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Write Proposal **files (1)** – ## ProposalGuide.pdf **## ProposalGuide.pdf** Distinction-Level Dissertation Proposal Guide Example Topic: Balancing Commercial and Community Objectives: The Implications of Football Club Privatisation under Saudi Vision 2030 1. Start With a Research Problem, Not a To…
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**files (1)**
– ## ProposalGuide.pdf
**## ProposalGuide.pdf**
Distinction-Level Dissertation Proposal Guide
Example Topic:
Balancing Commercial and Community Objectives: The Implications of Football
Club Privatisation under Saudi Vision 2030
1. Start With a Research Problem, Not a Topic
Most students begin with a topic.
Example:
❌ Football club privatisation in Saudi Arabia.
This is not a research problem.
A distinction-level proposal begins with a tension, contradiction, or unanswered question.
Example:
✅ Football clubs are expected to create social and community value, yet privatisation increases
commercial pressures. Can clubs successfully balance both objectives?
This creates a problem worth researching.
Before writing anything, answer:
What is the tension?
Why is it important?
Why does it matter now?
2. Build the Proposal Around Themes, Not
Authors
One of the most common mistakes is writing:
"Morrow says…"
"Walters says…"
1
"Freeman says…"
This becomes descriptive.
Instead, organise the literature around themes.
Theme 1: Football Clubs as Social Institutions
Key Question:
Are football clubs simply businesses?
Core Literature:
Morrow (2003)
Morrow (2013)
Coalter (2007)
Key Argument:
Football clubs create social value that extends beyond financial performance.
Theme 2: Commercialisation of Football
Key Question:
How has football become increasingly commercial?
Core Literature:
Franck (2010)
Hamil & Walters (2010)
Rohde & Breuer (2017)
Key Argument:
Commercialisation improves financial sustainability but may change organisational priorities.
Theme 3: Stakeholder Theory
Key Question:
Who should football clubs serve?
•
•
•
•
•
•
2
Core Literature:
Freeman (1984)
Freeman et al. (2007)
Key Argument:
Football clubs should create value for multiple stakeholder groups, not solely investors.
Theme 4: CSR and Community Value
Key Question:
What responsibilities do football clubs have towards society?
Core Literature:
Walters & Tacon (2010)
Walters & Anagnostopoulos (2012)
Anagnostopoulos & Shilbury (2013)
Smith & Westerbeek (2007)
Key Argument:
Football clubs possess unique social responsibilities because of their community relationships.
Theme 5: Governance
Key Question:
How do governance structures influence organisational behaviour?
Core Literature:
Hoye & Cuskelly (2021)
Geeraert (2018)
Key Argument:
Governance systems shape how organisations balance competing stakeholder interests.
Theme 6: Saudi Vision 2030 Context
Key Question:
Why is Saudi Arabia a unique context?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
3
Core Literature:
Chadwick et al.
Vision 2030
Ministry of Sport publications
Key Argument:
Football club privatisation forms part of a broader national transformation agenda.
3. Build a Genuine Research Gap
Weak Research Gap:
❌ Nobody has studied Saudi Arabia.
This is rarely sufficient.
Strong Research Gap:
✅ Existing research has extensively examined football governance, commercialisation and stakeholder
management within European football systems. However, little is known about how these competing
priorities are managed within state-led football privatisation programmes such as Saudi Vision 2030.
This creates:
Academic relevance
Originality
Justification
4. Select a Theory That Solves the Problem
Do not select a theory simply because it is popular.
The theory must help answer the research question.
For this topic:
Primary Theory
Stakeholder Theory
(Freeman, 1984)
Reason:
•
•
•
•
•
•
4
The study examines how football clubs balance the interests of:
Investors
Communities
Supporters
Government
Sponsors
Stakeholder Theory provides a framework for analysing those relationships.
5. Create Clear Research Objectives
Good objectives explain exactly what the study will do.
Example:
Examine governance and ownership changes associated with football club privatisation.
Explore how community value is conceptualised within football governance literature.
