GUIDELINES FOR

‘INDUSTRY ORIENTED
DISSERTATION PROJECT’

MMS SEM III

(University of Mumbai)
Academic Year 2019-20

SASMIRA’S INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

AND RESEARCH, WORLI, MUMBAI- 400030
 All students must fulfill all the requirements regarding
conducting the research work and submission of 'Industry
Oriented Dissertation Project Report' mentioned in this
document.
 The Academic Department and Exam Department shall be
responsible to ensure that all the requirements mentioned
in this document on 'Industry Oriented Dissertation
Project Report' are complied with, by the students.

Important Timelines

 Project Registration Form Submission:

On or before, 10th May, 2019

 Project Submission:
On or before, 31st July, 2019

 Viva Voce Examination:

in August
 CONTENTS

Sr. No. Chapter Details Page No.

I Introduction to Industry Oriented Dissertation Project 1

II Objective 1
III Project Contents 1
IV Project Pedagogy 2
V Project Procedure 3
VI Project Guide 3
VII Supervision 4
VIII Formatting & Printing Guidelines for the Project 5
IX Submission of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project 5
IX Evaluation of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project 5
X Structure of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project 6
Annexure I Registration Form 9
Annexure II Record of Meetings with Guide 10
Annexure III- Format of Title Page 11
Annexure IV- Format of Declaration by the Candidate 12
Annexure V- Format of Certificate by the Guide 13
Annexure V- Format of Project Report Submission 14
Annexure VII: Sample Index/ Flow Of Project 15
Annexure VIII List of Abbreviations 17
Annexure IX List of Figures/ Illustrations 18
Annexure X List of Tables 19
Annexure XI List of Charts 20
Annexure XII Synopsis Format 21
Annexure XIII List of Internal Guides 22
Annexure XIV Evaluation Sheet with Deadlines and Marking
23
Scheme
I. Introduction to 'Industry Oriented Dissertation Project
Report'
Industry Oriented Dissertation Project is a research assignment to be completed in partial
fulfillment of the MMS Degree requirements and to be submitted in MMS second year, third
semester. In the MMS syllabus, Industry Oriented Dissertation Project is known as “Special
Studies / developments in the chosen stream of interest chosen by students viz. Marketing,
Finance, Human Resources, Operations and IT.”

Industry Oriented Dissertation Project is a study on any topic in management i.e. topics in the
functional areas of management or certain special aspects of the management processes namely
planning, organising, direction, execution, control, staffing, motivation et al. In addition, Industry
Oriented Dissertation Project may be a study on any state-of- the art areas of management like
Information Technology, Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP), Human Resource (HR) Practices, Banking, Balanced Scorecard, Branding,
Advertising, Total Quality Management and so on. However, the final outcome of any project
has to be a specific contribution to management per se, based on fieldwork, survey, case
studies, practical experiences and other sources of data.

II. Objective
The objective of the project would be-
 To facilitate every student to do research work in any area of Management
 To explore any specific industry, its current scenario, challenges and opportunities
 To enable students explore their field of specialization viz. Marketing, Finance,
Human Resource, Operations and Information Systems
 To inculcate research acumen in Management students

III. Project Contents

Every project should include the following; however this list is illustrative and by no means
exhaustive-
 Introduction
 Need and Significance of Study
 Nature and scope of the study

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  Objective/s
 Research Questions
 Hypothesis
 Literature Review
 Research Methodology
 Research Design, Sample Design, Data collection and Data Analysis Tool and
Techniques
 Drawing of inferences through statistical analysis
 Strength and limitations of the study
 Future Scope of Research
 Bibliography/ References

IV. Project Pedagogy

Industry Oriented Dissertation Project work is designed to offer special learning experience to
the students. The student has to select one topic related to their elected specialization based on
their interest and discussion with their guide.

They need to register the topic by filling Registration Form given in the Annexure No. I.

There may be a few sessions organized to explore:

 Ideas for projects
 Topics that can be researched upon
 Research methodology
 Special research experiences and special topics by eminent speakers
 Mutual learning / sharing of experiences by students and supervisors

The aim of these sessions will be to stimulate students thinking on the subject matter of project
work and help them to narrow down the research questions and research methodology.

Students are required to work on the project in III semester under the supervision of their guide

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and submit the research project in the approved standard format to the Institute on or before the
given deadline.

