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Research Topics & Ideas: Business

F inding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a business/management-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of research ideas and topic thought-starters for management-related research degrees (MBAs/DBAs, etc.). These research topics span management strategy, HR, finance, operations, international business and leadership.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the management domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic.

Overview: Business Research Topics

Business /management strategy
Human resources (HR) and industrial psychology
Finance and accounting
Operations management
International business
Actual business dissertations & theses

Strategy-Related Research Topics

An analysis of the impact of digital transformation on business strategy in consulting firms
The role of innovation in transportation practices for creating a competitive advantage within the agricultural sector
Exploring the effect of globalisation on strategic decision-making practices for multinational Fashion brands.
An evaluation of corporate social responsibility in shaping business strategy, a case study of power utilities in Nigeria
Analysing the relationship between corporate culture and business strategy in the new digital era, exploring the role of remote working.
Assessing the impact of sustainability practices on business strategy and performance in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry
An analysis of the effect of social media on strategic partnerships and alliances development in the insurance industry
Exploring the role of data-driven decision-making in business strategy developments following supply-chain disruptions in the agricultural sector
Developing a conceptual framework for assessing the influence of market orientation on business strategy and performance in the video game publishing industry
A review of strategic cost management best practices in the healthcare sector of Indonesia
Identification of key strategic considerations required for the effective implementation of Industry 4.0 to develop a circular economy
Reviewing how Globalisation has affected business model innovation strategies in the education sector
A comparison of merger and acquisition strategies’ effects on novel product development in the Pharmaceutical industry
An analysis of market strategy performance during recessions, a retrospective review of the luxury goods market in the US
Comparing the performance of digital stakeholder engagement strategies and their contribution towards meeting SDGs in the mining sector

Topics & Ideas: Human Resources (HR)

Exploring the impact of digital employee engagement practices on organizational performance in SMEs
The role of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
An evaluation of remote employee training and development programs efficacy in the e-commerce sector
Comparing the effect of flexible work arrangements on employee satisfaction and productivity across generational divides
Assessing the relationship between gender-focused employee empowerment programs and job satisfaction in the UAE
A review of the impact of technology and digitisation on human resource management practices in the construction industry
An analysis of the role of human resource management in talent acquisition and retention in response to globalisation and crisis, a case study of the South African power utility
The influence of leadership style on remote working employee motivation and performance in the education sector.
A comparison of performance appraisal systems for managing employee performance in the luxury retail fashion industry
An examination of the relationship between work-life balance and job satisfaction in blue-collar workplaces, A systematic review
Exploring HR personnel’s experiences managing digital workplace bullying in multinational corporations
Assessing the success of HR team integration following merger and acquisition on employee engagement and performance
Exploring HR green practices and their effects on retention of millennial talent in the fintech industry
Assessing the impact of human resources analytics in successfully navigating digital transformation within the healthcare sector
Exploring the role of HR staff in the development and maintenance of ethical business practices in fintech SMEs
An analysis of employee perceptions of current HRM practices in a fully remote IT workspace

Topics & Ideas: Finance & Accounting

An analysis of the effect of employee financial literacy on decision-making in manufacturing start-ups in Ghana
Assessing the impact of corporate green innovation on financial performance in listed companies in Estonia
Assessing the effect of corporate governance on financial performance in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea
An evaluation of financial risk management practices in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia
Exploring the role of leadership financial literacy in the transition from start-up to scale-up in the retail e-commerce industry.
A review of influential macroeconomic factors on the adoption of cryptocurrencies as legal tender
An examination of the use of financial derivatives in risk management
Exploring the impact of the cryptocurrency disruption on stock trading practices in the EU
An analysis of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in academic publishing houses
A comparison of financial ratios performance in evaluating E-commerce startups in South Korea.
An evaluation of the role of government policies in facilitating manufacturing companies’ successful transitioning from start-up to scale-ups in Denmark
Assessing the financial value associated with industry 4.0 transitions in the Indian pharmaceutical industry
Exploring the role of effective e-leadership on financial performance in the Nigerian fintech industry
A review of digital disruptions in CRM practices and their associated financial impact on listed companies during the Covid-19 pandemic
Exploring the importance of Sharia-based business practices on SME financial performance in multicultural countries

