1000 words. Students should consult and secure commitment from the client organization to allow as well as support them to study a business problem during the semester break. Each student should provide a letter from a point of contact at the client organization confirming the relationship with the organization and the commitment on part of the organization to cooperate with the student for the duration of the semester. Each student is then expected to become familiar with the client organization including the background of the organization and the core processes and activities of the organization, and analyze the organization using SWOT and STEEPLES analyses to identify problems or issues facing an organization.

2%       identify and engage client organization including obtaining letter from organization

10%     document the background, core activities, processes of the organization and identification of the problem

5%       analysis using appropriate tools and formulation of project objectives

3%       prepare report template/first draft of the project report including; background information of the organization; the core activities/processes of the organization and the section headings of the project report properly formatted

On the other hand, students doing research in group of 4-5 should get support and acceptance from the research supervisor on the selected topic/problem. In the beginning of the new semester, student groups must submit Letter of Acceptance from the research supervisor. By the end of second week of the semester, student groups are required to submit their project/research proposal (1000 words) to the Programme Leader’s Office. The assessment will be done for written report as well as presentation. Assessment team must include supervisors, an external evaluator and a competent evaluator (internal/external), collectively evaluating based on the following;

5%       identification and formulation of business/research problem, objectives/questions

5%       review of literature including framework for solving business problem

5%       methodology: design, sampling, data collection, analysis procedures, milestones (work plan) and ethical considerations

            5%       presentation of the proposal

1%       presentation mechanics: slides-balance between text and visuals, slide titles

1%       organization of ideas, emphasis on key action areas, transition between ideas

1%       presentation skills: language, preparedness, clarity of ideas

2%       Q&A: ability to explain, clarify, and convince evaluators

Note: irrespective of grading, the evaluation panel shall communicate one of the following decisions to the student groups:

1. Proposal approved
2. Proposal approved with minor changes
3. Recommended major changes
4. Proposal not approved

In case evaluation panel recommends for major changes or proposal is not approved, student groups will be given a week time to rework the proposal and submit to Programme Leader’s Office for reevaluation.

B. Mid Term Progress Report Submission (Draft Report) and Presentation:

Portion of Final Marks-40% for individual business project/20% for research report

Individual students working on business project is expected to complete a thorough analysis of the organization, including at a minimum a SWOT Analysis, STEEPLES Analysis and interview with senior management. Each student will identify likely approaches or solutions for issue(s)/opportunity(ies); execute their project proposal by analysing the alternatives including pros and cons of each alternative solution. Such analysis could be based upon primary or secondary data and information, or a combination of both.

5%       formulation and justification of project topic

5%       identification of likely approaches or solutions

10%     design of methodology to evaluate possible alternatives.

10%     critical evaluation of each option(s) including possible implication and ramifications

10%     identification and justification of optimal solution(s)

Alternatively, the student researchers will be required to submit Midterm progress report to the Programme Leaders Office within 8 weeks from the date of proposal approval. Between proposal approval and Midterm progress report submission, student groups are expected to complete data collection and analysis, and be able to submit draft report. The draft report evaluation (written and presentation) is a quality assurance mechanism wherein progress of students work and its quality can be ascertained, and appropriate measures adopted to enhance quality of students work before submission of final report. The Programme Leaders Office will organize draft report evaluation internally.

Marking Criteria: Written Component 10%

            2%       relevancy and credibility of data and information gathered

            2%       logical coherence with the proposal

            6%       data analysis, preliminary findings and recommendations

Marking Criteria: Presentation 10%

            2%       presentation skills

8%       Q&A: ability to justify use of data analysis techniques, preliminary findings and recommendations

C. Submission of Final Report and Presentation: Portion of Final Marks-40% for business report/60% for research report

Each student is expected to prepare a final project report of 5,000-7500 words that is of a standard consistent with University level writing, organization and attention to detail. Grammar, punctuation, formatting and layout should be proper and without errors. Citations should be thorough and APA style. The project report should clearly identify the findings, the relevance of the findings, and propose decision alternatives. The evaluation of final report (written and presentation) will be done by evaluation team (2 external and 1 internal (other than supervisor)) for research project and by the client organization for business report.

