1. 2013
MBA Project
Guidelines By
Final Project
This document provides guidelines for MBA project work. The purpose of this
document is to help student choose appropriate sector, organization and create a
career. It is not to create a set of inflexible rules. Please post your questions and
feedback.
Dr.K.Prabhakar
SRM University,
SRM School of Management,
Kattankulathur
Introduction
Dr.K.Prabahakar
SRM University
1/26/2013
2. Introduction
The objective of project work is to experience the way in which organizations function in a
given environment. The keyword is experience. Experience has two dimensions, understanding
and application.
1. Understanding
i. Understand the global and local economic scenario and the sector in which the selected
organization operate.
ii. The business model of the organization.
iii. Understand how each of the functional areas are designed and performed in an
organization.
iv. How the organization is similar to other organizations in the same sector as well as how it
is different from other organizations.
v. Business proposition offered by the organization, SWOT Analysis, financial for the past
five years, the strategy of the organization.
The understanding expected out of you may appear to be obvious. However, in practice it is
different. You are encouraged to go through the web link
http://www.businessmodelgeneration.com/canvas , and understand how the nine fundamental
building blocks of business are built. You will realize that the business models of organizations
are complex and need analysis and study. Please do jot down all the points in a sheet and share it
with your cohorts, juniors, and teachers and with organization employees.
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3. The next step is if you planning to study the strategy of the organization please use the following
one page document. http://www.gazelles.com/strategy-onepage-strategic-plan.html#opsp. It is in
word format and you can fill as many details as possible. If you are not able to complete it, there
is no need to worry. Take some more time to complete your task, but start. You will find the site
(https://www.gazelles.com ) provides you comprehensive tools for analysis of different
dimensions of organization.
2. Application
i. Apply knowledge of research methodology to analyze the problems or issues faced by
organizations.
ii. Understand how various principles you have learned during course work is
applied in the real time business world.
iii. Learn the changes that are taking place in the business world.
If certain guidelines are followed, experiences indicate that project work will be fulfilling
experience and paves way for final placement. Certain assumptions are made before starting
the dialogue. It is assumed that you have successfully completed your summer project work.
The guidelines may not be different but are applied with fewer rigors. You have also selected
your specialization with due diligence and passionate about perusing your career in the given
specialization.
Phases in Project Work
The project work you will be doing may be divided into three phases
i. Pre-project preparation
ii. Interface during the project
iii. Interface after the project.
If you request for a project work from any organization, you will be raising certain expectations.
You may send a resume to the organization you have chosen. About how to design of your
resume with the appropriate statement of purpose is given the web link
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/undergrad/resumes.html#overview . I have not written
specifically to Indian conditions. If you need help please do contact the author and his team. An
ideal resume should not exceed more than two pages1.
The expectations are generally based on
1. The institute you come from.
2. Your competencies.
3. References given by you.
4. Personal interview attended by you.
However, the first step is to select the sector which will provide you career.
Selection of Sector
Let us examine an episode happened at a campus. Students are offered placement in a
multinational bank business process outsourcing organization with a good starting salary. Large
number of students applied for the same and a significant number of them did get selected. After
some time other organizations came in and students who are selected in the bank bpo are not
nominated. Some of the students who got the jobs are disappointed as they thought they will be
suitable for other sectors. The disappointment could have been avoided if the students studied
different sectors and zeroed on the organizations that they are planning to work.
1 http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/undergrad/resumeclsamples/SampleJuniorResume.pdf
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4. Thus the first step is to start with sector. However the question is why starting with
sector? The answer is you need to focus. If you try for any job, you may not have a career. Please
do differentiate between career and job. You need to have a career that will help you to earn as
well as feel happy about it. If you get a job that you do not like or not suitable for your
personality and skill set, you may find yourself in a difficult situation. Please take the advice of
Steve Jobs2.
For this purpose, you should know different sectors and the characteristics of each of
these sectors. If you do a careful analysis of what is happening in the environment you will be in
a position to identify sectors that are growing and provide opportunities. Please remember that
all industries were growth industries when they started3. If you need further information please
do go through the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (http://www.ibef.org/). IBEF is a website that
provides information on Indian economy and on the performance of different sectors. Let us
consider an example. If you decided to do project work in a biotechnology organization, after
carefully considering your skill set, and wanted to know the overall performance of the
biotechnology sector, you may go through the web link
(http://www.ibef.org/download/Biotechnology-Sector-04jan.pdf ). Then go through different
press reports, financial data for five to ten years from the links (www.moneycontrol.com,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com) of different organizations operating in that sector. These
sites suggested are only to start initial analysis. You may choose your own search strategy. If you
are interested in quoting macroeconomic data, please do visit the site (http://mospi.nic.in/).Once
you have studied the sectors, you need to match them with likely employment scenarios in that
particular sector. For this purpose, please go through the report given by Ma Foi Randstad
(Employment Trends Survey; http://www.ceotalentsearch.com/wp-
content/uploads/attachments/newsBrochures/445/Employment%20Trends%20Survey-
1335361201.pdf). The suggested report is based on the Indian economic environment and
2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA (listen to his lecture)
3 The article written by Theodore Levitt is one of the finest articles on Marketing Myopia suffered by organizations .The
article is written in the year 1960 and many of the ideas are still relevant.
