Research Reflection Report (Assignment Format) – Guidelines for the Report
These notes are designed to help you deliver and conduct a successful Research Reflection Report.
The Research Reflection Report is a major piece of work and is designed to support your own self-critical consideration of your research and related business skills and demonstrate that you can:-
- Reflect and comment critically on what you have learnt during the programme and during the carrying out of your research activities
- Carefully consider the research which you have carried out and critically comment on this
- Discuss the relationship of your research, research sources and evidence, and researching activities to the production of your Major Project
- Critically comment on the key areas, examples, sources of your research
- Consider the relationship of your research, and researching, to both your Major Project and possible future employment opportunities
Your Research Reflection Report is not only an academic exercise but also a piece of work which you may wish to use in future employment contexts to demonstrate your ability to consider the importance of research and researching to:-
- business planning,
- business success,
- organisational contexts
- your own academic and business skills and the contribution which you can make to an organisation as a result of developing these skills
The Research Reflection Report therefore aims to support the student’s ability to be self critical about their research. It also develops the students understanding and application of the core concepts of business and academic skills while developing their ability to perform more effectively within organisations in a real world context. The Report therefore encourages reflection on:-
1) Research Processes
2) The research methodologies which you have considered and applied
3) Research and researching as a problem solving process used by you as a student,
4) The identification and discussion of your key learning points which could be applied to other situations.
5) The relationship of research and your major project to your professional development opportunities and career development intensions
Completion of the Report
- The contents of the report are given in a template format (see pages 3&4)
- You may treat this report as a self critical evaluation of your researching experience or “Learning Diary” or as a final summing up of your experiences while carrying out the Research and the Major Project in which you have been involved. It is advisable not to leave the completion of the Report until the last minute.
- Above all this Report should not be simply descriptive – it should be a self critical summary of your learning experiences. You should adopt a ‘critical’ viewpoint – what seems to work, what is less successful – and why? Discuss the examples of best /good/interesting research practice which you have come across. Consider how research examples/models can be usefully used in business situations– and be adapted to suit your future workplace/ academic environment.
- You should attempt to respond to all template sections
- You should keep to the overall word limit of 4000 words maximum for the whole Report.
Things to think about when completing your Research Reflective Report:-
The nature of your research and your Major Project
Why is it being done; why are you working on this subject and how significant is it to you and to future employers?
Plan of your schedules
Have you managed effectively your research and Major Project schedules and are they logical?
Resources
What resources (i.e. people, evidence, references, and ideas) have you used and how are you using these? Why are they important?
Methodologies
Are the methods which you have used specified clearly, and are they sufficiently rigorous? Are data/evidence/literature sources specified and available? Are you conducting the research and the Major Project in a professional manner? What analytical frameworks will be used to make sense of the work? Are these appropriate?
Support and Barrier Issues
Have these been thought through by you? How any barriers to be/being overcome?
Anticipated Benefits to you and to a future employment organisation
What are they? – Knowledge? : Ideas? : Learning Experience? : Efficiency? : Effectiveness? Financial?: Organisational?: Skills?
How will the project satisfy you?
How will the work contribute to your personal development? How wide a range of skills and knowledge does it use from your programme? Will it demonstrate that you have an understanding of your programme subject areas?
Major Project Conclusions: The conclusions which you are forming for your Major Project – are they based on rigorous reasoning and argument?
Report Writing Skills
Write your reflections and critical views clearly and simply.
Student name: ……WRITE YOUR NAMES HERE AS THEY ARE IN YOUR PASSPORT……..
Student ID number: ……WRITE YOUR SCHOOL ID NUMBER HERE………………
|
RESEARCH REFLECTION REPORT (should contain the details given below) |
Please type your responses in the spaces below: |
Marks available |
| Research Methods & Processes
How and why have you chosen/decided on the research methods and processes which you are using/have used for the development of your Major Project? How would you describe these to: 1) a reader of your Major Project and/or 2) a future employer (max. 550 words) |
The chief purpose of the research study was to assess the efficiency of corporate social responsibility and the related initiatives required for building a competitive hospitality industry. This research study would assist in the case study of InterContinental London Hotel. The primary objectives of the research study is to critically examine the importance of CSR in gaining advantages in the hospitality industry, to recognize the impact of CSR initiatives on the attitude of employees and perception of the customer for an organization and also to assess the CSR initiatives of InterContinental London and its influences on the employees.
