Finding Relevant Theories for MBA Capstone Research

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Theories provide the foundation for your MBA Capstone project, offering frameworks to interpret your research and guide your recommendations. Identifying and applying the correct theories will strengthen your analysis and lend credibility to your findings.

2.1 Sources for Business Theories

To find relevant theories, consider:

  • Academic Journals: Business and management journals, such as Journal of Business Research, Academy of Management Review, or Strategic Management Journal, often feature the latest theoretical developments.
  • Books: Textbooks on business strategy, marketing, operations, and management often provide foundational theories.
  • Business Frameworks: Established frameworks like SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, and PESTLE analysis offer structured ways to analyze business environments.

2.2 Common Business Theories for MBA Capstone Projects

  • Porter’s Five Forces: Used to analyze industry competitiveness by examining the bargaining power of suppliers, buyers, the threat of new entrants, substitutes, and existing competition.
  • Resource-Based View (RBV): Focuses on the internal resources and capabilities of a firm as the key source of competitive advantage.
  • SWOT Analysis: A strategic planning tool that helps businesses identify internal Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
  • The Balanced Scorecard: Measures organizational performance through financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth perspectives.
  • Business Cycle Theory: Useful for understanding the economic fluctuations a business might face.

2.3 Applying Theory to Your Capstone

  • Relevance: Choose theories that directly relate to your business issue. For instance, use Porter’s Five Forces for industry analysis or RBV for strategic planning.
  • Integration: Use theory to explain your findings. Show how it supports or challenges the existing literature or your research.

Published by Lisa