Discussion: Your Doctoral Research Problem and Social Change

As a Walden independent scholar pursuing a doctorate, one essential element you are required to explain is how the whole undertaking contributes to positive social change. The definition of social change often eludes us, however. What does social change mean exactly? While that term may mean slightly different things to different people, it does contain within it the idea of having a positive impact on the world around you.

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According to Walden dissertation editor Lydia Lunning, “You may feel overwhelmed by being asked to explain how what you’ve been doing at your desk, alone in the library, or on your computer in your precious free moments could amount to something that could change the course of other people’s lives—but that is exactly what you are meant to do.” The idea of solving a “world problem” can seem like an insurmountable task, but remember that effecting positive social change in the world around you can start locally, within your own workplace, community, or social network.

To prepare for this Discussion, consider your goals as a DBA independent scholar at Walden University in light of its mission of positive social change. Also, thinking about the literature that you have reviewed—and the literature reviews you have completed previously—you can determine a clear statement of the problem you have identified for your doctoral study research.

The central research question: What are the retention strategies that some small business owners employ in their organizations to retain employees?

Post an analysis of the significance of your doctoral research problem for promoting positive social change. Your analysis should include the following:

• A description of your doctoral research study business problem
• An explanation of the significance of the business problem using scholarly literature for support
• An application of the significance to promoting positive social change within both the field of research and the industry of the specific business problem

Be sure to support your work with a minimum of two specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and one or more additional scholarly sources.

Refer to the Week 7 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this rubric to assess your work.

Luke, B., & Chu, V. (2013). Social enterprise versus social entrepreneurship: An examination of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ in pursuing social change. International Small Business Journal, 31(7), 764–784. doi:10.1177/0266242612462598

Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2015). Research methods for business students (7th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Unlimited