School of Management

Presidency University, Bengaluru

MBA Dissertation Guidelines
(2022 – 2023)

Course Name Dissertation in the Chosen Discipline

Course Code MBA4046
Credits 4 CIE Marks 60
SEE
Duration Marks(Viva- 40
8weeks
Voce)

Course Outcomes: At the end of the course students will be able to:

1. Identify the research problems based on the area of study and its framework.
2. Choose proper research design with appropriate sampling and data collection methods.
3. Apply analytical and problem-solving methods.
4. Derive the appropriate findings and practical suggestions for research problem.

Introduction

All the students of Master of Business Administration (MBA) are required to undertake
Dissertation in IV Semester MBA which provides an opportunity to learn independently so that
they can identify, define and analyze problems and provide suggestions/measures in a Business
Scenario

The Dissertation is an ordered critical exposition, which affords evidence of reasoning power and
knowledge of the relevant literature in an approved programme - Management. The emphasis is
an application of concepts and the investigation of some practical problems or issues related to
the situation in which an organization or system operates.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Unlike any other academic assignment, Dissertation provides an opportunity to judge the
student’s time and self-management skills and his/her ability to successfully undertake a long
and in-depth study of an applied nature, synthesizing various elements, yet pursing one area of
interest in depth. The report should highlight what the student has attempted and why; the
methods used to collect, collate and analyze the information obtained. Any suggestions made
should be supported by the evidence presented and by logical argument using deductive and
inductive reasoning.

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A. Nature of Dissertation:

The student will have to carry out their Dissertation work in their area of
specialization. Dissertation is to give an in-depth portrayal of the issues or situations
from the business environment.

B. Choosing a Topic:

The topic of the dissertation will be decided in consultation with the faculty guide.
The ideas can come from personal experience, observation of events and issues of
current interests. Initial ideas are likely to originate in a vague form and may lack a
clear focus. These then need to be developed into something manageable and practical
by consideration of available literature/ texts and discussion with dissertation
supervisors once allocated. Whatever the source of your research idea, familiarity with
the area is imperative for the successful completion of the project.

B. Duration of the Dissertation:

The Dissertation work shall be from 16th March 2023 to 16th May 2023.

C. Guide:

Students must ensure that they maintain regular contact with their guide and also,
they provide the guide with progress of their work on weekly basis compulsorily.

Internal guide of the Dissertation will be a fulltime faculty member from the department.

D. Each student has to take individual project work in support of their guide.
E. Students should compulsorily work on dissertation in their area of specialization.
F. Plagiarism Check
With the permission of the internal guide the final report will be undergo with plagiarism
check by applying TURNITIN software. The plagiarism, should not be more than 25 per cent.
Students in consultation with faculty can publish their research work in any of the referred
journal.

*Synopsis:
A synopsis with not exceeding 500 words and minimum 250 words is to be submitted to
the HOD with the required signatures as stated in the format on or before 25th March
2023.
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 Format of Synopsis
 The first page carries the Name of the student, Registration Number, and Title of
dissertation.

 The subsequent pages should contain:

 Title of the study

 Need for the Study
 Statement of the problem
 Objectives
 Sampling
 Sources of Data
 Tools for data collection
 Plan of Analysis
 Expected outcome like publication of articles in the peer reviewed journals
This has to be approved and signed by the student, Faculty Guide and HOD.

**Composition of the Dissertation Work committee

1. Area Chair
2. Internal Guides in the Domain Area
The Committee is expected to approve the Synopsis of the Students

F. Schedule to be followed during Dissertation Work/Dissertation

Activity Timeline Remark
Literature Review, First 2 weeks of project work Discussion with the guide for
Problem Identification, (By 30th March 2023) finalization of research problem,
Objectives objectives of the study

Preparation of Research 3rd and 4th week of project
instrument for data collection work
and Collection of Data
Analysis and finalization 5th & 6th week of project
of report work
Preparation of Report 7th and 8th week of Project
work
(18th May 2023 Submission
of Rough Draft)
(22nd May 2023 Final Report
Submission)
Discussion with the guide for
finalization of research
instrument and Data collection
method and should
complete the Data Collection
Students must use appropriate
statistical tools and techniques
for analyzing the data. (It is must
to use Statistical Package whose
result should be shown
in the report)
Final Report has to be prepared
and submitted to the University
on or before 22nd May 2023

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 Dissertation Viva Monday, 22nd May – Friday,26th
May 2023

G. Evaluation:

 Internal Evaluation: Internal evaluation will be done by the internal guide.

