Research Topics & Ideas: Business 📈

50+ Management Research Ideas + Sample Studies

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | Updated January 2025

Free Workshop: Dissertation Fast-Track
YouTube video

Struggling to find the perfect research topic for your MBA dissertation or business research project? Don’t worry—you’re in the right place. Here we’ve compiled 100+ research topics to help you get started.

From strategy and leadership to marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, this list covers a wide range of areas. Whether you’re exploring business innovation, sustainability, or the latest trends in digital transformation, you’ll find plenty of ideas to inspire your research.

P.S. If you’re new to the sometimes daunting world of academic research, don’t miss our free Topic Ideation 101 Webinar, packed with tips on refining your research ideas and identifying the perfect gap in the literature.

Business Strategy

Research in strategy focuses on how organisations adapt to changing environments, leverage innovation, and drive competitive advantage. Here are unique and diverse research topics, with new additions integrated into the list:

  • An analysis of the impact of digital transformation on business strategy in consulting firms.
  • The role of innovation in transportation practices for creating a competitive advantage within the agricultural sector.
  • Exploring the effect of globalisation on strategic decision-making practices for multinational fashion brands.
  • An evaluation of corporate social responsibility in shaping business strategy: A case study of power utilities in Nigeria.
  • Analysing the relationship between corporate culture and business strategy in the new digital era, exploring the role of remote working.
  • Assessing the impact of sustainability practices on business strategy and performance in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry.
  • An analysis of the effect of social media on strategic partnerships and alliances development in the insurance industry.
  • Exploring the role of data-driven decision-making in business strategy developments following supply-chain disruptions in the agricultural sector.
  • Developing a conceptual framework for assessing the influence of market orientation on business strategy and performance in the video game publishing industry.
  • A review of strategic cost management best practices in the healthcare sector of Indonesia.
  • Identification of key strategic considerations required for the effective implementation of Industry 4.0 to develop a circular economy.
  • Reviewing how globalisation has affected business model innovation strategies in the education sector.
  • A comparison of merger and acquisition strategies’ effects on novel product development in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • An analysis of market strategy performance during recessions: A retrospective review of the luxury goods market in the US.
  • Comparing the performance of digital stakeholder engagement strategies and their contribution towards meeting SDGs in the mining sector.
  • The role of strategic alliances in accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in the energy sector.
  • Evaluating the strategic implications of artificial intelligence adoption in retail logistics.
  • The impact of employee engagement strategies on organisational resilience during economic downturns.
  • An analysis of localisation strategies for global tech firms entering emerging markets.
  • Exploring the role of open innovation in fostering agility within the biotechnology sector.
  • Strategic challenges and opportunities for firms in the gig economy: A case study of ride-sharing platforms.
  • Assessing the influence of competitive benchmarking on the strategic positioning of SMEs in the food industry.
  • The role of digital ecosystems in shaping collaborative business strategies among fintech companies.

 

Human Resources

Human resources research explores innovative practices, technology, and strategies that influence organisational culture, employee satisfaction, and productivity. Below is a curated list of HR research topics, including fresh, unique ideas:

