Thesis MSc Business Administration: International Management

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/E_BA_THS_IM

Course Objective

Academic and Research Skills: Students are capable of:formulating a clear research problem that fits within the field of business administration and has a managerial and scientific relevance,presenting the problem through a theoretically relevant perspective and knowing how to end up with a useful theoretical framework or model aimed at addressing the problem statement, identifying shortcomings and making theoretical recommendations. Those recommendations must be based on the conclusions, and be comprehensible, detailed, relevant, and realistic, reporting the research properly.Knowledge of Theory + Methods and Solving Complex Problems Students are capable of:studying the problem in a suitable way, preferably by using an empirical approach,developing practical implications from your theory and research findings,applying theoretical frameworks and concept to real world situation,reflecting critically on the results and limitations of the research.Professional Social Skills: Students are capable of performing the research in an ethical way and conducting high-quality research independently. They are capable of taking into account their supervisor’s feedback, following the guidelines and establishing realistic expectations. They are capable of delivering the raw data (e.g., transcription, survey data, documents, et cetera) upon request and in a satisfactory manner. They are capable of initiating contact with their supervisor, being clear about their personal thesis progress schedule and indicating when there is a need for feedback and when the feedback is unclear. The students are capable of following the thesis timeline as proposed in the thesis manual and of meeting the intermediate deadlines. They are capable to reacting proactively and efficiently in the event of unanticipated contingencies (e.g., difficulties in collecting data). Self-Reflective Professional: Students are capable of reflecting critically on their (ethical and professional) functioning as researchers. They are solely responsible for the content, quality and progress of their Master thesis. This implies that they are expected to decide on the content of their Master thesis autonomously, taking into account the supervisor’s advice while making their own decisions.

Course Content

The thesis is an academic (or scientific) paper. In this context, “academic” means that the thesis systematically, objectively and verifiably demonstrates the knowledge that the student has acquired vis-à-vis the thesis topic. To answer research questions (whether of an applied or theoretical nature), students have to conduct a theoretical investigation in the form of a literature review as well as a sound quantitative and/or qualitative inquiry. Here, the student visits/observes the object of his/ her research (one or more companies, individuals or other organizational units) to collect data, which enable to answer the research question. This can involve conducting interviews, making observations, sending out questionnaires, studying documents, analyzing sets of data or carrying out case studies, experiments. Students could instead engage in developmental modelling, or simulation research. In this latter kind of research, the student develops a mathematical model to simulate business processes under varying conditions.

Teaching Methods

Individual supervision

Method of Assessment

The student submits his/her thesis to the supervisor and uploads the thesis on Canvas for the anti-plagiarism check. Also, students are expected to hand in a separate file that contains the raw data upon which the thesis is based (e.g., interview recordings and transcripts, survey data). If a student is not able to comply, the thesis cannot be assessed. The student will be asked to defend the thesis (presentation), and after carefully examining the thesis and presentation, the supervisor and the second reader discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis and determine the appropriate grade. The thesis coordinator allocates the thesis to an independent second reader who is knowledgeable of the thesis topic and/or its methodology. After carefully examining the thesis, the supervisor and the second reader discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis and determine the appropriate grade. In so doing, the thesis is assessed on both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Students must attain a 6.0 or higher to advance to graduation.

Literature

Required Reading: Academic articles recommended in the course “Research in Business Administration”.

Custom Course Registration

See BA Master thesis course manual (available on Canvas) for the application procedure.

Entry Requirements

Passing two main courses from period 1 (receiving a minimum grade of 6.0 for each of the two courses) is a prerequisite for receiving thesis supervision during the January-June period. In case a student does not fulfil this requirement, he/she may still apply for the January round of thesis supervisor if and only if at least 3 courses in periods 1 and 2 are completed successfully before the deadline of January 1st (including re-take of period 1 courses, and first opportunity of period 2 courses). If this is not the case, these courses should first be completed and the thesis can only be started in October of the next academic year.

Recommended background knowledge

The thesis builds the utilization of academic research skills obtained in the course Research in Business Administration from period 4. Therefore, it is highly recommended that this course is taken before/during your thesis to adequately prepare you for thesis writing. The methods used for conducting the research should align with the methodological requirements imposed by academic research. Research methodologies are presented in the course “Research in Business Administration”. It is strongly recommended to get familiar with these methodologies before starting to work on your thesis.

Explanation Canvas

Mandatory registration in the "Thesis MSc BA
- IM" course on Canvas