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Tips For Finding Good Dissertation Titles or Topics
Tips For Finding Good Dissertation Titles or Topics
Tips For Finding Good Dissertation Titles or Topics
Doing a Master-level dissertation is a major challenge. Students have to be mindful of when they are developing or
outlining good and interesting dissertation topics. Students must use information and knowledge that they have
learned during their studies in order to be able to form good research titles. The most important thing is to develop
the dissertation topics or titles that you feel comfortable with and have confidence with as it is you who have to work
on it. Get help and advice from supervisors who can give you some useful information.
TIPS:
Students should ensure that they discuss topics and titles for their dissertation with their Faculty
Supervisors, as a working relationship between Supervisor and students is very important. Supervisor can
help by giving guidance on forming, outlining and revising dissertation topics in order to produce the most
interesting titles.
Dissertation topics should be based in the real world of your study fields i.e. Marketing Human Resources
Topics must be based on your areas of interest and not on those of your Supervisor. This is because you
are the person who will have to carry out the research and so it is imperative that you feel comfortable
It is useful for a student to be knowledgeable about his or her topic. A student should try to research a
Students must ensure that their chosen dissertation topics and titles are up to date in order to catch up
with the ever-changing world. This is because new knowledge, information, research and studies are
You could narrow your dissertation topic by concentrating on specific issues. However, topics should not
be overly narrowed down as students may risk not finding sufficient resources.
Do not consider dissertation topics which are too difficult for you to research. Most students tend to base
their dissertation topics or titles on the area or areas that are most interesting, but are not actually in their
interests. This is because most students think that difficult topics will be rewarded with good marks that, is
incorrect.
Research topics or titles must have critical approaches. Do not be tempted to bite off more than you can
issues that you have discussed and learned during your programme so far. Think about the particular
content areas or subjects that you have studied within your modules and especially those that really help
trigger ideas that might help throw some light on the research questions and topics that you are
attempting to formulate.
Reading one or two selected text books and papers. Revising previously acquired knowledge, information
and ideas can help students to think of some good and interesting dissertation topics and titles. The
information students gain from reading or re-reading can also give them the ideas about whether theirs is
a good topic or not. Students will be able to gauge for themselves whether they can easily obtain relevant
information to support their research works if they decide to take up that particular topic.
Good ideas also come from sources other than textbooks and what you have learned in classes. Some
useful sources of information that can help students to generate ideas for developing good dissertation
topics include the Academy of Management Review, the Journal of International Business Studies, the
Journal of Management Studies, the Journal of Marketing, the Strategic Management Journal and other
current articles within specific journals and Journal web sites, for new areas of research that are being
developed .
The type of dissertation topics and research titles that students develop will be influenced by additional
factors such as current assignments, coursework and the relevant workload (Morris 2006, pp. 116-126).
Realistically, the context in which students carry out the research work is limited by the time and
resources available. In addition, it has been suggested that for Master- or MBA-level students, evaluation
research titles are often the best and easiest options for students to undertake. This involves looking at
some systems and practices that already exist and making recommendations as to how they might be
changed or improved. Most of the time, the recommendation section in the last chapter of relevant
research within a student's interests, can give them flashes of ideas for developing good and interesting
dissertation topics.
Whichever topic and approach the Master-level students decide to undertake, it is important to seek
advice and gain some opinions and ideas from experienced professionals. Usually guides have been
allocated to each student because they have similar interests or have experience of similar research
topics. However, the students should be prepared to use their own judgment and make decisions
accordingly as the dissertation topic will be focusing on your research works. If your supervisor does not
agree with your ideas or your selection of topics then it is your job to convince them, with reasonable and
logical evidence and explanation. This is because the main reason for asking students to undertake
dissertations or research works is to see whether or not students can think and carry out research
critically. The most important thing is to apply what you have learned during your programme to your
There are two types of research methods - primary and secondary. Secondary source is a quick and low-
cost way of obtaining data. Less effort is expended and less time is taken. Also, sometimes it is more
accurate than primary data. Some information can be obtained only from secondary. Primary data is
obtained to help solve the problem at hand. The major methods of primary data collection include focus
groups, individual in-depth interviews, questionnaires, protocol analysis, project methods, action
research, and Delphi research. The research method depends upon the topic selected for research. It is
The analysis of ever rising personal debt situation, how people manage to get into and out of it?
You could also think student loans. Line of Credit or private Student Loan? Which is better for
college tuition fees?
Will the economic predicament have an impact on students’ loan? If so, how and why?
Personal auto finance companies- A case study
Can Foreign Portfolio Investment Bridge the Smaller Firm Financing Gap Around the World?