V. Project Procedure
 Industry Oriented Dissertation Project is spread across starting from May 2019 to June 2019.
 Student must identify the topic for the project work in the beginning of s emes ter III.
 Guides will be assigned by the Exam Department.
 Guide will have continuous monitoring of the progress made by the student in project.
 Last date for the submission of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project reports
 The Industry Oriented Dissertation Project has been given more weight age and therefore
carries 100 marks.
 Projects are individual project work and not joint/ group projects
 Project Report has to follow a given sequence for registration , certification and
submission as follows:
 Registration form for Project Work - (Annexure No. I)
 Synopsis Presentation
 Project Guide Certificate Form - (Annexure No. V)
 Project Submission Form (Annexure No. VI )

VI. Project Guide

Guides will be assigned by the Exam Department. Further, every student should fill the
prescribed registration form presented in Annexure No. I; get his/her name duly registered
with the chosen/allocated project guide and present the registration form to the office on or
before. Project Registration Form should be duly signed by the respective guides.

A project guide will facilitate student's work on the project. Project Guide will have continuous
monitoring of the progress made by the student in project. The major contribution will naturally

3
come from students, who are expected to meet the respective project guides for the following:
 Selection of topic for the research project;
 Proposal Preparation and acceptance by the guide; and
 Periodic review meetings and discussions, depending upon the understanding between the
student and the guide

VII. Supervision

At the outset guide will agree a schedule of work with students and will establish how frequently
meetings will be required. Normally the pattern of supervision will be as follows:
Student can normally expect a minimum of 10 meetings in total with their Guide.

The responsibility is on the student to make the necessary appointments and to prepare
adequately for the meetings such that they derive maximum benefit from these sessions. The
guide will keep a written record of all meetings, normally using the “Record of Meetings with
Project Guide” (see Annexure No. II).

Where supervision is carried out remotely (e.g. by email), evidence of supervision will take the
form of email correspondence between guide and students.

Guides are asked to aim to reply to any correspondence relating to report (including email
correspondence) and to return comments on submitted work within a fortnight of receipt.
Students should not expect instant responses to e-mails.

At all times it is the responsibility of the student to maintain adequate contact with their guide
and to keep their guide informed of their progress.

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VIII. Formatting & Printing Guidelines for
the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project
 The report must be typed in A4 Size paper (8 ½ X 11 ½)
 2” margin on the left side of the paper and 1” from other three sides except for drawing,
graphs and maps on which no restriction is placed
 Chapter Heading- Times New Roman Font, 14 Font Size, Capital Letters, Bold
 Heading- Times New Roman Font, 12 Font Size, Bold
 Sub-heading- Times New Roman Font, 12 Font Size, Bold

 Subject matter – Times New Roman Font, 12 Font Size.

 Line spacing 1.5 lines

IX. Submission of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project

 Deadline for Submission of Industry Oriented Dissertation Project is 31st July,
2019.
 Two hard copies of the project report (Bound Book with Black Resin Cover and Golden
Embossing) shall be submitted to the Administration Office/ Library.
 Two softcopy (pdf format in CD) shall be submitted to the Administration Office/ Library.

 Every student has to bring his / her Identity Card along with the second year tuition fee
receipt at the time of submission of projects

IX. Evaluation of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project

 Project will be evaluated on the three parameters namely originality, tools and techniques
used and project contents in terms of clarity, logic, language and presentation.
 Viva Voce Examination will be conducted in August
 Since the dates for Viva Voce examinations are already fixed and external referees are
invited, students are required to complete and submit their Industry Oriented Dissertation
Project on or before the deadline.
 The evaluation criteria will be made transparent to the students.
 Viva - Voce will be held through a panel of internal and external referees.

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  Evaluation Parameters
 Internal Assessment 100 Marks
 The Industry Oriented Dissertation Project work in the area of specialization will
carry 100 marks, to be allocated as under:

o Situation Analysis & Problem Definition 10 Marks

o Literature Review (Secondary Data) 10 Marks
o Methodology of Study 20 Marks
o Data Analysis 20 Marks
o Conclusions & Recommendations 15 Marks
o Guide’s assessment of project progress of student. 10 Marks
o Viva 15 Marks
o Total 100 Marks

X. Structure of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project Report

The structure of the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project and details thereof should be as per
the project proforma shown in Annexure No. VII.

