The implementation and effectiveness of Business Continuity plans: a case study of commercial banks in Nigeria

Research Aims/Objectives:

1. To establish the effectiveness of business continuity management plans for commercial banks in Nigeria.
2. To establish whether the business continuity management plans are incorporated in corporate strategies.
3. To establish whether or not business continuity management plans implemented by commercial banks in Nigeria conform to internationally accepted standards and practices.

Research Questions:

1. How effective are business continuity plans of commercial banks in the case country(Nigeria) in protecting against perceived risk?
2. In the case country, are business continuity management plans incorporated in corporate strategies?
3. Do business continuity management plans implemented by commercial banks in the case country (Nigeria) conform to internationally accepted standards and practices?

Summary of the literature/ rationale for the study

According to Young (2006), business continuity management (BCM) is a relatively new concept used to protect businesses against risk. He also observed that BCM is not well-received in most developing countries. In addition, Schneid and Collins (2001) found that the effectiveness of BCM plans in building resilience and protecting businesses have not been exhaustively researched. Furthermore, Haynes (2014) noted that whether or not businesses incorporate BCM plans in corporate strategies was not known. The works of these researchers indicate that the concept of BCM is not well researched; however, application of BCM in the banking sector has been researched by Wong and Shi (2015). Since the banking sector is important to the development and proper functioning of any economy, with regard to developing countries the following questions need answers. How effective are BCM plans of commercial banks in protecting against perceived risk? Are BCM plans utilised in corporate decision making?

Another issue that need researching is the implementation of BCM plans. AsLynn and McConnell (2007) noted, most businesses are not aware whether the BCM plans they are implementing conform to internationally accepted standards and practices. Moreover, Wong and Shi (2015) found that due to ignorance of the banks’ management about BCM, most business continuity plans do not conform to internationally accepted standards and practices. This means that whether or not BCM plans implemented by commercial banks in developing countries conform to internationally accepted standards and practices requires to be researched.

 References

Young, J. (2006). Operational Risk Management: The practical application of a qualitative approach, Van Schaik Publishers Pretoria.

Schneid, T.D. and Collins, L. (2001) Disaster Management and preparedness: Washington, Lewis Publishers. Commercial Printing Enterprise, Addis Ababa.

Lynn, T.D and McConnell, A, A. 2007.  Risk and Crisis Management in the Public Sector: Routtedge; Taylor and Francis Group London.

Woodman, P. (2007) Business Continuity Management: Chartered Management Institute.

Wong, W.Z. & Shi, J. 2015. Business Continuity Management System: A Complete Framework for Implementing ISO 22301, London. Kogan Page, Discovery eBooks, EBSCOhost. Viewed 21 April 2016.

Haynes, A. 2014.Business Continuity Management: 33 Success Secrets, 33 Most Asked Questions on Business Continuity Management, What you Need to Know.Emereo Publishing. Discovery eBooks, EBSCOhost. Viewed 21 April 2016.

 

 

 

 

Data Collection

Most of the data collected in the above research is qualitative data. This is defined as data that cannot be represented in numerical form. The best applicable methods to use in this case are the use of questionnaires and interviews. The participants in these data collection methods are the bank managers since they are most likely to have the necessary information required. Telephone interviews can be carried out as they are less time consuming and the researcher has unrestricted access to anyone who has a phone. However, face-to-face interviews have an added advantage to the telephone interview as I will be able to establish rapport with potential participants and therefore gain their cooperation. These interviews yield the highest response rate, and the researcher can get clarification on ambiguous answers given by the participants.

Nigeria has 22 commercial banks, which means carrying out interviews in all of the bank branches will be cumbersome. Issuance of questionnaires is a better way to go as it is less time consuming and also gives the respondents time to research and give more accurate responses.

Data on whether each commercial bank has a business management continuity plan, data on how often commercial banks test, review and update contents of business continuity plans, whether the plans are subject to audit and to which standard the plans are benchmarked is collected. Since it is qualitative data, its analysis can be done by comparing the data to that of other groups. In this case, comparing data of businesses that implemented business continuity management to those that did not is the method of analysis used. These comparisons can then help draw conclusions from the data by showing patterns in physical or social environment. This qualitative data can also be changed to quantitative data by counting the number of times certain things occur during the process of interviewing or assigning ratings to dimensions such as the importance, ease of use or satisfaction.

 OUTLINE OF DISSERTATION CHAPTER SEQUENCE AND CONTENT

• An Abstract: The abstract summarises the whole dissertation (200-300 words).

• Introduction: The introductory chapter explains the background to the topic under investigation and the aims of the study. It should also set out the content of the whole dissertation by giving a brief description of the content of each chapter.

• Literature Review: This chapterprovides a critical review of relevant literature. This should account for a substantial part of the overall word-count 4000 -5000 words. The literature review should have a flow and you should be able to reach a conclusion at the end. Only journal articles should be cited in this part although you should also include citations from the books cited in the proposal please. A minimum of 35 references. Do not include blogs as reference please. The literature should be able to identify the goals of the study. Because there is not much literature on the BCM of Nigeria commercial banks, the literature should be on developing countries in general, maybe comparing them with developed countries in terms of the topic at hand. I need the literature review should be ready in 10 days please.

• Methodology: This chapter describes and explains your approach to your research and the methods you have used to generate and analyse your data. The chapter should demonstrate your awareness of different methodological approaches and research methods and justify your particular choice. It should also acknowledge any limitations or weaknesses of your research design and methods. Please its compulsory to reference the book “Case study research: Design and method” by Robert K. Yin in this chapter.

• Case-study:A chapter that provides relevant information about the Nigeria Commercial Banks and the background to the situation or issue that is being explored.

• Findings/Analysis:One or more chapters that present your data analysis and synthesize your research findings. Data analysis should be presented clearly and effectively. The primary aim of this chapter is to give an effective synthesis of the issues explored in the study.

• Discussion: This chapter reflects on the theoretical and conceptual implications of the findings. It includes a discussion of the findings that makes appropriate reference to theory and other aspects covered in the literature review.  The research questions must be addressed in this chapter.

• Conclusions: This chapter should summarise the key findings of your research and assess their implications for practice and/or theory. Where appropriate, the chapter may include recommendations for action or for further research that are derived from the conclusions. This chapter should never introduce new materials.

• Reflection: A brief section in which you reflect on the process of researching your project and writing your dissertation. In this chapter you should try to identify how your experience of the dissertation process has contributed to your personal, academic and professional development.

• Reference List: All the works that you have referred to in your dissertation listed in alphabetical order. The list should be accurate, complete and in full detail. You should use the Harvard style.

• Personal Reflection: The dissertation is to include a short section at the end entitled ‘Personal Reflection’. In this section you are asked to reflect on the process of researching and writing up your dissertation.  You should try to explore your learning experiences during the period of your research and set out how these have contributed to your personal, academic and professional development.  Please note the key aspects of this section, as follows:The text should be 600-800 words in length (about two sides of A4)and is additional to the total word count for your dissertation. The purpose is to reflect on your learning and evaluate the applicationof subject knowledge and skills (theoretical & practical) to the issues studied during the period in which you have been working on your dissertation. The text should be evaluative and self-critical as well as reflective. It may be referenced to subject based &/or methodology literature. The quality of this section may be critical if the overall mark achieved inyour dissertation is marginal.

 

CRITERIA FOR A GOOD DISSERTATION

Your dissertation must demonstrate that it has met the following criteria:

• The focus is on a specific business topic

• The research has been undertaken in a systematic and sustained way

• There is a demonstration of originality in the application of knowledge

• An analytical and critical approach has been taken in the investigation

• Appropriate methods and techniques are applied in the enquiry

• It incorporates an understanding and evaluation of theory

• It demonstrates the implications of any findings for business and management and research

Format

1. The dissertation shall take the following form:

 

• Title Page

• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
  • Table of Contents, including maps, tables, diagrams and appendices
  • List of Abbreviations (if any)
  • The text
  • Appendices
  • Reference List/ Bibliography

Important notice

Literature review.

The literature review should have a flow (synthesis) and you should be able to reach a conclusion at the end. Only journal articles should be cited in this part. The literature should be able to identify the goals of the study. Because there is not much literature on the BCM of Nigeria commercial banks, the literature should be on developing countries in general, maybe comparing them with developed countries in terms of the topic at hand. I need the literature review should be ready in 10 days please.