 Viva-voce/Presentation: The viva-voce examination will be conducted by the
respective HOD / Professors of the department or an expert drawn from other
institutions
 Project Work (Project) work carries 100 marks consisting of 60marks for internal
evaluation by the internal guide, 40 marks for viva-voce examination
 Format of the Dissertation report: The Dissertation report shall be prepared using
word processor, using Times New Roman font sized 12 for body text, 16 / 14 font size
for heading and sub-heading respectively on a page layout ofA4 size with 1” margin on
all sides and 1.5 line spacing and paragraph spacing. The Project Work report shall not exceed
75 pages and not less than 40 pages.

H. Submission of report: Students should submit 2 hard copies of the Dissertation

report one in electronic data form, in PDF file (Un-editable format) to the
University before conducting the viva-voce examination.

I. Publication of research findings: Students are expected to present their research findings
in seminars/conferences/technical fests or publish their research work in journals in
association with their internal guide. Appropriate weight age should be given to this in the
internal evaluation of the Dissertation.

Contents of the Dissertation

 Cover page
 A certificate from the guide, HOD and Certificate of Originality by Head of the
Institution (Scanned copy of the certificate) indicating the Bonafide performance of
Dissertation Work by the student.
 Declaration (Scanned copy of the declaration) –An undertaking by the student to
the effect that the work is independently carried out by him/her.
 Acknowledgement
 Table of contents
 List of Tables
 List of figures
 Executive summary

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 Chapter 1: Introduction (5 pages)
Introduction (about the chapter)
Theoretical background of the study
Industrial profile
Importance of study
Need of study
Conceptual framework of the study
Chapter 2: Review of Literature and profile of the Company/ organization (15 pages)
Introduction (about the chapter)
Profile of the selected organization
Literature review (15 to 20 reviews)
Research gaps
Chapter 3: Research Methodology (10 pages)
Introduction (about the chapter)
Statement of the Problem,
Objectives of the study,
Hypothesis (if any)
Scope of the study,
Sampling Design,
Data Collection Methods
Statistical tools applied for Data Analysis,
Demographic Characteristics (ex. age, income, gender, etc)
Limitations of the Study.
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation: (20 pages)
Introduction (about the chapter)
Analysis and interpretation of the data Collected.
Explanation of the results with the statistical inferences applied for analyzing the data
such as mean, SD, mean score, Cross tabulation, correlation, regression, chi-square etc.
Chapter 5: Summary of Findings, suggestions and conclusions (5 pages)
Introduction (about the chapter)
Findings of the study
Implications of the study
Conclusion of the study
Bibliography:
APA referencing styles can be used to write the Bibliography with DOI
Example:
Hohepa, M., Schofield, G., &Kolt, G. S. (2006). Physical activity: What do high school
students think? Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(3), 328-336.
doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.12.024
N.B. A capital letter is used for key words in the journal title. The journal title and
volume number are italicised, followed by the issue number in brackets (not italicised).
N.B. The following is the style to be used while mentioning the name in Review
Literature-Chapter 2 (Hohepa, Schofield, &Kolt, 2006) then subsequently, if 3-5
authors (Hohepa et al., 2006).
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 Annexure relevant to the Dissertation such as figures, graphs, photographs etc.
Evaluation of the Dissertation
Sl No Aspects Marks
1 Synopsis 05
2 Introduction and review literature 10
3 Research Design 10
4 Analysis and Data Interpretation through Statistical Inference (Ex. 20
mean, SD, mean score, Cross tabulation, correlation, regression,
chi-square etc.)
5. Findings and suggestions of the study 10
6. Attendance 05
Total 60

Viva-voce conducted by HOD and Panel of Experts

SlNo Aspects Marks
1 Presentation Skills & Communication Skills 5
2 Research Knowledge 5
3 Statement of Problem, Objectives, Methodology 10
4 Analysis using Statistical tools and Statistical Packages 10
Findings and appropriate suggestions and
5 Conclusion 10
Total 40
Formats for Dissertation Report and Evaluation

 Format of Cover Page (Refer Annexure 1)

 Format of certificate from Guide (refer annexure 2)
 Format of certificate from HOD (refer annexure 3)
 Format of Declaration Page (refer annexure 4)

Format of TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary
Chapter 1 Introduction (Page Number)
Chapter 2 Review of Literature and profile of the Company/
(Page Number)
organization
Chapter 3 Research Methodology (Page Number)

Chapter 4 Data Analysis and interpretation (Page Number)

Chapter 5 Summary of Findings, suggestions and Conclusion (Page Number)