  • Exploring the impact of digital employee engagement practices on organisational performance in SMEs.
  • The role of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
  • An evaluation of remote employee training and development programs efficacy in the e-commerce sector.
  • Comparing the effect of flexible work arrangements on employee satisfaction and productivity across generational divides.
  • Assessing the relationship between gender-focused employee empowerment programs and job satisfaction in the UAE.
  • A review of the impact of technology and digitisation on human resource management practices in the construction industry.
  • An analysis of the role of human resource management in talent acquisition and retention in response to globalisation and crisis: A case study of the South African power utility.
  • The influence of leadership style on remote working employee motivation and performance in the education sector.
  • A comparison of performance appraisal systems for managing employee performance in the luxury retail fashion industry.
  • An examination of the relationship between work-life balance and job satisfaction in blue-collar workplaces: A systematic review.
  • Exploring HR personnel’s experiences managing digital workplace bullying in multinational corporations.
  • Assessing the success of HR team integration following mergers and acquisitions on employee engagement and performance.
  • Exploring HR green practices and their effects on retention of millennial talent in the fintech industry.
  • Assessing the impact of human resources analytics in successfully navigating digital transformation within the healthcare sector.
  • Exploring the role of HR staff in the development and maintenance of ethical business practices in fintech SMEs.
  • An analysis of employee perceptions of current HRM practices in a fully remote IT workspace.
  • Investigating the relationship between employee wellness programs and turnover rates in the retail industry.
  • The role of AI-driven recruitment tools in eliminating hiring biases in multinational organisations.
  • Exploring the effectiveness of gamified learning strategies in corporate employee training.
  • Assessing the impact of hybrid working models on organisational culture and employee collaboration.
  • The role of mentorship programs in fostering leadership development among women in male-dominated industries.
  • Investigating the relationship between emotional intelligence training and employee conflict resolution skills.
  • The impact of HR-driven mental health initiatives on employee productivity in high-stress industries.
  • Exploring the challenges and opportunities of cross-cultural HR practices in multinational organisations.

 

Finance & Accounting

Research in finance and accounting examines the factors influencing financial performance, risk management, governance, and the integration of modern technologies. Here’s an enriched list of relevant and unique research topics:

  • An analysis of the effect of employee financial literacy on decision-making in manufacturing start-ups in Ghana.
  • Assessing the impact of corporate green innovation on financial performance in listed companies in Estonia.
  • Assessing the effect of corporate governance on financial performance in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea.
  • An evaluation of financial risk management practices in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia.
  • Exploring the role of leadership financial literacy in the transition from start-up to scale-up in the retail e-commerce industry.
  • A review of influential macroeconomic factors on the adoption of cryptocurrencies as legal tender.
  • An examination of the use of financial derivatives in risk management.
  • Exploring the impact of the cryptocurrency disruption on stock trading practices in the EU.
  • An analysis of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in academic publishing houses.
  • A comparison of financial ratios performance in evaluating e-commerce startups in South Korea.
  • An evaluation of the role of government policies in facilitating manufacturing companies’ successful transitioning from start-up to scale-ups in Denmark.
  • Assessing the financial value associated with Industry 4.0 transitions in the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
  • Exploring the role of effective e-leadership on financial performance in the Nigerian fintech industry.
  • A review of digital disruptions in CRM practices and their associated financial impact on listed companies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Exploring the importance of Sharia-based business practices on SME financial performance in multicultural countries.
  • The influence of blockchain technology on transparency and accountability in public sector accounting.
  • Assessing the impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance on the financial performance of multinational corporations.
  • Exploring the role of microfinance in alleviating poverty: A comparative study across Asian developing economies.
  • An analysis of the cost-benefit trade-offs of integrating artificial intelligence in financial forecasting systems.
  • Investigating the financial implications of mergers and acquisitions in the technology sector.
  • The impact of financial education programs on household investment behaviour in emerging economies.
  • A comparative study of accounting practices for sustainability reporting in the energy sector.
  • The role of corporate tax incentives in promoting SME growth in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Operations Management (Ops)

Operations management research focuses on optimising processes, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring resilience across industries. Below is a comprehensive list of research topics, enriched with new ideas to explore:

