BM 406 Research Project

Guidelines for Research Project MBA 3rd semester students are required to submit project synopsis (about 10-15 pages, 1 copy) duly typed and signed by faculty supervisor along with the performa appended by September 24th. Proposals received after this date shall not be entertained under any circumstances. The Director/Dean/Coordinator will convey the approval / rejection along with the reasons thereof in writing (by email) by September 27th to each student. Thereafter, every student will incorporate the suggestions and make an 8-10 minute presentation on the road map of the final project on October 11th . I. Objective: To help the student develop ability to apply multi-disciplinary concepts, tools and techniques to solve organizational problems. II. Types of project: (a) Comprehensive case studies Covering single organization, multifunctional area problem formulation, analysis and recommendations. Aimed at inter-organizational comparison OR validation of theory OR survey of management practices. Empirical study.

(b) Inter-organizational study (c) Field study

III. Proposal formulation: The synopsis should clearly state the following: (i) Significance of the study. (vii) Universe and survey population sample. (ii) Review of existing literature. (viii) Collection of data. (iii) Conceptualization. (ix) Analysis pattern. (iv) Focus of the problem. (x) Limitations of the study. (v) Objectives and Hypotheses. (xi) Organization of the study. (vi) Research (xii) References. methodology/research design. IV. Interim report: To be submitted to the mentor/research supervisor

followed by its presentation before the faculty in the class at least one month before the final submission of project report i.e. on Monday, November 9th. The supervisor shall certify that pre-submission presentation by the candidate has been made and feasible suggestions have been incorporated. The concerned supervisor shall keep a record of presentation by each student. V. Structure of final report: (a) Length of report may be 60-80 pages typed in 1.5 spaces not exceeding 15,000 words (excluding appendices and exhibits). [+ 10%] (b) The project report must contain the following: (i) Title page showing title (ii) Purpose for which the project has been submitted (iii) Name of candidate, supervisor, institute, university, month and year of submission, (iv) Certificate from the candidate countersigned by supervisor and director, certificate from the competent authority of the organization where the project has been conducted (v) Acknowledgement (vi) Table of contents (c) Chapters: 1. Introduction: -Significance of the problem, review of literature, conceptualization, operationalization of the concept, focus of study, objectives, hypothesis, limitations, chapterization, notes (references). 2.Research methodology: -Universe and survey population, profile of organization, research design, sample size and techniques, analysis pattern, data collection (primary and secondary), identified independent and dependent variables, content analysis, applied statistical tools (analysis pattern). 3. Objective wise analysis (chapter 3, 4, 5, Micro analysis). 4. Macro analysis (interferences and interpretation). 5. Summary of major observations and recommendations (including utility of observations and directions for future research). 6. Appendices: - Questionnaire/schedule, raw analysis and tables, bibliography. VI. Submission: 3 copies (one must be original print and hard bound) on or before Monday, February 22nd.

VII. Max. Marks: 100 (Mentors evaluation) 100 (viva by external examiner) 200 (Two hundred i.e. equal to 2 subjects)

Sample Final Project titles

I. General management 1. Atlas industries-A study of performance over the last ten years. 2. Reasons for closure at Haryana Sheet Glass Ltd. 3. Agricultural taxation: Should it be implemented in India? 4. Impact of Communist supported government on Indias disinvestment process. (Dissolution of disinvestments ministry, etc.) 5. Mergers and acquisitions in cement industry in India. 6. Mergers and acquisitions in cell phone industry in India. 7. Negotiation / Purchasing skills required for a manager. (Book: Lee Dabler) 8. Entrepreneurial skills required for a manager. 9. Detailed Profiling of any company. (Eg. Bajaj Capital-a complete profile.) 10. A comparative study of all the institutes (about 20) affiliated with M.D. University. 11. Educational city at Sonepat. A feasibility study. 12. The division of Reliance group. A extremely positive experience for the companys shareholders! 13. Rattan Tata- Life and times. (or any other business personality) 14. Rapid growth of Electronic media and its impact on Print media. 15. Management Education in India and brain drain. II. Finance 1. Working of Stock exchanges in India. 2. Why BSE and NSE are the only two popular exchanges i.e. why other stock exchanges like DSE, CSE, JSE etc. are lagging behind badly in turnover? 3. OTCEI-A profile. 4. Rating process of FITCH / CRISIL / ICRA / CARE. 5. Future of merchant banking industry in India. 6. Major trading scrips at DSE-a survey. 7. Reasons of fluctuations in CIPLAs share price (OR any other firm) over the last 12 months (Calendar year 2007 or any other time period)

8. Derivative trading in India How successful? 9. A critical study of the role of SEBI as a market watchdog. 10. Share buy back: Its utility for cash rich firms. 11. Dividend tax Should it be done away with? 12. Profiling of any finance company (IL & FS, First leasing co. of India Ltd.,etc.). 13. Any IPO-a study. (IDEA, DLF, Suzlon, etc.) 14. Tests for the Weak / Semi-strong / Strong form of RWH / EMT. 15. P/ E ratio its significance for an investor. 16. Any MF-a study. (Reliance, UTI, HDFC, ICICI, etc.) III. Marketing 1. Study of the functioning of Lintas / HTA / Mudra / Rediffusion (i.e. any one advertising firm-not comparative) 2. Comparative study of any two-advertising/manufacturing/service firms. 3. Radio FM channel advertising: A cheap option for small entrepreneurs? 4. Marketing through net: How successful in India- a country with 70% rural population. 5. Reasons for the heavy shift of consumer preferences from scooters to bikes within the two-wheeler industry. 6. Marketing strategies of LT overseas. 7. Effect of electronic meters on the sale of bulbs and tubes. IV. HR and OB 1. Employee welfare schemes of OSRAM Ltd.,Sonepat. 2. Theories of motivation-A comparative analysis. 3. Leadership theories and their practical use. V. Production 1. TQM / Quality circles: successful only in Japan or other countries also? 2. Just-in-time: close to reality or not? 3. Production planning and control (PPC) at OSRAM. VI. International Business 1. Export procedures-help or hurdle? 2. Rupee fluctuations-reasons. 3. Euro-A challenge for $? VII. Accounting. 1. Inflation accounting. 2. A comparitive study of CF-FF of Five (or any number) major firms in the Indian two wheeler industry/ any industry (data Source-Capital market magazine)

3. Annual reports-an eyewash or sufficient data revealed to the investor. VIII. QM and OR 1. Probability theory and its utility for business. 2. Regression-A effective tool for understanding cause-effect relationships in business. 3. Game theory and its use in Business. IX. MIS/IT. 1. Success of SAP in business. 2. SPSS and business. 3. ERP: Its utility in enhancing profitability.