This document is a dissertation proposal form that must be completed by a student seeking to register for their dissertation. It consists of several sections for the student to provide details about their proposed research topic, including the dissertation title, research question/hypothesis, literature review, methodology, bibliography, timeline, and ethics considerations. The form must be approved by the student's promoter and dissertation coordinator before submission. It aims to ensure students have planned their research adequately before undertaking their dissertation.

1. This form must be approved for a candidate to register for the
dissertation. It is the student’s responsibility to find a
Faculty Promoter with whom to complete this form. It is also
incumbent upon the student to make sure that all
academic and administrative criteria have been met. The form
must be completed, signed by the respective parties,
and submitted to the Dissertation Coordinator for approval.
Please type on this form. Handwritten forms will not be
accepted.
Dissertation Proposal Form
Section A: Student details
Name:
Email:
Program (DBA; MBA, BBA):
Specialization:

2. Section B: Proposal
Type below each topic
I. Proposed Dissertation Title: The title (tentative) should be
precise to allow the reader to
comprehend the subject matter of the work.
Impact of mobile banking on the financial performance of Small
and Medium size enterprises
(SMEs)
I. The main aim of this research is to determine the way in
which the use of
mobile banking by the SMEs affects their financial
performance. The
research aims at looking at both the negative and the positive
effects of
mobile banking on SMEs/
II. Research Question or Hypothesis: State clearly what your
research interest is. Define your research
question/hypothesis and the main objectives of your research
(100 words).
The alternative hypothesis for the study is that SMEs that use
mobile banking have a better

3. financial performance when compared to the SMEs that do not
use mobile banking. Mobile
banking services give the SMEs an opportunity to access
financial services without the need of
them going physically to the bank. With mobile banking SMEs
are able to access low interest
loans which they can use to grow and expand their businesses.
The hypothesis is that use of
mobile banking by the SMEs gives them a higher chance to
grow and expand as opposed to
the businesses which are still using the traditional banking
methods.
II. Review of Literature/Background: Make a synthesis of the
contributions made in your research field
by accredited scholars. Describe how your intended research
will complement and expand on the
current literature, and what contributions you intend to make to
the existing knowledge (500 words).
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 2 Midterm Assignment
• Summary:
▪ Concepts

4. One of the concepts which is related to the research topic is the
concept of mobile banking
which is defined as the access of banking services using a
mobile device such as a smartphone
instead of going to the bank physically. Mobile banking allows
the customers and users to access
services such as withdrawals, money transfer, account
statements from their phones and from the
comfort of their homes without the need to go to the bank
physically. The second concept is
financial performance which is the measure of how a business is
doing based on revenues such as
sales and profit margins. High revenues are associated with
better financial performance. The third
concept related to the topic is SMEs and these refer to
businesses which are small or mediu m in
size.
▪ Theories / Models (1 or 2 theories or models)
One of the theories applicable to the topic is the innovation
diffusion theory and this is
because mobile banking is as a result of innovation and
advancements in technology. The theory
explains how new ideas and patterns spread. Initially most

5. people were using the traditional
banking where they needed to avail themselves physically at the
bank so that they would be able to
access financial services. However, with time mobile banking
was introduced and more people
embraced mobile banking. The idea started with a few people
but spread so fast.
Technology acceptance model is also useful in the selected
research topic and this is
because through this model people accepted to move away from
other forms of banking and
embrace the new technology. Based on the theory there are
various factors which users consider
when they want to decide whether they should accept a new
technology or not. One of the factors
is the ease of use; mobile banking is very simple to access and
use on smartphones even with the
least technology know how. Also, the perceived usefulness is
high and this is because the users
get to benefit from convenience of banking of their homes.
• Trends (current trends or practices related to your research
topic)
Mobile banking is now being used to help pay bills and
suppliers in business. With mobile

6. banking apps and access business people are able to pay their
vendors through cashless
transactions. This method is highly preferred among the
business people and this is because it is
highly convenient when compared to using cash. Also, another
trend related to the topic is digital
credit and this is where the individuals are able to access
different loans from financial institutions
using their mobile devices.
• Context presentation
The mobile banking apps and platforms are easily accessible in
smartphones where the
businesses can download and install the apps. Most of the
businesses need to bank the money
which they make from sales and hence need banking services.
Mobile banking exists as an
alternative to these businesses to help them transact with
suppliers and even save money to
achieve their financial goals.
III. Research Methodology: Clearly indicate the methods and
techniques which you are planning to use

7. to gather information and investigate the identified problem.
IV. Selected Bibliography: Please indicate a representative list
of the main bibliographical sources you
intend to utilize for your dissertation (no more than 20). Please
provide full citations.
For this research, the preferred method is the use of
questionnaires to help collect data
about the impact of the mobile banking on SMEs. The research
methodology is a quantitative
research methodology which means that the study will analyze
numerical data to arrive at the
relationship between the different variables.
• Bibliography list (a minimum of 10 sources must be included).
Choudrie, J., Junior, C. O., McKenna, B., & Richter, S. (2018).
Understanding and conceptualising the
adoption, use and diffusion of mobile banking in older adults: A
research agenda and
conceptual framework. Journal of Business Research, 88, 449-
465.
Farah, M. F., Hasni, M. J. S., & Abbas, A. K. (2018). Mobile-
banking adoption: empirical evidence from the
banking sector in Pakistan. International Journal of Bank
Marketing.

