master thesis business strategy

Research Topics & Ideas: Business

50+ Management Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a business/management-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of  research ideas and topic thought-starters for management-related research degrees (MBAs/DBAs, etc.). These research topics span management strategy, HR, finance, operations, international business and leadership.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the management domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic. 

Overview: Business Research Topics

• Business /management strategy
• Human resources (HR) and industrial psychology
• Finance and accounting
• Operations management
• International business
• Actual business dissertations & theses

Strategy-Related Research Topics

• An analysis of the impact of digital transformation on business strategy in consulting firms
• The role of innovation in transportation practices for creating a competitive advantage within the agricultural sector
• Exploring the effect of globalisation on strategic decision-making practices for multinational Fashion brands.
• An evaluation of corporate social responsibility in shaping business strategy, a case study of power utilities in Nigeria
• Analysing the relationship between corporate culture and business strategy in the new digital era, exploring the role of remote working.
• Assessing the impact of sustainability practices on business strategy and performance in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry
• An analysis of the effect of social media on strategic partnerships and alliances development in the insurance industry
• Exploring the role of data-driven decision-making in business strategy developments following supply-chain disruptions in the agricultural sector
• Developing a conceptual framework for assessing the influence of market orientation on business strategy and performance in the video game publishing industry
• A review of strategic cost management best practices in the healthcare sector of Indonesia
• Identification of key strategic considerations required for the effective implementation of Industry 4.0 to develop a circular economy
• Reviewing how Globalisation has affected business model innovation strategies in the education sector
• A comparison of merger and acquisition strategies’ effects on novel product development in the Pharmaceutical industry
• An analysis of market strategy performance during recessions, a retrospective review of the luxury goods market in the US
• Comparing the performance of digital stakeholder engagement strategies and their contribution towards meeting SDGs in the mining sector

Topics & Ideas: Human Resources (HR)

• Exploring the impact of digital employee engagement practices on organizational performance in SMEs
• The role of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• An evaluation of remote employee training and development programs efficacy in the e-commerce sector
• Comparing the effect of flexible work arrangements on employee satisfaction and productivity across generational divides
• Assessing the relationship between gender-focused employee empowerment programs and job satisfaction in the UAE
• A review of the impact of technology and digitisation on human resource management practices in the construction industry
• An analysis of the role of human resource management in talent acquisition and retention in response to globalisation and crisis, a case study of the South African power utility
• The influence of leadership style on remote working employee motivation and performance in the education sector.
• A comparison of performance appraisal systems for managing employee performance in the luxury retail fashion industry
• An examination of the relationship between work-life balance and job satisfaction in blue-collar workplaces, A systematic review
• Exploring HR personnel’s experiences managing digital workplace bullying in multinational corporations
• Assessing the success of HR team integration following merger and acquisition on employee engagement and performance
• Exploring HR green practices and their effects on retention of millennial talent in the fintech industry
• Assessing the impact of human resources analytics in successfully navigating digital transformation within the healthcare sector
• Exploring the role of HR staff in the development and maintenance of ethical business practices in fintech SMEs
• An analysis of employee perceptions of current HRM practices in a fully remote IT workspace

Topics & Ideas: Finance & Accounting

• An analysis of the effect of employee financial literacy on decision-making in manufacturing start-ups in Ghana
• Assessing the impact of corporate green innovation on financial performance in listed companies in Estonia
• Assessing the effect of corporate governance on financial performance in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea
• An evaluation of financial risk management practices in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia
• Exploring the role of leadership financial literacy in the transition from start-up to scale-up in the retail e-commerce industry.
• A review of influential macroeconomic factors on the adoption of cryptocurrencies as legal tender
• An examination of the use of financial derivatives in risk management
• Exploring the impact of the cryptocurrency disruption on stock trading practices in the EU
• An analysis of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in academic publishing houses
• A comparison of financial ratios performance in evaluating E-commerce startups in South Korea.
• An evaluation of the role of government policies in facilitating manufacturing companies’ successful transitioning from start-up to scale-ups in Denmark
• Assessing the financial value associated with industry 4.0 transitions in the Indian pharmaceutical industry
• Exploring the role of effective e-leadership on financial performance in the Nigerian fintech industry
• A review of digital disruptions in CRM practices and their associated financial impact on listed companies during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Exploring the importance of Sharia-based business practices on SME financial performance in multicultural countries