http://www.commerce.uct.ac.za/managementstudies/Courses/bus2010s/2007/Nicole%20Frey/Readings/Journal%20
Articles/Classics/Marketing%20Myopia.pdf
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5. provides input from the perspective of jobs created and likely growth in jobs.
The other sites which may help you are: http://www.teamlease.com , http://www.aon.com After
carefully going through prospects of different sectors, skill sets needed by each of the sectors
prepare a report. They may not specify the skill set. You need to infer from the reports and
discussion. Please go through the article written by Robert Shindell4. It provides ten universal
skills that are needed by any employer. Share the report with your cohorts, teachers or with key
managers in organizations. Organizations do encourage such queries as part of employment
brand equity creation. Once you have completed research on the one or two sectors that
fascinates you, please select at least five organizations. Collect all possible information about the
organization. For example it may appear obvious that Infosys is a software company. After, an
analysis, you will find lots more information about Infosys. One such insight is how it used cave
technology to design its buildings in Hyderabad that consumed lesser energy and likely to be
patented by Infosys. Meet people in the organization, interview them. If you find that you can
make a good career please start your process. You are encouraged to go to
(http://www.glassdoor.com) to know about jobs, interviews, tests, internships. Other website
www.twenty19.com is one such website that will help you find organizations. It has been
observed by researchers that it is not the best people who get the jobs. It is the people who decide
to get those jobs get the jobs. Please do visit http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/ to get a good
understanding on what is job hunting and how to do it. Please do read the book What Color is
Your Parachute? For a career in public sector units please do go through the following websites.
1. http://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/public-sector-undertakings-india
2. http://www.psuindia.in/psu-jobs
3.http://freshersplane.com/news/reasons-why-public-sector-companies-hiring-candidates-through-
gate-2013-public-sector-jobs-through-gate-2013
Fresher plane provides information about job opportunities for fresh graduates.
4 http://www.coursepark.com/blog/2011/01/top-10-skills-employers-are-looking-for/
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6. Please do take your GATE examination if you are keen on going for some of the best psus.However
GATE is for engineering graduates. http://privatejobshub.blogspot.in/2012/10/public-sector-
companies-recruiting.html
Jagranjosh is another site that provides information on jobs in public sector organizations.
http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles-jobs-in-psus-1305796596-1
The author requests the readers to use due diligence while going through the information and
suggestion of these sites in no way is an endorsement of authenticity of information. It is strongly
suggested to go through the websites of the organizations and find your suitability. For public sector
banks, please do go through the following write up;
http://www.employmentnews.gov.in/CAREER_IN_PUBLIC_SECTOR_BANKS.asp
Large number of banks, especially public sector banks is recruiting banking correspondents.
Some thoughts for your analysis.
1. Please examine your specialization in undergraduate course. Please find what fascinated you;
it need not be just your specialization. Introspect. Find a different project that you have
done in an undergraduate course. Your projects in MBA course. Your presentations at
events in different colleges. Examine all that you can. This is not to make you inflexible but
to have focus.
2. Your personality. To know about your personality traits and relationship to likely career you
are going to choose, please do take the test on personality at
http://www.humanmetrics.com. This website will provide excellent guidance for your
career. Once you take the test, personality is analyzed and career is suggested. An example
output is provided here to help you.
Introvert (22%) intuitive (62%) intuitive Feeling (38%) Perceiving (56) %
You have a slight preference for Introversion over Extraversion (22%)
You have a distinctive preference of Intuition over Sensing (62%)
You have a moderate preference of Feeling over thinking (38%)
You have a moderate preference of Perceiving over Judging (56%)
Overall, INFPs are effective in occupations involving a lot of intellectual work that is
focused on humanities and social science, spirit and soul, inspirational activities, and
requiring creativity. Social workers, psychologists, life coaches, addiction rehab counselors,
mental and community care staff, children's education, teaching, and also creative script
writing are just some of the examples of suitable occupations for INFPs. They also succeed
at academia thanks to their intellectual strength.
