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 : 2 January, 2019

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 globalized 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, particularly post-graduates in
business who are seeking employment are a mismatch and far from expectation in
terms of 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
business organizations but are not able to measure up with matching competencies
to the rigorous demands of such positions in these organizations. As a result, the
industry is left with a dilemma to employ graduates who are not appropriately and
adequately qualified to fill up key positions in the business organizations which are
key contributors to the social and economic wellbeing of the society.
In essence, there may be certain shortfalls for such a predicament and it may be
unfair to implicate the graduates alone for the lack of competency and inadequacy
in them. The writer assumes that, from a holistic perspective, the concerns which
need serious attentions are the pedagogical strategies in institutions of higher
learning, the industrial collaborative efforts between industries and institutions, and
the direction and implementation of national human capital development policies, to
address the above dilemma.

We have to take cognizance of the fact that these graduates are the potential key
decision making industry captains in the future. Therefore, in the overall analysis,
the above cited reasons will have farfetched implications upon the various
industries and the society in the long run affecting the business environment in
particular and the economic realm in general. Thus, it is felt that institutions of
higher learning and business industries in the country need to establish a
collaborative mechanism as practised in certain developed nations to effectively
address the above issues with a view to produce fitting graduate professionals for
the various business industries which is being continuously challenged by an agile
environment.
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: Productive professional graduates readily available to satisfactorily perform

at workplace upon successfully completing post-graduate business studies.

RO 2: Successful professional graduates would have undergone a rigorous

knowledge transfer programme centered upon globalization business models, with
rigorous collaboration between institutions of higher learning and business industry.

RO 3: Realization of national professional human capital development policies

through rigorous collaboration between institutions of higher learning and business
industry.

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