SPECIFICATIONS FOR THESIS PREPARATION 2014-2015

The requirements in this guide apply to all theses from MISI. The purpose of this
document is to facilitate the care and dissemination of the thesis and to assure the
preservation of the archival paper copy.
Overview:
The purpose of this document is to provide information about the nature and
purpose of a thesis, along with providing specific and strict guidelines for the
format of a thesis. Below is a set of key points that one should have in mind when
undertaking a thesis.
1. Problem Definition: There needs to be a clear definition of a problem. This is
what we call as the Research Question. The question should be simple and easy
to understand.
2. Problem Documentation: It is important to document clearly the parameters
that are important to the problem. The research problem can originate from the
theory (Theory-oriented research problem) or from the practice (practiceoriented research problem). Usually problems are multidimensional and almost
impossible to measure and quantify all variables. Thus one should aim at
distinguishing those variables that would assist in providing a sound solution to
the problem tackled. This is where the literature review is becoming a critical
part of the thesis. A very thorough literature review will provide a very good
understanding of the different dimensions of the problem under investigation.
3. Research Methodology: Important is the selection of the proper methodology.
This part answers the question of how the research will be conducted. There is a
wide range of methodologies, which could fall under the quantitative, qualitative
or even triangulation category (quantitative and qualitative). Particularly for
supply chain and logistics research the methodologies can be classified in four
categories: case study, survey, modeling and action research. Under this section
one should answer questions like:
a. Where is the data coming from?
b. How has the sample being selected?
c. How has the data being collected?
d. What are the tools used for the analysis of the data?
4.
Presentation of results and conclusions: Results should be presented in a
clear and detailed manner. They should explain the research question and
provide a set of possible answers. These answers should be also related to the
literature review commenting on how similar or different and why have they been
compared to previous works. At this stage the limitation of the present study
should also be presented along with future research suggestions.
In order facilitate the thinking process make sure that you ask yourself questions
related to the purpose of this work, the design/approach of the work, the key
findings of the research and its value and originality.

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Content Structure:
Usually a thesis should be consisted of the following sections:
1.
Title page
2.
Abstract
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Acknowledgements
Table of contents
List of figures
List of tables
Introduction
Literature review
Definitions / Background / Problem Description
Methodology (Case Studies / Data / Model Description)
Analysis and results, Summary, Results
Insights and Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendix

Additional deliverables are the following:

1.
Presentation
2.

Executive Summary

*A set of examples can be found in the following links:

ctl.mit.edu
https://www.dropbox.com/home/CTL%20Thesis%20Files

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Evaluation:
The following are the general assessment criteria for thesis evaluation:
1. Task Definition and Methodology
Subject is valid and relevant;
Clear statement of the research problem/question, and associated
objectives, with a comprehensive and persuasive rationale;
Appropriate selection of, and justification for, the methodology adopted,
indicating a full understanding of its values and limitations.
2. Literature Review and Conceptual Framework
Evidence of a comprehensive knowledge and full critical review of the
literature relevant to the study;
Development of a coherent, and fully justified conceptual framework to
underpin the research undertaken.
3. Data Collection, Analysis, Findings and Conclusions
Entirely appropriate selection and implementation of data collection
methods which is fully justified and recognizes the limitations of the
methods adopted;
Clear and extensive evidence of a high level of analysis using appropriate
techniques;
Clear presentation of fully justified findings and logical conclusions, based
upon the research evidence, which demonstrate the ability to critically
evaluate the research results.
4. Presentation and Communication of Ideas
Conforms to all the required specifications and has an excellent layout in
terms of structure and logical argument;
Clear and correct use of English, with no imprecise and/or incorrect
statements.
Submission Date & Submission Material:
Degree candidates must receive final approval from his/her thesis advisor on the
thesis front page and submit a hard copy (using normal paper) to the Academic
Registrar due on May 1st, 4pm. After final approval from the Academic Registrar
(on the format of thesis), three hard copies (two copies for MISI and one copy for
students) using the below specified quality paper and the softcopy (final version
both in word and pdf format) must be submitted by May 8th, 12pm. Binding will
be provided by MISI at no cost.
Paper:
The paper must be chosen for its permanence and durability. It should bear the
original signatures. The paper must be (a) acid-neutral or acid-free, (b)
watermarked, (c) at least 20-lb. weight, and (d) contain at least 25% cotton. It may
contain some post-consumer waste (pcw) recycled material. The above mentioned
quality paper can be purchased from the administration.

