BRP Proposal Template for Business Research Project 2021-22

This document provides a proposal template for Business Research Project 2021-22, including ethical review form and company consent form. It covers the scope, research questions, methodology, and relation to previous research. The proposal focuses on analyzing the challenges and opportunities available for new ventures while starting their business in Sheerness, with a study on Delicious Pies. The methodology includes research philosophy, approach, strategy, sampling, data collection and analysis methods, ethical considerations, and limitations.

BRP Proposal Template
Business Research Project
LSBM300
2021-22

Index
Instructions 2
1. The Proposal Template 3
2. Ethical Review Form 4
2.1 Ethical Review Form: Part 1 5
2.2 Ethical Review Form: Part 2 6
2.3 Ethical Review Form: Part 3 7
3. Company consent 8
Appendix 1: Participant information sheet 9
Appendix 2: Participant consent form 10
Appendix 3: Company consent form 11
BRP Proposal Template 2021-22 Page 1

Instructions
This document has three sections:
 Section 1: The Proposal Template
 Section 2: The Ethical Review Form (Parts A, B and C)
 Section 3: Company Consent Form
All students are required to complete Sections 1 and 2, and together these form the Business
Research Project Proposal.
Only students who are conducting research directly with a company need to complete Section 3.
Important: If your research involves the use of human participants, you will need to complete the
Ethics Approval Form. Failure to complete the Ethics Approval Form, when required to do so, will
result in your work being returned unmarked. No research with human participants can be undertaken
without receiving Ethics Approval and achieving a pass grade on the proposal.
Before you submit this Proposal form, please make sure that you have:
 Read the Business Research Project Handbook and follow all instructions.
 Read the lecture and seminar materials in the Business Research Project module area
in Canvas.
 Discussed your ideas with a Business Research Project seminar tutor. You can do this
face to face in the seminars or learning sets, or you can do this by email or through MS
Teams.
 Discussed with a Business Research Project seminar tutor any questions you have
about Part 3 of the Ethics Approval Form (if required).
 (If you are completing research directly with a company) Gained consent from the
company if you are conducting research on a company.
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1. The Proposal Template
Use the following sections in your proposal. Once completed, delete the text with instructions, update
your headings (see the ‘Styles’ in the tab ‘Home’) and update your table of contents.
Student number [do NOT write your name]
Please state which tutor(s) you discussed your proposal with, and the forum you used
(e.g. face to face, email, MS Teams)
Title (maximum 20 words)
To analyse the challenges and opportunities available for new venture while starting
their business in Sheerness : A study on Delicious Pies
Terms of Reference (approx. 400 words)
Research Aim
To analyze the challenges and opportunities available for new venture while starting their
business in Sheerness : A study on Delicious Pies
Research Objectives
To identify the opportunities available for Delicious Pies while starting their bakery business in
Sheerness
To determine the challenges for starting new bakery business in Sheerness for Delicious Pies
To examine the ways that would be used by Delicious Pies while overcoming challenges associated
with business start-up in Sheerness.
Rationale
Sheerness is a town and civil parish beside the mouth of the River Medway on the north-west corner
of the Isle of Sheppey in north Kent, England. It has population of 12,000, which is the largest town
on the island. This is visiting place where number of people comes to visit and spending their
holidays. To start a business in this town will be good opportunity to influence people and develop the
organizational sales. The main reason of conducting research is to analyse opportunities and weakness
that rises while opening a bakery at such place (Al-Slehat, Zaher, Fattah and Box, 2020). This also
helps to know how to overcome the challenges and develop a business in changing environment. This
can help to maintain higher performance and productivity by managing all functions and activities.
This report improves personal and professional content knowledge by establishing a business in
Sheerness that support to study and maintain higher performance.
Project Scope
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The scope of current project is wider as it supports to develop how a business could be
established in particular country and how it can influence the number of people. This can help to bring
changes in existing working and maintain higher performance. This is most important for a business
concern to conduct the research of country and market where it planning to establish their own
business as it might be affect negatively. This can help to maintain the higher performance and
productivity at the workplace. In relation to current project, researcher conduct market research of
particular country that can help to develop the understanding and managing all activities. For
example, Delicious Pies is newly open bakery in Sheerness as many people comes to visit who
needs food item so that such business will help to grow the sales and productivity (Farrukh,
Meng, Wu and Nawaz, 2020). The project will help to improve skills and abilities in
particular area that support to develop organizational productivity.
