Overall Requirements
- Word Count: 18,000 ± 10% (excluding references & appendices)
- Referencing: Harvard style, consistent throughout
- Structure: 5 chapters, plus abstract, references, and appendices
- Sources: 60–70% of references must be from the last 5 years (2020–2024)
- Tone: Academic, analytical, and critical — no descriptive-only sections
Chapter Breakdown
1 – Introduction (1,500–2,000 words)
Purpose: Set the scene, define the research problem, and outline aims/objectives.
Must include:
- Background & Context — Global hospitality industry post-COVID, trends in supply chain management, globalisation, digitalisation.
- Problem Statement — Gaps and issues in existing supply chain strategies (backed by data/statistics).
- Research Aim — One clear sentence.
- Objectives — 4–5 measurable objectives directly linked to methods.
- Justification — Why this research matters now to industry & academia.
- Scope & Limitations — Boundaries of research.
- Structure of Dissertation — Short description of each chapter.
2 – Literature Review (8,000–10,000 words)
Purpose: Critically analyse what is already known and identify gaps your research fills.
Themes to cover (thematic structure):
- Supply Chain Management in Hospitality — Characteristics, complexities, and key stakeholders.
- Lean, Agile, and Resilient Supply Chains — Theory, benefits, and limitations.
- Sustainability and ESG in Hospitality Supply Chains — Circular economy, waste reduction, compliance.
- Digitalisation & Technology — AI, blockchain, IoT, predictive analytics, and their adoption rates in hospitality.
- Risk Management & Globalisation — Impact of political instability, pandemics, and trade disruptions.
Critical Requirements:
- Compare and contrast authors (strengths, weaknesses, contradictions).
- Identify 4–5 clear gaps in existing research at the end.
- Link each gap to your objectives.
3 – Methodology (2,500–3,000 words)
Purpose: Explain and justify the research approach and data collection methods.
Must include:
- Research Philosophy: Pragmatism (suits mixed methods).
- Approach: Mixed-methods (quantitative surveys + qualitative interviews/focus groups).
- Sampling:
- Surveys: 100+ hospitality supply chain professionals globally.
- Interviews: 8–12 participants from different hospitality organisations.
- Data Collection Tools:
- Survey questionnaire (Appendix A).
- Semi-structured interview guide (Appendix B).
- Data Analysis:
- Quantitative: Descriptive & inferential stats (SPSS/Excel).
- Qualitative: Thematic coding (NVivo/manual).
- Ethics: Consent forms, GDPR compliance, anonymity.
- Validity & Reliability: How they will be ensured.
- Limitations: Sample size, geographic scope, potential bias.
4 – Findings & Analysis (3,000–3,500 words)
Purpose: Present and interpret results clearly.
Must include:
- Quantitative Findings: Charts, graphs, and tables from survey results (percentages, means, correlations).
- Qualitative Findings: Key themes from interviews with direct quotes (patrick Evistion)
- Integrated Analysis: Triangulate both datasets — show where they support or challenge each other.
- Keep interpretation linked to objectives.
5 – Discussion & Conclusion (3,000–3,500 words)
Purpose: Relate findings to literature and highlight implications.
Must include:
- Discussion: Compare findings to literature review; explain why results agree/disagree with previous studies.
- Practical Implications: Clear recommendations for hospitality supply chain managers.
- Policy Implications: Sustainability standards, digitalisation strategies.
- Future Research: 2–3 suggested areas.
- Conclusion: Concise summary of research aim, key findings, and overall contribution.
- Limitations: Realistic and honest (time, budget, access).
Formatting & Presentation
- Use headings & subheadings consistently.
- Figures & tables numbered, titled, and referenced in text.
- Harvard references for all sources.
- Appendices to include: survey, interview guide, consent forms, ethics approval, raw data samples.