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FORMATTING:
Pagination: The title page is always considered to be page 1, and every page must
be included in the count regardless of whether a number is physically printed on a
page. The entire thesis (including title page, prefatory material, illustrations, and
all text and appendices) must be paginated in one consecutive numbering
sequence. Theses should be prepared double-sided whenever possible. Both sides
of every page (starting with the title page and including any pages that have been
left blank) must be accounted for in the numbering sequence. Therefore, oddnumbered pages are always on the right and even-numbered pages on the left. For
landscape-oriented pages, page numbers need to be located on the bottom of the
page.
Selecting a Title: Be sure to select a title that is a meaningful description of the
content of your manuscript. In addition, when possible, use word substitutes for
formulas, symbols, superscripts, Greek letters, etc.
Thesis Title Page: The title page of the first copy must bear the original
signatures of the author, supervisor, and rector; a photocopy of the signed title
page is acceptable for the second copy. The title page should contain the title,
name of the author, previous degrees, the degree(s) to be awarded at MISI, the
date the degree(s) will be conferred, copyright notice, and appropriate names and
signatures (see example on page 5).
Thesis Abstract Page: Each thesis offered for a graduate degree must include an
abstract one single-spaced page, less than 350 words. The abstract should be
thought of as a brief descriptive summary rather than a lengthy introduction to the
thesis. The abstract should immediately follow the title page. Full name and title of
supervisor is required to be included (see example on page 6).
Biographical Note and Acknowledgments: Although not a requirement, each
thesis may contain a short biography of the candidate, including institutions
attended and dates of attendance, degrees and honors, titles of publications,
teaching and professional experience, and other matters that may be pertinent. An
acknowledgment page may also be included. These sections may be single-spaced.
Notes and Bibliographic References: Whenever possible, notes should be
placed at the bottom of the appropriate page. They should be single-spaced and
included within the specified margins (see section below). Place the bibliographic
references at the end of the thesis. References in the main body of the text should
be in accordance with style used (APA, MLA, Chicago etc.).
Style: Do not underline heading or section names. Any use of bold fonts or italics
should be consistent and applied in accordance with the chosen style guide.
Ensure consistency of words and capitalization all through the manuscript. Use
American English.

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Appendices: The same paper size and quality, pagination, margins, notes, and
illustration requirements apply to appendices. They support the research in your
thesis and should be as readable and reproducible as the rest of your work. Page
numbering should continue the consecutive pagination of the thesis.
Typeface and Size: For the main body of the text, including appendices and front
matter, font size should be 11-point, font style should be either Times New Romans
or Cambria, and should not be script or italic. Italics may, however, be used for
short quotations or to highlight variables in an equation, for example. Notes and
the text in tables, etc., should not be smaller than 10-point.
Margins and Spacing: Top, bottom, and right side margins must be an inch wide
(1"); the left side margin must be 1.3 inch wide (1.3") to allow for binding and
trimming. All information (text headings, notes, and illustrations), excluding page
numbers, must be within the text area. Theses should be prepared using both sides
of the paper (double-sided). Oversize sheets must be folded to come within the text
area so the folds will not be trimmed off or bound in during the binding procedure.
The text of the thesis must be 1.5 lines spaced and left aligned. The abstract,
biography, notes, bibliography, and acknowledgment should be single-spaced.
Tables and Figures: There should be a blank line between the tables and figures
(top and bottom) separated from the text. The title needs to be located below for
the tables and figures.
Use of Color: Students may print their theses in full color for color figures,
illustrations, and photos. Recommended is to minimize the use of color, and use
high quality photos when using it.
Executive Summary:
The overall format needs to be consistent with the above specified thesis format
and should be between 1,500 to 3,000 words. The deadline for the hard and soft
copy (both in word and pdf format) of executive summary is May 8th, 12pm and
needs to be submitted to both the thesis advisor and academic registrar.

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Sample Title Page

Title 16pt Times New Roman

by
Name
Previous degrees
Submitted to the MIT Malaysia Supply Chain Management Program in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
at the
MALAYSIA INSTITUTE FOR SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION

May 2014
XXX. All rights reserved.
The author hereby grants to MISI and MIT permission to reproduce and to distribute publicly
paper and electronic copies of this thesis document in whole or in part.

Signature of Author
Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain Innovation
Date
Certified by
Name
Title
Thesis Supervisor
Accepted by

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Rector
Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain Innovation
Sample Abstract

Title 16pt Times New Roman

by
Name
Submitted to the Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain Innovation
on May 16, 2014
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Degree of Master of Science in Supply Chain Management

ABSTRACT
This thesis investigates how a multinational corporation can effectively hedge against the
exchange-rate risk by structuring and managing a supply chain in a global setting. Economic
uncertainties such as the U.S. credit crises and the debt concerns in southern European countries
(e.g., Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) call for new policies in order to operate under an
increased level of uncertainty. For example, even though the Japanese Yen and the US Dollar are
considered to be more stable currencies, they have exhibit significant fluctuations in recent
times, putting the US Dollar at its record low against the Yen on October 24, 2011, since the
Great Depression. Naturally, such exchange rate fluctuations increase the need to develop new
risk mitigation policies that would assist global corporations in managing the fluctuations in their
global revenues and profits.
This thesis provides multinational corporations with prescriptions for ways to cope with the
increased amount of global economic uncertainty. It demonstrates that production hedging,
defined as producing and supplying less than the firms total global demand, can be an effective
policy in minimizing the negative implications of the exchange-rate risk while maximizing
global profits.
Thesis Supervisor: John Park
Title: Assistant Professor

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