A​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​ successful Dissertation / Project requires, to begin with, a plan. Projects of this nature (Research) have a fairly standard top level structure, much similar to the structure of academic journal articles. Please find below guidance on what is expected in each section of your proposal. Aim to write a detailed plan, covering as much as possible the aspects outlined below (circa 4000 words excluding Reference). A detailed plan will give you a head start to your project. Title of the research project For example “Supply Chain Systems in the Food Industry: the feasibility of advanced global models in India”. Introduction This section should set out the business context and any existing strategic issues, demonstrating to the reader the relevance of the study. In this section you are expected to describe aim and objectives for the investigation, and to identify specific research questions. You should also identify how your study may contribute to the existing body of knowledge. Literature Review This section provides a critical review of the literature related to the issue you are investigating. This means that you should demonstrate your ability to identify and to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the theories or schools of thought relevant to your topic. This section should conclude with the articulation of a conceptual framework, that is, a comprehensive synthesis of the analytical models and concepts which you will use to help you answer your research questions. Typically a conceptual framework explains the importance of certain concepts and their interconnections. The conceptual framework will help you identify what problem dimensions need to be examined, or what ‘measurable’ concepts may constitute evidence to support your argument. It will therefore help you determine the nature of the data to be collected. Methodology This section should include: • a clear reference to your ‘observable concepts’ or research variables, encapsulated by your conceptual framework. • the identification of the relevant evidence and associated data sources to support your argument and help you achieve your research objectives. • a choice of method(s) for data collection. By identifyi​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​ng your data sources you should then have a fairly clear idea of the methods appropriate to collecting data from these sources. • a choice of method(s) for data analysis. By identifying your data sources and data collection method(s) you should then have a fairly clear idea of the methods appropriate to analysing data from these sources. When identifying the sources of evidence or data, and when planning the data collection, you may decide that you will collect most of the data yourself (primary data), or you may decide that you will use mostly data collected by second parties (secondary data). Also, you may decide to investigate or research an issue with a specific organisation in mind – a client organisation – rather than a generic organisation. Indicate in this section your dissertation orientation: • Empirically-based – mostly primary data collected in a specific organisation(s) but with a view to drawing conclusions for organisations generally (that is with a generic organisation in mind) • Library-based – mostly secondary data, with a generic organisation in mind

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