Research questions
What are the opportunities available for Delicious Pies while starting their bakery business in
Sheerness
What are the challenges for starting new bakery business in Sheerness for Delicious Pies
What are the ways that would be used by Delicious Pies while overcoming challenges associated with
business start-up in Sheerness.
Relation to previous research (approx. 1000 words)
To identify the opportunities available for Delicious Pies while starting their bakery business in
Sheerness
According to Mulqueen (2019), To start any kind of business market research is most
important as it develop insights how a business can operate and grow its activities. The business
concerns are having major role who identify the needs of people and provide kind of products and
services accordingly. Sheerness is a town near by rivers where population is more than 12000 and
people comes to visit at there. A bakery is planning to open in Sheerness name is Delicious pies by
analysing market and economy of such town. This can provide the different opportunities for chosen
organization that are as explained:
To influence the number of people – To start any kind of business, customers is most
important as it support to develop sales of organization. To open Delicious Pies in Sheerness could be
opportunity for business industry as well as country. This will help to influence and attract the number
of people regarding bakery products and maintain good performance (Gupta, Chauhan, Paul and
Jaiswal, 2020).
To increase organizational sales – The organization aims to improve their sales by
satisfying their customers that can develop organizational image. In relation to Delicious Pies, could
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be opportunity for business to increase its sales and productivity in changing environment that can
help to maintain higher performance and profitability.
To attain competitive advantages – It has seen that there are many competitors of Delicious
Pies where providing better quality of products and services could be opportunity to attain
competitive advantages. This can help to maintain higher performance and productivity in country
and increase customer base (Balboni, Bortoluzzi, Pugliese and Tracogna, 2019).
To improve economy – Increasing in sales and running a business provide an opportunity of
creating jobs in particular country that can help to bring improvements in economic conditions. In
relation to Delicious Pies, number of jobs could be created by management in such industry that
develop opportunity to improve economy. This can help to maintain higher productivity.
To determine the challenges for starting new bakery business in Sheerness for Delicious Pies
As per view point of Short (2020) While starting a business, rising of challenges is natural
that affect organizational productivity and profitability. This is important for newly business industry
to analysis the market and comes to know what challenges might occur during a business and how it
could be overcome. Delicious Pies is going to open in Sheerness by researching market and country,
many challenges could be occurring such as:
Lack of financial resources – To start or expand any business there is need to have proper
resources and funds that could be used to buy raw material and finished products. If there is lack of
funding, then could be challenging for organization to operate its business.
To examine the ways that would be used by Delicious Pies while overcoming challenges associated
with business start-up in Sheerness (Eden and Nielsen, 2020).
Lack of skilled workers – Employees are the main assets of organization where it became
important for organization to research and recruit skilled and experienced employees who gets ready
to work and manage their roles. If there is lack of skilled workers, then would be challenging to start
and run their business effectively. Delicious Pies can face challenge of skilled employees in Sheerness
that directly affect the business negatively.
Change in taste and buying behaviour – To sell products and services, know customer taste
is needed that can help to develop the organizational sales and productivity. In Sheerness, different
types of people are living who has different taste and buying perception that could create challenge
for Delicious Pies to operate their business in changing environment (Lo, Rey-Martí. and Botella-
Carrubi, 2020).
Changing in government – Government in any country plays important role as to enter and
start any business there is need to take government approval that directly impacts on business. In case
of changing government and change in tax rates of Sheerness could be challenging for Delicious Pies
to run their business effectively.
To examine the ways that would be used by Delicious Pies while overcoming challenges associated
with business start-up in Sheerness.
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As per perception of Karabag (2020), For business concern it is important to identify
challenges which can occurred while running business that affects productivity and profitability. The
management is having major role who conduct research and development programme to operate their
business in changing environment where it became easy to know what challenge faced by company
and how it could be overcome. Delicious Pies can have used different ways to overcome the
challenges associated with start-up in Sheerness such as:
Proper analysis of market and country – To start business and managing functions in
particular country management should be analysis the country and market first that can help to
increase insights to operate business. Delicious Pies can remove hurdles of less customer attraction
and market research by using this way in Sheerness which would help to develop a business
effectively.
Arrange and proper use of resources – To overcome funding challenge arrangement and
optimum use of available resources is best option that can help to run a business effectively. In
relation to Delicious Pies, management can arrange fund by using bank loan, crowd funding, angel
investor, and others sources that can help to open a bakery in Sheerness. Moreover, optimum use of
available resources is good option to develop the business activities and performance (Ferrell,
Harrison, Ferrell and Hair, 2019).
Maintaining good relationship with customers – This is another way can be used by
employer to overcome the challenges by maintaining good relations with customers and employees
that can help to provide products and services accordingly and maintain higher performance. This also
helps to develop organizational sales and profitability in Sheerness.
Focusing on customer demand – To operate a business and increasing sales customer
demand matters a lot that needs to be focused by business industry. Delicious Pies can develop
customer demand by understanding customer demand and providing kind of bakery products that will
help to run business and develop organizational productivity (Xie, Huo and Zou, 2019).
Methodology (approx. 600 words)
Provide an overview of the methodology you propose to use as the basis for the research project design and justify your
choices. The following areas are normally covered in the structure of the methodology chapter: research methodology (i.e.
qualitative or quantitative or mixed), sampling, data collection methods, data analysis methods you are planning to use, ethical
considerations, limitations. Do not describe everything you know about methodology – specify your choices and explain why
you made them.
Research Methodology: A process which is used to gather data or information for making
better business decisions is termed as research methodology. It is used to identify the
interpretations of a research problem as well as provides training for the research problem. In
relation to opening a bakery in Sheerness, researcher has conducted research by using
appropriate methodology. The Research Methodology consists of six main components
which are described as follows:
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• Research Philosophy - It is stated as a faith about the way in which data or
information relevant to an event should be used, gathered and evaluated and is concerned
with logical implications that flow from facts. Philosophy is divided into two main
philosophical positions namely, positivism and interpretivism. Positivism is based on precise
methods and can support a research with statistical and objective data. Interpretivism is
defined as range of theoretical outlook which declares that there is a basic difference between
ecological and social worlds. In relation to current research about Delicious Pies in
Sheerness, Positivism philosophy is being used by researcher that can help to develop
understanding and knowledge about country situation and business industry (Sousa and
Rocha, 2019).
• Approach - It refers to a method that involves the pathway of wide presumptions to
detailed process of information gathering, examining and elucidating. It includes two main
parts, that is, deductive and inductive. Deductive is an approach which begins with theory of
hypothesis and the final interpretation is confirmation/ rejection of research. Inductive is an
approach which begins with the assumptions and ends with theory to a research. In relation to
current research, deductive approach is used by researcher as it helps to collect relevant and
appropriate data regarding a specific topic.
• Strategy - It is a systematic planning of action which directs or guides our opinion
and efforts. It permits researcher to research in a step-by-step way and produce best
conclusions and detailed analytical reporting. It involves seven components, namely,
experiment, survey, case study, action research, grounded theory, ethnography, archival
research. In relation to current research Delicious Pies, case study has been used by
researcher in the form of strategy that support study effectively.
• Choices of methods - The methodology which is based on selection of research and
is done by researchers is termed as Choice of methods. It comprises of three main
components, that is, mono methods, mixed methods and multi-methods. In relation to current
research about opening a bakery in Sheerness mono method is being used as it based on one
element only.
• Time horizons: - A particular point of schedule in future at which procedures will be
analysed or assumed to end is termed as Time horizons. It consists of two elements, that is,
longitudinal and cross-sectional. Longitudinal refers to process in which researcher notices
and gather information on various variables without influencing them. Cross-sectional is
defined as a type of observational study which includes gathering of data from various
individuals at a specific point of time. In relation to current research, cross sectional horizon
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used by researcher that can help to collect data in certain period of time and maintain higher
performance (Iglesias, Landgraf, Ind, Markovic and Koporcic, 2020).
• Data collection and analysis - A method in which information is collected from
different sources to find responses to research problems by judging theory and examining
interpretations is termed as data collection. Data analysis is a practical knowledge used by
individual to collect information and managing data. This involves qualitative and
quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis based on theoretical aspects whereas,
quantitative analysis based on statics, practical and data information. In relation to current
research, quantitative research analysis has been used by researcher while conducting
research and getting positive outcomes (Ghezzi and Cavallo, 2020).
