Business Research Project Proposal on Workplace Flexibility

7CO04 Business Research Project Proposal Feedback Sheet Centre Name Student Name : CIPD Membership Number Assessor Feedback Rationale Your topic is one which many employers are addressing i.e. workplace flexibility . However, remember that this is a Level 7, and so the issue you are addressing should have a strategic impact. You say that it is an important aspect when it comes to employee motivation, employee engagement and positive workplace culture. If th ese are cu rrent business challenges, how do you know this? What tells you that these areas are of importance (e.g. engagement survey results, turnover figures, absence etc)? What evidence do you have of an issue? De scribe th e organisation i.e. p lease say a bit about the size of Madeen Saudi Arabia Mining company, and the products or services, to give some context to your research project. 2nd submission  You have clarified the strategic issue - impact of lack of workplace flexibility on absenteeism.  Therefore, absenteeism is your strategic issue so use this throughout your research project.  You have described the organisation. Aims and Objectives As mentioned above, t his is a level 7 research project, and needs to be strategic in nature. Your overall aim needs to be clearer and more focused . Workforce flexibility is not a strategic business issue, so clarify the issue (e.g. to reduce the cost of attrition or absenteeism, to increase employee engagement etc). The recommendations you make will then link d irectly to the business benefits and be justified by the findings of your research. 2nd submission - You have now clarified the strategic issue and your aim and objectives now link to this. Overview of Literature Review You have given a good overview of some of literature sources and said why these are relevant. However, make it clear how the literature review will support the primary and secondary data you intend to collate. 2nd submission - You have now clarified how the literature review will support the primary and secondary data you intend to collate. Research Question This is a good question but does not link to your rationale. Once you have clarified the business issue, rephrase the question so that the research is designed to provide data to help you recommend solutions to the problem. H ave a chat to your tutor via Connect and Communicate. 2nd submission - You have now have a better worded question linked to your strategic aim. Overview of Methodology You have identified good sources of p rimary data (interviews and a survey) . Also, you have said how many people will be taking part in your survey and how many interviews you plan to carry out. However, because you haven’t described the size of the organisation, it is unclear whet her the sample size is representative or not. Please clarify this, and make sure the sample size is sufficient to give you meaningful data. What about secondary data sources ? There are plenty of sources of research into this topic. The CIPD resources lib rary should be able to help, and other sources too, or talk to your tutor. 2nd submission - You have now clarified the above points including secondary data sources. Ethical Considerations You have considered ethics here and identified data protection and storage as key areas of concern . Please clarify the following: 1. Say a bit more about how you plan to keep the interviewees and survey respondents anonymous . 2. Expand on how you plan to store the data securely . 3. W hat will you do with the data once the rese arch is completed? 2nd submission - You have now clarified the above points including anonymity, storage of data and what you will do with the data after the research. Summary Hi Maryam, A good project proposal, and some good ideas. You need to make a few amendments as described, to make it more focused . In particular, you need to make it clear what the issue or concern is and why you are researching this topic. Strengths  You have chosen a topic that is current and i s an issue for many organisations.  Some good literature sources in the literature review.  You have identified a range of sources for your research and s ome good ideas about methods for collecting primary data Development  Consider the points made above , particularly about the need for your research to have a strategic focus (Level 7).  Strengthen your overall aim to make it a strategic objective and link every piece of research back to this .  Remember, when you write your final submission , you can make recommendations, justified by your extensive research, of what the organisation should do to realise the strategic benefits you describe .  Cover sheet needed - When you re -submit your proposal, you need to include the standard header sheet at the front, with a wet signature, date and all your details including your CIPD membership number in addition to student number. This proposal has not been approved this time due to the comments made above. Please consider the feedback and if you are unsure, you shoul d contact your Online Support Tutor via Connect and Communicate. I strongly recommend that you use the Handbook provided in Plan and Prepare to guide you. 2nd submission Hi Maryam, Thank you for your re -submission. You have taken on board the feedback points, and your proposal is now approved. All the best with your research project and final submission. Assessor Signature Assessor Signature