Topic Title
Research Proposal
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Table of Contents
TOC o "1-3" h z u General Administrative and Editorial Notes PAGEREF _Toc51429656 h 3Introduction PAGEREF _Toc51429657 h 3Word count PAGEREF _Toc51429658 h 3Quality of Content PAGEREF _Toc51429659 h 3Structure of the Research Proposal PAGEREF _Toc51429660 h 6Title of the study PAGEREF _Toc51429661 h 6Introduction to research topic PAGEREF _Toc51429662 h 6Focus of the study (Problem Statement) PAGEREF _Toc51429663 h 7Relevant (background) literature PAGEREF _Toc51429664 h 7Main research questions and sub research questions PAGEREF _Toc51429665 h 9Research Objectives PAGEREF _Toc51429666 h 10Purpose of the study PAGEREF _Toc51429667 h 10Definitions of Key Terms PAGEREF _Toc51429668 h 11Research Method and Design PAGEREF _Toc51429669 h 11Significance of the Research PAGEREF _Toc51429670 h 13Trustworthiness PAGEREF _Toc51429671 h 14Ethical Considerations PAGEREF _Toc51429672 h 14Timetable for the Research PAGEREF _Toc51429673 h 15Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations PAGEREF _Toc51429674 h 15Bibliography/Reference PAGEREF _Toc51429675 h 16Appendices PAGEREF _Toc51429676 h 16Appendix A Research Proposal Grading Rubric Check List PAGEREF _Toc51429677 h 16Appendix B Research Proposal Grading Rubric PAGEREF _Toc51429678 h 16
General Administrative and Editorial NotesIntroduction
To have your final project (graduation assignment) considered for registration, all master students must submit a Research Proposal (RP) that outlines their intended research.
Student wishing to write a Business plan should use feasibility analysis template to develop their proposal. The template is available on GA41 Moodle course area.
All students must carefully review the relevant EEG Part 8 (Graduation Assignment/Final Project Handbook) for an effective completion of the research proposal and final project. It is also important to critically review the EEG Part 5a (Academic Writing Handbook) and 5b (Plagiarism Policy). You can find these documents in under the relevant master program EEG on Wittenborg Online (Moodle pages).
RPs should be presented with the structure and content outlined in this template. To use this template, remove the content under each heading and insert the relevant content of your RP.
When completed, submit your RP of review using the file name in the format below. The file name should include your name, student number, version number and last date it as updated. For example:
RP_John_Doe_s1123394_Version_0.0_Updated_SP_17_20
Word countInclude a word count on your title page (i.e. word count 2125 words). An indication for the expected substance of the RP is between 3000 and 5000 words.
Quality of Content
To ensure continuity of presentation of an idea, or argument, make sure to begin a new paragraph for each discussion about a new topic, or subtopic.
Use the MEAL structure - Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, Lead out When developing each argument. See: http://www.thinksrsd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MEAL-Mnenomic.pdfSubstantiated statements: Substantiate every statement with a reference. Avoid expressing your opinion, until the conclusions section of the report.
Grading Rubric:
Before developing the content of the RP you must become familiar with the Grading Rubric for the RP which is available in the GA41 course area. Use the rubric as a guide for the development of the various elements of the RP.
Before submission of the RP for grading you must review the RP and reflect the extent to which the RP has met the requirements as set forth by the Grading Rubric as well as by the RP Check List which is part of this template -See Appendix A RP Check List
Academic sources
Use academic sources in an academic report. Academic sources are:
Journal articles published in a peer reviewed journal.
Government and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) official published reports,
Master thesis and Doctoral Dissertations
Academic Textbooks.
Non-Academic sources: Avoid using nonacademic sources as newspapers, popular magazines, blogs, marketing brochures and websites that present self-developed material, as these references may not be valid and reliable for academic quality reports.
Outdated Sources: Avoid using outdated source. Unless you quote a seminal work, you may wish to consider using sources published within five years of your expected graduation date. In 2020 it would be articles published between 2016 and 2020. As a rule of thumb, allow for at least 85% of the academic sources used to be sources published within the past five years, while the remaining 15% could represent seminal work as well as non-academic sources.
Format, Citation Style
Document Format: The RP should be formatted as per this template.
Crediting Sources. You must substantiate your statements with academic sources.
Citation Format: All citations must adhere to the Harvard System of Referencing (6th edition). Verify that all citations of references meet Harvard citation format especially if you are using a citation software such as EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley or similar program
A link to HSR can be found here: https://library.aru.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm?hParaphrasing: Avoid as much as possible direct quotes; paraphrase statements of the source unless the meaning may be lost due to paraphrasing.
Direct quotes: For direct quotes used, always cite the page number e.g. Smith (1995: 42). Direct quotes of more than 40 words should be indented on a separate line from the main text (as in the examples above notice the lack of quotation marks). Quotes of less than 40 words should be incorporated into the text differentiated by double quotation marks.
