The Role of Culture in Change Management: Managerial Perceptions on Organisational Change.

1. Indicative title of the topic area
This should accurately reflect what it is that you want to study and the central issues that
you are going to address.
2. Context / rationale / why is this study important? (300 – 500 words)
Introduce the general area of study and identify the theoretical context within which your
research will be developed by discussing the discipline(s) and or field/s of study relevant to
your research. This means outlining the key theoretical area(s) you will draw upon to enable
you to find out what it is that you want to know (e.g. underpinned from the social sciences;
arts and humanities; life, health and physical sciences). In addition, you will need to
contextualise your research in terms of the literature of your subject area. What we are
looking for here is an indication that you understand and have done some research into the
wider theoretical context.
Developing the context is just one part of this section; you are building a case / rationale for
the study area. Why is this study important, which theoretical areas support this? Can you
identify any gaps in current understanding that help you build the case for this research
study?
In this section you could outline the main aim of the study (also see section 4).
3. Literature review (approximately 700 – 900 words)
Here are demonstrating that you are aware of what has been and what is currently being
written about your topic (i.e. the academic literature, Government documents, media
coverage). We are looking for you to make links between a body of literature and your
proposed area of study and in so attempt to identify any gaps in knowledge. A PhD thesis
arises from original research leading to new knowledge or a significant contribution to
existing knowledge. If, at this stage, you have some thoughts on how your research is likely
to contribute to knowledge then include details in your proposal. This section should include
citations which are compiled into a reference list at the end of the document (see point 7).
4. The research questions or hypotheses (approximately 200 words)
Having told us what you want to study and why, and then illustrated these ideas with
reference to a body of literature, the next task is to distil your ideas into a tentative set of
research questions, hypotheses, aims and objectives (as per the underpinning discipline
requires) that are manageable and achievable within a normal PhD timeframe (see 6 below).
5. Research approach/ methodologies / methods (approximately 400 words)
There will be many research approaches open to you. In your proposal, suggest the
methodological approach that you might take and make a reasoned case as to why the
research questions you have
posed are best addressed by this approach. You might also suggest what methods you would
use to generate data that can help you address your research questions.
6. Timescale/research planning (approximately 200 words)
A full time PhD should take three years to complete, although you may require more time to
acquire the relevant skills prior to commencing your research. Part time study will take
longer (up to five – six years). Within this timeframe, you will need to demonstrate your
awareness of time management and planning (e.g. length of time for primary research/
fieldwork).
7. Reference List (at least 10 – 20 references)