The Role of Arbitrageurs in the Takeover Process
Explain how the use of derivatives can be used to determine maximum profit and minimal cost
Corporate Finance and Governance research at HSE has recently focused on equity and debt
issues and particularly initial public offerings. How can this be helpful in increasing their
productivity and services?
The central problem of Corporate Governance for UK listed firms is therefore rendering managers
accountable to shareholders. Investigate the ways in which the mechanisms used to control these
managerial agency problems are enforced.
A study on Financial sources for entrepreneurial Ventures in the company.
Management of Finance in small Business units- A study of selected units.
Mergers and acquisitions in India- A case study
Sickness in Small scale Units- A case study
Foreign Direct investment- A case study
Performance of Multinational companies- A case study
Financing pattern of private corporate- A case study
On- line Banking- A case study
Will raising the national minimum wage change the face of poverty in America, or will every
income level jump with it
What is the role of contemporary accounting in identifying the capital accumulation’s conflicts?
How the contemporary accounting theory one differs from the second issue?
What are the intangible and tangible inflows/outflows which can help in the management of Cash
flow?
Applicability of Sarbons Oxley Act on Corporate frauds in India.
Applicability of Ratio analysis for the Financial performance of a company
Effect of dividend policies on market price of the securities of the company
Financial structure of Two/Three advertising agencies in any city
A study of cost control techniques of two manufacturing units.
Issue of season tickets by APRTC – A cost benefit Analysis
Working capital Management in small scale units- A study of selected units
Sources and application of funds of a corporate/ Enterprise- A case analysis
Dividend policies and practices – a comparative study of public and private sector banks.
A study on International Financial Accounting standards And their applicability to Indian corporate
Internal Control mechanism of Manufacturing companies- A case study
4. Risk Management
Assessing Risk in Introducing High Tech Products. New software implementation where all of
your current systems are going to be replaced with a single, enterprise wide system like People
soft or SAP.
Purchasing mortgage backed securities in today's market. Most are probably undervalued due to
the scare but how do you manage the risks.
Purchasing a home in a declining market.
5. Banking & Insurance
What are the downsides to microfinance and micro-crediting? And what are effective alternatives
to microfinance?
Transition to the cash economy: the design, description and analysis of a microfinance
programme in indigenous San communities in western Botswana."
Microfinance: its impacts on Children and Women. " The impact on women: women
empowerment; women knowledge of health, nutrition, and other basic social services messages.
The impact on children: education (enrollment rates), health and nutrition; child labor.
Corporate Lending
Credit Appraisal system in Banks and Financial institutions
Rural Financing
Liquidity Management in Banks
Liquidity Management in Mutual fund
Mutual Fund Strategy in Banks
Credit Analysis in Banks
Derivatives in banks
Non- Performing Assets in banks
Vehicle Finance in Banks
Credit and Debit Card Analysis in Banks
A study on Performance Evaluation of Mutual Fund Equity Schemes
A Study on Systematic Risk Analysis on Indian Banking Scripts.
Is there any connection between Service creativity & Profitability in a commercial bank? How do
the creativity for services in a bank recognized as following situations:
i.Creativity as boundary breaking in a bank
ii. Creativity as innovative in bank
iii. Creativity as boundary pushing in a bank
An analysis of the effect of the deregulation of a commercial banks investment
How commercial banks can battle poverty more effectively than they are doing at the moment.
"Can the provision of micro-finance be lucrative for commercial banks?"
Prevention of Frauds in Banking System of United Kingdom ... Focus on the utility of Internet
banking, mobile banking to the banks, disadvantages, cost-benefit analysis, and suggest
measures to over come the shortcomings associated with these channels
Analyze the influence of quality in retail banking, in particular its emergence as a source of
competitive advantage in personal banking.
Customer satisfaction on the role of commercial Banks in India
Treatment of Non-performing assets of a commercial Banks
Availability & Utilization of Bank Finance for working Capital needs – A study on selected units
Children’s Savings schemes- A comparative study of schemes offered by selected banks.
Management of Non-banking finance companies - A study of selected companies
Working of Housing Finance companies – A case study of HDFC/ LIC/ any company
Impact of Financial sector reforms on Banking sector- A study of selected banks.
Effect of changes in Monetary policy on the performance of NBFCs – A case study
Is there any connection between Service creativity & Profitability in a commercial bank? How do
the creativity for services in a bank recognized as following situations:
i. Creativity as boundary breaking in a bank
ii. Creativity as innovative in bank
iii. Creativity as boundary pushing in a bank
7. Financial Services
A comparative study of credit rating of various credit rating agencies
Venture capital financing- A study of selected companies
A study on credit system in fertilizer marketing and to evaluate a suitable credit rating `
system to minimize risk
A Study on Investors Preference towards equity broking.