Analyse how privatised football clubs communicate community responsibilities.
Evaluate tensions between commercial objectives and community responsibilities.
Assess implications for sustainable community value creation.
6. Justify Every Methodological Decision
Never simply state what method you will use.
Always explain why.
Example:
Research Philosophy
Interpretivism
Reason:
The research seeks to understand meanings, priorities and organisational narratives rather than
measure numerical relationships.
•
•
•
•
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5
Research Approach
Qualitative
Reason:
The study focuses on understanding governance, community value and organisational behaviour.
Data Collection
Document Analysis
Sources:
Vision 2030
Ministry of Sport
Saudi Pro League
Club reports
CSR reports
Reason:
Football privatisation is primarily represented through policy and governance documents.
Data Analysis
Thematic Analysis
Themes:
Commercialisation
Governance
Stakeholder Management
Community Value
Sustainability
Reason:
Allows identification of patterns across multiple documents.
7. Include a Central Argument
A strong proposal should contain an anticipated argument.
Example:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6
Football club privatisation may enhance financial sustainability and governance effectiveness; however,
it may simultaneously challenge the traditional community role of professional football clubs unless
stakeholder interests remain embedded within governance structures.
This argument should connect:
Introduction
Literature Review
Theory
Methodology
Conclusion
8. Acknowledge Limitations
Strong proposals recognise limitations.
Example:
Reliance on documentary evidence.
Limited ability to measure actual community outcomes.
Ongoing nature of Saudi football privatisation.
Potential differences between public communications and organisational practice.
9. Demonstrate Contribution
Always answer:
Why should anyone care about this research?
Academic Contribution:
Extends football governance literature beyond Europe.
Applies Stakeholder Theory to a new context.
Contributes to research on sport transformation.
Practical Contribution:
Supports policymakers.
Supports football clubs.
Supports governance reform.
10. Structure for a 1500-Word Proposal
Introduction: 250–300 words
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7
Research Aim, Question and Objectives: 100–150 words
Literature Review and Research Gap: 450–550 words
Theoretical Framework: 150–200 words
Methodology and Data Analysis: 250–300 words
Ethics and Limitations: 100–150 words
Expected Contribution and Conclusion: 150–200 words
References: Excluded from word count (where permitted)
Core References for This Topic
Freeman, R.E. (1984)
Morrow, S. (2003)
Morrow, S. (2013)
Walters, G. & Tacon, R. (2010)
Walters, G. & Anagnostopoulos, C. (2012)
Anagnostopoulos, C. & Shilbury, D. (2013)
Hoye, R. & Cuskelly, G. (2021)
Geeraert, A. (2018)
Coalter, F. (2007)
Smith, A. & Westerbeek, H. (2007)
Chadwick, S. et al.
Saudi Vision 2030 Documentation
Saudi Ministry of Sport Publications
Final Rule
A distinction-level proposal is not judged by how much information it contains.
8
It is judged by how clearly it answers four questions:
What is the problem?
What does the literature already tell us?
What do we still not know?
How will this research help answer that question?
1.
2.
3.
4.
9
– Distinction-Level Dissertation Proposal Guide
– Example Topic:
– Balancing Commercial and Community Objectives: The Implications of Football Club Privatisation under Saudi Vision 2030
– 1. Start With a Research Problem, Not a Topic
– What is the tension?
– Why is it important?
– Why does it matter now?
– 2. Build the Proposal Around Themes, Not Authors
– Theme 1: Football Clubs as Social Institutions
– Theme 2: Commercialisation of Football
– Theme 3: Stakeholder Theory
– Theme 4: CSR and Community Value
– Theme 5: Governance
– Theme 6: Saudi Vision 2030 Context
– 3. Build a Genuine Research Gap
– 4. Select a Theory That Solves the Problem
– Primary Theory
– 5. Create Clear Research Objectives
– 6. Justify Every Methodological Decision
– Research Philosophy
– Research Approach
– Data Collection
– Data Analysis
– 7. Include a Central Argument
– 8. Acknowledge Limitations
– 9. Demonstrate Contribution
– Why should anyone care about this research?
