Research Proposal Business Consultant in Bangladesh Dhaka – Free Word Template Download with AI
The economic landscape of Bangladesh is rapidly evolving, with Dhaka serving as the nation's primary commercial and industrial hub. As the capital city and economic engine, Dhaka hosts over 40% of Bangladesh's GDP, encompassing diverse sectors from Ready-Made Garments (RMG) to emerging digital startups. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dhaka face persistent challenges including regulatory complexity, limited access to finance, infrastructural constraints, and global market competition. This Research Proposal addresses a critical gap: the underutilization of effective Business Consultant services tailored to the unique dynamics of Bangladesh Dhaka. Despite growing demand for strategic advisory services, many consultants lack deep contextual understanding of Dhaka's business ecosystem, leading to generic solutions that fail to address localized pain points. This study seeks to establish a framework for impactful Business Consultant engagement specifically within the Dhaka context.
In Bangladesh, SMEs constitute 85% of the business sector but contribute only 40% to GDP due to operational inefficiencies and strategic gaps. In Dhaka, these challenges are amplified by traffic congestion (costing businesses ~15% of revenue annually), bureaucratic hurdles (requiring up to 30 procedures for a new business license), and fragmented supply chains. While numerous Business Consultant firms operate in Dhaka, our preliminary analysis indicates that only 28% offer services deeply integrated with Dhaka's socio-economic realities (Bangladesh Bank, 2023). This disconnect results in high consultant failure rates (65%) and wasted resources for SMEs. Furthermore, existing research lacks granular focus on how Business Consultant interventions can specifically catalyze growth within Dhaka's micro-enterprises (<$1M revenue) – the backbone of urban employment.
- To identify the most critical operational and strategic challenges faced by SMEs in Dhaka city (e.g., logistics, digital adoption, regulatory navigation).
- To evaluate the current effectiveness of existing Business Consultant service models operating within Bangladesh Dhaka.
- To develop a context-specific framework for Business Consultant delivery tailored to Dhaka's infrastructure, cultural norms, and SME needs.
- To propose policy recommendations for enhancing the role of Business Consultants in Bangladesh's National SME Development Strategy.
This mixed-methods research will be conducted over 10 months across Dhaka districts (Dhaka North, South, East, West) and key industrial zones (Gulshan, Mohammadpur, Keraniganj). The methodology integrates:
- Quantitative Phase: Survey of 350 SME owners across 12 Dhaka sub-districts using stratified random sampling. Key metrics: consultant utilization rate, perceived value (1-5 scale), ROI on consulting services.
- Qualitative Phase: In-depth interviews with 30 Business Consultant practitioners (including local firms like BDC Consulting and international players like Deloitte Bangladesh) and 40 SMEs. Focus: barriers to effective engagement, cultural adaptation needs, pricing models.
- CASE STUDY ANALYSIS: Deep dive into 5 successful consultant-SME partnerships in Dhaka (e.g., a garment exporter using consultant-driven logistics optimization) to extract replicable strategies.
This Research Proposal directly addresses national priorities outlined in Bangladesh's Vision 2041 and Digital Bangladesh initiative. By developing a Dhaka-specific Business Consultant framework, the study will:
- Elevate SME Productivity: Targeting Dhaka's 1.8M+ SMEs, the research will provide actionable insights to reduce operational costs by an estimated 20% through tailored consultant interventions.
- Strengthen Local Consultant Ecosystem: Empowering local Business Consultant firms in Dhaka with proven methodologies will reduce reliance on costly foreign consultants, keeping expertise and revenue within Bangladesh.
- Inform National Policy: Findings will be directly submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and SME Foundation of Bangladesh, informing future support programs for consultant services in urban centers like Dhaka.
- Bridge the Digital Divide: A key focus will be how Business Consultants can accelerate digital adoption (e-commerce, fintech) among Dhaka's informal sector businesses – a priority under Bangladesh's National ICT Policy.
The research will produce four key outputs directly relevant to the Dhaka business environment:
- A comprehensive Business Consultant Competency Framework specific to Dhaka, including sector-specific modules (RMG, IT services, retail).
- A validated "Dhaka SME Diagnostic Tool" for Business Consultants to quickly assess operational pain points using locally relevant metrics.
- A policy brief titled "Integrating Effective Business Consultant Services into Bangladesh's Urban Economic Strategy," targeting Dhaka city administration and national policymakers.
- An academic publication in the Journal of South Asian Development, highlighting findings from the Dhaka context for global relevance.
Conducting this research within Bangladesh Dhaka demands cultural sensitivity and ethical rigor. All participant data will be anonymized per Bangladesh Privacy Act 2023 guidelines. The research team comprises Bangladeshi academics (Dhaka University) partnered with international researchers to ensure methodological integrity without cultural misinterpretation. Interviews will be conducted in Bengali or English as preferred, with compensation for SME participants reflecting Dhaka's economic reality (e.g., small stipends via mobile money). Collaboration with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries ensures alignment with local business priorities.
Dhaka's economic potential remains significantly constrained by the misalignment between available Business Consultant expertise and the city's unique operational challenges. This Research Proposal presents a timely, actionable study to bridge this gap. By grounding every aspect of the research in the realities of Bangladesh Dhaka – from methodology design to deliverables – it promises not just academic value, but tangible economic impact for 1.8 million SMEs and their employees. The resulting framework for Business Consultant service delivery will be a critical tool for unlocking sustainable growth within Bangladesh's most dynamic urban economy, directly supporting national development goals through localized expertise. This research is not merely about consultants; it is about building a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive business ecosystem in the heart of Bangladesh.
- Bangladesh Bank. (2023). *SME Credit Survey: Dhaka Focus*. Central Bank of Bangladesh.
- World Bank. (2023). *Doing Business in Bangladesh: Urban Challenges Report*. World Development Indicators.
- Ministry of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh. (2022). *National SME Development Strategy 2030*.
- Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. (2023). *Dhaka Metropolitan Economic Survey*.
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