Business Project

Written Component: 30%

2%       formatting and layout, grammar, punctuation, style and attention to detail

3%       understanding of subject and completeness of information.

5%       appropriate integration of best practices in business project deliverables

7%       quality of analysis and findings from the project

5%       relevance of findings towards implementation of organizational goals

5%       value-added to organization 

3%       identification of sources of data and information through citations/references. (no plagiarism)

            Presentation: 10%

Individual students will do presentation of the findings to client and client feedback in the form of an executive summary or a slide presentation and by delivering the project report. A brief summary of the client’s feedback, questions asked or suggestions should be prepared by each student for their faculty advisor.

                        5%       preparation of executive summary/abstract or slides

                        5%       feedback from client organization

Research Project

            Written Component: 40%

2%       formatting and layout, grammar, punctuation, style and attention to detail  

10%     problem formulation, literature review and methodology

                        12%     quality and analysis of findings

13%     coherence and relevance of findings, recommendations and objectives the study

3%       identification of sources of data and information through citations/references (no plagiarism)

            Presentation Component: 20%

5%       presentation Mechanics: slides, and presentation skills

10%     ability to present credible story linking business problem/research problem to analysis to recommendations

5%       ability to respond to questions, logically, based on facts and figures

Pre-requisites:RES301 Research Methods in Business

Supervision and Monitoring

The Office of the Dean of Research/Head of the department and the office of the Programme Leaders will facilitate students to network with the prospective client organizations. The Dean, Research or Head of department and Programme Leaders office will also take initiative to find right supervisors for the students. Through supervisors, the progress of the student groups shall be monitored by Programme Leader’s Office. The Programme Leader’s Office will also follow up with the client organization periodically. 

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

A. Student

The students in group/individually are required to decide on an area of study in consultation with the research supervisor or client organization. Students should also initiate and discuss with the allocated supervisor the type of guidelines, contact hours, and other relevant activities. In short, students should follow and be acting in accordance with WAL and other academic standards.

B. Programme Leader

The Programme Leader in collaboration with the office of the DRIL/equivalent is responsible for offering assistance to the student researchers to decide on an area of study, choice of organization, and identifying relevant sources of information. Programme Leader should also assist students in the appointment of an appropriate supervisor and of examiner.

C. Research Supervisor/Focal Person

Research supervisors will be appointed by the Programme Leaders based on their specialist expertise and research experience. Supervisors are responsible for providing guidance to the students in terms of choosing a field of study, data collection and analysis, planning for research proposal, ensuring academic rigor and offering necessary support and monitoring services.Similarly, the faculty supervisors should facilitate students in finding and selecting the organizations, identifying and formulating project idea, and I the overall execution of the project. The supervisors along with the students must maintain close consultation with the selected organization and its management.

Reading Lists:

1. Essential Readings

• Davies, M., & Hughes, N. (2014). Doing a successful student research project using qualitative or quantitative methods (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
• Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P.R. (2012). Management research (4th ed.). Sage London.
• Sekaran, U. & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
• Raisel, E. (1999). The McKinsey way. McGraw Hill
• Dawson, C. (2007). A practical guide to research methods (3rd ed.). Amazon Reader Review.
  2. Additional Readings
• Roam, D. (2013). The back of the napkin: Solving problems and selling ideas with pictures.
• Kothari, C. R. (2010). Research methodology, methods and techniques. New Age International Publishers.
• Saunders et. al. (2009). Research methods for business students (5th e) 2009. Pearson Education.
• Yin, K.R. (2014). Case study research design and methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Bryman, A & Bell, E. (2007). Business research methods. Oxford University Press.
• Dooley, D. (2009). Social research methods. Prentice Hall.
• Gillham, B. (2000). Case study research methods. Real World Research.

Date: July, 2017