Business & Management Research Foundations

Objective: To develop the ability to identify significant business and organisational problems, critically engage with existing management literature and establish a clear direction for independent master’s-level research.

Research Components:

• Research Problem Identification
• Critical Literature Review
• Development of Research Questions
• Business and Management Inquiry

Advanced Research Design & Methodology

Objective: To develop the ability to design rigorous business and management research using appropriate methodological approaches aligned with the research problem, objectives and intended outcomes.

Research Components:

• Advanced Research Design and Methodologies
• Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research
• Research Ethics and Academic Integrity
• Data Collection and Analysis Planning

Research Proposal Development

Objective: To develop a coherent and academically rigorous research proposal establishing the rationale, business context, theoretical foundation, methodology and intended contribution of the proposed research.

Research Components:

• Research Proposal Development
• Conceptual and Theoretical Framework
• Methodological Planning
• Proposal Review and Approval

Developing Research Capability

Objective: To strengthen the learner’s ability to conduct independent postgraduate research, critically evaluate business evidence and apply appropriate analytical and research methods throughout the research process.

Research Components:

• Developing Research Capability
• Critical Analysis and Academic Argument
• Research Data Interpretation
• Academic Writing and Scholarly Communication

Supervised Business & Management Research

Objective: To enable learners to investigate an approved business, management or organisational problem independently while receiving structured academic supervision and research guidance.

Research Components:

• Independent Business Research
• Academic Supervision
• Research Progress Reviews
• Data Collection, Analysis and Evaluation

Master’s Dissertation

Objective: To demonstrate advanced research capability through the completion of a substantial independent research project addressing a relevant problem within business, management or organisational practice.

Research Components:

• Master’s Dissertation Writing
• Research Findings and Critical Evaluation
• Managerial, Professional and Research Implications
• Final Review, Submission and Defence

Upon successful completion of all academic and graduation requirements, learners receive two master’s-level qualifications:

• Master of Business Administration — EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta
• Master of Business Administration — EIMT, Switzerland

Together, they form the SwissEU™ dual-qualification pathway, combining a nationally recognised European master’s qualification with a Swiss master’s qualification within one integrated research journey.

The Master of Business Administration – By Research does not require learners to follow a predetermined specialisation.

Instead, each learner develops an approved research direction based on the proposed business problem, professional background, organisational context, management interests and intended contribution.

Research areas may include:

1. Strategic Management and Leadership
2. Human Resource Management
3. Organisational Behaviour
4. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
5. International Business
6. Marketing and Brand Management
7. Digital Transformation
8. Artificial Intelligence in Business
9. Corporate Finance and Financial Management
10. Banking and Financial Services
11. Investment and Wealth Management
12. Operations Management
13. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
14. Business Analytics and Decision-Making
15. Corporate Governance
16. Sustainability and ESG Management
17. Healthcare Management
18. Educational Management
19. Project and Change Management
20. Customer Experience and Service Management

Other business and management-related research areas may be considered subject to academic relevance, supervisory capacity and approval.

The research area defines the focus of the learner’s investigation and dissertation. It does not constitute a separate specialisation award unless explicitly stated within the applicable qualification regulations.

The programme begins with a business problem, organisational challenge, research question or management issue that is relevant to the learner’s academic or professional context.

Instead of requiring every learner to follow the same predetermined management pathway, each candidate develops an individual research direction subject to academic approval.

Identify

Define a meaningful business, management or organisational problem worthy of systematic investigation.

Investigate

Critically explore existing knowledge, theories, frameworks, organisational practices and research evidence.

Research

Design and conduct an appropriate independent business research project under academic supervision.

Contribute

Develop findings, managerial insights, frameworks or practical implications that contribute to management knowledge or professional practice.

Professional experience can provide a valuable starting point for business and management research.

Managers, entrepreneurs, consultants, business owners, executives and other professionals frequently encounter strategic, operational and organisational challenges through their professional practice.

The MBA – By Research provides a structured academic pathway for transforming those challenges into systematic research.

Professional Experience
↓
Business or Organisational Problem
↓
Research Question
↓
Systematic Investigation
↓
Research Findings
↓
Managerial, Professional & Academic Value

A research-based MBA can provide valuable preparation for learners who may later wish to pursue doctoral-level research.

Through the programme, learners experience key elements of the postgraduate research process, including:

• identifying a business or management research problem;
• developing research questions;
• conducting a critical literature review;
• selecting appropriate research methodologies;
• developing theoretical or conceptual frameworks;
• collecting and analysing research data;
• critically evaluating research findings;
• translating findings into managerial implications;
• writing an academic dissertation; and
• presenting and defending research findings.

Where academically appropriate, research developed at master’s level may provide a foundation for identifying or refining a future doctoral research direction.

Admission to any subsequent doctoral programme remains subject to the admission requirements and academic assessment of the relevant institution.

Typical Route

Applicants should:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited or recognised institution; or

• Hold an equivalent qualification at EQF Level 6 or comparable level.

Applicants with backgrounds in business, management, economics, finance, marketing, human resources, entrepreneurship, operations, leadership or related areas may be particularly suited to the programme.

Applicants from other academic backgrounds may also be considered where they can demonstrate relevant professional experience, managerial responsibility or an appropriate proposed research direction.

A clearly identifiable research interest or proposed area of business or organisational inquiry is beneficial for admission to the research pathway.

Alternative Route

Applicants who do not meet the standard academic entry requirements may be considered through an applicable APEL/RPL route, subject to academic assessment and approval.

Relevant professional experience, previous academic work, management projects, entrepreneurial activity, research experience, professional certifications or other evidence of preparedness for postgraduate research may be considered as part of the applicable admissions process.

English Language Requirement

• Minimum CEFR Level B2, IELTS 5.5, or equivalent, subject to the applicable admission requirements.

Direct academic engagement. Structured supervision. Integrated research support.

Learners participate in research development activities and academic engagement directly through Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss) under the Swiss Live Class Direct™ model.

Throughout the research journey, learners receive structured support in areas such as research design, methodology, business research development, data analysis, academic writing and dissertation preparation.

Under the SwissEU™ academic model, SIMI Swiss focuses on academic delivery, research support and the learner experience, while the respective qualifications are awarded by EAI Malta and EIMT Switzerland in accordance with their applicable academic regulations.

Swiss Live Class Direct™ provides learners with direct academic engagement without franchise-based teaching or intermediary academic providers.

The MBA – By Research is designed to support learners throughout the development of their research rather than leaving them to complete a dissertation independently.

Research support may include:

• Research topic development
• Proposal development support
• Research methodology guidance
• Academic supervision
• Research progress review
• Literature review development
• Conceptual and theoretical framework development
• Research design and data collection planning
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis guidance
• Interpretation of business and management findings
• Academic writing support
• Dissertation formatting support
• English academic review
• Preparation for final submission and defence

Academic support assists the learner in developing the research but does not replace the learner’s responsibility for producing original academic work.