M.Phil in Business Management

PAPER-I : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY-THEORY
UNIT-I
Research: Meaning – Purpose- Types of research-significance of research in
social and business sciences.
UNIT-II
Steps in Research: Identification, selection and formulation of research problem-
Research questions-Research design- Formulation of hypothesis- Review of literature.
UNIT-III
Sampling Technique: Sampling theory-Types of sampling-Steps in sampling-
Sampling and Non-sampling error-Sample size –Advantages and limitations of sampling.
UNIT-IV
Data for Research: Primary data-Meaning-Collection methods-Observation –
Interview-Questionnaire-Schedule-Pretest-Pilot study –Experimental and case studies-
Secondary data- Meaning – Relevance, limitations and cautions.
UNIT-V
Processing Data: Ckecking- Editing-Coding- transcriptions and Tabulation- Data
analysis- Meaning and methods- Quantitative and Qualitative analysis.
UNIT-VI
Structuring the Report: Chapter format- Pagination- Identification- Using
quotations- Presenting footnotes – abbreviations- Presentation of tables and figures-
Referencing- Documentation-Use and format of appendices- Indexing.
UNIT-VII
Research Report: Types of reports-Contents-Styles

PAPER II: RESEARCH FOR BUSINESS DECISIONS
Unit I
Business Decisions: Concepts and process _ Research as a decision support
system- Component business research dimensions- environmental research- Research on
functional areas- Institutions research in the context of liberalization, privatization and
globalization.
Unit II
Research and Marketing Decisions : New product development research-
Research on brand equity and preferences- Research on pricing strategies-Research on
distribution channels-Research on media effectiveness – Research on consumer behavior
– Research on market segmentation – Research on export marketing information system.
Unit III
Research for personnel Decisions: Research on effectiveness of different sources
of recruitment and training – Research on leadership: Traits, style and effectiveness-
Research on employee motivation, absenteeism, job satisfaction, welfare measures,
quality of work life and participation in management-Research on personnel information
system.
Unit IV
Research for Organisational Decisions: Research on organizational issue, like
climate, culture, creativity, change development and excellence.
Unit V
Research for Capital Market Decisions: Research for primary market – Trend and
determinants – Research on secondary market: Trends, volatility and determinants-
Research on performance of mutual funds- Research on investor behavior and protection-
Research on global capital market instruments and institutions- Research on capital
market information system.
Unit VI
Research for Financial Decisions: Research on cost of capital and capital
structure- Research on risk-return-patterns of projects – Research on working capital
management – Research on credit management – Research on financial information
system.
Unit VII
Research on Business Strategies: Strategic alliances and divorces – Mergers and
acquisitions – Disinvestment – Reorganisations – Reengineering – Corporate governance
– Ethics- Social responsibility.