The methods of research chosen in this study were quantitative research fro quantifying the results of questionnaire. Two sets of questionnaire was designed by the researcher for the employees and the customers for understanding the impacts of CSR on employees and customers in the hospitality industry. Further the research approach that suited this study was deductive method since the research was in relation to positivism and was quantitative in nature. . |
15 |
| Literature & sources
1) What are the most important theories/literature sources /evidence sources which you are using to justify your research and your Major Project? 2) Why are these sources important and fundamental to your work? (max. 550 words) |
A number of books and journals from the library and the online databases have been used for a good research study. With regard to the statistical data the assistance of various websites has been taken. One of the most significant books used during the research was Hopkins (2012) which stated that there are two dimensions of CSR. First is the relationship between the company and its stakeholders and the second is the companya and the community. Another book Levya and Parka (2011) gives details about the hospitality industry in the recent years and states how it did not enjoy a good reputation in the work circuit. The other important sources that have described the concept of CSR are Katamba (2012), Kotler and Lee (2011) and Sloan et al. (2013). Other important sources used for reflecting on the benefits of organzations for using CSR are Chen et al. (2010), IHG (2006) and Deery, Jago and Stewart,(2009). These books give an analysis of the performance of the organizations after the use of the CSR theory. . |
15 |
| Your Knowledge
What key areas of knowledgehave you gained from undertaking your research and the Major Project? Indicate why these are so important to you? (max. 400 words) |
To be part of the corporate industry it is essential to understand the main functions of the organization which are significant for the effective working of the company. In this age of competition most of the companies are adopting different ways to survive in the race. The researcher observes and understands that in any hospitality industry ways to attract customers include proper food and accomodation among other things.
The researcher also observed during the study that CSR has been broadly connected to the financial performance of any company and thus it offers a huge amount of competitive advantage. Although the researcher insists that there is the requirement to examine the improvement of customer perceptions and employees attitude. During these data collection and research on the customers and employees, the researcher gained knowledge of the applications and understandings of the activities of CSR and the influencing factors on the customers and employees. Therefore the various literature review, the extensive research on performed on the hotel industry improved the knowledge on CSR activities and expectations and this will support the researcher in future. |
10 |
| Your Learning
What are the most important aspects/examples of learning and/or skills which you have gained from: (1) undertaking the MBA programme, (2) following through your research, and (3) applying your knowledge and what you have learnt in your Major Project (max. 400 words) |
The primary objective for joining the MBA program was to increase the knowledge that the researcher can apply at the workplace and be a better head. The MBA program would be helpful in assisting me to become a independent and secure offcial. The program has further increased the idea of practicality and enhanced the skills of problem solving and communication abilities. The modules and the assignments made during the program would also assist me in becoming a better head and learning the realistic scenarios in work.
When conducting the research, I as a researcher went through a huge number of books, articles, journals and web resources. These secondary and primary resources expanded my knowledge on the existing circumstances on CSR activities and its influences on the organizations. The scrupulous methods of proceeding with the research assisted me in learning the plans in a better way and be cautious of the risks and difficulties during the research. Another essential thing that all researchers would learn including me during this research is the ways to manage the time. |
10 |
| Critical Thinking and your ideas
In carrying out your research, your analysis, your evaluation of evidence, and in identifying or proposing conclusions, what has been the most important discovery, or piece of evidence, or theory, or viewpoint, or critical idea, or critical addition to your knowledge, or other item of importance and why? (max. 400 words) |
This research includes quantitative research and based on this questionnaires were prepared for employees and customers. Hence while conducting these sort of research I go the opportunity to meet different customers as well as employees. But during the research at times I was apprehensive about requesting them to participate in the survey. This was basically due to the fact that it was one of the first times when I confronted customers and employees for the purpose of the interview.
However, with every interview my confidence level increased and I became more open while making conversations with these new customers and employees. The entire process of research helped me expanding my level of thinking and also helped to reflect over and above the probable explanations. Even though the theories of CSR and the impacts of it on the customers and employees were previously recognised by me, this research further helped me to gain knowledge on the employer and employee relations and the relationship of customers and employees. While conducting research I had to handle data collection which helped in learning better performance during data gathering. |
10 |
| Barriers met
What were the main difficulties and barriers which you were faced with in: (1) undertaking your research, and (2) completing your Major project (max. 400 words) |
Research on MBA program based on the primary and secondary resources is a very evident part of any MBA course. The difficult part of the research was the collection of data real and definite data and the empirical analysis of the data and the research. Since the number of empirical studies available for CSR and related issues like the competitive advantages on hospitability industry was not enough to conduct this research, searching for materials for literature review was a tedious job. Further, it was important to include only those questions which were appropriate and relevant to the topic. This was a difficult task for me as a researcher. Also the questionnaire was required to be precise and such that would achieve the required objective. Finally another problem while conducting the research study was that the time span given for the research. Conducting the research, gathering materials, conducting questionnaire sessions with the customers and the employees require huge amount of time. Therefore conducting the entire research in the given time span was a great challenge that I had to face. |
10 |
| Your Professional Development
What are the most important business and/or management skill(s) or academic idea(s) or lesson(s) which you have learnt from undertaking your research and your Major Project – and why? (400 words) |
While conducting the research study I as a researcher gained insight on a number of integral isues of CSR and its related activities. The performance of research, analysis of the exact research tools assisted me in improving myself as a better leader. Further the management of time is an essential factor for all industry manager. Hence this research improved my time management skills.
Another essential capability that I learnt while conducting this research was that competence and focus. Since a lot of relevant materials were present in the library and the web resources, it is very natural that researchers would be diverted and include the unneccessary elements in the research. Hence it is extremely essentail to have a proper focus on the particular area of the indivudual’s research and keep the research restricted to the point. During this research study I learnt how to be more methodical and systematic while conducting research and how to distinguish between the relevant and the not so relevant materials. |
10 |
| Objectives
Based on your research and the work which you have done in the MBA Programme and its use in your Major Project, what were and how far have the objectives of your major project been achieved? (max. 450 words) |
The primary objectives of the research study was to analyse the significane of CSR in gaining advantages in the hospitality industry, to recognise the influences of CSR initiatives on the employees and the customers of the organization and the outlook of the customers for any organization and access to the CSR initiatives of the hotel selected which is InterContinental London.
All the above stated objectives were achieved while conducting the research. The research results and the literature review should that the customers prefer those organizations that have fulfilled their Corporate Social Responsibility. Further research also revealed that CSR have a large impact on the customers and employees. Finally appropriate recommendations were also given in the conclusion part of the research study. |
10 |
| Findings & outcomes
How useful and/or feasible are the findings, recommendations, conclusions, or outcomes of your Major Project to you and/or to a future Employer? You must justify your answer with specific examples. (max. 450 words) |
The recommendations that has been given in the research was entirely laid under the present policies of the company chosen that is InterContinental Hotels Group. The polices were based on the present environment of the market. Handling customers in the proper manner, team member appropriately, considering exact responses during the research study has professionally well-equipped me in doing a better job in future. Further suggesting exact recommendations would later help me in enhancing my performance level in the workplace. The learning that I have inculcated during the entire research would help me in becoming a better leader in the workplace. The entire activity has professionally as well as personally supported me in recognising the main areas of development in the professional arena. Therefore, this Major Project even though was challenging to some extent has been n essential learning tool for me. |
10 |
| TOTAL |
100 |
Research Reflection Report (Assignment Format) – Guidelines for the Report
These notes are designed to help you deliver and conduct a successful Research Reflection Report.
The Research Reflection Report is a major piece of work and is designed to support your own self-critical consideration of your research and related business skills and demonstrate that you can:-
- Reflect and comment critically on what you have learnt during the programme and during the carrying out of your research activities
- Carefully consider the research which you have carried out and critically comment on this
- Discuss the relationship of your research, research sources and evidence, and researching activities to the production of your Major Project
- Critically comment on the key areas, examples, sources of your research
- Consider the relationship of your research, and researching, to both your Major Project and possible future employment opportunities
Your Research Reflection Report is not only an academic exercise but also a piece of work which you may wish to use in future employment contexts to demonstrate your ability to consider the importance of research and researching to:-
- business planning,
- business success,
- organisational contexts
- your own academic and business skills and the contribution which you can make to an organisation as a result of developing these skills
The Research Reflection Report therefore aims to support the student’s ability to be self critical about their research. It also develops the students understanding and application of the core concepts of business and academic skills while developing their ability to perform more effectively within organisations in a real world context. The Report therefore encourages reflection on:-
1) Research Processes
2) The research methodologies which you have considered and applied
3) Research and researching as a problem solving process used by you as a student,
4) The identification and discussion of your key learning points which could be applied to other situations.
