MBA Finance Dissertation: A Deep Dive

Embarking on an MBA Finance dissertation is a significant undertaking, demanding rigorous research, analytical prowess, and a clear understanding of financial principles. It serves as a culmination of your MBA studies, allowing you to explore a specific area of finance in depth and contribute novel insights to the existing body of knowledge.

Choosing a Compelling Topic

The foundation of a successful dissertation lies in selecting a relevant and engaging topic. Consider areas that pique your interest and align with current trends or challenges within the financial landscape. Examples include:

• Corporate Finance: Analyzing capital structure decisions, mergers and acquisitions, dividend policy, or corporate governance.
• Investment Management: Evaluating portfolio performance, asset pricing models, hedge fund strategies, or the impact of behavioral finance.
• Financial Risk Management: Investigating market risk, credit risk, operational risk, or the effectiveness of risk mitigation techniques.
• Financial Markets: Examining market efficiency, the impact of regulatory changes, the behavior of specific asset classes, or the role of financial technology (FinTech).

Ensure your chosen topic is researchable, meaning sufficient data and literature are available. Narrowing down a broad topic to a specific research question is crucial for manageability.

Research Methodology and Data Analysis

Your dissertation should employ a robust research methodology, justifying your chosen approach (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods). Quantitative studies typically involve statistical analysis of financial data using techniques like regression analysis, time series analysis, or event studies. Qualitative research may involve case studies, interviews, or content analysis to explore complex issues and gain in-depth understanding.

Accurate and reliable data is paramount. Common data sources include Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, and company financial statements. Rigorous data cleaning and validation are essential to ensure the integrity of your results. Clearly articulate your data analysis techniques and the rationale behind their selection.

Structure and Content

A typical MBA Finance dissertation follows a standard structure:

• Introduction: Provides context, outlines the research problem, and states the research objectives.
• Literature Review: Critically analyzes existing research on the topic, identifying gaps and justifying the dissertation’s contribution.
• Methodology: Explains the research design, data sources, and data analysis techniques.
• Results: Presents the findings of the research, often using tables, figures, and statistical summaries.
• Discussion: Interprets the results, relates them to the existing literature, and discusses their implications.
• Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings, highlights the limitations of the study, and suggests avenues for future research.

Key Considerations

Throughout the dissertation process, remember to maintain academic rigor, adhere to ethical guidelines, and properly cite all sources. Seek guidance from your dissertation supervisor and utilize library resources effectively. Strong writing skills are essential for clearly communicating your research findings and arguments. Proofread meticulously for grammatical errors and inconsistencies.

A well-executed MBA Finance dissertation demonstrates your mastery of financial concepts, analytical skills, and research capabilities, ultimately enhancing your career prospects in the competitive financial industry.