Ideas: Operations Management

• An assessment of the impact of blockchain technology on operations management practices in the transport industry of Estonia
• An evaluation of supply chain disruption management strategies and their impact on business performance in Lithuania
• Exploring the role of lean manufacturing in the automotive industry of Malaysia and its effects on improving operational efficiency
• A critical review of optimal operations management strategies in luxury goods manufacturing for ensuring supply chain resilience
• Exploring the role of globalization on Supply chain diversification, a pre/post analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic
• An analysis of the relationship between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription-based business models
• Assessing the cost of sustainable sourcing practices on operations management and supply chain resilience in the Cocao industry.
• An examination of the adoption of behavioural predictive analytics in operations management practices, a case study of the
• Italian automotive industry
• Exploring the effect of operational complexity on business performance following digital transformation
• An evaluation of barriers to the implementation of agile methods in project management within governmental institutions
• Assessing how the relationship between operational processes and business strategy change as companies transition from start-ups to scale-ups
• Exploring the relationship between operational management and innovative business models, lessons from the fintech industry
• A review of best practices for operations management facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the fast food industry
• Exploring the viability of lean manufacturing practices in Vietnam’s plastics industry
• Assessing engagement in cybersecurity considerations associated with operations management practices in industry 4.0 manufacturing

Topics & Ideas: International Business

• The impact of cultural differences in communication on international business relationships
• An evaluation of the role of government import and export policies in shaping international business practices
• The effect of global shipping conditions on international business strategies
• An analysis of the challenges of managing multinational corporations: branch management
• The influence of social media marketing on international business operations
• The role of international trade agreements on business activities in developing countries
• An examination of the impact of currency fluctuations on international business and cost competitiveness
• The relationship between international business and sustainable development: perspectives and benefits
• An evaluation of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in emerging markets such as the renewable energy industry
• An analysis of the role of internationalisation via strategic alliances in international business
• The impact of cross-cultural management on international business performance
• The effect of political instability on international business operations: A case study of Russia
• An analysis of the role of intellectual property rights in an international technology company’s business strategies
• The relationship between corporate social responsibility and international business strategy: a comparative study of different industries
• The impact of technology on international business in the fashion industry

Topics & Ideas: Leadership

• A comparative study of the impact of different leadership styles on organizational performance
• An evaluation of transformational leadership in today’s non-profit organizations
• The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and productivity
• An analysis of the relationship between leadership style and employee motivation
• The influence of diversity and inclusion on leadership practices in South Africa
• The impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on leadership in the digital age
• An examination of the challenges of leadership in a rapidly changing business environment: examples from the finance industry
• The relationship between leadership and corporate culture and job satisfaction
• An evaluation of the role of transformational leadership in strategic decision-making
• The use of leadership development programs in enhancing leadership effectiveness in multinational organisations
• The impact of ethical leadership on organizational trust and reputation: an empirical study
• An analysis of the relationship between various leadership styles and employee well-being in healthcare organizations
• The role of leadership in promoting good work-life balance and job satisfaction in the age of remote work
• The influence of leadership on knowledge sharing and innovation in the technology industry
• An investigation of the impact of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural leadership effectiveness in global organizations

Business/Management Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a business-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various management-related degree programs (e.g., MBAs, DBAs, etc.) to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Sustaining Microbreweries Beyond 5 Years (Yanez, 2022)
• Perceived Stakeholder and Stockholder Views: A Comparison Among Accounting Students, Non-Accounting Business Students And Non-Business Students (Shajan, 2020)
• Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility and the New Ecological Paradigm among Business Students in Southern California (Barullas, 2020)
• Entrepreneurial opportunity alertness in small business: a narrative research study exploring established small business founders’ experience with opportunity alertness in an evolving economic landscape in the Southeastern United States (Hughes, 2019)
• Work-Integrated Learning in Closing Skills Gap in Public Procurement: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study (Culver, 2021)
• Analyzing the Drivers and Barriers to Green Business Practices for Small and Medium Enterprises in Ohio (Purwandani, 2020)
• The Role of Executive Business Travel in a Virtual World (Gale, 2022)
• Outsourcing Security and International Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Analysis of Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Human Rights Violations (Hawkins, 2022)
• Lean-excellence business management for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Kurdistan region of Iraq (Mohammad, 2021)
• Science Data Sharing: Applying a Disruptive Technology Platform Business Model (Edwards, 2022)
• Impact of Hurricanes on Small Construction Business and Their Recovery (Sahu, 2022)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Fast-Track Your Topic Ideation

If you’d like hands-on help to speed up your topic ideation process and ensure that you develop a rock-solid research topic, check our our Topic Kickstarter service below.

