Notion of Research Topic
The idea of «subject» in management science is taken from the pure sciences.
• In management or social science, the researcher is often confronted with « social constructions », phenomena or processes. It is better to use to use other terms here, such as « research theme » or «research proposition», which are more appropriate.
It is essential (and the starting point of any research project) to define the limits of your research topic You need to clearly announce the contents of your research, what is included and what is not included.
Specification of Research
• The subject of your research should not be confused with the field of research.
e.g. service companies = field of study
The diffusion of innovation in service companies = Research Topic
• The Research Topic should dynamically link what is already known with what is not yet known. You will need to define the contours of some new knowledge on the topic that your contribution will help to shape.
e.g. How does managerial innovation contribute in improving a company’s performance?
DEFINING THE ISSUE
The function of the research issue, in which you find a notion of « problem », is to energise the topic through questioning: this mobilises some distinct concepts:
Problem: Companies are hoping to improve the internal diffusion of good working practices.
Issue: Do information systems contribute to the transfer of good working practices in companies?
We therefore propose a first definition of the concept of issue:
"The issue is a question of conceptual nature".
CONSTRUCTING THE ISSUE
Traditionally, the construction of issues often originates from written work. Some different starting points originating in written work could be:
1) A critical assessment of literature that may become a study of solving the contradictions inherent in existing studies. e.g. Contradictory results about the effect of time pressure on managers’ creativity
2) A critical assessment of literature that may study the lack, or insuffiency of certain results, propositions or concepts obtained. e.g. Insufficiency of empirical work done on managerial innovation and performance
3) The wish to test a theory or a concept established in a given field of knowledge, in order to study other phenomena not targeted in the original study. e.g. the «Lead user» concept created in the field of product marketing which is transposed to the field of the management of innovation.
4) A statement. e.g. 90% of innovative « start ups » disappear after 3 years of existance
5) The application of a concept covered in a lesson. e.g. open innovation (service companies) vs. (industrial companies) ?
6) Starting with a « rooted theory » (using the field to construct a theory) e.g. ethnological studies.
7) Starting with a particular phenomenon. e.g. the Greek crisis and its domino effect. In any case, even if the starting point originates from a field study, you must not forget that you will be moving back and forth between the field and a theory originating from written work: this movement is essential to your research .
EXAMPLE OF AN ISSUE What impact does the socio-professional category have on the management of an SME?
• The logic in constructing an issue is a product of the « funnel effect ».
• You should therefore start with the general and work towards the particular. Impact of socio-professional category on the management of an SME? (cf C.Gundolf) Will the number of years of higher education have an influence on the directors’ wish to outsource ? R e f i n e m e n t o f i s s u e
EXAMPLES OF MASTER THESIS SUBJECTS
Topic: Business Intelligence Issue:
What conditions are necessary for implementing an attention network?
Topic: virtual reality Issue:
What logic for adopting virtual reality is associated with success?
Topic: e-commerce Issue:
What elements are involved in the creation of value through outsourcing an information system?
QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH
• The questions for research stem from the issue.
• They must be a direct, precise and complementary expression of the research topic, and of the issue. Issue: How do companies try to improve the internal diffusion of good work practices?
Example of Possible Research Questions:
1) What is a good work practice, how do we recognise it as such?
2) What means are used to diffuse good work practices in the company ?
3) What is the role of information systems in the diffusion good work practices?
The idea of «subject» in management science is taken from the pure sciences.
• In management or social science, the researcher is often confronted with « social constructions », phenomena or processes. It is better to use to use other terms here, such as « research theme » or «research proposition», which are more appropriate.
It is essential (and the starting point of any research project) to define the limits of your research topic You need to clearly announce the contents of your research, what is included and what is not included.
Specification of Research
• The subject of your research should not be confused with the field of research.
e.g. service companies = field of study
The diffusion of innovation in service companies = Research Topic
• The Research Topic should dynamically link what is already known with what is not yet known. You will need to define the contours of some new knowledge on the topic that your contribution will help to shape.
e.g. How does managerial innovation contribute in improving a company’s performance?
DEFINING THE ISSUE
The function of the research issue, in which you find a notion of « problem », is to energise the topic through questioning: this mobilises some distinct concepts:
Problem: Companies are hoping to improve the internal diffusion of good working practices.
Issue: Do information systems contribute to the transfer of good working practices in companies?
We therefore propose a first definition of the concept of issue:
"The issue is a question of conceptual nature".
CONSTRUCTING THE ISSUE
Traditionally, the construction of issues often originates from written work. Some different starting points originating in written work could be:
1) A critical assessment of literature that may become a study of solving the contradictions inherent in existing studies. e.g. Contradictory results about the effect of time pressure on managers’ creativity
2) A critical assessment of literature that may study the lack, or insuffiency of certain results, propositions or concepts obtained. e.g. Insufficiency of empirical work done on managerial innovation and performance
3) The wish to test a theory or a concept established in a given field of knowledge, in order to study other phenomena not targeted in the original study. e.g. the «Lead user» concept created in the field of product marketing which is transposed to the field of the management of innovation.
4) A statement. e.g. 90% of innovative « start ups » disappear after 3 years of existance
5) The application of a concept covered in a lesson. e.g. open innovation (service companies) vs. (industrial companies) ?
6) Starting with a « rooted theory » (using the field to construct a theory) e.g. ethnological studies.
7) Starting with a particular phenomenon. e.g. the Greek crisis and its domino effect. In any case, even if the starting point originates from a field study, you must not forget that you will be moving back and forth between the field and a theory originating from written work: this movement is essential to your research .
EXAMPLE OF AN ISSUE What impact does the socio-professional category have on the management of an SME?
• The logic in constructing an issue is a product of the « funnel effect ».
• You should therefore start with the general and work towards the particular. Impact of socio-professional category on the management of an SME? (cf C.Gundolf) Will the number of years of higher education have an influence on the directors’ wish to outsource ? R e f i n e m e n t o f i s s u e
EXAMPLES OF MASTER THESIS SUBJECTS
Topic: Business Intelligence Issue:
What conditions are necessary for implementing an attention network?
Topic: virtual reality Issue:
What logic for adopting virtual reality is associated with success?
Topic: e-commerce Issue:
What elements are involved in the creation of value through outsourcing an information system?
QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH
• The questions for research stem from the issue.
• They must be a direct, precise and complementary expression of the research topic, and of the issue. Issue: How do companies try to improve the internal diffusion of good work practices?
Example of Possible Research Questions:
1) What is a good work practice, how do we recognise it as such?
2) What means are used to diffuse good work practices in the company ?
3) What is the role of information systems in the diffusion good work practices?
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