Master Thesis, 30 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Business Administration - Strategy and Management in International Organisation

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen within Business Administration or Economics or a bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen with/and at least 60 ECTS (two semesters of full-time study) of Business Administration-related courses (for example Accounting, Marketing, Organization Theory, Strategy, Finance, HRM).

English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6/B).

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• independently identify and develop a relevant research problem in a consistent and logical way.
• design and carry out a study where the research problem is explored systematically, with methodological and theoretical awareness.
• systematically analyze the collected research material (theoretical and/or empirical) and identify patterns.
• synthesize the results of the research study and develop a theoretical contribution with empirical relevance.
• develop an academic text that articulates the research study and argues for the research problem, the chosen method, and the results achieved in a coherent and trustworthy manner.
• critically scrutinize and reflect upon academic texts and fruitfully be a part of an academic discussion.

Course content

The students will in teams of two identify, develop and examine a research problem within the field of business. The course includes a seminar series that comprises a number of work seminars, where the ongoing thesis work is presented and discussed, as well as a number of theory and method seminars of a more general scholarly character.

Teaching and working methods

A significant part of the course consists of the students’ independent work with their thesis project. To support the thesis work, each thesis team will be appointed a thesis advisor. The teaching takes the form of seminars and meetings with the thesis advisor.

Examination

The master thesis is submitted and defended at a seminar. The examination also includes critical review of other theses and active participation in seminars and work seminars. Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department