MBA (Rural Management)

MBA (RM) Programme is designed to balance academics with experiential learning. Class Room Segments (CRS) spread over 56 credits and, Field Work Segments (FWS) of 36 credits within four semesters of the two years of course curricula.

The three components of FWS are designed in a progressive manner, with Action Research Segment (ARS) in first semester, Case Study Research Segment (CSS) of 10 weeks in second semester and Management Traineeship Segment (MTS) in the third semester. 

Why Case Study Research Segment (CSS)? 

MBA(RM) Researchers have used the Case Study Research method for many years across a variety of disciplines. The Case Study Research is a research method suitable for many rural and agricultural development situations, which takes place in real settings and requires an interdisciplinary approach.

The development organizations like yours will be more interested in gaining knowledge of people in their natural setting and their interactions with other people in the environment. In such situations, the Case Study Research may offer insights that might not be achieved with other research approaches.

Overview of Case Study Research:  Methodology 

The Case Study Research can be used for intensive study of an object which can be an   individual person, a group, an institution, service, event, relationship or other entity.

The object is represented by place and context. The place represents the geographical environment and the context refers to the prevailing social, economic, historical, cultural, and environmental conditions. The contextual conditions are extremely important in understanding the object of study. The case studies are best applied to situations in which the object cannot be studied out of the context in which it occurs naturally. Some of the important features of Case Study Research include:

• Case Studies are limited in terms of sampling because they focus on small number of objects (samples). The sampling relies on researcher’s ability to identify the cases that are representative of the research problem understudy.
• Exhaustive collection of data using multi-method strategy of data collection such as analysis of documents, in depth interviews, questionnaires, and observations.
• The evidence may be qualitative (e.g., words), quantitative (e.g., numbers), or both.
• Simultaneous data analysis with data collection

The Case Study Research Process: 

A six steps process is suggested to organize and conduct the Case Study Research successfully. The steps are:

Step 1. Determine and Define the Research Questions

Step 2. Select Cases (Object) and Determine Data Gathering and Analysis Techniques

Step 3. Prepare to Collect the Data

Step 4. Collect Data in the Field

Step 5. Evaluate, Triangulate and Analyze the Data

Step 6. Writing  the report

The focus of MTS component is to partner with all our partners and enterprises that have an unstinting commitment to rural sector. The MTS is planned to be a problem solving segment where students will apply their analytical and decision making skills on specific project based problems/challenge assigned by organizations engaged in various aspects of rural business and development.

The students will work under active guidance of experienced senior managers supported by faculty guides from KSRM to help them to make decisions under real & more demanding situations.

Scope of MTS:

 The scope of MTS includes project(s) on problems/issues/situation which require better understanding, insights and analytical abilities for their resolution.

Indicative Project Themes:

 The indicative but not exhaustive projects include the following themes

• Agribusiness
• Climate Change, Disaster and Natural Resources Management
• Health, Education and CSR
• ICT and Governance for Development
• Livelihood
• Marketing
• Rural Banking and Financial Inclusion
• Sustainable Agriculture

 MTS Deliverables:

 During the course of MTS students are expected to rigorously research the problem, analyze data, and produce outputs in terms of solutions in line with the objectives of the projects. After the completion of MTS field work the students are expected to make presentation of their project to host organization and submit the draft reports.

The study findings are again presented in MTS seminars conducted at KSRM under the supervision of internal faculty and external examiner.  Based on the suggestions received during the seminars and comments of the faculty guides, the draft reports are revised and a copy each is submitted to school and the host organisation. The students are evaluated for their projects independently by the host organization and KSRM.