  • An assessment of the impact of blockchain technology on operations management practices in the transport industry of Estonia.
  • An evaluation of supply chain disruption management strategies and their impact on business performance in Lithuania.
  • Exploring the role of lean manufacturing in the automotive industry of Malaysia and its effects on improving operational efficiency.
  • A critical review of optimal operations management strategies in luxury goods manufacturing for ensuring supply chain resilience.
  • Exploring the role of globalisation on supply chain diversification: A pre/post analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • An analysis of the relationship between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription-based business models.
  • Assessing the cost of sustainable sourcing practices on operations management and supply chain resilience in the cocoa industry.
  • An examination of the adoption of behavioural predictive analytics in operations management practices: A case study of the Italian automotive industry.
  • Exploring the effect of operational complexity on business performance following digital transformation.
  • An evaluation of barriers to the implementation of agile methods in project management within governmental institutions.
  • Assessing how the relationship between operational processes and business strategy changes as companies transition from start-ups to scale-ups.
  • Exploring the relationship between operational management and innovative business models: Lessons from the fintech industry.
  • A review of best practices for operations management facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the fast food industry.
  • Exploring the viability of lean manufacturing practices in Vietnam’s plastics industry.
  • Assessing engagement in cybersecurity considerations associated with operations management practices in Industry 4.0 manufacturing.
  • Investigating the role of digital twins in streamlining supply chain operations and reducing downtime.
  • The impact of green logistics practices on operational performance in e-commerce companies.
  • Evaluating the adoption of just-in-time (JIT) inventory practices in the pharmaceutical sector during global supply chain disruptions.
  • An analysis of operational risk management strategies in cross-border trade for emerging economies.
  • Exploring the role of AI in demand forecasting and inventory optimisation in the retail industry.
  • The effect of employee involvement in continuous improvement processes on operational efficiency in the textile sector.
  • Assessing the impact of warehouse automation on supply chain responsiveness and cost management.
  • The influence of sustainability certifications on operational decision-making in the food and beverage industry.

 

International Business

International business research explores the complexities of global trade, cultural interactions, and the influence of policies and technology on organisational strategies. Below is an expanded and enriched list of topics to delve into:

  • The impact of cultural differences in communication on international business relationships.
  • An evaluation of the role of government import and export policies in shaping international business practices.
  • The effect of global shipping conditions on international business strategies.
  • An analysis of the challenges of managing multinational corporations: Branch management.
  • The influence of social media marketing on international business operations.
  • The role of international trade agreements on business activities in developing countries.
  • An examination of the impact of currency fluctuations on international business and cost competitiveness.
  • The relationship between international business and sustainable development: Perspectives and benefits.
  • An evaluation of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in emerging markets such as the renewable energy industry.
  • An analysis of the role of internationalisation via strategic alliances in international business.
  • The impact of cross-cultural management on international business performance.
  • The effect of political instability on international business operations: A case study of Russia.
  • An analysis of the role of intellectual property rights in an international technology company’s business strategies.
  • The relationship between corporate social responsibility and international business strategy: A comparative study of different industries.
  • The impact of technology on international business in the fashion industry.
  • Assessing the influence of globalisation on supply chain integration in multinational corporations.
  • The impact of foreign direct investment on local economies in sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities and challenges.
  • A study of international expansion strategies in the e-commerce sector: Lessons from global leaders.
  • Exploring the impact of regional economic integration, such as ASEAN, on business competitiveness.
  • The role of export diversification in mitigating risks for companies in emerging economies.
  • The effect of international tax policies on the growth of multinational corporations.
  • Exploring how local labour laws influence talent acquisition strategies for international businesses.
  • An analysis of the impact of global environmental standards on international trade.
  • The role of localisation strategies in achieving international market success: A case study of the FMCG sector.

 

Leadership

Leadership research examines how various styles, traits, and practices influence organisational performance, employee well-being, and innovation. Below is an enriched list of leadership research topics with additional unique ideas:

  • A comparative study of the impact of different leadership styles on organisational performance.
  • An evaluation of transformational leadership in today’s non-profit organisations.
  • The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and productivity.
  • An analysis of the relationship between leadership style and employee motivation.
  • The influence of diversity and inclusion on leadership practices in South Africa.
  • The impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on leadership in the digital age.
  • An examination of the challenges of leadership in a rapidly changing business environment: Examples from the finance industry.
  • The relationship between leadership and corporate culture and job satisfaction.
  • An evaluation of the role of transformational leadership in strategic decision-making.
  • The use of leadership development programs in enhancing leadership effectiveness in multinational organisations.
  • The impact of ethical leadership on organisational trust and reputation: An empirical study.
  • An analysis of the relationship between various leadership styles and employee well-being in healthcare organisations.
  • The role of leadership in promoting good work-life balance and job satisfaction in the age of remote work.
  • The influence of leadership on knowledge sharing and innovation in the technology industry.
  • An investigation of the impact of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural leadership effectiveness in global organisations.
  • The role of leadership in managing conflict resolution within culturally diverse teams.
  • A study of the impact of servant leadership on employee engagement and organisational commitment.
  • Exploring the relationship between gender diversity in leadership and organisational performance.
  • The influence of leadership adaptability on business continuity during global crises: Lessons from COVID-19.
  • Evaluating the impact of authentic leadership on employee trust and retention in startups.
  • An analysis of the effectiveness of distributed leadership in team-oriented project environments.
  • Investigating the role of leadership in fostering psychological safety and innovation in the workplace.
  • The role of visionary leadership in driving sustainability initiatives in multinational corporations.
  • The impact of leadership styles on managing resistance to organisational change.