5) The relationship of research and your major project to your professional development opportunities and career development intensions
Completion of the Report
- The contents of the report are given in a template format (see pages 3&4)
- You may treat this report as a self critical evaluation of your researching experience or “Learning Diary” or as a final summing up of your experiences while carrying out the Research and the Major Project in which you have been involved. It is advisable not to leave the completion of the Report until the last minute.
- Above all this Report should not be simply descriptive – it should be a self critical summary of your learning experiences. You should adopt a ‘critical’ viewpoint – what seems to work, what is less successful – and why? Discuss the examples of best /good/interesting research practice which you have come across. Consider how research examples/models can be usefully used in business situations– and be adapted to suit your future workplace/ academic environment.
- You should attempt to respond to all template sections
- You should keep to the overall word limit of 4000 words maximum for the whole Report.
Things to think about when completing your Research Reflective Report:-
The nature of your research and your Major Project
Why is it being done; why are you working on this subject and how significant is it to you and to future employers?
Plan of your schedules
Have you managed effectively your research and Major Project schedules and are they logical?
Resources
What resources (i.e. people, evidence, references, and ideas) have you used and how are you using these? Why are they important?
Methodologies
Are the methods which you have used specified clearly, and are they sufficiently rigorous? Are data/evidence/literature sources specified and available? Are you conducting the research and the Major Project in a professional manner? What analytical frameworks will be used to make sense of the work? Are these appropriate?
Support and Barrier Issues
Have these been thought through by you? How any barriers to be/being overcome?
Anticipated Benefits to you and to a future employment organisation
What are they? – Knowledge? : Ideas? : Learning Experience? : Efficiency? : Effectiveness? Financial?: Organisational?: Skills?
How will the project satisfy you?
How will the work contribute to your personal development? How wide a range of skills and knowledge does it use from your programme? Will it demonstrate that you have an understanding of your programme subject areas?
Major Project Conclusions: The conclusions which you are forming for your Major Project – are they based on rigorous reasoning and argument?
Report Writing Skills
Write your reflections and critical views clearly and simply.
Student name: ……WRITE YOUR NAMES HERE AS THEY ARE IN YOUR PASSPORT……..
Student ID number: ……WRITE YOUR SCHOOL ID NUMBER HERE………………
|
RESEARCH REFLECTION REPORT (should contain the details given below) |
Please type your responses in the spaces below: |
Marks available |
| Research Methods & Processes
How and why have you chosen/decided on the research methods and processes which you are using/have used for the development of your Major Project? How would you describe these to: 1) a reader of your Major Project and/or 2) a future employer (max. 550 words) |
The chief purpose of the research study was to assess the efficiency of corporate social responsibility and the related initiatives required for building a competitive hospitality industry. This research study would assist in the case study of InterContinental London Hotel. The primary objectives of the research study is to critically examine the importance of CSR in gaining advantages in the hospitality industry, to recognize the impact of CSR initiatives on the attitude of employees and perception of the customer for an organization and also to assess the CSR initiatives of InterContinental London and its influences on the employees.
The methods of research chosen in this study were quantitative research fro quantifying the results of questionnaire. Two sets of questionnaire was designed by the researcher for the employees and the customers for understanding the impacts of CSR on employees and customers in the hospitality industry. Further the research approach that suited this study was deductive method since the research was in relation to positivism and was quantitative in nature. . |
15 |
| Literature & sources
1) What are the most important theories/literature sources /evidence sources which you are using to justify your research and your Major Project? 2) Why are these sources important and fundamental to your work? (max. 550 words) |
A number of books and journals from the library and the online databases have been used for a good research study. With regard to the statistical data the assistance of various websites has been taken. One of the most significant books used during the research was Hopkins (2012) which stated that there are two dimensions of CSR. First is the relationship between the company and its stakeholders and the second is the companya and the community. Another book Levya and Parka (2011) gives details about the hospitality industry in the recent years and states how it did not enjoy a good reputation in the work circuit. The other important sources that have described the concept of CSR are Katamba (2012), Kotler and Lee (2011) and Sloan et al. (2013). Other important sources used for reflecting on the benefits of organzations for using CSR are Chen et al. (2010), IHG (2006) and Deery, Jago and Stewart,(2009). These books give an analysis of the performance of the organizations after the use of the CSR theory. . |
15 |
| Your Knowledge
What key areas of knowledgehave you gained from undertaking your research and the Major Project? Indicate why these are so important to you? (max. 400 words) |
To be part of the corporate industry it is essential to understand the main functions of the organization which are significant for the effective working of the company. In this age of competition most of the companies are adopting different ways to survive in the race. The researcher observes and understands that in any hospitality industry ways to attract customers include proper food and accomodation among other things.