Timeline
Use a Gantt Chart (or similar) to show your research project activities and timescales.
Gantt Chart – A Gantt chart is a diagram that mainly used in project management, which is
useful way to showing events and tasks displayed against time. On the left side list of
activities are shown that suits the time scale. This chart mostly used for tracking project
schedules where it states tasks and phases to complete the project. The Gantt chart is used by
researcher that supports the current study and manages each task. This chart is used by
Delicious Pies to operate its business regularly.
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BRP Proposal Template 2021-22 Page 9

References
A full list of texts cited in this proposal, plus any additional ones you will be using Use Harvard style for both citations and
reference list.
Mulqueen, T. A., 2019. Constituting the co-operative: law and the political in the history of
the English co-operative movement (Doctoral dissertation, Birkbeck, University of
London).
Short, B. H., 2020. Climate, Environment, and Medicine in Georgian England and the
Antipodes. Health and History. 22(2). pp.46-66.
Balboni, B., Bortoluzzi, G., Pugliese, R. and Tracogna, A., 2019. Business model evolution,
contextual ambidexterity and the growth performance of high-tech start-ups. Journal
of Business Research. 99. pp.115-124.
Eden, L. and Nielsen, B. B., 2020. Research methods in international business: The challenge
of complexity. Journal of International Business Studies, 51(9), pp.1609-1620.
Lo, F. Y., Rey-Martí, A. and Botella-Carrubi, D., 2020. Research methods in business:
Quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis. Journal of Business Research. 115,
pp.221-224.
Ferrell, O. C., Harrison, D. E., Ferrell, L. and Hair, J. F., 2019. Business ethics, corporate
social responsibility, and brand attitudes: An exploratory study. Journal of Business
Research, 95, pp.491-501.
Xie, X., Huo, J. and Zou, H., 2019. Green process innovation, green product innovation, and
corporate financial performance: A content analysis method. Journal of Business
Research. 101. pp.697-706.
Sousa, M. J. and Rocha, Á., 2019. Skills for disruptive digital business. Journal of Business
Research. 94. pp.257-263.
Karabag, S. F., 2020. An unprecedented global crisis! The global, regional, national, political,
economic and commercial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Journal of Applied
Economics and Business Research. 10(1). pp.1-6.
Iglesias, O., Landgraf, P., Ind, N., Markovic, S. and Koporcic, N., 2020. Corporate brand
identity co-creation in business-to-business contexts. Industrial Marketing
Management. 85. pp.32-43.
Ghezzi, A. and Cavallo, A., 2020. Agile business model innovation in digital
entrepreneurship: Lean startup approaches. Journal of business research. 110. pp.519-
537.
Gupta, P., Chauhan, S., Paul, J. and Jaiswal, M. P., 2020. Social entrepreneurship research: A
review and future research agenda. Journal of Business Research. 113. pp.209-229.
Farrukh, M., Meng, F., Wu, Y. and Nawaz, K., 2020. Twenty‐eight years of business strategy
and the environment research: A bibliometric analysis. Business Strategy and the
Environment. 29(6). pp.2572-2582.
Al-Slehat, Z. A. F., Zaher, C., Fattah, A. and Box, P. O., 2020. Impact of financial leverage,
size and assets structure on firm value: Evidence from industrial sector,
Jordan. International Business Research. 13(1). pp.109-120.
BRP Proposal Template 2021-22 Page 10

2. Ethical Review Form
This form is designed to ensure that the Bloomsbury Institute London operates an ethical review
process that falls within the University of Northampton Research Ethics Procedure and the Guidance
on Ethics for Researchers.
All students need to fill in this form; however, you may only need to complete Part 1 (see explanation
below).
The Ethical Review Form consists of 3 parts:
 Part 1 is an initial assessment of your project. The question is asking you whether you
will be conducting empirical research for your Business Research Project. Your
methodology may involve the collection of primary data through questionnaires,
interviews and observations etc. or you may be conducting ‘desk based research’ i.e.
only using secondary research data.
 If you are only using secondary research data, you will not need to complete Parts 2 or
3 of the form.
