Final Project (TFG) - Business

Introduction

In order to graduate with a degree in business studies from La Salle (URL) all students must achieve a pass grade in the final thesis. The final thesis is the single most important piece of written work that students undertake during their undergraduate studies. The thesis is a culmination of four years of study and should demonstrate the student’s knowledge and analytical capabilities. The thesis is an original piece of research involving data collection. The aim of the final thesis is to undertake an original piece of work that meets the requirements outlined in these guidelines in order to achieve a passing grade.

 

Objectives

The objectives of the final project process are the following:

• To identify an appropriate research topic in the student’s area of study.
• To demonstrate analytical skills, critical thinking and produce valid findings.
• To draw appropriate conclusions and recommendations where necessary.
• To produce a well organised, well-written and innovative final document and an effective oral presentation of the research project.

 

General regulations

1. The final project consists of two parts, a written research project, and an oral presentation.
2. There is a minimum pass grade of 5.
3. All course components must be completed before presenting the TFG.
4. The Final Project can be done individually or in pairs.
5. Students will be penalised for exceeding the limit at a rate of 10% for every 1000 words.
6. Each student is allocated a promotor to supervise their work.

 

Final Project - 3 types

Type 1 - Thesis

Academic research into a topic that interests the student:

• Involves the collation of a substantial literature review from academic and applied sources to assess current research and opinion on this topic.
• Requires in-depth research to collect data on the topic.
• Utilizes data analysis to undertake evaluations and conclusions.
• Allows students to develop more knowledge and insight into a chosen area which could lead to further study or a work-related prospect.

 

Type 2 - Management case

The Management case involves the identification of a specific business problem or challenge that interests the student and more specifically:

• Involves substantial research into the past and present situation surrounding the problem.
• Requires in-depth secondary research and primary research to assess current solutions to the problem.
• Requires the proposal of a detailed and applied solution to the problem based on the research analysis undertaken.

 

Type 3 - New venture proposal

The New venture proposal is the identification of a new business opportunity that the student wishes to explore, and more specifically:

• Involves substantial research into the market opportunity.
• Requires the use of set business model tools to assess and validate the potential opportunity and market.
• Develops a test of purpose and a business proposal.

 

Deadlines

Dates	Deliverable	To whom
Deadline 1	Academic secondary Research for the Thesis Literature Review/ Management Case Background or New Venture Market Opportunity	Promotors
Deadline 2	40% of the TFG	Promotors
Deadline 3	Midway Meet Up	Promotors
Deadline 4	70% of the TFG	Promotors
Deadline 5	Final Draft	Promotors
Deadline 6	Upload on eSecretary	eSecretary

Whilst the work is never actually graded by the promotor they provide students feedback and suggestions for moving ahead to complete the Final Project.

Students are required will have to deliver each of these deliverables directly to your promotor and also upload them on the Final Thesis eStudy page.

 

Final Project Coordinator

The coordinator of the Final Project process is Dawn Hiscock. The role of the Final Project coordinator is to provide initial support for students when beginning their research and to be a reference point for students throughout the process.

 

Final Project promotor

Final Project promotors are members of the faculty that agree to supervise students’ research projects. The matching of students with promotors will be done through the research project tutor. Final Project promotors should have a specific interest in the proposed area of study and be willing to take responsibility for the supervision of the Final Project. Students are advised to consult with possible promotors as soon as possible in the Final Project process.

The student-promotor relationship is not governed by any specific regulations and will depend on the individuals involved. However, the emphasis is on the student to take the initiative and responsibility for the development of their project. The project is the work of the student, not the promotor. The role of the promotor is to provide guidance and expert advice in a general sense.

It is strongly advised that students and promotors agree a work calendar with a series of realistic deadlines to hand-in draft work for correction. The students must meet these deadlines and promotors are expected to provide prompt feedback. Students should expect to meet their promotor approximately every 5 weeks (3 times per semester). It is the student’s responsibility to contact their promotor to schedule these meetings.

If students and/or promotors that feel their project relationship is not working should contact the Final Project tutor immediately.

Students should expect the following from their promotors:

• Agreement to promote the topic proposed.
• Expert advice on the area to be explored.
• Recommendations for relevant reading.
• Suggestions on how best to structure the project document.
• Constructive feedback on draft work.