10 Comments

Great help. thanks

Hi, Your work is very educative, it has widened my knowledge. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for helping me understand how to craft a research topic. I’m pursuing a PGDE. Thank you

a feasibility study for the establishment of rice processing system in (_____)

Effect of Leadership, computerized accounting systems, risk management and monitoring on the quality of financial Reports among listed banks

May you assist on a possible PhD topic on analyzing economic behaviours within environmental, climate and energy domains, from a gender perspective. I seek to further investigate if/to which extent policies in these domains can be deemed economically unfair from a gender perspective, and whether the effectiveness of the policies can be increased while striving for inequalities not being perpetuated.

healthy work environment and employee diversity, technological innovations and their role in management practices, cultural difference affecting advertising, honesty as a company policy, an analysis of the relationships between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription based business model,business corruption cases. That I was selected from the above topics.

Research topic accounting

Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income?

Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income? PHD/ Doctoral thesis

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Business Dissertation Topics

2020 was a year of drastic change, with many businesses shut down by the pandemic. However 2021-22 onwards promises rapid economic growth, as business activity sharply expands. So, to help you out we’ve provided a selection of free and original business dissertation topics, suitable for both Master’s and Bachelor’s degree dissertations. These topics cover a large range of subjects within the business discipline, so you are sure to find one suited to your own interests. Each of these topics will allow you to produce an original and ambitious dissertation that will contribute to the existing knowledge of your subject area. So, if you’ve been searching far and wide for a great business dissertation topic, look no further!

Global Politics and Global Business Dissertation Topics

Global strategy for business dissertation topics, technology and innovation management business dissertation topics, corporate social responsibility business dissertation topics, international human resource management dissertation topics, management of international change dissertation topics, leadership and innovation business dissertation topics, globalisation and strategy business dissertation topics.

This is one of the most important aspects of international business as it examines the connection between global politics and global business. It looks at some of the most important factors, institutions, and processes that affect international business and studies the political environment of business, which has been particularly volatile over the last five years.

• Evaluating the performance of global business teams within multinational corporations: the test of an intervening process model.
• How does Corporate Governance affect internationalisation, globalisation and the performance of firms?
• What sorts of themes and images might create trans-cultural resonance and dissonance within an international classroom comprised of diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds?
• Can production for global markets help business groups to mobilise collectively? Under what conditions does globalisation enable the private sector to develop independent organisational bases and create effective relationships with the state?
• How different patterns of business-government relations affect processes of industrial upgrading: A case study of emerging economies.
• How do multinational organisations tackle the growing complexity of managing themselves in light of the rise to significant power of non-governmental organisations?
• A look at the effect that Brexit is likely to have on British businesses, especially the average small and medium enterprise (SME).
• How will Brexit impact on the regulatory burden of large business and corporations in the United Kingdom and Europe?
• Business-Government relations within a contingency theory framework: strategy, structure, fit, and performance.
• What is the meaning and process of globalisation and how does it impact the way in which business teams work together?
• In the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis, is globalisation still going to be a key market driver?
• Global strategy and local implementation: Examining how multinational corporations apply Corporate Governance in China.
• How will firms investing in China manage the political undercurrents, as talk increases of a new Cold War between the West and China?
• What factors affect multinational corporations’ choice of corporate political strategy? Examining the influence of perceived regulatory pressure on company’s political strategies.
• Using a legitimacy perspective to examine how firms entering the Chinese market manage political risk.
• A critical examination of the potential implications of Brexit for UK firms’ EU-based supply chain.
• Brexit and foreign direct investment into the UK: An examination of the potential impact on new venture start-ups in the UK.

Global business strategy focuses on understanding the main strategic issues that organisations face when they operate as a global business. Specifically, the issues relate to three areas: understanding global strategic analysis, formulating a global strategy, and developing sources of competitive advantage in a given company.

