SUNDERLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL

DISSERTATION
Student ID: 089101090

Student Name: Srikantsiba Srichandan

Programme: MBA Off Campus

Module Code & Name: Dissertation PGB M31

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Dissertation Title:
Retail company fighting for survival in the current recession
Learning Outcomes Assessed:
ALL

SBS38 Dissertation Feedback Form

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Feedback relating learning outcomes assessed and assessment criteria given to students, including
commendation and areas or improvement. Specific Reference to your performance against module
learning outcomes are contained on the attached matrix
This dissertation examines a retailer in India which is facing difficulties in the current economic environment.
Unfortunately, the dissertation is not sufficient to pass.
Identify problem / issue and place within strategic context
The problem / issue identified is a crisis faced by an Indian retailer called Subhiksha. No good attempt is made to
place the specific problem in a strategic context. In fact, the entire literature review contains no references. This is
very much below the standard expected and suggests the student hasnt actually read the coursebook.
Formulate a research question
Some research objectives are stated on page 5, but no research questions have been developed. Although it is
implicitly clear what the research question is from the objectives.
Understanding of research methodologies
There is no research methodologies section. This, once again, suggests that the coursebook hasnt been read and
is a basic requirement for a passing grade in the dissertation.
Apply research methods | Personal development statement
There is no personal development statement, and no research method to apply although we can infer that a case
study approach has been adopted. The source of the information used appears to be newspaper articles primarily.
Record, interpret and analyse the data
The analysis of the situation faced by Subhiksha is interesting, but unfortunately academic. It is almost purely
descriptive, with almost no attempt to implement some of the theories and ideas learned throughout the Masters.
Conclusions and strategic recommendations
The strategic recommendations are actually very good (Section 4.3, pg 39 onwards) and this is a bit surprising in
the context of the rest of the dissertation. Some detailed recommendations have been developed which would help
address some of the issues faced by the company.
Overall
As already stated, this dissertation is not at a sufficient standard to pass. The biggest problem seems to have been
a lack of understanding of what structure and content and dissertation should contain. The dissertation is actually
very interesting and could even form the basis of an interesting book but it just isnt of a sufficient academic
standard.

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