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Ideas: Operations Management

An assessment of the impact of blockchain technology on operations management practices in the transport industry of Estonia
An evaluation of supply chain disruption management strategies and their impact on business performance in Lithuania
Exploring the role of lean manufacturing in the automotive industry of Malaysia and its effects on improving operational efficiency
A critical review of optimal operations management strategies in luxury goods manufacturing for ensuring supply chain resilience
Exploring the role of globalization on Supply chain diversification, a pre/post analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic
An analysis of the relationship between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription-based business models
Assessing the cost of sustainable sourcing practices on operations management and supply chain resilience in the Cocao industry.
An examination of the adoption of behavioural predictive analytics in operations management practices, a case study of the
Italian automotive industry
Exploring the effect of operational complexity on business performance following digital transformation
An evaluation of barriers to the implementation of agile methods in project management within governmental institutions
Assessing how the relationship between operational processes and business strategy change as companies transition from start-ups to scale-ups
Exploring the relationship between operational management and innovative business models, lessons from the fintech industry
A review of best practices for operations management facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the fast food industry
Exploring the viability of lean manufacturing practices in Vietnam’s plastics industry
Assessing engagement in cybersecurity considerations associated with operations management practices in industry 4.0 manufacturing

Topics & Ideas: International Business

The impact of cultural differences in communication on international business relationships
An evaluation of the role of government import and export policies in shaping international business practices
The effect of global shipping conditions on international business strategies
An analysis of the challenges of managing multinational corporations: branch management
The influence of social media marketing on international business operations
The role of international trade agreements on business activities in developing countries
An examination of the impact of currency fluctuations on international business and cost competitiveness
The relationship between international business and sustainable development: perspectives and benefits
An evaluation of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in emerging markets such as the renewable energy industry
An analysis of the role of internationalisation via strategic alliances in international business
The impact of cross-cultural management on international business performance
The effect of political instability on international business operations: A case study of Russia
An analysis of the role of intellectual property rights in an international technology company’s business strategies
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and international business strategy: a comparative study of different industries
The impact of technology on international business in the fashion industry

Topics & Ideas: Leadership

A comparative study of the impact of different leadership styles on organizational performance
An evaluation of transformational leadership in today’s non-profit organizations
The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and productivity
An analysis of the relationship between leadership style and employee motivation
The influence of diversity and inclusion on leadership practices in South Africa
The impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on leadership in the digital age
An examination of the challenges of leadership in a rapidly changing business environment: examples from the finance industry
The relationship between leadership and corporate culture and job satisfaction
An evaluation of the role of transformational leadership in strategic decision-making
The use of leadership development programs in enhancing leadership effectiveness in multinational organisations
The impact of ethical leadership on organizational trust and reputation: an empirical study
An analysis of the relationship between various leadership styles and employee well-being in healthcare organizations
The role of leadership in promoting good work-life balance and job satisfaction in the age of remote work
The influence of leadership on knowledge sharing and innovation in the technology industry
An investigation of the impact of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural leadership effectiveness in global organizations

Business/Management Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a business-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various management-related degree programs (e.g., MBAs, DBAs, etc.) to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

Sustaining Microbreweries Beyond 5 Years (Yanez, 2022)
Perceived Stakeholder and Stockholder Views: A Comparison Among Accounting Students, Non-Accounting Business Students And Non-Business Students (Shajan, 2020)
Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility and the New Ecological Paradigm among Business Students in Southern California (Barullas, 2020)
Entrepreneurial opportunity alertness in small business: a narrative research study exploring established small business founders’ experience with opportunity alertness in an evolving economic landscape in the Southeastern United States (Hughes, 2019)
Work-Integrated Learning in Closing Skills Gap in Public Procurement: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study (Culver, 2021)
Analyzing the Drivers and Barriers to Green Business Practices for Small and Medium Enterprises in Ohio (Purwandani, 2020)
The Role of Executive Business Travel in a Virtual World (Gale, 2022)
Outsourcing Security and International Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Analysis of Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Human Rights Violations (Hawkins, 2022)
Lean-excellence business management for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Kurdistan region of Iraq (Mohammad, 2021)
Science Data Sharing: Applying a Disruptive Technology Platform Business Model (Edwards, 2022)
Impact of Hurricanes on Small Construction Business and Their Recovery (Sahu, 2022)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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10 Comments

