Applied Business Projects

Four ABP each of which is taught in five half days of lectures, workshops and discussions scheduled over a three-week period

Business Planning
e-Business and the Value Chain
International Business
Data Analytics
Issues in Financial Stability

understanding the process of establishing a venture from idea generation to the completion of a full business plan. Following a plan through its stages, including business description and the market, development and production, sales and marketing, management team/organisation and the financial plan

E-business and the value chain

Impact of e-business to individuals, organisations, communities and nations.

Develop an understanding of the business models available and the issues involved in developing an e-Business strategy

Security, data protection, social media and ethics

Case studies from startups to large organisations

International Business

Analysing the conditions in the international environment that drive trade between nations and the issues facing companies and governments.

Behaviour of consumers, workers and managers in multinational enterprises (MNEs), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as the public/governmental sector

Dissertation

research issues

Can China move to having 80% of their energy from solar power by 2040?

How can the reputation of a business be improved?

Improving the competitiveness of mobile phone industry in India?

Is the circular economy really suitable for businesses in South Africa?

Moving Saudi Arabia beyond oil. Can it really happen by 2030?

Does foreign bank entry lead to more efficient banking markets?

Does outsourcing lower costs in supply chain management?

Are stock market returns and volatility predictable?

Do Information Systems improves the competitiveness of retailers?

Do confusing legal standards inhibit e-Business?

literature review

Evaluation/implementation
e.g. to critically evaluate relevant research as a basis for improving organisational practices
What are the ‘gaps' in the literature - the key objective
Conducting research
to provide a rationale for your study

to put the study into the context of what is already known about the topic

to discuss the conceptual/theoretical basis for your study

Structure

Title, name, programme, student number, declarations
Abstract
Introduction
Literature review
Methodology
Results
Discussion & interpretation/conclusions
Recommendations
Reference list
INCLUDE a CD/USB containing your data and results

research process
Research starts with a problem
Main research question

Need to formulate questions
Sub-questions, which together answer the main research question

Research requires a clear purpose
what are your aims and objectives & how will they be achieved?

Hypotheses
a statement to be tested and accepted or rejected

Research questions
What is happening?
(descriptive, survey/case study)

How many?
(descriptive, measurement, quantitative)

Why?
(explanatory/predictive, quantitative/qualitative)

How can we improve?
(action research)