RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Research Proposal

[Name of Student]

Table of Contents

1.Scope/Rationale of Project1

2.Research Question(s)2

3.Research Methodology3

4.Data Sources3

Primary Data4

Secondary Data4

Aspects of Syllabus Used4

5. Proposed Chapter Headings and Sub-Headings5

Introduction5

Scope of the Project6

Literature Review7

Research Methodology9

Analysis and Findings9

Conclusion and Recommendations for Future10

References11

Assessment of the Role of Marketing Strategies Adopted by Investment Banks in stimulating the 2008 Crisis

Scope/Rationale of Project

This project aims to discuss the effectiveness of marketing strategies that are adopted by various investment banks in stimulating the financial crisis of 2008. We will go about the project discussing in detail the marketing strategies by the investment banks before and after the crunch.

The immediate cause or trigger of the crisis was the bursting of the United States housing bubble which peaked in the year 2005-2006. A large credit crunch severely affected the financial system of the world, particularly the western countries. This crunch undermined the faith and trust in U.S. investment banking sector, which is the worst victim that emerged out from the crisis. The aftermath of the crisis included a loss of wealth in private and public sector financial institutions, rejection of investment theories, damages to the repute of financial institutions world-wide, rise of criminal activity in the countries, and a massive private sector cynicism. The credit crunch was so huge in magnitude that about $ 2.8 trillion worth credit lost in October 2009 alone. The sufferers included investments banks as Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Morgan Stanley, Bear Stearns, and Merrill Lynch. As the global financial crisis hit the world, the consequences suffered by these investment banks that had to restructure their marketing strategies to cope up or were acquired by other giants to survive in the sector (Daniel McDonald and Daniel, 2008, p. 203).

Merrill Lynch was acquired by the Bank of America.

Bear Stearns was acquired by JPMorgan Chase with the support of Fed,

Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs became bank holding companies instead,

Lehman Brothers faced acute bankruptcy.

Banks, particularly investment banks, could not manage the four basic organizational hurdles including cognitive, motivational, resource, and political hurdles; and seemed to surrender in front of the crisis. The financial crisis of 2008 is triggered by global, national and local forces that have been followed by the banking sector's contribution to aggravate the crunch (Daniel McDonald and Daniel, 2008, p. 203). This coupled with the economic activity, resulted in the most severe crunch, in the finance capitalism.

Research Question(s)

Our study is based on the following research questions that will help us in meeting our proposed objectives:

What is the role of a marketing strategy in a financial institution's stability and development?

What are the key considerations in formulating an effective marketing strategy for a financial institution?

How do investment banks formulate and implement their marketing strategies?

How did investment banks respond to the financial crisis?

What is the role of an investment bank's marketing strategy in reducing/increasing the impact of financial strategy?

What are the recommendations for developing effective marketing strategies for investment banks in lieu of financial crises?

Research Methodology

The proposed methodology for this project is the use of both primary and secondary information ...