The aim of this dissertation module is to enable students to undertake a significant piece of independent research in the fields of operations and supply chain management.
This module provides students with opportunities to: (i) apply their learning from other parts of the programme 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 programme related topic of interest to them; (iii) produce a complete piece of scholarly work from conception through to a final thesis; (iv) augment their independent research, analysis, project management, writing and presenting skills; (v) enhance their intellectual, transferable and employability skills and, it follows, their career prospects, and (iv) make an original contribution to knowledge that could potentially serve as a basis for more advanced study.
Students should identify, define and explore one or more problems or issues at the forefront of operations and supply chain management as an academic and applied discipline. This may be achieved by means of:
- an in-organization project through the use of analytical techniques, the novel application of existing approaches or the development of new approaches for identifying and addressing the organization’s issues ,
- or through surveys or other methods of obtaining primary data, and/or
- through collection and analysis of secondary data and library-based study.
The final thesis 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/or
(v) where applicable the successful implementation of new or existing tools
(vi) 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 operations and supply chain management and its related disc
A Demonstrate a substantial and systematic understanding of current and recent research, theory and advanced scholarship in the areas of operations and supply chain management and its related disciples that are of relevance to their research topic or issues relating to the in-organization project
B Critically evaluate and apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme to the identification and framing of specific research questions at the forefront of the management discipline.
C Investigate questions and problems through the design and implementation of a research strategy and methodology appropriate to advanced study in their field.
D Demonstrate appropriate academic rigour in the acquisition, organisation, critical analysis and presentation of conceptual and empirical materials obtained from primary and secondary sources or in the identification and/or implement of solutions to the focus of an in-organization project
E Accurately, coherently and persuasively communicate the research project, methodology and findings in an oral presentation.
F Successfully produce a well-written, coherent and well-presented piece of work that makes an original and reflective contribution to knowledge whilst demonstrating good scholarship and conforming fully to standard academic conventions in the field of operations and supply chain management and its related disciplines.
G Demonstrate a sound understanding of research ethics appropriate to the research topic.
H Think, learn and work independently whilst demonstrating initiative, responsibility, self-discipline, self-motivation, self-direction and originality in tackling and solving research problems in management
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.