The Role of Leadership and Management Strategies for the Growth and Sustainability of International Businesses (Research Proposal Sample)

The Role of Leadership and Management Strategies for the Growth and Sustainability of International Businesses
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Abstract
This paper is a research proposal on the role of leadership and management strategies for the growth and sustainability of international businesses. The research will investigate the perceived role of leadership and management strategies for the growth and sustainability of international businesses, the perceived challenges facing the implementation of growth and sustainability strategies in the international business, and the perceived leadership and management roles in international businesses, specifically in terms of strategy implementation. Other objectives that will be investigated include the perceived benefits and importance of leadership and management strategies in ensuring growth and sustainability in the international business, and the perceived consequences of poor leadership and management in international businesses. Data collection will be conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this regard, the researcher will visit the research sites and conducting interviews as well as administering the questionnaires. Quantitative analysis shall then be carried out for the analysis of data gathered from the questionnaires and interviews.
Table of Contents
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Abstract  PAGEREF _Toc438192764 \h
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Background  PAGEREF _Toc438192765 \h
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Objectives of the Research  PAGEREF _Toc438192766 \h
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Chapter Outline  PAGEREF _Toc438192767 \h
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Research Questions  PAGEREF _Toc438192768 \h
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Review of the Literature  PAGEREF _Toc438192769 \h
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Leadership and Management Strategies in International Business  PAGEREF _Toc438192770 \h
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The importance of good leadership and management  PAGEREF _Toc438192771 \h
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Challenges Affecting Good Leadership and Management  PAGEREF _Toc438192772 \h
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Consequences of Poor Leadership and Management in business  PAGEREF _Toc438192773 \h
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Research Methodology  PAGEREF _Toc438192774 \h
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Research Design  PAGEREF _Toc438192775 \h
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Data Collection  PAGEREF _Toc438192776 \h
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Data Analysis  PAGEREF _Toc438192777 \h
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Validity and Reliability  PAGEREF _Toc438192778 \h
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Time Frame and Implication  PAGEREF _Toc438192779 \h
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References  PAGEREF _Toc438192780 \h
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Background
The goal of any international business is not only to survive, but also grow and sustain its existence in the international business front through improving its performance. In order to satisfy the needs of the highly competitive markets, business organizations are supposed to consistently improve their performance (Draft & Pirola-Merlo, 2009). Various literary studies suggest that leadership and management strategies are crucial in ensuring high performance of organizations (Behrens, 2013). However, the findings of the previous studies on the role of leadership and management strategies in the growth and sustainability of the international business are mixed. Some studies (Draft & Pirola-Merlo 2009; Behrens, 2013; Kaplan & Norton, 2004; Pearce & Robinson, 2007; Ireland & Hitt, 2005 & Draft & Pirola-Merlo, 2009) suggest that leadership and management strategies ensure growth and sustainability in international businesses. However other studies (Steers, Sánchez-Runde & Nardon, 2010) downplay the importance of leadership in the improvement of organizational performance that leads to growth and sustainability of business organizations, especially the ones that operate internationally. In fact, Jing & Avery (2008) argues that some of the studies that focus on the role of leadership and management strategies are not conclusive. Therefore, such contradictory findings on the role of leadership and management strategies in the growth and sustainability of international business indicate that there is a need to study more on the topic. Furthermore, much of the previous studies have focused on the role of leadership and management on the local context (e.g. MacLeod & Clarke, 2009 & Menkhoff & Wah, 2011), there is need to focus on the impact of these strategies in the international context.
In light of the importance of the role of leadership and management strategies in the growth and sustainability of international business, the high failure rate of growth and sustainability initiatives due to the poor implementation of management and leadership strategies, and the fact that lack of effective leadership and management strategies has been identified as a major impediment in ensuring growth in international business, the following research topic will be addressed in this research project: The role of leadership and management strategies in the growth and sustainability of international businesses.
Objectives
The primary objective of the research is to investigate the role that leadership and management strategies play in the growth and sustainability of international businesses. This will be done in a bid to provide the guidelines necessary for effective application of leadership and management strategies in general and the selected strategies in particular, as the driver of strategy implementation in multinational companies. To achieve the primary objective, the secondary objectives include:
To investigate the perceived barriers to implementation of leadership and management strategies in international businesses
To determine the perceived roles of leaders and managers in international business, specifically in terms of strategy implementation
To identify the perceived benefits and importance of the leadership and management strategies in ensuring growth and sustainability in the international businesses
To determine the consequences of poor leadership and management in international businesses
Chapter Outline
The paper is chaptered in several parts as follows:
Introduction
Explanation: This chapter will provide the background of the research topic as well as the motives
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Objectives of the research
1.3 Chapter outline
1.4 Research questions
2. Literature review into the research topic
Explanation: Review of the literature related to the role of leadership and management strategies for the growth and sustainability of International Businesses 
2.1 Introduction to the role of leadership and management
Leadership and management strategies in international businesses
The importance of good leadership and management
Challenges Affecting Good Leadership and Management
Consequences of Poor Leadership and Management in business
3. Research methodology
Explanation: The research will be characterized by both the qualitative and quantitative research methods
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Data Collection
3.3 Data Analysis
3.4 Time Frame
3.5 Validity and reliability
3. References
4. Appendices
Research Questions
What is the role of leadership and management strategies in the growth and sustainability of international businesses?
What are the barriers in implementation of leadership and management strategies in international businesses?
What are benefits or importance of the leadership and management strategies in ensuring growth and sustainability in the international businesses?
What are the consequences of poor leadership and management in international businesses?
Review of the Literature
Leadership and management strategies are crucial in enhancing the growth and sustainability of international businesses. Strategic management and leadership can be generally described as a set of decisions as well as actions that leads to the formulation, implementation and control of the plans that are designed to achieve the vision, mission and objectives of an organization with business environment in which it operates (Pearce & Robinson, 2007). Strategic leadership is viewed as one of the most significant factors necessary in the effective implementation of strategy that ensures growth and sustainability in the international business (Hrebiniak, 2005, Pearce & Robinson, 2007 & Freedman & Tregoe, 2003). On the other hand, lack of leadership by organizational management is also identified as the major barrier towards the implementation of effective strategy (Hrebiniak, 2005 & Kaplan & Norton, 2004).
Leadership and Management Strategies in International Business
The growth and sustainability of firms is dependent on the organizational capabilities such as innovation, market development and continuous improvement. Most importantly, the leadership and management strategies that ensure organizational control are crucial in ensuring growth and sustainability of businesses internationally. According to Geoffrey et al (2014) the beliefs of leaders in relation to the organizational efficacy are important in enabling them undertake risky investments that ensures growth. The leadership skills of the management team are expected to affect the decisions to invest in ensuring growth.
The Importance of Good Leadership and Management
There is an increasing confidence that leadership and management ...