Abstract
PurposeUndertaking research as part of a business degree qualification undoubtedly enables students to develop practical and life-long skills. Nevertheless, students seem to find it challenging undertaking a research project. This study set out to explore the experiences of a group of MBA students who recently undertook their business and management research projects as part of their MBA degree program.Design/methodology/approachThe study was carried out in a UK higher education institution and is based on an MBA business and management research module. The purpose of the module is to enable learners to develop advanced-level independent research and critical problem-solving skills within a business context. The study adopted a qualitative approach to capture a broad mix of students' experiences and perceptions on the module. The sample includes previous MBA students on different cohorts and different nationalities.FindingsOutcomes of the study show that though students are stretched in the business and management project process they develop a diversity of skills required in the workplace while conducting their projects. The study findings also show that the practical implications of the students' projects and progressive support from their project supervisors contribute to the successful completion of their projects and subsequent attainment of their MBA degree.Originality/valueOutcomes of this study further reveal that undertaking business and management projects creates a rewarding learning experience for learners/students, develops confident graduates as well as enables effective applications of theory into practice.
Highlights
Undertaking research as part of a business degree qualification undoubtedly enables students to develop practical and life-long skills
Business and management research expectations and learning needs Being the final module that the students are expected to complete and pass before being considered for their MBA degree qualification, it is no surprise that some of the students’ expectations prior to undertaking their business and management research projects were focused on the successful completion and submission of the project assessment
Postgraduate students may lack sufficient knowledge to critically engage with research and the different methodological approaches (Savage and Burrows, 2007), so the expectation on “gaining knowledge” as can be seen in the participants’ comments is not out-of-place: “we were not sure how to do research. . .to have some knowledge transfer” (INTH-UK5)
Summary
Undertaking research as part of a business degree qualification undoubtedly enables students to develop practical and life-long skills. Originality/value – Outcomes of this study further reveal that undertaking business and management projects creates a rewarding learning experience for learners/students, develops confident graduates as well as enables effective applications of theory into practice. Students may demonstrate full engagement on the idea of undertaking a project or research; they seem to disconnect from the requirement of doing so within the confines of academic research process It can be a challenge for an academic, who is teaching a research methods module to guide/ encourage students to stay within the scope of an achievable research study (Lewthwaite and Nind, 2016). Garnett et al (2016) argue that there is the need for the projects to be grounded in real-time work-related issues This may mean a review and subsequent redesign or reformation of the research methods module within the business and management discipline. A summary of the authors’ recommendations show that tutors of the research methods course play a significant role in creating the right atmosphere that will enable students navigate their learning in a meaningful way
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