The researcher also observed during the study that CSR has been broadly connected to the financial performance of any company and thus it offers a huge amount of competitive advantage. Although the researcher insists that there is the requirement to examine the improvement of customer perceptions and employees attitude. During these data collection and research on the customers and employees, the researcher gained knowledge of the applications and understandings of the activities of CSR and the influencing factors on the customers and employees. Therefore the various literature review, the extensive research on performed on the hotel industry improved the knowledge on CSR activities and expectations and this will support the researcher in future. |
10 |
| Your Learning
What are the most important aspects/examples of learning and/or skills which you have gained from: (1) undertaking the MBA programme, (2) following through your research, and (3) applying your knowledge and what you have learnt in your Major Project (max. 400 words) |
The primary objective for joining the MBA program was to increase the knowledge that the researcher can apply at the workplace and be a better head. The MBA program would be helpful in assisting me to become a independent and secure offcial. The program has further increased the idea of practicality and enhanced the skills of problem solving and communication abilities. The modules and the assignments made during the program would also assist me in becoming a better head and learning the realistic scenarios in work.
When conducting the research, I as a researcher went through a huge number of books, articles, journals and web resources. These secondary and primary resources expanded my knowledge on the existing circumstances on CSR activities and its influences on the organizations. The scrupulous methods of proceeding with the research assisted me in learning the plans in a better way and be cautious of the risks and difficulties during the research. Another essential thing that all researchers would learn including me during this research is the ways to manage the time. |
10 |
| Critical Thinking and your ideas
In carrying out your research, your analysis, your evaluation of evidence, and in identifying or proposing conclusions, what has been the most important discovery, or piece of evidence, or theory, or viewpoint, or critical idea, or critical addition to your knowledge, or other item of importance and why? (max. 400 words) |
This research includes quantitative research and based on this questionnaires were prepared for employees and customers. Hence while conducting these sort of research I go the opportunity to meet different customers as well as employees. But during the research at times I was apprehensive about requesting them to participate in the survey. This was basically due to the fact that it was one of the first times when I confronted customers and employees for the purpose of the interview.
However, with every interview my confidence level increased and I became more open while making conversations with these new customers and employees. The entire process of research helped me expanding my level of thinking and also helped to reflect over and above the probable explanations. Even though the theories of CSR and the impacts of it on the customers and employees were previously recognised by me, this research further helped me to gain knowledge on the employer and employee relations and the relationship of customers and employees. While conducting research I had to handle data collection which helped in learning better performance during data gathering. |
10 |
| Barriers met
What were the main difficulties and barriers which you were faced with in: (1) undertaking your research, and (2) completing your Major project (max. 400 words) |
Research on MBA program based on the primary and secondary resources is a very evident part of any MBA course. The difficult part of the research was the collection of data real and definite data and the empirical analysis of the data and the research. Since the number of empirical studies available for CSR and related issues like the competitive advantages on hospitability industry was not enough to conduct this research, searching for materials for literature review was a tedious job. Further, it was important to include only those questions which were appropriate and relevant to the topic. This was a difficult task for me as a researcher. Also the questionnaire was required to be precise and such that would achieve the required objective. Finally another problem while conducting the research study was that the time span given for the research. Conducting the research, gathering materials, conducting questionnaire sessions with the customers and the employees require huge amount of time. Therefore conducting the entire research in the given time span was a great challenge that I had to face. |
10 |
| Your Professional Development
What are the most important business and/or management skill(s) or academic idea(s) or lesson(s) which you have learnt from undertaking your research and your Major Project – and why? (400 words) |
While conducting the research study I as a researcher gained insight on a number of integral isues of CSR and its related activities. The performance of research, analysis of the exact research tools assisted me in improving myself as a better leader. Further the management of time is an essential factor for all industry manager. Hence this research improved my time management skills.
Another essential capability that I learnt while conducting this research was that competence and focus. Since a lot of relevant materials were present in the library and the web resources, it is very natural that researchers would be diverted and include the unneccessary elements in the research. Hence it is extremely essentail to have a proper focus on the particular area of the indivudual’s research and keep the research restricted to the point. During this research study I learnt how to be more methodical and systematic while conducting research and how to distinguish between the relevant and the not so relevant materials. |
10 |
| Objectives
Based on your research and the work which you have done in the MBA Programme and its use in your Major Project, what were and how far have the objectives of your major project been achieved? (max. 450 words) |
The primary objectives of the research study was to analyse the significane of CSR in gaining advantages in the hospitality industry, to recognise the influences of CSR initiatives on the employees and the customers of the organization and the outlook of the customers for any organization and access to the CSR initiatives of the hotel selected which is InterContinental London.
