Research Essay

Research Essay

Students are required to write a 2500 word critical research essay.

Option A

Select two (2) countries from column A. Select one (1) topic from column B.

The objective of this exercise is to compare different country patterns on the same topic.

Option B

Select one (1) organization from column C. Select two (2) countries from Column A. Select one (1) topic from Colum B

The objective of this exercise is to compare how one MNC approaches one topic in two different country contexts.

Option C

Select one (1) topic from column B. Select two (2) organizations from column C

The objective of this exercise is to compare how different MNC approach one particular topic.

Format:

Formal 2500 word academic essay (NOT A REPORT), with a minimum of 10 scholarly references.

1.5 spaced, 1 inch margin, left, right, top and bottom.Insert page numbers at the bottom of each page.

Use Harvard style referencing. A list of references should be provided at the end of the essay which includes all the sources cited in the body of the essay. The reference list is not counted in the word count (but the in-text citations are).

You may include appendices to include supporting information. These will not be counted in the word count.

Remember to put your last name, initials and student number on the first or title page.

Submit your paper via SafeAssign in word format (NOT PDF).

Writing your essay:

Ensure you briefly state your position or argument (sometimes called a 'thesis') at the start of the essay and focus the rest of the essay on providing evidence (and if appropriate counter evidence) in relation to this argument , then at the end briefly summarise what you have found and what you see as the key implications.

Body of your essay (depending which option you choose):

Option A

Select two (2) countries from column A. Select one (1) topic from column B. The objective of this exercise is to compare different country patterns on the same topic. The body of the essay in this case should include brief descriptions of HRM/ER practices related to the topic in the two countries, and a critical analysis of what you have discovered about them from your research. The analysis should compare and contrast approaches to the topic e.g. reward and remuneration in the two countries, and the major factors (e.g. historical, political, economic, cultural, institutional and industry –related factors) that in your view, based on the evidence you have obtained, have influenced the development of these patterns in each country. (Note that you don’t have to include all these factors – you just have to choose what you consider have been most important.)

Option B

Select one (1) organization from column C. Select two (2) countries from Column A. Select one (1) topic from Colum B. The objective of this exercise is to compare how one MNC approaches one topic in two different country contexts. The body of the essay in this case should include brief descriptions of how the MNC approaches the topic e.g. reward and remuneration  in the two countries, and a critical analysis of what you have discovered about this from your research. The analysis should compare and contrast approaches taken by the MNC in each country to the topic e.g. reward and remuneration, and the major external factors (see option A) plus factors internal to the MNC (e.g. strategy, structure and organizational culture) that in your view, based on the evidence you have obtained, have influenced the development of its approach in each country.

Option C

Select one (1) topic from column B. Select two (2) organizations from column C. The objective of this exercise is to compare how the two MNCs approach one particular topic e.g. reward and remuneration in an international context. The body of the essay in this case should include brief descriptions of how each MNC approaches the topic and a critical analysis of what you have discovered about this from your research. The analysis should compare and contrast approaches taken by each MNC to the topic and the major external factors (see option A) plus factors internal to the MNC (e.g. strategy, structure and organizational culture) that in your view, based on the evidence you have obtained, have influenced the approach taken by each MNC.

See also information on the unit site including links to web sites for advice on essay writing, and the marking rubric.