Business School

Master of Business Administration

BMT-5215 CAPSTONE PROJECT

Trimester-VI for a minimum of 12 weeks

Guidelines

The completion of Quality Capstone project is a partial requirement for the completion of MBA
Degree at VIT Business School, VIT, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. During the VI trimester students
shall register for the 8-credit Capstone project. Each student shall undertake an individual, distinct
and previous not done original capstone project for a period 12 weeks. Through Capstone project,
students are expected to fuse classroom learning, academic research, community/ University needs
and practices into a finished report and ready for personal viva-voce.

Capstone Projects gives an opportunity for students to create innovative and unique contributions to
the field of business, management and its interdisciplinary and/or trans-disciplinary fields. A
Capstone project explores business questions as they relate to industries, business climate, and
business practices. This is traditional research requiring a clear business problem and its research
problem, research question and objectives, review of the literature, methodology, analysis, and
conclusions. Research in this option will focus on findings in related research plus the
methodological alternatives.

General Guidelines
The Capstone project provides students with the chance to engage in more traditional research to
answer questions that provide guidance to business and individuals. Example of research includes
exploring the differences between and within companies or industries, identifying and tracking
economic or consumer trends, or examining emerging management or leadership approaches. This
type of project may involve the collection of primary and/or secondary data. The research may be

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descriptive, explanatory, or predictive in nature. The exemplary research will have a clearly defined
purpose, a detailed research process, and high ethical standards applied.

Objectives of the Capstone Project:

Capstone projects are educational and career development opportunities, providing practical
experience in a field or discipline.

 Will expose management students to the industrial environment, which cannot be

simulated in the classroom and hence creating competent professionals for the industry.
 Provide possible opportunities to learn, understand and sharpen the real time technical / managerial
skills required at the job. Exposure to the current developments relevant to the subject area of
training.
 Create conditions conducive to quest for knowledge and its applicability on the job.
 Enhance the ability of the student to synthesis and culminate his research study as a report;
Thereby, enhancing his knowledge on theories and techniques, Data collection and analysis,
Research report writing and oral presentation.
 Provide an open forum for presenting their final project work. Thus aiming that the student
would gain self-confidence and comfort in making presentations at their future workplace
and in public.

Benefits of capstone project:

Benefits to the Industry
 Availability of ready to contribute candidates for employment
 Year round source of highly motivated pre-professionals.
 Students bring new perspectives to problem solving.
 Visibility of the organization is increased on campus.
 Quality candidate’s availability for temporary or seasonal positions and projects.
 Freedom for industrial staff to pursue more creative projects.
 Availability of flexible, cost-effective work force not requiring a long-term employer commitment.
 Proven, cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential employees.
 Enhancement of employer’s image in the community by contributing to the educational enterprise.

Benefits to Students:
 An opportunity to get hired by the Industry/ organization.
 Practical experience in an organizational setting.

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  Excellent opportunity to see how the theoretical aspects learned in classes are integrated into the
practical world. On-floor experience provides much more professional experience which is often
worth more than classroom teaching.
 Helps them decide if the industry and the profession is the best career option to pursue.
 Opportunity to learn new skills and supplement knowledge.
 Opportunity to practice communication and teamwork skills.
 Opportunity to learn strategies like time management, decision making, multi-tasking etc in an
industrial setup.
 Opportunity to meet new people and learn networking skills.
 Makes a valuable addition to their resume.
 Enhances their candidacy for higher education.
 Creating network and social circle and developing relationships with industry people.
 Provides opportunity to evaluate the organization before committing to a full time position.

Benefits to the Institute:

 Build industrial relations.
 Makes the placement process easier.
 Improve institutional credibility & branding.
 Curriculum revision can be made based on feedback from Industry/ students.
 Improvement in teaching learning process.