• What are the risks and benefits of an International Joint Venture?
• How should a business strategy be developed to expand a business in an international market?
• A comparative study of Mergers and Acquisitions within the Aviation sector: Case study of Qatar Airways’ joint venture with the International Airlines Group.
• A research on the exit strategy of foreign venture capital investment in international private business sector.
• What are the business strategies and key success factors of Financial Holding Companies in the international environment?
• How does an organisation benefit from an effective vendor management strategy?
• Why are some vendor relationships more successful than others?
• Developing an effective framework for knowledge sharing and utilisation in global project teams.
• Can entrepreneurship be utilised as an effective management strategy within a business unit?
• What effects will the consumers’ increasing use of the online channel to fashion shopping have on the strategies used by UK clothing retailers?
• An assessment of sustainable competitive advantage within the UK DIY multiple market sector.
• Develop your own definition of logistics, that you think reflects how logistics is evolving and explain why you think it is appropriate for today and the next decade.
• A study of the problems of managing international collaboration in the military aero-engine business.
• New possibilities in logistics and supply chain management provided by Big Data: examining the birth and growth of supply chain analytics.
• Designing a closed-loop supply chain for improving sustainability of global business practices.
• Developing a strategy for winning in the Indian market: A case study of Suzuki Motor Corporation.

These topics consider the ways in which business firms develop and implement technology as a strategy and integrate technological and innovative capabilities in support of their business operations. These topics mainly investigate how technology has revolutionised the business environment causing disruption, new opportunities and challenges for firms to deal with.

• A study of how business operations have improved as a result of innovation: Are they converging towards one universal approach?
• What are the market challenges experienced by new UK mobile telecommunication companies?
• How will 5G technology impact on the growth of digital consumer markets in the UK?
• How does online branding provide competitive advantage in the digital era: a study of the consumer electronics industry?
• A study into how ICT integration has transformed procurement of goods and services.
• Building virtual dominions – A comparative study of mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances in e-commerce: case studies of Amazon.com and eBay.
• What are the technological factors surrounding the relationship between organisational growth and performance?
• A study into the role of online marketing in creating global supply chain networks.
• A study into how organisations suffer the negative effects of modern day technology.
• What are the main factors impacting on the success of online branding for corporations?
• Assessing the role of social media in global branding: cases of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• Exploring the impact of technology on CRM operations within call centres in the UK and analyse the factors that affect the well-being of the employee?
• A study into the opportunities of implementing an e-HR system: Case of British Energy.
• A study into how companies influence technology and innovation within suppliers: Case of Apple.
• Assessing technology diffusion models among online shoppers in the UK.
• Business process reengineering and the challenges facing airlines, a critical study of the factors influencing Saudi Airlines’ BPR initiatives.
• What are the barriers to successful/profitable e-commerce deployment in government organisations?
• Comparing and contrasting government e-commerce portals with private ones such as eBay and Amazon: which offers the better user experience and business outcomes?
• How has integration of technology into HR improved organisational efficiency?
• What is the impact of technology on FMCG industry towards meeting consumer demands in the UK market?
• Assessing the role of innovation towards creation of new opportunities for SMEs in the UK.
• What determinant factors influence integration of technology in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) sector.

Governments, activists and the media have become adept at holding companies to account for the social consequences of their actions. In response, corporate social responsibility has emerged as an inescapable priority for business leaders in every country. The fact is many prevailing approaches to CSR are quite disconnected from strategy. Business should treat CSR as something central to their strategy and hence contribute as a core competence for many organisations. These topics evaluate how business can utilise CSR practices to enhance opportunities for organisational success.

• How does Corporate Social Responsibility impact on customer loyalty?
• What is the role of staff training in developing and executing CSR skills?
• What are the key strategic decisions facing companies in order to improve their performance in Corporate Social Responsibility?
• Does Corporate Social Responsibility enhance corporate reputation? A case study of Tesco.
• What are the challenges facing ethical businesses in the UK for moving to the mainstream?
• How can businesses gain advantage from adopting CSR practices with respect to climate change?
• A study into the impact of green and lean practices on organisational performance.
• How have environmental policies transformed CSR practices within organisations: Case of BAT.
• What are the effects of CSR on sustainability: Case of Coca Cola.
• How will multinational organisations deal with the growing emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in large markets like Germany and India?
• To what extent will CSR be sacrificed for greater economic growth in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic?
• How can firms successfully make Corporate Social Responsibility operable in the modern corporate environment?
• Is there a relationship between diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility, what is its contribution to organisational performance?
• What is the impact of CSR on brand equity: Case study of Toyota UK?
• How does CSR impact on organisational performance?
• CSR and societal expectations: A case study of Unilever.

