MBA5008 Business Research Methods Case Study 3 Sample
Introduction
The student will be asked to write a research-based project building on their annotated bibliography in Assessment Task 1, articulating a research problem / issue / question, discussing a thorough literature review, analysis and discussion of the various issues identified from the literature review, using different perspectives and coming up with conclusions, solutions, and recommendations.
Task
Students are to work on a selected research problem/question, conduct a narrative literature review, and prepare a research report.
Aim
The primary aim of this assessment is for you to understand the research process and get familiar with conducting a literature review, exploring relevant theories, methods, and concepts. The secondary aim of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to enhance your research skills, critical thinking, theoretical applications and report writing skills.
How to write a research report step by step:
To start with your research report, you need to be clear on below questions.
ï What is the aim?
ï What is the topic? (A topic may be given by your lecturer, or you can make your own choice in consultation with your lecturer, this process needs to be determined through Assessment 1)
ï What is the expected research report format?
Use proper in-text referencing as well as list of references. The referencing style must follow the APA referencing style.
Report format: The report must be of 3000 words in length excluding references list.
Report structure:
Your report should have a suitable flow to allow for a clear reading with a sequence of ideas.
1. Abstract
Even though an abstract comes in as the first, you should write it at the very end, after you completed all other sections. Abstract is presenting the most relevant information and it should be no more than 250 words long.
The abstract follows the same structure as your research report: Background, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Make sure you present only the most important information in your abstract, something that is the most interesting and the most relevant to the readers.
2. Introduction/Background
In this section, you need to outline the purpose of your report and its scope by presenting the research aim and the topic. You can use the same research or similar title that you have used in your Assessment 1. You need to discuss the background of your research by introducing information that include a rationale for the importance of your topic by presenting a brief review of the literature already available on the topic and the gaps in the literature this research is trying to address.
3. Methods
You are going to conduct a narrative literature review and analyse relevant, most recent (last 5 to maximum 10 years) peer-reviewed literature available on the topic- Use minimum of 10-12 papers. In the methods section you need to:
• Explain our search strategy outlining your search syntax and databases in which you searched
• Outline study selection process and exclusion and inclusion criteria
• Present data extraction process and coding
4. Results
Results indicate what you found in your research, that is in the available, most recent peer-review literature on your topic. This is only to provide the results of your research, do not interpret them at this stage.
In the results section, you need to include a table and extract the following data from each of the publications you found- Minimum of 10-12 papers.
5. Discussion
This section should be the most elaborate and you should show your critical thinking skills. Do not just present the findings from the literature but critically evaluate them. It is necessary to discuss the relevance of your results and how your findings fit with other research in the area. You should relate back to your literature review and your research purpose. In the discussion section you should also mention:
• the limitations of your review and
• the recommendations for future research and also for decision makers and practitioners.
6. Conclusion
This is a summary of the most significant results/findings. You should not include any new material in this section. You may include research limitations and further research requirements in this section.
7. List of references
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose of the Report
The investigation and analysis of women leaders' effects on fostering sustainability inside organisations is the main goal of this paper. This paper aims to offer insights into the role of women in leadership positions in developing sustainable practices by performing a thorough literature assessment and drawing from previous studies. University Assignment Help, Additionally, it seeks to clarify the research issue or topic and highlight its relevance in the context of modern organisations.
1.2 Research Problem/Question
The central research problem/question addressed in this report is:
"How do women leaders influence and contribute to sustainability initiatives within organisations, and what is the significance of their role in promoting
sustainability?"
This research problem/question serves as the driving force behind the literature review and analysis, guiding the exploration of existing knowledge and insights.
1.3 Importance of the Research
In the fast-shifting global environment of today, understanding the impact of female leaders on sustainability is of the utmost significance. Leaders that prioritise sustainability can be crucial in establishing ethical business practices when organisations struggle with environmental and social issues. However, there is a significant vacuum in the literature since the function of female leaders in this setting has not received much attention.
1.4 Background
1.4.1 Rationale for the Research
The rising understanding of sustainability as a crucial component of modern company operations serves as the foundation for this study. Globally, businesses are becoming more aware of the necessity of adopting sustainable practices to solve environmental issues, fulfil social expectations, and guarantee long-term sustainability. Women leaders are seen to significantly contribute to developing sustainability inside organisations because of their distinctive leadership styles and ideals.
1.4.2 Literature Review and Identified Gaps
The assessment of the literature on how women leaders and sustainability intersect finds important new information but also points out numerous important gaps. Existing research, including that of Allen, Lyons & Stephens (2019), shows that women in leadership roles and sound decision-making are positively correlated. However, these studies frequently fall short in their investigation of the processes through which female leaders impact sustainable practices, leaving open queries regarding the precise tactics and management philosophies.
The research also mainly ignores the importance of intersectionality, failing to take into consideration how racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic background interacts with gender in leadership roles and may have an impact on the promotion of sustainability. Furthermore, while some studies have acknowledged the potential influence of women in leadership roles, little has been explored in terms of the particular difficulties and obstacles females face while promoting sustainability inside organisations.
2. Methods
2.1 Search Strategy
In order to find contemporary, peer-reviewed literature (written between 2013 and 2023) that was pertinent to how women leaders affect sustainability in organisational contexts, the research team developed a thorough search approach (Dempere & Abdalla, 2023). Various academic databases, including Google Scholar, were used in a systematic search technique to guarantee inclusiveness and correctness. The search syntax was carefully crafted, combining a variety of terms and keywords associated with sustainability, gender diversity in leadership, and women leaders.
The examination of the research topic's various facets was made possible by the clever use of Boolean operators (AND, OR) to narrow searches. The search approach tried to include a wide range of relevant material by including synonyms and variants. In order to conduct a thorough and insightful narrative literature review on the topic of women leaders and their impact on sustainability practices within organisations, a rigorous approach to search strategy construction was used to ensure the identification of a wide range of scholarly publications.
2.2 Study Selection Process and Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
A thorough and methodical strategy was used in the research selection process to find relevant material for the narrative literature review (Palpacuer et al., 2019). The study team started by doing a preliminary screening of selected papers based on their titles and abstracts. According to inclusion criteria, chosen papers had to be peer-reviewed, published between the years 2013 and 2023, and have a direct bearing on the subject of the study, which is the effect of women leaders on sustainability in organisational contexts.
Exclusion criteria were used to weed out studies that didn't adhere to the strict guidelines of the study. Studies missing a significant focus on the intersection of women in leadership and sustainability, as well as those not written in English or published within the specified timeframe, were eliminated.
Following this first screening, full-text articles from periodicals that could be pertinent were purchased and submitted to a thorough eligibility evaluation. The final selection was made with a minimum of 10 articles to serve as the core of the thorough narrative literature analysis, with an emphasis on including a variety of research techniques and situations.
2.3 Data Extraction Process and Coding
The method for extracting data from the chosen peer-reviewed papers was carefully planned to systematically obtain vital information. A standardised data extraction form was created by the study team to guarantee accuracy and consistency. This form made it easier to obtain important data from each selected publication (Wang et al., 2020). Names of the authors, publication titles, journal sources, years of publication, research questions or objectives, theoretical or conceptual frameworks, research designs (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods), methodologies used, data analysis techniques, and the main key findings or outcomes were among the information that was extracted.
Regardless of differences in research methodology or reporting styles, each publication's key information may be uniformly collected thanks to this methodical approach to data extraction. The research team made sure there was a full set of data available for analysis, synthesis, and debate in the narrative literature review by ensuring the capture of these essential components.
3. Results
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4. Discussion
4.1 Relevance of the Results
The discussion part offers a chance for a thorough assessment of the conclusions of the literature study addressing the impact of female leaders on sustainability. A critical analysis is necessary rather than just providing the data (Raman et al., 2022). This analysis will carefully consider the importance and useful ramifications of the findings, advancing knowledge of the role that female leaders play in fostering sustainability within organisational environments. We may extend the conversation on this important issue by analysing the results from the chosen publications in order to identify subtleties, trends, and areas of convergence or divergence.
4.2 Limitations of the Review
The limitations of this assessment of the research on the influence of female leaders on sustainability must be acknowledged. These restrictions may include limitations on the ability to choose certain publications, such as possible publishing bias, or restrictions on the scope of the databases used. The thoroughness of the results might also be impacted by intrinsic gaps in the chosen literature, such as differences in study methodology or geographical bias. grasp these constraints is crucial for transparency and emphasises the need for more study to close these gaps and provide a more comprehensive grasp of the subject.
4.3 Recommendations for Decision Makers and Practitioners
This paper offers practical advice for practitioners and decision-makers. The development of diverse leadership teams with women on them can make it easier to incorporate sustainability objectives into organisational procedures (Elshaer et al., 2021). Women in leadership may overcome obstacles by implementing mentoring programmes and diversity training. Organisations should also spend money on fair hiring practises to guarantee that everyone has access to leadership roles. In addition to promoting gender diversity, these actions will also help to promote sustainability in line with current moral and environmental imperatives.