Great help. thanks

Hi, Your work is very educative, it has widened my knowledge. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for helping me understand how to craft a research topic. I’m pursuing a PGDE. Thank you

a feasibility study for the establishment of rice processing system in (_____)

Effect of Leadership, computerized accounting systems, risk management and monitoring on the quality of financial Reports among listed banks

May you assist on a possible PhD topic on analyzing economic behaviours within environmental, climate and energy domains, from a gender perspective. I seek to further investigate if/to which extent policies in these domains can be deemed economically unfair from a gender perspective, and whether the effectiveness of the policies can be increased while striving for inequalities not being perpetuated.

healthy work environment and employee diversity, technological innovations and their role in management practices, cultural difference affecting advertising, honesty as a company policy, an analysis of the relationships between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription based business model,business corruption cases. That I was selected from the above topics.

Research topic accounting

Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income?

Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income? PHD/ Doctoral thesis

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Navigating the Maze of Topic Selection in Research Methodology: Best Practices and Strategies

Welcome, PhD students, to the perplexing yet crucial journey of academic exploration! As you embark on your path towards research excellence, one of the most critical challenges you will encounter is navigating the intricate maze of topic selection in research methodology. As aspiring scholars seek to delve into MBA thesis topics in management, the process of identifying the perfect research subject can be daunting. However, in this comprehensive guide, we shall uncover the best practices and strategies to assist you in your MBA in research topic selection criteria, ensuring your journey is both insightful and rewarding.

Key factors and considerations that influence the selection of a research topic

The selection of a research topic for an MBA thesis in management within the field of research methodology is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration of several key factors. Firstly, it is essential to choose a topic that aligns with your interests, expertise, and career goals, as this will ensure sustained motivation and dedication throughout the research process. Secondly, the topic should be relevant and timely, addressing current issues or gaps in the field of management to contribute meaningful insights to the academic and business communities. Additionally, the feasibility of conducting the research, availability of data, and access to resources and literature must be taken into account. The scope of the research should be realistic and manageable, given the time constraints of an MBA program. Moreover, students must consider the potential impact of their research, aiming to make a practical and valuable contribution to the business world. Lastly, seeking guidance from faculty advisors and conducting a thorough literature review are essential steps to refine and validate the research topic.

At mbathesis, our company is committed to helping students navigate the challenging process of selecting a research topic for their MBA thesis in management. We offer personalized support and expert guidance to assist students in identifying relevant and innovative research areas within the realm of research methodology. Our team of experienced professionals will work closely with students to understand their interests and career aspirations, providing them with a curated list of potential topics to choose from. Through our vast resources and access to the latest academic literature, we ensure that students can explore feasible and timely research avenues. With our assistance, students can confidently embark on their MBA thesis journey, equipped with a well-defined research topic that has the potential to make a valuable impact in the field of management.

Effectively narrowing down options from a vast array of potential research topics

Selecting a compelling research topic for PhD candidates in the realm of business administration requires a nuanced approach. Beyond the generic advice, prospective scholars can delve into their personal experiences and career aspirations, reflecting on industry challenges that resonate with them deeply. Immersing themselves in relevant industry events, discussions, and emerging trends can provide firsthand insight. To craft a distinct niche, candidates should not just skim the literature but critically analyze it, identifying unexplored intersections and unresolved contradictions that align with their expertise. Collaborating with potential advisors and peers can offer valuable perspectives on the viability of research directions, aiding in the formulation of research questions that blend academic rigour with real-world applicability. Balancing passion with pragmatic evaluation, this approach ensures that the chosen research path not only resonates with their MBA pursuits but also advances the field in a tangible and sustainable manner.

