RESE 1031 Thematic Independent

Studies (TIS)
Tutorial 2
Outline
• Introduction to mind map

• Deciding essay topics

o Requirements of the topics

o Mind Map Exercise

Mind Map
• A graphic representation of ideas (usually generated by
brainstorming)
• It shows the ideas which are generated around a central
theme and how they are interlinked.
• It is a tool primarily used for stimulating thought: selecting
topic and research questions
• A short Youtube video of the mind mapping process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj-F6YVtsxI
Mind Map template
(available to download on Moodle)
Requirements of TIS Topics (1)
• Scope: Constrained by the areas identified by the
departments
• Data: Needs to be limited to only secondary data
• Analysis: Must allow a critical examination of
existing knowledge of a topic
Requirements of TIS Topics (2)
• Original Theme/Topic
not undertaken previously and not reworked.
not coursework for other courses: MIS, Project Management,
Managing Strategy, International Business, etc.

• Appropriate themes
o based on academic theory
o critical and questioning
essays which are very descriptive are unlikely to gain a good
mark!
o argue a point or question assumed academic wisdom
Your essays could
Investigate a theory,
Macroeconomics and UK Real Estate
Relate two academic theories,
TESCO: CRM and Porter’s Five Forces
Question an assumption, or
Does the digital divide really exist?
Explore the development of a phenomenon
Has e-commerce affected Arab countries?
Looking for an ‘angle’ on the accepted
wisdom?
• Are the cultural differences sufficient to mean that a specific
theory or model is flawed in some settings?
E-commerce challenges in Arab countries
• Is a specific theory or model based on assumptions that might
be flawed
Does the digital divide really exist?
• Are theory or models inappropriate to smaller organisations?
The impact of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in Small Business Environments
• Whether a specific set of data should undermine confidence in a
specific model or theory.
Macroeconomics and UK Real Estate
What Topic Should I Choose? Think about your
topic for 3-5 minutes
• Automotive industry HRM • Digital innovations
• Business and social networks • Management
• Business environment and • Organizational Behaviour
management
• Performance Management
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Relationship marketing
• Electronic commerce
• Reward management
• Employee Relations
• Employment law • Open Innovation

• Ethics and HRM • ….

What Topic Should I Choose? Think about your
topic for 3-5 minutes
• Automotive industry HRM • Digital innovations
•
• With the consideration of• all
Business and social networks Management
the requirements, choose a
• Business topic
environment
that youand
are really •interested
Organizational
in andBehaviour
enthusiastic
management
about. • Performance Management
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Consider your previous academic background,
• Relationship marketing
• Electronicemployment
commerce history and hobbies as potential sources of
• Reward management
• Employeeideas
Relations
for research.
• Employment law • Open Innovation

• Ethics and HRM • ….

Tasks before next tutorial
1. Read materials under the Moodle section - Tutorial 2

2. Use Mind Map (Word template or online tools) to

sketch your topic and potential research questions

3. Bring your map next tutorial

RESE 1031 Thematic Independent Studies
Think Strategically and Innovatively

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