MBA 6503 GLOBAL STRATEGY & COMPETITIVENESS CAPSTONE BUSINESS PROJECT HANDBOOK

CAPSTONE BUSINESS PROJECT HANDBOOK

Contents

Part 1: General Information

Part 4: Research Thesis Project Option

Part 6: Course Assessment Elements

Part 1: General Information

Capstone Business Project

The MBA program culminates with the completion of the Capstone course which is taken during the last eight-week quarter. The course is designed to provide an opportunity to apply and integrate the knowledge and skills that were gained during the entire MBA program. Therefore, the Capstone topic must be related to business and encompass material that was covered in the MBA curriculum.

The project course is ten weeks in duration. During this time, students are expected to write a proposal, complete a written draft of their project plan, orally present the recommendations/results to the professor, and submit a final written version of the project.

Upon successful completion of this project, students will be able to:

Overarching learning outcomes

· Synthesize and apply content from prior graduate courses and other learning opportunities to better understand real world situations

· Understand, appreciate, and value of the relationships across business disciplines

· Distinguish real world problems and demonstrate the application of solutions from a global business perspective

Business Client learning outcomes

· Assess and define a significant business problem

· Evaluate information to better understand such a problem

· Specify and design appropriate information to identify and present a high-quality solution

Research Thesis learning outcomes

· Determine the requirements for a distinct research project

· Select a significant organizational topic that, when researched, will have practical application

· Produce a complete research project that will provide appropriate information for organizational decision-making

Business Plan learning outcomes

· Assess/evaluate the requirements of a comprehensive business plan, which includes appropriate background information

· Organize, the appropriate information required in a business plan

· Construct a business plan that will satisfy the needs of entrepreneurs and potential investors

FAQ About the Capstone Project Course

Q: What is the Capstone project?

A: The culminating experience in the MBA Program is the Capstone project course. It involves completing a business consultancy or research project. The Capstone course is taken during the final term at HCT.

Q: What is the purpose of the Capstone project?

A: The purpose of this course is to integrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities gained from several courses in the MBA program.

Q: Can I choose any topic for my project?

A: The Capstone project topic must be related to business and encompass material that was covered in the MBA curriculum.

Q: Can I take the Capstone course prior to finishing the rest of my course requirements?

A: The Capstone Experience can be taken only as the last course in the graduate program. Although one course may be taken concurrently with the Capstone, such scheduling is not recommended. The Capstone course can be repeated only once.

Q: When does my Capstone project become “official?”

A: After you complete a Capstone Proposal Form with the narrative which describes your project, secured approval from the faculty member who will facilitate the course. You may then begin preliminary work that involves information sources. The project must be approved before progress begins. The Proposal Form is not a contract, so if you wish to change your project, you may do so with another Proposal Form and narrative.

Q: Are there assignments that will be considered in grading besides the project?

A: Yes. These are explained in the course handbook.

Part 4: Research Thesis Project

General Guidelines

A business research project explores business questions as they relate to industries, business climate, and business practices. This option is a traditional research option requiring a clear research question, review of the literature, methodology, analysis, and conclusions. Research in this option will focus on findings in related research plus the methodological alternatives.

Another option in this genre is referred to as ‘case-based’ research. In this format, research focus on the analysis of a real situation, investigating all relevant information and drawing conclusions from available data. Case study research excels at creating an understanding of a complex issue and extend experience or add strength to what is already known through previous research. Case studies emphasize detailed contextual analysis of limited information or conditions and their relationships.

Point of emphasis: This is a traditional research project that requires the use of traditional research methods and presentation. This is not just a longer “class paper.” This is a rigorous academic exercise. Before selecting this option, students are expected to examine two or three peer reviewed journal articles to benefit from examples of this type of project.

The Business Research option provides students with the opportunity to engage in more traditional research to answer questions that provide guidance to business and individuals.

Examples of Business Research include exploring the differences between and among companies or industries, identifying and tracking economic or consumer trends, or examining emerging management or leadership approaches.

This type of project may involve the collection of primary and/or secondary data.

The research may be descriptive, explanatory, or predictive in nature

Exemplary research will:

· Have a clearly defined purpose

· Have a detailed research process

· Have high ethical standards applied

Content and Organization of the Final Project

Title Page

Abstract

The purpose of the abstract is to provide a summary of the information provided in the project. Clarity and conciseness are essential. Two to four paragraphs are usually sufficient. An abstract is usually much shorter than an Executive Summary.

Table of Contents

List of Tables

All information that is depicted in tabular/matrix form in the body of the report should be titled and receive a table number, beginning with Table 1. All tables are then listed with their respective page numbers from the body of the report.

Tables that are referred to, but not contained in the body of the report, are placed in the appendix. These receive letter designations (Appendix A, Appendix B), and are not assigned table numbers.

List of Illustrations

All information represented by graphs, diagrams, charts, and schematics, which are included in the body of the report, are titled and receive a Figure number, beginning with Figure 1. All figures are then listed with their respective page numbers from the text.

Any illustrations that are referred to, but not included in the body of the report, are placed in the appendix. These do not receive Figure numbers.

Introduction

The introduction section begins with a brief discussion of the area of interest and then presents the following sub-sections:

· Background of the Problem Description of the background of the problem (brief historical perspective and explanation of why the problem remains unsolved at this time)

· Statement of the Problem The problem is presented in statement form, e.g., “The problem is …” Conclude this section with a clear statement of the question or questions that need to be answered to solve this problem or the hypotheses that will be tested.

· Purpose of the Study This section explains why the study is being conducted. It may be (but not be limited to) one of the following:

· To predict future situations

· To compare and contrast (strategies, technologies)

· To prepare for the development of specific program (marketing, process improvement, performance evaluation)

· To conduct an analysis of (emerging economic trends, the impact of leadership style on corporate culture)

· Significance of the Study This section provides information concerning the import of the study. For example, this study is significant because it:

· Adds to the body of knowledge of business in general

· Is of import to the business under study

· Assumptions The purpose of this section is to present some of the factors the researcher is asking the reader to accept as conditions of the study. Some examples are:

· The sample is representative of the population

· The appropriate variables have been selected for examination the measurement tools are valid and reliable

· Limitations These are those factors or conditions that may impact the data and are out of the researcher's control. Examples are:

· Information obtained from surveys may not be valid

· Non-valid instruments

· Delimitation’s This section identifies the boundaries of the study and ways in which findings may lessen the ability to generalize. For example:

· The nature and size of the sample

· The uniqueness of the setting

· Limitations of the methods selected

Literature Review

The Literature review is an examination of the literature describing research into your topic or closely related to your topic. The purpose is to explore how others have researched your topic and what they found. The results of the Literature Review should inform your methodology to allow you to build on what others have discovered.

This section begins with a general description of how the Review of Literature will be organized and presented. Then, the review may be organized as follows:

· The general history of the topic (resented chronologically)

· The current state

· Related factors and circumstances

· Related research by others, if appropriate

It is important to note that the Literature Review is preparation for your research, not the research itself. Integrate the areas of Review of Literature into a logical sequence, starting with a broad focus of the topic and narrowing down to a specific topic.

Data Collection

This section describes the design of the information gathering used to answer the research question or address the research problem. The data collection methodology is intended to be the step-by-step action plan for collecting relevant information to address the research issue/s. How would you frame your inquiry? What data would you collect? How would you collect it? How would you analyze it once you collect it? The content and length of this section depends on the nature of the data collection research. This section may include:

· Descriptions of the participants (who are they, and why were they chosen?) or business studied

· Instrumentation used to obtain data

· Procedures or steps in conducting the study and obtaining data

· Data analysis methods

Conclusions

· Briefly review the general topic and the need to explore the aspect addressed in this research

· Briefly recap some of the issues/problems that were investigated

· Briefly recap the possible solutions identified or the results of your hypotheses testing.

· Describe your final recommendation and why it is the best solution/prediction

· Describe what the implications are for management/businesses with respect to these findings

References

Only sources of information that have actually been cited in the project are included here.

Appendices

This section includes information that is too detailed to be included in its entirety in the body of the project. This would include sample questionnaires and information that is referred to but is not essential to the project, such as relevant policies, laws, forms, pamphlets, sample letters to organizations and subjects.

General Guidelines Formatting a Written Report

Headings

· Major sections (sometimes called “chapters”) should be started on a new page (like the chapter of a book) and the title should be centered, bold, and typed with capital letters.

· Headings for sub-sections (second level headings) are left justified, bold, and the initial letter is capitalized.

· Headings for the next level of sub-section (third level headings) are left justified, capitalization of initial letter, and underlined. No letters are typed in bold.

Page Numbering

· All pages except the Title Page and Abstract or Executive Summary are numbered. These numbers are centered at the bottom of each page.

Spacing and Font Size

· The written project is double-spaced in 12 point, Times New Roman. Margins are one inch on all four sides.

Grammar “Don’ts”

· Do not use contractions, such as “don’t” instead of “do not” or “it’s” for it is.

· Do not use personal pronouns such as I, me, they, we, and you.

· Avoid clichés such as “hopefully”, “obviously”, “as you know”, and “in other words.”

Referencing Sources

· As a general rule, every statement of fact in the project ends with a citation that includes the author(s)’ last name and publication year. This citation must then appear in the Reference Section. For example: The extensive development in computer technology over the past decade is slowly being integrated into the classroom (Swan, 1997). Do not use footnotes.

Specific Style Issues

· Proper grammar, spelling, word usage, and sentence construction are required. Final Projects are expected to be submitted without errors. Projects with errors may be returned for correction.

Part 6: Course Assessment Elements

In total, four elements are required for completion of the course: due date timeline

1) Project plan proposal – proposal form: 10% Week 3

2) Draft outline submission – approximately 5-10 pages: 15% Week 5

3) Oral presentation – 10 minutes plus Q&A: 25% Week 8

4) Final project written report – approximately 30 – 50 pages: 50% Week 10

Written report evaluation criteria (approximately 10,000 words or 30 – 50 pages):

Content – 50%

· Completeness

· Relevancy

· Appropriate analysis

· Appropriate conclusions drawn

· Logical rational and/or justification

· Original thought

Research – 20%

· Evidence of appropriate information

· Evidence of multiple sources

· Evidence of relevant data collection

Structural – 20%

· Grammar

· Spelling

· Appropriate business format

· Citations

· Clear expression

· Tables, graphics, etc. appropriate and clear

Overall – 10%

· Appropriate context in logic

· Persuasive recommendations

Oral presentation evaluation criteria (approximately 10 minutes presentation and 10 minutes Q&A discussion):

Content – 60%

· Completeness

· Relevancy

· Appropriate analysis

· Appropriate conclusions drawn

· Logical rational and/or justification

· Original thought

Structural – 30%

· Correct grammar, vocabulary

· Speaking skills

· Use of appropriate technology

· Use of visual aids

· Appropriate use of tables, graphs, figures

· Ability to engage listener

· Ability to respond to questions, comments

Overall – 10%

· Appropriate context in logic

· Persuasive recommendations