All the above stated objectives were achieved while conducting the research. The research results and the literature review should that the customers prefer those organizations that have fulfilled their Corporate Social Responsibility. Further research also revealed that CSR have a large impact on the customers and employees. Finally appropriate recommendations were also given in the conclusion part of the research study. |
10 |
| Findings & outcomes
How useful and/or feasible are the findings, recommendations, conclusions, or outcomes of your Major Project to you and/or to a future Employer? You must justify your answer with specific examples. (max. 450 words) |
The recommendations that has been given in the research was entirely laid under the present policies of the company chosen that is InterContinental Hotels Group. The polices were based on the present environment of the market. Handling customers in the proper manner, team member appropriately, considering exact responses during the research study has professionally well-equipped me in doing a better job in future. Further suggesting exact recommendations would later help me in enhancing my performance level in the workplace. The learning that I have inculcated during the entire research would help me in becoming a better leader in the workplace. The entire activity has professionally as well as personally supported me in recognising the main areas of development in the professional arena. Therefore, this Major Project even though was challenging to some extent has been n essential learning tool for me. |
10 |
| TOTAL |
100 |
Research Reflection Report (Assignment Format) – Guidelines for the Report
These notes are designed to help you deliver and conduct a successful Research Reflection Report.
The Research Reflection Report is a major piece of work and is designed to support your own self-critical consideration of your research and related business skills and demonstrate that you can:-
- Reflect and comment critically on what you have learnt during the programme and during the carrying out of your research activities
- Carefully consider the research which you have carried out and critically comment on this
- Discuss the relationship of your research, research sources and evidence, and researching activities to the production of your Major Project
- Critically comment on the key areas, examples, sources of your research
- Consider the relationship of your research, and researching, to both your Major Project and possible future employment opportunities
Your Research Reflection Report is not only an academic exercise but also a piece of work which you may wish to use in future employment contexts to demonstrate your ability to consider the importance of research and researching to:-
- business planning,
- business success,
- organisational contexts
- your own academic and business skills and the contribution which you can make to an organisation as a result of developing these skills
The Research Reflection Report therefore aims to support the student’s ability to be self critical about their research. It also develops the students understanding and application of the core concepts of business and academic skills while developing their ability to perform more effectively within organisations in a real world context. The Report therefore encourages reflection on:-
1) Research Processes
2) The research methodologies which you have considered and applied
3) Research and researching as a problem solving process used by you as a student,
4) The identification and discussion of your key learning points which could be applied to other situations.
5) The relationship of research and your major project to your professional development opportunities and career development intensions
Completion of the Report
- The contents of the report are given in a template format (see pages 3&4)
- You may treat this report as a self critical evaluation of your researching experience or “Learning Diary” or as a final summing up of your experiences while carrying out the Research and the Major Project in which you have been involved. It is advisable not to leave the completion of the Report until the last minute.
- Above all this Report should not be simply descriptive – it should be a self critical summary of your learning experiences. You should adopt a ‘critical’ viewpoint – what seems to work, what is less successful – and why? Discuss the examples of best /good/interesting research practice which you have come across. Consider how research examples/models can be usefully used in business situations– and be adapted to suit your future workplace/ academic environment.
- You should attempt to respond to all template sections
- You should keep to the overall word limit of 4000 words maximum for the whole Report.
Things to think about when completing your Research Reflective Report:-
The nature of your research and your Major Project
Why is it being done; why are you working on this subject and how significant is it to you and to future employers?
Plan of your schedules
Have you managed effectively your research and Major Project schedules and are they logical?
Resources
What resources (i.e. people, evidence, references, and ideas) have you used and how are you using these? Why are they important?
Methodologies
Are the methods which you have used specified clearly, and are they sufficiently rigorous? Are data/evidence/literature sources specified and available? Are you conducting the research and the Major Project in a professional manner? What analytical frameworks will be used to make sense of the work? Are these appropriate?
Support and Barrier Issues
Have these been thought through by you? How any barriers to be/being overcome?
Anticipated Benefits to you and to a future employment organisation
What are they? – Knowledge? : Ideas? : Learning Experience? : Efficiency? : Effectiveness? Financial?: Organisational?: Skills?
