Task

A library-based dissertation project (non-empirical) (just need to write the Introduction and Literature Review these two chapters; the dissertation will use secondary data).

A library-based dissertation is best distinguished from an empirical study by regarding it as an investigation using “supporting evidence” and secondary data that is already available in the public domain and in the forms which can be readily utilised for supporting the dissertation arguments. This can involve the re-analysis of an existing data set (eg published secondary data), a critical study of the existing research on a particular topic, the study of the development of a specific concept or theoretical framework in the literature, or a critical investigation into an area relevant to your programme. Typically, it will involve the analysis of various forms of documentary evidence: the research literature, government documents, web sources, published data, etc.

A library-based study of this sort usually aims to add something extra to the existing study that is being discussed or criticised, by providing a summary of the weight of evidence for and against a particular position or theory, identifying key gaps in knowledge, or providing a new perspective from which to view an issue. A librarybased study can provide an excellent opportunity to consider how research done in a range of different contexts, relates to particular contexts.

It can potentially be very valuable and important work. However, it must be noted that such a study goes further than the simple describing of what exists. It requires properly formulated research questions which are used to critically evaluate the sources, or the cases used. It also requires a clear and coherent research design which outlines and justifies the search strategy for the evidence selected.

Number of companies or organisations requirement for library-based dissertations

You are NOT PERMITTED to write a library-based dissertation around ONE PARTICULAR company or organisation. Your library-based dissertation MUST USE AT LEAST TWO organisations as the key topic of its discussion. This might be in the form of the comparison of at least those two companies or organisations.

Dissertation Topic

Individualism Vs. Collectivism Culture and its Effect on HRM for MNCs

Theory to be used

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory

Different Companies or organisations in Eastern and Western countries can be used for comparison and analysis, such as from China and the United States.

Suggested Structure of Dissertation

It is usual for the dissertation to be structured into chapters, each fulfilling a particular role in building your argument, demonstrating your understanding of the issue, your understanding of others’ related research, explaining how you are planning to collect and build upon the evidence, exploring your findings, discussing your findings as well as providing conclusions and perhaps recommendations. All the chapters need to be arranged in such way that it enables smooth coherent discussions from the stating of your academic argument or research problem until your final conclusion.

Each chapter needs to be carefully structured with certain introductory paragraphs at the start of it to help steer the reader into the discussion and should end with a concluding paragraph or a summary to remind the reader of the key themes, concepts, ideas, or issues that were covered and to be taken forward. Each chapter can be organised and sub-divided to support the reader’s ability to follow your arguments as they are introduced and developed. However, it is important not to over-organise a chapter to include so many headings and sub-headings that the flow of the text is fractured.

It is difficult to be very prescriptive in the case of a library-based dissertation. The structure of this dissertation can vary depending on the style of the inquiry, the type of evidence being used and the type of argument, research questions, aims, objectives and outcomes being posed.

For the sub-headings, they will depend on the literature and relevant coverage coming from your reading. The following are some sub-headings that could be used.

For Introduction:

l  Research Background

l  Research Rationale

l  Research Questions

l  Research Aims and Objectives

l  Research Access and Resources

l  Research Scope (optional)

For Literature Review:

l  Introduction

l  Conceptual Framework

l  Chapter Summary

l  Research Gap

The chart I ordered is for the Conceptual Framework,

The introduction should provide a good background to the project, explaining the context and the rationale/focus. It should end with your research objectives which should link clearly with the backdrop (Why is this topic worth looking at, what particular aspects, in which country and what for etc.)

The literature review should be structured around your research objectives, with all the relevant theories, models and studies related to each one. In the end, try to have a good conclusion, not only summarising but also highlighting gaps/issues with the research, any methodological approaches that are useful and can contribute to your data collection (as secondary data). It would be good to put together a conceptual framework after all of these, showcasing effectively diagrammatically what you are examining. Two things to note here, firstly try to critique the literature and not approach it at face value – explore the pros and cons, bring in additional sources to compare and contrast and try to arrive at conclusions in the end of a section/paragraph (the sum of these mini-conclusions could actually form your overall conclusion for the chapter).

The following are the research questions and aims and objectives I set before, you can make appropriate modification based on what you written.

Research Aims and Objectives

1.         To assess the effect of individualism on HRM in MNCs

2.         To investigate the impact of collectivist culture on HRM in MNCs

3.         To establish the relationship between individualism-collectivism culture and organisational performance of MNCs

Research Questions

1.         How does individualism culture affect HRM in MNCs

2.         What is the impact of collectivist culture on HRM in MNCs

3.         What is the relationship between individualism-collectivism culture and organisational performance of MNCs

Formatting of dissertation

Word Count

Introduction 1000 words

Literature Review 3400 words

Font

You should use a legible standard font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Depending on the font used, the size can either be 11 or 12 point. Most of the writing should be in normal font. The use of bold, italic and/or underline should be limited to headings or if you want to emphasise certain points such as direct quotations or if it is required by the Harvard Referencing Style.

Line Spacing

The spacing can be single or 1.5 line.

Headings

Headings should be used to separate different parts of the dissertation. It should be written in a style which can be differentiated from the main body of the paragraph and in a way that it can easily show the different levels of the dissertation parts, for example between Chapters, Sections or Sub-Sections. Using numbering in the headings is highly suggested to enable readers to follow the sequence of the discussion as well as to differentiate the different level of discussion points.

Paragraphs

The dissertation should be written in a way that it would be easy for any reader to differentiate between one paragraph to another. Adding at least a line between paragraphs is advised to separate one paragraph to another. The paragraph itself is suggested to be written around one particular message that you want to convey to a reader. Each paragraph is expected to be either left or justified aligned (consistently throughout).

Quotes

Quotes should be written between two quotation marks, in a style which makes it easier for the reader to differentiate it from the main body of the writing. Direct quotes from sources should be referenced and a page number provided.

Footnotes (as opposed to Endnotes)

The dissertation should use Footnotes instead of Endnotes. They should be properly numbered so they can be easily retrieved by the reader.

Referencing

The referencing of the dissertation should follow the Harvard referencing style.

The sources should be academic, such as the journal article; the Literature Review part needs more references to support.

Marking Criteria