Aims and Fit of Module

The aim of this dissertation module is to enable students to undertake a significant piece of independent research on a particular topic in business and management field.  This module provides students with opportunities to: (i) apply their learning to analyse contemporary and ‘cutting edge’ problems and issues of relevance to scholars or practitioners (or both); (ii) deepen their knowledge and understanding of a particular topic of interest to them; (iii) produce a complete piece of scholarly work or a project of practical value from conception through to a final thesis or report; (iv) further their independent research skills (i.e. data management, project management, writing and presenting findings; (v) enhance their intellectual and employability skills and their career prospects, and (iv) make an original contribution with either theoretical or practical value.


Students should identify, define and explore one or more problems or issues at the forefront of Operations and Supply Chain Management as an academic discipline. This may lead to a large piece of independent writing in one of the following styles:


•	Standard academic research based dissertation 

•	Business plan including sections of literature review and methodology

•	Business evaluation report

•	Case Study including case and teaching note. This style is relatively less rigorous on empirical data size and student can add some ‘made up’ information for teaching purposes. 

•	Capstone Consultancy Project (In company Project)

•	Company based project on a particular issue


The dissertation should demonstrate: (i) an analytical and critical approach to problem definition; (ii) the derivation of appropriate research questions and/or hypotheses; (iii) skills in designing and implementing a suitable methodology for gathering, analysing and interpreting data and information that address the research problem, questions and/or hypotheses; (iv) knowledge and understanding of literature and theory relevant to the area of inquiry, and the ability to apply it appropriately, and (v) the ability to write up and present the research as a dissertation in a way that combines academic depth and good scholarship with an appreciation of relevant practical and policy issues (as appropriate) in relevant subject areas.

Learning outcomes

A. Demonstrate a substantial and systematic understanding of current and recent theory and research focus in Operations and Supply Chain Management

B. Critically evaluate and apply relevant theories to construct suitable conceptual frameworks to study the research topic.

C. Develop skills of conducting a research project through producing a reasonable research design, paying attention to research ethical considerations, collecting data through appropriate methods and analyzing data using suitable approaches.

D. Present findings in a coherent and logical flow in the dissertation writing.

E. Think, learn and work independently whilst demonstrating initiative, responsibility, self-discipline, self-motivation, self-direction and originality in tackling and solving research problems in Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Method of teaching and learning

A. Fulltime Programme
There are several elements to the method of teaching and
learning on this module.
1. Students are required to take relevant lectures on Research
Methods in Semester 3 as part of the dissertation module. These
lectures provide generic advice and guidance on how to
specifying a substantial research problem and developing a plan
to address it; managing time efficiently and effectively to
meet deadlines; locating and utilizing information relevant to
their research project; designing a solution to a substantial
problem; analyzing data, and presenting a dissertation. The
lectures are delivered in the pattern of 2 hours*3 times a week
over the first 4 weeks. 
2. By the end of Semester 2, students are expected to identify
their research topic for the dissertation. The topic can be
determined in one of the following ways:
a) Select a topic proposed by IBSS faculty members and seek
their agreement.
b) Propose a self-selected topic and approach a faculty member
with similar research interests to seek their agreement. 
Students may select a topic that falls outside the program's
focus areas. However, they must find a suitable faculty member
to supervise the project and obtain approval from the programme
director. Besides, if the dissertation involves human-related
data collection, students need to fill out the research ethics
application forms and seek approval from the university ethics
committee.
3. Private and independent research is undertaken by the
student with the support and advice from the supervisor from an
IBSS faculty and an organization facilitator where the
dissertation is an in-organization project, during regular
meetings and consultations that begin in Semester 3. The
students are expected to report the status and progress of
their dissertation to the supervisor weekly, either in person
or by email. 
4. Students will be required to deliver an assessed oral
presentation, representing 15% of the module mark, in the
middle of Semester 3. The presentation should cover the
progress of the project, as well as any results and analysis
completed so far. It will be attended by the two nominated
markers, the supervisor and the appointed second marker.
This presentation provides students with an opportunity to
receive formative feedback and address any issues or
reservations the markers might have regarding their chosen
approach before the submission of the final dissertation.
5. The final dissertation is due at the end of Semester 3 and
represents 85% of the overall mark. It will be assessed by the
two nominated markers. If there is a significant discrepancy
between their marks, a third independent marker will be
introduced to reassess the dissertation.
The role of the dissertation supervisor is to support students
during their dissertation project time once the supervision is
confirmed. Such support ends with the submission of the final
dissertation. Supervisors are expected to meet with their
students and support key aspects of the dissertation project
including topic selection, literature review, research
methodology and methods, data analysis and findings. Students
are expected to work on their confirmed dissertation plan once
their supervisor approves it. Without approval from
supervisors, students are not allowed to start their interim
oral presentation and final dissertation writing. Meeting with
supervisors proactively and reporting dissertation progress
proactively is necessary for students completing the
dissertation.
B. Part time Programme
1. Students are required to take relevant lectures on Research
Methods in Semester 5 as part of the dissertation module. These
lectures provide generic advice and guidance on how to
specifying a substantial research problem and developing a plan
to address it; managing time efficiently and effectively to meet deadlines; locating and utilizing information relevant to
their research project; designing a solution to a substantial
problem; analyzing data, and presenting a dissertation. The
lectures are delivered in the pattern of 2 hours*3 times a week
over the first 4 weeks. 
2. By the end of Semester 4, students are expected to identify
their research topic for the dissertation. The topic can be
determined in one of the following ways:
a) Select a topic proposed by IBSS faculty members and seek
their agreement.
b) Propose a self-selected topic and approach a faculty member
with similar research interests to seek their agreement. 
Students may select a topic that falls outside the program's
focus areas. However, they must find a suitable faculty member
to supervise the project and obtain approval from the programme
director. Besides, if the dissertation involves human-related
data collection, students need to fill out the research ethics
application forms and seek approval from the university ethics
committee.
3. Private and independent research is undertaken by the
student with the support and advice from the supervisor from an
IBSS faculty and an organization facilitator where the
dissertation is an in-organization project, during regular
meetings and consultations that begin in Semester 5. The
students are expected to report the status and progress of
their dissertation to the supervisor bi-weekly, either in
person or by email. 
4. Students will be required to deliver an assessed oral
presentation, representing 15% of the module mark, in the
middle of Semester 5. The presentation should cover the
progress of the project, as well as any results and analysis
completed so far. It will be attended by the two nominated
markers, the supervisor and the appointed second marker.
This presentation provides students with an opportunity to
receive formative feedback and address any issues or
reservations the markers might have regarding their chosen
approach before the submission of the final dissertation.
5. The final dissertation is due at the end of Semester 6 and
represents 85% of the overall mark. It will be assessed by the
two nominated markers. If there is a significant discrepancy
between their marks, a third independent marker will be
introduced to reassess the dissertation.
The role of the dissertation supervisor is to support students
during their dissertation project time once the supervision is
confirmed. Such support ends with the submission of the final
dissertation. Supervisors are expected to meet with their
students and support key aspects of the dissertation project
including topic selection, literature review, research
methodology and methods, data analysis and findings. Students
are expected to work on their confirmed dissertation plan once
their supervisor approves it. Without approval from
supervisors, students are not allowed to start their interim
oral presentation and final dissertation writing. Meeting with
supervisors proactively and reporting dissertation progress
proactively is necessary for students completing the
dissertation.