Writing Style
Language: The RP should be written in fluent English.
Academic tone: Write as direct and as compact as possible. Every word, sentence or statement needs to be informative for the reader. Avoid using jargon, informal/casual language, idiomatic expressions, or clich in formal writing. Tone
File Format: Assignments must be submitted in MS Word (.dox format only). Any other format will not be accepted.
Font type: Calibri Light
Font size: 12 for the main body with exceptions for the Title page and the Headings if any. All pages should be numbered consecutively.
Line Spacing: Single space
Spell Check: Spell check the entire document before each submission. Do not relay on WORD automated Spell check. Read carefully typographical error as well as content included in images that could be identified by the Spell check feature.
Check list points:
Use of the Research Proposal template (this document)
Word Counts between 3000 to 5000.
Quality Indicators and guiding notes
Writing Format and Style
The RP is written in predominantly active voice without slang, euphemisms, or anthropomorphisms.
The RP is written in future tense. The thesis will be written in past tense.
References
Of the total sources cited, a minimum of 85% must be peer reviewed (it is recommended that in business 85% should be within the past 5 years of anticipated completion date);
Ensure there is a match between the in-text citations and the reference list.
Structure of the Research ProposalTitle of the studyThe title can be a working title; it can be changed at a later date. It should convey the essence of the proposed work.
The title of the RP should:
Be a concise statement
Summarize the main idea of the research simply
Be index-ready. Words such as Method, or Results, should not be included
Be limited to no more than 12 word
Be typed in upper- and lower-case letters, centered and positioned in the upper half of the page
Keep in mind that the title sets the tone for the reader and should tell the reader where the research is all about.
Check list points:
Title concise, meaningful and not longer than 12 words
Introduction to research topicProvide a clear introduction to the selected research topic. Try to focus on the research topic instead of a case/company or context.
The introduction section should provide clear and concise information introducing the research topic to the reader. You should focus on the research topic and its relevance, and not on the case/company or context.
Provide a brief and concise overview of the context or background of the problem that the study focuses on. The purpose of the background is to introduce the topic and problem you will address. Briefly indicate the environment in which the problem exists, explain what have been done so far in order to resolve the problem, and discuss why the problem deserves new research. This section sets the stage for the study and should comprise no more than one page in length.
A research topic is broad in nature; do not narrow the focus too quickly. You want to provide the reader, especially those not familiar with the topic, time to become familiar with the topic. Transition the reader to a more a concise presentation of the specific business topic/problem under study. This component focuses on identifying why the study is important, how the study relates to previous research on the topic/problem, and gives the reader a firm sense of what your study is going to address and why.
Focus of the study (Problem Statement)A clear statement of the overall focus of the proposed research. It should be made clear whether the study has the primary aim of problem-solving for the benefit of one particular organization or intends to generate general knowledge
As such, the Problem Statement can be written effectively in as little as four sentences: (a) hook, (b) anchor (c) general business problem, and (d) specific business problem.
Include a transition statement that leads to the problem statement that will provide more specificity regarding the problem identified. A well-written transition signals a change in content. It tells your reader that they have finished one main unit and are moving to the next, or it tells them that they are moving from a general explanation to a specific example or application. A transition forms the background to the Problem Statement is often as brief as one sentence, as follows: The background to the problem has been provided; the focus will now shift to the Problem Statement. Tip: Many potential business topics/problems can be found in the Area for Future Research heading of most peer- reviewed journal articles.Based on at least three peer reviewed journal articles published with the past five years of the expected graduation date, clearly indicate a specific gap in research AND justify why in your opinion this gap mount to be a problem of interest to the academic or business communities. A clear statement of the overall focus of the proposed research.
The Problem Statement should include four specific components the (a) hook, (b) anchor, (c) general business problem, and (d) specific business problem. The Problem Statement is not to exceed 150 words. Again, the Problem Statement is not to identify causes for the problem, solutions to the problem, or any other superfluous information. A well-written problem statement can be presented in four to five sentences.
Check list points:
Is a knowledge gap in the literature identified?
Is the problem that the study focuses on clearly described?
Can the problem be classified as business administration?
Is the relevancy of the problem backed-up with minimal 3 references to academic articles?
Relevant (background) literatureIn order to develop your research question and understand how you can study your topic, you need to study the academic literature on the variables and relationships of your planned research question, discuss what you have found in the literature and describe how you will build upon this in your study. And although it is impossible to indicate exactly how many articles you should read and discuss here; it is expected that in the RP you refer to at least 10 good academic articles.
These articles do not all need to be earlier studies on the research question you want to study.
As it is important that you, in your research, build upon the studies published in academic literature, it is of eminent importance that you find articles that define, describe or operationalize the variables you want to study, albeit in a different context or question than what you are planning to do. So structure this paragraph in the different variables and relationships, for example:
Definitions, models and operationalization of Variable 1
Definitions, models and operationalization of Variable 2
Earlier studies on the relationship between Variable 1 and Variable 2
This would be a suitable approach to a literature review if you were to plan a study on the relationship between variable 1 and variable 2.
It is perfectly OK to make this paragraph a substantial paragraph, as long as it discusses relevant things. You will quite likely recycle the literature discussion from your RP in the actual thesis, so there wont be any work wasted.
A literature review is not a description of articles or a collection of quotes from articles. You will need to develop a logical narrative: a storyline in which you build up to what you want to say. So, think about a logical flow of what you want to discuss and introduce this also to the reader.
At the end of the literature you also need to conclude something from it. For example, the definitions or models you are going to use in your research. Describe what you take away from the literature. Sometimes it may be useful to show this in a conceptual model or framework of your research.
Theoretical/conceptual framework
A theoretical (for quantitative studies) or conceptual framework (for qualitative studies) offers a systematic view of a phenomenon. In other words, the framework provides a lens through which to view a phenomenon. Having a theoretical /conceptual framework is critical to the success of your research. You need such a s framework, as you will be required to discuss your findings as they confirm, disconfirm, extend, etc., the extant literature on your conceptual framework. You must critically analyze and synthesize the studies where your conceptual framework has been the lens through which the phenomenon has been viewed.
Identifying the Best Theory or Conceptual Model - Make certain that the theory aligns with the research question. Consider the following when searching for a theory or conceptual model for the conceptual framework.
Critically read peer- reviewed studies related to your topic and identify the theories that the sources found aligned with their studies. After one has read and synthesized numerous peer-reviewed studies related to the topic for the annotated bibliography, one will notice a few theories (or conceptual models) that aligned with several studies.
Critically read the seminal work on the theories (or conceptual models) that you found in peer-reviewed studies related to your topic.
Related studies may be about the concept and not the specific industry.
For example, if one is studying how the family owned wrecking yard leaders succession plan, one could look at studies on leadership training and development in other types of organizations.
Quantitative. Select the theory or conceptual model that best aligns with the research question and provides an interrelated set of constructs, variables, hypotheses, or propositions that offer an explanation for phenomenon.
Qualitative. Select the theory or conceptual model that best aligns with the research question.
Clearly and concisely identify the theoretical/conceptual framework.
Explain how the theoretical /conceptual framework will guide you throughout the research.
Check list points:
Are the main variables of the research topic or question discussed?
Are at least 10 peer-reviewed academic articles referenced?
Are all referenced works peer-reviewed academic articles?
Reference style (Harvard) is correctly applied?
Main research questions and sub research questionsThe research question is a concise one-liner that ends with a question mark. Answering the research question (RQ) should contribute to the solution of the earlier formulated problem area, but it is not necessary that the RQ solves the problem in full.
Formulate only ONE (main) research question (MRQ). Avoid the word and in your question as it makes it two questions. Questions can be formulated as open questions or closed questions. In social sciences it is often recommendable to formulate research questions as open questions.
Your MRQ should not contain more than three variables, as more would make the question too complex to answer. If you plan to perform a case study research, do NOT include the name of the case organization in the MRQ.
It can add value to formulate sub research questions (SRQs), but make sure that these are questions that address parts of the MRQ and not different questions or alternative formulations of the MRQ. Do not formulate more than 4 SRQa. Sub research questions should be relevant and related to the main research question, logically structured, aimed to resolve the research problem statement and formulated within the main research context.
You must provide the variables from the discipline(s) involved or other variables which are key to finding the answers to the research questions. You are expected to use (existing) conceptual frameworks (models) to clarify what do you wish to investigate and explain.
Check list points:
MRQ is clearly recognizable, formulated as a question and in about 10-15 words.
MRQ aligns with the identified Problem statement and the first line of the Purpose Statement .For Quantitative research: MRQ includes clear independent/predictor and dependent/criterion variables as discussed in the literature review.
Research ObjectivesWhile problem statement serves to describe the main focus of a research project, the research objectives provide an accurate description of the specific actions a researcher will take in order to reach the aim of the research. Normally, research objective should be framed in a single sentence. However, some research topics might require more than one sentence.
Research objective(s) must be:
Highly focused and feasible.
Address the more immediate project outcomes.
Make accurate use of concepts and be sensible and precisely described.
Emphasize how aims are to be accomplished.
Are usually numbered so that each objective reads as an 'individual' statement to convey your intention.
Check list points:
TBD
Purpose of the studyDescribe the intent of the research. The Purpose Statement is a mini-story and must not exceed 200 words. The Purpose Statement should address the following six elements:
Identify the proposed research method (i.e.: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method).
Identify the proposed research design that is related to the proposed research method:
For qualitative method : (i.e., case study, phenomenological, ethnography, etc.)
For Quantitative method: (i.e.: quasi experimental, causal comparative, correlational, etc.).
If you are proposing quantitative or mixed method: Identifies a minimum of two independent (experimental/quasi-experimental designs) or predictor (correlational designs) and at least one dependent variable.
Note: The quantitative study must include at least two independent/predictor variables. Ensures the independent variables appropriately align with the variables/constructs identified under the Theoretical/Conceptual Framework section.
Identify specific population group for proposed study
Identify the criteria for the selection of participants in your research
Identify the sampling method and the proposed sample size .Identify geographic location of the study.
Identify contribution to social change.
Ensures the first sentence links/aligns directly with the last sentence of the specific business problem.
Definitions of Key TermsProvide precise definitions of the key terms in the research question/s or hypotheses, enabling unequivocal observation, measurement and identification throughout the study. Presents technical terms, jargon, or special word used in the study.
Check list points:
Lists in alphabetical order. Formats in italics followed by an italicized colon. The definition follows on the same line. (This is similar to an APA Level 5 heading with a colon replacing the period.)
Provides citations (for each definition) from peer-reviewed articles/government websites.
Does not include terms found in a basic academic dictionary (i.e., Websters).
Does not exceed 10 key operational definitions.
Research Method and Design
As this is a research proposal, describing how you plan to do the research is an essential element of the RP and should be clearly described. You must clearly justify the research method and research design which you are proposing to apply to obtain the data needed to address the MRQ
In this paragraph, you should:
Identify the use of a specific research method by indicating whether the proposed study is quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods.
Justify the use of the research method over the other research methods, by referencing to academic literature.
State your selected research design (i.e. case study, survey, experiment, archival analysis, expert panel) for the study. Note that it must be aligned with your research question.
Justify WHY you have selected this design
Describe your research design (i.e. description of the case study, design of a questionnaire, etc.).
Describe the data collection strategy to be used within the research method (i.e. questionnaire, observations, interviews, document analysis)
Describe how you plan to analyze the quantitative and/or qualitative data you plan to collect.
For quantitative studies:
Identify an independent (experimental/quasi-experimental designs) or predictor (correlational designs) and at least one dependent variable.
Describe the eligibility criteria for study participants. (The participants characteristics must align with the overarching research question.)
Discuss strategies for gaining access to participants.
Describe and justify the sampling method (e.g., purposeful, snowball, etc.).
Describe and justify the number of participants.
Describe the Data Collection Instrument (probably questionnaire or survey) that you plan to use. Describe structure and its relation to the conceptual framework of your study. Describe for each item the type of variable that you plan to collect.
Describe the statistical procedures that you plan to use in the analysis of the data.
Describe the software that you plan to use for data analysis (e.g. SPSS).
For qualitative studies:
In addition to identifying the student as the primary data collection instrument, Identify the data collection instrument/process (e.g., informal interview, semi structured interviews, phenomenological in-depth interviews, focus groups, company/archival documents, etc.).
Clarify how will you use the data collection instrument/technique (the process/protocol).
Explain how you will enhance the overall trustworthiness of the proposed research through the establishment of confirmability, dependability, credibility and transferability. Make specific references elements such as triangulation, member checking, transcript review, pilot test, thick rich content, etc.).
Identify where in appendices the instrument (e.g., Inform Consent, interview protocol, focus group protocol, interview questions, etc.) is (are) located.
Ensures Table of Contents lists appendices
Support claims and decisions with multiple scholarly peer-reviewed or seminal sources (as appropriate).
Describe the technique used to collect data such as an online/paper survey, interview, observation, site visit, video recording (think recipe cardstep-by-step-process and describe richly.
Provide abridged interview protocol, focus group protocol, observation protocol, etc. and Identify location in an appendix.
Describe advantages and disadvantages of data collection technique.
As applicable, describe the process for conducting a field test of the data collection after approval of the Research Proposal.
For qualitative studies, Identify how the student will use member checking of the data interpretation or transcript review (if applicable).
Describe the systems for keeping track of data, emerging understandings such as research logs, reflective journals, and cataloging/labeling systems.
Remind readers all raw data will be stored securely for 5 years.
Support claims and decisions with multiple scholarly peer-reviewed or seminal sources (as appropriate).
Identify the appropriate data analysis process for the research.
Provide a logical and sequential process for the data analysis.
Detail the conceptual plan or software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti, Ethnograph, Excel, etc.) for coding, mind-mapping, and the thematic analysis process.
Identify how you will focus on the key themes, correlate the key themes with the literature (including new studies published since writing the proposal) and the conceptual framework.
Support claims and decisions with multiple scholarly peer-reviewed or seminal sources (as appropriate).
Check list points:
TBD
Significance of the ResearchA statement that illustrates why the research question(s) or hypotheses are worth addressing.
Check list points:
States why the study findings may be of value to businesses.
States how this study may contribute to effective practice of business (improvement of business practice).
Identify how the results might contribute to positive social change.
TrustworthinessYou must address the trustworthiness of the study. . When it comes to qualitative and quantitative research method we use different terms to address the issue of trustworthiness.
In quantitative studies we use four elements of trustworthiness: Internal reliability, external reliability, internal validity and external validity. For qualitative studies, these terms are quite different.. For qualitative studies, the analogous criteria are credibility (Internal validity) transferability, a.k.a. applicability (External validity) dependability a.k.a. consistency (Reliability) and confirmability a.k.a neutrality (Objectivity). These criteria are not measurable and need to be established by taking specific actions.
using qualitative methods such as member checking and triangulation. You may read more about this topic at: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qualval.phpFor Under this section, for qualitative research you need to:
Define the term dependability in a single sentence and provide an academic citation.
Explain the steps you will take to establish dependability. (i.e., member checking of data interpretation, transcript review, pilot test, etc.).
Define the term credibility in a single sentence and provide an academic citation.
Explain the steps you will take to establish credibility (i.e., Prolong engagement, persistent observation, triangulation Data, investigator or method - member checking of the data interpretation, participant transcript review, , etc.).
Define the term transferability in a single sentence and provide an academic citation.
Explain the steps you will take to establish transferability in relation to the reader and future research. (i.e.: Thick description, Audit trail, etc.)
Define the term confirmability in a single sentence and provide an academic citation.
Explain the steps you will take to establish confirmability (i.e. Audit trail, research journal, etc.) .
Explain the steps you will take to ensure data saturation.
Support your claims and decisions with multiple scholarly peer-reviewed or seminal sources (as appropriate).
Ethical ConsiderationsConsideration of ethical issues involved in carrying out the research such as whether informed consent needs to be obtained and, if so, how this will be done.
Check list points:
Discuss the informed consent process.
Discuss participant procedures for withdrawing from the study.
Describe any incentives if any that will be offered for participating in exchange for taking part in your research
Explain measures that you will take to assure that the ethical protection of participants is adequate.
Timetable for the ResearchA proposed timetable is extremely important because it gives an indication as to the feasibility of the proposal.
Having a time table which outlines key task and sub sets of task , each assigned to specific dates is vital for the successful completion of the thesis research within the designated deadline. The time table provides an overview of the feasibility of completion of all takas, including but not limited tasks which are beyond the control of the students (e.g. review cycles, oral presentation and final approval dates). Use the excel template provided to submit your proposed schedule as part of the proposal. For the proposal phase you need only to identify key tasks which are located on the critical path of completion of the research.
Check list points:
Use the PowerPoint template to create a figure with update of key activities and expected delivery dates. Make sure to reflect on the specific millstones as per WUASs Handbook.
Assumptions, Limitations, and DelimitationsA section that highlights any anticipated problems and limitations in the proposed study, including threats to reliability and validity and how these will be countered
Check list points:
Define the term Assumptions in a single sentence and provide an academic citation
Lists facts that assume to be true but cannot actually be verified.
For each assumption, briefly explain the impact of the assumption on the quality of the study
Define the term Limitations in a single sentence and provide an academic citation.
Lists potential weaknesses of the study that are not within the control of the researcher.
For each limitation, briefly explain the impact of the limitation on the quality of the study
Define the term Delimitations in a single sentence and provide an academic citation.
Identify the bounds of the study.
Briefly explain the impact of the delimitations on the quality of the study.
Bibliography/ReferenceA list of references relating to the proposal (presented according to Harvard referencing style).
Check list points:
Use a minimum of 85% peer-reviewed sources from the total number of sources.
Use academic sources such as (i) Peer-reviewed articles, (ii) education text books,(iii) Government and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) official reports and datasets, and (iv) Doctoral Dissertations.
Exclude any citations of popular journals, magazines, trade publications, summary textbooks, websites, and blogs as references.
.
The Reference list should:
Begin on a new page. Use INSERT PAGE BREAK command
Organized in alphabetically order
Highlight the entire list and go to PARAGRAPH >> LINE SPACING >> and set line spacing for Set the values: Before: 6; After 0; and Line spacing: Single.
Appendices(if appropriate), which contain any material that will be used or adapted for the benefit the study, including permissions to make use of certain sources.
Appendix A Research Proposal Grading Rubric Check List
Appendix B Research Proposal Grading Rubric
Research proposal
Table of Contents
TOC o "1-3" h z u 1. Introduction PAGEREF _Toc149912911 h 32. Problem statement PAGEREF _Toc149912912 h 33. Research question PAGEREF _Toc149912913 h 34. Research aim PAGEREF _Toc149912914 h 45. Research design PAGEREF _Toc149912915 h 46. Literature review PAGEREF _Toc149912916 h 56.2 Financial assessment & cross border M&A PAGEREF _Toc149912917 h 56.3 Financial performance and financial assessment connection PAGEREF _Toc149912918 h 66.4 Potential barriers hospitality industry companies face PAGEREF _Toc149912919 h 66.5 Recommendations PAGEREF _Toc149912920 h 66.6 Bibliography PAGEREF _Toc149912921 h 77. Methodology PAGEREF _Toc149912922 h 108. Significance of study PAGEREF _Toc149912923 h 11Reference PAGEREF _Toc149912924 h 12
Topic- Does cross border M&A in hospitality industry require financial assessment especially in European market?
1. Introduction
Since the globalization of businesses cross-border acquisitions and mergers have been continuously increasing. The organizations prioritise the opportunity of expanding internationally often by the method of acquisition or merger. It can be seen that the companies consider cultural aspects operational aspects and spectrum related to cross-border M&A. It is very important to understand the financial dimensions also. This research will concentrate on understanding the importance of financial assessment during cross-border M&A. The research proposal projects the design to be used for completing the final literature. Design in this proposal will be prepared for topic Is there any influence that financial assessment has on the success and outcomes of cross-border M&A for an organization?
2. Problem statement
It can be seen that companies consider evaluating the market and situational analysis at the time of international expansion through acquisition or merger but do not prioritize financial assessment in the hospitality industry of Europe. Organizations in the hospitality industry research the market conditions competitive factors consumer demand and cultural factors at the time of international expansion which often leads to failure because the companies fail to properly consider financial assessment factors during their evaluation.
3. Research question
This research will evaluate to what extent in the hospitality industry financial assessment of cross-border M&A impacts the diligence of a project.
Is there any influence of financial assessment on decisions made by companies in the hospitality industry to pursue or resist cross-border M&A deals?
Is the financial performance of the organization the company is planning to take over during cross-border M&A connected with the financial assessment?
What are the potential challenges that companies in the hospitality industry face due to which there is lack of financial assessment during cross-border M&A?
What are the potential solutions that can be implemented to initiate financial assessment in the process of confirming cross-border M&A in the hospitality industry?
4. Research aim
The primary aim of the research will be:
This research is going to evaluate weather financial assessment are effective for companies in the hospitality industry considering a cross-border M&A transaction
The aim of the research will be to identify the aspects of financial assessment that can increase the effectiveness of decision-making for hospitality industry in cross-border M&A
The research will focus on highlighting the correlation between financial performance of a company and financial assessment post M&A
The research is aimed at identifying the potential challenges due to which companies in the hospitality industry resist a financial assessment during their cross-border M&A
The research is also focused on providing recommendation to the hospitality industry companies for implementing financial assessment in the process of decision-making for cross-border M&A
5. Research design
The descriptive research design will be utilized for completing the final research paper. It is a method that focuses on providing detailed information about the behavior characteristics and attributes related to her group population or phenomena. No manipulation or a literal descriptive research design will be utilized for completing the research paper. It is a method that focuses on providing detailed information about the behavior characteristics and attributes related to her group population or phenomena. No manipulation or alteration is done at the time of evaluating the variables. This method will be helpful in understanding the reason behind hospitality industry organizations not properly utilizing financial assessment during M&A decision-making. It will be used for understanding the relation between different variables during the assessment.
6. Literature review
6.1 Cross border M&A in hospitality industry
Source- (Baird, (2022)
Cross-border M&A has been continuously increasing within the hospitality industry. Businesses have been continuously growing themselves internationally. In the hospitality industry, it can be seen that companies consider situational analysis as their priority within the research and development process of cross-border M&A transactions. The market of M&A has been shown in the image. This market is expected to grow in the coming future is more evidently. The hospitality industry needs to understand the importance of financial assessment which will be highlighted in the report.
6.2 Financial assessment & cross border M&A
Assessment of the financial aspect is very important according to the FRANKOVSK, et, al, (2019). The FRANKOVSK, et, al, (2019) has mentioned that the industry dynamics that the company has been targeting need to be evaluated on financial aspects along with other aspects. In the hospitality industry according to the other industry analysis is it conducted based on which the target market is selected and other strategies are developed. The authors suggested that the business should include financial diligence in their process to understand the potential risk that lies in the M&A especially internationally. Financial assessment makes decision-making easier for the company according to the evaluation of the HEKOV, et, al, (2019). By knowing the financial resources that will be required and the potential financial outcome that acquisition will provide in the short and long-term the decision to acquire becomes easier.
6.3 Financial performance and financial assessment connection
HEKOV, et, al, (2019) mentioned that financial performance and financial assessment are very closely interconnected at the time of making decisions for the business, especially in the hospitality industry. The process of financial assessment helps understand the stability of the organization in the long term as well as the short term. It helps find out whether the business will be able to provide profit to the hospitality company gains to the investment they are making according to Chapcakova, et, al, (2022). It is a diagnostic tool that helps find out the current condition of the acquisition and its future potential. The strengths and weaknesses according to Chapcakova, et, al, (2022)can be evaluated by a financial assessment of the company which improves the quality of decisions made for cross-border acquisition or merger
6.4 Potential barriers hospitality industry companies face in Europe
Some of the potential barriers that companies face in the hospitality industry that lead to a lack of financial assessment during cross-border M&A are:
Lack of proper resource availability in terms of research and development as well as human resources. The companies do not have the proper resources to conduct the financial assessment due to which it is not properly used in the hospitality industry.
Lack of knowledge and awareness about European market is also another issue due to which the hospitality industry has not been properly implementing financial assessment during their evaluation. Most managers consider situation analysis industry analysis competitive analysis and market analysis at the time of international acquisitions within the hospitality industry because these are the main factors that affect the business says Hekov, et, al, (2020).
6.5 Recommendations
Multiple methods can help in improving the situation mentioned by the Hekov, et, al, (2020):
First is outsourcing the process of financial assessment Is an option for organizations within the hospitality industry to utilize outsourcing for conducting the financial assessment. This will be cost cost-saving and time-saving method for them and help in getting a better overview of the transaction.
Using the online method of evaluation is also going to be an effective approach to conducting financial assessment.
6.6 Bibliography
S.No Reference Use
1 Chapcakova, A., Heckova, J., Gombr, M., Gavura, S. and Kascakova, D.R., (2022). An analysis of the impact of selected predictors for cross-border M&A activity within the European area.Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues,10(2), p.176.Available at- http://jssidoi.org/jesi/uploads/articles/38/Chapcakova_An_analysis_of_the_impact_of_selected_predictors_for_crossborder_MA_activity_within_the_European_area.pdf Since the focus of the literature review will be on identifying the importance of financial assessment at the time of cross-border merger and acquisition this article will be used to understand the European area. The literature in the article provided information about the procedure that needs to be followed for an acquisition merger in Europe. There is information about 28 target countries Of the European area in the article. The article has also discussed the importance of evaluating financial performance and understanding the potential financial crisis that can impact the merger. This article will be beneficial in understanding the important factors related to acquisition mergers in the European area.
2 FRANKOVSK, M., HEKOV, J., BRKNEROV, Z., CHAPKOV, A. and ZBHLEJOV, L., (2019), September. LINKS BETWEEN THE ASSESSMENT OF CROSS-BORDER MERGER AND ACQUISITION MOTIVATION ATTRIBUTES AND PERCEPTION OF THE PRE-MERGER-AND-ACQUISITION PROCESS FACTORS. In4th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ECONOMICS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES(p. 173).Available at- https://www.icebss.eu/sites/default/files/icebss_abstract_and_proceedings_v2.pdf#page=180 This article focuses on evaluating capital relocation in an organization by cross-border merger in acquisition. The main steps that need to be taken by an organization to evaluate its financial condition against the investment have been highlighted in the article. This article will be utilized in the final research to highlight the financial management that needs to be evaluated by the company to understand the benefit of investment in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. The assessment conducted in the literature review will help in evaluating the pre-merger and acquisition factors important for the organization to have better capital utilization.
3 Hekov, J., Birknerova, Z., Chapkov, A. and Zbihlejova, L., (2020). Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions in the Context of Evaluation of the Attributes of their Future Implementation.Ekonomick asopis,69(2), pp.204-219. Available at- https://www.proquest.com/openview/9d504ba707da52b6d97ebb4c8148bc3a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=816355
This article identifies and specifies the attributes that influence the implementation of cross-border margarine acquisition. The information in the article has been collected from 165 managers working in international corporations that are located in 45 EEA countries. In this article, different concerns and reasons behind the concern have been evaluated. The article provides in-depth information about the areas of evaluation highlighted by the managers at the time of international mergers and acquisitions. This article will be used in the final research to understand the concerns related to the financial assessment. The information has been collected by managers working in the International corporate sector which is reliable to state the importance of financial management during the decision-making of mergers and acquisitions, especially international.
4 HEKOV, J., BRKNEROV, Z., CHAPKOV, A. and ZBHLEJOV, L., (2019), September. LINKS BETWEEN THE ASSESSMENT OF CROSS-BORDER MERGER AND ACQUISITION MOTIVATION ATTRIBUTES AND PERCEPTION OF THE PRE-MERGER-AND-ACQUISITION PROCESS FACTORS Miroslav FRANKOVSK1. In4th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ECONOMICS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES(p. 169). Available at- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gamze-Sekeroglu/publication/344729696_The_Effect_of_Women_Board_Members_on_Firm_Performance_The_Case_of_Turkey/links/5f8ca0c5458515b7cf8b49c5/The-Effect-of-Women-Board-Members-on-Firm-Performance-The-Case-of-Turkey.pdf#page=178
This article highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility and innovation. In the current world, these two factors have a direct impact on the financial management of the organization. This article will be used to understand the impact of corporate social responsibility on the financial management of the organization and how it impacts the financial assessment during cross-border mergers and acquisitions. It is important to evaluate the long-term sustainability of our organization before making the investment and understanding the role of CRS in the financial statement of the company helps in finding out the barriers or risks more effectively.
5 Baird, L. et al. (2022) Global M&A report Midyear 2022, Bain. Available at: https://www.bain.com/insights/global-m-and-a-report-midyear-2022/ (Accessed: 22 September 2023). This article provides information about the global statistics of mergers and acquisitions. The article will be used to provide a strong introduction within the literature review about the market. The statistics related to global activities in mergers and acquisitions will be highlighted through this article in the literature review. It will help in understanding the scope of the market and its a size
7. Methodology
For completing final research, a secondary data method will be utilized. It is a method of data collection that includes the process of gathering information from different platforms that has been originally collected by someone else for their research. It is one of the most valuable methods that is helpful in collecting the research within a given time and less resources. It will be helpful in providing a broad perspective on the research topic as well as historical context. The information will be collected from published sources online databases newspaper, Government reports survey questionnaires interview visual material and audio material available on different platforms (Sileyew, 2019).
Along with this mixed methodology will be used for the presentation of collected information. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be mentioned in the report. Qualitative data provides information that does not include numeric information. Quantitative analysis will provide information Collected from financial data-based regulatory filings and corporate reports to provide examples within the research papers.
8. Significance of study
It is important to understand the importance of financial assessment as this will help in making the cross border M&A successful. This will help in increasing the effectiveness of decision making in the companies of hospitality industry as it si growing rapidly.
Reference
Chapcakova, A., Heckova, J., Gombr, M., Gavura, S. and Kascakova, D.R., (2022). An analysis of the impact of selected predictors for cross-border M&A activity within the European area.Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues,10(2), p.176.Available at- http://jssidoi.org/jesi/uploads/articles/38/Chapcakova_An_analysis_of_the_impact_of_selected_predictors_for_crossborder_MA_activity_within_the_European_area.pdf
FRANKOVSK, M., HEKOV, J., BRKNEROV, Z., CHAPKOV, A. and ZBHLEJOV, L., (2019), September. LINKS BETWEEN THE ASSESSMENT OF CROSS-BORDER MERGER AND ACQUISITION MOTIVATION ATTRIBUTES AND PERCEPTION OF THE PRE-MERGER-AND-ACQUISITION PROCESS FACTORS. In4th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ECONOMICS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES(p. 173).Available at- https://www.icebss.eu/sites/default/files/icebss_abstract_and_proceedings_v2.pdf#page=180
Hekov, J., Birknerova, Z., Chapkov, A. and Zbihlejova, L., (2020). Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions in the Context of Evaluation of the Attributes of their Future Implementation.Ekonomick asopis,69(2), pp.204-219. Available at- https://www.proquest.com/openview/9d504ba707da52b6d97ebb4c8148bc3a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=816355
HEKOV, J., BRKNEROV, Z., CHAPKOV, A. and ZBHLEJOV, L., (2019), September. LINKS BETWEEN THE ASSESSMENT OF CROSS-BORDER MERGER AND ACQUISITION MOTIVATION ATTRIBUTES AND PERCEPTION OF THE PRE-MERGER-AND-ACQUISITION PROCESS FACTORS Miroslav FRANKOVSK1. In4th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ECONOMICS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES(p. 169). Available at- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gamze-Sekeroglu/publication/344729696_The_Effect_of_Women_Board_Members_on_Firm_Performance_The_Case_of_Turkey/links/5f8ca0c5458515b7cf8b49c5/The-Effect-of-Women-Board-Members-on-Firm-Performance-The-Case-of-Turkey.pdf#page=178
Sileyew, K.J., 2019. Research design and methodology.Cyberspace, pp.1-12.Available at- https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=eqf8DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA27&dq=secondary+data+collection+methods&ots=cKV14XfbRc&sig=g_5n6nxrZwFetjXhww_-5L1GK-Y&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=secondary%20data%20collection%20methods&f=false
Baird, L. et al. (2022) Global M&A report Midyear 2022, Bain. Available at: https://www.bain.com/insights/global-m-and-a-report-midyear-2022/ (Accessed: 22 September 2023).