 If your research involves human participants, i.e. you are collecting primary data, you
have to complete Part 2 of the form.
 If your answer is no to all the questions in Part 2, ethics approval is automatic and
providing you receive a pass grade for your proposal you may continue with your
study.
 If your answer is yes to any of the questions in Part 2, you need to fill in Part 3 of this
form. You should discuss this with a tutor prior to submission of your proposal.
 Upon submission, your proposal will be graded and then reviewed by the Head of
Research/Ethics Committee. You will be informed of the decision, together with any
comments, as soon as possible. You may be asked to provide a fuller report and a
meet with the Ethics Committee.
 If the committee finds it difficult to make a decision, we may pass this on to the
University of Northampton Research Ethics Committee. However, in the vast majority
of cases, we hope to resolve any issues.
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2.1 Ethical Review Form: Part 1
Part 1 needs to be completed by all Business Research Project students.
Please read the following two statements and place an X in the area indicated for the statement that
most accurately represents your research intentions.
Student Statement Insert X Student Action
Statement 1
I have read the above information. I
confirm that my research does not
include study on human participants.
You do not need to complete Part 2
of this form. Ethics approval is not
required.
Statement 2
I have read the above information. I
confirm that my research does
involve the study on human
participants.
X Please proceed to complete Part 2
of this form.
Proposals that are submitted without the completed Ethical Review Form will not be graded.
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2.2 Ethical Review Form: Part 2
Part 2 only needs to be completed if you put a cross against Statement 2 in Part 1 above.
Yes No
I have prepared a participant information sheet (including information on secure data
storage), and submitted it in Appendix 1.  
I have prepared a participant consent form (including information on right to withdraw
from the study), and submitted it in Appendix 2.  
If you have put a cross No for either of the above, please note that your final Research Project will
have to include a participant information sheet and a participant consent form.
Please answer all of these questions by ticking yes or no in the box provided.
Yes No
1.
Does the study involve participants who are particularly vulnerable or unable to
give informed consent? (e.g. people under the age of 18, people with learning
disabilities, students you teach or assess)  ✓
2.
Will it be necessary for participants to take part in the study without their
knowledge and consent at the time?  ✓
3.
Does the study involve audio or visual recording of people in public places?
✓
4.
Will the study involve the discussion of sensitive topics? (e.g. sexual activity, drug
use, illegal activities, death, whistleblowing)  ✓
5.
Are drugs, placebos or other substances to be given to the study participants or
will the study involve invasive, intrusive or potentially harmful procedures of any
kind?  ✓
6.
Does your study involve a topic that would be considered ‘sensitive’ (age, culture,
race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic standing, or religion)?  ✓
7.
Is physical pain or psychological stress from the proposed project likely to cause
harm or negative consequences beyond the risks in normal life?  ✓
8.
Does the study involve groups or materials that may be construed as terrorist or
extremist?  ✓
9. Will financial inducements (other than expenses) be offered to participants?
 ✓
10.
Does the study involve the collection of data that is not anonymised (contains
identifying information such as name and address)?  ✓
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, please fill in Part 3.
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2.3 Ethical Review Form: Part 3
Part 3 only needs to be completed if you ticked Yes for any of the statements in Part 2 above.
2.3.1 Explanation of intent to address ethical issues
Please provide an explanation of how you intend to address the ethical issues raised in Part 2.
You will need to do this in consultation with a Business Research Project tutor. Please identify which
tutor you discussed these issues with, and how the discussion took place.
Tutor’s name:
How discussions took place:
Explanation of how you intend to address the ethical issues raised in Part 2:
To address the ethical issues principles and consideration in relation to ethics has been followed
by researcher that can help to develop understanding by collecting right and accurate information
in relation to particular topic.
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3. Company consent
Print off this form and gain the required signature. You then need to scan the page and insert it as an
image in Appendix 3.
Alternatively, the company may choose to give you a signed consent document of their own, which
you will need to scan and insert in Appendix 3.
Consent from the host Company
Student Name: _______________________________________
Student ID number: _______________________________________
I consent to the aforementioned named student carrying out research on company premises
or in relation to this Company.
Senior Manager Name: _______________________________________
Senior Manager Signature: _______________________________________
Host Company Name: _______________________________________
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