International Human Resource Management refers to activities that are designed to support organisations in managing human resources at an international level so that competitive advantage can be maintained at both the national and international level. The subject area includes understanding of culture factors, both in terms of beliefs and attitudes of international employees and in relation to international employment legislation. Studying the area provides insights into the way that corporate HR functions can contribute to international business strategy and build functional knowledge of the main developments in the management of expatriates and other forms of international management. Changing perspectives are crucial as more and more organisations operate on a global basis and have head offices in a home country and operational sites in host nations. Functionally this can involve expatriates but increasingly includes high usage of virtual technology to create links between home and host country operational sites. The following topics are an indication of key areas of current interest in the field.

• What are the benefits and challenges of inter-cultural team working in virtual environments and how these teams influence competitive advantage.
• Virtual working environments became something of a norm during the pandemic. Will this apply to home countries of international corporations as well?
• What are the bases of employee commitment in terms of affective, normative and calculative commitment in a global multi-national?
• What are the effects of organisational transition on employee commitment in large multinational companies?
• How do mergers impact on employee motivation and commitment, and how can any fallout be managed?
• How can cultural differences in international collaborative projects be managed?
• Can job-swaps between international workers improve inter-cultural working in multi-national organisations?
• What is the relationship between the three components of commitment to organisational change and the perceived success of an organisational change?
• What effect will the UK’s decision to leave the EU have on economic migrants, and how can this be managed by IHRM practices and polices?
• How will Brexit impact on British workers in the EU, and to what extent can this be managed by IHRM practices and policies?
• How does one manage employee commitment in the not-for-profit sector across different national cultures?
• Using models of Strategic Human Resource Management assess and appraise how BAE Systems is achieving strategy through effective people management practices.
• What are the main factors that affect employee retention at international call centres?
• What are the most effective practices for working a unique Human Resource policy across multiple divisions of large diversified companies?
• A study of the constantly changing global business environment and how effective human resource planning enables organisations to achieve their strategic objectives.
• What effect does the Brexit decision and subsequent negotiations have on the management of EU operational sites by UK based companies?
• What is the role and value of effective IHRM strategic thinking to effective negotiation of joint ventures between the UK and BRIC countries?
• Can IHRM be effective in delivering culturally appropriate work-life balance and flexible working patterns for multi-national firms?

Change, at the organisational level is vital for continued innovation and retention of competitive advantage. Therefore, understanding the different aspects of this topic is vital in creating awareness of existing views and practices for implementing and managing successful change, particularly at the international level. This topic area is therefore focused on the what, why and how involving managing change in contemporary organisations and social systems in general, and how they may impact on the effectiveness of change. In particular, it examines the issues and dilemmas facing those managing change, as well as the skills required for successful adaptation and evolution, especially in an international context.

• What internal and external factors have the greatest impact on employees in cross-national mergers and acquisitions?
• Managing change across multi-cultural teams through technology and virtual project management: The impact of social understanding and use of digital media.
• What are the biggest changes in home working practises going to be following Coronavirus, and what impact will they have on employee retention?
• Managing change: Developing a framework that links intended strategies and unanticipated outcomes.
• Employee adjustment during organisational change: The role of organisational level and occupation.
• How can employee motivation levels be sustained during organizational restructuring?
• Success of a Product Lifecycle Management Implementation – an investigation into the electronics manufacturing industry.
• How power works through managing emotion in organisational change: emotion management as power.
• How can the measurement of levels of work stress in individuals employed in an organisation undergoing change benefit it?
• Encouraging gender equality across international firms – what role can change management approaches take in supporting increased female representation in traditionally masculine firms?
• Managing change in Asian business – A comparison between Chinese-educated and English-educated Chinese entrepreneurs in Singapore.
• What is the impact of feedback during organisational culture change: a case study of a financial firm?
• Stakeholder Communication and Transformational Change: A case study in the use of a proprietary change management system.
• What effect is there on levels of resistance and conflict when organisational change is lead by a servant or spiritual leader?
• How social media can facilitate acceptance of change in international organisations.
• Soft skills are not enough: Why change management approaches also need strong project management planning to be successful.
• What are the key project management skills needed to execute a major change in the working culture of an organization?