 

I didn’t know if I was good enough.

See how Kelsee went from lost and confused to conquering her PhD.


Business/Management Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a business-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various management-related degree programs (e.g., MBAs, DBAs, etc.) to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • Sustaining Microbreweries Beyond 5 Years (Yanez, 2022)
  • Perceived Stakeholder and Stockholder Views: A Comparison Among Accounting Students, Non-Accounting Business Students And Non-Business Students (Shajan, 2020)
  • Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility and the New Ecological Paradigm among Business Students in Southern California (Barullas, 2020)
  • Entrepreneurial opportunity alertness in small business: a narrative research study exploring established small business founders’ experience with opportunity alertness in an evolving economic landscape in the Southeastern United States (Hughes, 2019)
  • Work-Integrated Learning in Closing Skills Gap in Public Procurement: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study (Culver, 2021)
  • Analyzing the Drivers and Barriers to Green Business Practices for Small and Medium Enterprises in Ohio (Purwandani, 2020)
  • The Role of Executive Business Travel in a Virtual World (Gale, 2022)
  • Outsourcing Security and International Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Analysis of Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Human Rights Violations (Hawkins, 2022)
  • Lean-excellence business management for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Kurdistan region of Iraq (Mohammad, 2021)
  • Science Data Sharing: Applying a Disruptive Technology Platform Business Model (Edwards, 2022)
  • Impact of Hurricanes on Small Construction Business and Their Recovery (Sahu, 2022)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrow, compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest. If you’d like to learn more about that, check out our popular Research Topic Bootcamp.

Research topic ideation course

Find The Right Research Topic ✨

14 Comments

  1. Rotimi Uju Angela

    Great help. thanks

    Reply
  2. solomon

    Hi,
    Your work is very educative, it has widened my knowledge.
    Thank you so much.

    Reply
  3. Benny

    Thank you so much for helping me understand how to craft a research topic. I’m pursuing a PGDE. Thank you

    Reply
    • JOHN DOE

      a feasibility study for the establishment of rice processing system in (_____)

      Reply
      • Tsehay Demeke

        Everything is Good!
        Thanks

        Reply
  4. SHADRACK OBENG YEBOAH

    Effect of Leadership, computerized accounting systems, risk management and monitoring on the quality of financial Reports among listed banks

    Reply
    • Denford Chimboza

      May you assist on a possible PhD topic on analyzing economic behaviours within environmental, climate and energy domains, from a gender perspective. I seek to further investigate if/to which extent policies in these domains can be deemed economically unfair from a gender perspective, and whether the effectiveness of the policies can be increased while striving for inequalities not being perpetuated.

      Reply
    • Groly Sangah

      Research title ,, proposal, synopsis

      Reply
  5. Negessa Abdisa

    healthy work environment and employee diversity, technological innovations and their role in management practices, cultural difference affecting advertising, honesty as a company policy, an analysis of the relationships between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription based business model,business corruption cases. That I was selected from the above topics.

    Reply
  6. Ngam Leke

    Research topic accounting

    Reply
    • Yahya Barsho Kabato

      Project management
      Master in 2025

      Reply
  7. Suke Phewa

    Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income?

    Reply
  8. Suke Phewa

    Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income? PHD/ Doctoral thesis

    Reply
  9. DD

    Please I need research topic on Tourism management for masters thesis

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *