Business Problem Focus and Project Purpose
The Business Problem Focus and Project Purpose component should include approximately four to six sentences. Begin by describing the specific business problem and primary purpose of the research. Be sure to state who has the specific problem (i.e., small business leaders, project managers, supply chain managers, nonprofit leaders, etc.). This element should start as follows: “The specific business problem is that some [identify who has the problem] …” The purpose statement should identify the method, design, and purpose of the research. This element should start as follows: “Therefore, the purpose of this proposed (qualitative [identify the research design]) is to explore …”.
DBA students are seeking a degree in business and must ensure that the problem statement is business focused. It must not represent a problem that has a social, psychological, educational, or other discipline-specific emphasis. A business problem is something that is a problem for a business from the perspective of the business managers or the industry’s leaders. Therefore, it is important to adopt a leadership or management perspective, and not that of social advocates. The perspective must be from the position of business managers and leaders who can address the problem.
To ascertain whether a problem addresses a business issue or has rubric creep/rubric drift, please consider the following:
• A key component for a business-related problem is that the specific business problem relates to a business process that organizational leaders need to address to effectively meet the organization’s mission.
• A business problem fits within a business-critical success factor (CSF). Business leaders use business processes to function effectively to complete one or more CSFs needed to carry out their business mission.
• A business problem is one that a business leader can solve.
This component continues with a couple sentences identifying the population, location, sampling method and size, participant eligibility and access, and data sources for the research project. In addition, the conceptual framework for the research project should be identified per the checklist criteria. For more information on these concepts, please consult the relevant DBA Research Project Handbook(s) and DBA Qualitative Research Project Checklist(s), and the other resources located on the DBA Capstone Studies page of the Office of Research and Doctoral Services (ORDS).
Assumptions and Limitations
Assumptions
Assumptions are facts considered to be true but are not actually verified. Assumptions carry risk and should be treated as such. A mitigation discussion would be appropriate.
Limitations
Limitations refer to potential weaknesses of the research. Identify all limitations associated with the research.
Transition
This component summarizes Section 1 and then gives an overview of the next three sections. This component is a concise summary, but it is more than a list of topics or components. Do not introduce any new material in the summary.