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Business Management Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 4th, 2023 , Revised On August 15, 2023

A degree in business administration is intended for those wishing to start their own business or expand an existing one. When you choose business management as your field of study, you are not a typical student because you want to learn about all possible aspects of managing a business.

However, if you are struggling to develop a trending and meaningful business management dissertation topic and need a helping hand. There’s no need to worry! Our unique business management dissertation topic ideas have been developed specifically to ensure you have the best idea to investigate as part of your project.

The process of finding and writing a dissertation is time-consuming. To help you with the topic selection and proposal writing, we have compiled a list of several unique and manageable business management dissertation topics. Without further ado, here we go!

• International Development Dissertation Topics
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• International Business Dissertation Topics
• Business Psychology Dissertation Topics
• Business Law Dissertation Topics
• Project Management Dissertation Topics
• Business Dissertation Topics
• HRM Dissertation Topics
• Management Dissertation Topics
• Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Unique Business Management Dissertation Topics

• Coordinating communications and teamwork among remote workers
• How business attract their customers
• Artificial intelligence investment and its effect on customer satisfaction
• Impact of globalization on corporate management
• Customer viewpoint on how they use their data when using mobile banking
• Investigating the procedure for business model innovation
• Evaluation of dynamic capability modelling
• An investigation of managerial strategies in the hospitality sector
• Important project management abilities required to implement a significant change in an organization’s workplace culture
• Voice and silence’s effects on destructive leadership
• Influence of store atmosphere on customers’ spontaneous buying habits
• Evaluating the effect of forwarding integration on operational efficiency
• The contribution of employee training and development to surviving the economic crisis
• Comparative comparison of the biggest consumer trends in the United States and the United Kingdom in the automotive industry
• A case study demonstrating how cutting-edge businesses like Microsoft and Google acquire a competitive edge through efficient technology management in developing nations
• To demonstrate the necessity of economic and social variables for developing a viable chemical engineering industry in the UK.
• Assessing the full impact of technological advances on business management techniques in America.
• A case study showed how top companies such as Microsoft and Google gain a competitive advantage through effective technology management in developing countries.
• Illumination of the challenges facing American companies in terms of sustainability and ethical corporate governance
• Assessing the significance and value of eBay’s and Craigslist’s e-commerce industry assumptions, alliances and strategic partnership
• demonstrating the need for social and economic variables in the development of a viable chemical engineering industry in the UK.
• Study of SONY and Microsoft’s employee retention rates while contrasting their approaches to business management
• Psychosocial risks’ effects on workplace risk control
• Leadership’s function in a company’s transformative shift
• Individual performance factors in SMEs
• Business tactics to draw in foreign capital
• Enterprise social networking platforms’ effects on knowledge management and organizational learning
• How do internal marketing and employee empowerment affect organizational productivity?
• Improving the sustainability of American business operations worldwide by developing a closed supply chain.

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Choosing a business management dissertation topic can be extremely stressful for anyone. You can research your topics online and find topics on any subject, for example,  nursing dissertation topics or even those related to business, such as marketing dissertation topics.

You must consider several factors when choosing your business management dissertation topics, such as your lecturers’ or supervisor’s specifications and guidelines. Those who break the rules will have their dissertations rejected, so it is important to follow them.

To ensure that your dissertation captures the reader’s attention, choose a dissertation topic that is currently popular. Once you have selected a topic, you can take help from proposal writing services before you start working on the actual thesis paper.

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How to find business management dissertation topics.

To discover business management dissertation topics:

• Research recent industry challenges.
• Analyze emerging trends.
• Examine managerial theories.
• Consider global perspectives.
• Interview professionals.
• Select a topic aligning with your career aspirations.

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Employment law governs the relationship between employers and employees largely. A contract outlines what employers expect from their employees, what they may ask them to accomplish.

Need help getting started with your dissertation? Here are some interesting MBA dissertation ideas for you to choose from.

Even though event management seems easy, it is actually quite complex once you study it. If you study event management with an instructor who is committed to teaching you with integrity, it can be manageable.

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Research Topics & Ideas: Business

50+ Management Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a business/management-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of  research ideas and topic thought-starters for management-related research degrees (MBAs/DBAs, etc.). These research topics span management strategy, HR, finance, operations, international business and leadership.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the management domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic. 

Overview: Business Research Topics

• Business /management strategy
• Human resources (HR) and industrial psychology
• Finance and accounting
• Operations management
• International business
• Actual business dissertations & theses

Strategy-Related Research Topics

• An analysis of the impact of digital transformation on business strategy in consulting firms
• The role of innovation in transportation practices for creating a competitive advantage within the agricultural sector
• Exploring the effect of globalisation on strategic decision-making practices for multinational Fashion brands.
• An evaluation of corporate social responsibility in shaping business strategy, a case study of power utilities in Nigeria
• Analysing the relationship between corporate culture and business strategy in the new digital era, exploring the role of remote working.
• Assessing the impact of sustainability practices on business strategy and performance in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry
• An analysis of the effect of social media on strategic partnerships and alliances development in the insurance industry
• Exploring the role of data-driven decision-making in business strategy developments following supply-chain disruptions in the agricultural sector
• Developing a conceptual framework for assessing the influence of market orientation on business strategy and performance in the video game publishing industry
• A review of strategic cost management best practices in the healthcare sector of Indonesia
• Identification of key strategic considerations required for the effective implementation of Industry 4.0 to develop a circular economy
• Reviewing how Globalisation has affected business model innovation strategies in the education sector
• A comparison of merger and acquisition strategies’ effects on novel product development in the Pharmaceutical industry
• An analysis of market strategy performance during recessions, a retrospective review of the luxury goods market in the US
• Comparing the performance of digital stakeholder engagement strategies and their contribution towards meeting SDGs in the mining sector

Topics & Ideas: Human Resources (HR)

• Exploring the impact of digital employee engagement practices on organizational performance in SMEs
• The role of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• An evaluation of remote employee training and development programs efficacy in the e-commerce sector
• Comparing the effect of flexible work arrangements on employee satisfaction and productivity across generational divides
• Assessing the relationship between gender-focused employee empowerment programs and job satisfaction in the UAE
• A review of the impact of technology and digitisation on human resource management practices in the construction industry
• An analysis of the role of human resource management in talent acquisition and retention in response to globalisation and crisis, a case study of the South African power utility
• The influence of leadership style on remote working employee motivation and performance in the education sector.
• A comparison of performance appraisal systems for managing employee performance in the luxury retail fashion industry
• An examination of the relationship between work-life balance and job satisfaction in blue-collar workplaces, A systematic review
• Exploring HR personnel’s experiences managing digital workplace bullying in multinational corporations
• Assessing the success of HR team integration following merger and acquisition on employee engagement and performance
• Exploring HR green practices and their effects on retention of millennial talent in the fintech industry
• Assessing the impact of human resources analytics in successfully navigating digital transformation within the healthcare sector
• Exploring the role of HR staff in the development and maintenance of ethical business practices in fintech SMEs
• An analysis of employee perceptions of current HRM practices in a fully remote IT workspace

Topics & Ideas: Finance & Accounting

• An analysis of the effect of employee financial literacy on decision-making in manufacturing start-ups in Ghana
• Assessing the impact of corporate green innovation on financial performance in listed companies in Estonia
• Assessing the effect of corporate governance on financial performance in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea
• An evaluation of financial risk management practices in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia
• Exploring the role of leadership financial literacy in the transition from start-up to scale-up in the retail e-commerce industry.
• A review of influential macroeconomic factors on the adoption of cryptocurrencies as legal tender
• An examination of the use of financial derivatives in risk management
• Exploring the impact of the cryptocurrency disruption on stock trading practices in the EU
• An analysis of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in academic publishing houses
• A comparison of financial ratios performance in evaluating E-commerce startups in South Korea.
• An evaluation of the role of government policies in facilitating manufacturing companies’ successful transitioning from start-up to scale-ups in Denmark
• Assessing the financial value associated with industry 4.0 transitions in the Indian pharmaceutical industry
• Exploring the role of effective e-leadership on financial performance in the Nigerian fintech industry
• A review of digital disruptions in CRM practices and their associated financial impact on listed companies during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Exploring the importance of Sharia-based business practices on SME financial performance in multicultural countries

Ideas: Operations Management

• An assessment of the impact of blockchain technology on operations management practices in the transport industry of Estonia
• An evaluation of supply chain disruption management strategies and their impact on business performance in Lithuania
• Exploring the role of lean manufacturing in the automotive industry of Malaysia and its effects on improving operational efficiency
• A critical review of optimal operations management strategies in luxury goods manufacturing for ensuring supply chain resilience
• Exploring the role of globalization on Supply chain diversification, a pre/post analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic
• An analysis of the relationship between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription-based business models
• Assessing the cost of sustainable sourcing practices on operations management and supply chain resilience in the Cocao industry.
• An examination of the adoption of behavioural predictive analytics in operations management practices, a case study of the
• Italian automotive industry
• Exploring the effect of operational complexity on business performance following digital transformation
• An evaluation of barriers to the implementation of agile methods in project management within governmental institutions
• Assessing how the relationship between operational processes and business strategy change as companies transition from start-ups to scale-ups
• Exploring the relationship between operational management and innovative business models, lessons from the fintech industry
• A review of best practices for operations management facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the fast food industry
• Exploring the viability of lean manufacturing practices in Vietnam’s plastics industry
• Assessing engagement in cybersecurity considerations associated with operations management practices in industry 4.0 manufacturing

Topics & Ideas: International Business

• The impact of cultural differences in communication on international business relationships
• An evaluation of the role of government import and export policies in shaping international business practices
• The effect of global shipping conditions on international business strategies
• An analysis of the challenges of managing multinational corporations: branch management
• The influence of social media marketing on international business operations
• The role of international trade agreements on business activities in developing countries
• An examination of the impact of currency fluctuations on international business and cost competitiveness
• The relationship between international business and sustainable development: perspectives and benefits
• An evaluation of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in emerging markets such as the renewable energy industry
• An analysis of the role of internationalisation via strategic alliances in international business
• The impact of cross-cultural management on international business performance
• The effect of political instability on international business operations: A case study of Russia
• An analysis of the role of intellectual property rights in an international technology company’s business strategies
• The relationship between corporate social responsibility and international business strategy: a comparative study of different industries
• The impact of technology on international business in the fashion industry

Topics & Ideas: Leadership

• A comparative study of the impact of different leadership styles on organizational performance
• An evaluation of transformational leadership in today’s non-profit organizations
• The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and productivity
• An analysis of the relationship between leadership style and employee motivation
• The influence of diversity and inclusion on leadership practices in South Africa
• The impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on leadership in the digital age
• An examination of the challenges of leadership in a rapidly changing business environment: examples from the finance industry
• The relationship between leadership and corporate culture and job satisfaction
• An evaluation of the role of transformational leadership in strategic decision-making
• The use of leadership development programs in enhancing leadership effectiveness in multinational organisations
• The impact of ethical leadership on organizational trust and reputation: an empirical study
• An analysis of the relationship between various leadership styles and employee well-being in healthcare organizations
• The role of leadership in promoting good work-life balance and job satisfaction in the age of remote work
• The influence of leadership on knowledge sharing and innovation in the technology industry
• An investigation of the impact of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural leadership effectiveness in global organizations

Business/Management Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a business-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various management-related degree programs (e.g., MBAs, DBAs, etc.) to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Sustaining Microbreweries Beyond 5 Years (Yanez, 2022)
• Perceived Stakeholder and Stockholder Views: A Comparison Among Accounting Students, Non-Accounting Business Students And Non-Business Students (Shajan, 2020)
• Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility and the New Ecological Paradigm among Business Students in Southern California (Barullas, 2020)
• Entrepreneurial opportunity alertness in small business: a narrative research study exploring established small business founders’ experience with opportunity alertness in an evolving economic landscape in the Southeastern United States (Hughes, 2019)
• Work-Integrated Learning in Closing Skills Gap in Public Procurement: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study (Culver, 2021)
• Analyzing the Drivers and Barriers to Green Business Practices for Small and Medium Enterprises in Ohio (Purwandani, 2020)
• The Role of Executive Business Travel in a Virtual World (Gale, 2022)
• Outsourcing Security and International Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Analysis of Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Human Rights Violations (Hawkins, 2022)
• Lean-excellence business management for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Kurdistan region of Iraq (Mohammad, 2021)
• Science Data Sharing: Applying a Disruptive Technology Platform Business Model (Edwards, 2022)
• Impact of Hurricanes on Small Construction Business and Their Recovery (Sahu, 2022)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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If you’d like hands-on help to speed up your topic ideation process and ensure that you develop a rock-solid research topic, check our our Topic Kickstarter service below.

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Great help. thanks

Hi, Your work is very educative, it has widened my knowledge. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for helping me understand how to craft a research topic. I’m pursuing a PGDE. Thank you

Effect of Leadership, computerized accounting systems, risk management and monitoring on the quality of financial Reports among listed banks

May you assist on a possible PhD topic on analyzing economic behaviours within environmental, climate and energy domains, from a gender perspective. I seek to further investigate if/to which extent policies in these domains can be deemed economically unfair from a gender perspective, and whether the effectiveness of the policies can be increased while striving for inequalities not being perpetuated.

healthy work environment and employee diversity, technological innovations and their role in management practices, cultural difference affecting advertising, honesty as a company policy, an analysis of the relationships between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription based business model,business corruption cases. That I was selected from the above topics.

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Home » Blog » Dissertation » Topics » Business » Business Management » Business Management Dissertation Topics (34 Examples) For Research

Business Management Dissertation Topics (34 Examples) For Research

Mark May 31, 2020 Jun 5, 2020 Business , Business Management No Comments

We understand a dissertation is the most pivotal part of your degree program. As a business management student, you need to have a top-notch idea for research. So, were have listed down the business management dissertation topics to help you out. You can explore the business management dissertation topics and research topics on business management […]

We understand a dissertation is the most pivotal part of your degree program. As a business management student, you need to have a top-notch idea for research. So, were have listed down the business management dissertation topics to help you out. You can explore the business management dissertation topics and research topics on business management to choose one that you find the most interesting.

A list Of Business Management Dissertation Topics

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Digital Commons @ USF > Muma College of Business > Management > Theses and Dissertations

Management and Organization Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

For Love or Money: Investor Motivations in Equity-Based Crowdfunding , Jason C. Cherubini

The Great Resignation: An Exploration of Strategies to Combat School Bus Driver Shortages in the Post-COVID-19 Era , James E. Cole Jr.

An Empirical Analysis of Sentiment and Confidence Regarding Interest Rates in Disclosures of Public Firms in the U.S. Fintech Sector , James J. Farley

Motivations for Planning: Uncovering the Inhibitors to the Adoption of Comprehensive Financial Planning for Business Owners , Daniel R. Gilham

An Examination of Reward-Based Crowdfunding Performance and Success , Matthew Alan Grace

All Quiet on The Digital Front: The Unseen Psychological Impacts on Cybersecurity First Responders , Tammie R. Hollis

Commitment to Change Dimensions: The Influence of Innovative Work Behavior and Organizational Environments , Michael Holmes

Turmoil in the Workforce: Introduction of the Nomadic Employee , Catrina Hopkins

Attention-Grabbing Tactics on Social Media , Arjun Kadian

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Building a Mentor-Mentee Maturity Model , Leroy A. Alexander

Do Auditors Respond to Changes in Clients’ Analyst Coverage? Evidence from a Natural Experiment , Mohammad Alkhamees

Designing a Messaging Strategy to Improve Information Security Policy Compliance , Federico Giovannetti

Are all pictures worth 1,000 words? An Investigation of Fit Between Graph Type and Performance on Accounting Data Analytics Tasks , Shawn Paul Granitto

An Enterprise Risk Management Framework to Design Pro-Ethical AI Solutions , Quintin P. McGrath

Deceptive Appeals and Cognitive Influences Used in Fraudulent Scheme Sales Pitches , Rafael J. Toledo

Using Online Reviews to Identify How Hotels Can Satisfy Travelers With Pets While Making Money , Sonia Weinhaus

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The IS Social Continuance Model: Using Conversational Agents to Support Co-creation , Naif Alawi

The Use of Data Analytic Visualizations to Inform the Audit Risk Assessment: The Impact of Initial Visualization Form and Documentation Focus , Rebecca N. Baaske (Becca)

Identification of Entrepreneurial Competencies in I-Corps Site Teams at the University of South Florida , Mark A. Giddarie

Understanding Nonprofit Boards: An Exploratory Study of the Governance Practices of Regional Nonprofits , Susan Ryan Goodman

Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Support Community , Andrew J. Hafer

Who to Choose? Rating Broker Best Practices in the Medicare Advantage Industry , Darwin R. Hale

Bridging the Innovatino Gap at SOCOM , Gregory J. Ingram

Improving Environmental Protection: One Imagined Touch at a Time , Luke Ingalls Liska

Residential Curbside Recycle Context Analysis , Ntchanang Mpafe

Fighting Mass Diffusion of Fake News on Social Media , Abdallah Musmar

Managing Incomplete Data in the Patient Discharge Summary to Support Correct Hospital Reimbursements , Fadi Naser Eddin

GAO Bid Protests by Small Business: Analysis of Perceived and Reported Outcomes in Federal Contracting , David M. Snyder

Engagement and Meaningfulness as Determinants of Employee Retention: A Longitudinal Case Study , Calvin Williams

Public Budgeting as Moral Dilemma , Ben Wroblewski

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Improving Engagement: The Moderating Effect of Leadership Style on the Relationship Between Psychological Capital and Employee Engagement , Scott Beatrice

Physician Self-Efficacy and Risk-Taking Attitudes as Determinants of Upcoding and Downcoding Errors: An Empirical Investigation , Samantha J. Champagnie

Digital Identity: A Human-Centered Risk Awareness Study , Toufic N. Chebib

Clarifying the Relationship of Design Thinking to the Military Decision-Making Process , Thomas S. Fisher

Essays on the Disposition Effect , Matthew Henriksson

Analysis of Malicious Behavior on Social Media Platforms Using Agent-Based Modeling , Agnieszka Anna Onuchowska

Who Rises to the Top: An Investigation of the Essential Skills Necessary for Partners of Non-Big 4 Public Accounting Firms , Amanda K. Thompson-Abbott

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Financial and Nonfinancial Performance Measures That Drive Utility Abandonments and Transfers in the State of Florida , Daniel Acheampong

Locating a New Collegiate Entrepreneurship Program, a Framework for a University Campus , Douglas H. Carter

Understanding Employee Engagement: An Examination of Millennial Employees and Perceived Human Resource Management Practices , Danielle J. Clark

The Potential Impact Radius of a Natural Gas Transmission Line and Real Estate Valuations: A Behavioral Analysis , Charles M. Hilterbrand Jr.

Introducing a Mobile Health Care Platform in an Underserved Rural Population: Reducing Assimilations Gaps on Adoption and Use via Nudges , Joseph Hodges

Controlling Turnover in an Inside Sales Organization: What are the Contributing Factors , Dennis H. Kimerer

An Emergent Theory of Executive Leadership Selection: Leveraging Grounded Theory to Study the U.S. Military's Special Forces Assessment and Selection Process , Darryl J. Lavender

Essays on Migration Flows and Finance , Suin Lee

The Underutilized Tool of Project Management - Emotional Intelligence , Gerald C. Lowe

Increasing the Supply of the Missing Middle Housing Types in Walkable Urban Core Neighborhoods: Risk, Risk Reduction and Capital , Shrimatee Ojah Maharaj

Playing Darts in the Dark: How are Chamber of Commerce Leaders Aligned for Greater Effectiveness? , Robert J. Rohrlack Jr.

Are Transfer Pricing Disclosures Related to Tax Reporting Transparency? The Impact of Auditor-Provided Transfer Pricing Services , Stephanie Y. Walton

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Price Transparency in the United States Healthcare System , Gurlivleen (Minnie) Ahuja

How to Build a Climate of Quality in a Small to Medium Enterprise: An Action Research Project , Desmond M. Bishop III

Banking on Blockchain: A Grounded Theory Study of the Innovation Evaluation Process , Priya D. Dozier

Enhancing the Design of a Cybersecurity Risk Management Solution for Communities of Trust , James E. Fulford Jr.

An Examination of the Progressive and Regressive Factors that Business Owners Consider When Choosing Whether or Not to Implement an Exit Strategy , David C. Pickard

The Relationship between Ambient Lighting Color and Hotel Bar Customer Purchase Behavior and Satisfaction , Kunal Shah

The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) Industry and the Business Impacts of the Evolution of the Federal Regulatory Environment , Darren W. Spencer

Intercultural Communication Between International Military Organizations; How Do You Turn a ‘No’ Into a ‘Yes’? , Douglas A. Straka

Essential Leadership Skills for Frontline Managers in a Multicultural Organization , Janelle Ward

Moffitt Cancer Center: Leadership, Culture and Transformation , W. James Wilson

Two Essays on String of Earnings Benchmarks , Yiyang Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Multi-Step Tokenization of Automated Clearing House Payment Transactions , Privin Alexander

The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility Investment and Disclosure on Cooperation in Business Collaborations , Sukari Farrington

What Factors during the Genesis of a Startup are Causal to Survival? , Gilbert T. Gonzalez

The Great Recession of 2007 and the Housing Market Crash: Why Did So Many Builders Fail? , Mohamad Ali Hasbini

The Effect of Expanded Audit Report Disclosures on Users’ Confidence in the Audit and the Financial Statements , Peter Kipp

An Examination of Innovation Idea Selection Factors in Large Organizations , Troy A. Montgomery

Essays on Sales Coaching , Carlin A. Nguyen

Vital Signs of U.S. Osteopathic Medical Residency Programs Pivoting to Single Accreditation Standards , Timothy S. Novak

Leaders Who Learn: The Intersection of Behavioral Science, Adult Learning and Leadership , Natalya I. Sabga

Toward a Systemic Model for Governance and Strategic Management: Evaluating Stakeholder Theory Versus Shareholder Theory Approaches , James A. Stikeleather

A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Cognitive Awareness Training on Transaction Processing Accuracy: An Introduction to the ACE Theoretical Construct , John Townsend

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Effect of Presentation Format on Investor Judgments and Decisions: Does the Effect Differ for Varying Task Demands? , Kevin Agnew

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Multi-Task Setting Involving Simple and Complex Tasks: An Exploratory Study of Employee Motivation , Maia Jivkova Farkas

Essays on Mergers and Acquisitions , Marcin Krolikowski

Do Social Biases Impede Auditor Reliance on Specialists? Toward a Theory of Social Similarity , Rina Maxine Limor

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Psychological Distance: The Relation Between Construals, Mindsets, and Professional Skepticism , Jason Rasso

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Combining Natural Language Processing and Statistical Text Mining: A Study of Specialized Versus Common Languages , Jay Jarman

An Empirical Investigation of Decision Aids to Improve Auditor Effectiveness in Analytical Review , Robert N. Marley

The Effects of Item Complexity and the Method Used to Present a Complex Item on the Face of a Financial Statement on Nonprofessional Investors` Judgments , Linda Gale Ragland

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Two Essays on Information Ambiguity and Informed Traders’ Trade-Size Choice , Ziwei Xu

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Two Essays on the Conflict of Interests within the Financial Services Industry-- Financial Industry Consolidation: The Motivations and Consequences of the Financial Services Modernization Act (FSMA) and “Down but Not Out” Mutual Fund Manager Turnover within Fund Families , Lonnie Lashawn Bryant

Two Essays on Multiple Directorships , Chia-wei Chen

Two Essays on Financial Condition of Firms , Sanjay Kudrimoti

A Study of Cross-Border Takeovers: Examining the Impact of National Culture on Internalization Benefits, and the Implications of Early Versus Late-Mover Status for Bidders and Their Rivals , Tanja Steigner

Two Essays on Corporate Governance⎯Are Local Directors Better Monitors, and Directors Incentives and Earnings Management , Hong Wan

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

The Role of Ethnic Compatibility in Attitude Formation: Marketing to America’s Diverse Consumers , Cynthia Rodriguez Cano

Two Essays on Venture Capital: What Drives the Underpricing of Venture CapitalBacked IPOs and Do Venture Capitalists Provide Anything More than Money? , Donald Flagg

Two essays on market efficiency: Tests of idiosyncratic risk: informed trading versus noise and arbitrage risk, and agency costs and the underlying causes of mispricing: information asymmetry versus conflict of interests , Jung Chul Park

The impact of management's tone on the perception of management's credibility in forecasting , Robert D. Slater

Uncertainty in the information supply chain: Integrating multiple health care data sources , Monica Chiarini Tremblay

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Adolescent alcohol use and educational outcomes , Wesley A. Austin

Certificate of need regulation in the nursing home industry: Has it outlived its usefulness? , Barbara J. Caldwell

The impacts of the handoffs on software development: A cost estimation model , Michael Jay Douglas

Using emergent outcome controls to manage dynamic software development , Michael Loyd Harris

The information technology professional's psychological contract viewed through their employment arrangement and the relationship to organizational behaviors , Sandra Kay Newton

The causal effect of alcohol consumption on employment status , Chanvuth Sangchai

The effect of transportation subsidies on urban sprawl , Qing Su

The effects of in-group bias and decision aids on auditors' evidence evaluation , Eileen Zalkin Taylor

The single market and pharmaceutical industry in the European Union: Is there any evidence of price convergence? , Aysegul Timur

A structural approach to the study of intra-organizational coalitions , Dean T. Walsh

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Business management refers to the study of organising business activities. Business managers oversee business operations for smooth functioning and growth. Research in business management is gaining momentum. Finding suitable business management dissertation topics can be challenging for students and researchers due to the vast scope of the field.

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To score high in your dissertation, start with an outstanding proposal. Choose a good dissertation topic to form the basis of your field. Business management degree holders can work in various industries and businesses. There are many business and management dissertation topics to explore. Master's and PhD students may need to write a business management dissertation to propose innovative solutions. 

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Business management degrees provide a multifaceted foundation that enables you to develop a strong understanding of critical business principles. You will be required to draft a dissertation on any of these subjects, which will help you make businesses more efficient and effective.

Your dissertation topic should include knowledge from various fields, such as business communication, logistics, information systems, and human resources. This highly competitive field encompasses organizing, analyzing, and planning a variety of business operations.

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What is the Difference Between Business Management and Business Administration?

Business management and business administration are often used interchangeably, especially when students are looking for dissertation topic examples. However, there are significant differences between the two fields. Business management deals more with managing teams and interpersonal issues, while business administration focuses on the organization's daily operations. With a clear understanding of these differences, you can develop the best dissertation topic for your specific degree. We have provided a list of business management dissertation topics and MBA dissertation examples to help you get started.

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Business Dissertation Topics

2020 was a year of drastic change, with many businesses shut down by the pandemic. However 2021-22 onwards promises rapid economic growth, as business activity sharply expands. So, to help you out we’ve provided a selection of free and original business dissertation topics, suitable for both Master’s and Bachelor’s degree dissertations. These topics cover a large range of subjects within the business discipline, so you are sure to find one suited to your own interests. Each of these topics will allow you to produce an original and ambitious dissertation that will contribute to the existing knowledge of your subject area. So, if you’ve been searching far and wide for a great business dissertation topic, look no further!

Global Politics and Global Business Dissertation Topics

Global strategy for business dissertation topics, technology and innovation management business dissertation topics, corporate social responsibility business dissertation topics, international human resource management dissertation topics, management of international change dissertation topics, leadership and innovation business dissertation topics, globalisation and strategy business dissertation topics.

This is one of the most important aspects of international business as it examines the connection between global politics and global business. It looks at some of the most important factors, institutions, and processes that affect international business and studies the political environment of business, which has been particularly volatile over the last five years.

• Evaluating the performance of global business teams within multinational corporations: the test of an intervening process model.
• How does Corporate Governance affect internationalisation, globalisation and the performance of firms?
• What sorts of themes and images might create trans-cultural resonance and dissonance within an international classroom comprised of diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds?
• Can production for global markets help business groups to mobilise collectively? Under what conditions does globalisation enable the private sector to develop independent organisational bases and create effective relationships with the state?
• How different patterns of business-government relations affect processes of industrial upgrading: A case study of emerging economies.
• How do multinational organisations tackle the growing complexity of managing themselves in light of the rise to significant power of non-governmental organisations?
• A look at the effect that Brexit is likely to have on British businesses, especially the average small and medium enterprise (SME).
• How will Brexit impact on the regulatory burden of large business and corporations in the United Kingdom and Europe?
• Business-Government relations within a contingency theory framework: strategy, structure, fit, and performance.
• What is the meaning and process of globalisation and how does it impact the way in which business teams work together?
• In the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis, is globalisation still going to be a key market driver?
• Global strategy and local implementation: Examining how multinational corporations apply Corporate Governance in China.
• How will firms investing in China manage the political undercurrents, as talk increases of a new Cold War between the West and China?
• What factors affect multinational corporations’ choice of corporate political strategy? Examining the influence of perceived regulatory pressure on company’s political strategies.
• Using a legitimacy perspective to examine how firms entering the Chinese market manage political risk.
• A critical examination of the potential implications of Brexit for UK firms’ EU-based supply chain.
• Brexit and foreign direct investment into the UK: An examination of the potential impact on new venture start-ups in the UK.

Global business strategy focuses on understanding the main strategic issues that organisations face when they operate as a global business. Specifically, the issues relate to three areas: understanding global strategic analysis, formulating a global strategy, and developing sources of competitive advantage in a given company.

• What are the risks and benefits of an International Joint Venture?
• How should a business strategy be developed to expand a business in an international market?
• A comparative study of Mergers and Acquisitions within the Aviation sector: Case study of Qatar Airways’ joint venture with the International Airlines Group.
• A research on the exit strategy of foreign venture capital investment in international private business sector.
• What are the business strategies and key success factors of Financial Holding Companies in the international environment?
• How does an organisation benefit from an effective vendor management strategy?
• Why are some vendor relationships more successful than others?
• Developing an effective framework for knowledge sharing and utilisation in global project teams.
• Can entrepreneurship be utilised as an effective management strategy within a business unit?
• What effects will the consumers’ increasing use of the online channel to fashion shopping have on the strategies used by UK clothing retailers?
• An assessment of sustainable competitive advantage within the UK DIY multiple market sector.
• Develop your own definition of logistics, that you think reflects how logistics is evolving and explain why you think it is appropriate for today and the next decade.
• A study of the problems of managing international collaboration in the military aero-engine business.
• New possibilities in logistics and supply chain management provided by Big Data: examining the birth and growth of supply chain analytics.
• Designing a closed-loop supply chain for improving sustainability of global business practices.
• Developing a strategy for winning in the Indian market: A case study of Suzuki Motor Corporation.

These topics consider the ways in which business firms develop and implement technology as a strategy and integrate technological and innovative capabilities in support of their business operations. These topics mainly investigate how technology has revolutionised the business environment causing disruption, new opportunities and challenges for firms to deal with.

• A study of how business operations have improved as a result of innovation: Are they converging towards one universal approach?
• What are the market challenges experienced by new UK mobile telecommunication companies?
• How will 5G technology impact on the growth of digital consumer markets in the UK?
• How does online branding provide competitive advantage in the digital era: a study of the consumer electronics industry?
• A study into how ICT integration has transformed procurement of goods and services.
• Building virtual dominions – A comparative study of mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances in e-commerce: case studies of Amazon.com and eBay.
• What are the technological factors surrounding the relationship between organisational growth and performance?
• A study into the role of online marketing in creating global supply chain networks.
• A study into how organisations suffer the negative effects of modern day technology.
• What are the main factors impacting on the success of online branding for corporations?
• Assessing the role of social media in global branding: cases of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• Exploring the impact of technology on CRM operations within call centres in the UK and analyse the factors that affect the well-being of the employee?
• A study into the opportunities of implementing an e-HR system: Case of British Energy.
• A study into how companies influence technology and innovation within suppliers: Case of Apple.
• Assessing technology diffusion models among online shoppers in the UK.
• Business process reengineering and the challenges facing airlines, a critical study of the factors influencing Saudi Airlines’ BPR initiatives.
• What are the barriers to successful/profitable e-commerce deployment in government organisations?
• Comparing and contrasting government e-commerce portals with private ones such as eBay and Amazon: which offers the better user experience and business outcomes?
• How has integration of technology into HR improved organisational efficiency?
• What is the impact of technology on FMCG industry towards meeting consumer demands in the UK market?
• Assessing the role of innovation towards creation of new opportunities for SMEs in the UK.
• What determinant factors influence integration of technology in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) sector.

Governments, activists and the media have become adept at holding companies to account for the social consequences of their actions. In response, corporate social responsibility has emerged as an inescapable priority for business leaders in every country. The fact is many prevailing approaches to CSR are quite disconnected from strategy. Business should treat CSR as something central to their strategy and hence contribute as a core competence for many organisations. These topics evaluate how business can utilise CSR practices to enhance opportunities for organisational success.

• How does Corporate Social Responsibility impact on customer loyalty?
• What is the role of staff training in developing and executing CSR skills?
• What are the key strategic decisions facing companies in order to improve their performance in Corporate Social Responsibility?
• Does Corporate Social Responsibility enhance corporate reputation? A case study of Tesco.
• What are the challenges facing ethical businesses in the UK for moving to the mainstream?
• How can businesses gain advantage from adopting CSR practices with respect to climate change?
• A study into the impact of green and lean practices on organisational performance.
• How have environmental policies transformed CSR practices within organisations: Case of BAT.
• What are the effects of CSR on sustainability: Case of Coca Cola.
• How will multinational organisations deal with the growing emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in large markets like Germany and India?
• To what extent will CSR be sacrificed for greater economic growth in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic?
• How can firms successfully make Corporate Social Responsibility operable in the modern corporate environment?
• Is there a relationship between diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility, what is its contribution to organisational performance?
• What is the impact of CSR on brand equity: Case study of Toyota UK?
• How does CSR impact on organisational performance?
• CSR and societal expectations: A case study of Unilever.

International Human Resource Management refers to activities that are designed to support organisations in managing human resources at an international level so that competitive advantage can be maintained at both the national and international level. The subject area includes understanding of culture factors, both in terms of beliefs and attitudes of international employees and in relation to international employment legislation. Studying the area provides insights into the way that corporate HR functions can contribute to international business strategy and build functional knowledge of the main developments in the management of expatriates and other forms of international management. Changing perspectives are crucial as more and more organisations operate on a global basis and have head offices in a home country and operational sites in host nations. Functionally this can involve expatriates but increasingly includes high usage of virtual technology to create links between home and host country operational sites. The following topics are an indication of key areas of current interest in the field.

• What are the benefits and challenges of inter-cultural team working in virtual environments and how these teams influence competitive advantage.
• Virtual working environments became something of a norm during the pandemic. Will this apply to home countries of international corporations as well?
• What are the bases of employee commitment in terms of affective, normative and calculative commitment in a global multi-national?
• What are the effects of organisational transition on employee commitment in large multinational companies?
• How do mergers impact on employee motivation and commitment, and how can any fallout be managed?
• How can cultural differences in international collaborative projects be managed?
• Can job-swaps between international workers improve inter-cultural working in multi-national organisations?
• What is the relationship between the three components of commitment to organisational change and the perceived success of an organisational change?
• What effect will the UK’s decision to leave the EU have on economic migrants, and how can this be managed by IHRM practices and polices?
• How will Brexit impact on British workers in the EU, and to what extent can this be managed by IHRM practices and policies?
• How does one manage employee commitment in the not-for-profit sector across different national cultures?
• Using models of Strategic Human Resource Management assess and appraise how BAE Systems is achieving strategy through effective people management practices.
• What are the main factors that affect employee retention at international call centres?
• What are the most effective practices for working a unique Human Resource policy across multiple divisions of large diversified companies?
• A study of the constantly changing global business environment and how effective human resource planning enables organisations to achieve their strategic objectives.
• What effect does the Brexit decision and subsequent negotiations have on the management of EU operational sites by UK based companies?
• What is the role and value of effective IHRM strategic thinking to effective negotiation of joint ventures between the UK and BRIC countries?
• Can IHRM be effective in delivering culturally appropriate work-life balance and flexible working patterns for multi-national firms?

Change, at the organisational level is vital for continued innovation and retention of competitive advantage. Therefore, understanding the different aspects of this topic is vital in creating awareness of existing views and practices for implementing and managing successful change, particularly at the international level. This topic area is therefore focused on the what, why and how involving managing change in contemporary organisations and social systems in general, and how they may impact on the effectiveness of change. In particular, it examines the issues and dilemmas facing those managing change, as well as the skills required for successful adaptation and evolution, especially in an international context.

• What internal and external factors have the greatest impact on employees in cross-national mergers and acquisitions?
• Managing change across multi-cultural teams through technology and virtual project management: The impact of social understanding and use of digital media.
• What are the biggest changes in home working practises going to be following Coronavirus, and what impact will they have on employee retention?
• Managing change: Developing a framework that links intended strategies and unanticipated outcomes.
• Employee adjustment during organisational change: The role of organisational level and occupation.
• How can employee motivation levels be sustained during organizational restructuring?
• Success of a Product Lifecycle Management Implementation – an investigation into the electronics manufacturing industry.
• How power works through managing emotion in organisational change: emotion management as power.
• How can the measurement of levels of work stress in individuals employed in an organisation undergoing change benefit it?
• Encouraging gender equality across international firms – what role can change management approaches take in supporting increased female representation in traditionally masculine firms?
• Managing change in Asian business – A comparison between Chinese-educated and English-educated Chinese entrepreneurs in Singapore.
• What is the impact of feedback during organisational culture change: a case study of a financial firm?
• Stakeholder Communication and Transformational Change: A case study in the use of a proprietary change management system.
• What effect is there on levels of resistance and conflict when organisational change is lead by a servant or spiritual leader?
• How social media can facilitate acceptance of change in international organisations.
• Soft skills are not enough: Why change management approaches also need strong project management planning to be successful.
• What are the key project management skills needed to execute a major change in the working culture of an organization?

Innovation has become a primary force driving the growth, performance, and valuation of companies. However, sometimes there is a wide gap between the aspirations of executives to innovate and their ability to execute. Many companies make the mistake of trying to spur innovation by turning to unreliable best practices, and to organisational structures and processes. Moreover, executives who focus on stimulating and supporting innovation by their employees can promote and sustain it with the current talent and resources more effectively than they could by using other incentives. This area focuses on innovation at the individual level and at the group level within organisations.

• What are the effects of team innovation and leadership clarity in organisations? A health care case study.
• Does socio-cultural context moderate the relationship of leadership with top-management influence on innovation?
• What are the effects of leadership style and team process on performance and innovation in functionally heterogeneous teams?
• An exploratory study of leadership, organisational culture and organisational innovativeness in a sample of non-profit organisations.
• Is there a difference in leadership style between profit and non-organisations, and what are the reasons for this?
• How do business leaders see their role in enabling innovation in large organisations?
• Transformation or transactional? The role of leadership in supporting individual-level creativity within organisations.
• How exactly do we put leadership and innovation together? How does a company lead in a way that generates innovation?
• What are the key factors required for a creative organisation? How are barriers to implementing these factors overcome?
• Organising for team creativity: Creating an organisational system for harvesting ideas for leadership and innovation.
• What is the nature and role of leadership in three ideal types of public management innovation: politically-led, organisational turnarounds and bottom-up innovations?
• How is leadership different in the engineering function? An assessment of Airbus UK?
• What are the behavioural and personality correlations of transactional and transformational leadership?
• What is the relationship between leadership style and creativity? Systematically reviewing the literature.
• From managing to enabling innovation: Leaders’ facilitating innovation through cultural change.
• The role of leaders in balancing creativity and standardisation in the firm.

Globalisation is a complex trend, encompassing many forces and many effects. Globalisation has revolutionised the global market as Multinational Enterprises renew their strategies to attain competitive edge. These topics evaluate different strategies adopted by business firms to uniquely position themselves in the global market.

• The analysis of suitability and applicability of Porter’s Generic Strategies in the light of emerging business trends and an unpredictable operating environment post-pandemic.
• Does globalisation have a future in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic?
• What is the significance of ICT integration as a business strategy?
• How globalisation has broken trade barriers and its impact on trade tariffs: the case of BRIC countries.
• What current strategies are in place for businesses to meet dynamic consumer demands?
• To what extent is consumer demand shaped by corporate innovation? A comparative study of Apple and Samsung.
• Assessing the impact of globalisation on UK businesses operating on both international and local levels.
• Does Brexit signal a rollback in globalisation in the UK and Europe?
• An examination of empowerment, conflict and corporate vision as factors in developing global business strategies for multinational firms.
• What are the transformational strategies adopted by companies in the globalisation era?
• How have countries changed their trade policies in the face of new global market challenges?
• A study into the FDI strategies used by UK multinational companies: case study of Vodafone.
• Investigating the role of strategic alliances in creating global supply chain networks.
• Assessing the impact of internationalisation strategies on multinational corporations: case study Tullow Oil.

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• Small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and the covid-19 pandemic: what aided supervisors in Umhlathuze Municipality in traversing the disaster?  Phiri, Esabel ( 2023-11-11 ) The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that helped small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in uMhlathuze Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to survive the COVID-19 disaster. Given that disasters ...
• The influence of justice perception on organisation citizenship behaviour and job satisfaction  Mudau, Gudani C. ( 2023-10 ) This study investigates the influence of organisational justice—comprising procedural, distributive, and interactional justice—on job satisfaction and employee behaviour. We examine how employees perceive fairness in ...
• Differentials in business opportunities: explaining the gap-the case black (African American) small business owners  Mekonnen, Gashaw Asfaw ( 2023-11 ) Small businesses have been playing crucial economic roles in generating revenues and reducing unemployment rates. The rate of entrepreneurship among Blacks has been on an increasing trend. However, this progress has not ...
• An investigation of the impact of HIV/AIDS on small business in the Vaal region  Mngomezulu, Thato David ( 2002-10 ) One of the dangerous things about HIV/ AIDS is that people do not want to know about it. It is a frightening disease for which there is no vaccine and no cure. It is also sex-related and therefore treated with embarrassment ...
• A development model for middle-managers in the Sedibeng district council : a case study  Moshebi, Oupa Mochongoane ( 2002-10 ) This research shows that the current municipal management in South Africa does not provide for the future. An alternative is suggested that will provide a framework for the future of municipal management development model ...
• An exploratory study into the productivity challenges experienced by manufacturing SMMEs during lockdown in South Africa’s Gauteng Province – Ekurhuleni Municipality  Mashau, Murembiwa Justice ( 2023-10-05 ) The focus of this study was to examine productivity issues experienced by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the manufacturing sector in Ekurhuleni Municipality during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, in order ...
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• Growth opportunities for the domestic new light vehicle market in South Africa  Khan, Faizal ( 2023-06 ) The export-oriented South African automotive industry is in a typical position seeing that it needs to pursue growth strategies in an ever-evolving global marketplace. The industry must supply its main automotive export ...
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• Validating a risk culture instrument for the banking sector in South Africa  Mukondeleli, Mpho Olga ( 2023-01-30 ) Compliance failures remain a big challenge within the financial services sector, despite various regulatory reforms after the 2008 global financial crisis. However, risk culture, a key consideration in sound risk management, ...
• An exploratory study into the connection between Industry 4.0 and workplace diversity  Jagunandan, Vidya ( 2023-01 ) The Fourth Industrial Revolution has disrupted our traditional world of work through the introduction of advanced technology. The way in which workplace diversity in the form of age, gender, and education of people affect ...
• Statistical modelling of private equity investments in selected emerging markets in Africa : evidence from GARCH and VAR models  Murape, Chricencia Makanyara ( 2022 ) The study examines statistical properties and volatility dynamics of an emerging investment asset class, Listed Private Equity (LPE) investments, in selected markets in Africa. There has been widespread acknowledgement ...
• Economic impact of sectoral aid for trade on export performance of South Africa  Ndlovu, Andiswa Amaqawe ( 2023-08 ) This study explored the economic impact of Sectoral-Aid-for-Trade (SAfT) on export performance within South Africa’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Numerous generic studies had been conducted to assess the link ...
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Home > Business > Business Administration ETDs

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

Theses and dissertations published by graduate students in the Business Administration program, College of Business, Old Dominion University, since Fall 2016 are available in this collection. Backfiles of all dissertations (and some theses) have also been added.

In late Fall 2023 or Spring 2024, all theses will be digitized and available here. In the meantime, consult the Library Catalog to find older items in print.

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Dissertation: Two Essays on Industry Tournament Incentives , Sarah Almisher

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Sentiment , Amin Amoulashkarian

Dissertation: Two Essays on Retail Trading , Qiqi Liang

Dissertation: Two Essays in Real Estate Dynamics , Navid Safari

Dissertation: Firm Capabilities, Great Power Competition, and the Structural Reshaping of Globalization , Samuel Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Dissertation: Three Essays on Stock Price Informativeness, Stock Price Momentum, and Firm Investment Efficiency , Chen Chen

Dissertation: Exploring Blockchain-Based Digital Transformation In Organizations , Weiru Chen

Dissertation: Two Essays on Antecedents and Effects of Award-Winning CEOS , Veronika Ciarleglio

Dissertation: Two’s a Crowd? Implications of Economic Geography for Corporate Governance , Matthew Farrell

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Effects of CEO Social Activism , Habib Islam

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Role of Empathy in Consumer Response to User-Generated Content , Mohammadali Koorank Beheshti

Dissertation: Three Essays on the Effects of Other Customer Brand Tie and Employee Behavior on Consumer Behavior , Saeed Zal

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Traits, Corporate Investment Decisions, and Firm Value , Rongyao Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Dissertation: Two Essays on Antecedents and Effects of Board Female Representation Non-Conformity , Fatemeh Askarzadeh

Dissertation: Application of Optimization Techniques in Corporate Cash Management , Venkateswara Reddy Dondeti

Dissertation: Two Essays on Corruption, FDI, and Digitalization , Mahdi Forghani Bajestani

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Information Embedded in Flow of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) , Hamed Yousefi

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Dissertation: The Influence of Mating Motives on Reliance on Form Versus Function in Product Choice , Seyed Hamid Abbassi Hosseini

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Characteristics and Corporate Bankruptcy , Rajib Chowdhury

Dissertation: The Effects of CEO Dismissal Risk and Skills on Risky Corporate Decisions and CEO Compensation , Son T. Dang

Dissertation: Essay 1: How We Feel: The Role of Macro-Economic Sentiment in Advertising Spending-Sales Relationship; Essay 2: It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times: The Effect of Emotional Uncertainty and Arousal on Healthy Food Choices , Leila Khoshghadam

Dissertation: The Accumulation of IT Capability And Its Long-Term Effect on Financial Performance , Jin Ho Kim

Dissertation: Three Essays on the Roles of Review Valence and Conflict in Online Relationships , Ran Liu

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Microstructure of the Housing Market: Agents' Diffused Effort and Sellers' Behavior Bias , Zhaohui Li

Dissertation: Two Essays on CEO Overconfidence in Relation to Speed of Adjustment of Firm Financial Policy and CEO Inside Debt , Xiang Long

Dissertation: Pricing the Cloud: An Auction Approach , Yang Lu

Dissertation: Two Essays on Consumer Envy , Murong Miao

Dissertation: Two Essays on Negotiations Between Entrepreneurs and Angel Investors , Aydin Selim Oksoy

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Dissertation: Two Essays on Bitcoin Price and Volume , Mohammad Bayani Khaknejad

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Attention, Investor Sentiment, and Earnings Pricing , Qiuye Cai

Dissertation: Success Factors Impacting Artificial Intelligence Adoption --- Perspective From the Telecom Industry in China , Hong Chen

Dissertation: Early Information Access to Alleviate Emergency Department Congestion , Anjee Gorkhali

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Consumer Acculturation Process – A Need for and Development of a Consumer Acculturation Measure , Kristina Marie Harrison

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Characteristics and Corporate Decisions , Trung Nguyen

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Effects of Organization Capital on Firm Behavior , Andrew Root

Dissertation: Underlying Factors Behind Generation of Different Types of User-Generated Content - Impact of Individual and Brand/Product Level Factors in Generation of Brand-Oriented Content and Community-Oriented Content , Kemal Cem Soylemez

Dissertation: Customers’ Goal-Related Behavior in Loyalty Programs , Junzhou Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Dissertation: Security Risk Tolerance in Mobile Payment: A Trade-off Framework , Yong Chen

Dissertation: Numerical Framing and Emotional Arousal as Moderators of Review Valence and Consumer Choices , Anh Dang

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Risk Preferences, and Ability, Corporate Hedging Decisions, and Investor Sentiment , Sonik Mandal

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Creation and Success of New Ventures , Amirmahmood Amini Sedeh

Dissertation: Effectiveness of Social Media Analytics on Detecting Service Quality Metrics in the U.S. Airline Industry , Xin Tian

Dissertation: Two Essays on Value Co-Creation , Hangjun Xu

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Dissertation: Two Essays on Forced CEO Turnover During Envy Merger Waves, and Dividends , Bader Almuhtadi

Dissertation: The Role of Consumer Ethnocentrism on the Effects of Domestic vs Foreign Product Failure on Post Consumption Emotions and Complaint Behaviors , Kittinand Bandhumasuta

Dissertation: The Impact of Help-Self and Help-Others Appeals Upon Participation in Clinical Research Trials , Susan Lewis Casey

Dissertation: Is Every Tweet Created Equal? A Framework to Identify Relevant Tweets for Business Research , Thad Chee

Dissertation: Three Essays on Mutual Funds, Fund Management Skills, and Investor Sentiment , Feng Dong

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Impact of Institutional Structures on Entrepreneurship: Country Level Analysis , Mehdi Sharifi Khobdeh

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Antecedents and Effects of Internationalizing Out of Emerging and Developed Economies , Mark Robert Mallon

Dissertation: From Placebo to Panacea: Exploring the Influence of Price, Suspicion, and Persuasion Knowledge on Consumers’ Perception of Quality , Vahid Rahmani

Dissertation: Essays on the El Niño Anomaly and Stock Return Predictability , Zhijun Yang

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Dissertation: The Effect of XBRL and Social Media on Information Asymmetry: Evidence from Bank Loan Contracts , Dazhi Chong

Dissertation: Two Essays on CEO Inside Debt Holding in Relation to Firm Payout Policy and Financial Reporting , Asligul Erkan

Dissertation: Two Essays on The Internationalization Speed of New Ventures , Orhun Guldiken

Dissertation: Two Essays on Shareholder Base, Firm Behavior, and Firm Value , Yi Jian

Dissertation: Valence or Volume? Maximizing Online Review Influence Across Consumers, Products, and Marketing , Elika Kordrostami

Dissertation: Essays on the Equity Risk Premium , Mohamed Mehdi Rahoui

Dissertation: A Study of the Impact of Information Blackouts on the Bullwhip Effect of a Supply Chain Using Discrete-Event Simulations , Elizabeth Rasnick

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Emotions and Their Effects in Financial Markets , Jiancheng Shen

Dissertation: Two Studies on The Use of Information Technology in Collaborative Planning, Forecasting & Replenishment (CPFR) , David McCaw Simmonds

Dissertation: Founder CEOs and Initial Public Offerings: The Role of Narratives, Institutions and Cultural Context , Christina Helen Tupper

Dissertation: Ambidexterity: The Interplay of Supply Chain Management Competencies and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems on Organizational Performance , Serdar Turedi

Dissertation: Two Essays on Short Selling , Zhaobo Zhu

Dissertation: Buying Love Through Social Media: How Different Types Of Incentives Impact Consumers’ Online Sharing Behavior , Yueming Zou

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Dissertation: Three Essays on Dividend Policy , Mehmet Deren Caliskan

Dissertation: "The Magic Formula: Scent and Brand"- The Influence of Olfactory Sensory Co-Branding on Consumer Evaluations and Experiences , Ceren Ekebas

Dissertation: The Value of Integrated Information Systems for U.S. General Hospitals , Liuliu Fu

Dissertation: Two Essays on Managerial Horizon, Cash Holdings and Earnings Management , Sanjib Guha

Dissertation: Three Essays on Opportunistic Claiming Behavior in a Services Setting: Customers and Front Line Employees Perspectives , Denis Khantimirov

Dissertation: Spillover Effects of Brand Alliance and Service Experience on Host Brands in Loyalty Program Partnerships , Gulfem Cigdem Kutlu

Dissertation: Measuring Consumer Expectations of Salesperson Unethicality: A Scale Development , Amiee Mellon

Dissertation: Essays on International Risk-Return Trade-Off Relations , Liang Meng

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Attention and Asset Pricing , Nadia Asmaa Nafar

Dissertation: International Venture Capital Firms Syndication and Performance: A Social Network Perspective , Amir Pezeshkan

Dissertation: Three Essays on Institutions, Entrepreneurship, and Development , Adam Smith

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Dissertation: An Empirical Examination of the Antecedents and Consequences of Earnings Management in Emerging Markets , Shuji Rosey Bao

Dissertation: Dynamic Capabilities and Resilient Organizations Amid Environmental Jolts , Stav Fainshmidt

Dissertation: An Empirical Examination of the Moderators of Direct Versus Indirect Comparative Advertising , Chun-Kai Hsu

Dissertation: Two Essays on Attracting Foreign Direct Investment: From Both a National and Firm Level Perspective , Ryan Lawrence Mason

Dissertation: The Effect of Online Reviews on Attitude and Purchase Intention: How Consumers Respond to Mixed Reviews , Chatdanai Pongpatipat

Dissertation: Three Essays on the Enterprise Strategy for Multinational Firms , Veselina Plamenova Vracheva

Dissertation: The Antecedents and Effects of Strategic Caring: A Cross-National Empirical Study , Thomas Weber

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Dissertation: International Banking sector Linkages: Did the Global Financial Crisis Strengthen or Weaken the Linkages? , James Edward Benton

Dissertation: Three Essays on Corporate Liquidity, Financial Crisis, and Real Estate , Kimberly Fowler Luchtenberg

Dissertation: Three Essays on Immigrant Entrepreneurship , Kaveh Moghaddam

Dissertation: The Response of Commercial Banks to Credit Stimuli , Denise Williams Streeter

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Dissertation: An Examination of Middle Manager Innovation Behaviors and Institutional Factors Impact on Organizational Innovation in the USA and Mexico , J. Lee Brown III

Dissertation: Essays on Foreign Reverse Mergers and Bond ETF Mispricing , Charles William Duval

Dissertation: Three Essays on Strategic Risk Taking , Krista Burrill Lewellyn

Dissertation: Two Essays on Executive Pay and Firm Performance , Thuong Quang Nguyen

Dissertation: A Study of Risk-Taking Behavior in Investment Banking , Elzotbek Rustambekov

Dissertation: A Study of Failures in the US Banking Industry , Joseph Trendowski

Dissertation: Two Essays on Behavioral Finance , Quang Viet Vu

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Dissertation: Three Essays on Individual Currency Traders , Boris Sebastian Abbey

Dissertation: Cross-listing Premium or Market Timing , Moustafa M. Abu El Fadl

Dissertation: Warranty and Price as Quality Signals: The effect of Signal Consistency and Unexpectedness on Product Perception , Sultan Alaswad Alenazi

Dissertation: The Behavior and Choices of Serial Bidders in M&A Transactions: A Prospect Theory Approach , Ahmed Essam El-Din El-Bakry

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Effect of Macroeconomic News on the Stock Market , Ajay Kongera

Dissertation: Intercultural Accommodation of Ethnic Minority Consumers: An Empirical Examination of the Moderating Effects in Service Encounters , Sarah Mady

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Business Management Dissertation Topics

Charles Whitehouse

Business management is more complicated than it originally seems. A lot goes into running a business. From financial management to marketing management, business management dissertations topics can encompass a whole range of concepts. Moving from finance to marketing, to design, to advertising, business management really does have it all.

When deciding on a business management dissertation topic, you need to narrow down the area you’re going to study. Although it would be nice to talk about lots of avenues of research, your dissertation will be stronger if it is more focused. There are several key areas of business management, let’s begin going through the main ones.

What types of business management dissertation topics are there?

Financial management dissertation ideas.

A business management dissertation in financial management will focus on the fiscal side of running a business. Financial directing, organising, and planning are essential for any business. Without your facts and figures in place, there is no way to measure the success of a business. If you’re interested in the financial management side of a business, this could be a topic to begin to research further into. There are many topics available in this avenue of research. For example, a typical financial management dissertation topic would be along the lines of:

Topic 1 : Exploring whether there is a relationship between corporate financial performance and corporate social responsibility

Topic 2 : Tracing if there is a connection between variations in salary and the effects of employee productivity

Human resource management dissertation ideas

Without workers, no business can run smoothly. Employees are the backbone of any company. Human resources manage the day-to-day operations of all worker-related tasks. This could extend to hiring and firing employees, or simply managing staff disputes and how employees are effectively used. A business management dissertation on human resource management could focus on strategies employed by the human resource department of a business. For instance, a typical title could look like this:

Topic 1 : An investigation into the distinct approaches to human resource management undertaken in the U.S. and China

Topic 2 : Should human resources be a site-to-site and case-by-case practice or follow a set companywide policy – an analysis of employee happiness in the workplace.

Marketing management dissertation ideas

Marketing management is about effective marketing alongside the skill of choosing the correct target markets. To oversee this process, you’ll have to use business management skills, alongside pulling in the knowledge of marketing.If the intersection of marketing and business management is something that interests you, this could be a fantastic avenue of research for your dissertation. In addition, remember, you can make your dissertation research follow any path you choose, so if you enjoy something, it’s best to stick to that! To illustrate, a typical business management dissertation title on marketing management could focus on a title such as:

Topic 1 : Are switching costs effective barriers to customer retention in the finance industry?

Topic 2 : The effectiveness of modern marketing endeavors taking place on new wave media much as Tik-Tok, Twitter, and Facebook

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Operations management dissertation ideas

Operations management goes hand in hand with human resources, focusing on ensuring the business itself has the highest possible efficiency. Instead of managing employees, this section of business management focuses on materials, balances of revenues and costs, and creating a profit.What's more, supposing that you’re more interested in management and operations, this could be a great area of research for you. For example, a typical title of a business management dissertation in operations management would be:

Topic 1 : Exploring the efficiency of supply chain links between mainland Europe and the U.K.

Topic 2 : Comparing regional strategic management of high-street clothing companies: a comparison between Zara, New Look, and H&M

Project management dissertation ideas

Project management is a vital aspect of running a business. From overseeing employees to creating an effective action plan, project management is a critical skill. If you’re interested in this area of research, try and establish if you’re more interested in the human or operational side. In case that you’re more interested in the human side of project management, consider a title along the lines of ‘The difference in hard and soft skills in project management' for instance. Alternatively, you may be interested in the operational side of project management. If that’s the case, consider looking at a title along the lines of:

Topic 1 : The benefits of implementing machine learning into managing supply chains

Topic 2 : What is the most important stage of managing a project: a study into the different skills needed for planning, organising, delegating, and operating

How to choose a business management dissertation topic?

If you’re still not too sure which topic you want to write your business management about, you need to go back to the basics. First and foremost, begin by looking through your notes over the past several years of studying. Try to see if there was a module you performed better on than all others. That could be a productive place to start your search. When deciding on a dissertation title, be sure to pick something that captures your interest, and consult a business management tutor if necessary.

Nothing is worse than beginning a project and losing interest halfway through. Your business management dissertation should explore a factor of business that you’ve enjoyed studying. However, if you think of something original that no one else has done, use your dissertation to extend the field! Finally, The University of Nottingham has published a first-class dissertation examples related to business worth reading. Click on the links below to take a read: Does the Gender Composition of a Board of Directors Affect Firm Performance?

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Written by: Charles Whitehouse

Charles scored 45/45 on the International Baccalaureate and has six years' experience tutoring IB and IGCSE students and advising them with their university applications. He studied a double integrated Masters at Magdalen College Oxford and has worked as a research scientist and strategy consultant.

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• Doctor of Business Administration
• Dissertations

Doctor of Business Administration Dissertations

Explore past dissertations from members of the Doctor of Business Administration program at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

2024 Dissertations

• Dissertation: What Are the Impacts of Leader Political Skill on Organizational Change?

2023 Dissertations

• Dissertation:  Do Emergency Physicians Treat Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Differently? A Mixed-Methods Integrative Paper
• Dissertation: Reliability and Resilience at U.S. Hospitals During the Global COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Study on the Effect of Leader and Team Behavior on Crisis Response 
• Dissertation: The Experience of American Frontline Health Care Workers with Electronic Medical Records Technology During the Time of COVID-19: A Phenomenological Inquiry Following the Systems Approach
• Dissertation: The Impact of Business Unit (BU)-Information Technology (IT)-Relationships on Business Transformations: A Mixed Methods Study
• Dissertation: Cognitive Load, EHR Use, and Psychological Stressors Influence on Decision-Making Performance Within Healthcare
• Dissertation: Are Food Banks Impacting Food Retail? Examining the Relationship Between Hunger Relief Distributions and Retail Transactions in a Local Food Environment 

2022 Dissertations

• Dissertation:  Factors Influencing the Advancement Of African American Women In Banking: “Yet None Have Advanced Into The C-Suite Of The Top Four U.S. Banks”
• Dissertation:  Embodied Awareness, Embodied Practice: A Powerful Path to Practical Wisdom
• Dissertation:  The Dynamics and Impacts of Conference Change in Intercollegiate Athletics: A Strategy Group and Institutional Analysis  
• Dissertation:  Heuristics and Bias in New Venture Valuations
• Dissertation:  Mixed Methods Study Examining Organizational and Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Management of Pet Populations in Shelters
• Dissertation:  Factors Influencing Academic Engagement: A Social Support Perspective
• Dissertation:  Latino Entrepreneurship in the United States: A Fresh Perspective
• Dissertation:  The Effect of Supply Chain Strategies on Direct-to-Consumer Industry Evolution: A Mixed-Methods Study
• Dissertation:  Building Character and Leading Through The "Eyes of Others:" A Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Ethical Decision-Making  
• Dissertation:  Unveiling the Arab Mind: What are the Characteristics of Leaders Who Need to Capture Followers' Hearts and Minds?

2021 Dissertations

• Dissertation: System Influence Framework: IT Project Managers’ Influence to Form Critical Stakeholder Alignments and Promote Value Realization
• Dissertation: A Mixed-Method Study of Investigating the Effects of Organizational Preparedness of Supply Chain Management Performance in the Food and Manufacturing Industry
• Dissertation: Managing Successful Strategic Turnarounds: A Mixed Methods Study of Knowledge-Based Dynamic Capabilities
• Dissertation: Price Wars and Managerial Sensemaking: A Mixed-Methods Study
• Dissertation: Integrative Ecosystem Management: Designing Cities and Co-creating the Flourishing Ecosystem
• Dissertation: Effectiveness of Nonprofits on Factors That Influence the Social Aspects of Well-Being in Food Deserts
• Dissertation: Managing Scholar/Practitioner Tensions in Professional Programs: A Study of Library and Information Science Faculty
• Dissertation: Three Studies of Unexpected Organizational Decisions: Some Commonalities in Decisions to Report Workplace Violence and Decisions of Scope in Audit Testing for Complex IT Environments

2020 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Operational Excellence and Organic Revenue Growth
• Dissertation: Breakthrough Teams & Innovation in Orbit: Entrepreneurial Group Initiatives in Established Organizations
• Dissertation: The Human Side of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Inquiry Into the Factors Influencing M&A Outcomes
• Dissertation: Coaching and Development as Part of a Manager-Subordinate Relationship: A Mixed-Methods Study of Tools, Dynamics and Outcomes
• Dissertation: Role of a CEO in the Era of Technology Disruption: Influence on Timing of Adoption
• Dissertation: Why Do People Bribe and Is It Worth It? A Mixed Methods Study of Bribing Antecedents and Outcomes in Former Soviet Countries
• Dissertation: Cross-Functional Team Performance: Inquiry, Identity and Shared Reality
• Dissertation: Managing Rational Divergence: Testing the Effects of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Technique on Collaborative Versus Competitive Behaviors in a Game Theoretic Setting
• Dissertation: Equity and Justice For All: The Absence of Subjective Well-Being for the African American Male
• Dissertation: How Do Professionals Find Life Meaning?
• Dissertation: Do You Have the "S" Factor for Service Innovation? How Stewardship Contributes to Service Innovation Capabilities in Service-Dominant Logic
• Dissertation: Coaching Millennials
• Dissertation: Antecedents Of Radicality And Commercial Success Outcomes In SBIR Projects
• Dissertation: Omni-Brand: The Paradox of Global Acceptance and Local Authenticity
• Dissertation: What drives individual decision-making of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Sub-Saharan Africa

2019 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Designing the Framework of Entrepreneurial Relationship Management (ERM) for Strategic Actions and Effective-Decision Making
• Dissertation: Building Big Data Analytics as a Strategic Capability in Industrial Firms: Firm Level Capabilities and Project Level Practices
• Dissertation: The Influence of Individual, Organizational and Contextual Factors on Saudi Women Career Commitment and Satisfaction in Nontraditional Occupations
• Dissertation: The Patient Perspective: Exploring the Influence of Social Interactions on Chronic Disease Outcomes
• Dissertation: Hyperconnectivity Giveth and Taketh Away: Reconciling Being an "Always-On" Empowered Consumer and Privacy in an Era of Pervasive Personal Data Exchanges
• Dissertation: Inspirational Professors, Their Emotional Intelligence and its role on Relational Climate
• Dissertation: Emergent Learning in Digital Product Teams
• Dissertation: Improving Job Satisfaction for Nurses in Acute Healthcare Facilities through Engagement and Teamwork
• Dissertation: Leadership and Practices for Strategic Adaptation in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
• Dissertation: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring How IRS Special Agents Choose Cases for Investigation

2018 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Green Investment and Organizational Performance: Evidence from the Nigerian Pulp and Paper Industry
• Dissertation: Antecedents of Managerial Moral Stress: A Mixed Methods Study
• Dissertation: Purposing: How Purpose Develops Self-Organizing Capacities
• Dissertation: The Changing Landscape of Finance in Higher Education:  Bridging the Gap Through Data Analytics
• Dissertation: Barriers and Facilitators of Growth in Black Entrepreneurial Ventures: Thinking Outside the Black Box
• Dissertation: Honorable Mavericks: A Mixed-Method Study of what Influences Subsidiary Managers Compliance with Headquarters Instructions
• Dissertation: Fifteen Minutes of Shame: A Multilevel Approach of the Antecedents and Effects of Corporate Accounting Scandals
• Dissertation: What Really Matters to NFL Fans: The Effects of Team Performance and Self-confidence on Fan Commitment and Purchase Intention
• Dissertation: Crossing the Quality Chasm: A Mixed Methods Study of Physician Decision-Making when Treating Chronic Disease
• Dissertation: The Power of Relationships: Navigating the Dance of Change through Executive Coaching
• Dissertation: Learning Within and During IT/IS Projects: Its Process, Antecedents, and Outcomes
• Dissertation: The Complexity of Change: The Middle Managers’ Emergent Contributions
• Dissertation: STEM Entrepreneurs: Educating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Underrepresented Minorities (URM) and Non-Minorities for Job Satisfaction and Career Success
• Dissertation: Mixed Methods Study of Factors Influencing  Business to Business (b2b) Sales Performance: The Role of Design Attitude
• Dissertation: Making Heads and Tails of Distributional Patterns in Private-Equity-Owned Companies: A Value-Creation-Type and Industry-Based Analysis
• Dissertation: The Professional Development Mindset

2017 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Legislators as Leaders: Investigating and Elucidating the Influence of Gender, Religious Beliefs, and Mindfulness on Legislative Decision Making
• Dissertation: Purpose Matters to Leaders at a Personal and Company Level
• Dissertation: Forecast Revision as an Antecedent to Strategic Change
• Dissertation: An Examination of Followers' Upward Influence
• Dissertation: Empowering the 99%...One ESOP at a Time! A Mixed Method Study of Employee Owned Company Acquisitions
• Dissertation: Factors Contributing to Sustainable Brand Growth
• Dissertation: Looking Beyond Culture: Determining Success Factors for Transnational Multiparty Collaboration
• Dissertation: Bringing Social Innovation to Scale: Leveraging Relational Capital and Risk-Taking Behaviors of Actors in Complex Ecosystems
• Dissertation: Positive Impact: Factors That Drive Businesses Toward Shared Prosperity, Environmental Regeneration and Human Wellbeing
• Dissertation: The Role of an Ethos of Sustainability: The Hidden Value of Intangible Resources
• Dissertation: What is Retirement in the 21st Century?
• Dissertation: The Potency of Informal Learning in Paid and Non-Paid Work: A Mixed Study
• Dissertation: Strategy as Configuration: Recursive Organization of Strategy Implementation Factors and Their Effect on Strategy Execution Effectiveness
• Dissertation: Are we Having Fun Yet?: What is the Relationship Between Mentoring, Fun at Work and Job Satisfaction?
• Dissertation: Senior Information Technology (IT) Leader Credibility: Knowledge Scale, Mediating Knowledge Mechanisms, and Effectiveness

2016 Dissertations

• Dissertation: The Intersection of Auditor Independence, Objectivity, and Integrity in High Risk Audit Conditions
• Dissertation: Characteristics of Effective  Leadership of Community College Presidents - A Mixed Method Analysis
• Dissertation: Cultural Factors:  Entrepreneurial Orientation or Not – Innovation Drivers in Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
• Dissertation: Igniting the Fire: The Impact of Anticipatory Entrepreneurial Passion on Effort and Affect in Nascent Entrepreneurs
• Dissertation: Frontline Employee Role Passion and the Impact on Service Encounters
• Dissertation: An Original Microgrid Business Model Determines Conditions for a New Asset Market
• Dissertation: Sustainable Value And Eco-Communal Management: Systemic Measures For The Outcome Of Renewable Energy Businesses In Developing, Emerging, And Developed Economies
• Dissertation: A Theory of Micro-Level Dynamic Capabilities: How Technology Leaders Innovate with Human Connection
• Dissertation: When is Earnings Guidance a Treacherous Servant?
• Dissertation: Routines of New Venture Conceptualization: Evidence and Extension of an Entrepreneurial Dynamic Capability
• Dissertation: Remote and Onsite Knowledge Worker Productivity and Engagement: A Comparative Study of the Effect of Virtual Intensity and Work Location Preference
• Dissertation: Who We Are Matters: The Identity of the Information Technology Organization and Outsourcing Success
• Dissertation: A Theory of Steering Committee Capabilities for Implementing Large Scale Enterprise-Wide Information Systems
• Dissertation: Financial Stress in an Adaptive System: From Empirical Validity to Theoretical Foundations
• Dissertation: Experiential Workplace Design in Knowledge Work Organizations: A Worker-Centered Approach
• Dissertation: Understanding the Journey of Inner-City Communities to a Sense of Community and Well-Being
• Dissertation: Deliberate Disruption: How Corporate Leaders' Break the Liability of Expertise
• Dissertation: The Role of Mentorship in Developing Leadership Ready Gen X and Gen Y Females
• Dissertation: Antecedents and Outcomes of Perceived Creepiness in Online Personalized Communications
• Dissertation: The Effects of Visual Analytic Strategies on Organizational Decision Making

2015 Dissertations

• Dissertation: What Influences the Economic Model In the Private and Public Sectors In the Two Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai? A Comparative Study 
• Dissertation: Design Attitude and Social Innovation: Empirical Studies of the Return on Design
• Dissertation: Attentional Change Decisions: Exploring the Role of Attention in Shaping Change Decisions: A Mixed Methods Approach
• Dissertation: Interprofessional Teams in Healthcare: A Mixed-Methods Study
• Dissertation: Helping Top Talent To Thrive: The Significance of Relational Capacity, Teamwork and Organizational Support
• Dissertation: Narrative Shock: Helping North Korean Defectors Narrate Their Lives Fully in South Korea
• Dissertation: Team Adaptation and Mindful Boundary Management: The Dynamics of Internal and External Balancing
• Dissertation: The Collaboration Blueprint: Designing and Building Effective Strategies for Innovation and Rejuvenative Collaboration
• Dissertation: Developing the Next-Generation Leadership Talent in Family Business: The Family Effect
• Dissertation: Creating Customer Love: How Organizations Can Engender Positive Affect in Online Product-Centered Communities
• Dissertation: Playing to Win: Dynamics of Teams That Innovate
• Dissertation: Organizational Commitment - A Requisite for Quality of Life in Assisted Living.
• Dissertation: Promethean Framework and Measurement Instrument: Career Development, Maintenance and Transitions in Convulsive Economic Cycles
• Dissertation: Cohesion, Flexibility, and the Mediating Effects of Shared Vision and Comparison on Engagement in Army Acquisition Teams
• Dissertation: Title How Hackers Think: A Mixed Method Study of Mental Models and Cognitive Patterns of High-Tech Wizards
• Dissertation: Procedural Rationality as a Means for Evidence-Based Management in Conflicted Decision-Making:  A Mixed-Methods Study
• Dissertation: Disempowering the "Robin Hood" Fraudster: Empathetic Pathways Weaken Regulators and Enable Fraudulent Behavior – A Framework For Redesigining Controls
• Dissertation: Organizational Adoption of Social Media Technologies: A Mixed-Methods, Multi-Level Study of Effects on Productivity and Work-Home Life Balance
• Dissertation: Trust by Design: The Affective and Cognitive Antecedents Among African Americans, Building Long-Term Business Relationships
• Dissertation: Thriving in Transition: Cognitive, Social & Behavioral Resources For Times of Change

2014 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Towards Flourishing: How Sellers Can Forge Stronger B2B Relations and Increase Buyer Loyalty
• Dissertation: Improving the Capacity for Strategic Anticipation: How Upstream, Downstream and Lateral Immersion Contribute to the Capacity to Anticipate Strategic Moves
• Dissertation: Does Upper Echelons Team Dynamic Matter? The Criticality of Executive Team Behavior in Economic Value Creation
• Dissertation: Facilitating Radical Innovation in Consumer Electronics and Information Technology Industries
• Dissertation: Staying Alive: The Experience of In Extremis Leadership
• Dissertation: The Significance of Influence in Our Current Work Environment: Understanding and Exploring the Shift and Emergent Domains
• Dissertation: Understanding Managerial Influences:  A Mixed Methods Study of employee engagement, well-being, and performance
• Dissertation: Factors That Influence Firms' Environmental Performance: An Examination of Large Companies
• Dissertation: Title A Theoretical, Empirical and Practical Approach to Academic Knowledge Production and Job Satisfaction: The Role of Academic Alignment
• Dissertation: Equine-Assisted Experiential Learning: Implications for Management Development and Education
• Dissertation: Bridging the Medical Knowledge and Practice Gap: Antecedents of Successful Scientist Physician Collaboration
• Dissertation: Supply Chain Management Performance: Factors Contributing to Successful Risk Mitigation & Resiliency
• Dissertation: A Theory of Overload and Equivocality Effects on Learning during Knowledge Transfer within Policy Making Dyads

2013 Dissertations

• Dissertation: A Theory of Viral Growth of Social Networking Sites
• Dissertation: Socio-Cognitive Foundations of Entrepreneurial Venturing
• Dissertation: The Belief System and Behavior of Financial Advisors After a Market Disruption
• Dissertation: Relationships Matter, Even for CPAs
• Dissertation: Designing Successful Social Ventures: Hands-On Feedback-Seeking Engagement with Stakeholders to Unravel What to Do Next
• Dissertation: Pricing Capabilities and Firm Performance: A Socio-Technical Framework for the Adoption of Pricing as a Transformational Innovation
• Dissertation: Coming Out and Being Out in the C-Suite: The Experiences of Openly Gay and Lesbian Executives
• Dissertation: The Impact of Social Competencies and Role Factors on the Relational Construction of Identity and Participation of Physician Leaders
• Dissertation: Credibility: A Foundation for All Leaders
• Dissertation: Why We Care: The Mediating Effect of Positive and Negative Emotional Attractors on Social Responsibility
• Dissertation: Systemic Corruption: A Multi-Theoretic, Multi-Level and Mixed Methods Analysis of the Interplay among Institutional Logics, Strategic Agency and Reward Expectancy

2012 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Tenure, Charisma and Conflict in Venture Backed Teams
• Dissertation: Decision Making in the Corporate Boardroom: Designing the Conditions for Effectiveness
• Dissertation: How and To What Extent Does Collaboration Affect Employee and Cross-Functional Team Performance?
• Dissertation: Women Persisting in the Engineering Profession: A Paradoxical Explanation Adapting Intentional Change Theory
• Dissertation: Organizational Agility and Complex Enterprise System Innovations: A Mixed Methods Study of the Effects of Enterprise Systems on Organizational Agility
• Dissertation: How a Learning Orientation, Modern Portfolio Theory and Absorptive Capacity Contribute to University Endowment Performance
• Dissertation: A Multi-Level Investigation into the Antecedents of Enterprise Architecture (EA) Assimilation in the U.S. Federal Government: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Research Study
• Dissertation: The Impact IT Professionals Have On Performance: What Differentiates Superior from Average Performers and Understanding How to Keep Them Engaged

2011 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Pluralistic Diversity in Voluntary Associations on College Campuses: A Multi-Method study
• Dissertation: Managing the Unexpected: Detecting, Preventing and Mitigating Surprises in the Banking Industry
• Dissertation: The Strategic Decision-Making Process of the Board and Its Impact on Decision Outcomes
• Dissertation: Worlds Connected and Worlds Apart: Postures and Dependencies Influencing Government - Agency Relations
• Dissertation: A Multi-Method Exploration of the Role of Legitimacy in Cross-Sector Partnerships for the Natural Environment
• Dissertation: Knowledge Sharing in Bioscience Clusters: Nature, Utilization and Effects
• Dissertation: Impact of School Leadership on Academic Achievement in Kenyan Secondary Schools
• Dissertation: Non-Financial Perspectives on Family Firm Performance
• Dissertation: The Great Recession and Nonprofit Endurance: Framing the Mission-Defensive Paradox
• Dissertation: The Global Financial Crisis: Bankers Shaken, But Some Awaken

2010 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Causal Ambiguity and Its Impacts on Firm Performance
• Dissertation: Exploring Sustained Collaborations: Activities and Behaviors That Make a Difference
• Dissertation: Adoption of High Trust-High Risk Technologies: The Case of of Computer Assisted Surgery
• Dissertation: Bridging Structure-Agency Divide: A Structurational Approach to Institutional Adaptation and Innovation
• Dissertation: The Effect of Social Factors on Project Success Within Enterprise-Class System Development
• Dissertation: Nonprofit Leaders and Their Organizations: Routes to and Repertoires for Effectiveness
• Dissertation: Drivers of Employee Engagement and Teamwork Performance
• Dissertation: Payoffs of Championing "Tough Issues": Why Corporations Need to Nurture Quixotic Champions at the Board and Within Senior Management Teams
• Dissertation: Improving the Effectiveness of Microfinance in Reducing Household Poverty
• Dissertation: How Many Hands Does a Team Have? Developing Ambidextrous Teams in Academic Medical Centers
• Dissertation: The Delicate Balance of Organizational Leadership: Encouraging Learning and Driving Successful Innovation
• Dissertation: Dare to Restore Trust and Drive Loyalty in Distrust-Dominated Environments: A Stakeholder Perspective
• Dissertation: The Impact of Charisma on Employee Volunteer Programs

2009 Dissertations

• Dissertation: A Study of the Impact of Informational Complexity, Transparency and Stewardship on Decision Usefulness: The Users' Perspective
• Dissertation: Generative Characteristics as Antecedents to Engagement
• Dissertation: Managing Commitment as Antecedents to Engagement in Faith-based Organizations: Chinese Protestant Churches in the United States
• Dissertation: When Practice and Theory Conflict: Do Performance Incentives Drive Management Behaviors in Mergers and Acquisitions?
• Dissertation: Ethical Ideologies and Decision Making Among College Student Athletes
• Dissertation: The Role of Human Capital in Predicting Business Outcomes
• Dissertation: Inside the Outsourcing of Innovation
• Dissertation: The Role of Organizational Learning in Renewing Competitive Advantage
• Dissertation: The Private Sector and Anti-Terrorism Spending for Physical Security
• Dissertation: Unraveling Adaptive Selling: An Empirical Analysis of Underlying Relational Behavior
• Dissertation: Design and Discovery: The Structure and Function of a Research Network
• Dissertation: Into the Family and Business Nexus: Succession and Daughters in Family Owned Businesses
• Dissertation: Executive Leader Development: Mentoring in U.S. Government and Commercial Organizations
• Dissertation: An Examination of the Antecedents and Consequences of Accreditation in the Nonprofit Sector
• Dissertation: Beyond Financial Transparency and Institutional Structure: Emergent Forms of Accountability in the New Era of Responsibility

2008 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Developing a Regional High Tech Environment: What Factors Matter
• Dissertation: The Impact of the Internet on Airline Fares
• Dissertation: Managing Multiple and Interacting Congregations Within the Same Church: The Case of Chinese Protestant Immigrant Churches in North America
• Dissertation: Heaven, Hell and Everything In Between: How Do Authentic Leaders' Values Contribute to Organizations in Which Followers Flourish?
• Dissertation: They're Making All the Wrong Decisions: Managing Cognitive and Emotive Balance
• Dissertation: The Pathfinder Leader and Complex Decision Making: The Role in Collective Action Governance
• Dissertation: College Environments as Enablers and Barriers to Youth Entrepreneurship
• Dissertation: The Role of Learning and Care Giving Style in Practitioner-Patient Co-Production of Therapeutic Outcomes
• Dissertation: Effective Leadership of Financial Service Firms: A Study in Resonance and Emotional Intelligence
• Dissertation: Selling Money: Success Factors for Financial Advisors
• Dissertation: Role Engagement in Co-operative Organizations: A Relational Framework for Understanding Board Commitment
• Dissertation: Virtual Teams: Can They Be More Effective
• Dissertation: Commitment to Change as Dynamic Push-Pull Alignment of Messages
• Dissertation: The Impact of Organizational Destruction in Social Capital
• Dissertation: The Duplicity Effect: Professional Investment Decisions for Others Versus Self
• Dissertation: You Can Change Strategies in a Conversation: Decision Making in Innovation in the Durable Goods Industry

2007 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Disconnected: A Consumer Study of Mobile Telephone Technology Rejection in the United States
• Dissertation: The Social-Technical Project Manager Practices That Motivate Knowledge Sharing and Learning in Information Technology Project Team Environments
• Dissertation: Social Change – Making the Improbable Possible through Collaboration: A Series of Studies on NGO Collaboration in South Africa
• Dissertation: Employee Reactions to Mergers and Acquisitions - The ‘ME-I Syndrome’; Avoiding ‘Merger-Enabled-Individualism’
• Dissertation: Service Feature Considerations for Developing Consumer Satisfaction in Online Environments
• Dissertation: Studies in Workplace Behaviors and Organizations
• Dissertation: Transitioning from Staff Nurse to Nurse Manager-A Change in Identity
• Dissertation: Resilience in Action: Exploring Constructive Transitions Among Mid-Career Leaders
• Dissertation: Change Leader Retention and Career Development: The Role of Social Capital and Balancing Commitments
• Dissertation: Venture “TERROIR” Can We Define It ? VC Decision Processes for Investing in Genesis/ Pre-seed ICT Entrepreneurial Teams
• Dissertation: The Effects of Ownership, Control Rights and Experience on Joint Venture Success
• Dissertation: Social Entrepreneurship: Creating Impact in the Social Sector
• Dissertation: An Investigation of Electronic Medical Record Technology Adoption by Family Practice Physicians

2006 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Three Aspects of Social Change Management: Project Ownership, Ethical Project Transfer and Economic Correlate
• Dissertation: Corporate Governance in the Era of Sarbanes-Oxley
• Dissertation: The Practice of Medical Error Reporting
• Dissertation: The Social Construction of the Interactive Practices of Multicultural Professionals
• Dissertation: Practicing Pragmatic Collaboration: The Challenge of Recognizing and Managing Rational Divergence
• Dissertation: Focusing on the End User: Promoting the Successful Deployment of Workplace Programs and Initiatives
• Dissertation: Exploration of Social Capital in the Context of Elected Public School Officials
• Dissertation: A Journey with the End in Mind: An Examination of How Advance Planning May Influence End-of-Life Decisions
• Dissertation: Innovative or Expendable Human Capital: The Effect of Labor Market Choices, Career System Practices and Self-Directed Career Orientation on Organization Outcomes
• Dissertation: Immigrants Transnational Activities for Home Community Development: The Nigerian Immigrants in the United States
• Dissertation: Factors that Facilitate Entrepreneurship Among Students and Nascent Entrepreneurs
• Dissertation: An investigation of Customer Perceived Value, Exchange Partner Trustworthiness and Service Perceptions in e-Commerce
• Dissertation: Impact of Knowledge on Electricity Markets

2005 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Corporate Responses to Accounting Regulation
• Dissertation: Information Technology Adoption by Middle Managers: The Case of Trial Court Judges
• Dissertation: Strangers in the Commons: Understanding and Measuring Successful Aging for Low-Income Seniors in Affordable Housing
• Dissertation: Adolescent Leadership Development: The Role of Authoritative Parenting and the Mediating Effect of Psychological Autonomy and Mastery Orientation
• Dissertation: Trust, Education and Development in Jamaica, 1950-2000
• Dissertation: The Link Between Governance Responsibilities and Performance in Healthcare Organizations: A Trustees Perspective
• Dissertation: Nonprofit Intrapreneurship: How Nonprofit Managers Facilitate and Balance Entrepreneurial Activity
• Dissertation: All Cake and No Icing: An Exploration of Female Executive Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector
• Dissertation: A Framework for Maximizing Board Member Outcomes in Nonprofit Organizations
• Dissertation: The Impact of Electronic Medical Records on the Doctor-Patient Relationship in Hospitals in Japan, Korea and the United States: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

2004 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Sparks of Innovation: Observing the Elements that Lead to Creative and Innovative Success
• Dissertation: Pastoral Leadership and Parish Vibrancy
• Dissertation: A Tale of Two Colleges: The Fiscal Crisis of the 1990's Strategies for Managing in Uncertainty
• Dissertation: Converting Highly Legitimized Structural Barriers into Vehicles of Change: A Case for Transformational Leadership in Liberal Arts Colleges
• Dissertation: The Social Capital of Nonprofit Leaders
• Dissertation: Synthesizing Managerial Agency and Institutionalism in Manufacturing Facilities
• Dissertation: The Evolving Nonprofit Board: Relational Practices and Effective Governance
• Dissertation: Entrepreneurial Emergence: The Challenge of Growth in Urban Contexts
• Dissertation: Change On the Frontlines: A Perspective from the Trenches
• Dissertation: Perspectives on Life Insurance Selling, Retirement Savings among African Americans and Precautionary Saving of Blacks compared to Whites
• Dissertation: Managers, Micro-entrepreneurs and Performance Outcomes: Lessons from Two Worlds
• Dissertation: Trust in Project Management Relationships
• Dissertation: Free at Last? Culturally Rooted Differences in the Workplace Experience
• Dissertation: Organization and Empowerment: Policy, Practice and Outcome - The Study of Development Organizations in St. Lucia, West Indies

2003 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Individual Behavioral Competencies & Organizational Constraints: Some Insights From Health Care
• Dissertation: From Sitting on Top of the World to Crunched in the Back of the Bus: The Transformation of the U.S. Domestic Airline Industry From 2000 Through 2003
• Dissertation: Stakeholders and Organizations: A Three Part Approach to Better Understandings of Who and What Counts
• Dissertation: Research Reports: Strength of Strong Ties: Two Studies on EVA in Cyclic Markets
• Dissertation: Beyond the Requirements: Using Technology and Implementing Service Learning
• Dissertation: What Tangled Webs We Weave: A Comparative Study of Cooperation, Coping, and Networking Strategies of Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs
• Dissertation: Customer Service Satisfaction in Inter-Cultural Service Encounters
• Dissertation: Research Into the Effectiveness of an Alternatives to Violence Program in a Prison System
• Dissertation: A Qualitative Analysis of the Historical and Social Significance of the African American Male Oral Tradition: A Study in Linguistic Anthropology
• Dissertation: Leadership Pathways: How Leaders Communicate, Network, and Find Success in Diverse Environments
• Dissertation: Reciprocal Learning in Teams: Relational Practices for Securing the Best From Leadership Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations

2002 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Workforce Development in a Small Manufacturing Organization
• Dissertation: Forces Shaping the Extent of Markets: An Exploration of Wholesale Distributors in Latin America
• Dissertation: The Meaning of Decision and Choice to a Leader in a Nonprofit Organization
• Dissertation: Another Thrice-Told Tale: Strategy Formation, Accountability, and Competent Governance in a Nonprofit Organization
• Dissertation: Study of Direct Internet Selling by Airlines in the U.S. Air Travel Distribution Industry
• Dissertation: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Work Team Cohesiveness and Performance
• Dissertation: Political Economy and Price Ratio Changes: Electric Industry Under Transition
• Dissertation: Understanding the Characteristics of an Effective Physician-Hospital Contractual Arrangement from a Dyadic Perspective
• Dissertation: The Connected Celebrity and Nonprofit Advertising

2001 Dissertations

• Dissertation: A Study of the Impact of Ohio’s Instructional Support Funding Process On Institutional Behavior At Two-Year Colleges
• Dissertation: The Contributions and Status of Women Inside Directors in Fortune 1000 Companies
• Dissertation: The Influence of Self-Development, Experimental Learning and Networking on the Career Satisfaction of EMBA Graduates
• Dissertation: Toward A Theory of Technical Change
• Dissertation: More Than Directing Money: Theories in Use for Helping Distressed Communities as Practiced by Independent Foundations

2000 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Money and Theology - It's Not an Oxymoron!!
• Dissertation: Parental Choice of Elementary Schools Within the Cleveland Catholic Diocese and Its Implications for the Financial Policies of Diocesan Schools
• Dissertation: Business Is War: An Investigation Into Metaphor Use in Internet and Non-Internet IPOs
• Dissertation: Theoretical Aspects of the Japanese Institutional Relations Model and Its Effectiveness for Corporate Governance in the Context of Globalization
• Dissertation: Sensemaking in a Hospital Strategic Planning Process
• Dissertation: Strategic Alliance Decisions: The Interpersonal Experience of Alliance Building

1999 Dissertations

• Dissertation: Environomics: Managing Environmental Change from Rio de Janiero to Buenos Aires (Via Berlin and Kyoto
• Dissertation: Habitus Wars and Field(s) of Dreams: Using Bourdieu to Reframe the Sense of a Crisis
• Dissertation: Managers in the Middle: A Study of Long Term Care Regional Managers Dealing With Organizational Stress
• Dissertation: The Relationship of Error-Based Experimental Learning to Organizational Change: How and Why What We Learn May or May Not Change How We Behave
• Dissertation: Back to the Future: A Search for Economic Progress or Roots? A Comparison of Experiences Between African American Entrepreneurs in the United States
• Dissertation: The Quest for Sustainable Leadership: The Importance of Connecting Leadership Principles to Concepts Of Organizational Sustainability
• Dissertation: Achieving Potential in Hospital Mergers
• Dissertation: Mill Creek: A Case Study Applying Actor Network and Transformational Leadership Theories to Urban Housing Development

1998 Dissertations

• Dissertation: America in the 21st Century: Finding Harmony Between Economic and Social Goals
• Dissertation: The Social Construction of Workforce Development Organizations in Singapore and Penang, Malaysia
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Strategic Business Management Dissertation Topics for Success

The assignments in management courses are intended to increase the student’s comprehensive knowledge and comprehension of the relevant industry. Creating the appropriate content based on the proper subject can assist in making the most cohesive submission draught pointing to all the necessary information. To help students concentrate more on high-quality content and examine university marking […]

The assignments in management courses are intended to increase the student’s comprehensive knowledge and comprehension of the relevant industry. Creating the appropriate content based on the proper subject can assist in making the most cohesive submission draught pointing to all the necessary information. To help students concentrate more on high-quality content and examine university marking criteria, we offer free assignment writing services in the form of topic suggestions for management assignments.

Table of Contents

Top Business Management Dissertation Topics

• Examining how innovation has enhanced business operations:  Do they all converge on a single strategy?
• What are the market difficulties new mobile phone companies in the UK face?
• How will 5G technology impact the development of the digital consumer markets in the UK consumer electronics sector? How does online branding offer a competitive edge in the digital age?
• An investigation into how ICT integration has changed how goods and services are purchased.
• Building virtual dominions: A comparison of e-commerce mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances using the case studies of eBay and Amazon.com.
• What technological variables influence the link between organizational growth and performance?
• A study of the function of online marketing in building networks of supply chains around the world.
• An investigation into the harm that contemporary technology causes to businesses.
• What are the main variables that affect how well businesses brand themselves online?
• Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter case studies for evaluating the role of social media in global branding.
• Investigate how technology affects CRM operations in UK call centers and analyze the elements that influence employee well-being.

Best International Business Management Dissertation Topics

• Case of British Energy: A study of the potential benefits of e-HR implementation.
• An investigation into how businesses influence technology and innovation among suppliers: The Apple Case.
• Evaluating the models of technology diffusion among UK online shoppers.
• Business process reengineering and the difficulties faced the aviation industry fascistically analysis of the variables affecting Saudi Airlines’ BPR initiatives.
• What obstacles prevent the successful and profitable implementation of e-commerce in government organizations?
• Which offers the better user experience and business outcomes when comparing and contrasting government e-commerce portals with private ones like eBay and Amazon?
• How has technological integration into HR increased organizational effectiveness?
• How has technology affected the FMCG sector’s ability to satisfy consumer demands in the UK market?
• Evaluating the contribution of innovation to the emergence of new opportunities for SMEs in the UK.
• What factors impact technology integration with the Supply Chain Management (SCM) industry?
• What can we learn from the Chinese COVID-19 pandemic regarding handling health crises?
• What actions can be taken—or have been taken—to alter the workplace environment in the wake of the Chinese Covid-19 pandemic?
• An analysis of the LUX brand reveals a link between influencer marketing and brand dominance.
• Which effects does artificial intelligence (AI) have on project management?
• What role does have soft skills in project management play?
• What main techniques are used in hybrid project management?
• Examine the skills that project managers need to have to effectively manage stakeholder relationships.
• Discuss how to manage projects in a multicultural setting and create culturally specific consulting guidelines.
• Assessing the essential qualities of outsourcing and offshoring the projects involving information systems
• The perspective of project management on the abilities to complete mergers and acquisitions on schedule, on expected synergies, and concerning budget
• Examining how well the organization performs in terms of exports using the international business competencies.
• An evaluation of the variables influencing the gender pay gap globally.
• Product Life-cycle Management implementation success: An examination of the electronics manufacturing sector
• How can social media improve the acceptance rate in global organizations?
• Analyzing how the push and pull factors interacted to persuade Tesco to implement an internationalization strategy.

Top 5 Business Management Dissertation Topics along with topic brief

Here are the top 5 business management dissertation topics along with brief descriptions:

Topic: “Strategic Leadership in a Post-Pandemic Business Landscape”

• Brief : Explore the evolving role of strategic leadership in guiding organizations through the challenges and opportunities presented in the post-pandemic world. Analyze leadership strategies, crisis management, and long-term resilience.

Topic: “Innovation Management and Competitive Advantage”

• Brief : Investigate the relationship between innovation management practices and a company’s competitive advantage. Examine strategies for fostering innovation, including R&D, technology adoption, and creativity in the workplace.

Topic: “The Role of Corporate Culture in Organizational Performance”

• Brief : Analyze the impact of corporate culture on employee engagement, productivity, and overall organizational performance. Explore how culture is shaped, communicated, and aligned with business goals.

Topic: “Supply Chain Optimization for Sustainability and Resilience”

• Brief : Investigate supply chain management practices aimed at achieving sustainability and resilience in the face of disruptions. Explore topics such as green supply chains, logistics, and risk management.

Topic: “Digital Transformation in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)”

• Brief : Assess the challenges and opportunities SMEs face in adopting digital technologies and strategies for achieving digital transformation. Analyze the impact on business operations, customer engagement, and growth.

These business management dissertation topics cover a range of contemporary issues and offer opportunities for in-depth research and contributions to the field of business management and strategy.

Leadership and Organizational Behavior :

• Employee Motivation Techniques in Small Businesses
• Impact of Transformational Leadership on Employee Engagement
• The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Effectiveness
• Cross-Cultural Leadership Challenges in Multinational Corporations
• Leadership Styles and Their Influence on Organizational Culture
• More Leadership and Management Dissertation Topics

Marketing Management :

• The Effectiveness of Social Media Marketing in Small Businesses
• Consumer Behavior Trends in Online Shopping
• Brand Loyalty and Customer Satisfaction in the FMCG Sector
• The Role of Influencer Marketing in Fashion Retail
• Marketing Strategies for Sustainable Products
• More  39 Marketing Management Dissertation Topics Examples

Human Resource Management :

• Employee Training and Development Programs in Startups
• The Impact of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives on Employee Retention
• Flexible Work Arrangements and Their Effect on Work-Life Balance
• Performance Appraisal Systems and Their Influence on Employee Morale
• Talent Acquisition Strategies for High-Growth Tech Companies
• More  How can you choose best HRM dissertation topics?

Operations Management :

• Supply Chain Resilience in the Face of Disruptions
• Inventory Management Techniques for Small Retailers
• Lean Six Sigma Implementation in Service Industries
• Quality Control Practices in Manufacturing Companies
• The Role of Technology in Improving Logistics Efficiency
• More  37 Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Entrepreneurship and Innovation :

• Barriers to Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries
• The Impact of Government Policies on Startup Success
• Entrepreneurial Decision Making in High-Risk Environments
• Innovation Strategies for Sustainable Business Growth
• The Role of Incubators and Accelerators in Fostering Startup Ecosystems

Finance and Accounting :

• Financial Risk Management Practices in Banking Institutions
• The Use of Big Data Analytics in Financial Forecasting
• Corporate Governance and Financial Performance
• Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses
• The Effectiveness of Crowdfunding Platforms for Startup Financing
• More  Accounting and Finance Dissertation Topics and Research Ideas

Strategic Business Management Dissertation Topics :

• Competitive Advantage Strategies in the Hospitality Industry
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Factors Influencing Success
• Strategic Alliances and Their Impact on Organizational Performance
• Corporate Restructuring and Its Effect on Stakeholder Value
• The Role of Scenario Planning in Strategic Decision Making
• More  78 Strategic Management Dissertation Topics Ideas

Business Management Dissertation Topics for Masters and Undergraduate

Dissertation topics for business management encompass a wide array of areas, including strategic management, organizational behavior, marketing, finance, and human resource management. These topics offer opportunities for in-depth exploration and analysis, contributing valuable insights to the ever-evolving field of business administration.

• Impact of COVID-19 on Business Management Strategies in the Mobile Market: Investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced strategies and approaches in business management, specifically within the mobile market.
• Developing Key Management Skills for 21st-Century Business Management: Explore the essential management skills required for success in the 21st century within the realm of business management.
• Effects of Multiple Managers in Business Administration: A Case Study of Samsung: Examine the implications of having multiple managers in the context of business administration, using Samsung as a case study.
• Strategic Thinking for Managers: A Literature Review: Review literature on the importance of strategic thinking for managers, emphasizing its role in fostering innovation and competitiveness.
• Problem-Solving Skills for Managers: A Literature Review: Explore the significance of problem-solving skills for managers through a comprehensive literature review, highlighting their crucial role in effective management.
• Leadership Qualities for Managers: A Systematic Review: Conduct a systematic review to understand the essential leadership qualities that managers should possess for effective organizational management.
• Motivational Strategies for On-Time Employee Work: A Literature Analysis: Analyze literature to identify strategies that motivate employees to adhere to timely work schedules, enhancing overall productivity.
• Job Opportunities for Business Management Students in 2021: Investigate job prospects for business management students, considering the labor market dynamics in 2021.
• Time Management Skills for Managers: A Literature Review: Explore the importance of time management skills for individuals aspiring to become managers, drawing insights from existing literature.
• Future Prospects for Business Management Students in the US Job Market: Analyze the future landscape for business management students, considering the evolving job market conditions in the United States.
• Strategies to Alleviate Employee Stress and Their Impact on Behavior: Examine stress-reducing strategies in the workplace and their influence on employee behavior, emphasizing their role in organizational dynamics.
• Management of Family-Owned Businesses: A Comparative Analysis: Conduct a comparative analysis to understand the distinctive management aspects of family-owned businesses compared to other business structures.
• Business Management’s Role in Attracting Foreign Investors: A Literature Analysis: Explore how business management strategies contribute to attracting foreign investors, drawing insights from existing literature.
• Role of Business Management in Organizational Success: A Case Study of Apple: Investigate the pivotal role played by business management in organizational success, using Apple as a case study.
• Globalization’s Impact on Business Management: A Case Study of McDonald’s: Analyze the influence of globalization on business management, focusing on McDonald’s as a case study.
• Remote Work and Its Impact on Management Strategies During the Pandemic: Explore the concept of remote work and its influence on management tactics and strategies, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Creating Multicultural Managers and Their Role in 21st-Century Growth: A Strategy: Develop a strategy for cultivating multicultural managers and explore how their presence contributes to business growth in the 21st century.
• Conflict Management Strategies in Business: A Review: Review conflict management strategies and their application in resolving problems within business contexts.
• Managing Conflicts in Teamwork: A Systematic Literature Review: Conduct a systematic literature review to understand the intricacies of managing conflicts within teamwork settings.
• Current Trends in Consumer Behavior Related to Beauty Products: Explore the prevailing trends in consumer behavior concerning beauty products, providing insights into the beauty industry.
• What are the management approaches of diverse cultural places, and how do it influence employees’ behavior?
• COVID-19 and the Business Management Crisis
• COVID-19: Implications for Business
• Leading and Managing Organizations During COVID-19 Pandemic
• Information, knowledge and communicate.
• Women’s Leadership: A Comparative Analysis in Western and European Countries: Conduct a comparative analysis to understand the acceptance and challenges of women’s leadership in both Western and European business environments.
• Employee Retention in the UK IT Industry: Reasons and Solutions: Investigate the factors contributing to the low employee retention rate in the UK IT industry and propose effective retention strategies.
• Organizational Crisis Management in the Era of Social Networking: Study how organizations manage crises in the age of social networking, exploring strategies for effective crisis communication.
• Total Quality Management (TQM) in FMCGs: Impact on Customer Retention: Explore the impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) on customer retention and satisfaction within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.
• Effective Communication Skills in New IT Start-ups: Enhancing Organizational Performance: Investigate how effective communication skills contribute to organizational performance in new IT start-ups.
• IT Department Competency of Business Managers in 2021 Amid COVID-19 Challenges: Evaluate the competency of business managers in handling IT challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
• Commercialization Impact on Nigeria’s Public Enterprises: A Case Analysis: Study the impact of commercialization on public enterprises in Nigeria, providing insights through a detailed case analysis.
• Pricing Impact on Organizational Profitability: A Literature Analysis: Analyze the influence of pricing strategies on organizational profitability, drawing insights from existing literature.
• Enhancing Call Management in the Telecommunication Industry: A Case Analysis: Explore strategies for improving call management within the telecommunication industry, presenting a comprehensive case analysis.
• Relationship Marketing Impact on Consumer Behavior in Fast Food: Investigate the influence of relationship marketing on consumer behavior within the fast-food industry.
• Unethical Advertising Impact on Society and Legal Restrictions: Examine the consequences of unethical advertising on society and analyze legal restrictions placed on such practices.
• TQM Impact on the Service Industry: A 5-Year Analysis in the US Airline Industry: Study the impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) on the service industry, specifically focusing on the US airline sector over the past five years.
• Employee Satisfaction and Productivity: A Case Study of College Teachers in Asian Countries: Explore the relationship between employee satisfaction levels and productivity, using college teachers in Asian countries as a case study.
• Mobilizing Change in Organizations: Impact Considering Change Management Theories: Investigate the impact of mobilizing change in organizations, considering different change management theories.
• Short-Term Management and Its Long-Term Effects on Firms: What Is It?: Define short-term management and analyze its implications on firms in the long run.
• Foreign Management vs. Central Management in Food Businesses: Procedures and Assessment: Assess the procedures involved in foreign and central management of food businesses, highlighting their distinctive aspects.
• Walmart Managers’ Strategies for Employee Inspiration: A Case Analysis: Study the strategies employed by Walmart managers to inspire their employees, providing insights through a detailed case analysis.
• Impact of Incentives on Employee Work: A Case Study in the Fashion Industry: Explore the effects of incentives on employee performance, using the fashion industry as a case study.
• Short-Term Management Risks in the Oil and Gas Industry of Saudi Arabia: Investigate the risks associated with short-term management in the oil and gas industry of Saudi Arabia.
• Role of Budget Management and Its Influence on Business Financial Capabilities: Analyze the role of budget management and its impact on the financial capabilities of businesses.
• Active Time Management as an Organizational Survival Tool: Long-Term Benefits: Evaluate the effectiveness of active time management as a tool for organizational survival and explore its long-term benefits.
• Pros and Cons of New Business Start-ups in the UK Fast Food Market: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the advantages and disadvantages associated with new business start-ups in the UK fast-food market.
• Challenges Faced by Businesses in the Chinese Market: Small, Medium, and Large-Scale: Investigate the challenges encountered by businesses of varying scales in the Chinese market.
• Cooperating Sustainability Strategy in the Fashion Industry: A Case Study: Study the strategy of incorporating sustainability in the fashion industry, providing insights through a detailed case study.
• Role of Women in Business Management in Arab Countries: Explore the role of women in business management within the context of Arab countries.
• Consequences of Excessive Work in Business and Its Impact on Employee Performance: Examine the consequences of excessive work on employee performance within business organizations.
• Reasons Behind Business Failure: A Literature Review: Conduct a literature review to explore the reasons behind business failures, drawing insights from existing research.
• Current Trends and Developments in the Automobile Industry of Japan: Explain the latest trends and developments in the automobile industry of Japan.
• Differences Between Business Management in International and Local Businesses: A Case Study of FMCG: Investigate the disparities in business management practices between international and local businesses, using the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector as a case study.
• ion Management: A Systematic Review.
• Selection of Major Financial Indicators: A Literature, Panel, and Survey Methodology
• Performance Indicators for Microfinance Institutions
• Effect of Financial Indicators on Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya.
• Determinants of Profitability of the US Banking Industry.
• Determinants of Return on Assets: Evidence from Microfinance Institutions
• Small Firms in Global Competition
• An Investigation into the Economic Approaches to Organizations
• Management Strategy and the Environmental Challenge.
• Evolution of Business and Management Studies
• Institutional Pressures and Corporate Reputation
• Responsible Investment in Hedge Funds
• Economic Consequences Linked with Integrated Report Quality
• Exploring the Strategic Integration of Sustainability Initiatives
• Major Causes of Economic Loss to Oil-Producing Countries in the Sub-Sahara Africa
• Unaccountability and Transparency in Production Sharing Agreements (PSA):
• Petroleum Exploration and Production Rights: An Analysis of Allocation Strategies and Design Issues
• An Exploratory Study of Production Sharing Contract.
• Best Practice Activities in the International Oil, Gas, and Mining Industries.
• Regulatory Challenges for Implementing Production-Sharing Contracts in Under-Developed Nations
• An Analysis of Good Governance in Emerging Oil and Gas
• A Review of Oil and Gas Service Contracts Around the World
• Scrutinizing a Production Sharing Agreement.
• A Systematic Review of Legislation on Production Sharing Agreements
• An Exploratory Study of Lean Six Sigma for Eliminating Waste and Decreasing Variation

In conclusion, the diverse range of dissertation topics for business management provides ample opportunities for scholars to delve into critical issues, propose innovative solutions, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field. By addressing these dissertation topics within business management, researchers can drive meaningful change and foster sustainable growth in today’s dynamic business environment.

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Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Analyzing the Effect of Sponsorship Disclosure on Social Media Influencer Contribution to Engagement in the Test and Measurement Industry , Todd B. Baker

Moral Virtues: A Quantitative Study on the Impact of National Culture on Integrity , Andrew I. Ellestad

The Barriers to Active and Experiential Learning in Accounting Education , Elizabeth Holbrook

Phenomenological Study of African American Female Partners in Top U.S. Corporate Law Firms , Tony Kelly

Career Shock and Voluntary Turnover Intention among Current Employees in the Public Sector , Charlena Miller

Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, and the Perceived Employability of Traditional Undergraduate Business Students in a Private Midwest Educational Institution , Michele Ryan

Effect of Black- or White-Sounding Name and Impact of Intergroup Contact with Black Individuals on Auditor Judgments , Vanessa J. Tijerina

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Young Adults Who Save for Retirement: A Grounded Theory Study of the Decision-Making Process , Chad Greenwood

How do People Justify not Paying their Taxes? A Study on Moral Disengagement and Tax Evasion , Grace M. Hufff

Identity Work in Aspiring Big 4 Accounting Practice Leaders: Narratives of Personal Reinvention , Michael H. Kinnen

The Impact of Workplace Mentoring on Meaningful Work for People With Workplace Anxiety in the Insurance Industry , Susan L. Nelson

The Impact of Digital Marketing Tactics on the Recruitment of Domestic First-Generation College Students in the Southwest United States , Noelle Seybert

Exploring the Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Workplace Violence , Jared W. Snow

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Onboarding Autism Employees in Technology Industry , Heung-For Cheng

Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Practices on Brand Trust and Purchase Intention in the Wine Industry , Sarah L. Cooley

A New Model of Opportunity Recognition: Linking Individual Agency, Entrepreneurial Action, and the Innovation Process , Eva M. Fast

Financial Literacy and Behavior in Credit Unions: An Exploration of Member Financial Literacy and Financial Behavior in the Credit Union Model , Peter R. Fisher

Predicting the Financial Vulnerability of U.S. Public Charities: A Test of the Tuckman-Chang Model , Alesha L. Graves

The Strategic Response of Nonprofits to Institutional Pressures: An Intellectual Capital , Mario L. Hicks

Ethical Attitudes of Accounting Faculty and Public Accountants , James Karan

An Analysis of the Impact of an Influencer's Perceived Trustworthiness and Content Quality on Their Follower's Travel Intent , Josh C. McNair

Remote Working and Open Offices: A Phenomenological Study of the Factors Impacting Employee Productivity , Frank Murphy

Rural Coopetition: A Consumer Perspective of Marketing Activities Involving SMEs , Cassandra A. Ritzen

Consumer Behavior and Ad-Evoked Effects in Native Ads: The Role of Congruence and Brand Familiarity , Steven Rydin

The Influence of Type of Implicit EWOM on Purchase Intention , Michael H. Starr

U.S. Marine Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars Diagnosed with PTSD: Perceived Employment Barriers Faced by Marines with PTSD Upon Discharge , Marlon G. Ware

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Relationship Among Generational Cohorts, Tenure, Job Categories, and Employee Readiness for Organizational Change in a Healthcare Environment: A Quantitative Study , Jerry S. K. Adatsi

Electronic Health Records: Influencing Performance at Critical Access Hospitals , John Bennett

Millennial Students’ Awareness of Retirement Issues, Their Retirement Preparedness and Future Expectations , Krzysztof P. Bryniuk

Assessing the Impact of Transition from Rules-based to Principles-based Accounting in the Recognition of Revenue: A Study of Public Companies listed in the Russell 3000 Index that Elected the Full Retrospective Method of Accounting , Foday Y. Deen-Conteh

The Impact of Buyer Needs on Perceived Trade Show Effectiveness , RJ Fryan

Self-Determination Theory and Pharmaceutical Salespeople: Does Motivational Orientation of U.S.-Based Pharmaceutical Salespeople Influence Sales Performance? , Brandon Gilbert

A Cord of Three: A Phenomenological Study of Linkages in Interdenominational Interactions in Northwest Wyoming as Informed Through Network and Social Exchange Theories , Timothy N. Gray

Management Succession in a Two-Family-Owned Business: A Case Study , Dwight D. Ham

Factors Motivating Leaders to Volunteer: An Examination of Volunteer Leadership in Long-term Post-Acute Care , Christian Allen Mason

Happiness at Work: A Phenomenological Investigation of Clinic Managers , Jorge Melendez

Can Trait Emotional Intelligence Variables of Well-Being, Self-Control, Emotionality, and Sociability Individually or Collectively Predict a Software Development Engineer's Creativity? , Mwoyondishe Jonathan Mvududu

Job Satisfaction Among Faculty Members at CCCU Institutions , Heather C. Vaccaro

Sticker Price Elasticity as Predictor of Tuition Reset Success: A Quantitative Approach , Robert F. Van Cleef

A Narrative Analysis of Virtue Ethics Among Accounting Professors , Gibran N. Zogbi

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Leading Change: Examining the Relationships between Leadership Style, Organizational Culture and Change Readiness in Christian Universities of the State of Oregon , Dale Seipp Jr.

Doctorum Reciproco: Multi-Generational Professionals and Their Sentimentality Towards Reciprocity , Sal Villegas

Identifying City Attributes for Place Branding that Create Strong Self-Brand Connections , Matthew Vollrath

An Empirical Examination of Formal and Informal Institutional Factors’ Influence on Global Food Industry Sustainability Engagement , Kat Yamamoto

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Entrepreneurship Education’s Impact on Entrepreneurial Intention: A Predictive Regression Model of Chinese University Students , Brian A. Lavelle

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Link Between Job Satisfaction and the Intention to Leave Among Casino Employees , Oliver Wayne Aho

Exploring Factors that Help Students Feel More Connected to Their Online Instructors , Debra Austin

Scoping Job Enlargement with the Cultural Dimension of Individualism: An Industrial , Mark Wm. Cawman

Exceptionally Employable: A Study of the Value of Contrasting Educational Modalities within Christian Liberal Arts Universities in Preparing Students for Employment Suitability , Sam Heinrich

The Impact of CSR Efforts on Firm Performance in the Energy Sector , Robert Lloyd

Public Company Health Insurers and Medical Loss Ratios: An Event Study of Dates Associated with the Affordable Care Act , Rachelle Quinn

Self-Determination and Human Resource Retention: Employee and Volunteer Motivation to Stay in Rural Oregon Nonprofit Organizations , Nicole Richman

Understanding Business Education: Examining the Effect of the Application of Strategic Learning Among Diverse Business Disciplines , Dan Thoman

Pre-Certification Interprofessional Education: Ideal vs. Reality Patient Safety Curriculum , Edward E. Ward

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Marketing Channel Attitudes of Chinese Business-to-Business Companies: An Empirical Buyer Behavior Study for U.S. Companies Marketing to Chinese B2B Customers , Jonathan Cooley

Corporate Social Responsibility: Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Costa Rican Hotel Tourist Industry , Michelle Flynn Osborne

A Phenomenological Investigation of Factors Leading to Success in Diverting Non-Urgent Emergency Department Use at a Rural Critical Access Hospital Using the Patient Centered Medical Home Model , Paul Gratton

An Investigation of the Trends in Pricing for Christian Higher Education and Its Relationship to Perceived Quality , Richard Holaway

Understanding the Process Small Businesses Use to Capture, Convert, and Integrate Survival Knowledge , Frank Marshall

Encouraging Ethical Behavior in the Workplace by Way of the Classroom: Examining the Use of Social Media in Marketing Ethics Instruction to Influence Millennials‘ Perception of Workplace Ethics , Traci Thomas Pierce

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Lived Experience of College Choice , Ryan Ladner

The Management of a Turnaround after an Ethical Breach in a Public Institution of Higher Education , Ashley Stark

Nontraditional Students in Management and Accounting Programs: Investigating the Relationship between Personality and Major Satisfaction in the Community College Setting , Brad Ward

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Empirical Study on the Relationship between Ethical Leadership and Organizational Climate of Innovation , Virlena Crosley

Undergraduate Education Background and Ethical Decision Making , Ian H. King

Understanding Consumers' Thoughts and Feelings about Financial Literacy and How Financial Literacy Affects Their Lives Using the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET) , Belle Marie

Dissertations from 2013 2013

An Exploratory Study of the Role of Values in Microeconomic Decision-Making and the Implications for Organizations and Leaders , Holly A. Bell

Later Life Career Transitions: Exploration of Factors and Turning Points that Influence Career Transitions in Later Life , Estle Harlan

The Role of Creativity in the Ethical Orientation of Oregon CPAs , John D. Porter

Dissertations from 2012 2012

Exploring the background and motivations of social entrepreneurs , Timothy A. Lucas

Dissertations from 2011 2011

Organizational culture and brand : A grounded theory assessment of employees' enablement to live the brand at a best place to work , Tyler Laird Magee

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Dissertation Business Management

Barriers to entry for a new venture looking to penetrate the online retail industry: High-End Furniture

Abbreviations           5

Abstract          6

Executive Summary            6

Introduction   8

Research Hypothesis         9

Literature Review     10

Definition of e-commerce and barriers to entry  10

General barriers       11

Patents & Licensing            12

Logistics        13

Economies of scale             14

Customer acquisition          15

Technological skills 16

Internet Availability  18

Implementation        20

Taxation         21

Payment        22

Internet Security       23

Internet as the mass distribution channel           25

Technology   27

Methodology 28

Research Strategy   28

Research Approach            29

Qualitative research method          31

Open-ended questions       32

Structured interviews          33

Reliability and validity in a qualitative research 34

Reliability      34

Validity           34

Informant reliability  36

Measures taken by the researcher           37

Respondent validation       39

Incorporating rich and thick verbatim description         39

Randomization         40

Prolonged engagement      40

Purposive sampling 42

Elements of purposive sampling  44

Sample size  45

Sample elements     48

Interviews      49

Recruitment of respondents for interviews         49

Interviews present a number of risks which cannot be overlooked    53

Research ethics       55

Confidentiality          55

Informed consent     56

Analysis method      57

Thematic approach  57

Telephone interviews         60

Face to face interviews       60

Transcribing data     61

Limitations     62

Results          64

Logistics        67

Customs and taxation         69

Internet Security       71

Internet as a mass distribution channel  73

Costs of implementation and maintaining an e-commerce website   74

Payment        76

Internet availability  78

Discussion    81

Recommendations  84

Conclusions 85

References   87

Appendices   96

Instruments   101

Abbreviations

Conducting this MBA research was indispensable provided the paucity of research undertaken into why the e-commerce adoption rate has been slow among retailers of high-end furniture, while other retailers were more amenable to venturing into online, and selling there. Firstly, the researchers employ interviewing, and qualitative data generation method to generate data. Secondly, thematic analysis was completed with the use of NVIO. Thirdly, the researcher presents the results of the research and identifies the key barriers to e-commerce adoption by producers of high-end furniture.

Executive Summary This MBA dissertation was conducted to identify the barriers to entry in e-commerce for retailers of high-end producers, and to determine the relative importance of these barriers in relation to each other.

The research employs qualitative research method to examine why the rate of e-commerce adoption has been low in high-end furniture, unlike in other categories. The researcher employed purposive sampling to choose the samples, and has concluded that there are 5 main barriers to entry e-commerce for high-end furniture retailers- logistics, taxation & customs, internet security, the impact of internet’s mass distribution nature and implantation costs.

The results suggest that these barriers to entries somehow hinder producers of high-end furniture from venturing into e-commerce and selling their furniture online.

The results suggest a number of recommendation for businesses in the high-end furniture niche:

• concentrating on logistics
• ensuring that there is workforce knowledgeable about taxation and customers
• investing into internet security systems, and protect the data derived from customers
• devise a strategy to be able to project exclusivity on the Internet
• consider the costs of implementation and maintenance and scale accordingly
• parter up with companies to ensure the online store can accept and process payment from various payment methods

Introduction

Rendered mainstream by Amazon, o nline retailing (i.e. an electronic commerce where consumer can purchase goods using their web browsers, or apps) have come to be a staple in every brick-and-mortar retailer’s strategy. Online marketplace or a dedicated store can offer unprecedented opportunities to business, big and small.  The U.S. Census Bureau’s Quarterly Retail E-commerce Sales Report for the 2nd quarter of 2013 cites that there are 102,728 online retailers making at minimum $12 000 in revenue. This considerable number of online retailers generating the threshold revenue testifying to how online retail industry has gained such traction.  McKinsey   (2015) expound on the increase in e-commerce luxury sales, and maintains that the growth will be tripled by 2015, suggesting the ever importance of e-commerce adoption for high-end furniture retailers.  The introduction of online marketplace platforms, such as Shopify and BigCommece have lowered the barriers to entry into online-retailing, thus democratizing access to an online marketplace. Nonetheless, penetrating and gaining a foothold in the online retaliating is still fraught with obstacles and challenges.  These obstacles and challenges in penetrating the online retailing are referred to as barriers to entry, which are essentially obstacles hindering new entrants from penetrating a particular. There is a clear gap in academic research into the barriers to entries into the online retailing. The preponderance of the academic literature concentrate on the extrinsic benefits business can derive from venturing into online relating. Therefore, there is a clear need for more research into the barriers to entry for luxury furniture producers.  By identifying the barriers to entry into the online marketplace, luxury furniture makers can better be equipped with strategy to overcome such barriers to entry, rendering their strategy more proactive. This business research paper aims to identify the existing barriers to entry into the online retailing for luxury furniture producers, and recommend strategies for luxury furniture makers when attempting to penetrate the online retail landscape.

Research Hypothesis

This business dissertation aims to answer these research hypothesis, and achieve the research objectives of identifying barriers to entry for penetrating online retail for luxury furniture procedures.  Research questions are essential, and they dictate the research methods (Strauss and Corbin 1998).

• What are the barriers of entry into online retailing for luxury furniture producers?
• What are the relative importance of these barriers of entry for luxury furniture makers?
• What strategies can be utilized to minimize or circumvent these entire into entry for luxury furniture makers?

Researching the barriers into entry and recommending strategies for luxury furniture makers is the key part of this business research.

Literature Review

There is voluminous academic literature conducted into the barriers of entry into online retailing. Nonetheless, most of the research concentrates on most types of businesses making them inapplicable to specific businesses such as high-end furniture retailers. The rate of e-commerce adoption among SMEs pale into comparison next to that among large companies (MacGregor and Vrazalic, 2006).   MacGregor and Vrazalic (2005) cite that notwithstanding the government support and improvements in internet infrastructure, mainly large companies were able to leverage their e-commerce websites, and derive economic benefits. The reluctancy of high-end furniture makers are derived from barriers to entry, which will be analyzed below. Nonetheless, most of the research carried out on barriers to entry concentrate on SMEs.

Definition of e-commerce and barriers to entry

E-commerce has been able to penetrate all aspects of our lives. There are a number of valid definitions of what e-commerce is in academic literature. Wigand (1997) defined e-commerce as a process whereby the Internet is utilized to conduct economic activities, or activities from which economic gain be derived.  On the other hand, WTO (1998) provided for a more encompassing and extensive definition of what e-commerce was by citing that e-commerce is utilizing the Internet as a platform where some miscellaneous services could be conducted. Bain (1956) provided a definition for an entry barrier, defining it as anything which enable incumbent companies to sustain above-normal profits without the threat of entry. Companies sometimes erect barriers to entry to insulate themselves from new entrants and sustain their profitability.

General barriers

Zaid (2012) has compartmentalized the barriers to entries for SMEs, and categorized them as social, legal, cultural, technological, political and organizational.   Zaied (2012) rated the relative importance of each factors in militating against small business starting an e-commerce website, cited social and cultural factors as the least important ones. Subba et al. (2003) notes how the costs associated with launching and sustaining an e-commerce website has decreased.  Notwithstanding, Subba et al. (2003) concludes that the costs are still measurable and thus deter some businesses from implementing e-commerce websites. Dholakia and Kshetri(2004)suggest that there are both external and internal factors impeding e-commerce adoption among SMEs, and compartmentalized the factors into these subgroups.  Dholakia and Kshetri(2004) studied a number of SMEs at varying levels of e-commerce adoption, and concluded that prior technology use among SME owners was an essential factor. The findings of Dholakia and Kshetri (2004) are in harmony with those of Yazdanifard and Zargar (2012) which also emphasize how e-commerce adoption can be hindered by a paucity of technological know-how. On the other hand, success in e-commerce adoption depends on a number of diverse variables, suggests Polatoglu (2007).  Polatoglu (2007) cites that success in e-commerce adoption depends on strategic choices and organizational capacities. Cultural factors hindering e-commerce adoption have been explored by academic research. Travica (2002) cites how important cultural factors can impede e-commerce adoption, emphasizing how cultural perceptions averse to ICT can in fact become a barrier to entry for e-commerce adoption.

Competitive pressure spurs IT innovation, and facilities e-commerce adoption, as suggested by Battisti et al (2007). Perceived benefits of e-commerce incentive businesses to go online, as found by Gibbs and Kraemer (2004).

Patents & Licensing

The Economist (2009) cites that patents, licensing and as such can be the most insurmountable for firms looking to venture into the online marketplace and sell their products there. These barriers act as an insulation for the exiting companies in any given industry. Ozyasar (2017) also came to comparable discussion, by emphasizing how permissions or licenses can act as very steep barriers to entry, discouraging new entrants from penetrating the industries which are subject to licensing, and permission. Hornie and Zammit (2010) also discuss how licensing and regulations can be high barriers to entry. Nonetheless, they cite how online gambling and casinos are subjected to these licensing practices, not e-commerce retailers.

Logistics (also referred to as fulfillment plays a key role in ensuring that e-commerces thrive in the global market. Kayikci ( 2018) finds that the integration of logistics and supply chain can be taxing, but SMEs has to leverage their resources to ensure they make improvements in their logistics. The unprecedented growth in the number of personal vehicles being purchased and driven by consumers constitutes another threat to e-commerce since the increase in the number of cars leads to congestion, thereby, prolonging delivery times (de Souza et al (2014)

Ghezzi et al. (2012) found a positive correlation between poor logistics (i.e. infrastructure) with problems in logistics, and suggested a number of recommendations in terms of strategizing to ensure that the problems associated with infrastructure are mitigated. Incumbents in the e-commerce industry have exhibited a penchant for utilizing their mass output and economy of scale to render fast and secure shipping, like Amazon does for little or no fee. Lewis (2006) found a positive relationship between customer acquisition and low shipping fees.  Gr anted, most SMEs are devoid of the financial and technological clout to render swift and inexpensive shipping, this acts as one of the key barriers to entry .

Delivery of items ordered occurs frequently in e-commerce. These delays can act as a huge disincentive for the consumers, and make them less like to procure e-commerce products, found Franco and Regi S (2016). AT Kearney, a consultancy based in South Korea, also cites that logistics remains a huge problem for e-commerce business, a conclusion which is in harmony with that of Franco and Regi S (2016).

Overall, ensuring efficient delivery requires more skills and know-how on part of businesses looking to take their businesses to online. Since ensuring seamless delivery and managing logistics requires better integration of technologies over the supply chain.

As much as there t ends to be a virtual consensus among researchers as to the how licensing, and permission can constitute high barriers to entry, e-commerce retailing is ordinarily not subject to these restrictive licensing practices, testifying to the inapplicability of these entry to barriers for e-commerce retailers.

Economies of scale

Economies of scale as a barrier to entry can be gained from having a dominant position in an industry.  There are a number of academic literature suggesting the importance of economies of scale as a relatively high barrier to entry.  Ferguson(1974) cites the importance of scale economies by asserting how mass production by the incumbent companies enable them to sustain their portability, and acting as a deterrence for up-coming companies to enter the industry. Schmalensee (1981), on the other hand , concludes that economies of scale as a barrier to entry is far from effective, downplaying its importance as a high barrier to entry.

Rayport and Jaworski (2002) come to similar conclusions as Scmalensee (1981), by indicating that economies of scale as a barrier to entry is undermined with the advent of e-commerce. There persists the notion of early mover advantage within e-commerce businesses, and early mover advantage with e-businesses translate into strategic advantage, suggests Wang et al (2016). The rate at which insurgent e-commerce retailers can gain competitive advantage can be retarded by early movers into e- commerce, such as Amazon, argues Wang et al (2016).Currently, there are a number of tool e-commerce businesses can utilize to overcome these seeming barriers. Nonetheless, the proliferation of tools has lowered these barriers to entries to e-commerce retailers, as suggested by Donkovtceva (2016).

There is a contention as to whether economies of scale can act as a high barrier to entry for e-commerce businesses, with some academic literature stressing its importance, and some depreciating its role as barrier to entry. 

Customer acquisition

Khurana (2017) suggests that, notwithstanding an e—commerce website can be set up with relative ease , it can be quite onerous for e-commerce business including high-end furniture retailers to acquire new customers.  Customer acquisition online somehow considered to be more taxing and onerous, unlike at a physical store. Hirt and Willmott (2014) agree on the fact that e-commerce has afforded customer more transparency as to the pries, ushering in an era of laser focus on price matching, and feature-comparing. These new trends suggest that acquiring customers has been rendered more complicated as a result of the e-commerce boom. When e-commerce stores offering comparable products abound, it causes confusion for the customer as to what to choose from, and such optionality leads to lower switching costs.  Porter (1980) defined switching costs as ‘one-time costs facing the buyer of switching from one supplier’s product to another’s’. Ke et al (2004) found that switching costs are lower in the e-commerce, since technology has shifted how consumer perceive product makers, and make purchasing decisions.  Customer loyalty is key in sustaining any e-commerce businesses, and it correlated with switching costs. Low switching costs signifies how e-commerce business can lose customers even if they make a minor mistake in its execution, finds Yen (2017) suggest that the fact low barriers to entries in e-commerce have ushered in a proliferation of e-commerce websites. The unprecedented increase has directly translated into high competition amongst e-commerce businesses intending to entice more consumers.

Technological skills

Technological skills of employees also play a key role in ensuring the success of e-commerce websites. Technological skills associated with implementing and maintaining an e-commerce website can be high.  There persists a paucity of skilled workforce equipped with technological skills, and this is an entry to barrier to e-commerce in and of itself, discuss Odedra and Straub (2003). Ainin and Noorismawati (2003) also found that the presence of technological skills can play a key role. The businesses. Ainin and Noorismawati (2003 provides support to the fact that the paucity of technologically-knowledgeable workforce was one of the important factors hindering e-commerce adoption.

Oliveira & Martins (2010) define technological readiness as being able to leverage and integrate technological and IT human resources. Mata et al (1995) suggest that technological readiness con-sits of two parts- technological infrastructure and human resource which can manipulate and leverage the technology to complement the e-commerce business.

Greater integration among supply chains is key. Nonetheless, integrating of supply chains entails economic costs, as asserted by Al-Qirim (2007).

Yazdanifard and Zargar (2012) suggest that e-commerce will play even a bigger role in the future of retail. They contend that this level of unprecedented growth requires labor (i.e. workforce) skilled at implementing and managing e-commerce websites. Yazdanifard and Zargar (2012) contend that the demand and supply in IT workforce is will not be sustainable, and this can put potential businesses looking to expand online.  Taylor and Murphy (2004) also note that when adopting an e-commerce website, many businesses face the problem of lack of skilled workforce, substantiating the findings of Yazdanifard and Zagar (2012). Lawson   et al. (2003) agreed on the importance of technological skills in enabling business venture into e-commerce, however, they noted how learning and mastering the technological skills prerequisite for managing an e-commerce website can take around 5 to 10 years.

Deloitte (2017) suggests that leveraging technology is key to deriving the benefits of e-commerce, suggesting comparable views as to how the paucity of technological skills can hinder businesses from going online.

The analyzed literature review suggests that academic interest into the barriers to entry for e-commerce remains fragmented. Huang (2007) also concentrated on the Taiwanese market and considered the Taiwanese legal system and licensing to be one of the most prohibitive barriers into entry.   There are a number of studies to corroborate the findings of Huang (2007).  CIMB ASEAN Research Center (2015) suggests that legal framework can indeed have pernicious or chilling effect on the business looking to venture into e-commerce.

Internet Availability

The availability of high-speed broadband connection is far from guaranteed in some parts of the world. The essence of an e-commerce is to sell products to customers from all around the world. Nonetheless, the availability of high-speed internet connection can militate against realizing this key potential of e-commerce for retailers, cites CIMB ASEAN Research Center (2015). Ainin and Noorismawati (2003) also concurred with the research of CIMB ASEAN Research Center by suggesting that the availability of the Internet was the second most important barrier to entry among businesses which wanted to venture into online. Not all customers have access to the Internet, suggested their seminal study. Nonetheless, Ainin and Noorismawati (2003) research was conducted in 2003, when the Internet penetration rate was deep, and that customers were devoid of access to Internet. Therefore, the findings of the Ainin and Noorismawati (2003) research might not be so applicable to the current business strategies aiming to incorporate online expansion in their portfolio. Kaynak et al. (2005) conducted a study into the reasons of slow adoption of e-commerce by businesses in markets including Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia. Kaynal et al. (2005) concluded that slow internet connection and instability in telecommunications were the main factors impeding the e-commerce adoption rates among businesses based in the countries they studied. Okoli and Mbarika (2002) cite how telecommunications infrastructure can either facilitate or impede e-commerce adoption, giving credence to the findings of Kaynal et al. (2005).

Ainin and Noorismawati (2003) suggested that notwithstanding the unprecedented adoption of e-commerce among companies, there persists a number of factors impeding the adoption of e-commerce. The costs associated with implementing and managing e-commerce website were the most significant factor impeding e-commerce adoption amongst the companies they studied. Kurnia (2006) also emphasis how availability of brand-with connection can be a disincentive for consumers and retailers alike, by discovering that consumers tended to grow frustrated with slow internet connection and cultivate aversion to e-commerce websites. Therefore, Kurnia (2006) and Ain and Noorismawati (2003) came to comparable conclusions as to how the availability of Internet or lack thereof can be a barrier to entry for some businesses in their adoption of e-commerce.

Implementation

Heung (2003), on the other hand identified the cost of formulating and implementing an e-commerce website as the most critical factor which deters SMEs from establishing an e-commerce websites.  Heung (2003) asserted that the shortage of well-trained staff to maintained the e-commerce was also another key barrier to entry into e-commerce. Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006) also cites developing an e-commerce website and the costs associated with it as one of most important factors impeding e-commerce adoption by SMEs.  Duan (2012) also came to similar conclusions regarding how costs associated with developing and implementing an e-commerce website can be a formidable barrier to entry for e-commerce businesses. Ramdani, Chevers, and Williams (2013) found that most SMEs are averse to going online, largely because they are not technologically prepared, and are devoid of employees capable of maintaining such e-commerce websites.

Laurence and Tar (2010) stress how the costs associated with entry to barriers such as implementation of an e-commerce strategy can be high.  Nonetheless, Laurance and Tar (2010) exclusively focused on entries to barriers for e-commerce in developing countries. Laurance and Tar (2010) findings have been corroborated by Koh and Maguire (2004). Koh and Maguire (2004) suggest that the biggest contraint on smaller size firm when venturing into e-commerce is the fact that they are unable to inject enough investment into their new venture. MacGregor and Vrazalic imputed the slower adoption of e-commerce by SMEs to their inability to raise funds and invest, substantiating the findings of Koh and Maguire (2004). Koh and Maguire (2004) conclude that notwithstanding the number of tools available to business to utilize to venture into e-commerce, whether or not these tools are employed to gain strategic advantage remains nebulous. Notwithstanding how there persists considerable academic literature on the barriers to entry for SMES, all the academic research papers discussed above concentrated on SMEs, and tended to be overly general. Therefore, there persists a gap in business research for specifically luxury furniture producers.

Running an e-commerce and generating revenue world-wide undoubtedly leads to taxation in either country.  Global tax laws are far from uniform, and compliance with them remains cumbersome for SMEs, including high-end furniture retailers. Jones and Basu (2002) studied the implications of taxation e-commerce, and indicated that fragmented tax code, and as such can be onerous to be comply with. G. Reddick and D. Coggburn (2007) also consider taxation as a deterrence for SMEs looking to expand into e-commerce, by suggesting that the State laws need a major overhaul to better reflect the rise of e-commerce. Cobb et al (2000) also found that, even though overlooked, taxation can have commercial implications for the businesses attempting establish e-commerce stores.  Cross-border trade sometimes entails dealing with customs, and paying import tariffs when products are sold out of the country. Custom, coupled with logistic, can constitute a robust barrier to entry for SMEs looking to establish an online website and leverage it to reach and sell to more customer over the Internet (Kanueva, 2009). Galuzka (2016) cites the how tax-compliance can hinder e-commerce, and acts as a formidable entry to barrier.

Whether it is PayPal, Visa or Stripe, payment methods an e-commerce retailer can accept abound. For an e-commerce website, it is essential to ensure that various payment methods are accepted. Notwithstanding the advent of Stripe, and other payment tool which facilitate the receipt of payment from various sources, Huang (2007) identified that ensuring receipt of payment from various methods another key barrier into entry. Nevertheless, Huang (2007) sampling is limited, and concentrated on Taiwanese and Chinese businesses looking to venture into online e-commerce.  Byrne and Hanson (2014) also suggest that to success in an e-commerce, any website needs the tools to manage payments, and ensure that e-commerce businesses can accept payment from various methods. Efendioglu et al (2004) cited how shopper, particularly in developing countries, tend to view online shopping as susceptible to fraud, and are usually averse to using such services online.  Efendioglu et al (2004) also found that security and payment issues coalesced into a formidable barrier to entry for both e-retailers and consumers. Deloitte (2017) stresses how e-commerce companies have to be able to leverage and accept a variety of payment options, such as debit and credit cards, internet banking and as such.

Payment can be a big disadvantage and act as a barrier to entry for businesses intending to establish their e-commerce websites. (Oxley and Yeung, 2001) expound on the importance of a payment infrastructure which allows for seamless payments and transactions over the Internet for purchases done online.  Overall, developing and implementing systems whereby various payment methods can be accepted for payment is a key factor as a barrier to entry.

Internet Security

Hacking and other risks to privacy constitute one of the key barriers to entry of e-commerce. Internet security as a barrier to entry for e-commerce businesses has also attract considerable research attention. Sultana et al. (2011) has come to identify security issues related to setting and running an e-commerce website as one of the highest barriers to entry when implementing an e-commerce website. Sultana et al. (2011) researching small enterprises in Sweden came to conclusion that maintaining a secure e-commerce was one of the factors militating against small business venturing into electronic commerce.  Chitura et al. (2008) also identified security-related issues as a high barrier to entry for e-commerce among both high-end and low end producers of furniture, substantiating the most of  academic research conducted into the area. On the other hand, Kool et al (2011) found that 19% of the SMEs it researched cited internet fraud as one of the most important factor deterring them from setting up an e-commerce website.  Cloete et al (2002) came to comparable conclusions as to the importance of security for new entrants into e-commerce, by suggesting that internet security was found as less than robust by the SMEs they surveyed for their seminal study.

Tan, et al., (2007) found that fraud, fear of loss, and other risks associated with e-commerce was cited as the most significant factor impeding the adoption of e-commerce, giving credence to the findings of Sultana et al. (2011) and Chitura et al. (2008). Left unmitigated, these risks can coalesce into more than a hindrance and successful prevent SMEs from adopting e-commerce.

Overall, there tends to be a consensus as to the importance of internet security as a key barrier to entry for e-commerce, as suggested by the academic literature reviewed.

Internet as the mass distribution channel

Luxury e-commerce is somehow perceived as somehow impossible. Shaoolin (2017) cites how cumbersome it can be for luxurious brands to project exclusivity and luxury in e-commerce. Nonetheless, Shaoolin (2017) contends that with the formulation and execution, luxury product retailers can gain and project exclusivity and luxury in e-commerce.

Parisi (2017) provides for comparable views as to how the Internet and the e-commerce is perceived as a present danger to the exclusivity and the desirability of the luxury products, including furniture. Parisi (2017) cites that the reluctancy of most companies to venture into e-commerce can be imputed to the fact that the Internet can be a factor diluting the exclusivity of the high-end products, giving credence to the findings of Shaoolin (2017).

Schiffer (2017) came to similar conclusions as to how it can be challenging for luxury e-commerce business to exude and project exclusivity and luxury in an e-commerce website, and cites how the inability to sustain their exclusivity and impart their brands’ value proposition. Curtis (2002) cites that for all its advantages, the Internet is considered to be a mass distribution channel. Therefore, e-commerce adoption has been unprecedentedly low compared to other cheaper consumer goods.  Nonetheless, Shaoolin (2017) suggests that luxury brands can employ unique strategies to sustain their exclusivity and ensure that they make inroads into luxury e-commerce.

Qiumei and Weimei (2012) produced a seminal study into e-commerce within the furniture sector and suggest high-end furniture producers to devise a strategic plan to execute to make inroads into luxury e-commerce whereby furniture producers set up e-commerce website where they sell their products directly to buyers.

To conclude, there seems to be a tentative consensus as to how the Internet is considered the less luxurious mean of communicating with and selling to luxury customers (Curtis 2000 and Parisi 2017). Nonetheless, the mere fact that the Internet is the ‘mass distribution channel of communication’ can be balanced with the exclusivity and luxury, high-end furniture producers intend to project. Qiumei and Weimei (2012 and Shaoolin (2017) stress the importance of how these unique challenges can be overcome and rendered counterproductive by high-end furniture producers.

Lack of technological know-how and of resources as barriers to entry for e-commerce websites have garnered sustained academic attention, as suggested by the literature review. Mehrtens, Cragg and Mills (2001) cited lack of resources and technological know-how as one of the key barriers into e-commerce, which has the potential to successfully deter new entrants from venturing into e-commerce.  Based on his study of 292 Indonesian SMEs, Rahayu (2015) found that technological know-how was one the most important factors for businesses which are loth to go online.  Stockdale and Standing (2004) study compartmentalized the barriers to entry into two groups- external and internal. Moreover, Rosemary and Standing (2004) found that technological know-how, which is an external factor- as key in deterring new entrants. This finding seems to be in harmony with that of Mehrtens, Cragg and Mills (2001) who identified lack of technological prowess as one of the deterrents (i.e. barriers to entry) Zaied (2012) came to identify shortage of technical skills and know-how as one of the most preventative barriers to entry for retailers trying to set up and an e-commerce website. Arendt (2008) suggests similar conclusions, by citing insufficient knowledge and technical prowess as one of the barriers hindering SMEs from venturing into e-commerce. Overall, technology as a barrier to entry for e-commerce used to be a key role. Nevertheless, most studies were conducted before 2015 suggesting their inapplicability to the current reality of e-commerce.

Methodology

Research Strategy

Research strategy is a key component of a methodology, enabling the researcher to identify the key areas of research ankd answer the research questions (Recker, 2012). Research strategy helps the researchers to figure out how the data will be collected, processed and analyzed to answer the research questions and achieve the research questions (Bryman & Bell 2015). Research can be conducted by utilizing

To identify the barriers to entry to e-commerce for high-end furniture producers, the researcher will utilize qualitative data research method.  Unlike qualitative date which entails measurements, qualitative data utilized the answers derived from interviews and questions. Qualitative research method encourages the respondents to ramble on, enhancing the researcher’s ability to dig deeper into the subject (Bryman and Bell, 2015).  Therefore, the researcher has decided to go with qualitative research as opposed a to qualitative one.

This research is descriptive and applied in nature. Descriptive research entails the description of a number of variable. These variables are entries to barriers in the context of this study.

Research Approach

Employing the appropriate research approach is essential in enabling researcher conduct a reliable and replicable research in any given area. These research methods have come to be compartmentalized into three groups:  deductive, inductive and adductive.

Once all three of these research approaches have been juxtaposed in terms of their appropriateness and feasibility for answering the research questions, it became transparent that inductive research approach was more appropriate to examine the barriers to entry for e-commerce among high-end furniture makers.  The choice of inductive research was based on the following analysis.

Unlike deductive research approach, inductive research approach entails utilizing data and inferring data to answer the research questions set out.  When a deductive approach is deployed for a research, the researcher ordinarily formulates a hypothesis, and utilized data to confirm the hypothesis.  On the other hand, an inductive approach does not entail the formulation of a hypothesis. Inductive research, on the other hand, is aimed at narrowing down research questions and answering these questions (Neuman 2003). Moreover, no hypothesis can be formulated at the initial stage of an inductive research, largely because new trends are ordinarily researched for inductive research. Inductive research approach has been defined as a research approach which ‘involves the search for pattern from observation and the development of explanations – theories – for those patterns through series of hypotheses’ (Bernard, 2011).

The use of deductive research method is prevalent in science, as opposed to business research. For business research, inductive research is the more optimal choice, mainly because inductive research approach is more conducive to generating a theory following collecting and analyzing data.

Lodico et al (2010) provide that an inductive research approach ‘“bottom-up” approach to knowing, in which the researcher uses observations to build an abstraction or to describe a picture of the phenomenon that is being studied’.

Qualitative research method

Research method is an aspect of any research project. Shenton (2004) stresses that the appropriate and well-recognized research method is key to ensure the credibility of the research. Moreover, Shenton (2004) cites research method as one of the key elements which dictate how business research is conducted. Data for a business research can be collated using either quantitative or qualitative method. Qualitative research has been lucidly described as ‘any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification’ (Strauss and Corbin, 1990).  Both data collection methods such as qualitative and quantitative have gained traction in business research (Bryman and Bell, 2011).

When deciding on the applicability of either data collection methods, rapt attention has been paid to their dissociative features and to their feasibility and viability.  To analyze the diverse barriers to entry in e-commerce for high-end furniture producers, qualitative research method will be utilized.

Parker (2013) cites that there has been sustained increase in the use of qualitative research in business and marketing, while Silverman (2005) suggests that qualitative research, as opposed to quantitative research, is more conducive in learning about the attitude of subjects towards something new or unprecedented.

Proctor (2003) suggests that interviewing subjects can be key in identifying some obscure problems. Qualitative research is more conducive to identifying problems, and suggest solutions to them based on the data collated using qualitative research. Qualitative research enables the researcher to derive deeper insight on the problem.

Open-ended questions

The interviews incorporated open-ended questions as to derive more insight into the problems facing high-end furniture producers while establishing e-commerce websites, and maintaining them. Unlike closed questions which tend to restrict the responses of the interviewees, open-ended questions incentivize interviewees to elaborate on their answers (Marquardt, 2005). Open-ended questions have been citing as viable in helping interviewees delve deeper into the subject and provide more constructive responses, enhancing the reliability of the data. Mutch (2005) also emphasizes the importance of incorporating open-ended questions in interviews, and how they can enable the researcher to derive more insight, and incite the subjects to go deeper and reveal more about the subjects being studied.

Overall, open-ended questions offer a number of key advantages over other types of questions. Therefore, open-ended questions were incorporated into the questions to be asked from samples.

Structured interviews

On the other hand, structured interviews adopt a different approach. Rowley (2012) cites how structured interviewers exerting complete control over the structure, and contains closed ended questions, which are posed to the interviewees in the exact order. Structured interviews can hinder the interviews from elaborating on their arguments and opinions, retarding the production of useful insight (Rowley, 2012). Kvale (1996) provided for a categorization of a qualitative interview questions as the following: introducing questions, follow up questions, probing questions specifying questions, direct questions, indirect questions, structuring questions, silence, interpreting questions.

The researcher has ensured that the questions formulated in the interview protocol incorporated questions of diverse nature to ensure the production of more diverse opinions. The interview protocol largely incorporated open-ended questions provided that the interview was unstructured. The more involved the respondents are in interview, the more they are likely to give information-rich responses, as concluded by Maxwell (2013). Therefore, the interview protocol was formulated in a way to ensure that it contained questions which clearly aimed to encourage interests in the respondents. In a qualitative interview , viable and practical questions have a semi-structured nature and require more answer rather than just yes/no answers (Britten, 1999). For the purposes of this research, primary data collated by interviewing the professionals involved in high-end furniture production.

Reliability and validity in a qualitative research

Reliability and validity in a qualitative research are two of the key elements underpinning the whole substance of a business research.

Reliability

The precise definition of ‘reliability’ in the context of qualitative research has eluded the academics and researchers alike (Golafshani, 2003). Nonetheless, reliability is one of the two key element which indicate the overall credibility and quality of a qualitative research. On the other hand, Lincoln and Guba (1985) cite credibility, neutrality, consistency, and transferability as the key criteria by which the quality of a qualitative research is assessed.

Validity refers to how sound the research is, and is central to the quality of the results and the research itself. Seliger & Shohamy (1989) cite how any extraneous factors can negate the accuracy of the findings by suggesting ‘any research can be affected by different kinds of factors which, while extraneous to the concerns of the research, can invalidate the findings’. There are two types of validity- external and internal.

Internal validity refers to whether or not the finding is flawed because of something internal (i.e. problems with data instruments, research method).

External validity refers to how generalizable the findings and the results. Findings which cannot be replicated or generalized to a bigger population are considered external invalid. Subject selection, researcher effects, data collection, available time can all have external effect on the validity.

Overall, as Lincoln and Guba (1985) suggested reliability and validity are front and center in a qualitative research. Therefore, to ensure the reliability and the validity of a qualitative research, trustworthiness plays a key role. Seale (1999) contends that ‘trustworthiness of a research report lies at the heart of issues conventionally discussed as validity and reliability’.  The following paragraphs will expound on the key threats as to the validity and reliability of the research faced by the researcher and how the researcher intends to mitigate or minimize the risks posed by each element.

Informant reliability

One of the most common disadvantages associated with purposive sampling is how information reliability might be compromised when purposive sampling is utilized by the researcher. Informant reliability is the reliability of the responses rendered by the respondents (i.e. interviewees). Compromised informant reliability can be prejudicial to the accuracy and reliability of the data collected by the researchers and compromise its replicability (Tongco 2010).

To ensure that the informant reliability is not decreased, and ensured, the Zelditch (1962) suggests that the interview to be knowledgeable about the subject matter, and ask pertinent questions which induce reliable answers.  Alexiades (1996) cites how the interviewing skills, and how interview is conducted and whether or not the informant is comfortable with the researcher can either negatively or positively change the informant reliability. Noble and Smith (2015) suggest that to ensure the credibility of the informants, it is key for the researcher to practice soundness and reasonableness.  Morse et al (2002) cite how informant reliability can reduce the credibility and reliability of the data collected. To ensure that that informant reliability is not compromises, Morse et al (2002) suggest researchers generating qualitative data from purposive sampling to account for personal biases which can exert influence on the general reliability of the data.

Measures taken by the researcher

To ensure that purposive sampling employed for this research does not lead to lower informant reliability, the researcher has taken measures. Furthermore, the researcher will ensure that the interviewees feel comfortable with the questions being asked, and with how the interview is being administered.

Triangulation is a process whereby researchers complement one data-generating method with another. For instance, a researcher can complement focus groups with individual interviews, and as such. Guba and Lincoln (1989) suggest the use of triangulation as way of mitigating risks associated with purposive sampling enables the researcher to derive individuals benefits of each data-generating method and successfully minimizing the bias risks associated with purposive sampling.

Even though triangulation can be viable in mitigating risks involved in undertaking qualitative research, doing so can be economically unattractive since complementing individual interviews with focus groups can be both time-consuming and cost- prohibitive. Overall, as much as triangulation can be viable in reducing risks such as bias, which is usually associated with purposive sampling, undertaking triangulation is not practical in these research settings.

Undertaking a qualitative research entails a number of challenges for the novice researcher (Rolfe 2006).  One of the challenges faced by business researchers while conducting a business research is the potential for bias on part of the researcher and the respondents.  Bias, in fact, distorts the trustworthiness of the results, and compromises the validity and reliability of the findings. Norris (1997) cites how most qualitative research being conducted these days can be compromised by bias, and provides for an exhaustive list of cases which can give rise to bias in a qualitative research. Norris (1997) recommends researchers to solicit other’s opinion regarding the substance of the findings so they can help the researcher identify areas in findings which might have been compromised by bias.

Overall, in qualitative research, there persists a number of issues which can compromise the validity and the reliability of research. To mitigate the bias which is prevalent is purposive sampling and qualitative research, the researcher has decided to take measures.

Respondent validation

The researcher has also decided to resort to respondent validation.  Respondent validation is a process whereby the researcher invites the interviewees to comment on the interviewee transcript, and aims to double check the veracity of the responses they provided, and whether these responses successfully reflected the subject matter being studied.  Respondent validation as a viable method of mitigating bias in qualitative research has been introduced by Long and Rigour (2000).  Respondent validation, also referred to as member checks, have been found viable in terms of improving and enhancing the credibility of the study by a number of academic literature. Brewer and Hunter (1989) recommend the use of member checks to ensure the accuracy of the findings. The researcher has decided to use member checks (i.e. respondent validation) as one of the key methods to ensure the reliability and the credibility of the findings.

 Incorporating rich and thick verbatim description

Incorporating rich and thick verbatim descriptions of participants has also been noted as a viable method of ensuring the trustworthiness of the responses provided.  Slevin (2002) suggest how viable including rich and thick verbatim can be viable in ensuring that bias associated with purposive sampling is mitigated, if not eliminated.

Randomization

Unlike non-probability sampling, purposive sampling is associated with bias and error. Topp et al. 2004 suggest the use of purposive sampling and randomization as to decrease the potential for bias in sampling, and cites how radon sampling can be free from bias.  Nonetheless, incorporating randomization can prove to be counterproductive and cost-prohibitive. Therefore, the researcher has decided to not complement purposive sampling with randomization. Shenton (2004) cites that randomization can help negate risks incurring while conducting qualitative research. Preece (1994) asserts that the use of random approach allows the researcher to disperse bias over the sample, with Bouma and Atkinson (1995) suggesting that random sampling is the most optimal way to ensure that selected samples is a representative of the whole group. Nonetheless, randomization has a number of inherent disadvantages, with the potential of non-experts and uncooperative samples being selected (Shenton 2004). The research objectives clearly indicate that to identify the barriers to entry e-commerce, the most optimal samples are to be those who are knowledgeable about or experienced in high-end furniture producing, warranting the use of purposive sampling as our main sampling method.

Prolonged engagement

Sherton (2004) suggests that prolonged engagement and preliminary familiarity with the respondents tend to increase information reliability, ensuring the accuracy and credibility of the data generated. Lincoln and Guba (1989) indicate how trust between the researcher and the respondents is key, and how trust between the parties can be cultivated with the so-called prolonged engagement. Nonetheless, Silverman (2001) suggests that prolonged engagement might sometimes prove to be counterproductive, citing how respondents will like being a respondent to a research is encroaching on their privacy.

The researcher has determined that prolonged engagement is not viable mainly because of two reasons. Firstly, the samples- who tend to be experts as per criteria is purposive sampling- are averse to spending their limited time with researchers, and it might occur to them as intrusive. Secondly, the researcher has limited resources to answer the research questions. Therefore, the researcher has decided against prolonged engagement as a way to ensure to cultivate trust between the respondents.

Shenton (2004) has provided for a number of essential measures which can be taken by researcher to ensure the trustworthiness (i.e. credibility of results) in a qualitative research. To ensure the probability of bias in purposive sampling, Shenton (2004) suggest the use of peer scrutiny of the research project. He contends that peer reviews facilitate the production of fresh perspectives as to the substance of the research being conducted, enabling the researcher to enhance his or her research methods.

The researcher has decided to analyze the previous research findings and juxtapose the findings to enhance the reliability and the validity of the business research project. Silverman (2000) suggest that examining of previous research results can be essential to make sure that the validity and reliability of the research is ensured.

Purposive sampling

Sampling is the process where the researcher selects the participants in a research (Cohen, Manion, and Morrison (2008), and can be essentially defined as the process of selecting participants from a population. Latham (2007) cites the role sampling can play in ensuring the accuracy of the results of a research. Therefore, the sampling plays a central role, and the suitable method of sampling ensures the reliability and validity of the results presented in the research.

There are various types of sampling a researcher can employ. These methods of sampling are compartmentalized into two subgroups- probability sampling and non-probability sampling. The types of purposive sampling have been compartmentalized as Maximum Variation Sampling (MVS), Homogenous Sampling, Typical Case Sampling, Extreme/Deviant Case Sampling, Total Population Sampling, Critical Case Sampling (Patton 1990). Each of the purposive sampling have distinct features and aspects. The sampling method for this particular research can be classified as purposive homogenous sampling (Crossman, 2017). Homogenous sampling entails selecting sample with similar qualifications, backgrounds, occupations and experiences. Babbie (1990) cites the how key purposive sampling can be when studying a smaller subset of populations.

Purposive sampling, whereby subjects in a study are purposely selected, unlike random sampling.  Purposive sampling enables the researcher to select samples with homogenous attributes, which is key in conducting a research into a narrow area of business. Essentially, purposive sampling aims to identify and select information-rich samples to efficiently use the research resources (Patton, 2002).  For purposive sampling, the so-called key elements of the potential are identified, and sample is chosen based on the applicability of such elements (Saunders  et al 2012).

Black (2010) suggest purposive sampling is cost-effective, and less time-consuming, rendering it to be one  of the most feasible sampling methods to study the barriers to entry to e-commerce business for high-end furniture makers.  Based upon this analysis, the researcher has decided to use purposive sampling

Elements of purposive sampling

Cooper and Schindler (2001) define purposive sampling (i.e.  judgment sampling) as a type of sampling whereby the researcher chooses samples based on their conformity to the elements he or she is seeking. The element of purposive sampling (i.e. the criteria) employed by the researchers are as follows;

The researcher has formulated the current element of the purposive sampling method criteria while keeping in mind the research questions and objectives in mind.

Samples to be employed or involved in furniture retailer in a capacity where they had to attract customers online

Samples to be employed as independent contractor or consultant by high-end furniture production to assist them with e-commerce

Samples to have been employed as independent contractors or consultants by high-end furniture production in assisting with e-commerce launch

Samples to be employed in a high capacity as head of marketing and expanding new markets for high-end furniture producers.

Sample size

Sample size is central to the reliability and accuracy of data collected for any research, and selecting the right number of sample size can be exacting and onerous. Nonetheless, defining a sample size plays a key role in a qualitative research (Bryman and Bell, 2011).

Unlike quantitative research which requires considerable sample size to be a success, qualitative data researcher ordinarily avail themselves of smaller sample sizes. The prevalent tool to determine the appropriate sample size is called saturation (Charmaz, 2003). Glaser & Strauss (1967) suggested that sample size in a qualitative data cannot be either determined or predicted before starting collecting the data. Therefore, saturation has long been employed by qualitative researchers to determine the proper sample size.  Saturation occurs when the researchers reaches the point, where no new data apropos the research questions can be derived from samples (Browen, 2008). Saturation as a sound method of determining sample size have become a benchmark of a quality of findings in a qualitative research (Guest, 2006). O’Reilly and Parker (2012), on the other hand, have analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of using saturation as a viable to determine a proper sample size for quantitative research, and suggest against using it citing major complications associated with saturation.  Saturation can be a perennial process, whereby more and more data can be collected, preventing the researcher from reaching the saturation point. The use of saturation in inductive qualitative research is not recommended by researchers including O’Reilly and Parker (2012).

The correct sample size can play a key role in whether or not the results provided by a study are reliable and credible (Malterud et al 2015). (Malterud et al 2015) debunk the viability of saturation as a practical method of determining the correct (i.e. appropriate) sample size, and introduce the concept of ‘informant power’ in determining an appropriate sample size.  Information power refers to determining the sample size based on the amount of key information each sample has and is willing to disclose. Malterud et al (2015) argue that the more information one particular sample holds, the lower number of respondents is required for a sampling.

Malterud et al (2015) suggest that ‘information power’ sample size determination can be more cost-effective and less time-consuming than the traditional ‘saturation’ method of determining the proper sample size. Malterud et al (2015) cite that the size of a sample with information is predicated upon five prongs

Once both methods of determining samples, namely saturation and information power, have been compared and contrasted in terms of their viability and reliability, the researcher has chosen the information power method to determine the proper sample size to analyze the barriers to entry in e-commerce for high-end furniture producers.

Based on the ‘information power’ guide to determine the proper sample size, the researcher has decided upon the sample size of 10 to analyze the barriers to entries into e-commerce for high-end furniture retailers.  The researcher considers that, in compliance with the ‘information power’ analysis of determining sample size, 10 information-rich samples can be utilized to derive data to fulfill the research objectives and answer the research questions.

Unlike in quantitative research where researchers tend to use large sample size and where small sample sizes might bring about little information and data, small samples can suffice to analyze key business phenomena in qualitative research. Nonetheless, that is not to say that large sample sizes do not present its own limitations. XXX cites that conducting research with using large sample sizes tend to be cost-prohibitive, and time-consuming, exposing the ‘subjects’.

Sample elements

To analyze the entry to barriers for e-commerce, the elements of samples have been identified and will be applied when deciding on samples for the interviews.

Both sampling methods- purposive and random- have their own advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of the homogenous purposive sampling is to gain deeper insight into one area of research.

Focus groups involves the gathering of a number of selected can viable, particularly in business research. Focus groups tend to be considered the most optimal method of data generation from homogenous sample (Blackburn and Stokes 2000).  Unlike an interview where the questions are asked face-to-face, a focus group is more conducive to group discussions, which enable the researcher gain more insight into how

However, due to budget constraints and the complications associated with gathering the respondents, the researcher considered the focus group method of interviewing not viable.  Therefore, the researcher is compelled to conduct separate interviews with each respondent.

Interviews are similar to every day conversation, except the questions are generated with regard to the researcher’s need and objectives. Nonetheless, it key to conduct interview with rigorous practices in place to ensure that the answers derived from are credible and reliable.

For the purposes of this business research, both semi-structured and unstructured questions will be employed.  Unstructured questions, also referred to as open-ended questions, resemble a daily conversation, states Burgess (1984).

Recruitment of respondents for interviews

As outlined above in sampling method part, the data used to identify the barrier to entries faced by high-end furniture producers and retailers is generated from interviews with individuals employed in capacities directly related to marketing and selling high-end furniture online.

The recruitment of respondents for a purposive sample can be onerous. The criteria formulated and applied by the researchers has led to a small sample size, 10 to be precise. Nonetheless, a small sample size is up for the course when the researchers employed purposive sampling. Palys (2008) confirms, and asserts that the criteria element of purposive sampling invariably contracts the potential sample size.

The samples were identified to have met the criteria were sent invitations to interviews over email. Those who agreed to being a respondent were invited to a background interview. To ensure that they interviewees were able to make informed decisions as to become a participant in the research, the researcher has extended forms asking their voluntary agreements and conducted background interviewees.

To ensure that the interviewees were knowledgeable about the research questions and its objectives, emails were sent to each potential respondent detailing the criteria of the purposive sampling, and tentative idea of what questions would entail.  Informed consent is a core element in research ethics, cites Nihjawan et al (2013).

Research ethics stipulate that all potential participants to be provided enough information as to how research will be conducted as to enable them to make an informed decision about participation in a research, as provided by Kottow(2005). Prior to commencing interviewing, the researcher has formulated a checklist to ensure that research ethics are mitigated, and eliminated.

Cooper and Schindler (2006) suggest that there are two sources of data- primary and secondary.   To identify the barriers to entry for e-commerce among luxury furniture manufactures, data will be collected using an interview with purposive sampling.

Interview as a source of data can be a viable and feasible method of deriving primary data concerning a number of theories and doctrines.

Interviews can be defined as restricted one to one conversation, whereby the researcher intends derive primary data for the purposes of his or her research (Akbarak, 2000). Gray (2004) cites the positive aspects of interviews as data-generating method. Firstly, Gray (2004) cites that interviews can enable researchers gain highly personalized data about underlying factors. Secondly, interviews present unprecedented opportunities for learn about the underlying factor. Thirdly, the viability of interviews as data-generating instrument is not mitigated even when the sample size is limited (Gary, 2004). Fourthly, when respondents have problems conveys their opinions in writing.

Moreover, interviews can offer thorough description of the subject being studied, with preserving the nature of the study (Collis & Hussey, 2003). The researcher has contemplated using questionaries’ as a data-generating method. Nevertheless, Munck (1991) suggests how questionnaires can prove to be less viable, and dilute the reliability of the results in a given area. Therefore, the researcher decided against using questionnaires. Collis & Hussey (2003) note how interviews can help provide the researcher more insight into the subject for the researcher, unlike questionnaires.  As the review of the academic literature suggests, there is a gap in research on barriers to entry for e-commerce among luxury furniture makers.  Collis and Hussery (2003) suggests the use of interviews for studying new theories, and when the researcher is not thoroughly cognizant of what he or she is trying to study. Since there were a clear paucity of academic interest into the barriers to entry for e-commerce, the interviewing was chosen as the staple data-generating instrument.

Conducted face-to-face, interviews can offer more insight as to the answers being provided by the respondents. Face-to-face interviews enables the researcher to capture and read gestures and other non-verbal cues. Body language exhibited by the respondents during the interviews can be analyzed to determine whether they were comfortable or not when they were asked questions (Madwiza, 2016).  David and Sutton (2004) suggest that the researcher is conducting an inductive research ,  the interviews can be the most optimal data-gathering instrument. As

Unlike in questionnaires, (Abawi; 2013) cites, respondents tend to give more meaningful and insightful answers.

Interviews present a number of risks which cannot be overlooked

Bias remains one most of the risks associated with using interviewing as a data-generating instrument in a business research. Madwiza (2016) cites how in unstructured interviews can be susceptible to bias arising out of either respondent’s or interviewee’s point of view, and tend to be deviated from. Cultivating personal involvement with respondents can also hinder the researcher from procuring viable and reliable answers, and dilute the replicability of the results of the research (Abawi, 2013).

Nonetheless, Hoyle, Harris and Judd (2002) cite that risk of bias can be mitigated with proper preparation and training and compliance with research ethics. To ensure the viability and reliability of the results, the interviews will be conducted with adherence to research ethics.

Fatigue and the disillusion with the interview questions or how the interview is being implemented.  These risks, if not mitigated or circumvented, can culminate in the generation of data which is neither viable or usable.  To ensure that the risk of disillusion by the respondents is minimized, the interview questions will be devised and administered in a way that produces the least fatigue and disillusion.

Whyte (1953) has suggested some recommendations as to how administer and unstructured interview in a way that enables the researcher to derive more insight, thus improve the quality of the primary data gained. Whyte (1953) also emphasized the importance of concentrating on listening and refraining from interrupting the respondent. To ensure that the open-ended questions incorporated into the interview generate considerable insight and

Moreover, Kale (1996) proposes a number of key criteria to ensure the success of an interview. These criteria include knowledgeability, structuring clarity, gentleness, sensitivity, openness, steering, critic thinking, remembering and interpretation .

Transcribing

Bryman and Bell (2015) suggest the use of transcribing the interviews in whole.  Moreover, transcripts of interview play a key role in coding and analyzing data generated. However, transcribing the interviews is cost-prohibitive, and time consuming. Nonetheless, the researcher has decided to transcribe some interviews as the time limit allowed. 

Research ethics

Confidentiality.

Collating data using interviews as the main data-generating instrument tends to give rise to a number of ethical issues. Confidentiality of the respondents (i.e. interviewees) is always front and center when it comes to research ethics. Confidentiality and anonymity have been used interchangeably by Kaiser (2009) and Tolich (2004). Allmark et al (2000) confidentiality as one of the key elements involving research ethics.  When conducting qualitative research, it is essential to protect the confidentiality of the interviewees. Protecting the confidentiality of the participants is to ensure that their identity will not be disclosed to the public (Rowley, 2012). Wiles et al (2006) cites how researchers can protect the confidentiality of the interviewees through a process known as anonymization. Becker & Bryman (2004) notes how anonymization, which is a process whereby the researcher assigned pseudonyms to the participants, can help ensure the confidentiality of the respondent in a qualitative research. On the other hand, Saunders et al (2014) argue that a researcher has to aim for the delicate balance between maximizing the anonymity of the respondents with not compromising the results and data derived from these interviews.

To ensure that the confidentiality of the interviewees is not compromised, the researcher will has resorted to anonymizations and decided to divest of all the data pertaining to the names and other identifiable information of interviewees. The interviews have coded the names of the interviewees as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, F1, F2, F3, F4. T indicates that the interview was conducted over the phone, while F indicated that the interview was conducted face-to-face. When analyzing the data garnered from these respective interviews, the researcher has ensured that they are presented with their assigned code names. Following the interview, the researcher has codenamed all the addressed, including the names, to ensure that the confidentiality of the interviewees was ensured.

Informed consent

Informed consent can be defined as interviewees being knowledgeable about the risk and benefits their participation entails and should consent to be participant out of their own accord. Shahnazarian et al (2002) defined informed consent as the voluntary agreement of a respondent in participation in a research.

To ensure that ethical issues associated with conducting a business research is minimized and mitigated, the researcher had consulted the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct for researchers.

Analysis method

Lichtnman (2010) provides that analysis of a qualitative research entails coding and analysis. Coding is a process whereby a researcher collates the pertinent data, information, and notes to analyze the coded data for patterns and discerning trends.

Creswell (2009) provides that coding and analysis of qualitative data can be done through various methods, and cites how there is no one universal approach to coding and analyzing qualitative data.

To get closer to data at hand, the writing a summary for each interview was employed by the researcher to get more incisive insight into the data collected. There have been 10 summaries produced over the course of analysis of the data generated with interviews. Hess-Biber (2017) cites how summaries can help ensure that the researcher can concentrate on the overall patterns, and trends in the data collected.

Thematic approach

To identify the barriers to entry in e-commerce for high-end furniture production, the analysis method- thematic analysis- was employed by the researcher. The thematic analysis method of interviews has gained considerable traction lately, largely because of how viable it is in helping researchers identify specific patterns within interview data (Jugder, 2016).

Braun and Clarke (2006) have defined as thematic analysis as an analysis method which is employed by researchers to ‘ identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns (themes) within the data’ . Thematic analysis approach was chosen by the researchers since rigorous thematic analysis of the interview data can help disclose more patterns and trends which can be used to answer the research questions. The primary purpose of inductive approach is to enable the researcher to discover significant and predominant patterns within raw data generated with interviews (Thomas, 2003). 

There are three prongs in a using the thematic analysis to learn more about the data and identify predominant patterns, and answer the research questions- familiarizing oneself with data, coding, and theme development and reporting.

Firstly, to internalize the data, considerable amount of time was spend rereading the transcripts of interviews and notes taken while interviews were being conducted.  The interviews were transcribed, which reinforced my feminization with the data.

Secondly, to code and organize the data generated from interviews, NVIVO software was utilized. The transcripts along with their audio recordings were imported into NVIVO. I coded the nodes and ensured that the nodes were coded accordingly with no errors. Nodes were succeeded by sub-nodes. The nodes were clearly assigned to represent the main barriers to entries for e-commerce among high-end furniture producers- internet security, implementation costs, technology, payment, taxation, logistics, customer acquisition and economies of scale.

Thirdly, the researcher painstakingly considered the nodes, and their frequency within NVIVO to identify the most predominant ones. The preliminary analysis in NVIVO provided that payment, implementation, taxations, and logistics were the most predominant patterns within the transcripts in NVIVO.

Moreover, the researcher availed himself of the Word Frequency Search Report to analyze the transcripts for nodes- internet security, implementation costs, technology, payment, taxation, logistics, customer acquisition and economies of scale. The Word Frequency Search was used to further niche down on the barriers to entries. Overall, the word frequency tool proved to be useful in analyzing the data generated from the interviews.

Following positive responses, the researcher has administered a background interviews. Background interviews were administered to ensure that the samples met the purposive sampling criteria, and they were information-rich, since the sampling size method was an ‘information power’ one (Malterud et al (2015).  Edwards (2013) underlines the importance of conducting background interviews with potential respondents to ensure that they can provide the researcher with data that can help with the research objectives and questions.

Telephone interviews

Telephone interviews, as an alternative to face-to-face interviews , have gained quite traction in qualitative research context (Qu & Dumay, 2011).Due to the limited availability of the samples to conduct a face-to-face interview, the researcher has relented in and decided to interview the majority of samples over the phone. The overwhelming majority of the respondents-  7 out of 10 to be exact- provided the researcher that they preferred telephone interview over face to face. Telephone interview, although less time-consuming, can omit to provide the key benefits of a face-to-face interviews (Madwiza 2016). Nonetheless, Carr and Worthhttps (2001) note the popularity of telephone interviews, and concluded that telephone interviews can get generate data of comparable quality to that of face-to-face interviews.

Face to face interviews

The minority of the interviews with the respondents were held face-to-face.  Madwiza (2016) stresses the importance of conducting qualitative interviews face-to-face, since doing so allows the researchers to capture and read the respondents’ body language and eye contact, and employ the extra data to either corroborate or refute the findings.  The researcher has availed himself of the interview protocol to pose the questions, and learned the body language of the interviewees to identify key gestures which could be essential data-generating. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using the open-ended questions from the interview protocol.

Qualitative data is predominantly generated by interviews, field observations, and document examinations (Gubrium & Holstein, 2003). When interviews were being posed questions, the researched took notes, and incorporated them into NVIVO as external materials.

Transcribing data

Following the interviews, the researcher has chosen to transcribe the interviews. Alshenqeeti (2014) suggests the use of transcribing to ensure that more data can be retained, and that the transcribed data can be easily accessible for double-check or member check.  Nonetheless, transcribing can be cost-prohibitive and time consuming, with one hour interview requiring around seven hours of transcribing (Dörnyei (2007).

Nevertheless, the interviewees have decided to transcribe around two interviews. While transcribing, the researcher has paid rapt attention and considering to the guidelines of Simon and Goes(2013). The interviews conducted were all audio- recorded to preserve them as audio data. Huberman, & Saldana (2014) consider it key to maintain records containing audio records. The audios recorded were then imported into NVIVO, and transcribed.

Limitations

Small sample size can undermine and compromise the reliability and the validity of any qualitative research, as stated by Faber and Fonseca (2014). As seen above, the researcher employed the non-probability sampling method-purposive sampling. Nonetheless, rapt attention has been to measures suggested by a couple of authors to ensure that the validity and the reliability of the research was not compromised.

The so-called concept of ‘informant reliability’ refers to whether or not those providing responses (i.e. interviewees) are being truthful in their responses, and a high informant reliability is key to the reliability and validity of the research (Tongco 2010).  The researcher has taken key measures to ensure high ‘informant reliability’.  The researcher has taken extensive training before administering the interview as knowledgeable interviews have been linked to higher informant reliability Zelditch (1962). Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that the all the response provided by the responses are true, and accurate. Therefore, the researcher considers it one of the limitations of the study.

Bias is prevalent in qualitative research, unfortunately . Bias can actually be pernicious to the reliability and validity of the results and findings of any qualitative research (Rolfe 2006). Even though the researcher has deployed the so-called ‘respondent validation’ method to mitigate and minimize the researcher bias in qualitative data. Nonetheless, respondent validation cannot guarantee that the findings might not be biased (Long and Rigour 2000).  Therefore, bias can present a clear and present limitation to the study in terms of undermining its reliability and validity.

NVIVO coding and analysis deployed by the researcher can also present a number of limitation. Ishkak and Bakar (2012) state that the researcher has to take reasonableness, and rely on his or her own wisdom in analyzing patterns, rather than being heavily reliant on software’s, such as NVIVO. Even though the researcher does not consider himself too reliant on NVIVO, the data coding and analysis through NVIVO might have some elements which might or might not compromise and undermine the reliability and the validity of the findings. Triangulation was not employed to ensure that there was no researcher bias.  Creswell (2014) suggests the use of triangulation, a process whereby the researcher compliments one or more qualitative data generating method with two other ones to ensure that bias is eliminated from the findings. Choy (2014) contends that analyzing data generated from individual interviews can be onerous and taxing. Therefore, the researcher has decided to employ the NVIVO software to help with coding and analysis of the data generated from the interviews. Overall, there were limitations in the business researches. These limitations have to do with small sample size, information reliability, bias, and NVIVO coding and analyzing.

This part will present the findings of the thematic analysis undertaken with and without NVIVO for the data generated from the interviews with 10 samples (i.e. respondents). There are two currently used methods to present the findings of a qualitative research (Burnard et al 2008).  The first method of presenting the results of a qualitative research involves presenting key takeaways from the findings, while deploying verbatim quotes to ensure that the validity and reliability of the results are accentuated and enhanced (Burnard 2004).  Presentation of key findings is followed by the discussion chapter, where the researcher discussed the results in relation to the existing pertinent literature review considered for the purposes of the business research (Seale 2000).  The second method of presenting the results of a qualitative research involves the complementing the presentation of the findings with a discussion concurrently, and is called the ‘combined method’ of presenting results.

To present the results of this qualitative research, the researcher has chosen the traditional method of reporting the results.

The ten interviews conducted, and the thorough thematic analysis of the data generated from interviews suggest that the attitudes towards e-commerce adoption has changed over time among high-end furniture producers, largely because of the increase in sales of high-end furniture being generated online, and while the furniture sales at brick and mortar stores have been declining.

F2 reflected on how a high-end furniture company he was involved in was averse to establishing an e-commerce some years ago, and how this aversion morphed into an indispensable portfolio in the businesses he provided information about.

Verbatim quote from the response of F2

T5 also posited similar views as to how there is an insurgent need to adopt e-commerce as a viable portfolio of high-end furniture manufacturers and retailers, corroborating the views proposed by F2.

Regarding the increase in strategies which stress e-commerce adoption for furniture producers, the research gives credence to how the increase in e-commerce sales of high-end furniture has caused a shift in attitudes towards e-commerce, and how high-end furniture producers have become more attuned to venturing into e -commerce.

The results of this study suggest that logistics is one of the key barriers to entries to e-commerce among luxury furniture producers. The thematic analysis of the data generated with interviews suggest that logistics was the predominant issues raised by the interviews.  7 out of 10 interviewees mentioned logistics as one of the key barrier to entry to e-commerce.  The Word Frequency Search on NVIVO provided that logistics was the most used word by interviewees.

This is a verbatim quote from F4’s response

T5 also commented on how there were delays in their deliveries to customers in USA. T5 noted that late deliveries were prevalent with international orders, and cited that in the case of luxury, there is no such thing as being late.

T6 provided for similar responses regarding the centrality of the role logistics plays in ensuring swift deliveries, and how the company he was consulting on e-commerce adoption nearly decided to mothball the e-commerce adoption strategy. The results suggest that logistics were the most important barrier to entry into e-commerce among high-end producers of furniture and those who are involved in directly selling luxury furniture.

Customs and taxation

The majority of the interviewees opined customs and taxation as one of the most troublesome and taxing aspects of operating an e-commerce website selling high-end furniture to various countries. The interviewees were willing enough to share their experiences dealing with customs and taxations which are up for the course in cross-border payments and sales. Six out of ten interviewees retold stories pertaining to how their e-commerce was compromised by customs and double taxation. T3 stated that once they had to refund a $10000 sofa just because the customs officials in Russia demanded that they paid excise duty and import tax notwithstanding how the furniture was bought for personal use.

T6 was more emphatic about how his client, XXX, decided not go venture and expand e-commerce on grounds that the client did not consider his company as having the requisite resources to deal with various taxation laws and customs to ensure seamless delivery and logistics. On the other hand, F3 is an individual who is directly involved in advising his company in venturing into e-commerce.  F3 cites his company’s tentative plan to venture into e-commerce and sell directly to the customers. Nonetheless, the CEO was completed to shelve the plan, largely because of the complications involved with customs, and taxation issues.

Verbatim quote from Respondent F3

Thematic analysis of the data generated with interviews indicates that high-end furniture producers are usually averse to the idea of selling home decor online since they considered customs and taxation as one of the issues hindering their e-expansion. Overall, customs and taxation has been identified as the second most major barrier to entry for e-commerce among the retailers of high- end furniture.

Internet security was the third most talked about barrier to entry into e-commerce adoption among the samples interviews.  The Word Frequency Report by NVIVO corroborated the thematic analysis, by providing that nodes including security, and hacking were the third most used word by the interviewees. Roughly the half of the sample identified security related issues as the most important issue which can either make or break the e-commerce adoption of a high-end furniture producers.  The reasons for not venturing online has to start with the conversation about security issues, and being hacked seems too much of a risk to take for companies trying to start selling online.

Verbatim quote from Respondent T3

F3, an advisor to business intending to explore the digital marketplace, provided similar opinions as to how security related issues remain front and center in discussions about e-commerce expansion. F3 cites the case of his former clients who were ‘ too chicken’ or didn’t have the nerve to go online, largely because of security related issues . 

Overall, internet security was identified as a major barrier to entry for most companies specializing in high-end furniture productions.

Internet as a mass distribution channel

The results suggest that producers of high-end furniture tend to avoid e-commerce largely because they perceive internet as not appropriate for their luxury products.  The respondents (i.e. interviewees) have tried to explain the reasons why their company or the companies they were either involved in or advising did not execute their e-commerce plans. Four out of ten interviewees cites as not wanting to venture into online because being on the internet implies that the product is not luxury or exclusive anymore. The respondents were asked to engage in respondent validation to ensure that what they wanted to say was clearly reflected in the transcripts of the interview regarding their opinions given as to the impact of Internet as a mass distribution channel.

Verbatim quote from Respondent F3’s respons e to a question regarding  internet’s role in facilitating e-commerce for luxury products, including furniture. Overall ,  the results indicate the resistance to e-commerce adoption among retailers and producers of high-end furniture can be attributed to how the internet is seen as not an appropriate medium to sell luxury products. The fact that Internet is still perceived as present danger was identified as the fourth most important issue in this qualitative data.

Costs of implementation and maintaining an e-commerce website

Costs of implementation, costs involved in setting up an e-commerce website and maintaining, have been identified as the fifth most important barrier to entry for businesses looking to expand online.  The thematic analysis and the Word Frequency Report suggest that costs associated with implementation and sustaining e-commerce websites were the fifth most used word by the interviewees, suggesting the importance of these costs in hindering business from venturing into online.  Three out of ten respondents cited the costs as one the key barriers to entry to e-commerce, with one respondent diverting and suggesting the costs were miniscule.

The Respondent F1 cites the example of Maisons du Mode, a luxury furniture retailer based in France, to illustrate how largely high-end furniture companies with sufficient amounts of investment into e-commerce are the only high-end furniture retailers, with a positive cash flow from sales generated online.

Masons du Mode cites how its online sales increased by 32% in the financial year of 2015, giving credence to the response of F1. F1 further suggested that tools such as Shopify omits to provide for more logistics issues and cannot level the playing field for high-end furniture producers since developing a custom e-commerce website and complementing it with the practical logistics can prove to be more than cumbersome for furniture companies with limited resources.  F1 was pleased with the recent Made.com, as start-up which provides for a marketplace for furniture designers. Nonetheless, F1 did not consider it an alternative to venturing into e-commerce. Nonetheless, the results suggest that implementation costs are considered and can inhibit luxury furniture producers from going online.

The thematic and NVIVO analysis suggest that payment can play a key role as a disincentive for businesses from going online and selling online in an e-commerce website. Three out ten respondents suggest that being able to accept all kinds of payment methods does not come easy. Nonetheless, all three posited views as to how not being able to accept most payment methods can act a formidable barrier to entry for e-commerce for producers and retailers of high-end furniture. Respondent T1 has pointed that there were huge numbers of payment methods available to the customers online, and cited how the ability to accept all kinds of payment methods is key to success in the e-commerce world. 

Verbatim quote from Respondent T1

The relative importance of payment as a barrier to entry compared to three most important barriers to entry is presented in Figure 3. 3

Overall, the results demonstrate that payments and the ability of being able to accept different payment methods is key in ensuring success. On the other hand, as results testify, it can also act as a formidable barrier to entry, deterring business involved in the production and retail of high-end furniture from venturing into e-commerce.

Internet availability

The results demonstrate internet availability as a barrier to entry could not be considered a barrier to entry. None of the respondents mentioned internet availability as a key barrier to entry. Even though the interview protocol did not contain direct questions as to internet availability , the Respondent T1 mentioned that internet availability would be the least important factor to consider while devising an e-commerce strategy.

The Word Frequency Report has been presented in a graph in Figure 4.4 to illustrate the results regarding Internet Availability as a barrier to entry.

To conclude, the results suggest that logistics, customs and taxation, and internet  security  and internet as mass media are most important barriers to entry to e-commerce for businesses in the luxury furniture and home decor area.

The relative importance of all barriers to entries considered in the Results section.

Firstly, the increase in e-commerce adoption, though sustained , has come to be seen as the next frontier high-end furniture and the results of this qualitative research regarding the increase corroborate those of McKinsey (2015). The results indicate that logistics is the most important issue hindering more and more producers and retailers of high-end furniture from venturing into e-commerce. The results suggesting how logistics is the most formidable barrier substantiate the findings of Kayikci (2018) and found Franco (2016). Kayikci (2018) and Regis (2016) considered how logistics can be an effective barrier to entry for e-commerce among small business companies. The results suggest that there is a positive correlation between logistics and rate of e-commerce adoption among producers of luxury furniture.

Secondly, the results indicate that customs and taxation can be one of the key barriers to entries for e-commerce businesses in the high-end furniture niche.   The result that customs and taxation is an issue which impedes the e-commerce adoption among producers and retailers of high-end furniture is in harmony with Jones and Basu (2002), G. Reddick and D. Coggburn (2007) and Cobb (2000). Jones and Basu (2002), G. Reddick and D. Coggburn(2007) and Cobb (2000) studies the impact of a fragmented tax code can have on e-commerce and concluded that taxation and customs can be prejudicial to e-commerce adoption among business, big and small.  Even though most literature review concentrated on the impact of logistics on e-commerce adoption among high-end furniture producers and retailers, taxation and customs cannot be overlooked since they are also a key barrier to entry, and since they act as disincentive to e-commerce adoption. The relative importance of taxation and customs as a major barrier to entry was second to that of logistics.

Thirdly, the results suggest that Internet security is not forthcoming to all the businesses specializing in the production and retail of high-end furniture.   The results validate the findings of Sultana et al. (2011) and Chitura et al. (2008).  Concurrently, the results confirm the findings of Tan, et al., (2007), who posited that internet fraud and other security related issues were the most important factor impeding commerce adoption among SMEs.

Fourthly, the results demonstrate that high-end furniture manufactures resists going online and into e-commerce since they consider e-commerce as a threat which undermines the exclusivity and desirability of the high-end products, including luxury home decor. The results support the views proposed by Curtis (2002) and Parisi(2017).  Curtis (2002) and Parisi (2017) both concentrated on how the mass appeal of the Internet compromised the exclusivity and desirability of certain brands. The results of this results also suggest that using medium as a sale channel is not appealing to those who produce luxury and high-end furniture.

Fifthly, the maintenance and implementation costs have been identified as another issue acting as a barrier to entry into e-commerce within producers of high-end furniture. The results are in compliance with those of Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006) and Ramdani, Chevers, and Williams (2013). Kapurubandara and Lawson (2006) and Ramdani, Chevers, and Williams (2013) posited businesses tend to be averse to e-commerce adoption because of the costs associated with setting up a dedicated e-commerce website.

Sixthly, the results corroborate that accepting various payment methods can also act as a barrier to entry, with some respondents suggesting how difficult it can be to process various payment methods. The results seem to give credence to those of Huang (2007) and  Byrne and Hanson (2014) who underlined the importance of the ability of e-commerce stores to process various payment methods, and how it can prove to be a barrier to entry.

Seventhly, unlike the results of Ainin and Noorismawati (2003) and Kaynak et al. (2005) which stress how internet validity can hinder companies from setting up online stores, including furniture stores, the results of this qualitative business research suggest that internet availability is something that is not so major, nor important. Therefore, the results of this study do not support such findings which stress how internet availability can be issue impeding e-commerce adoption among producers and retailers of high-end furniture.

Recommendations

The results suggest that there a number of key barriers to entry in e-commerce for producers and retailers of a high-end furniture.The data generation method was interviewing. Interviews has a number of limitations, which might compromise the viability and reliability of the qualitative business research. Nonetheless, there can be a number of key recommendations derived from the results of this research. Business in the luxury home decor and furniture business can take a number of measures to make sure that the barriers to entries can be reduced

• ensuring that logistics is streamlines
• ensuring that there is knowledgable staff about customs and taxation
• injecting enough investment into internal systems to ensure internet security
• adopting a strategy to exude exclusivity online
• ensure that the e-commerce will have the ability to accept various payment methods

Conclusions

To conclude, undertaking an MBA research has been an exhilarating experience. There has been unprecedented increase in the number of businesses starting to penetrate the online retailing landscape, and reach more customers.  The results suggest that there a number of key barriers to entries in e-commerce for luxury furniture producers and retailers. The analyzed data gives credence the relative importance of each of these barriers, and the recommendation part has provided for a number of recommendations for business looking to venture into e-commerce. Nonetheless, data generating through interview has opened the potential for bias in the research, and due to the time limits, the researcher has decided not to use triangulation to ensure that the viability and reliability of the results were guaranteed. Had the researcher ever known about triangulation, he would have taken measures to ensure better time management and incorporate the use of triangulation.

Suggested areas for future work

Hopefully, this research has encouraged interest in the minds of many, as barriers to entries for high-end furniture retailers and producers remain to be further studied. For future research, those who are interested in the area, can undertake to study the interrelationship between the barriers and the performance of e-commerce stores. Moreover, researcher can niche further down and study one specific barrier and its relationship with the business itself. It is hoped that this particular research will be catalyst for many to come.

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• Kaynak, E., Tatoglu, E. and Kula, V. (2005) ‘An analysis of the factors affecting the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs: evidence from an emerging market’, International Marketing Review, Vol. 22, No. 6, pp.623–640.
• Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau News, Quarterly Retail E-commerce Sales- 3rd Quarter, 2017 
• McKinsey & Comany (2015) Digital inside: Get wired for the ultimate luxury experience.
• Zaied, A. 2012, ‘An Integrated Knowledge Management Capabilities Framework for Assessing Organizational Performance’, International Journal of Information Technology and Computer Science,   4, no. 1-10, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5815/ijitcs.2012.02.01
• Dholakia R and Kshetri R, (2004), “Factors Impacting the Adoption of The Internet among SMEs, ” Small Business Economics, 23(4), 311-322
• The Economist (2009), Barriers to entry, exit and mobility, The Economist, accessed 1 February 2018, < http://www.economist.com/node/14025576 >
• Yazdanifard R and Zargar A, (2012), ‘Today Need of e-Commerce Management to e-Skill Trainings’, International Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning, Vol. 2, No. 1,
• Battisti, G., Canepa, A., and Stoneman, P. (2004). ‘Profitability, externalities and policy in the inter and intra firm adoption of new technology: the example of e‐business activities in the UK’. Paper presented at the 8th conference of the European network on industrial policy (EUNIP), Birmingham, December 13‐15
• Gibbs, J. L., & Kraemer, K. L. (2004). ‘A cross-country investigation of the determinants of scope of e-commerce use: An institutional approach’. Electronic Markets, 14(2), 124 –137.
• Hunkar Ozyasar (2017), What Are the Common Barriers to Entry for New Competitors in an Industry?, Chron, accessed 1 February 2018, < http://smallbusiness.chron.com/common-barriers-entry-new-competitors-industry-81110.html >
• Hornle J and Zammit B (2010), Cross-border Online Gambling Law and Policy, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham UK
• Lewis, M (2006), ‘The effect of shipping fees on customer acquisition’, Journal of Retailing 82 (1, 2006) 13–23
• Franco E and Regi S B, (2016), ‘Advantages and Challenges of E-commerce customers and business: Indian Perspective’, International Journal of Research
• Ghezzi A, Mangiaracina R, Pergo A, (2012) ‘Shaping the E-Commerce Logistics Strategy: a Decision Framework’ International Journal of Engineering Business Management
• ATKEARNEY (2016), China’s E-commerce Market: The Logistics Challenge
• Richard Schmalensee (1981), ‘Economies of Scale and Barriers to Entry,” Journal of Political Economy 89, no. 1228-1238. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/261031
• Rayport, J.F. and Jaworski, B.J., (2002) “Introduction to E-commerce”, Irwin/McGraw-Hill.
• Wang Sh, Cavusogli H and Deng Z, (2016), ‘Early mover advantage in e-commerce platforms with low entry barriers: The role of customer relationship management capabilities’, Information and Management, vol. 53, no.2
• Donkovtceva O. (2016), ‘E-COMMERCE IN RUSSIA- CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREIGN DIGITAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. CASE: CHANNEL PILOT SOLUTIONS GMBH’ KARELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
• Deloitte (2017), Future of e-Commerce- Uncovering Innovation.
• Ke L, Minyi G and Li Lm, (2004), ‘Switching Cost, Market Effects and the Pricing Model of e-Commerce’, IEEE International Conference on Services Computing (SCC’04)
• Khurana A (2017), Barriers to Entry in the Ecommerce Business, The Balance, accessed 20 January 2018 < https://www.thebalance.com/barriers-to-entry-in-the-ecommerce-business-1141565 >
• Hirt and Willmott (2014), Strategic principles for competing in the digital age’, London, UK
• Ainin, Sulaiman and Noorismawati, Jaafar,(2003), ‘E-Commerce Stimuli and Practices In Malaysia’ PACIS 2003 Proceedings. 38
• Bryne R and Hanson J, (2014) ‘Innovation and disruption in U.S. merchant payments’, McKinsey and Company
• Gazulska J, (2016), ‘HOW TO TAX E-COMMERCE – GLOBAL OR NATIONAL PROBLEM?’, accessed 20 January 2018 < https://www.ue.katowice.pl/fileadmin/_migrated/content_uploads/16_J.Galuszka_How_to_tax_e-commerce….pdf >
• Cobb P, Korbrin S, Wagner E (2000) ‘Taxing e-commerce: The Landscape of Internet Taxation’, U. Pa J. International Economic Law, vol 21. no. 3
• Reddick G and Coggburn D (2017), ‘E-commerce and the Future of the State Sales Tax System: Critical Issues and Policy Recommendations’ International Journal of Public Administration, Vol 30, No. 10
• Jones R and Basu S (2002) ‘Taxation of Electronic Commerce: A Developing Problem’, International Review of Law Computer and Technologic, Vol. 15 No.
• Yun Shen Yen, (2010) “Can perceived risks affect the relationship of switching costs and customer loyalty in e‐commerce?”, Internet Research, Vol. 20 Issue: 2, pp.210-224. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/10662241011032254

Instruments

This interview is non-structured, meaning that the questions were asked in a random order and that the respondents were given more latitude when elaborating on their answers.

• Why do you think the e-commerce adoption rate among high-end furniture producers is low compared to retailers of other products?
• Why you think high-end producers and retailers of furniture have been loth to embrace e-commerce?
• What is your opinion as to the biggest hurdle facing high-end producers of furniture?
• Some suggest that internet security is an entry to barrier, citing the costs entailed by ensuring internet security. What is your take on that?
• What part of the e-commerce adoption stage is the most onerous and taxing?
• What factor would you consider as biggest entry to barrier for e-commerce adoption in your field?
• What problems are mostly associated with developing an e-commerce platform to sell products such as high-end furniture?
• Most people perceive internet as less than luxurious, so they stay away from it. How much of an entry to barrier is it for you?
• Most of the people involved in high-end furniture tend to be dismissive of internet as a platform to sell luxury things. What is your take on that?
• Customs and taxes?
• What are the implications of so many customs and tax regulations of other countries on running a successful e-commerce for furniture producers?
• Hacking, and stolen data? Would say these two are hindering owners from adopting e-commerce for their high-end furniture business? If so, how?
• What factors would you consider as less than important- internet penetration or implementation costs?
• Can you please elaborate on your experience?
• Can you please talk about the challenged in expanding into e-commerce fo your business or the business you advised?>
• Can you list the barriers to entry you know in the order of importance?

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35 Business Management Dissertation Topic Ideas

Choosing a topic for your business management dissertation is a significant decision. It’s the cornerstone of your academic journey, reflecting your expertise, interests, and scholarly contribution.

A well-chosen topic not only captivates your audience but also fuels your passion for research. It should be relevant, original, and feasible within your academic timeframe. The key is to pick a topic that resonates with current business trends, addresses a gap in the literature, and aligns with your career aspirations.

The landscape of business is ever-evolving, shaped by technological advancements, economic shifts, and societal changes. Thus, a topic that’s both timely and timeless can make your dissertation stand out. Whether you’re fascinated by human resources, marketing, finance, or strategic management, there’s a wealth of areas to explore.

Topic Ideas for a Business Management Dissertation

In the following list, you’ll find 35 thought-provoking dissertation topic ideas, each with its unique angle and relevance. These ideas span various subfields of business management, offering you a broad spectrum to choose from.

Idea 1: The Impact of Remote Work on Organizational Culture

Remote work has transformed the traditional workplace, making this a compelling topic. Investigate how companies maintain their culture and employee engagement in a virtual environment. This topic is ideal for exploring in times of major shifts in work modalities.

Idea 2: AI and Decision Making in Business Management

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing decision-making processes. This topic lets you delve into how AI impacts strategic decisions in business, a great choice for those interested in technology’s role in business.

Idea 3: Sustainability Practices in Corporate Governance

Sustainability is a pressing issue. This topic allows you to explore how businesses integrate environmental and social practices into their governance. Perfect for those passionate about corporate responsibility.

Idea 4: Consumer Behavior in Digital Marketplaces

With the rise of online shopping, understanding consumer behavior in digital marketplaces is crucial. This topic is suitable if you’re interested in the intersection of marketing and technology.

Idea 5: The Role of Leadership in Organizational Change

Leadership is pivotal during times of change. Here, you could examine effective leadership styles and strategies in navigating organizational change. Ideal for students focusing on leadership and change management.

Idea 6: Ethical Dilemmas in Business Management

Ethical challenges are ever-present in business. Investigate how managers handle ethical dilemmas and the impact on corporate reputation. This topic is best for those interested in business ethics.

Idea 7: Impact of Globalization on Small Businesses

Globalization has far-reaching effects. Your research could explore how small businesses adapt to global challenges and opportunities. A great topic for a global business perspective.

Idea 8: Strategies for Managing Workplace Diversity

Workplace diversity is increasingly important. Study strategies for managing diversity and fostering inclusivity. This topic is significant for HR and organizational behavior enthusiasts.

Idea 9: Financial Risk Management in Uncertain Times

Financial risks are a major concern for businesses. Research how companies manage risks, especially in unstable economic conditions. This topic is ideal for finance-focused students.

Idea 10: The Influence of Social Media on Brand Reputation

Social media dramatically impacts brands. Explore how companies use social media to build or restore their reputation. A relevant topic for those interested in marketing and digital media.

Idea 11: Innovation Management in Tech Companies

Innovation is crucial in the tech industry. Study how tech companies manage and sustain innovation. A compelling choice for students interested in technology and business innovation.

Idea 12: Employee Motivation and Performance in Virtual Teams

With the rise of remote work, understanding what motivates virtual team members is essential. This topic is suitable for research in human resources and remote work dynamics.

Idea 13: The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Consumer Trust

Examine how corporate social responsibility initiatives build consumer trust. This topic is ideal for exploring the intersection of ethics and consumer behavior.

Idea 14: Big Data Analytics in Strategic Decision Making

Big data is transforming business strategies. Research how companies use big data analytics in decision-making processes. This topic is perfect for those with an interest in data analytics and strategy.

Idea 15: The Psychology of Leadership in High-Pressure Situations

Leadership under pressure is a critical area of study. Investigate the psychological aspects of leadership during crises. Ideal for students focusing on leadership and organizational psychology.

Idea 16: The Impact of E-Commerce on Traditional Retail Businesses

E-commerce is reshaping retail. Study how traditional retail businesses adapt to the rise of e-commerce. A timely topic for those interested in retail management and digital transformation.

Idea 17: Cross-Cultural Management and Global Team Dynamics

In an increasingly globalized world, understanding cross-cultural management is vital. Explore how global teams collaborate effectively. Suitable for students interested in international business and team dynamics.

Idea 18: The Future of Work: Trends and Predictions

The work landscape is evolving. Research emerging trends and predict future changes in the workplace. A forward-thinking topic for those interested in the future of work and organizational studies.

Idea 19: The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Effectiveness

Emotional intelligence is key to effective leadership. Investigate its role in leadership success. Ideal for students interested in leadership and human resource management.

Idea 20: Corporate Strategies for Tackling Climate Change

Addressing climate change is crucial for businesses. Study how corporations are developing strategies to tackle climate issues. This topic is suitable for those passionate about environmental sustainability in business.

Idea 21: The Effect of Organizational Structure on Business Performance

Organizational structure significantly impacts performance. Examine different structures and their effectiveness. A great topic for students interested in organizational theory and management.

Idea 22: Mergers and Acquisitions: Strategies for Success

Mergers and acquisitions are complex strategic decisions. Research successful strategies and challenges faced. Suitable for students interested in corporate strategy and finance.

Idea 23: Managing Talent in the Gig Economy

The gig economy is redefining talent management. Explore how companies attract and retain talent in this new landscape. A relevant topic for those interested in human resources and contemporary work arrangements.

Idea 24: The Role of Technology in Enhancing Customer Experience

Technology is reshaping customer experiences. Investigate how businesses use technology to enhance customer satisfaction. Perfect for students interested in technology and customer relations.

Idea 25: Business Ethics and Corporate Transparency

Ethics and transparency are crucial in business. Study how ethical practices influence corporate transparency. Ideal for those interested in corporate governance and ethics.

Idea 26: The Impact of Corporate Culture on Employee Engagement

Corporate culture significantly affects employee engagement. Research the relationship between the two. Suitable for students focusing on organizational behavior and human resources.

Idea 27: Entrepreneurial Strategies in Emerging Markets

Emerging markets offer unique challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs. Explore effective strategies in these environments. A compelling topic for students interested in entrepreneurship and international business.

Idea 28: The Influence of Government Policies on Business Practices

Government policies greatly affect businesses. Study how these policies influence business strategies and operations. Suitable for those interested in the intersection of business and public policy.

Idea 29: Crisis Management in the Age of Social Media

Crisis management has evolved with social media. Research how companies manage crises in this digital age. A timely topic for students interested in public relations and crisis management.

Idea 30: Blockchain Technology in Business Operations

Blockchain technology is gaining traction in business. Investigate its applications and implications in various business operations. Ideal for students interested in technology and innovation.

Idea 31: Consumer Trust and Loyalty in Online Marketplaces

Trust and loyalty are key in online marketplaces. Study factors that influence consumer trust and loyalty online. A relevant topic for those interested in e-commerce and consumer behavior.

Idea 32: The Impact of Corporate Wellness Programs on Employee Performance

Corporate wellness programs are increasingly popular. Research their impact on employee performance and well-being. Suitable for students interested in human resources and organizational health.

Idea 33: International Marketing Strategies in a Digital World

International marketing in the digital era presents unique challenges. Explore effective strategies for global marketing online. A great topic for students interested in marketing and digital strategies.

Idea 34: The Role of Mentoring in Leadership Development

Mentoring is vital in developing leaders. Investigate the effectiveness of mentoring programs in leadership development. Ideal for students focusing on leadership and human resource development.

Idea 35: Supply Chain Management in a Post-Pandemic World

The pandemic has transformed supply chains. Study the changes and strategies for effective supply chain management post-pandemic. This topic is suitable for those interested in operations management and global business trends.

Selecting a topic for your business management dissertation is a journey of exploration and discovery. Each of these ideas offers a unique lens to view and understand the complex world of business management. Remember, the best topic is one that ignites your curiosity and aligns with your career goals.

Your dissertation is more than just an academic requirement; it’s a reflection of your academic identity and professional interests. Choose wisely, and let your passion guide your research journey.

Top 150 Project Management Dissertation Topics [Updated]

Project management is like the conductor of an orchestra, harmonizing various elements to achieve a masterpiece. Dissertation topics in this field are crucial as they delve into the heart of managing projects effectively. Whether you’re a budding project manager or a seasoned professional looking to deepen your understanding, choosing the right project management dissertation topic is paramount. Let’s embark on a journey to explore some intriguing project management dissertation topics that could spark your interest and contribute to this dynamic field.

How To Pick A Dissertation Topic?

Table of Contents

Picking what you’ll study for your big research project (dissertation) is a really important choice. Take your time and think about it carefully. Here are some steps to help you pick the right topic:

• Reflect on your interests: Consider topics that genuinely interest you and align with your passion and expertise. Your enthusiasm will sustain you through the research process.
• Review existing literature: Conduct a thorough review of literature in your field to identify gaps, unanswered questions, or emerging trends that could form the basis of your research.
• Consider practical relevance: Choose a topic that has practical relevance and real-world implications for your field, industry, or community. Aim to address pressing issues or challenges faced by practitioners or organizations.
• Consult with advisors and peers: Seek feedback from your academic advisors, mentors, or peers to get their perspectives on potential topics. They can give you good advice and assist you in making your ideas better.
• Narrow down your focus: Once you have a broad topic in mind, narrow it down to a specific research question or area of investigation. Make sure your topic is manageable within the scope of your dissertation and aligns with the available resources and timeline.
• Evaluate feasibility: Figure out if your topic is doable by checking if you can find enough information, if you have the right tools to study it, if it’s morally okay, and if there are any real-life limits that might get in the way. Ensure that you have access to the necessary resources and support to conduct your research effectively.
• Stay flexible: Stay ready to change or improve your topic as you learn more during your research and find out new things. Your dissertation topic might change as you go, so it’s important to be open to that and be able to adjust along the way.
• Consider your long-term goals: Think about how your dissertation topic aligns with your long-term academic or career goals. Choose a topic that will allow you to develop valuable skills, make meaningful contributions to your field, and position yourself for future opportunities.

150 Project Management Dissertation Topics: Category Wise

Traditional vs. agile methodologies.

• A comparative analysis of traditional waterfall and agile project management methodologies.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of agile methodologies in software development projects.
• Implementing agile practices in non-IT industries: challenges and opportunities.
• The role of project management maturity models in transitioning from traditional to agile methodologies.
• Agile project management in dynamic and uncertain environments: case studies from various industries.
• Integrating hybrid project management approaches: combining elements of traditional and agile methodologies.
• Assessing the impact of agile project management on team dynamics and collaboration.
• Agile project management in large-scale and complex projects: lessons learned and best practices.
• Overcoming resistance to agile adoption: strategies for organizational change management.
• The future of project management: trends and innovations in agile methodologies.

Project Management Tools and Software

• Evaluating the effectiveness of project management software in improving project outcomes.
• Adoption and implementation of project management tools: a case study approach.
• Comparing different project management software solutions: features, benefits, and limitations.
• Customization vs. out-of-the-box implementation: factors influencing the choice of project management software.
• The impact of cloud-based project management tools on remote team collaboration.
• Enhancing project management efficiency through the integration of collaboration platforms and project management software.
• Project management software usability and user experience: implications for adoption and usage.
• Assessing the security and data privacy risks associated with project management software.
• Trends in project management software development: artificial intelligence, automation, and predictive analytics.
• The role of project management software vendors in driving innovation and industry standards.

Project Risk Management

• Identifying and prioritizing project risks: a systematic approach.
• Quantitative vs. qualitative risk analysis: comparing methods and outcomes.
• Risk management strategies for high-risk industries: construction, aerospace, and defense.
• The role of project risk management in achieving project success: evidence from case studies.
• Incorporating risk management into project planning and decision-making processes.
• Stakeholder engagement in project risk management: challenges and best practices.
• Resilience and adaptability: building a risk-aware project culture.
• Emerging risks in project management: cybersecurity threats, geopolitical instability, and climate change.
• Risk management in agile projects: adapting traditional approaches to dynamic environments.
• The future of project risk management: predictive analytics, big data, and machine learning.

Project Scheduling and Planning

• Critical path analysis and its applications in project scheduling.
• Resource leveling techniques for optimizing project schedules and resource allocation.
• The role of project management offices (PMOs) in project scheduling and planning.
• Earned value management (EVM) as a performance measurement tool in project scheduling.
• Lean project management principles: minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency in project schedules.
• Agile project planning techniques: iterative planning, sprint planning, and release planning.
• Time management strategies for project managers: prioritization, delegation, and timeboxing.
• The impact of schedule compression techniques on project duration and cost.
• Project scheduling under uncertainty: probabilistic scheduling models and Monte Carlo simulation.
• Real-time scheduling and adaptive planning: harnessing technology for dynamic project environments.

Leadership and Team Management

• Transformational leadership in project management: inspiring vision and empowering teams.
• The role of emotional intelligence in project leadership and team performance.
• Cross-cultural leadership in multinational project teams: challenges and strategies.
• Building high-performing project teams: recruitment, training, and team development.
• Distributed leadership in virtual project teams: fostering collaboration and trust.
• Conflict resolution strategies for project managers: mediation, negotiation, and arbitration.
• Motivating project teams: rewards, recognition, and intrinsic motivation.
• The impact of leadership styles on project outcomes: autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire.
• Gender diversity in project teams: implications for leadership and team dynamics.
• Team resilience and psychological safety: creating a supportive and inclusive project environment.

Project Governance and Stakeholder Management

• Project governance frameworks: roles, responsibilities, and decision-making structures.
• Stakeholder identification and analysis: mapping stakeholder interests, influence, and expectations.
• Effective communication strategies for project stakeholders: stakeholder engagement plans and communication channels.
• Managing stakeholder conflicts and competing interests in projects.
• Make sure companies do good things for the community and talk to the people affected by their projects.
• Look at how the big bosses of a project make decisions and handle the people involved.
• Accountability and transparency in project governance: reporting mechanisms and performance metrics.
• Regulatory compliance in project management: legal requirements and industry standards.
• Balancing stakeholder interests in project decision-making: ethical considerations and social responsibility.
• Continuous improvement in project governance: lessons learned and best practices.

Project Finance and Cost Management

• Project budgeting and cost estimation techniques: top-down vs. bottom-up approaches.
• Cost-benefit analysis and return on investment (ROI) in project decision-making.
• Earned value management (EVM) as a cost control tool in project management.
• Managing project financial risks: budget overruns, resource constraints, and market fluctuations.
• Project procurement and contract management: negotiating contracts, vendor selection, and performance monitoring.
• Life cycle costing in project evaluation: considering long-term costs and benefits.
• Value engineering and value management: optimizing project value while minimizing costs.
• Financial modeling and scenario analysis in project finance: assessing project feasibility and viability.
• Funding sources for project financing: equity, debt, grants, and public-private partnerships.
• Project finance in emerging markets: challenges and opportunities for investment.

Project Quality Management

• Total quality management (TQM) principles in project management: continuous improvement and customer focus.
• Quality planning and assurance processes: setting quality objectives and quality standards.
• Quality control techniques in project management: inspection, testing, and quality audits.
• Six Sigma methodology and its applications in project quality management.
• Lean principles in project management: eliminating waste and optimizing processes.
• Measuring project quality performance: key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics.
• Building a culture of quality excellence in project teams: training, empowerment, and recognition.
• Supplier quality management in project procurement: ensuring supplier compliance and performance.
• Benchmarking and best practices in project quality management.
• Continuous improvement in project quality: feedback loops, lessons learned, and process optimization.

Project Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Stakeholder engagement strategies in project management: stakeholder analysis, mapping, and engagement plans.
• Effective communication techniques for project managers: verbal, written, and nonverbal communication.
• Managing virtual project teams: communication tools, technologies, and best practices.
• Conflict resolution strategies for project stakeholders: negotiation, mediation, and collaboration.
• Stakeholder communication in crisis situations: managing stakeholder expectations and maintaining trust.
• Building trust and credibility with project stakeholders: transparency, integrity, and responsiveness.
• Cultural sensitivity and communication in multicultural project teams.
• The role of project managers as communication facilitators and mediators.
• Communication challenges in cross-functional project teams: aligning diverse perspectives and priorities.
• Measuring stakeholder satisfaction and feedback: surveys, interviews, and feedback mechanisms.

Project Human Resource Management

• Human resource planning in project management: resource allocation, skills assessment, and capacity planning.
• Talent management strategies for project teams: recruitment, training, and career development.
• Team-building techniques for project managers: icebreakers, team-building exercises, and bonding activities.
• Performance management in project teams: setting objectives, providing feedback, and evaluating performance.
• Conflict resolution strategies for project managers: negotiation, mediation, and conflict coaching.
• Diversity and inclusion in project teams: fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Leadership development in project management: training, coaching, and mentorship programs.
• Managing virtual project teams: communication, collaboration, and team cohesion.
• Building resilience and well-being in project teams: managing stress, burnout, and work-life balance.

Project Procurement and Contract Management

• Procurement planning and strategy development: make-or-buy decisions, sourcing options, and procurement methods.
• Contract types and structures in project procurement: fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, and time-and-material contracts.
• Supplier selection criteria and evaluation methods: vendor qualifications, bid evaluation, and supplier performance metrics.
• Negotiation techniques for project managers: win-win negotiation, BATNA analysis, and concessions management.
• Managing contracts and contractor relationships: contract administration, performance monitoring, and dispute resolution.
• Outsourcing and offshoring in project procurement: risks, benefits, and best practices.
• Legal and regulatory considerations in project procurement: compliance with procurement laws, standards, and regulations.
• Contractual risk management: mitigating contract risks through indemnification clauses, insurance, and contingency planning.
• Ethical considerations in project procurement: fairness, transparency, and integrity in procurement processes.
• Continuous improvement in procurement and contract management: lessons learned, process optimization, and supplier feedback.

Project Sustainability and Social Responsibility

• Integrating sustainability principles into project management: environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability.
• Sustainable project planning and design: minimizing environmental impacts, maximizing resource efficiency, and promoting resilience.
• Social impact assessment in project management: stakeholder engagement, community consultation, and social license to operate.
• Sustainable procurement practices: ethical sourcing, fair trade, and supply chain transparency.
• Green project management: reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting renewable energy.
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in project management: philanthropy, community development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Sustainable infrastructure development: green buildings, sustainable transportation, and eco-friendly urban planning.
• Environmental risk management in projects: assessing and mitigating environmental impacts and regulatory compliance.
• Sustainable project financing: green bonds, impact investing, and sustainable finance mechanisms.
• Sustainability reporting and disclosure: communicating project sustainability performance to stakeholders.

Project Innovation and Technology Management

• Innovation management in project-based organizations: fostering a culture of creativity, experimentation, and learning.
• Technology adoption and diffusion in project management: factors influencing technology acceptance and implementation.
• Managing innovation projects: from ideation to commercialization, stage-gate processes, and innovation ecosystems.
• Open innovation and collaborative project management: partnerships, co-creation, and knowledge sharing.
• Digital transformation in project management: leveraging emerging technologies for project delivery and collaboration.
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in project management: predictive analytics, automation, and decision support systems.
• Blockchain technology in project management: decentralized project governance, smart contracts, and supply chain transparency.
• Virtual reality and augmented reality in project management: immersive training, visualization, and virtual collaboration.
• Internet of Things (IoT) applications in project management: real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and asset tracking.
• Data-driven project management: leveraging big data, analytics, and business intelligence for project insights and decision-making.

Project Governance and Compliance

• Regulatory compliance in project management: legal requirements, industry standards, and certification programs.
• Ethics and integrity in project governance: code of conduct, conflict of interest policies, and whistleblowing mechanisms.
• Corporate governance and project management: alignment with organizational objectives, risk management, and performance oversight.
• Internal controls and assurance mechanisms in project governance: auditing, monitoring, and accountability.
• Project portfolio governance: prioritization, resource allocation, and strategic alignment.
• Regulatory reporting and disclosure requirements: compliance with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and investors.
• Project audits and reviews: evaluating project performance, compliance, and lessons learned.
• Governance of public-private partnerships (PPPs): contractual arrangements, risk allocation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Continuous improvement in project governance: feedback loops, lessons learned, and process optimization.

Project Resilience and Change Management

• Building project resilience: risk management, contingency planning, and adaptive strategies.
• Change management in project management: managing resistance, communication, and stakeholder engagement.
• Organizational resilience and project management: lessons from crisis management, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery.
• Agile project management and organizational agility: responsiveness to change, iterative planning, and adaptive leadership.
• Innovation and creativity in project management: fostering a culture of experimentation, learning, and adaptation.
• Anticipatory project management: scenario planning, risk assessment, and proactive decision-making.
• Crisis leadership and project management: decision-making under pressure, communication, and stakeholder management .
• Change readiness assessment in project management: organizational culture, capacity building, and change champions.
• Learning from failure: post-mortem analysis, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Resilience in project teams: psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and well-being.

In conclusion, selecting the right project management dissertation topics is essential for exploring new frontiers, addressing pressing challenges, and making meaningful contributions to the field. By choosing a topic that aligns with your interests, expertise, and aspirations, you can embark on a rewarding journey of discovery and innovation in project management.

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V. I. Lenin

The trade unions, the present situation, and trotsky’s mistakes [1].

Speech Delivered At A Joint Meeting Of Communist Delegates To The Eighth Congress Of Soviets, Communist Members Of The All-Russia Central Council Of Trade Unions And Communist Members Of The Moscow City Council Of Trade Unions December 30, 1920

Delivered: 30 December, 1920 First Published: Published in pamphlet form in 1921;Published according to the pamphlet text collated with the verbatim report edited by Lenin. Source: Lenin’s Collected Works , 1st English Edition, Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1965, Volume 32 , pages 19-42 Translated: Yuri Sdobnikov Transcription\HTML Markup: David Walters & R. Cymbala Copyleft: V. I. Lenin Internet Archive (www.marx.org) 2002. Permission is granted to copy and/or distribute this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

Comrades, I must first of all apologise for departing from the rules of procedure, for anyone wishing to take part in the debate should have heard the report, the second report and the speeches. I am so unwell, unfortunately, that I have been unable to do this. But I was able yesterday to read the principal printed documents and to prepare my remarks. This departure from the rules will naturally cause you some inconvenience; not having heard the other speeches, I may go over old ground and leave out what should be dealt with. But I had no choice.

My principal material is Comrade Trotsky ’s pamphlet, The Role and Tasks of the Trade Unions . When I compare it with the theses he submitted to the Central Committee, and go over it very carefully, I am amazed at the number of theoretical mistakes and glaring blunders it contains. How could anyone starting a big Party discussion on this question produce such a sorry excuse for a carefully thought out statement? Let me go over the main points which, I think, contain the original fundamental theoretical errors.

Trade unions are not just historically necessary; they are historically inevitable as an organisation of the industrial proletariat, and, under the dictatorship of the proletariat, embrace nearly the whole of it. This is basic, but Comrade Trotsky keeps forgetting it; he neither appreciates it nor makes it his point of departure, all this while dealing With “The Role and Tasks of the Trade Unions”, a subject of infinite compass.

It follows from what I have said that the trade unions have an extremely important part to play at every step of the dictatorship of the proletariat. But what is their part? I find that it is a most unusual one, as soon as I delve into this question, which is one of the most fundamental theoretically. On the one hand, the trade unions, which take in all industrial workers, are an organisation of the ruling, dominant, governing class, which has now set up a dictatorship and is exercising coercion through the state. But it is not a state organisation; nor is it one designed for coercion, but for education. It is an organisation designed to draw in and to train; it is, in fact, a school: a school of administration, a school of economic management, a school of communism. It is a very unusual type of school, because there are no teachers or pupils; this is an extremely unusual combination of what has necessarily come down to us from capitalism, and what comes from the ranks of the advanced revolutionary detachments, which you might call the revolutionary vanguard of the proletariat. To talk about the role of the trade unions without taking these truths into account is to fall straight into a number of errors.

Within the system of the dictatorship of the proletariat, the trade unions stand, if I may say so, between the Party and the government. In the transition to socialism the dictatorship of the proletariat is inevitable, but it is not exercised by an organisation which takes in all industrial workers. Why not? The answer is given in the theses of the Second Congress of the Communist International on the role of political parties in general. I will not go into this here. What happens is that the Party, shall we say, absorbs the vanguard of the proletariat, and this vanguard exercises the dictatorship of the proletariat. The dictatorship cannot be exercised or the functions of government performed without a foundation such as the trade unions. These functions, however, have to be performed through the medium of special institutions which are also of a new type, namely, the Soviets. What are the practical conclusions to be drawn from this peculiar situation? They are, on the one hand, that the trade unions are a link between the vanguard and the masses, and by their daily work bring conviction to the masses, the masses of the class which alone is capable of taking us from capitalism to communism. On the other hand, the trade unions are a “reservoir” of the state power. This is what the trade unions are in the period of transition from capitalism to communism. In general, this transition cannot be achieved without the leadership of that class which is the only class capitalism has trained for large-scale production and which alone is divorced from the interests of the petty proprietor. But the dictatorship of the proletariat cannot be exercised through an organisation embracing the whole of that class, because in all capitalist countries (and not only over here, in one of the most backward) the proletariat is still so divided, so degraded, and so corrupted in parts (by imperialism in some countries) that an organisation taking in the whole proletariat cannot directly exercise proletarian dictatorship. It can be exercised only by a vanguard that has absorbed the revolutionary energy of the class. The whole is like an arrangement of cogwheels. Such is the basic mechanism of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and of the essentials of transition from capitalism to communism. From this alone it is evident that there is something fundamentally wrong in principle when Comrade Trotsky points, in his first thesis, to “ideological confusion”, and speaks of a crisis as existing specifically and particularly in the trade unions. If we are to speak of a crisis, we can do so only after analysing the political situation. It is Trotsky who is in “ideological confusion”, because in this key question of the trade unions’ role, from the standpoint of transition from capitalism to communism, he has lost sight of the fact that we have here a complex arrangement of cogwheels which cannot be a simple one; for the dictatorship of the proletariat cannot be exercised by a mass proletarian organisation. It cannot work without a number of “transmission belts” running from the vanguard to the mass of the advanced class, and from the latter to the mass of the working people. In Russia, this mass is a peasant one. There is no such mass anywhere else, but even in the most advanced countries there is a non-proletarian, or a not entirely proletarian, mass. That is in itself enough to produce ideological confusion. But it’s no use Trotsky’s pinning it on others.

When I consider the role of the trade unions in production, find that Trotsky ’s basic mistake lies in his always dealing with it “in principle “, as a matter of “general principle”. All his theses are based on “general principle”, an approach which is in itself fundamentally wrong, quite apart from the fact that the Ninth Party Congress said enough and more than enough about the trade unions’ role in production, [2] and quite apart from the fact that in his own theses Trotsky quotes the perfectly clear statements of Lozovsky and Tomsky, who were to be his “whipping boys” and an excuse for an exercise in polemics. It turns out that there is, after all, no clash of principle, and the choice of Tomsky and Lozovsky, who wrote what Trotsky himself quotes, was an unfortunate one indeed. However hard we may look, we shall not find here any serious divergence of principle. In general, Comrade Trotsky’s great mistake, his mistake of principle, lies in the fact that by raising the question of “principle” at this time he is dragging back the Party and the Soviet power. We have, thank heaven, done with principles and have gone on to practical business. We chatted about principles—rather more than we should have—at the Smolny. Today, three years later, we have decrees on all points of the production problem, and on many of its components; but such is the sad fate of our decrees: they are signed, and then we ourselves forget about them and fail to carry them out. Meanwhile, arguments about principles and differences of principle are invented. I shall later on quote a decree dealing with the trade unions’ role in production, a decree all of us, including myself, I confess, have forgotten.

The actual differences, apart from those I have listed, really have nothing to do with general principles. I have had to enumerate my “differences” with Comrade Trotsky because, with such a broad theme as “The Role and Tasks of the Trade Unions”, he has, I am quite sure, made a number of mistakes bearing on the very essence of the dictatorship of the proletariat. But, this apart, one may well ask, why is it that we cannot work together, as we so badly need to do? It is because of our different approach to the mass, the different way of winning it over and keeping in touch with it. That is the whole point. And this makes the trade union a very peculiar institution, which is set up under capitalism, which inevitably exists in the transition from capitalism to communism, and whose future is a question mark. The time when the trade unions are actually called into question is a long way off: it will be up to our grandchildren to discuss that. What matters now is how to approach the mass, to establish contact with it and win it over, and how to get the intricate transmission system working (how to run the dictatorship of the proletariat). Note that when I speak oI the intricate transmission system I do not mean the machinery of the Soviets. What it may have in the way of intricacy of transmission comes under a special head. I have only been considering, in principle and in the abstract, class relations in capitalist society, which consists of a proletariat, a non-proletarian mass of working people, a petty bourgeoisie and a bourgeoisie. This alone yields an extremely complicated transmission system owing to what has been created by capitalism, quite apart from any red-tape in the Soviet administrative machinery. And that is the main point to be considered in analysing the difficulties of the trade unions’ “task”. Let me say this again: the actual differences do not lie where Comrade Trotsky sees them but in the question of how to approach the mass, win it over, and keep in touch with it. I must say that had we made a detailed, even if small-scale, study of our own experience and practices, we should have managed to avoid the hundreds of quite unnecessary “differences” and errors of principle in which Comrade Trotsky’s pamphlet abounds. Some of his theses, for instance, polemicise against “Soviet trade-unionism”. As if we hadn’t enough trouble already, a new bogey has been invented. Who do you think it is? Comrade Ryazanov, of all people. I have known him for twenty odd years. You have known him less than that, but equally as well by his work. You are very well aware that assessing slogans is not one of his virtues, which he undoubtedly has. Shall we then produce theses to show that “Soviet trade-unionism” is just something that Comrade Ryazanov happened to say with little relevance? Is that being serious? If it is, we shall end up with having “Soviet trade unionism”, “Soviet anti-peace-signing”, and what not! A Soviet “ism” could be invented on every single point. ( Ryazanov : “Soviet anti-Brestism.”) Exactly, “Soviet anti Brestism”.

While betraying this lack of thoughtfulness, Comrade Trotsky falls into error himself. He seems to say that in a workers’ state it is not the business of the trade unions to stand up for the material and spiritual interests of the working class. That is a mistake. Comrade Trotsky speaks of a “workers’ state”. May I say that this is an abstraction. It was natural for us to write about a workers’ state in 1917; but it is now a patent error to say: “Since this is a workers’ state without any bourgeoisie, against whom then is the working class to be protected, and for what purpose?” The whole point is that it is not quite a workers’ state. That is where Comrade Trotsky makes one of his main mistakes. We have got down from general principles to practical discussion and decrees, and here we are being dragged back and prevented from tackling the business at hand. This will not do. For one thing, ours is not actually a workers’ state but a workers’ and peasants’ state. And a lot depends on that. ( Bukharin : “What kind of state? A workers’ and peasants’ state?”) Comrade Bukharin back there may well shout “What kind of state? A workers’ and peasants’ state?” I shall not stop to answer him. Anyone who has a mind to should recall the recent Congress of Soviets, [3] and that will be answer enough.

But that is not all. Our Party Programme—a document which the author of the ABC of Communism knows very well—shows that ours is a workers’ state with a bureacratic twist to it . We have had to mark it with this dismal, shall I say, tag. There you have the reality of the transition. Well, is it right to say that in a state that has taken this shape in practice the trade unions have nothing to protect, or that we can do without them in protecting the material and spiritual interests of the massively organised proletariat? No, this reasoning is theoretically quite wrong. It takes us into the sphere of abstraction or an ideal we shall achieve in 15 or 20 years’ time, and I am not so sure that we shall have achieved it even by then. What we actually have before us is a reality of which we have a good deal of knowledge, provided, that is, we keep our heads, and do not let ourselves be carried awav by intellectualist talk or abstract reasoning, or by what may appear to be “theory” but is in fact error and misapprehension of the peculiarities of transition. We now have a state under which it is the business of the massively organised proletariat to protect itself, while we, for our part, must use these workers’ organisations to protect the workers from their state, and to get them to protect our state. Both forms of protection are achieved through the peculiar interweaving of our state measures and our agreeing or “coalescing” with our trade unions.

I shall have more to say about this coalescing later on. But the word itself shows that it is a mistake to conjure up an enemy in the shape of “Soviet trade-unionism”, for “coalescing” implies the existence of distinct things that have yet to be coalesced: “coalescing” implies the need to be able to use measures of the state power to protect the material and spiritual interests of the massively organised proletariat from that very same state power. When the coalescing has produced coalescence and integration , we shall meet in congress for a business-like discussion of actual experience, instead of “disagreements” on principle or theoretical reasoning in the abstract. There is an equally lame attempt to find differences of principle with Comrades Tomsky and Lozovsky, whom Comrade Trotsky treats as trade union “bureaucrats”—I shall later on say which side in this controversy tends to be bureaucratic. We all know that while Comrade Ryazanov may love a slogan, and must have one which is all but an expression of principle, it is not one of Comrade Tomsky’s many vices. I think, therefore, that it would be going a bit too far to challenge Comrade Tomsky to a battle of principles on this score (as Comrade Trotsky has done). I am positively astonished at this. One would have thought that we had grown up since the days when we all sinned a great deal in the way of factional, theoretical and various other disagreements—although we naturally did some good as well. It is time we stopped inventing and blowing up differences of principle and got down to practical work. I never knew that Tomsky was eminently a theoretician or that he claimed to be one; it may be one of his failings, but that is something else again. Tomsky, who has been working very smoothly with the trade union- movement, must in his position provide a reflection of this complex transition—whether he should do so consciously or unconsciously is quite another matter and I am not saying that he has always done it consciously—so that if something is hurting the mass, and they do not know what it is, and he does not know what it is ( applause , laughter ) but raises a howl, I say that is not a failing but should be put down to his credit. I am quite sure that Tomsky has many partial theoretical mistakes. And if we all sat down to a table and started thoughtfully writing resolutions or theses, we should correct them all; we might not even bother to do that because production work is more interesting than the rectifying of minute theoretical disagreements.

I come now to “industrial democracy”, shall I say, for Bukharin’s benefit. We all know that everyone has his weak points, that even big men have little weak spots, and this also goes for Bukharin. He seems to be incapable of resisting any little word with a flourish to it. He seemed to derive an almost sensuous pleasure from writing the resolution on industrial democracy at the Central Committee Plenum on December 7. But the closer I look at this “industrial democracy”, the more clearly I see that it is half-baked and theoretically false. It is nothing but a hodge-podge. With this as an example, let me say once again, at a Party meeting at least: “Comrade N. I. Bukharin, the Republic, theory and you yourself will benefit from less verbal extravagance.” ( Applause .) Industry is indispensable. Democracy is a category proper only to the political sphere. There can be no objection to the use of this word in speeches or articles. An article takes up and clearly expresses one relationship and no more. But it is quite strange to hear you trying to turn this into a thesis, and to see you wanting to coin it into a slogan, uniting the “ayes” and the “nays”; it is strange to hear you say, like Trotsky, that the Party will have “to choose between two trends”. I shall deal separately with whether the Party must do any “choosing” and who is to blame for putting the Party in this position of having to “choose”. Things being what they are, we say: “At any rate, see that you choose fewer slogans, like ’industrial democracy’, which contain nothing but confusion and are theoretically wrong.” Both Trotsky and Bukharin failed to think out this term theoretically and ended up in confusion. “Industrial democracy” suggests things well beyond the circle of ideas with which they were carried away. They wanted to lay greater emphasis and focus attention on industry. It is one thing to emphasise something in an article or speech; it is quite another to frame it into a thesis and ask the Party to choose, and so I say: cast your vote against it, because it is confusion. Industry is indispensable, democracy is not. Industrial democracy breeds some utterly false ideas. The idea of one-man management was advocated only a little while ago. We must not make a mess of things and confuse people: how do you expect them to know when you want democracy, when one-man management, and when dictatorship. But on no account must we renounce dictatorship either—I hear Bukharin behind me growling: “Quite right.” ( Laughter . Applause .)

But to go on. Since September we have been talking about switching from the principle of priority to that of equalisation, and we have said as much in the resolution of the all-Party conference, which was approved by the Central Committee. [4] The question is not an easy one, because we find that we have to combine equalisation with priority, which are incompatible. But after all we do have some knowledge of Marxism and have learned how and when opposites can and must be combined; and what is most important is that in the three and a half years of our revolution we have actually combined opposites again and again.

The question obviously requires thoughtfulness and circumspection. After all, we did discuss these questions of principle at those deplorable plenary meetings of the Central Committee [4b] —which yielded the groups of seven and eight, and Comrade Bukharin’s celebrated “buffer group” [6] —and we did establish that there was no easy transition from the priority principle to that of equalisation. We shall have to put in a bit of effort to implement the decision of the September Conference. After all, these opposite terms can be combined either into a cacophony or a symphony. Priority implies preference for one industry out of a group of vital industries because of its greater urgency. What does such preference entail? How great can it be? This is a difficult question, and I must say that it will take more than zeal to solve it; it may even take more than a heroic effort on the part of a man who is possibly endowed with many excellent qualities and who will do wonders on the right job; this is a very peculiar matter and calls for the correct approach. And so if we are to raise this question of priority and equalisation we must first of all give it some careful thought, but that is just what we fail to find in Comrade Trotsky’s work; the further he goes in revising his original theses, the more mistakes he makes. Here is what we find in his latest theses:

“The equalisation line should be pursued in the sphere of consumption , that is, the conditions of the working people’s existence as individuals. In the sphere of production , the principle of priority will long remain decisive for us”. . . (thesis 41, p. 31 of Trotsky’s pamphlet).

This is a real theoretical muddle. It is all wrong. Priority is preference, but it is nothing without preference in consumption. If all the preference I get is a couple of ounces of bread a day I am not likely to be very happy. The preference part of priority implies preference in consumption as well. Otherwise, priority is a pipe dream, a fleeting cloud, and we are, after all, materialists. The workers are also materialists; if you say shock work, they say, let’s have the bread, and the clothes, and the beef. That is the view we now take, and have always taken, in discussing these questions time without number with reference to various concrete matters in the Council of Defence, [7] when one would say: “I’m doing shock work”, and would clamour for boots, and another: “I get the boots, otherwise your shock workers won’t hold out, and all your priority will fizzle out.”

We find, therefore, that in the theses the approach to equalisation and priority is basically wrong. What is more, it is a retreat from what has actually been achieved and tested in practice. We can’t have that; it will lead to no good.

Then there is the question of “coalescing “. The best thing to do about “coalescing” right now is to keep quiet. Speech is silver, but silence is golden. Why so? It is because we have got down to coalescing in practice; there is not a single large gubernia economic council, no major department of the Supreme Economic Council, the People’s Commissariat for Communications, etc., where something is not being coalesced in practice. But are the results all they should be? Ay, there’s the rub. Look at the way coalescence has actually been carried out, and what it has produced. There are countless decrees introducing coalescence in the various institutions. But we have yet to make a business-like study of our own practical experience; we have yet to go into the actual results of all this; we have yet to discover what a certain type of coalescence has produced in a particular industry, what happened when member X of the gubernia trade union council held post Y in the gubernia economic council, how many months he was at it, etc. What we have not failed to do is to invent a disagreement on coalescence as a principle, and make a mistake in the process, but then we have always been quick at that sort of thing; but we were not up to the mark when it came to analysing and verifying our own experience. When we have congresses of Soviets with committees not only on the application of the better-farming law in the various agricultural areas but also on coalescence and its results in the Saratov Gubernia flour-milling industry, the Petrograd metal industry, the Donbas coal industry, etc., and when these committees, having mustered the facts, declare: “We have made a study of so and so”, then I shall say: “Now we have got down to business, we have finally grown up.” But could anything be more erroneous and deplorable than the fact that we are being presented with “theses” splitting hairs over the principle of coalescence, after we have been at it for three years? We have taken the path of coalescence, and I am sure it was the right thing to do, but we have not yet made an adequate study of the results of our experience. That is why keeping quiet is the only common sense tactics on the question of coalescence.

A study must be made of practical experience. I have signed decrees and resolutions containing instructions on practical coalescence, and no theory is half so important as practice. That is why when I hear: “Let’s discuss ’coalescence’”, I say: “Let’s analyse what we have done.” There is no doubt that we have made many mistakes. It may well be that a great part of our decrees need amending. I accept that, for I am not in the least enamoured of decrees. But in that case let us have some practical proposals as to what actually has to be altered. That would be a business-like approach. That would not be a waste of time. That would not lead to bureaucratic projecteering But I find that that is exactly what’s wrong with Trotsky’s “Practical Conclusions”, Part VI of his pamphlet. He says that from one-third to one-half of the members of the All Russia Central Council of Trade Unions and the Presidium of the Supreme Eccnomic Council should serve on both bodies, and from one-half to two-thirds, on the collegiums, etc. Why so? No special reason, just “rule of thumb”. It is true, of course, that rule of thumb is frequently used to lay down similar proportions in our decrees, but then why is it inevitable in decrees? I hold no brief for all decrees as such and have no intention of making them appear better than they actually are. Quite often rule of thumb is used in them to fix such purely arbitrary proportions as one-half or one-third of the total number of members, etc. When a decree says that, it means: try doing it this way, and later on we shall assess the results of your “try out”. We shall later sort out the results. After sorting them out, we shall move on. We are working on coalescence and we expect to improve it because we are becoming more efficient and practical-minded.

But I seem to have lapsed into “production propaganda”. That can’t be helped. It is a question that needs dealing with in any discussion of the role of the trade unions in production.

My next question will therefore be that of production propaganda. This again is a practical matter and we approach it accordingly. Government agencies have already been set up to conduct production propaganda. I can’t tell whether they are good or had; they have to be tested and there’s no need for any “theses” on this subject at all.

If we take a general view of the part trade unions have to play in industry, we need not, in this question of democracy, go beyond the usual democratic practices. Nothing will come of such tricky phrases as “industrial democracy”, for they are all wrong. That is the first point. The second is production propaganda. The agencies are there. Trotsky’s theses deal with production propaganda. That is quite useless, because in this case theses are old hat. We do not know as yet whether the agencies are good or bad. But we can tell after testing them in action. Let us do some studying and polling. Assuming, let us say, that a congress has 10 committees with 10 men on each, let us ask: “You have been dealing with production propaganda, haven ’t you? What are the results?” Having made a study of this, we should reward those who have done especially well, and discard what has proved unsuccessful. We do have some practical experience; it may not be much but it is there; yet we are being dragged away from it and back to these “theses on principles”. This looks more like a “reactionary” movement than “trade unionism”.

There is then the third point, that of bonuses. Here is the role and task of the trade unions in production: distribution of bonuses in kind . A start on it has been made. Things have been set in motion. Five hundred thousand poods of grain had been allocated for the purpose, and one hundred and seventy thousand has been distributed. How well and how correctly, I cannot tell. The Council of People’s Commissars was told that they were not making a good job of this distribution, which turned out to be an additional wage rather than a bonus. This was pointed out by officials of the trade unions and the People’s Commissariat for Labour. We appointed a commission to look into the matter but that has not yet been done. One hundred and seventy thousand poods of grain has been given away, but this needs to be done in such a way as to reward those who display the heroism, the zeal, the talent, and the dedication of the thrifty manager, in a word, all the qualities that Trotsky extols. But the task now is not to extol this in theses but to provide the bread and the beef. Wouldn’t it be better, for instance, to deprive one category of workers of their beef and give it as a bonus to workers designated as “shock” workers? We do not renounce that kind of priority. That is a priority we need. Let us take a closer look at our practices in the application of priority.

The fourth point is disciplinary courts. I hope Comrade Bukharin will not take offence if I say that without disciplinary courts the role of the trade unions in industry, “industrial democracy “, is a mere trifle. But the fact is that there is nothing at all about this in your theses. “Great grief!” is therefore the only thing that can be said about Trotsky’s theses and Bukharin’s attitude, from the standpoint of principle, theory and practice.

I am confirmed in this conclusion when I say to myself: yours is not a Marxist approach to the question. This quite apart from the fact that there are a number of theoretical mistakes in the theses It is not a Marxist approach to the evaluation of the “role and tasks of the trade unions”, because such a broad subject cannot be tackled without giving thought to the peculiar political aspects of the present situation. After all, Comrade Bukharin and I did say in the resolution of the Ninth Congress of the R.C.P. on trade unions that politics is the most concentrated expression of economics.

If we analysed the current political situation, we might say that we were going through a transition period within a transition period. The whole of the dictatorship of the proletariat is a transition period, but we now have, you might say, a heap of new transition periods: the demobilisation of the army, the end of the war, the possibility of having a much longer breathing space in peace than before, and a more solid transition from the war front to the labour front. This—and this alone—is causing a change in the attitude of the proletarian class to the peasant class. What kind of change is it? Now this calls for a close examination, but nothing of the sort follows from your theses. Until we have taken this close look, we must learn to wait. The people are overweary, considerable stocks that had to be used for certain priority industries have been so used; the proletariat’s attitude to the peasantry is undergoing a change. The war weariness is terrible, and the needs have increased, but production has increased insufficiently or not at all. On the other hand, as I said in my report to the Eighth Congress of Soviets, our application of coercion was correct and successful whenever we had been able to back it up from the start with persuasion. I must say that Trotsky and Bukharin have entirely failed to take account of this very important consideration.

Have we laid a sufficiently broad and solid base of persuasion for all these new production tasks? No, indeed, we have barely started doing it. We have not yet made the masses a party to them. Now I ask you, can the masses tackle these new assignments right away? No, they cannot, because while there is now no need for special propaganda on the question of, say, whether Wrangel the landowner should be overthrown or whether any sacrifices should be spared for the purpose, we have just started to work on this question of the role of the trade unions in production, and I mean the business aspect of the matter and not the question of “principle”, the reasoning about “Soviet trade-unionism” and such like trifles; we have just set up the agency for production propaganda, but we have as yet no experience. We have introduced the payment of bonuses in kind, but we lack the experience. We have set up the disciplinary courts, but we are not yet aware of the results. Still, from the political standpoint it is the preparedness of the masses that is crucial. Has the question been prepared, studied, weighed, and considered from this angle? No, far from it. And that is a basic, deep-going and dangerous political mistake, because if ever there was need to act according to the rule of measuring your cloth seven times before cutting it once, it is in this question. We find instead that the cutting has been started in earnest without a single measure having been taken. We are told that “the Party must choose between two trends”, but the false slogan of “industrial democracy “ was invented without a single measuring.

We must try to understand the meaning of this slogan, especially in the present political situation, when the masses are confronted with bureaucratic practices in visual form, and when we have the question itself on the agenda. Comrade Trotsky says in his theses that on the question of workers’ democracy it remains for the Congress to “enter it unanimously in the record”. That is not correct. There is more to it than an entry in the record; an entry in the record fixes what has been fully weighed and measured, whereas the question of industrial democracy is far from having been fully weighed, tried and tested. Just think how the masses may interpret this slogan of “industrial democracy”.

“We, the rank and file who work among the masses, say that there is need for new blood, that things must be corrected and the bureaucrats ousted, and here you are beating about the bush, talking about getting on with production and displaying democracy in achieving success in production; we refuse to get on with production under such a bureaucratic set-up of central and other boards, we want a different one.” You have not given the masses a chance to discuss things, to see the point, and to think it over; you have not allowed the Party to gain fresh experience but are already acting in haste, overdoing it, and producing formulas which are theoretically false. Just think how this mistake will be further amplified by unduly zealous functionaries! A political leader is responsible not only for the quality of his leadership but also for the acts of those he leads. He may now and again be unaware of what they are about, he may often wish they had not done some thing, but the responsibility still falls on him.

I now come to the November 9 and December 7 plenary meetings of the Central Committee, which gave expression to all these mistakes in action, rather than in logical categories, premises and theoretical reasoning. This threw the Centrai Committee into confusion; it is the first time this has happened in our Party’s history, in time of revolution, and it is dangerous. The crux was that there was a division, there was the “buffer” group of Bukharin, Preobrazhensky and Serebryakov, which did the most harm and created the most confusion.

You will recall the story of Glavpolitput [8] and Tsektran. [9] The resolution of the Ninth Congress of the R.C.P. in April 1920 said that Glavpolitput was being set up as a “temporary” institution, and that conditions should be brought back to normal “as soon as possible”. In September you read, “Return to normal conditions”. [9b] The plenary meeting was held in November (November 9), and Trotsky came up with his theses and ideas about trade-unionism. How ever fine some of his points about production propaganda may be, he should have been told that all this was neither here nor there, quite beside the mark, and a step backward it is something the C.C. should not be dealing with at present. Bukharin says: “It is very good.” It may be very good, but that is no answer to the question. After a heated debate, a resolution is adopted by 10 to 4 saying in a polite and comradely way that Tsektran has itself “already got down to . . . strengthening and developing methods of proletarian democracy within the union”. It adds that Tsektran must “take an active part in the general work of the All-Russia Central Council of Trade Unions, being incorporated in it on an egual footing with other trade union bodies”.

What is the gist of the Central Committee’s decision? It is obviously this: “Comrades of Tsektran! You must do more than go through the motions of carrying out Congress and C.C. decisions, you must actually do so to help all trade unions by your work, wipe out every trace of red tape, favouritism, arrogance, the we-are-better-than-you attitude, and boasts of being richer and getting more aid.”

We then get down to brass tacks. A commission is set up, and the names of its members are published. Trotsky walks out, refuses to serve on the commission, and disrupts its work. What are his reasons? There is only one. Lutovinov is apt to play at opposition. That is true, and that also goes for Osinsky. Frankly speaking, it is not a pleasant game. But do you call that a reason? Osinsky was making an excellent job of the seed campaign. The thing to do was to work with him, in spite of his “opposition campaign”, for this business of disrupting the work of a commission is bureaucratic, un-Soviet, un-socialist, incorrect and politically harmful. Such methods are doubly incorrect and politically harmful at a time when there is need to separate the wheat from the chaff within the “opposition”. When Osinsky conducts an “opposition campaign”, I tell him: “This is a harmful campaign”, but it is a pleasure to see him conduct the seed campaign. I shall not deny that, like Ishchenko and Shlyapnikov, Lutovinov is making a mistake in his “opposition campaign”, but that is no reason to disrupt the work of a commission.

What did the commission in fact signify? It signified transition to practical work from intellectualist talk about sterile disagreements. What the commission was due to discuss and deal with was production propaganda, bonuses, and disciplinary courts. It was then that Comrade Bukharin, the head of the “buffer group”, together with Preobrazhensky and Serebryakov, seeing the Central Committee dangerously divided, set out to create a buffer, one that I find difficult to describe in parliamentary terms. If I could draw cartoons as well as Comrade Bukharin does, I would depict him as a man pouring a bucket of kerosene on the flames, and give the following caption: “Buffer kerosene”. Comrade Bukharin wanted to create something, and his intentions were no doubt most sincere and entirely in the “buffer” spirit. But the buffer failed to materialise; the upshot was that he failed to take account of the political situation and, what is more, made some theoretical mistakes.

Should all such disputes have been brought up for broad discussion? Was it worth going into these trifles? Was it worth wasting the few precious weeks before a Party congress? Wecould have used the timo to analyse and study the question of bonuses, disciplinary courts and coalescence. Those are the questions we could have given a practical solution to in the C.C. commission. If Comrade Bukharin wished to create a buffer, instead of giving a display of barking up the wrong tree, he should have demanded and insisted that Comrade Trotsky remained on the commission. If he had said and done that, we should have been on the right track, with the commission looking into the practical aspects of such things as one-man management, democracy, appointees, etc.

But to go on. By December (the December 7 Plenary Meeting), we were already faced with this flare-up of the watermen, which intensified the conflict, and as a result there were now eight votes in the Central Committee to our seven. Comrade Bukharin, in an effort to bring about a “reconciliation” through the use of his “buffer”, hastily wrote the “theoretical” part of the December plenum’s resolution, but with the commission a shambles, nothing, of course, could come of it.

Where did Glavpolitput and Tsektran err? Certainly not in their use of coercion; that goes to their credit. Their mistake was that they failed to switch to normal trade union work at the right time and without conflict, as the Ninth Congress of the R.C.P. required; they failed to adapt themselves to the trade unions and help them by meeting them on an equal footing. Heroism, zeal, etc., are the positive side of military experience; red-tape and arrogance are the negative side of the experience of the worst military types. Trotsky’s theses, whatever his intentions, do not tend to play up the best, but the worst in military experience. It must be borne in mind that a political leader is responsible not only for his own policy but also for the acts of those he leads.

The last thing I want to tell you about—something I called myself a fool for yesterday—is that I had altogether overlooked Comrade Rudzutak’s theses. His weak point is that he does not speak in ringing tones; he is not an impressive or eloquent speaker. He is liable to be overlooked. Unable to attend the meetings yesterday, I went through my material and found a printed leaflet issued for the Fifth All-Russia Trade Union Conference, which was-held from November 2 to 6, 1920. [11] It is called: The Tasks of the Trade Unions in Production . Let me read it to you, it is not long. Fifth All-Russia Trade Union Conference The tasks of the trade unions in production (Theses Of Comrade Rudzutak’s Report)

1. Immediately after the October Revolution, the trade unions proved to be almost the only bodies which, while exercising workers’ control , were able and bound to undertake the work of organising and managing production . In that early period of the Soviet power, no state apparatus for the management of the national economy had yet been set up, while sabotage on the part of factory owners and senior technicians brought the working class squarely up against the task of safeguarding industry and getting the whole of the country’s economic apparatus back into normal running order.

2. In the subsequent period of the Supreme Economic Council’s work, when a considerable part of it consisted in liquidating private enterprises and organising state management to run them, the trade unions carried on this work jointly and side by side with the state economic management agencies .

This parallel set-up was explained and justified by the weakness of the state agencies; historically it was vindicated by the establishment of full contact between the trade unions and the economic management agencies.

3. The centre of gravity in the management of industry and the drafting of a production programme shifted to these agencies as a result of their administration, the gradual spread of their control over production and management and the-co-ordination of the several parts. In view of this, the work of the trade unions in organising production was reduced to participation in forming the collegiums of chief administrations, central boards, and factory managements.

4. At the present time, we are once again squarely faced with the question of establishing the closest possible ties between the economic agencies of the Soviet Republic and the trade unions, for the best use must be made of every working individual, and the whole mass of producers must be induced to take a conscious part in production, for the state apparatus of economic management, gradually gaining in size and complexity, has been transformed into a huge bureaucratic machine which is out of all proportion to the scale of industry, and is inevitably impelling the trade unions to take direct part in organising production not only through its men in the economic agencies but also as an organised whole.

5. While the Supreme Economic Council’s point of departure in drawing up an overall production programme is the availability of the material elements of production (raw materials, fuel, the state of machinery, etc.), the trade unions must look at it from the standpoint of organising labour for the tasks of production and its best use. Therefore, the overall production programme , in whole and in part , must be drawn up with the participation of the trade unions in order to combine the use of the material resources of production and manpower in the best possible way.

6. Only if the whole mass of those engaged in production consciously take a hand in establishing real labour discipline, fighting deserters from the labour front, etc., can these tasks be fulfilled. Bureaueratic methods and orders will not do; it must be brought home to each participant in production that his production tasks are appropriate and important; that each must take a hand not only in fulfilling his assignments, but also play an intelligent part in correcting any technical and organisational defects in the sphere of production.

The tasks of the trade unions in this sphere are tremendous. They must teach their members in each shop and in each factory to react to and take account of all defects in the use of manpower arising from improper handling of technical means or unsatisfactory management. The sum total of the experience gained by separate enterprises and industry as a whole must be used to combat red-tape, bureaucratic practices and carelessness.

7. In order to lay special emphasis on the importance of these production tasks, they must be organisationally worked into current operations. As the economic departments of the trade unions, which are being set up in pursuance of the decision of the Third All-Russia Congress, extend their activity, they must gradually explain and define the nature of all trade union work. Thus, in the present social conditions, when all of production is geared to the satisfaction of the working people’s needs, wage rates and bonuses must be closely tied in with and must depend on the extent to which the production plan is fulfilled . Bonuses in kind and partial payment of wages in kind must be gradually transformed into a system of workers’ supply which depends on the level of labour productivity.

8. Trade union work on these lines would, on the one hand, put an end to the existence of parallel bodies ( political departments , etc .) and, on the other, restore the close ties between the masses and the economic management agencies.

9. After the Third Congress, the trade unions largely failed to carry out their programme for participation in economic construction owing, first, to the military conditions , and second, to their organisational weakness and isolation from the administrative and practical work of the economic bodies.

10. In view of this, the trade unions should set themselves the following immediate practical tasks: a) the most active participation in solving production and management problems; b) direct participation, with the respective economic agencies, in setting up competent administrative bodies; c) careful consideration of the various types of management bodies , and their influence on production; d) unfailing participation in working out and laying down economic plans and production programmes; e) organisation of labour in accordance with the economic priorities; f) development of an extensive organization for production agitation and propaganda .

11. The economic departments of the trade unions and of their organisations must be actually transformed into powerful and expeditious levers for the trade unions’ systematic participation in organising production.

12. In the matter of providing workers with steady material supplies, the trade unions must shift their influence onto the distribution bodies of the Commissariat for Food , both local and central, taking a practical and business-like part and exercising controI in all the distributive bodies, and paying special attention to the activity of central and gubernia workers’ supply commissions .

13. In view of the fact that the narrow departmental interests of some chief administrations, central boards, etc., have plunged the so-called “priority” into a state of utter confusion, the trade unions must everywhere uphold the real order of economic priorities and review the existing system so as to determine them in accordance with the actual importance of the various industries and the availability of material resources in the country.

14. Special attention must be given to the so-called model group of factories to help them set an example through the organisation of efficient management, labour discipline and trade union activities.

15. In labour organisation, apart from the introduction of a harmonious wage-rate system and the overhaul of output rates, the trade unions should take a firm hand in fighting the various forms of labour desertion (absenteeism, lateness, etc.). The disciplinary courts, which have not received due attention until now, must be turned into a real means of combating breaches of proletarian labour discipline.

16. The economic departments must be entrusted with the fulfilment of these tasks and also the drafting of a practical plan for production propaganda and a number of measures to improve the economic condition of the workers. It is necessary, therefore, to authorise the economic department of the All-Russia Central Council of Trade Unions to call a special All-Russia Conference of Economic Departments in the near future to discuss the practical problems of economic construction in connection with the world of state economic agencies.

I hope you see now why I called myself names. There you have a platform, and it is very much better than the one Comrade Trotsky wrote after a great deal of thinking, and the one Comrade Bukharin wrote (the December 7 Plenum resolution) without any thinking at all. All of us members of the Central Committee who have been out of touch with the trade Union movement for many years would profit from Comrade Rudzutak’s experience, and this also goes for Comrade Trotsky and Comrade Bukharin. The trade unions have adopted this platform.

We all entirely forgot about the disciplinary courts, but “industrial democracy”, without bonuses in kind or disciplinary courts, is nothing but empty talk.

I make a comparison between Rudzutak’s theses and those submitted by Trotsky to the Central Committee. At the end of thesis 5, I read:

“. . a reorganisation of the unions must be started right away, that is, a selection of functionaries must be above all made from precisely that angle”. . . .

There you have an example of the real bureaucratic approach: Trotsky and Krestinsky selecting the trade union “functionaries”!

Let me say this once again: here you have an explanation of Tsektran’s mistake. It was not wrong to use pressure; that goes to its credit. It made the mistake of failing to cope with the general tasks of all the trade unions, of failing to act itself and to help all the trade unions to employ the disciplinary comrades’ courts more correctly, swiftly and successfully. When I read about the disciplinary courts in Comrade Rudzutak’s theses it occurred to me that there might be a decree on this matter. And in fact there was. It is the Regulations Governing Workers’ Disciplinary Comrades’ Courts, issued on November 14, 1919 ( Collection of Statutes No. 537).

The trade unions have the key role in these courts I don’t know how good these courts are, how well they function, and whether they always function. A study of our own practical experience would be a great deal more useful than anything Comrades Trotsky and Bukharin have written.

Let me end by summing up everything there is on the question. I must say that it was a great mistake to put up these disagreements for broad Party discussion and the Party Congress. It was a political mistake. We should have had a business-like discussion in the commission, and only there, and would have in that case moved forward; as it is we are sliding back, and shall keep sliding back to abstract theoretical propositions for several weeks, instead of dealing with the problem in a business-like manner. Personally, I am sick and tired of it, and quite apart from my illness, it would give me great pleasure to get away from it all. I am prepared to seek refuge anywhere.

The net result is that there are a number of theoretical mistakes in Trotsky’s and Bukharin’s theses: they contain a number of things that are wrong in principle. Politically, the whole approach to the matter is utterly tactless. Comrade Trotsky’s “theses” are politically harmful. The sum and substance of his policy is bureaucratic harassment of the trade unions. Our Party Congress will, I am sure, condemn and reject it. ( Prolonged , stormy applause .)

[1] Lenin’s first speech to Party activists in the discussion of the role and tasks of the trade unions in socialist construction was delivered at the Bolshoi Theatre on December 30, 1920.

Trotsky had started the discussion in the Communist group of the Fifth All-Russia Trade Union Conference on November 3 with his call “to tighten the screws of War Communism” as opposed to the Party’s line to stimulate democratic activity in the trade unions.

The disagreements turned “on the different approach to the mass, the way of winning it over, and keeping in touch with it” ( Lenin ). The disagreements in the group were brought before the Central Committee Plenary Meeting. But Trotsky’s December 24 speech before the delegates of the Eighth All-Russia Congress of Soviets and trade union activists carried the issue outside the Central Committee. On December 25, he published his views in a pamphlet.

Lenin was against any discussion, believing that it distracted the Party’s attention and forces from the immediate tasks of fighting the economic dislocation and the famine. In his-speeches and articles— The Party Crisis and Once Again on the Trade Unions, the Current Situation and the Mistakes of Trotsky and Bukharin —he put forward and developed a number of important principles underlying the trade unions’ role in the dictatorship of the proletariat and their tasks in socialist construction.

The discussion lasted more than two months. The overwhelming majority of the Party organisations approved Lenin’s platform and rejected the opposition’s. The results of the discussion were summed up at the Tenth Congress of the Party on March 8-16, 1921.

[2] On its agenda were the current tasks of economic construction and the question of the trade union movement. It defined the short-term economic tasks and stressed the need for the trade unions’ active participation in socialist construction. It adopted the following resolutions: “The Current Tasks of Econormic Construction” and “The Trade Unions and Their Organisation”. See K.P.S.S. v rezolutsiakh i resheniakh syezdov, konferentsi i plenumov TsK (The C.P.S.U. in the Resolutions and Decisions of Congresses, Conferences and C.C Plenary Meetings, Part 1, 1954, pp. 477-90, 490-94).

[3] The reference is to the Eighth All-Russia Congress of Soviets of Workers’, Peasants’, Red Army and Cossack Deputies held in Moscow on December 22-29, 1920. It was attended by 2,537 delegates, the greatest number ever. Of them 1,728 had voice and vote, and 809, voice only. Of the total number of delegates 91.7 per cent were Communists; 2.7, Communist sympathisers; 3.9, non-party people; 0.3, Mensheviks; 0.3, Bundists; 0.15, Left S.R.s; 0.15, anarchists, and 0.8, from other parties.

The Congress met at a time when the war against the foreign intervention and internal counter-revolution was coming to a end, and when the economic front stood out as “the main and most important one” ( Lenin ). On its agenda there were the following questions, the chief of which had been discussed beforehand by the Communist group: report on the activity of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars, electrification of Russia; rehabilitation of industry and transport; development of agricultural production and promotion of farming; efficiency of Soviet establishments and the struggle against bureaucratic practices. These problems were thrashed out in three sections: industry, agriculture and Soviet administration.

Lenin guided much of the work of the Congress. At the plenary meeting on December 22, he gave a report on the activity of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars, and on December 23, he summed up the debate. He spoke six times at the Communist group meetings on December 21, 22, 24 and 27 on the question of concessions and the draft law on measures to consolidate and develop peasant farming. By an overwhelming majority, the Congress adopted a resolution on Lenin’s report, approving the government’s activity, and rejected a draft resolution motioned by the other delegates.

The Congress adopted a plan for the electrification of the country (GOELRO), worked out on Lenin’s initiative and instructions. This was the first long-range economic plan of the Soviet state and Lenin called it “the second Party Programme”. He also wrote the resolution on Krzhizhanovsky’s report.

Another major question on the agenda was a draft law on measures to consolidate and develop peasant farming, which had been adopted by the Council of People’s Commissars on December 14, 1920. Lenin stressed that the law was “a kind of a focus around which hundreds of decrees and bills of the Soviet power were grouped”. Lenin took part in the discussion of its principal clauses by the non-Party peasant delegates to the Congress at a special meeting on December 22, and by the Communist group on December 24 and 27. The draft law was adopted unanimously.

The Congress passed a comprehensive resolution to improve and reorganise the entire Soviet apparatus as required by the transition to peaceful economic construction. It regulated relations between central and local organs of power and administration. The Congress also discussed the reorganisation of the whole system of economic management in accordance with the new economic tasks, and approved a new statute of the Council of Labour and Defence.

It instituted the Order of the Red Banner of Labour as an award for dedication, initiative, efficiency and hard work in solving economic tasks.

[4] The reference is to the resolution of the Ninth All-Russia Conference of the R.C.P.(B.), “The Current Tasks of Party Organisation”. See K.P.S.S. v rezolutsiakh . . . (The C.P.S.U. in the Resolutions and Decisions of Congresses, Conferences and C.C. Plenary Meetings, Part 1, 1954, pp. 506-12).

[4b] The reference is to the November and December plenary meeting of the Central Committee in 1920. For the text of their resolutions see Pravda No. 255 of November 13, and No. 281 of December 14, and also Izvestia of the C.C., R.C.P. [5] No. 26 of December 20.

[5] Izvestia of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party was an information organ dealing with Party problems. It was published under a resolution of the Eighth Congress of the R.C.P.(B.) as a weekly supplement to Pravda from May 28, 1919, and as an independent organ from October 1920.

In 1929, it was transformed into a fortnightly, Partiinoye Stroitelstvo ( Party Construction ), and in June 1946 renamed Partiinaya Zhizn ( Party Life ).

[6] The “ buffer group ” took shape during the trade union discussion in 1920-21. It was headed by N. I. Bukharin and included Y. Larin, Y. A. Preobrazhensky, L. P. Serebryakov, G. Y. Sokolnikov, V. N. Yakovleva and others. They tried to reconcile the differences between Lenin and Trotsky’s views, acting as a “buffer” in disagreements on the question of the role and tasks of the trade unions. In fact Bukharin attacked Lenin and defended Trotsky.

Lenin characterised the “buffer” group and its anti-Party views in his article, “The Party Crisis”, in the pamphlet, Once Again on the Trade Unions, the Current Situation and the Mistakes of Trotsky and Bukharin , and elsewhere.

[7] The Council of Workers’ and Peasants’ Defence was set up by the All-Russia Central Executive Committee on November 30, 1918, to implement its September 2, 1918 decree which proclaimed the Soviet Republic a military camp. Lenin was appointed its Chairman. It was vested with extraordinary powers in mobilising the resources of the Soviet state for defence in that exceptionally difficult period.

The Council was the Republic’s chief military-economic and planning centre during the intervention and Civil War and also controlled the activity of the Revolutionary Military Council and other military organs. Its decrees were binding on all Soviet citizens, as well as on central and local agencies. Early in April 1920, it was reorganised into the Council of Labour and Defence (C.L.D.) ( Soviet Truda i Oborony —STO), and under a decision of the Eighth All-Russia Congress of Soviets in December 1920 it began to operate as a government commission responsible for co-ordinating the work of all economic departments. It was abolished in 1937.

[8] Glavpolitput —the Chief Political Department of the People’s Commissariat for Communications—was formed as a provisional organ under the direct leadership of the Party’s Central Committee in February 1919, and in January 1920 it was renamed the Chief Political Administration. It took extraordinary measures to rehabilitate the railways that had been ruined in the imperialist war and the Civil War, to improve Party and political work among railway workers, and to strengthen and stimulate the activity of the railwaymen’s trade union and make it an instrument for the further development of the railways. It introduced military discipline on the railways to gear them to the war effort. The measures effected by Glavpolitput saved the railways from utter ruin, but produced bureaucratic and undemocratic practices in the trade unions and a tendency to lose touch with the masses.

It was abolished by a Central Committee decision on December 7, 1920, at the end of the Civil War and the start of peaceful development.

[9] Tsektran —the Central Committee of the Joint Trade Union of Rail and Water Transport Workers. In September 1920, the two unions were merged to set up a strong centralised administration capable of tackling the tasks of rapidly rehabilitating transport, whose stoppages tended to paralyse the national economy. Its extraordinary powers and military methods of work, which sprang from the enormity of the tasks before it, bred bureaucratic practices, the appointments system, administration by injunction, etc. The plenary meetings of the C.C. on November 8 and December 7, 1920, condemned Tsektran’s methods and adopted a decision to incorporate it into the general system of the All-Russia Central Council of Trade Unions on a par with other unions. Tsektrall was advised to change its methods, develop trade union democracy, make all trade union bodies elective, reduce the appointments system, etc. The First All-Russia Congress of Transport Workers in March 1921 called by the Central Committee of the Party expelled those communists who opposed this reform from the Tsektran leadership and outlined new methods of work.

[9b] See Izvestia of the C.C., R.C.P. No. 26, p. 2, the Resolution of the September Plenum of the C.C., Paragraph 3, which said: “The C.C. further believes that there has been a great improvement in the grave situation in the transport workers’ unions, which produced Glavpolitput and Politvod, [10] as temporary levers for assisting and organising the work. Therefore, incorporation of these organisations in the union, as union agencies being adapted to and absorbed by the union apparatus, can and must now proceed.”

[10] Politvod —the Chief Political Administration of Water Transport of the People’s Commissariat for Communications—was set up inApril 1920 as an agency of Glavpolitput to carry on political education among the workers and exercise political control over the technical and administrative personnel; to put water transport on its feet as soon as possible; to stimulate higher productivity and improve discipline. It was dissolved in December 1920.

[11] The Party wanted the trade unions’ work reorganised in accordance with the tasks of peaceful socialist construction, democracy developed and military methods of administration abolished. This was opposed by Trotsky, who demanded, at the Communist group meeting on November 3, a “shake-up” of the trade unions. He wanted “the screws tightened” and the trade unions governmentalised immediately. He disagreed on the “approach to the mass, the way of winning it over, and keeping in touch with it”. His speech started the Party discussion on the trade unions, but the Communist delegates rejected his demands, for their realisation would have abolished the trade unions and undermined the dictatorship of the proletariat. That is why his theses were discussed by the Party Central Committee. At the November 8 C.C. Plenary Meeting, Lenin came out with his own theses which, when put to the vote, won 8 votes, as against 7 for Trotsky’s.

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Moscow's High Rise Bohemia: The International Business District With No Business

• Written by Dario Goodwin
• Published on March 17, 2015

The Moscow International Business Center (Also known as Moskva-City ) was meant to be Russia ’s ticket into the Western world. First conceived in 1992, the district at the edge of Moscow’s city center is intended to contain up to 300,000 inhabitants, employees and visitors at any given moment and, when completed, will house over 4 million square meters of prime retail, hotel and office space to create what the Russian government desired most from this project: an enormous financial district that could dwarf London’s Canary Wharf and challenge Manhattan . Twenty three years later though, Moscow-based real estate company Blackwood estimates that as much as 45% of this new space is entirely vacant and rents have plummeted far below the average for the rest of Moscow. The only press Moskva-City is attracting is for tenants like the High Level Hostel , a hostel catering to backpackers and other asset-poor tourists on the 43rd floor of the Imperia Tower , with prices starting at $25.50 for a bed in a six-person room. This is not the glittering world of western high finance that was envisioned back in the post-Soviet 90s; but what has it become instead?

As one might expect from a project of this sheer ambition, Moskva-City has a troubled past. The economic crash in 2008 hit Russia hard enough to evict the previous Mayor of Moscow , Yuri Luzhkov, who had been a cheerleader for the district, and replace him with the considerably more austere Sergei Sobyanin, who famously declared that the whole idea was an “urban planning mistake.” But as recently as 2013, the Wall Street Journal was triumphantly claiming that Moskva-City had risen from the dead, citing 80% occupancy rates and glowing quotes from industry insiders claiming that Moskva-City was the "place to be." Driven by record highs in oil prices, Moscow looked poised to become the next Dubai .

Instead, Moscow is now in the grip of an economic winter prompted by western sanctions and drops in the price of oil. The large financial groupings that Moskva-City was meant to shelter have been warned off by their inability to issue credit to international markets, for example - but Moskva-City isn’t just an Empire State Building left empty by the Great Depression.

A fundamental problem that is holding Moskva back compared to the rest of Moscow is the simple fact that currently, getting to Moskva-City is nigh-on impossible at peak hours. Moscow has long been plagued with transport problems, ever since the government failed to match the dramatic expansion of the city with a dramatic expansion of the transport system after the Second World War. Despite being only 2.5 miles from the Kremlin , Moskva-City is only just inside the ring road that bounds the city center and which acts as the only real transport link to it (and as a result, is clogged by construction vehicles.) A railway and metro hub has been finished, but so far only runs a one-stop shuttle service to the closest Metro station that is actually integrated with the rest of Moscow Metro. The isolation of the outer districts is a large, negative part of the Moscow psyche, and it’s not surprising that this is driving away the globetrotting financial elite this project was meant to attract.

The project is managed by architectural practice No.6, which is a constituent part of the large Moscow based practice Mosproject-2 , which is itself a public corporation headed up by Mikhail Vasilyevich Posokhin, who is apparently the “People’s Architect of Russia.” Despite all this state involvement, the project has still managed to become bogged down in bureaucratic infighting - each lot is managed and developed individually, which has led to developers competing for occupants by slashing rates.

Much has been written about the way modern financial districts and towers that inhabit them can be unwelcoming, forbidding or even hostile by design, but the skyscrapers of Moskva-City seem even less friendly than usual. The site - a former stone quarry, chosen out of necessity as the only place in the city center where a new district could be plausibly constructed - is isolated both physically and visually, leaving the cluster a stark anomaly on the city skyline. Even the names seem more imposing than optimistic now: Imperia, City of Capitals , Steel Peak.

The Mercury City Tower , so far the tallest completed building on the site, is officially “a strong reference to Russian constructivism, [which] gives the tower a strong vertical thrust similar to the one found in New York's Chrysler building .” It would be easy to criticize the Mercury City Tower for picking ‘inspirations’ that are so totally opposed to each other - The Chrysler building the defining emblem of American pre-crash confidence and Constructivism created with the express purpose (especially architecturally) of extending the Bolshevik revolution into a social revolution - but the way they smash those two inspirations together is almost beautifully ironic.

Even though the High Level Hostel is less an asset to a financial district than it is a PR problem, it’s been a huge success since opening in September, already ranked 27th out of 766 hostels in Moscow by TripAdvisor. According to the management agency for Moskva-City , 58% of the new occupant signings this year have been non-financial, including a number of small to medium size businesses. Other areas of office space have been occupied by a restaurant and a culinary school, while another space has been redeveloped into a 6,000 seat theater.

While Moskva-City is failing to be a financial district that could take on the world, it’s inadvertently becoming a humanized space catering to the very groups that the Russian economic miracle left behind. Taking advantage of rents lower than the rest of Moscow , the world class facilities and the sheer desperation of the developers, the humanization of Moskva-City could well create the world’s first high-rise bohemia.

Of course, these are not spaces designed for a community, or even for people: these are spaces designed for money, and there’s little scope for changing something that seems so baked into the design of Moskva-City . The High Level Hostel is trading off of the irony of being a hostel in a banking tower, but it’s perfectly possible that at some point people will no longer find this joke funny (especially in a building that seems hostile to the very idea of humor). The isolation of Moskva, even though it allowed this community to spring up in the first place, is just as detrimental to a humanized district as it is to a financial one: even bohemians need to move around the city, or the district risks becoming a black-spot instead of a hot-spot.

Moskva-City’s isolation won’t last forever. The end of construction will open the roads up to traffic, and plans to properly integrate the spur lines of the Metro in this area into the wider system are well under way. The integration of the district will inevitably push up rents, and the Russian economy will eventually boom once again. When that happens, Moskva-City is prime territory to be reconquered by the giants of international finance, and it seems unlikely that the municipal or national governments would want to step in to protect this accidental district. For now, though, the towers capture perfectly this moment of Russia ’s schizophrenic understanding of its place in the world.

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