How will the project satisfy you?
How will the work contribute to your personal development? How wide a range of skills and knowledge does it use from your programme? Will it demonstrate that you have an understanding of your programme subject areas?
Major Project Conclusions: The conclusions which you are forming for your Major Project – are they based on rigorous reasoning and argument?
Report Writing Skills
Write your reflections and critical views clearly and simply.
Student name: ……WRITE YOUR NAMES HERE AS THEY ARE IN YOUR PASSPORT……..
Student ID number: ……WRITE YOUR SCHOOL ID NUMBER HERE………………
|
RESEARCH REFLECTION REPORT (should contain the details given below) |
Please type your responses in the spaces below: |
Marks available |
| Research Methods & Processes
How and why have you chosen/decided on the research methods and processes which you are using/have used for the development of your Major Project? How would you describe these to: 1) a reader of your Major Project and/or 2) a future employer (max. 550 words) |
The chief purpose of the research study was to assess the efficiency of corporate social responsibility and the related initiatives required for building a competitive hospitality industry. This research study would assist in the case study of InterContinental London Hotel. The primary objectives of the research study is to critically examine the importance of CSR in gaining advantages in the hospitality industry, to recognize the impact of CSR initiatives on the attitude of employees and perception of the customer for an organization and also to assess the CSR initiatives of InterContinental London and its influences on the employees.
The methods of research chosen in this study were quantitative research for quantifying the results of questionnaire. Two sets of questionnaire was designed by the researcher for the employees and the customers for understanding the impacts of CSR on employees and customers in the hospitality industry. Further the research approach that suited this study was deductive method since the research was in relation to positivism and was quantitative in nature. . |
15 |
| Literature & sources
1) What are the most important theories/literature sources /evidence sources which you are using to justify your research and your Major Project? 2) Why are these sources important and fundamental to your work? (max. 550 words) |
A number of books and journals from the library and the online databases have been used for a good research study. With regard to the statistical data the assistance of various websites has been taken. One of the most significant books used during the research was Hopkins (2012) which stated that there are two dimensions of CSR. First is the relationship between the company and its stakeholders and the second is the companya and the community. Another book Levya and Parka (2011) gives details about the hospitality industry in the recent years and states how it did not enjoy a good reputation in the work circuit. The other important sources that have described the concept of CSR are Katamba (2012), Kotler and Lee (2011) and Sloan et al. (2013). Other important sources used for reflecting on the benefits of organzations for using CSR are Chen et al. (2010), IHG (2006) and Deery, Jago and Stewart,(2009). These books give an analysis of the performance of the organizations after the use of the CSR theory. . |
15 |
| Your Knowledge
What key areas of knowledgehave you gained from undertaking your research and the Major Project? Indicate why these are so important to you? (max. 400 words) |
To be part of the corporate industry it is essential to understand the main functions of the organization which are significant for the effective working of the company. In this age of competition most of the companies are adopting different ways to survive in the race. The researcher observes and understands that in any hospitality industry ways to attract customers include proper food and accomodation among other things.
The researcher also observed during the study that CSR has been broadly connected to the financial performance of any company and thus it offers a huge amount of competitive advantage. Although the researcher insists that there is the requirement to examine the improvement of customer perceptions and employees attitude. During these data collection and research on the customers and employees, the researcher gained knowledge of the applications and understandings of the activities of CSR and the influencing factors on the customers and employees. Therefore the various literature review, the extensive research on performed on the hotel industry improved the knowledge on CSR activities and expectations and this will support the researcher in future. |
10 |
| Your Learning
What are the most important aspects/examples of learning and/or skills which you have gained from: (1) undertaking the MBA programme, (2) following through your research, and (3) applying your knowledge and what you have learnt in your Major Project (max. 400 words) |
The primary objective for joining the MBA program was to increase the knowledge that the researcher can apply at the workplace and be a better head. The MBA program would be helpful in assisting me to become a independent and secure offcial. The program has further increased the idea of practicality and enhanced the skills of problem solving and communication abilities. The modules and the assignments made during the program would also assist me in becoming a better head and learning the realistic scenarios in work.