Note: number of pages for the report/ chapter / section is only indicative. The school encourages quality and complete
work

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The main output of the Capstone project (NOT MORE THAN 75 pages) will be a REPORT with
the following SECTIONS:-

FRAMEWORK OF CAPSTONE PROJECT REPORT

I. Introduction

The introduction section begins with a brief discussion of the area of interest and then presents the
following sub-sections:

The significance of the Study: Description of the background of the problem (brief historical
perspective and explanation of why the problem remains unsolved at this time)

Statement of the Problem: A problem statement is the description of an issue currently existing
which needs to be addressed. It provides the context for the research study and generates the
questions which the researcher aims to answer. The statement of the problem is the focal point of
any research. Need for the study, the reason for choosing the study has to be stated here. Identify
the gap in your study .One of the ways suggested is through research questions, you can state for
finding out the answers for the research problems. Example as given below
Eg., Research Question: What are the key factors of job stress in an organisation?

Scope of the study: - This section identifies the boundaries of the study.The scope has to say the
coverage and non coverage of the study..
Example: If you take one company, you can state that the research problem chosen in the company
is only analysed.

Company / Organization Profile (not more than 10 pages excluding exhibits / charts):
Incorporate a brief description of the company / organization where the project work is done.

Chapter II: Literature Review (not more than 10 pages)

The Literature review is an examination of the literature describing research into your topic or
closely related to your topic. The purpose is to explore how others have inquired your topic and
what they found. The results of the Literature Review should inform your methodology to allow
you to build on what others have discovered.

This section begins with a general description of how the Review of Literature will be organized
and presented. Then, the review may be organized as follows:
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a) The general history of the topic (resented chronologically)
b) The current state
c) Related factors and circumstances
d) Related research by others, if appropriate

It is necessary that a minimum of 20 journal papers must have thoroughly reviewed and 150-200
words abstract for each paper to be developed. You may have to state the history of past studies
done in your research area in Chronological order. It is important to integrate the areas of Review
of Literature into a logical sequence, starting with a broad focus of the topic and narrowing down to
a specific topic.

Research gap: Based on the review of previous literatures, research gap should identified and
mentioned.

Chapter III Methodology (not more than 8 pages)

Objectives / Purpose of the Study - This section explains why the study is being conducted. It
may be (but not be limited to) one of the following:
a) To identify the existing problem in a Company.
b) To find out the methodologies for solving the problem.
c) To find out the solution for the present problem.
d) To conduct a critical analysis for the research problem.
e) To enhance improvement in productivity /performance of an organization.

The Hypothesis of the study, if any

Type of study / Reseach Design: Research- Exploratory /Descriptive

Methods of Data Collection: Tools / Instruments used: Questionnaire/Interview schedule
Pilot study- Sample of questionnaires distributed to check its validity& Reliability and thereby
correction was done
Sampling design
Sampling method:- Probability and Non-probability sampling method adopted in the study
Sample size:- Table showing total population and the sample-Justification required to derive the
sample size.
Methods of data collection
Statistical anlysis:- Statistical Techniques used for anlysis – mandatory
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Research Framwork
Conceptual /Operational definitions if any to be stated

Chapter IV Data Analysis and Interpretation (maximum 40 pages )

Collected data to be analysed with
A. Tables with (a) appropriate units of measurement and (b) Descriptive statistics –, and its
data interpretation
B. Inference
C. Chart / Diagram
D. Hypothesis Testing (avoid copying and pasting of the output from R, MS-EXCEL
and SPSS) and result in analysis

Dos
 Introduction to the chapter
 Prepare a table for all the questions / data
collected from the respondents – MASTER CHART  Use question format for table’s title
 Table (table’s number with the title, units of
measurement, row & column headings, etc)
 Interpretation
 Chart / diagram, if any
 The Inference from the table
 Maintain the sequence of table, interpretation,
hypothesis testing and its interpretation and
inference
Don’ts
 Copy the SPSS output file
 Use abbreviation / symbols / SMS
language
 Title – interpretation below the table
 Chart / diagram for demographic
variables
 Separate the hypothesis testing