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7. The person who underwent the test was in marketing before realizing that he was in the wrong
career. It took fourteen long years to start a career that fascinated him. Therefore, please do spend
time, if you are struck in a wrong job, it takes long time to get rid of the job and take the path of
your career. However, the suggestions are not by any stretch of imagination are exhaustive. The
other types of organizations are in the social sector. Micro finance and nongovernmental
organizations do offer excellent opportunities for research and fulfillment5. The next step is
identifying a set of organizations that may help you to realize your career goals. You may call
them as dream companies. Please do pick up your letters from the Dean’s office and submit them
to organizations which you have chosen. Inform your guide about your contacts. There are two
types of organizations. The first type is those who have a specific policy of recruitment of interns
or project trainees. They have a plan and they have already specifications for trainees. They
generally call for an interview and you may have to undergo all the requirements. Such
organizations may not promise a job, but will provide the first opportunity for their own trainees.
The second type of organizations is more flexible. They may not have a policy, but are willing to
consider. The first type of organizations has specific time limits. You need to approach them
with a clear statement of purpose.
Designing Resume and Statement of Purpose
Please do write to the author if you need help in this regard.
Questions about dilemma of Project work in organizations
Some students come up with questions such as, should we choose private sector
organizations, public sector organizations, non-governmental organizations or startups? While
trying to have a career in each type of the organizations, you need to find suitability. Some of the
public sector units do function more professionally than private, your discretion is requested.
Some of the public sector organizations may require you to submit the report to their functional
heads and you may be constrained to get the questionnaire administered and submitting the
report. I presume that you have obtained letters of confirmation from the organization and you
are ready for the next phase.
Phase II
1. Find out the name & the contact number of the person to whom you have to report.
2. Inform in advance if possible of your arrival. Dress code of plain shirt with shoe, tie and
clean shave has to be adhered.
Your first interface should project the following traits.
1. Show patience, organizations have to cater to all stakeholders and yours will be lost as
the purpose of the organization is value added. This does not mean that you are
unimportant; your work comes last in the important things to be done.
2. The project work is an additional responsibility undertaken by the organization; therefore
don’t expect organizations or the person in charge to respond to you immediately.
Sometime you may have to wait more than 3 hours or even 1 day. This doesn’t mean that
organization is not in need of you. It only indicates that they have different priorities.
However you will be observed during the entire phase of waiting.
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8. Things to do
Sit in the reception and go through a book on Research Methodology, Hindu Industrial Survey
and printout of the website relating to organization. If you find a newspaper in reception of
organization, you can read it. But read them with all pages intact. While sitting, don’t sit cross
legs, crouching position, anxiety, intolerance for delay, constantly going out and talk with your
friends through cell phone or talking to the other stranger in the reception or talking with your
other friends in low or high voices. All these activities indicate you are not yet become
professional. Do not disturb the receptionist by frequently asking questions. However, do not
disappear and come after two to three hours. When the manager wants to meet you, you may not
be there. You lost a chance to impress people about your character. Please do not fake any
attitude, be genuine.
Phase III
In phase III you will be working towards meeting expectations of organizations. The
general question is “What is the Topic?” for project work. Two kinds of situation you will face.
Organizations give you a Topic or they will ask you to choose the topic in both the cases please
prepare a list of topics which you will think of completing. If it is marketing have a list of not
less than 15 to 20 different topics. Similarly in HR. For HR topics please refer to Training
Instruments in HRD and OD by Udai Pareek (2005). Please do not use your own
questionnaires for your research. You need to use valid and reliable questionnaires. If you
design questionnaire you need to prove the validity and reliability. Another question you will
face is “What are all the statistical tools you will be using to analyze the data. Please inform
them that you will be using parametric, non parametric tests and multivariate analysis. You will
also be using multidimensional scaling techniques wherever appropriate. When a topic is given
to you, it will be in business terms for example of an organization like Pepsi they may like to
know various local brands sold in Erode District. You have converted this into “Purposive
investigation”. In order to convert the business problems into researchable topics you have to go
for further analysis. First you should know the different local brands which are competing with
Pepsi; eliminate brand that are not direct competition with Pepsi (is Paneer Soda a competitor for
Pepsi?) Once you identify various brands through a quick survey of retailers then decide a rough
title. This title may undergo change once you decide on the objectives and scope of objectives.
You have to think for some time and write down all your ideas in a book that you are carrying
remember you are a professional. Write, Correct, Iterate, Incubate, Create this is how you have to
go throughout the process. Once a business problem is identified the topic reflecting your
research and addressing organizations’ need. Go to the next Phase of the research. What
approach do you think that you are adopting. We are adopting a funnel approach. Start with
broad ideas and then focusing on two specific and business problems and issues.
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9. The project report writing to a large extend should reflect your thinking process. The following
format is suggested for you (Read various data, understand and then write. Don’t reproduce
given in the book or in the text.)