Our company, MBAthesis, can be an invaluable resource for PhD researchers in this process. We offer a wide range of services, including personalized consultation with subject matter experts who can help scholars explore potential research avenues aligning with their interests and the current research landscape. Our team can aid in conducting thorough literature reviews and provide guidance to ensure the chosen research topic is viable and well-defined. With mbathesis' assistance, PhD researchers can confidently embark on their academic journey, equipped with a well-crafted research proposal and a clear sense of direction.

Leveraging online databases, academic journals, and other digital resources effectively

Aspiring researchers, particularly in the MBA field, can harness the power of online databases to uncover emerging research trends and pertinent gaps systematically. To begin, they can target databases like ProQuest, JSTOR, and EBSCOhost, renowned for housing a plethora of academic journals, articles, and business-related resources. Starting with specific keywords aligned with their interests—such as "MBA leadership trends" or "business sustainability strategies"—researchers can initiate focused searches. Utilizing advanced search filters within these databases, like refining results by publication date, authorship, and keywords, can further streamline the process.

Next, delving into the abstracts and introductions of relevant articles can provide a snapshot of prevailing academic discussions and ongoing research discourse. By tracing citation networks and identifying frequently cited papers, researchers can pinpoint seminal works and influential research domains. Participating in online academic communities, LinkedIn groups, or specialized forums can facilitate direct interactions with field experts, enriching understanding of emerging trends and potential research gaps.

To illustrate, let's consider ProQuest as an example. Initiating a search using terms like "MBA innovation strategies" and filtering results for the past five years could yield recent and pertinent articles. By reading abstracts and introductions, researchers can grasp the evolving landscape. Exploring citation patterns might reveal critical studies. Engaging in platforms like LinkedIn groups focused on business research can foster dialogues with scholars actively shaping the field. By skillfully amalgamating these tactics and resources, aspiring researchers can sculpt research topics that seamlessly blend with the contemporary MBA landscape, ensuring the relevance and impact of their contributions.

Our company, mbathesis, can significantly assist aspiring researchers in this process. With our comprehensive database of academic resources, including journals, articles, and conference papers, researchers can access a vast repository of up-to-date information. Our advanced search algorithms and filtering options make it easy to find relevant studies quickly. Moreover, mbathesis provides a collaborative platform for researchers to connect with each other, fostering knowledge exchange and networking opportunities within the academic community. Through our services, researchers can efficiently navigate the digital realm of scholarly information, enabling them to identify emerging research trends and gaps, ultimately aiding in the selection of a research topic that aligns with the current academic landscape.

Role of conducting a thorough SWOT analysis in the topic selection process

Conducting a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis plays a critical role in the topic selection process for research methodology. By systematically evaluating the internal and external factors related to the chosen research subject, researchers can gain valuable insights into its viability and potential impact.

Strengths: Identifying the strengths of the research subject allows researchers to recognize the positive aspects that make it a promising area of investigation. This may include available resources, existing expertise, and supportive infrastructure that can facilitate the research process.

Weaknesses: Assessing the weaknesses helps researchers acknowledge the limitations and challenges associated with the chosen topic. Understanding these limitations early on enables them to plan strategies to overcome potential obstacles and address shortcomings effectively.

Opportunities: Identifying opportunities within the research subject can highlight potential areas for growth and development. Researchers can leverage these opportunities to add novel dimensions to their study, explore uncharted territories, or capitalize on emerging trends.

Threats: Analyzing potential threats allows researchers to be aware of external factors that could hinder their progress or impact the validity of their findings. By addressing these threats proactively, researchers can enhance the reliability and credibility of their research outcomes.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the process of topic selection in research methodology can be likened to navigating a complex maze, requiring researchers to adopt best practices and employ effective strategies to find their way to success. Aspiring scholars seeking MBA thesis topics in management must navigate through the vast landscape of academic resources, and our company, mbathesis, serves as the ultimate guide on this scholarly journey. With our comprehensive database, advanced search algorithms, and collaborative platform, mbathesis empowers researchers to identify emerging trends and relevant gaps in their fields, aligning their chosen research subjects with the current academic landscape. Utilizing our SWOT analysis tools, researchers can make well-informed decisions about the viability and potential impact of their chosen MBA in research topic selection criteria, ensuring their academic endeavours thrive and excel. Embrace the possibilities with mbathesis and set yourself on the path to academic excellence.