K. J.

SOMAIYA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND RESEARCH Vidyanagar, Vidyavihar (E), Mumbai-400077 PGDM (Finance/Marketing/Operations/HR) 2012-14 Batch IV Trimester July September 2013

RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES The Research Paper is a full credit course. As part of this course, students are required to write and present a conceptual paper on a topic in the students specialization area (Finance/Marketing/Operations/HR). The topic should have a cause and effect relationship and should have been researched by other researchers worldwide. It should include the students own secondary research and explain its application to the current issues in the students specialization area and have relevance for the company strategies and evolving best practices in Finance/Marketing/Operations/HR. Guidelines for writing a Research Paper A research paper should contain: a) Clear and precise specification of the research issue to be examined. b) Comprehensive and precise justification for the need for examining the issue. c) A comprehensive, evaluative and integrative review of the relevant literature. This should include referencing of 25-40 articles from peer-reviewed journals. d) The major findings emerging from the literature review (eg: prominence of various theoretical perspectives, theory, approaches, the extent and quality of available knowledge base etc.) should be highlighted and explained. e) Description of the utility of these findings in advancing the understanding of issues under consideration and their relevance for company strategies and best practices in the various functional areas (Finance/Marketing/Operations/HR). f) Each student should submit 2 copies of synopsis (covering points at serial no. a and b and a brief outline of points under c, d, and e above) on the topic for approval which needs to be approved by the respective Area Chairpersons (Finance/Marketing/Operations/HR). Research Paper without approval of synopsis will not be accepted 1. The guide will be allotted by the Area chairperson of the specialization area (Finance/Marketing/Operations/HR) based on the topic of the research paper.

2. Length and other formatting specifications a) The research paper should not exceed 15 pages ( A4 size paper, 1.5 line spacing, 12 font size in Times New Roman font, 1 inch margin on all sides) Appendices and Bibliography are not included in the page limit b) The format of the paper should be consistent with the specifications in the style guide for the Academy of Management Journal/ Academy of Management Review which is available in the first issue of the year of these journals. The paper should be spiral bound before submitting c) All the pages in the research paper document should be numbered 3. Referencing References must be provided whenever someone elses opinions, theories, data or material from any source is used. One may need to reference information from books, articles, videos, computer and other print or electronic sources. A reference is required when students: a) Paraphrase (use their idea in your own words) b) Summarise (use a brief account of their ideas) c) Quote (use someone else exact words) d) Copy (use their figures, tables or structure) 4. Evaluation criteria The criteria used for evaluation of Research Paper include: a) Appropriateness including clarity and precision in the specification of research issue chosen for being examined. b) Appropriateness of literature review in terms comprehensiveness of the literature base covered. of relevance and

c) Appropriateness of evaluation and integration of the substantive contents covered in the literature review. d) Students understanding of research findings and their relevance for companies strategies and best practices of companies.

5. Academic Integrity a) This course looks for high standard of academic integrity from students. Improper referencing/ copying directly from any source / non acknowledgement from source will incur strict penalty. b) Students may approach any faculty for clarification regarding referencing/ acknowledgement issues. 6. Deadlines a) First proposal for approval 16th July 2013 b) Final proposal incorporating comments in the first proposal for research 23 rd July 2013 at 15:00 hrs (15 marks) (Should include reference of at least 5 articles, maximum 3 pages. Should mention the issue under study and the need for studying the issue) c) Literature Review-l 16th August 2013, at 15:00 hrs (10 marks) (Should include reference of at least 5 additional articles, 4 5 pages. Should mention the past work done on this issue) d) Literature Review-ll 27th August 2013, at 15:00 hrs (15 marks) (Should include reference of at least 5 additional articles, 4 5 pages. Summarise the literature and identify the issues in the area)

e) Paper Submission in the SIMSR office to Shri Sanjeev Mane Sir on 13 th Sept 2013, Before 15:00 hrs (30 marks) (Should include reference of at least 10 additional articles. Analysis of literature and deriving cause and effect relationship/ suggesting solutions/ recommendations and completing the paper.) f) Viva voce 16th to 20th Sept 2013, (30 marks )

Prof. C.P. Joshi Area Chairperson (Strategy, International Business and General Management) Program Coordinator for PGDM & PGDM-IB 9th July 2013