Discussion on Dissertation

Today's lecture focused on choosing a suitable and realistic dissertation topic. It highlighted the fact that the topic should be relevant to PR and public communication field. It reminded me of the fact that the topic should neither be too broad nor too narrow.

I enjoyed the classroom exercise where we were put into groups to decide on possible dissertation topics for next year's students. I was placed in the CSR group because I am planning on writing my dissertation in CSR. After careful consideration, we came up with a topic which the class later reviewed and said will be too broad to research on with the limited resources and time available for this qualitative research.

Our main question was

'Are the CSR initiatives as claimed by UK multinational companies (MNCs) actually being carried out in China'?

The sub-questions were:

1. Do the MNCs have the same standards for all their operative environments?
2. How do they compare to green initiatives by local companies.

Our sub-questions were also criticised because the class thought they were broad and could be main questions.

There were also grave concerns for the appropriateness of our main question to the PR field which gave me food for thought. To me it was a wake up call for me to fine tune my topic. I realised that in view of the limited time, resources and the 15000 words which we are suppose to write our seemed too broad and impractical. There was also the question of how related the topic is to PR and public communication field: Will it add up any new insights to the field?

Personally, the exercise was helpful and timely. It prompted me to reflect deeply on my current topic which is

"The practice of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) by multinational companies in Ghana: A case study of two mining companies".

The aim of my research is to give an objective view of CSR practice and how it is communicated to local stakeholders (employees, their families and the local communities) by these companies. However, I am in doubt if a case study will enable me give an unbiased and representative snapshot in my research as much as possible. In view of this I am contemplating changing my dissertation topic to

"How major multinational mining companies in Ghana communicate their CSR strategies to their local stakeholders"

I believe this new research question will enable me interview some local stakeholders such as community members and employees in addition to the multinational mining companies communication officers to find out how these mining companies communicate their CSR initiatives to them and the effectiveness of the communication processes. I will also find out if the initiatives are being smoothly implemented and the communication challenges and barriers they face in the process, if any. I believe collecting other stakeholders point of view will make the exploratory research more objective.

Now I think, I am gradually coming into terms with the concept of writing an MA dissertation. After today's lecture and the reflections that followed, I believe I am better prepared and well informed to undertake the dissertation journey which will be: An exploratory journey into how major multinational mining companies in Ghana, communicated their CSR strategies in a multi-ethnic and cultural plurality(different languages) of the Ghanaian local communities.

Although the task seems quite daunting I think I have the key and insight to conduct an interesting and successful research. Thanks to Pam, Michaela and Susan for their painstaking explanations. All I need now is guidance from my supervisor in order not to stray from my chosen topic.