Innovation has become a primary force driving the growth, performance, and valuation of companies. However, sometimes there is a wide gap between the aspirations of executives to innovate and their ability to execute. Many companies make the mistake of trying to spur innovation by turning to unreliable best practices, and to organisational structures and processes. Moreover, executives who focus on stimulating and supporting innovation by their employees can promote and sustain it with the current talent and resources more effectively than they could by using other incentives. This area focuses on innovation at the individual level and at the group level within organisations.

• What are the effects of team innovation and leadership clarity in organisations? A health care case study.
• Does socio-cultural context moderate the relationship of leadership with top-management influence on innovation?
• What are the effects of leadership style and team process on performance and innovation in functionally heterogeneous teams?
• An exploratory study of leadership, organisational culture and organisational innovativeness in a sample of non-profit organisations.
• Is there a difference in leadership style between profit and non-organisations, and what are the reasons for this?
• How do business leaders see their role in enabling innovation in large organisations?
• Transformation or transactional? The role of leadership in supporting individual-level creativity within organisations.
• How exactly do we put leadership and innovation together? How does a company lead in a way that generates innovation?
• What are the key factors required for a creative organisation? How are barriers to implementing these factors overcome?
• Organising for team creativity: Creating an organisational system for harvesting ideas for leadership and innovation.
• What is the nature and role of leadership in three ideal types of public management innovation: politically-led, organisational turnarounds and bottom-up innovations?
• How is leadership different in the engineering function? An assessment of Airbus UK?
• What are the behavioural and personality correlations of transactional and transformational leadership?
• What is the relationship between leadership style and creativity? Systematically reviewing the literature.
• From managing to enabling innovation: Leaders’ facilitating innovation through cultural change.
• The role of leaders in balancing creativity and standardisation in the firm.

Globalisation is a complex trend, encompassing many forces and many effects. Globalisation has revolutionised the global market as Multinational Enterprises renew their strategies to attain competitive edge. These topics evaluate different strategies adopted by business firms to uniquely position themselves in the global market.

• The analysis of suitability and applicability of Porter’s Generic Strategies in the light of emerging business trends and an unpredictable operating environment post-pandemic.
• Does globalisation have a future in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic?
• What is the significance of ICT integration as a business strategy?
• How globalisation has broken trade barriers and its impact on trade tariffs: the case of BRIC countries.
• What current strategies are in place for businesses to meet dynamic consumer demands?
• To what extent is consumer demand shaped by corporate innovation? A comparative study of Apple and Samsung.
• Assessing the impact of globalisation on UK businesses operating on both international and local levels.
• Does Brexit signal a rollback in globalisation in the UK and Europe?
• An examination of empowerment, conflict and corporate vision as factors in developing global business strategies for multinational firms.
• What are the transformational strategies adopted by companies in the globalisation era?
• How have countries changed their trade policies in the face of new global market challenges?
• A study into the FDI strategies used by UK multinational companies: case study of Vodafone.
• Investigating the role of strategic alliances in creating global supply chain networks.
• Assessing the impact of internationalisation strategies on multinational corporations: case study Tullow Oil.

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MBA dissertation help: How to choose a topic, plan, and write your dissertation

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MBA dissertations, internships or consultancy projects are the final modules on most MBA programmes . Our Full-time participants can opt for either a traditional dissertation (with a theoretical focus), an internship, or a hands-on project, which will see you consulting for a real organisation alongside a team of peers.  

Whether you choose an internship, dissertation or consultancy project, you will still be required to submit a written exploration of a research question that is relevant to the world of business as part of the module. This guide offers MBA dissertation help that remains applicable whichever route you take on your Full-time MBA.

Read on to learn about the early stages of the process, choosing a topic, planning out your workload, and how to write an MBA dissertation, report, or learning journal. Written by the MBA team here at Warwick Business School (WBS), this article also features some helpful first-hand advice from one of our MBA graduates, Kristen Rossi who studied our Full-time MBA.