Bibliography
Annexure
Format of LIST OF TABLES
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 Table No Particulars Page Numbers
Table-4.1 ABC Analysis
Table-4.2 EE Analysis
Table-4.3 EOQ
Table-4.4 Stock of Raw Materials

Format of LIST OF FIGURES

Chart No Particulars Page Numbers
Figure -4.1 ABC Analysis
Figure-4.2 EE Analysis
Figure-4.3 EOQ
Figure-4.4 Stock of Raw Materials
Figure -4.5 Raw Materials Turn Over Ratio

Mapping of Course Outcomes with Program Outcomes:

Course Program Outcomes

Outcomes PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6
CO1 X X
CO2 X
CO3 X X
CO4 X X

Assessment Pattern Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy

Sl.No Bloom’s Category Project Work and Viva Voce
Examination
1 Apply 30
2 Analyze 40
3 Evaluate 30
Total 100

Curriculum Mapping
Course Program Outcomes
Dissertation PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6
X X X X X X

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 COVER PAGE & TITLE PAGE
Title < Font size Arial Narrow 18-All caps & Bold>
Organization logo and Name
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
award of the Degree of<Font Size Arial Narrow 14>
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
of
PRESIDENCY UNIVERSITY
< Font size Arial Narrow 14-All caps &Bold>

By (Font Size 14-Italic)

Name<Font size Arial Narrow 14-Title Case)
Reg. No. …

Under the guidance of

Name of guide<Font size Arial Narrow 14-Title Case)
Designation of guide <Font size Arial Narrow 12-Title Case)

PRESIDENCY UNIVERSITY
2022–2023

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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 DECLARATION BY THE STUDENT

I hereby declare that “Title of the project” is the result of the project work carried out by me
under the guidance of Name of the Guide in partial fulfillment for the award of Master’s
Degree in Business Administration by Presidency University.

I also declare that this project is the outcome of my own efforts and that it has not been
submitted to any other university or Institute for the award of any other degree or Diploma or
Certificate.

Place: Name :

Date: Register Number:

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 CERTIFICATE BY THE GUIDE

Date:

This is to certify that the dissertation titled”

----------“is an original work of Mr./Ms. ; bearing University Register Number
and is being submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the Master’s
Degree in Business Administration of Presidency University. The report has not been
submitted earlier either to this University /Institution for the fulfillment of the requirement of a
course of study .Mr./Ms………………… is guided by Mr./Ms. /Dr………………………..
who is the Faculty Guide as per the regulations of Presidency University.

Signature of Faculty Guide Signature of Director / Principal /HOD

Date Date

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 Bibliography (System of Referencing)
References should be indicated in your dissertation in the following format:
Books
Abraham, K. (2001) The Dynamics of Economic Reforms (Economic Liberalisation and
Political Transformation), New Delhi: McGraw Publishers.

Edited Volume
Aharoni, Y. (2009) “On Measuring the Success of Privatisation”, in Ramamurthi, R. and
Vernon, R. (eds) Privatisation and Control of State Owned Enterprises. Washington, D.C.:
World Bank.

Journals
Boardman, D. and Vining, S. (1989) “Ownership in Competitive Environments: A Comparison
of the Performance of Mixed, Private and SOEs”, Journal of Law and Economics, April, Vol.
1, No,32, pp.16-9.
Reports and Gazettes
Asian Development Bank (2008) India: Statistical Abstract 2008, April, 2008, Manila, ADB.
Newspapers and Magazines
Ahluwalia, M. (2003) ‘Some of the criticism directed at the IMF is not valid’, an exclusive
interview, D+C [Development & Cooperation], September, vol.30.
Websites
Ministry of Finance(2008) “Privatisation”, Viewed on 06/11/2003 in the MoF Website,
http://www.mof.in/~epa/Privatise/index.html.
Ram Mohan, T.T. (2004) “Privatisation in China: Softly, Softly Does it”, accessed on
02/10/2010 at http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/publications/public/Fulltext.jsp?wp-no=2004-09-04

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 MBA DISSERTATION PROGRESS REPORT
Sl. Particulars
No.
1 Name of the Student

2 Registration Number

3 Name of College Guide

4 Name and contact no of the Co-

Guide/External Guide (Corporate)

5 Title of the project

6 Name and Address of the

Company/Organization where
dissertation undertaken with Date of
starting Dissertation

7 Progress report: A brief note reflecting

,Number of meeting with Guides, places
visited, libraries visited, books referred,
meeting with persons, activities taken up,
preparations done for collection and
analysis of data etc.,)

Signature of the Candidate Signature of the College Guide