8. Jebarajakirthy, C., & Shankar, A. (2021). Impact of online
convenience on mobile banking adoption
intention: A moderated mediation approach. Journal of Retailing
and Consumer
Services, 58, 102323.
Kumar, A., Dhingra, S., Batra, V., & Purohit, H. (2020). A
framework of mobile banking adoption in
India. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and
Complexity, 6(2), 40.
Marrara, S., Pejic-Bach, M., Seljan, S., & Topalovic, A. (2021).
FinTech and SMEs: the Italian case.
In Research Anthology on Small Business Strategies for Success
and Survival (pp. 667-
688). IGI Global.
Mujahed, H. M. H., Ahmed, E. M., & Samikon, S. A. (2021).
Factors influencing Palestinian small
and medium enterprises intention to adopt mobile banking.
Journal of Science and
Technology Policy Management.
Pankomera, R., & Van Greunen, D. (2018). Challenges,
benefits, and adoption dynamics of mobile

9. banking at the base of the pyramid (BOP) in Africa: A
systematic review. The African
Journal of Information and Communication, 21, 21-49.
Shankar, A., & Rishi, B. (2020). Convenience matter in mobile
banking adoption
intention?. Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ), 28(4), 273-
285.
Souiden, N., Ladhari, R., & Chaouali, W. (2020). Mobile
banking adoption: a systematic
review. International Journal of Bank Marketing.
Zhang, T., Lu, C., & Kizildag, M. (2018). Banking “on-the-go”:
examining consumers’ adoption of
mobile banking services. International Journal of Quality and
Service Sciences.
V. Research and Writing Timeline: Indicate your expected
research timetable: starting date, research
time, data analysis time, writing time, editing time, date of first
draft submission, expected defense time.
You may use a Gantt chart.
VI. Ethics: How does your research relate to the ethical aspects
of your subject matter
Section C: Submission Registration

10. Promoter:
Proposed Dissertation Defense Cohort (Choose One)
☐ January 2022 ☐ May 2022 ☐ June 2022 ☐ September 2022
☐ January 2023 ☐ May 2023 ☐ June 2023 ☐ September 2023
Note: Dissertation Defense must be completed within the three
main cohorts, following coursework completion, for which
registration is open. (May and June count as a single Cohort for
this purpose). Example: students completing in June or July
2021
may register to defend in January 2022 and must defend by
September 2022.
Student Signature
Date
The grade for the entire dissertation project is a composite
grade allocated by the defense panel and takes three
areas into consideration:
• Form (20%): the structural organization of the Dissertation

11. document (grammar and vocabulary; writing
and reporting; technology; style)
• Content (60%): the academic accuracy and value of the project
(executive summary; research question
& objectives; background; main body; conclusions)
• Defense (20%): the manner and methods used (visuals;
content; questions & answers)
Section D: Approval
Role Name Signature Date
Promoter
Dissertation
Coordinator
Academic
Department
Section A: Student detailsSection B: ProposalI. The main aim of
this research is to determine the way in which the use of mobile
banking by the SMEs affects their financial performance. The

12. research aims at looking at both the negative and the positive
effects of mo
list (a minimum of 10 sources must be included).Choudrie, J.,
Junior, C. O., McKenna, B., & Richter, S. (2018).
Understanding and conceptualising theFarah, M. F., Hasni, M.
J. S., & Abbas, A. K. (2018). Mobile-banking adoption:
empirical evidence from theMarrara, S., Pejic-Bach, M., Seljan,
S., & Topalovic, A. (2021). FinTech and SMEs: the Italian
case.Section C: Submission RegistrationSection D: Approval
Dissertation Proposal Form
Section A: Student details
Name:
Email:
Program (DBA; MBA, BBA):
Specialization:
Section B: Proposal
Type below each topic
I. Proposed Dissertation Title: The title (tentative) should be
precise to allow the reader to
comprehend the subject matter of the work.
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 1 Midterm Assignment

13. I. Research Area / Fields / Subfields
II. Research Question or Hypothesis: State clearly what your
research interest is. Define your research
question/hypothesis and the main objectives of your research
(100 words).
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 1 Midterm Assignment
II. Research Aim
III. Review of Literature/Background: Make a synthesis of the
contributions made in your research field
by accredited scholars. Describe how your intended research
will complement and expand on the
current literature, and what contributions you intend to make to
the existing knowledge (500 words).
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 2 Midterm Assignment
• Summary:
▪ Concepts (2 or 3 concepts related to your research topic)
▪ Theories / Models (1 or 2 theories or models)
• Trends (current trends or practices related to your research
topic)
• Context presentation
IV. Research Methodology: Clearly indicate the methods and
techniques which you are planning to use
to gather information and investigate the identified problem.