A study on Credit Appraisal for Car loan financing in the finance companies
A study on Credit Appraisal for Car loan financing in the finance companies.
A study on Leasing and Hire Purchasing system in the company
Emerging trends in Merchant Banking – A study on selected cases
Policies and practices of lease accounting- A study of selected companies
Financial Services- A study of selected companies
Working of stock Exchanges in India- A comparative study of BSE & NSE
Liberalization & recent trends in Financial intermediation—Role of IDBI/ ICICI etc
Issue Management- A case study
9. International Business
What are the major Cost elastic products involved in construction in UK and how their elasticity
can be reduced with the help of international trade and cost budgeting?
Auto mobile financing became a Key for UK countries to boost their international trade with third
world countries. How did this affect their economical conditions and international relationship?
Business and Financial Analysis of a domestic business in Africa expanding towards International
Trade.
Third world countries seem to be penetrating in the International Trade which is a threat to
domestic markets of the International Trade Competitors. How can there supplies be utilized to
promote domestic businesses and maintain international relationship.
The global financial crisis has made many international stock markets make a record breaking
fall. China’s foreign exchange reserves dropped down for the first time in the last 5 years.
Evaluate how this fall could be prevented and how can this issue be resolved?
There is an expected growth of Meat consumption in the global market of up to 3%. How can
Ireland take a comparative advantage in the International Market?
10. Miscellaneous :
1.HR Theory- Theory in action (an example and study of the theory in practice).
Comparison of models
HR as a shared service
Taylorism versus HR
HR Process
Effective utilization of HR
HR Policies
o Who pushed who out (a decline of the unions with the increase in HR practices).
o Does HR work?
o Stress Management
o Employee Engagement
o Selection, Recruitment and collective Bargaining
o Attrition
o Absenteeism
o Welfare Measures
o HRD Climate
o Salary structure of employees- A Comparative Study of Public sector and Private Sector
Commercial Banks
o Salary structure of employees- A Comparative Study of IDBI and Private Sector Non-
How do organisations survive economic crisis (from the training and development
perspective)?
Is training a Panacea?
Training on a budget.
Team Building
Upskilling.
Retention strategies
5. Appraisals
Competency Mapping
6 .Motivation
HR and motivation.
HRM is a motivator.
Promotional techniques
7,Strategic HR
Reactive or proactive?
Can HR be strategic?
Reactive or proactive?
Can HR be strategic?
TQM
Quality circles
HR strategy formulation
HR Audit
8.Culture as a human resources management
Gatekeeper or owner?
Change agent
countries.
5. How over emphasized on achieving goals actually hinder in attaining that goal.
6. Is HRM the pursuit of attitudinal shaping?
Marketing
DISSERTATION TOPICS
1.Relationship Marketing
Why has Tesco's loyal card scheme been successful where competitors' schemes have not?
Are switching costs effective barriers to customer churn in the airline industry?
How can Amazon.com charge a premium price over rivals such as Play.com?
How and why does the relationship marketing-traditional marketing continuum vary within an
industry?
How does product quality affect customer loyalty among high and low touch products?
How does customer loyalty at Waterstone's change when customers shop at their online store
In what ways does Waterstone's improve its customer loyalty through its online store?
2.Branding
An examination of the relationship between perceived risk and brand equity: A comparison of
supermarket retailers.
How does the relative importance of tangible and intangible brand values vary across product
types?
Can brand image be transferred between industries? The case of Virgin Cola in the UK.
How does unethical behaviour affect brand image? The cases of Shell, Nike and Starbucks.
How do firms use corporate social responsibility to build brand equity? The case of Starbucks.
3 .Direct Marketing
How does Tesco use its loyalty schemes to sell direct to the customer?
How does the importance of factors that influence direct selling vary according to product
type?
Do customers respond differently to short and long-term offers? The case of magazine sales.
In what ways do toll-free (freephone) numbers influence consumers' response to direct sales
promotions?
Do consumers know how to protect themselves from unscrupulous direct marketing tactics?
How does message length affect the success of direct marketing messages? A comparison of
one?
How do prospecting methods differ in an online and offline environment? The case of the book
industry.
How does language impact upon brand identity? The case of Coca-Cola in the People's
Republic of China.
How does social class influence relationship-building activities? The case of supermarket
promotions in India.
What effect does family orientation have on marketing communications? The case of tourism
How do marketers take into account regional differences in "national" culture? The case of
Can automotive vendors afford to treat consumers as a homogenous mass? The case of the
How does individualism-collectivism influence the sales of mobile phones? The case of the
How do banks vary their product offerings based on social class? The case of India.
How can national culture explain the prominence of Scottish whiskey sales in the global
whiskey market?
How can countries use national culture to help them promote major exports? The case of the
marketing.
When word-of-mouth communications turn negative: What can be learnt from previous
mistakes?
How does gender effect information processing among consumers of luxury goods?
What role does motivation play in buying behaviour? An examination of the mobile ringtone
How does gender effect selective distortion among luxury goods buyers?
Does the importance of beliefs and attitudes vary across low and high involvement products?
An investigation of habitual buying behaviour and geographical location: The impact of socio-
economic status.
What effect does geographical location have on the relationship between variety-seeking
buying behaviour and habitual buying behaviour? An examination of when workers eat out for
lunch.
6.Marketing online
How does a consumer's perception of control affect their choice of brand? The case of buying
computers online.
How does visual constituency affect site identity and product attitude?
How can firms successfully combine online and offline shopping features? The case of
Amazon.com/Toys-R-Us.
What product attributes are most valued by consumers in search, comparison and purchase
decision-making online?
How do consumers react to brand alliances online? The case of Amazon.com and Wal-Mart.
eBay.
7.Mobile Marketing
What do customers want from mobile marketing messages? The case of low-cost airlines.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of push and pull mobile marketing?
How can mobile payment services increase revenue for mobile marketers? The case of
Vodafone.
How do price adjustment strategies vary in an online and offline environment? The case of
music sales.
Can an overt international pricing strategy negatively affect brand image? The case of iTunes.
How effective are public relation campaigns following brand failures? The cases of Nike, Shell,
How and why do firms vary the frequency of advertisements in an online and offline
An examination of the suitability of information and persuasive advertising based on the nature
How do the characteristics of companies that use comparison advertising vary from those that
do not use comparison advertising? The case of the alcoholic drinks industry in the US.
What is the effect of the lack of controls online when advertising across international borders?
How important is location to customer choice in the airline industry in the UK?
How has the Internet helped unsought goods building brand awareness? The case of
comparison websites.
Growth and Development of Cable Net works in AP/ Any state—A case study
Marketing of Educational services with particular reference to Plu Two level and professional
courses
To what extent is the "new" Facebook the product of its users? An examination of positive,
Why have functional applications on Facebook achieved so little success compared with their
fun counterparts?
How do Facebook applications turn users into cash? The relationship between total installs,
What impact does newsfeed restriction have on consumers' attitudes towards using Face
book?
product recommendations?
How does the "behaviour chain" vary between Facebook and Facebook applications?
How has Face book used marketing communications to outstrip user growth when compared
with MySpace?
In what ways have social networks used "peace technologies" to acquire new customers? The
10.Marketing Ethics
Is easyJet's low fare, online pricing strategy misleading or a justifiable way of managing
customer demand?
What affect do published codes of conduct have on buying behaviour? The cases of The Body
Are "happy hours" ethical? An application of the marketing communicator's rules of behaviour.
How does ethical purchase intention and ethical awareness affect purchasing behaviour? An
What factors distinguish a consumer's choice of most and least social responsible firms?
How do firms use public relations to recover from consumer boycotts? The case of Shell and
Nestle.
Advtg. and Sales promotion strategies of Iron & Steel Industry/ any other industry
Promotional strategies of Merchandise Operations and Manufacturing Companies.
Impact of Advertising and sales promotion on retailers- A case study
Comparative study of Advertisement Tariff rates of daily News Paper and Magazines/journals
Page 1
Hall Ticket No
2010-11
Name
College Emblem
Hyderabad.
CERTIFICATION FROM INTERNAL GUIDE
By Mr /Ms-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is a record of research work done during the year 2010-11, under my directions and that the dissertation
has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree or Diploma or Associate ship , with the
similar title, by any other university/Institute.
has been written by me during the year 2010-11, under the guidance of Prof.---------------------------
Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems & Management, Hyderabad, in partial fulfillment of the
requirement of the award of Post Graduate Diploma in Management.
I also declare that this dissertation is the result of my own efforts and has not been copied from
any other source or submitted to any other university/Institute, before.
Hyderabad Signature
PGDM, IV Semester, at Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems & Management, Hyderabad, has
prepared the dissertation titled
“------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ during the year 2010-11
under the guidance of Prof----------------------------------------------------
as a partial fulfillment , for the award of Post Graduate Diploma in Management, by our Institute.
Hyderabad (Signature)
Sequential order:
INDEX
Executive Summary
Chapter –I
Introduction
Objectives
Scope
Research Methodology
Limitations
Chapter-II
Chapter – III
Review of Literature ( Definitions, Concepts, Existing works etc)
Chapter IV
Chapter –V
Findings
Recommendations
Bibliography
Annexure:
Questionnaire
Documentary evidence
Dissertation- Evaluation:
1. Topic selection with the mutual consent of Faculty Guide and student 10/1/2011