The flow of Industry Oriented Dissertation Project report will be as follows-

Title Page
Candidate’s Declaration (see Annexure No. IV)
Certificate by the Guide (see Annexure No. V)
Acknowledgement

Abstract / Executive Summary

Table of Content (see Annexure No. VII)
List of Abbreviations (see Annexure No. VIII)
List of Figures/ Illustrations (see Annexure No IX )
List of Tables (see Annexure No. X)

List of Charts (see Annexure No. XI)

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The Industry Oriented Dissertation
Project will have following five chapters-

Chapter One- Introduction Chapter

Two- Literature Review Chapter

Three- Research Methodology

Chapter Four- Data Description and Analysis

Chapter Five- Summary Conclusions

CHAPTER ONE- INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.2 Significance of the Study

1.3 Need for the Study

1.4 Scope of the Study

1.5 Aims and Objectives of Study

1.6 Research Questions

1.7 Research Hypothesis

1.8 Scheme of Chapters

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

2.2 A definition or description of topic in general terms, or of the issues you propose to
investigate – this will give the reader a context in which the literature may be viewed.

2.3 The key trends in this sector of the literature, the main theories and areas of disagreement

2.4 Gaps Found in the Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

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3.1 Research Design

 Exploratory/ Descriptive / Causal Relationship Study

 Primary/ Secondary
 Qualitative / Quantitative
 Case Study/ Survey,
 In-depth Interview+ Focus Group Discussions / Questionnaire + Interview

3.2 Sample Design

 Population
 Sample Frame
 Sample Selection
 Sample Unit

3.3 Data Collection

 Primary Data
 Secondary Data

3.4 Data Analysis Tools and Techniques

CHAPTER FOUR- DATA DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE- SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS

5.1 Findings and Conclusions

5.2 Recommendations

5.3 Limitations of the Study

5.4 Future Scope of Research

Bibliography and References

Annexure

 Questionnaire
 Letter to the company/ respondents

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 Annexure I Format of Registration Form
MMS PROGRAMME, SEM III, AY 2019-20

INDUSTRY ORIENTED DISSERTATION PROJECT

REGISTRATION FORM

1 Name of the candidate (capital

letters)
(beginning with surname)
SURNAME NAME FATHER/HUSBAND NAME

2 Name of the Programme MMS (Second year), SEM – III, Specialization:

3 Second Year Fee Receipt Challan No.

& Date

4 Address for Correspondence

5 Name and Designation of Guide

6 Proposed Title of The Project

Place:

Date:

Signature of Student:

Signature of Guide:
 Annexure II Format of Project Guide Meetings Report
MMS PROGRAMME, SEM III, AY 2019-20

INDUSTRY ORIENTED DISSERTATION PROJECT

RECORD OF MEETINGS WITH PROJECT GUIDE

Name of the Student:

Roll No.

Specialization:

Title of the Project:

Date of Time Topic Discussed Next meeting Future Action Signature Signature
Meeting Schedule Plan of of Guide
Student
 Annexure III- Format of Title Page

An Industry Oriented Dissertation Project On

HUMAN RESOURCE RECRUITMENT POLICIES AND

PRACTICES (Sample)
submitted for the partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of

MASTER OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

OF
UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

Submitted by
(Name of the Student)
Roll No.
Specialization:

Submitted To

SASMIRA’S INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

AND RESEARCH, SASMIRA MARG, WORLI, MUMBAI.
July 2019
 Annexure IV- Format of Declaration by the Student
DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE

I hereby certify that the work which is being presented in this Industry Oriented Dissertation
Project entitled- “ ” in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Management Studies,
University of Mumbai and submitted to the Sasmira’s Institute of Management Studies and
Research, Worli, Mumbai, is an authentic record of my own work carried out during a period
from May, 2019 till June, 2019 under the guidance of
, (Designation).

The matter presented in this project report has not been submitted by me for the award of any
other degree of this or any other Institute.

Wherever references have been made to intellectual properties of any individual / Institution /
Government / Private / Public Bodies / Universities, research paper, text books, reference books,
research monographs, archives of newspapers, corporate, individuals, business / Government
and any other source of intellectual properties viz., speeches, quotations, conference
proceedings, extracts from the website, working paper, seminal work et al, they have been
clearly indicated, duly acknowledged and included in the Bibliography.

Name of the Students:

Signature of the Student:

This is to certify that the above statement made by the candidates is correct to the best of our knowledge.

Signature of Guide:

Name of Guide:

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 Annexure V- Format of Certificate by the Guide

CERTIFICATE BY THE GUIDE

This is to certify that Mr. / Ms.

of the two year full-time Master's Degree Programme in Management Studies (MMS),
(Finance / Marketing / Human Resource / Systems / Operations / IT ), Roll No.
has carried out the work on the Industry Oriented Dissertation Project titled

under my guidance in partial fulfillment of requirement for the completion of MMS as

prescribed by the University of Mumbai.

This Industry Oriented Dissertation Project Report is the record of authentic work carried out by
him / her during the period from May 2019 to June 2019.

