Master Thesis

TOPICS

(I) NEW TOPICS in WS 2024/25: I will only accept further master thesis topics by the end of January,

(1) if the requests are forwarded by SSC, or

(2) if they refer to the FRANCHISE project which will be announced soon (I will take 6 additional students). Please contact me if you are interested in joining this project team by October 30!!!

I will organize a zoom meeting on Oct. 30, 12.30, for all who are interested in joining this project

 

https://univienna.zoom.us/j/96409994131?pwd=UVpSMCt6d21jUEJ6N0hXK3U5MC9GQT09

 

(II) The topic chosen for the master thesis must be from the field of International Business/Management, Networks (alliances, joint ventures, franchising, licensing) or Digital Platforms.

DEADLINES and Master thesis seminar

1. Proposal:When you register for the master thesis seminar, you have to submit a signed proposal at the first meeting of the master conversatorium.

2. All candidates under my supervision have to attend my master thesis seminar in WS or SS.

3. Deadline for the master thesis:
I want to inform all master thesis candidates that all accepted topics have to be completed within 12 months after registration! If you need more time due to important reasons, please inform me in advance.

4. Length: Minimum 50 pages

Rules for Scientific Writing
When you are in the process of submitting the final version of the master thesis, I want to remind you of submitting a final version that consistently applies the formal rules of writing a research paper.  Here are two references for preparing the thesis:

  • Karmasin, M., R. Rainer, Die Gestaltung wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten, , 2015, UTB Facultas
  • Skern, T., Writing Scientific English, 2015, UTB Facultas

Defense of Master Thesis (IM and Organisation & Personal)

(I) INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS/MANAGEMENT

For the DEFENSE, the presentation of the thesis should not take longer than 20 minutes and the examination will consist of 5 questions; 3 questions from the thesis and 2 questions from the "Theory of International Firm" or "International Market Entry".

BOOKS:

M. Forsgren, 2018, Theories of the Multinational Firm: A Multidimensional Creature in the Global Economy., Edward Elgar Publishing, (Chapter: 1 - 4, 6, 8, 9, 10); AND the additional papers on the different theories of the multinational firm uploaded on ucloud in the folder "MASTER EXAM"! (please choose 6 theories and inform me two days before the exam via email which topics you have prepared!)

OR

Welch, L. S., Benito, G. R., & Petersen, B., 2018, Foreign operation methods: Theory, analysis, strategy, Edward Elgar Publishing (Chapter: 1 - 4, 6, 8, 9, 10)

Examination in the Specialization "International Management" and "Organisation & Personal"

This examination part will consist of 4-5 questions and take about 20-30 minutes.

Examination Literature

For the MINOR in INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT, you have to learn (A) Theory of International Firm;

In addition, (B) or (C). Please inform me in advance which topic and book of (B) and (C) you will choose (see below)!

(A) Mandatory
Theory of the International Firm

Relevant Literature

M. Forsgren, 2024, Theories of the Multinational Firm: A Multidimensional Creature in the Global Economy., Edward Elgar Publishing, (Chapter: 1 - 4, 6, 8, 9, 10); AND the additional papers on the different theories of the multinational firm uploaded on ucloud in the folder "MASTER EXAM"! (please choose 6 theories and inform me two days before the exam via email which topics you have prepared!)

(B) or (C): For the MINOR choose ONE of the following two options
(B) International Market Entry(C) Global Strategy
Book:
  • Welch, L. S., Benito, G. R., & Petersen, B., 2018, Foreign operation methods: Theory, analysis, strategy, Edward Elgar Publishing (Chap. 1 - 10)
Book:
  • M. W. Peng (2022), Global Strategic Management, South-Western, Cengage Learning, Chapter 2,3,4, 6,7,9, 10, 12.

 

                                                 (II) MINOR - Organisation & Personal

 

Students in Organisation & Personal have to prepare the following literature for the master exam:

R.L. Daft, J. Murphy, H. Willmot, (2020) Organization Theory and Design, Chap. 1 - 7, Cengage
and
Picot, A., Dietl, H., Franck, Fiedler, M., Royer S. (2020) Organisation: Theorie und Praxis aus ökonomischer Sicht. Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag, Kapitel 1, 2, 5, 6.