2023-2024 / GCER0083-1

Master Thesis

Handing in

Presentation

Duration

Handing in : 8h Th, 30h AUTR, 120h Pr
Presentation : 24h SEM, 120h Pr

Number of credits

 OpenBordersMBA20 crédits 
 OpenBordersMBA20 crédits 

Lecturer

Handing in : Collégialité
Presentation : Collégialité

Coordinator

Wilfried Niessen

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This final paper builds upon an initial proposal. Ideally, the topic of your final paper is closely related to a relevant issue in the company you work for. This, however, is not a prerequisite. Any topic that focuses on a general or specific management issue in whatever context is a priori eligible.
The final paper usually consist of two parts:
Part 1 explores the management issue and translates it into one or more questions for empirical research. Eventually, part 1 at least deals with:

  • A clear definition and contextualization of the phenomenon and/or issue at stake
  • A translation of the management issues into research questions
  • A purposeful discussion or relevant theories, models and concepts (please include relevant references)
  • A detailed methodology and work plan (per research question).
 
Part 2 presents the empirical study that was defined in part 1. It is analytical and normative. Therefore, Part 2 provides explanations, solutions, guidance and/or strategies in the context of the management issue.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The key capacities that are developed and evaluated through the master thesis are :

  • Strategy: establish a strategy in order to optimize the value chain of a company, an organization or a project.
  • Implementation: take charge of the everyday management of a company, an organization or a project. 
  • Quality and performance control: plan and implement the performance and quality control in a company, an organization or a project. 
  • Communication: communicate efficiently, internally and externally, about a company, organization or project. 
  • Adaptability: adapt his/her managerial practice to the needs of a fast-evolving world.
Personal and unique though the thesis is, it is a capstone of the master degree. The five capacities will be evaluated during the defence.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Recommended or required readings

Assessment methods and criteria

  • A written paper
  • An oral defence

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The paper is written individually and in English .

Contacts

Association of one or more MOOCs