An introduction to MBA dissertations, internships and consultancy projects

Completing an MBA dissertation or consultancy project is a requirement for fulfilling the Capstone module . on our  Full-time MBA courses ; alternatively you can choose to undertake an internship.

Although this work will be completed towards the end of your programme, it’s worth getting ahead of the game. Given that your dissertation or project will contribute significantly towards your final result, we recommend learning about the requirements and how the process works even before you apply for an MBA.

As Full-time Warwick MBA graduate, Kristen Rossi, puts it: 

From the second the MBA started, there was talk of “The Capstone module” – the part of the MBA that is worth the most credit, which will probably involve an outside company

Your first port of call is to choose between an MBA dissertation, internship, or a consultancy project. Seem like a daunting decision to make? We’ve outlined the key points of difference to help you get on the right track. You'll also receive guidance from the support teams at WBS, including our Programme Team and Employer Relations Team.

What is an MBA dissertation?

An MBA dissertation is an independent, yet supervised, research project. It is designed to demonstrate that you have assimilated your learning throughout the MBA course and that you can explore a business issue thoroughly, considering multiple perspectives on the subject.

The output from an MBA dissertation is a piece of written work that explores a research question relevant to the world of business. You could explore any one of a wide range of different topics as part of the dissertation, but your writing should have an academic focus with a strong grounding in theory and your own independent research.

At WBS, you may also choose to focus on Entrepreneurship or Social and Environmental Sustainability as part of your MBA dissertation, which is a requirement if you choose one of our specialisms.

What is a strategic consultancy project?

A strategic consultancy project provides you with hands-on experience of consulting on behalf of a real organisation and investigating a specific business challenge that it faces. Taking place for 10 to 12 weeks over the summer period, you’ll work alongside a group of your peers at the same organisation.

WBS participants can choose their own groups and, as Kristen comments, are given support in sourcing a project: 

The strategic consultancy project is usually supported by a client who has a topic or question that they would like to know more about. WBS provides specific, mandatory careers sessions dedicated to the consultancy project.

The Business School has partnered with many global industry leaders as part of the consultancy projects, from Barclays to Sony and Microsoft. 

Once you’ve chosen a group and organisation, each participant selects their own distinct research question. The deliverable is then an individual consulting report addressing this question.

You can find out more about consultancy projects from Antonia in the film below:

The differences between an MBA dissertation and consultancy project

A consultancy project still requires you to produce an extended piece of written work in the form of your individual consulting report, but it differs from an MBA dissertation in a number of ways:

• A strategic consultancy project is hands-on, requiring you to engage with a business issue faced by a real organisation, whereas an MBA dissertation is more theoretical.
• The scope of the issue you explore as part of a project will typically be much narrower and more focused than a dissertation, which can investigate a much broader topic area.
• An MBA dissertation should aim to further the academic community’s understanding of a particular area of business; a consultancy project is geared towards solving a real-world business problem for a specific organisation or group of organisations.
• A strategic consultancy project will require a group presentation element as part of your assessed work.

How will your Capstone module benefit you?

This final phase of your MBA course gives you the opportunity to explore a particular topic in great depth, enhancing your academic or practical understanding of an area of business. 

For many participants the dissertation, internship or strategic consultancy project is a formative experience that has a tangible impact on their future career paths, supporting their professional ambitions.

But don’t just take it from us. What does Kristen have to say?

“I can only speak for myself, but with the Capstone module, I gained three things. Firstly, slightly superficial, I now have a fabulous new brand on my CV, Aston Martin Lagonda. 

“Secondly, through the interviews I conducted for my primary research I had the privilege to learn a lot about the luxury automotive sector, which I would otherwise have not had the opportunity to learn as much about. Writing to and setting up a conversation with the CMO of a major firm is made easier when you have WBS and the justification of a dissertation, and the information they share is priceless. 

“Thirdly, although tedious, I had the opportunity to deep-dive into a particular topic – marketing ROI best practices. This really helped me to understand the challenges and remedies of this topic in depth and will certainly help me as I make my career jump in the coming months.”

Choosing an MBA dissertation topic

Like many participants, you may feel nervous about the thought of choosing a suitable MBA dissertation topic. In reality, however, this is nothing to worry about.