Chapter V: Findings and conclusion

The results section is where you report the findings of your study based on the methodology [or
methodologies you applied to gather information.) ( Majority opinion you find from each table – in
the analysis) The results should state the findings of the research arranged in a logical sequence.
This section should include the following:
a) Reiterate the Research Problem/State the Major Findings
You should write a direct, declarative, and succinct proclamation of the study results, usually in
Bullet points.
b) Jusification for your findings can be explained pertaining to the study / from analysis.
c) Suggestions and Recommendations
d) Managerial/ Policy Implications: How your study contribute to the company and society /
applicability of your study in other sectors,
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d) Limitation of the study: These are those factors or conditions that may impact the data and are
out of the researcher's control. Examples are: i) Information obtained from surveys may not be
valid ii) Problems faced by you durng your research, can be stated as a limitation iii).Any personal
bias can be stated if any.
e) Conclusion (not more than 1 page)

References
As per APA style, Refer google Scholar
Annexure

I. QUESTIONNAIRE
2. Deatils of relevant data if any

Chapertisation-Summary of each chapter with the title

Chapter1. Introduction –relevant to your study
Chapter 2. Review of literature
Chapter 3. Methodology
Chapter 4.. Data Anlysis and Interpretation
Chapter 5. Findings and conclusion
References
Annexture

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Tentative Dates for MBA CapstoneProject

Time Line, Guidelines and weightages

Reporting Reporting Reporting Measurable / Points-

General Guidelines Marks
stage Period Mode to-discuss
Discuss about the
1 Project Domain,
30/01/2020 Guide acceptance
(Zeroth In person Topic, Company, Data 5
– and finalising the
review: to guide Requirement, marks
10/02/2020 project title
Compulsory) Methodology Planned
Etc.,
Research Problem
Identification, Review
of Literature, Research
In person
28/02/2020 gap identification,
2 (or) `--
(Review 1) finalisation of
virtual
Methodology and Data
Collection Instrument
(Chapter 1, 2 & 3)
The progress of the
work will be Complete the Data 40
3 reviewed (on Collection Process, marks
(In-person 25/03/2020 In person Campus). Students Discuss To Finalise
review: (Review 2) to guide carrying out project Data Analysis And
Compulsory) outside the country Report Format
can give the review (Chapter- 4 & 5)
through skype
Report your work-in-
In person
progress/
4 01/04/2020 (or) `--
incorporation of
virtual
suggested correction

In person Submission of the 5

5 09/04/2020  
to guide draft report marks

In person Submission of the

20/04/2020
to guide Final report

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Viva- Metrics for evaluation
24/04/2020 50
Voce `-- is mentioned in sec.
(Review 3) marks
(iv)

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 CAPSTONE Project Evaluation
The marks and the evaluation responsibility would be as follows:-
S.No. Component Total Who will Submission to
Marks evaluate?
1. Initial project proposal 10 marks Faculty Guide All submissions need to
be sent
2. Weekly Progress reports 10 marks Faculty Guide a) your guide mail id
(documentary evidence) b) a unique capstone
project mail id (TBA)
3. Written Capstone Project 30 Marks Faculty Guide
Report

4. Capstone Oral 50 Marks Faculty Guide +

Presentation & Viva- voce External Member

Total Marks 100

The PROJECT would be evaluated for 100 marks or percentage. A student needs to get a
minimum of 50% (55 marks) to be able to complete the project requirement as part of the MBA
program.

Note: Student can get a bonus of max 10 marks, if any student publishes a case or research
article from their capstone project.

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 E-diary for MBA Capstone Project Weekly Progress Report

Registeration Number:  

Name of the student:  

Daily Record
Remarks
(reasons for
delay/ lessons To-do List for next
S.No. Date Work Planned Work Done learnt) working day
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

Weekly
Report

Work Completed as on -------(date)

Remarks

 
Week No. 1

Work Planned fr next week

External Guides signature  

Internal Guides acknowledgement  

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