 

Promotors should expect the following from their students:

• Acceptance that the project is the student’s responsibility.
• To take the initiative when organising meetings.
• Evidence of genuine motivation and interest in the area of study.
• Effective communication.
• Punctuality.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Evidence that feedback is taken into full consideration.
• That all procedures and guidelines are followed correctly.
• Accurate grammar and spelling.
• Overall professional behaviour.

 

Plagiarism

In accordance with university policy that has been applied throughout the students’ undergraduate studies, the act of plagiarism is unacceptable and, depending on the degree of severity, will result in the rewriting or direct failure of a research project.

Students should work closely with their research project promoter and tutors to avoid plagiarising the work of others. This can partly be achieved through thorough referencing using the Harvard Reference System (HRS), which is mandatory for all undergraduate research projects. The HRS may be combined with footnotes, but only when absolutely necessary.

Be aware that the plagiarism detection software is used to identify incidences of plagiarism in all projects. Note that translating work from other languages will also be detected.

 

Basic project structure

While all projects are unique, the following elements should be included in a well-organised document:

Type 1 - Thesis structure

1. Title page (students must use the official title page provided).
2. Abstract (8 to 10 lines – to outline the research questions and objectives).
3. Contents page and word count.
4. Lists of tables and figures.
5. Acknowledgements: around 250 words (thanking people who have helped you complete the Thesis).
6. Executive summary (one page maximum).
7. Introduction: around 500-800 words (this should introduce the topic area and the research objectives).
8. Literature Review: around 3500- 4500 words, this is one of the major parts in the Thesis.
9. Methodology: around 500-800 words (outline the research process undertaken).
10. Research findings and analysis: around 1000- 1500 words – analyse the data from your primary research and include graphs, data, images etc.
11. Conclusions: around 1500- 2000 words - compare and contrast the primary data you obtained to that which you wrote about in the literature review. You should relate the findings to the Research Objectives to show they were achieved. This is the other key area of the Thesis.
12. References
13. Appendices (if necessary).

 

Type 2 - Management case structure

1. Title page (students must use the official title page provided).
2. Abstract (8 to 10 lines – to outline the problem and objectives).
3. Contents page and word count.
4. Lists of tables and figures.
5. Acknowledgements: around 250 words (thanking people who have helped you complete the Management case).
6. Executive summary (one page maximum).
7. Introduction and problem statement (this should introduce the topic area and current problem).
8. Background of the problem/challenge and what is being done now to address it. This is a large section and includes the secondary research and the primary research you have conducted.
9. Proposed solution (detailed solutions to the problem presented with rational for the solution and specific implementation details – can include visuals, diagrams, examples etc.) This is the other large part to the Management case.
10. Conclusions.
11. References.
12. Appendices (if necessary).

 

Type 3 - New venture structure

1. Title page (students must use the official title page provided).
2. Abstract (8 to 10 lines – to outline the business proposition).
3. Contents page and word count.
4. Lists of tables and figures.
5. Acknowledgements: around 250 words (thanking people who have helped you complete the New Venture project).
6. Executive summary (one page maximum).
7. Problem Definition: refers to the background, motivation and business opportunity. You can also point out project aspirations, objectives and the entrepreneurial team.
8. Proposed Solution – includes the value proposition analysis and your first Business Model Canvas.
9. Business Model Validation – includes your analysis of the main assumptions (leaps of faith), how each one was tested, what the results were, and how the business model changed as a result.
10. Marketing and Finance Planning and Results.
11. Summary and Conclusions
12. Appendices (if necessary).

 

Format Regulations

The recommended format is Times New Roman font size 12 or Arial 11 with 1.5 spacing and page numbers on all pages except the title page. As technology advances we can consider more creative designs but these must be discussed with the promotor.

The final document must be 10,000 words +/- 10%.

If the project is done in a pair the word limit is 13,000 +/- 10% and both students must submit a copy.

Students must upload a PDF version on the e-secretary platform. No late submissions will be accepted.

Students cannot submit the final document and present it if they have any failed or incomplete subjects on their academic record.

The final document must be approved for submission by the promotor. Once accepted the panel for the presentation and evaluation of the project will be organised.