14. V. Selected Bibliography: Please indicate a representative list
of the main bibliographical sources you
intend to utilize for your dissertation (no more than 20). Please
provide full citations.
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 2 Midterm Assignment
• Bibliography list (a minimum of 10 sources must be included).
VI. Research and Writing Timeline: Indicate your expected
research timetable: starting date, research
time, data analysis time, writing time, editing time, date of first
draft submission, expected defense time.
You may use a Gantt chart.
VII. Ethics: How does your research relate to the ethical aspects
of your subject matter?
Section C: Submission Registration
This form must be approved for a candidate to register for the
dissertation. It is the student’s responsibility to find a
Faculty Promoter with whom to complete this form. It is also
incumbent upon the student to make sure that all
academic and administrative criteria have been met. The form
must be completed, signed by the respective parties,
and submitted to the Dissertation Coordinator for approval.
Please type on this form. Handwritten forms will not be
accepted.

15. Promoter:
Proposed Dissertation Defense Cohort (Choose One)
☐ January 2022 ☐ May 2022 ☐ June 2022
☐September 2022
☐ January 2023 ☐ May 2023 ☐ June 2023
☐September 2023
Note: Dissertation Defense must be completed within the three
main cohorts, following coursework completion, for which
registration is open. (May and June count as a single Cohort for
this purpose). Example: students completing in June or July
2021
may register to defend in January 2022 and must defend by
September 2022.
Student Signature Date
Section D: Approval
Role Name Signature Date

16. Promoter
Dissertation
Coordinator
Academic
Department
The grade for the entire dissertation project is a composite
grade allocated by the defense panel and takes three
areas into consideration:
• Form (20%): the structural organization of the Dissertation
document (grammar and vocabulary; writing
and reporting; technology; style)
• Content (60%): the academic accuracy and value of the project
(executive summary; research question
& objectives; background; main body; conclusions)
• Defense (20%): the manner and methods used (visuals;
content; questions & answers)
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Dissertation Proposal Form
Section A: Student details
Name:
Email:
Program (DBA; MBA, BBA):
Specialization:
Section B: Proposal
Type below each topic

23. I. Proposed Dissertation Title: The title (tentative) should be
precise to allow the reader to
comprehend the subject matter of the work.
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 1 Midterm Assignment
I. Research Area / Fields / Subfields
II. Research Question or Hypothesis: State clearly what your
research interest is. Define your research
question/hypothesis and the main objectives of your research
(100 words).
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 1 Midterm Assignment
II. Research Aim
III. Review of Literature/Background: Make a synthesis of the
contributions made in your research field
by accredited scholars. Describe how your intended research
will complement and expand on the
current literature, and what contributions you intend to make to
the existing knowledge (500 words).
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 2 Midterm Assignment

24. • Summary:
▪ Concepts (2 or 3 concepts related to your research topic)
▪ Theories / Models (1 or 2 theories or models)
• Trends (current trends or practices related to your research
topic)
• Context presentation
IV. Research Methodology: Clearly indicate the methods and
techniques which you are planning to use
to gather information and investigate the identified problem.
V. Selected Bibliography: Please indicate a representative list
of the main bibliographical sources you
intend to utilize for your dissertation (no more than 20). Please
provide full citations.
PLACE HERE: Research Methods 2 Midterm Assignment
• Bibliography list (a minimum of 10 sources must be included).

25. VI. Research and Writing Timeline: Indicate your expected
research timetable: starting date, research
time, data analysis time, writing time, editing time, date of first
draft submission, expected defense time.
You may use a Gantt chart.
VII. Ethics: How does your research relate to the ethical aspects
of your subject matter?
Section C: Submission Registration
This form must be approved for a candidate to register for the
dissertation. It is the student’s responsibility to find a
Faculty Promoter with whom to complete this form. It is also
incumbent upon the student to make sure that all
academic and administrative criteria have been met. The form
must be completed, signed by the respective parties,
and submitted to the Dissertation Coordinator for approval.
Please type on this form. Handwritten forms will not be

26. accepted.
Promoter:
Proposed Dissertation Defense Cohort (Choose One)
☐ January 2022 ☐ May 2022 ☐ June 2022
☐September 2022
☐ January 2023 ☐ May 2023 ☐ June 2023
☐September 2023
Note: Dissertation Defense must be completed within the three
main cohorts, following coursework completion, for which
registration is open. (May and June count as a single Cohort for
this purpose). Example: students completing in June or July
2021
may register to defend in January 2022 and must defend by
September 2022.

27. Student Signature Date
Section D: Approval
Role Name Signature Date
Promoter
Dissertation
Coordinator
Academic
Department

28. The grade for the entire dissertation project is a composite
grade allocated by the defense panel and takes three
areas into consideration:
• Form (20%): the structural organization of the Dissertation
document (grammar and vocabulary; writing
and reporting; technology; style)
• Content (60%): the academic accuracy and value of the project
(executive summary; research question
& objectives; background; main body; conclusions)
• Defense (20%): the manner and methods used (visuals;
content; questions & answers)
Name: