The Theoretical Foundation section of a research study is often one of the most challenging components to create. It is informed by the historical context as described in the Background to the Problem section. In this assignment, you will connect the Background to the Problem with theories, models, and concepts to develop the Theoretical Foundation for your research study.

General Requirements:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:

• Instructors will be using a grading rubric to grade the assignments. It is highly recommended that learners review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment in order to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
• Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments.
• When past research is being referenced, please use and write in past tense.
• Remember at the doctoral level, we are paraphrasing or writing in our own words using prior research as support. Do not use direct quotes to demonstrate the writing of the topic/assignment.
• This assignment MUST contain a thesis and/or main claim. Please see the rubric requirements for more clarity.
• Do not include citations in the first or last sentence of any paragraph. The first sentence should be your thesis and the last sentence should be either your transitional or concluding sentence.
• Remember: Only journal articles must be used as references and those surveyed must have been published within the last 5 years (2015 to present). If there are journal articles listed that have been published more than 5 years ago (2014 to older), please utilize other journal articles that are less than 5 years old as long as they are relevant to your research and topic.

Grading Criteria Requirements:

• Problem Statement: The problem statement is present and well connected to the research gap.
• Definition and Description of Each of the Theories, Models, Laws, or Concepts to be Used: Definitions and descriptions of each of the theories, models, laws, or concepts to be used are present, meaningful, and well connected to the intended study.
• Phenomena and Research Questions or the Variables and Hypotheses for the Study: The phenomena and research questions or the variables and hypotheses for the study are present and connect well to the problem statement.
• Discussion of How the Theory, Model, Law, or Concept Undergirds and Connects to the Research Study: A discussion of how the theory, model, law, or concept undergirds and connects to the research study is present, thorough, and well supported.
• Thesis Development and Purpose: Thesis and/or main claim are clear and comprehensive; the essence of the paper is contained within the thesis.
• Mechanics of Writing: Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
• APA Format: The document is correctly formatted. In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.
• Assignment Directions:

Write a draft of the Theoretical Foundation (a theory or theories, model(s), law(s), or concept(s) underpinning the study) for your research study. The draft should include the following:

1. A brief introduction (no more than 1/2 a page) that includes the statement of the thesis and/or main claim.

6. The study’s problem statement resulting from the defined need or gap. This can be taken from the Background to the Problem section that you drafted earlier.
7. A definition and description of each of the theories, models, laws, or concepts that will be the basis for the Theoretical Foundation of the study. Support these ideas with seminal sources.
8. The phenomena and research questions (qualitative studies) or the variables and hypotheses (quantitative studies) for the study.
9. A discussion of how the theory or theories, model(s), law(s), or concept(s) undergirds and connects to the research study.
10. A brief conclusion (no more than 1/2 a page) that includes the restatement of the thesis and/or main claim, and that it aligns with the rest of the narrative.

Every section of the assignment must have added emphasis and insight on the details being presented. Just only presenting the background information of the assignment (see next page) as is, without placing added emphasis and insight on the details of the assignment while following grading criteria requirements, is not deemed to be satisfactory and will result in a lower grade. **

Additional Information 

This section is only meant to mainly provide background information.

• Type of study: Qualitative study

• Two theories or models involved/identified: Operations strategy matrix and Porter’s five forces model

 

Dissertation Study Topic Area		A case study about the behavior and culture of retail management in e-commerce organizations aid in retaining a continuous competitive advantage through strategic planning.
Problem Statement		It is not known how the behavior and culture of e-commerce organizations impacts their innovation and operations through strategic planning in the name of competitive advantage.
Research Questions		R1: What is the behavior and culture of retail management in an e-commerce organization? R2: How has the retail management of an e-commerce organization incorporated strategic planning into its behavior and culture? R3: What factors of strategic planning in e-commerce influence its continuous competitiveness? R4: How does an e-commerce organization contribute to the success of strategic planning in its retail management? R5: How is the overall continuous competitiveness of e-commerce organizations evaluated? R6: How does the retail management of e-commerce organizations ensure the continued success of strategic planning in fostering continuous competitiveness?
Describe Phenomena (qualitative) or Define Variables/Hypotheses (quantitative)	Phenomena: Understanding the behavior and culture of retail management of e-commerce organizations located in the state of California and how it impacts its continuous competitive advantage in product quality, pricing, availability, efficiency, and brand satisfaction to consumers through strategic planning.