MKT 7257 MBA DISSERTATION

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Students Name : Suppramaneam Kumaravehlu

Registration number : u1732090

Project Title : Knowledge Transfer in Institutions of Higher Learning

Hand in Date of Proposal : 21 December, 2018

Introduction: Project Background

Since the dawn of human civilization, the progress made in knowledge
development in satisfying human needs and wants, had been phenomenal to the
extent the way businesses are carried out in the contemporary era is a complete
contrast with the past. Knowledge and technology as change agents are constantly
evolving and shifting gears, taking human lifestyle to a different level. This
phenomenon has globally impacted the academic fraternities in various countries.
Institutions of higher learning are facing insurmountable challenges, particularly in
the area of knowledge transfer and producing graduates who are able to meet the
industry needs and wants in terms of workplace performance.

Malaysia is by no means an exception. The general perception of both public and

private industries is that; the ‘qualified’ graduates who are seeking employment are
a mismatch and far from expectation in terms of knowledge and skills that are not
able to display the level of competency expected of their qualifications. Relatively,
the concern is, with candidates who qualify with post graduate studies in the local
institutions of higher learning who clamour for key management positions in various
organizations but are not able to measure up to the astute demands of the
organizations. In essence, there may be many shortfalls for such a predicament
and it may be unfair to implicate the graduates alone for the lack of competency in
them.
Across the institutions of higher learning, inter alia there are two concurrent
activities in the academic cycle namely; knowledge transfer and learning as part of
the pedagogical process. In most reported cases, the transfer of knowledge in an
effective manner has come under severe criticisms for lack of matching knowledge
transfer strategies in teaching to measure up to industry needs. As a result, the
industry is left with less choice to employ graduates who are not appropriately and
adequately qualified to fill up key positions in the organizations particularly public
and private institutions who are key contributors to the social and economic
wellbeing of the society. In the overall analysis, inadequacy in knowledge transfer
strategies in institutions of higher learning resulting in producing inadequately
qualified graduates will have farfetched impact upon the various industries and the
society in the long run. Thus, it is important that institutions of higher learning revisit
their knowledge transfer strategies in order to address the serious implications of
such a dilemma which has been persistently plaguing the various industries.

Literature Review:

Identification of the key aspects of the business literature (e.g. service quality) to be
underpins the study. This review should briefly cover the main ideas and business
practice that will be considered. It should locate a sample of the some of the main
sources and identify key critical issues that might arise. – Word Guide
approximately 1,400 words. (Independent Variable)

Literature Review

DV

This study focuses on a knowledge transfer program for higher institutions of

learning in Malaysia. The outcome of this study is to pave the way for a catalyst
KTP which may be used as a forerunner for all future endeavours in knowledge
transfer education in institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.

The purpose of this study is to analyze university knowledge transfer models and
asses recent developments in the literature on intellectual property rights, spin-offs
and research collaborations. The paper also addresses the role played by university
knowledge transfer organizations in promoting commercialization of research
results.
IDV 1
This study focuses on employability skills of graduates as expected by the
employers in the industry. Besides it is also expected that this paper will help to
identify knowledge that may enable effective and close collaboration between
industry and academia

The purpose of this paper was to establish the effectiveness of collaboration

between academia and industry in producing competent graduates for banking
industry.

The purpose of this study is to explore for great number of labour market outcomes
which may help as reliable indicators to develop effective curriculum to meet
industry needs.

IDV 2
This paper focuses on academic leadership in terms of pedagogy with reference to
competency development among faculty lecturers.

This study focuses on student learning strategy cantered upon the use of socially
based tools and technologies of the Web 2.0. Media platform.

This paper in its study has established various rated principles of pedagogy which
may enable effective knowledge transfer through directed learning as opposed to
undirected learning.

IDV 3
This study focuses on the business practitioners’ interest in academic business
research and the prevailing gap.

It further identifies that academic journals on business research are not that popular
among practitioners unless they are written by experienced business people. and to
be accessible on line.
This study focuses on important barriers to knowledge transfer and helps to identify
facilitators for knowledge transfer that help to resolve the identified barriers.

This study focuses upon industry and institution collaboration on how to overcome
barriers in collaboration particularly in strategic, tactical and operational dimensions.

Research Framework (Draw your framework)- 1 Dependent Variable + 3

Independent Variable

Objectives:

Identify 3-4 objective outcomes from the dissertation in terms of what the
dissertation seeks to achieve for the organisation or business sector. These
objectives should reflect outputs not tasks to be completed and should emphasise
the areas for improvement to business performance the dissertation will
concentrate on.

RO 1:

RO 2:
RO 3:

Research Question

RQ 1:

Methodology:

Candidates should include a brief statement as to what they consider the main
methods of primary and secondary research are likely to be the most useful to
achieving the project outcomes – Approximately 300 words.
 Conclusion: 600 Words

Time Plan

Key Activities Time-scale Resources required

(Milestones) (Plan of
action)

Appendix:

Literature Log
Survey Questions