– 10. Structure for a 1500-Word Proposal
– Core References for This Topic
– Final Rule
**## ProposalGuide.pdf**
Distinction-Level Dissertation Proposal Guide
Example Topic:
Balancing Commercial and Community Objectives: The Implications of Football
Club Privatisation under Saudi Vision 2030
1. Start With a Research Problem, Not a Topic
Most students begin with a topic.
Example:
❌ Football club privatisation in Saudi Arabia.
This is not a research problem.
A distinction-level proposal begins with a tension, contradiction, or unanswered question.
Example:
✅ Football clubs are expected to create social and community value, yet privatisation increases
commercial pressures. Can clubs successfully balance both objectives?
This creates a problem worth researching.
Before writing anything, answer:
What is the tension?
Why is it important?
Why does it matter now?
2. Build the Proposal Around Themes, Not
Authors
One of the most common mistakes is writing:
"Morrow says…"
"Walters says…"
1
"Freeman says…"
This becomes descriptive.
Instead, organise the literature around themes.
Theme 1: Football Clubs as Social Institutions
Key Question:
Are football clubs simply businesses?
Core Literature:
Morrow (2003)
Morrow (2013)
Coalter (2007)
Key Argument:
Football clubs create social value that extends beyond financial performance.
Theme 2: Commercialisation of Football
Key Question:
How has football become increasingly commercial?
Core Literature:
Franck (2010)
Hamil & Walters (2010)
Rohde & Breuer (2017)
Key Argument:
Commercialisation improves financial sustainability but may change organisational priorities.
Theme 3: Stakeholder Theory
Key Question:
Who should football clubs serve?
•
•
•
•
•
•
2
Core Literature:
Freeman (1984)
Freeman et al. (2007)
Key Argument:
Football clubs should create value for multiple stakeholder groups, not solely investors.
Theme 4: CSR and Community Value
Key Question:
What responsibilities do football clubs have towards society?
Core Literature:
Walters & Tacon (2010)
Walters & Anagnostopoulos (2012)
Anagnostopoulos & Shilbury (2013)
Smith & Westerbeek (2007)
Key Argument:
Football clubs possess unique social responsibilities because of their community relationships.
Theme 5: Governance
Key Question:
How do governance structures influence organisational behaviour?
Core Literature:
Hoye & Cuskelly (2021)
Geeraert (2018)
Key Argument:
Governance systems shape how organisations balance competing stakeholder interests.
Theme 6: Saudi Vision 2030 Context
Key Question:
Why is Saudi Arabia a unique context?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
3
Core Literature:
Chadwick et al.
Vision 2030
Ministry of Sport publications
Key Argument:
Football club privatisation forms part of a broader national transformation agenda.
3. Build a Genuine Research Gap
Weak Research Gap:
❌ Nobody has studied Saudi Arabia.
This is rarely sufficient.
Strong Research Gap:
✅ Existing research has extensively examined football governance, commercialisation and stakeholder
management within European football systems. However, little is known about how these competing
priorities are managed within state-led football privatisation programmes such as Saudi Vision 2030.
This creates:
Academic relevance
Originality
Justification
4. Select a Theory That Solves the Problem
Do not select a theory simply because it is popular.
The theory must help answer the research question.
For this topic:
Primary Theory
Stakeholder Theory
(Freeman, 1984)
Reason:
•
•
•
•
•
•
4
The study examines how football clubs balance the interests of:
Investors
Communities
Supporters
Government
Sponsors
Stakeholder Theory provides a framework for analysing those relationships.
5. Create Clear Research Objectives
Good objectives explain exactly what the study will do.
Example:
Examine governance and ownership changes associated with football club privatisation.
Explore how community value is conceptualised within football governance literature.
Analyse how privatised football clubs communicate community responsibilities.
Evaluate tensions between commercial objectives and community responsibilities.
Assess implications for sustainable community value creation.
6. Justify Every Methodological Decision
Never simply state what method you will use.
Always explain why.
Example:
Research Philosophy
Interpretivism
Reason:
The research seeks to understand meanings, priorities and organisational narratives rather than
measure numerical relationships.
•
•
•
•
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5
Research Approach
Qualitative
Reason:
The study focuses on understanding governance, community value and organisational behaviour.
Data Collection
Document Analysis
Sources:
Vision 2030
Ministry of Sport
Saudi Pro League
Club reports
CSR reports
Reason:
Football privatisation is primarily represented through policy and governance documents.
Data Analysis
Thematic Analysis
Themes:
Commercialisation
Governance
Stakeholder Management
Community Value
Sustainability
Reason:
Allows identification of patterns across multiple documents.
7. Include a Central Argument
A strong proposal should contain an anticipated argument.
Example:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6
Football club privatisation may enhance financial sustainability and governance effectiveness; however,
it may simultaneously challenge the traditional community role of professional football clubs unless
stakeholder interests remain embedded within governance structures.
This argument should connect:
Introduction
Literature Review
Theory
Methodology
Conclusion
8. Acknowledge Limitations
Strong proposals recognise limitations.
Example:
Reliance on documentary evidence.
Limited ability to measure actual community outcomes.
Ongoing nature of Saudi football privatisation.
Potential differences between public communications and organisational practice.
9. Demonstrate Contribution
Always answer:
Why should anyone care about this research?
Academic Contribution:
Extends football governance literature beyond Europe.
Applies Stakeholder Theory to a new context.
Contributes to research on sport transformation.
Practical Contribution:
Supports policymakers.
Supports football clubs.
Supports governance reform.
10. Structure for a 1500-Word Proposal
Introduction: 250–300 words
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7
Research Aim, Question and Objectives: 100–150 words
Literature Review and Research Gap: 450–550 words
Theoretical Framework: 150–200 words
Methodology and Data Analysis: 250–300 words
Ethics and Limitations: 100–150 words
Expected Contribution and Conclusion: 150–200 words
References: Excluded from word count (where permitted)
Core References for This Topic
Freeman, R.E. (1984)
Morrow, S. (2003)
Morrow, S. (2013)
Walters, G. & Tacon, R. (2010)
Walters, G. & Anagnostopoulos, C. (2012)
Anagnostopoulos, C. & Shilbury, D. (2013)
Hoye, R. & Cuskelly, G. (2021)
Geeraert, A. (2018)
Coalter, F. (2007)
Smith, A. & Westerbeek, H. (2007)
Chadwick, S. et al.
Saudi Vision 2030 Documentation
Saudi Ministry of Sport Publications
Final Rule
A distinction-level proposal is not judged by how much information it contains.
8
It is judged by how clearly it answers four questions:
What is the problem?
What does the literature already tell us?
What do we still not know?
How will this research help answer that question?
1.
2.
3.
4.
9
– Distinction-Level Dissertation Proposal Guide
– Example Topic:
– Balancing Commercial and Community Objectives: The Implications of Football Club Privatisation under Saudi Vision 2030
– 1. Start With a Research Problem, Not a Topic
– What is the tension?
– Why is it important?
– Why does it matter now?
– 2. Build the Proposal Around Themes, Not Authors
– Theme 1: Football Clubs as Social Institutions
– Theme 2: Commercialisation of Football
– Theme 3: Stakeholder Theory
– Theme 4: CSR and Community Value
– Theme 5: Governance
– Theme 6: Saudi Vision 2030 Context
– 3. Build a Genuine Research Gap
– 4. Select a Theory That Solves the Problem
– Primary Theory
– 5. Create Clear Research Objectives
– 6. Justify Every Methodological Decision
– Research Philosophy
– Research Approach
– Data Collection
– Data Analysis
– 7. Include a Central Argument
– 8. Acknowledge Limitations
– 9. Demonstrate Contribution
– Why should anyone care about this research?
– 10. Structure for a 1500-Word Proposal
– Core References for This Topic
– Final Rule