Title: ______________________________________________
The first title you arrive may not be the final title. You can change as you progress during the
project.
I think it is appropriate for me to introduce some good examples. If you visit the website
http://tejas-iimb.org , you will see a set of articles written by faculty and students. Lit us consider
an article on Women Horlicks. (http://tejas-iimb.org/articles/29.php). The product has all the
characteristics that is needed for Indian market. However, it failed to meet expectations of the
organization. Now with this brief, how you will write the abstract?
Women's Horlicks is India's first health drink designed specifically for women's nutritional
needs. It targets a hitherto untapped segment as identified by GSKCH (GlaxoSmithKline
Consumer Healthcare), namely, health conscious urban working women, in metros and mini-
metros, leading hectic lives balancing career and family. Women's Horlicks seemed to have all
the elements necessary for success. And yet, at present, sales appear to be flagging, a seeming
contradiction that presents an intriguing case for analysis.
I have just reposted the contents as given in the website. Please go through the article. You need
to submit a proposal for the first review.
Types of Projects
1. Case study
2. Inter-organizational study
3. Empirical study
In this document I have not considered case studies or inter-organizational studies. If you
planning for such a study please do contact the author.
Setting
This document describes how to organize project work, which is one of the most important
components is your MBA course work. There are different expectations for Master's project
work and for Doctoral theses. Make no mistake; the difference is not in format but in the
significance and level of impact it creates on the present knowledge levels and contributions; a
Doctoral thesis necessarily requires a more difficult problem to be solved, and consequently
more substantial contributions. Generally the MBA project report is more focused to satisfy
needs of an organization or addressing an area that require an application. There are two issues.
The first one is doability meaning the project work should be completed within four months and
final report has to be submitted within the time window. The second aspect is its ability to satisfy
an organizational need or the conceptual curiosity that you have developed. This answers the
question, Should I always do a project in an organization? Not necessarily. However, it is always
better to get a project work from an organization as it may lead to your final placement or in
future interviews you may use it as a guiding tool for your future employers. It has been
observed that some of the HR interviews start with the summer or final project work done by
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10. you. However, you may do a concept paper or addressing specific problems, about which there is
a discussion later. The project is a formal document whose sole purpose is to prove that you have
made a contribution to knowledge or solved an organization’s problem. Your project must have
two things.
• You have identified a problem or question from the organization.
• You have solved the problem or answered the question.
Your contribution is documented in your project work.
How you are evaluated?
Following are the key areas examiners or interviewers look for in your project work.
• What is the research question addressed?
• How well the question is articulated? (Has it been answered before? You can use literature
review to talk about how it is answered. If it is answered how you are going to find a novel
or different answer or confirm what others have found. Above all is it useful)
• Did the student provide convincing arguments to support his view?
A very clear statement of the question is essential. Thus, please prepare your abstract in an
appropriate manner. Your abstract will give you clear direction for you in more specific terms
what you are going to do in your project. Ideally the abstract should be submitted during the first
review. A good review of the literature is expected from you by perusing at least ten research
articles from library online resources. Please do use SRM University website and log on to
http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/aboutus/online-resources.
Then, by making direct reference to your literature review, you must demonstrate that your
question (a) has not been previously answered, and (b) is worth having a relook. If your project
work does not provide answers to the questions given, you may find it difficult to do meaningful
work. The project structure with no specific specialization in view is given here.
1. Introduction
Introduction -- it is not a description of the contents of each section. You are expected provide
brief summary of sector in which the organization operates, organization profile, need for study,
objectives of study, significance of study. Summarize the question you are planning to answer,
your arguments, reasons why it is a question that requires attention.
2. Background Information
A brief section giving background information may be necessary, especially if the work is on
subjects like behavioral finance, performance management, supply chain management, where
more than one functional area is addressed.
3. Review of Literature
Please do go through the research papers in the topic you are working.
4. Research Question or Problem Statement
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11. While Engineering and science projects tend to refer to a "problem" to be solved where as in
management, we talk in terms of a "question" to be answered. The following points will be of
use to write your project.
1. A precise statement of the question.
2. Justification, by reference to literature review, that your question is previously unanswered or
answered or requiring further exploration.
3. Discussion of why it is necessary to answer this question in the organizational context. If you
are doing a project in employee engagement, then the question is out of all the Human Resources
Issues why you have chosen employee engagement?
5. Describing How You Solved the Problem or Answered the Question
This part of the thesis is much more free-form. It may have one or several sections and
subsections. But it all has only one purpose: to convince the examiners that you answered the
question or solved the problem that you set for yourself. So show what you did that is relevant to
answering the question or solving the problem: if there were blind alleys and dead ends,
do not include these, unless specifically relevant to the demonstration that you answered the
thesis question. You will be addressing the hypotheses.
6. Conclusions
1.Summary of Contributions
3. Future Research
Conclusions are not summary of the project work. They are short, concise statements of the
inferences that you have made because of your work. It helps to organize these as short
numbered paragraphs, ordered from most to least important. All conclusions should be directly
related to the research question.
7. References
You are requested to follow APA Style while providing citation.
8. Appendices
Appendix contains material which helps your argument but may not justify being given in the
report. It is material that provides details.
Contents and guidelines for writing
1. Industry Profile
Please go through Hindu Industrial Survey 2012 and other websites such as
www.ibef.org pertaining to the Industry or to the sector, in which the business organization
operates. You have to use your discretion carefully; if you are working in automobiles spare
parts organizations do touch up on automobile Industry, However as a rule of thumb 75 to 80
of your industrial profile should be automobile spare parts industry. Be comprehensive while
talking about industry Please find at least ten major companies in your industry and in the
international market. Write a brief write up on what happened in the past three years and
what is in store for three years from now for the sector. Identify at least three; Indian CEOs
and three international CEO’ and find their views on the industry. Please remember it should
be the summary of what analysis you have done prior to starting the project.
2. Organizations Profile
Please go through past balance sheets, organization’s website, press reports and
all other data pertaining to the organization. Use Mckinsey 7s framework to understand the
organization and prepare the brief report. Please use the analysis given in
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12. www.businessmodelgeneration.com structure for the analysis of business proposition and
business model offered by the organization. You are encouraged to use the one page strategy
(http://www.gazelles.com/strategy-onepage-strategic-plan.html#opsp) by Verne Harnish, CEO of
Gazelles. It appears difficult but not impossible if you start your action from day one. You may
not get all information available, but try to get as much as possible. This part will help you to
understand your organization in the context of the present business situation. (Do not use this as
filler. That is trying to fill up pages before the deadline for the project work). Keep a log of
whatever you are doing every day. It will help you where you are and what you are likely to
achieve.
3. Need for Study
You have to explain what “Value added” you will be doing for the organization.
You are working 35 clear working days for project work. Your effort, understanding and
value addition to the organization by answering specific questions will provide a
better experience for you.
4. Literature Review
This part is mandatory. However it will be a good idea includes information on
the project work. However don’t exceed five pages. If you are doing research on motivation
you may include latest research on motivation as literature survey.
5. Objectives of study
You have to be precise while writing your objectives and should reflect the
research you are going to undertake. Restrict yourself not more than 3 objectives, however
two will be ideal.
6. Scope of objectives
In the process of achieving your objectives you will also be undertaking certain
other tasks which are important. You may include them under the scope of
objectives.
7. Research Methodology
Research Objectives
Type of Research Design
Data (primary and secondary)
Research Instrument (if it is a questionnaire, you have to write what type of
questionnaire. However, do not assume always that you need to have
questionnaire to start the research. One of the greatest sins you will commit is to
think designing a questionnaire to start your research will convent your research
putting the cart before the horse.) Always remember that you need not have
questionnaire to do research. You have different methods and use them to enrich
your thought process.
• Research Plan
8. Sample Design
• Sample Unit
• Sample frame
• Time and Place
• Type of sampling
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13. Sample Size. Determine using methods thought of you in Research Methodology.
9. Analysis
10. Findings
11. Suggestions & Recommendations
12. Appendices
13. Bibliography
Remarks
Do not write the history of statistical tools; what you have to write is what
appropriate tools you have used and reason for using these tools. Please cross tabulate your
data in order to further understanding. From the synopsis of your final report constantly fine
tune your project report. It will be a rich experience for you to cherish.
Some observations
• Be enthusiastic to listen, to learn, to talk
• Be curious
• Be honest
• Show your integrity
• Cultivate your body language
• Make a statement
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO
• Trying to take breaks while doing a project ( you cannot have holidays during your
project work)
• Trying to miscommunicate with organizations by telling that institute wants a review.
We are sending your schedule of project report to all the organizations. You do not
have any reviews in between.
• While talking to the organization personnel do not degrade your institute or teachers
by making statements that are likely to impinge on the image.
• Talking negatively and trying to be certain about everything. No organization or
person likes negative talk and people who ask too may question to be certain of
everything.
Let me give some examples
1) I want marketing project, I am in a financial organization. Do not ask the manager
this question. You are going to an organization to know its business and business do
not have functional silos. However, ask questions relating to your project, show
enthusiasm. Smile, enjoy hard work.
2) If some urgent work is to be done by the organization, do it willingly. For example
the office has no power and your manager finds that the electricity bill is not paid,
volunteer to do the task. MBA is not managed by arrogance. Never show that this is
not my work. You will be surprised to know that there is no work as not your work.
The organizations are boundary less organizations.
3) Does not take campus culture to organize. Leave letters, excuses, concessions etc.
Inculcate an organization's culture and come to institute with all ideas to change the
way in which you work in an institute. Share experience with your classmates and
teachers. It is an opportunity to professionalize with you.
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14. 4) Wear your tie and go to the organization. Some organizations have informal
environment. They may not insist on your attire. That does not mean that you go with
casuals.
5) Never attempt to buy projects from bazaar and submit. All the project reports will be
tested for plagiarism.
FAQs
1. Should I do project in an area of my specialization?
Though it is not mandatory, it is desirable. It provides you focus.
2. Is it possible to go home during project work?
It is the last thing you will do, it will mar you your prospect of your best career.
3. What type of tools I have used in HR Project?
Please go through “Training Instruments in HRD and OD, Second Edition by
Udai Pareek”.
4. Please carry the following when you go to the organization.
• Your recent Photographs
• Your CV
• Your ID
• A pad / notebook / pen
4. Is the format suggested for all types of projects?
Yes, to a large extend.
What these guidelines give you?
The guidelines given above talks about the content of your project report.
6. If I get another project, Can I change the project?
No, it is not right
7. Take note of your guide’s email. Do not disturb him or her on the cell phone. He may not
know the context of your problem. Give a detailed account of your problem and ask for the
correct questions.
8) When you are staying outside Chennai, keep in touch with your other colleagues,
exchange thoughts.
TEMPLATES FOR YOUR PROJECT REPORT
Please do print the words as given in the format and provide in your report.
CERTIFICATE OF THE GUIDE
This is to certify that the Project Work titled
“____________________________________________________________________________” is a
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15. bonafide work of Mr. /Ms………………………….. Enrollment No:…………….. Carried out in
partial fulfilment for the award of degree of Master of Business Administration of SRM University
under my guidance. This project work is original and not submitted earlier for the award of any
degree / diploma or associateship of any other University / Institution.
Signature of the Guide Signature of Student
Place:
Date:
Table of Contents:
Table of contents gives an index of major chapters of the project work; the introduction, different
chapters with sub sections, bibliography and appendices along with their page numbers in the report.
The titles of the chapters generally should provide a sequence of logical order of presentation made.
While first two of chapters provide the setting of the problem, the later chapters concentrate on the
analysis carried out based on the objectives of the study. The initial pages such as certificates,
acknowledgements, list of tables, list of Figures, bibliography and Appendices are numbered in lower
case Roman letters and the Page numbers of all Chapters are given in regular numbers. It is
customary to specify the Chapter numbers with Roman Capitals. The total project report ideally
should not cross more than 70-80 pages, not including initial pages, bibliography and
appendix. One of the issues is trying to have graph for every table. Students are requested to avoid
this way of filling pages. Please does not show graph for simple yes or no answers or if the table is
self explanatory. Use single table for all your demographic data. Let us consider an example.
Here is an article written according to the IEEE format for a conference at IIT(Madras).
Abstract
Background: Business Process Outsourcing Sector (BPO) sector is one of the fastest growing
industrial segments in India. However, the industry is plagued by high attrition rates. Different
surveys do indicate musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and stress related problems by prolonged
night shifts and stressful working conditions. To address these issues, there is paucity of
information regarding ergonomic design of work place, working conditions, stress and MSD for
Indian night shift employees of BPO sector. Secondary data relating the psycho physiological
aspects relating to the work is examined to build context for the present study. Research address
the issues of impact of violation of circadian rhythm, stressful and anxious work environment,
availability of ergonomic work environment design and low job satisfaction of night shift BPO
employees.
Methods: Survey data collected in 2011 among the workforce of ten organizations in Chennai is
used for this study. The sample study covered 106 employees.
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16. Results:
The output of research emphasis need for multi disciplinary approach consisting of
ergonomics, occupational therapy and psychology to improve physical and psychological well
being of employees to address issues of attrition in BPO industry.
Based on the objectives the following demographic data is collected and tabulated. As you may
observe all the needed data is given in one single table.
TABLE 1.
DEMOGRAPHIC AND WORK RELATED PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NIGHT SHIFT BPO EMPLOYEES
Sample statistic
Sex
Men 61.3%
Women 38.7%
Marital status
Married 28.3%
Unmarried 77.7%
Age
Mean 25.57 years
Median 25.00 years
Standard deviation 3.49 years
Skewness .978
Q1 23
Q2 25
Q3 27.5
Education 21.7%
BSC 17%
BA/BCOM/BBA 39.6%
BE/BTECH 12.3%
MCA 9.4%
Others
No of working hours
Mean 9.2 hours
Median 9.o hours
Skewness .823
No of hours of travel and working
Mean 11.14 hours
Median 11.00 hours
Standard deviation 1.47 hours
Skewness .699
Q1 10
Q2 11
Q3 12
No of hours of sleep during day time
Mean 6.67 hours
Median 6 hours
Standard deviation 1.24 hours
Skewness -.536
Work anxiousness
Yes 61.3%
No 38.7%
Awareness of health problems of employees
to the management
Yes
No 19.8%
80.2%
Number of years of experience
Mean 2.94 years
Median 2 years
Standard deviation 2.12
Skewness 1.40
There is no need for providing graphical explanation for each of the sections. You need to write only
one set of inferences.
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17. Please see the inference given by the author.
Inference
Majority of the respondents are men (61.3%) with marital status of unmarried (77.7%). The mean age
of the respondents is 25.57 years and with median age of 25 years indicating that fifty percent of the
workforce is younger than twenty five years. It may be discerned that the work force is young populated
with graduates from non engineering streams (60.4%). The mean working hours spent by the employees
is 9.17 hours with median value of 9 hours, indicating that night shift employees of BPO work 1.17 hours
more than the employees of other sectors. Since travel is an integral part of the working and mostly
provided by the BPO organization of the employee, the mean travel and work is computed which
amounted to 11.14 hours, with a median value of 11 hours. Therefore, the respondent travels two hours to
commute his or her work place indicating long hours spent on travel. Majority of the employees (61.3%)
experience work anxiousness, indicating work place eco system not being likely to be congenial. The
most important observation is the day time sleep of the respondent. He or she sleeps for an average period
of 6.67 hours, with a median value of 6 hours and standard deviation of 1.24 hours. The recommended
number of hours of sleep is eight hours and the respondents loose 1.37 hours of sleep every day, violating
the circadian rhythm. This may lead to the psycho physiological issues as established by research, which
need to be confirmed from the perception of respondents with respect to work environment.
Statistical Tools
Hypotheses and testing of hypotheses using statistical tools is a must. No report will be accepted
without statistical tools. In the case of finance and system projects, you are expected to use
appropriate models. For example please use Altman Z score Model for predicting bankruptcy. Your
guide will be able to help you to identify appropriate model.
How each of the chapters is to be organized?
Introductory Chapters: These chapter provide the context of the problem of study consisting of
industry analysis, organizational profile and other information such as review of different studies,
objectives and methodology adopted, sample methodology, data sources, tools of analysis,
hypothesis formulated for testing and broad limitations of the study.
The third and fourth chapters These chapters focus on data analysis, interpretation of results,
discussion based on observations made, results of hypothesis tested.
The fifth chapter A brief summary of discussion on the basis of results and major implications to be
listed out. Then the report will spell out for making suggestions for any improvement required in the
policies and procedures followed by the enterprise under study.
Bibliography:
The Bibliography refers to the reference material consulted by the student in connection with the
Project Work. Published studies conducted by different authors, Text books dealing with the subject
of study, Industry Reports, Business Magazines, Government Reports and Websites generally
constitute the reference material. Students are expected to give the details of all sources referred for
conducting the present study. The presentation of such reference material often referred as
Bibliography. It should follow a logical arrangement in alphabetical order. Each reference should
give the details regarding the author(s), the title of paper / book, details regarding its year of
publication, place of publication, name of the publishers / name of the Journal in case of a research
article, etc. The students are expected to follow APA style formatting while documenting
bibliography.
APPENDICES:
Appendices refer to the annexure enclosed to the report. These enclosures help the reader of the
report to refer in case of any clarity required on the type of instrument used by student in eliciting the
information from the respondents. Generally, the appendices contain a copy of the questionnaire
administered in the study, published raw data collected and used in the study, etc. If some other
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18. studies which are relevant but may hinder continuity to the study are given in the appendix.
Appendices should be numbered using Arabic numerals, e.g. Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc.
Appendices, Tables and references appearing in appendices should be numbered and referred to at
appropriate places just as in the case of chapters. Appendices shall carry the title of the work reported
and the same title shall be made in the contents page also.
List of Figures - The list should use exactly the same captions as they appear below the figures in
the text. One and a half spacing should be adopted for typing the matter under this
head. A sample of table of contents is given for reference. The number of pages given is an
indication of what is expected of you convey.
Table of Contents
Page
Certificate of guide
Letter from Organization i
Acknowledgements ii
Executive Summary iii
List of Tables iv
List of Figures v
CHAPTER 1
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Industry (Sector) Profile 3
1.2 Economic Growth during Liberalization Measures 7
1.3 Growth of ________ Industry during recent decade 8
1.4 Organizational Profile 9
1.5 Need for Study 14
1.6 Literature Review and Gap 15
1.6 Objectives of the Study 23
1.7 Limitations of Study 23
Chapter 2
2.1Methodology 24
2.2 Sample Design 27
2.3 Tools of Analysis 29
2.4 Scope and Significance of Study 32
Chapter 3
3.1 Data Analysis 33
3.2 Hypothesis tested 54
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1Comparison of Results with Other studies 56
4.2Suggestions and Recommendations 58
4.3Significance of Observations or discussions 61
5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: 63
Directions for future research 65
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Questionnaire
Appendix B: Details of Secondary Data
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19. PAGE DIMENSIONS AND MARGIN:
The dimensions of the final bound copies of the project report should be 290mm x 205mm.
Standard A4 size (297mm x 210mm) paper may be used for preparing the copies.
The final 2 copies of the project report (at the time of submission) should have the following
Page margins:
Top edge: 2.54 cm
Bottom edge: 2.54 cm
Left side: 2.54 cm
Right side: 2.54 cm
These specifications relate to the margins-normal given in the MS word document. Please submit one
copy by way of soft form in a compact disc (rewritable).
Tables and Figures - By the word Table, are meant tabulated numerical data in the body of the
project report as well as in the appendices. All other non-verbal material used in the body of the
project report and appendices such as charts, graphs, maps, photographs and diagrams may be
designated as figures. A table or figure including caption should be accommodated within the
prescribed margin limits and appear on the page following the page where their first reference is
made. Tables and figures on half page or less in length may appear on the same page along with
the text. However, they should be separated from the text both above and below by triple
spacing. All tables and figures should be prepared on the same paper or material used for the
preparation of the rest of the project report. For preparing captions, numerals, symbols or
characters in the case of tables or figures, the Computer should be enclosed. Two or more small
tables or figures may be grouped if necessary in a single page. The impressions on the copies
should be black in color. A sub-heading at the bottom of a page must have at least two full lines
below it or else it should be carried over to the next page. The last word of any page should not
be split using a hyphen. One and a half spacing should be used for typing the general text. The
general text shall be typed in Font Style Times New Roman and Font Size 12.
Single spacing should be used for typing:
(i) Long Tables
(ii) Long quotations
(iii) Foot notes
(iv) Multilane captions
(v) References
Chapters
The format for typing Chapter headings, Divisions headings and Sub-division headings are
explained through the following illustrative examples.
Chapter heading: CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Division heading: 1.1 Economic Scenario
Sub-division heading: 1.1.2 Automobile Sector
The word CHAPTER without punctuation should be centered 50mm down from the top of the
page. Two spaces below, the title of the chapter should be typed centrally in capital letters. The
text should commence 4 spaces below this title, the first letter of the text starting 20mm, inside
from the left hand margin. The division and sub-division captions along with their numberings
should be left-justified. The typed material directly below division or sub-division heading
should commence 2 spaces below it and should be offset 20mm from the left hand margin.
Within a division or sub-division paragraphs are permitted. Even paragraph should commence 3
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20. spaces below the last line of the preceding paragraph, the first letter in the paragraph being offset
from the left hand margin by 20 mm.
Numbering of Chapters, Divisions and Sub-Divisions
The numbering of chapters, divisions and sub-divisions should be done using Arabic
Numerals only and further decimal notation should be used for numbering the divisions and sub-
divisions within a chapter. For example sub-division 4 under division 3 belonging to chapter 2
should be numbered as 2.3.4. The caption for the sub-division should immediately follow the
number assigned to it. Every chapter beginning with the first chapter should be serially
numbered using Arabic numerals. Appendices included should also be numbered in an identical
manner starting with Appendix 1.
Numbering of Tables and Figures
Tables and Figures appearing anywhere in the thesis should bear appropriate numbers. The rule
for assigning such numbers is illustrated through an example. Thus, if a figure in Chapter 3
happens to be the fourth then assign 3.4 to that figure. Identical rules apply for tables except that
the word Figure is replaced by the word Table. If figures (or tables) appear in appendices then
figure 3 in Appendix 2 will be designated as Figure a 2.3. If a table to be continued into the next
page this may be done, but no line should be drawn underneath an unfinished table. The top line
of the table continued into the next page should, for example read Table 2.1 (continued) placed
centrally and underlined. Please submit in white color page. Do not use different colors. Use logo
of University, by downloading it from the site.
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21. The drivers and purposes of performance measurement in the public Sector Banks
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By
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Under the guidance of
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A PROJECT REPORT
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MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
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SRM University,
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Kattankulathur
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