4.4 Recommendations for Future Research
A precise road plan for next research attempts is necessary for the discipline to advance. The best course of action is to look into certain issues that the chosen literature does not address in order to deepen our comprehension of the subject Karakose et al., 2021). It is crucial to do research on how gender, race, and socioeconomic issues interact when considering how women leaders affect sustainability. Additionally, longitudinal research can shed light on the long-lasting influence of female leaders. These suggestions open the way for a more thorough understanding of the complex connection between women leaders and sustainability, providing insightful information for both academics and practitioners.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, this thorough analysis of the literature on the influence of female leaders on organisational sustainability has revealed insightful information. The potential for women leaders to influence and promote sustainability is highlighted in the critical review of the findings from the chosen articles. To highlight the need for further study to address these drawbacks, it is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of this review, including potential biases in the selection of the literature and gaps in the existing body of knowledge. Future study should investigate unexplored facets of this complex connection, such as intersectionality and longitudinal studies. These initiatives will deepen our grasp of the topic. The paper makes recommendations for decision-makers and practitioners to promote gender diversity in leadership through mentoring, diversity education, and fair hiring practises, in line with current sustainability imperatives. Organisations may leverage the potential of women leaders to not only promote sustainability but also to generate good change in the corporate environment by adopting gender-inclusive leadership practices and addressing these suggestions.
References
Reference 1: Glass, C., Cook, A., & Ingersoll, A. R. (2016). Do women leaders promote sustainability? Analyzing the effect of corporate governance composition on environmental performance. Business Strategy and the Environment, 25(7), 495-511. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1879
Reference 2: Downs, J. A., Reif, L. K., Hokororo, A., & Fitzgerald, D. W. (2014). Increasing women in leadership in global health. Academic Medicine, 89(8), 1103-1107. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/fulltext/2014/08000/increasing_women_in_leadership_in_global_health.11.aspx
Reference 3: Leal Filho, W., Eustachio, J. H. P. P., Caldana, A. C. F., Will, M., Lange Salvia, A., Rampasso, I. S., ... & Kovaleva, M. (2020). Sustainability leadership in higher education institutions: An overview of challenges. Sustainability, 12(9), 3761. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093761
Reference 4: Birindelli, G., Iannuzzi, A. P., & Savioli, M. (2019). The impact of women leaders on environmental performance: Evidence on gender diversity in banks. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(6), 1485-1499. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1762
Reference 5: Pierli, G., Murmura, F., & Palazzi, F. (2022, June 1). Women and leadership: How do women leaders contribute to companies’ sustainable choices? Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.930116/full
Reference 6: Shinbrot, X. A., Wilkins, K., Gretzel, U., & Bowser, G. (2019). Unlocking women’s sustainability leadership potential: Perceptions of contributions and challenges for women in sustainable development. World Development, 119, 120-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.03.009
Reference 7: Kele, T., & Pietersen, J. (2015). Women leaders in a South African higher education institution: Narrations of their leadership operations. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 8(05), 11-16. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2618069
Reference 8: Strøm, R. Ø., D’Espallier, B., & Mersland, R. (2014). Female leadership, performance, and governance in microfinance institutions. Journal of Banking & Finance, 42, 60-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2014.01.014
Reference 9:Fernandez?Feijoo, B., Romero, S., & Ruiz?Blanco, S. (2014). Women on boards: do they affect sustainability reporting?. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 21(6), 351-364. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1329
Reference 10: Chadwick, I. C., & Dawson, A. (2018). Women leaders and firm performance in family businesses: An examination of financial and nonfinancial outcomes. Journal of family business strategy, 9(4), 238-249. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877858518301049
Allen, E., Lyons, H., & Stephens, J. C. (2019). Women’s leadership in renewable transformation, energy justice and energy democracy: Redistributing power. Energy Research & Social Science, 57, 101233. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629619300829
Dempere, J. & Abdalla, S., (2023). The Impact of Women’s Empowerment on the Corporate
Elshaer, I., Moustafa, M., Sobaih, A. E., Aliedan, M., & Azazz, A. M. (2021). The impact of women's empowerment on sustainable tourism development: Mediating role of tourism involvement. Tourism Management Perspectives, 38, 100815.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211973621000283
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Disclosure. Sustainability, 15(10),
Karakose, T., Yirci, R., Papadakis, S., Ozdemir, T. Y., Demirkol, M., & Polat, H. (2021). Science mapping of the global knowledge base on management, leadership, and administration related to COVID-19 for promoting the sustainability of scientific research. Sustainability, 13(17), 9631. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/17/9631
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Palpacuer, C., Hammas, K., Duprez, R., Laviolle, B., Ioannidis, J., & Naudet, F. (2019). Vibration of effects from diverse inclusion/exclusion criteria and analytical choices: 9216 different ways to perform an indirect comparison meta-analysis. BMC medicine, 17(1), 1-13. https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-019-1409-3
Raman, R., Subramaniam, N., Nair, V.K., Shivdas, A., Achuthan, K. & Nedungadi, P., (2022).Women entrepreneurship and sustainable development: Bibliometric analysis and emerging research trends. Sustainability, 14(15), p.9160. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/15/9160
Wang, S., McDermott, M. B., Chauhan, G., Ghassemi, M., Hughes, M. C., & Naumann, T. (2020, April). Mimic-extract: A data extraction, preprocessing, and representation pipeline for mimic-iii. In Proceedings of the ACM conference on health, inference, and learning (pp. 222-235). https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3368555.3384469
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