Place:

Date:

Signature of Guide:

Name of Guide:

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 Annexure VI- Format of Project Report Submission

(To be prepared in duplication- One copy for Students and One for Library)

MMS PROGRAMME, SEM III, AY 2019-20

INDUSTRY ORIENTED DISSERTATION PROJECT SUBMISSION

(FOR OFFICE USE ONLY)

Received two copies of Hard Bound Book and two CDs the Specialization Project Report and
two copies of Summary Sheet from Mr. / Ms.

Roll No. Specialisation:

of the Two Year Full-time Master's Degree Programme in Management Studies (MMS),
University of Mumbai.

Project Titled:

Name of Guide:
Designation

Place:

Date: Receiver’s Signature: __

Receivers Name:

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 Annexure VII: Sample Index/ Flow of Project

CONTENTS
Chapter Details Page No.
No.
Candidate’s Declaration ii

Certificate by the Guide ii

Acknowledgement Iv

Abstract / Executive Summary v

List of Abbreviations xii

List of Figures/ Illustrations xv

List of Tables xvi

List of Charts xviii

1 INTRODUCTION 1-10

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Significance of the Study 5

1.3 Need for the Study 6

1.4 Scope of the Study 8

1.5 Aims and Objectives of Study 8

1.6 Research Questions 9

1.7 Research Hypothesis 10

1.8 Scheme of Chapters 10

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 11-60

2.1 Introduction 11
2.2

2.3

3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 61-64

3.1 Research Design 61

3.2 Sample Design 61

3.3 Data Collection 63

3.4 Data Analysis 64

4 DATA DESCRIPTION & ANALYSIS 65-108

4.1 Introduction

4.2

4.3

5 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION 109-125

5.1 Findings & Conclusions 109

5.2 Recommendations 119

5.3 Limitations of Study 124

5.4 Scope for further research 125

BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES 126

ANNEXURE I- Questionnaire 131

ANNEXURE II- Letter to the Company, if any 137

ANNEXURE III- Letter to the Respondents, if any 139

 Annexure VIII List of Abbreviations

List of Abbreviations

SASMIRA : The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association

WTO : World Trade Organisation

 Annexure IX List of Figures/ Illustrations

List of Figures/ Illustrations

Figures /
Title / Heading Page No.
Illustrations No

.
 Annexure X List of Tables

List of Tables

Table No Table Title / Heading Page No.

.n
 Annexure XI List of Charts

List of Charts

Chart No Chart Title / Heading Page No.

.n
 Annexure XII Synopsis Format

RESEARCH PROJECT SYNOPSIS FORMAT

(To be approved from the Guide on or before the Deadline, to be submitted with
Project Report duly signed by students and Guide along with data

collected.) Research Project Synopsis shall not exceed 2-3 Pages covering

following points-

 Project Title
 Brief Description about the Project ()
 Objectives, Scope and Limitations of the project of the study
 Hypothesis/Problem Statement/Research Question
 Research Methodology (Type of Research, Source/S of Data, Date Collection
Instrument, Population, Sampling Method, Sample Size)
 Finding and Conclusions
 Recommendations
 Future Scope of Research

Place:
Date:

Signature of Student:
Name of the Student:

Signature of the Guide:

Name of the Guide:
 Annexure XIII List of Internal Guides

Sr. No. Name Specialization

1 Prof. Dinesh Sonkul Marketing

2 Dr. Sanskruti Kadam Human Resource

3 Dr. Jyoti Singhal Finance

4 Dr. Niyat Shetty Marketing

5 Dr. Pashmeen Kaur Anand Marketing

6 Dr. Madhuri Sanap Human Resource

7 Prof. Nisha Tatkar Finance

8 Prof. Divya Alok Operations and IT

 Annexure XIV Evaluation Sheet with Deadlines and Marking Scheme
Research Work Duration, Remark (Excellent/ Marks as Signature Signature
From and To Good / Ok/ Satisfied per of Student of Guide
/ Not Satisfied/ University
Completed On Guidelines
Time or Not)
Registration Form 5 Marks

Chapter One- 5 Marks

Introduction
(Situational Analysis &
Problem Definition)
Chapter Two- 10 Marks
Literature Review

Research Methodology 20 Marks

Data Collection
20 Marks

Data Analysis

Conclusions and
Recommendations 15 Marks

Synopsis and Final 2

Draft Ready Report
Ready by
Synopsis Presentation 2

Re-work on the
Suggestions received 2
during presentation

Certification By Guide 2

Final Dissertation 2
Writing, Binding and
Submission
Viva Voce 15 Marks