When conducting the research, I as a researcher went through a huge number of books, articles, journals and web resources. These secondary and primary resources expanded my knowledge on the existing circumstances on CSR activities and its influences on the organizations. The scrupulous methods of proceeding with the research assisted me in learning the plans in a better way and be cautious of the risks and difficulties during the research. Another essential thing that all researchers would learn including me during this research is the ways to manage the time. |
10 |
| Critical Thinking and your ideas
In carrying out your research, your analysis, your evaluation of evidence, and in identifying or proposing conclusions, what has been the most important discovery, or piece of evidence, or theory, or viewpoint, or critical idea, or critical addition to your knowledge, or other item of importance and why? (max. 400 words) |
This research includes quantitative research and based on this questionnaires were prepared for employees and customers. Hence while conducting these sort of research I go the opportunity to meet different customers as well as employees. But during the research at times I was apprehensive about requesting them to participate in the survey. This was basically due to the fact that it was one of the first times when I confronted customers and employees for the purpose of the interview.
However, with every interview my confidence level increased and I became more open while making conversations with these new customers and employees. The entire process of research helped me expanding my level of thinking and also helped to reflect over and above the probable explanations. Even though the theories of CSR and the impacts of it on the customers and employees were previously recognised by me, this research further helped me to gain knowledge on the employer and employee relations and the relationship of customers and employees. While conducting research I had to handle data collection which helped in learning better performance during data gathering. |
10 |
| Barriers met
What were the main difficulties and barriers which you were faced with in: (1) undertaking your research, and (2) completing your Major project (max. 400 words) |
Research on MBA program based on the primary and secondary resources is a very evident part of any MBA course. The difficult part of the research was the collection of data real and definite data and the empirical analysis of the data and the research. Since the number of empirical studies available for CSR and related issues like the competitive advantages on hospitability industry was not enough to conduct this research, searching for materials for literature review was a tedious job. Further, it was important to include only those questions which were appropriate and relevant to the topic. This was a difficult task for me as a researcher. Also the questionnaire was required to be precise and such that would achieve the required objective. Finally another problem while conducting the research study was that the time span given for the research. Conducting the research, gathering materials, conducting questionnaire sessions with the customers and the employees require huge amount of time. Therefore conducting the entire research in the given time span was a great challenge that I had to face. |
10 |
| Your Professional Development
What are the most important business and/or management skill(s) or academic idea(s) or lesson(s) which you have learnt from undertaking your research and your Major Project – and why? (400 words) |
While conducting the research study I as a researcher gained insight on a number of integral isues of CSR and its related activities. The performance of research, analysis of the exact research tools assisted me in improving myself as a better leader. Further the management of time is an essential factor for all industry manager. Hence this research improved my time management skills.
Another essential capability that I learnt while conducting this research was that competence and focus. Since a lot of relevant materials were present in the library and the web resources, it is very natural that researchers would be diverted and include the unneccessary elements in the research. Hence it is extremely essentail to have a proper focus on the particular area of the indivudual’s research and keep the research restricted to the point. During this research study I learnt how to be more methodical and systematic while conducting research and how to distinguish between the relevant and the not so relevant materials. |
10 |
| Objectives
Based on your research and the work which you have done in the MBA Programme and its use in your Major Project, what were and how far have the objectives of your major project been achieved? (max. 450 words) |
The primary objectives of the research study was to analyse the significane of CSR in gaining advantages in the hospitality industry, to recognise the influences of CSR initiatives on the employees and the customers of the organization and the outlook of the customers for any organization and access to the CSR initiatives of the hotel selected which is InterContinental London.
All the above stated objectives were achieved while conducting the research. The research results and the literature review should that the customers prefer those organizations that have fulfilled their Corporate Social Responsibility. Further research also revealed that CSR have a large impact on the customers and employees. Finally appropriate recommendations were also given in the conclusion part of the research study. |
10 |
| Findings & outcomes
How useful and/or feasible are the findings, recommendations, conclusions, or outcomes of your Major Project to you and/or to a future Employer? You must justify your answer with specific examples. (max. 450 words) |
The recommendations that has been given in the research was entirely laid under the present policies of the company chosen that is InterContinental Hotels Group. The polices were based on the present environment of the market. Handling customers in the proper manner, team member appropriately, considering exact responses during the research study has professionally well-equipped me in doing a better job in future. Further suggesting exact recommendations would later help me in enhancing my performance level in the workplace. The learning that I have inculcated during the entire research would help me in becoming a better leader in the workplace. The entire activity has professionally as well as personally supported me in recognising the main areas of development in the professional arena. Therefore, this Major Project even though was challenging to some extent has been n essential learning tool for me. |
10 |
| TOTAL |
100 |