As you progress through the early stages of your MBA programme, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself drawn to a particular area of study or type of business problem. The direction you take is also likely to be influenced by your pre-existing career goals and professional experience. 

On this point, Kristen recommends that you make the project work for you:

When choosing your dissertation, try to focus on an industry and topic that you hope to transition into. If you are looking to move into finance, work on a project that will provide you with the knowledge to help you land the job!

It’s also worth noting that you’ll be given extensive support when it comes to picking a research question or sourcing a project. You’ll attend sessions dedicated to selecting the right topic in the run-up to the start of the dissertation or project module — and there is always additional help available at WBS.

How to write an MBA dissertation

Once you’ve chosen a topic for your MBA dissertation, your work on the module can begin in earnest.

As a Warwick Business School participant, you’ll be guided through the process from the outset. But if you’re still at the stage of wondering whether this is something you’d want to pursue in the first place, here’s a brief overview packed with MBA dissertation advice from one of our graduates.

The planning phase

Delivering a successful MBA dissertation, report, or learning journal is an exercise in sound project management; just one of the many ways in which it sets you up well for later working life. And it’s universally acknowledged that the best approach to take with any large-scale project is to break it down into bite-size chunks.

Kristen suggests seeking support to divide up the dissertation into smaller components, from the draft of your first chapter through to the final submission:

With the help of your supervisor, work backwards and set up a timeline to tackle each section of the dissertation. Include milestones where you will check-in with your supervisor (face-to-face is recommended) as well.

Preparing your literature review

The literature review is the all-important foundation of any dissertation – MBA-level or otherwise. 

Kristen’s experience speaks to the value of starting your research early and keeping a record of all the papers and publications you encounter along the way:

“Once you roughly know the topic of your dissertation, start researching. Do not wait until you have a supervisor or until your elective modules are finished. I recommend this for three reasons.

“Firstly, the initial articles you find will most likely not be the gems you hope them to be and it will take a lot of speed-reading and trial and error before you uncover the wisdom that will actually inform your research. 

“Secondly, once you find relevant research, it will take time to read it and most academic literature is not a page-turning detective novel (I can attest to falling asleep mid-read on several occasions). 

“Finally, I am a believer that to truly understand and process new material, you need time. Give yourself the time to read, step away and think, and come back to it. In the end, you will be grateful that you did.

Further to this point, when reading journal publications look at the references the author cites. Seek out these additional authors and their publications.”

Communicating with your client contact on a consulting project

Should you opt for a strategic consulting project, the way you manage the relationship with your client organisation is just as important as the write-up of the final report. Kristen offers this final piece of advice:

“If you are not going to their office, then from the beginning of your relationship set in place weekly 30-minute Skype sessions to keep the client up-to-date with what you are doing. This will allow you to build a relationship with them and will help you to address any hiccups along the way. 

“Sometimes after starting your research, you may find that the client’s initial request is too broad. This is okay, but you will need to bring it up and negotiate a more realistic deliverable. The weekly updates are also beneficial. As you research, you may find yourself going off in the wrong direction. Checking in with your client on a weekly basis will help you stay on track.”

------------------------

MBA programmes at Warwick Business School

Are you looking to develop yourself into a global leader who makes an immediate impact in business? You'll discover new thinking, access global networks, and invest in your future when you choose to study your MBA with us.

There are a variety of different ways to achieve your Warwick MBA. The best route for you depends on your current level of experience, life circumstances and career goals. Whether full-time or part-time, online or in person at Warwick or The Shard – study the Warwick MBA your way.

Related Blogs

Estela Carmona Cejudo, participant of the Global Online MBA Programme, offers valuable advice and suggestions for the application process.

Full-time MBA participant Sebastian shares the tools and techniques that have helped him to stay on top of his mental health throughout his year at Warwick Business School.

Online MBA participant, Aidan Munday, shares how the CareersPlus team supported his MBA journey. 

Home > Colleges and Schools > Business > Business Administration ETDs

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

Theses and dissertations published by graduate students in the Business Administration program, College of Business, Old Dominion University, since Fall 2016 are available in this collection. Backfiles of all dissertations (and some theses) have also been added.

In late Fall 2025, all theses will be digitized and available here. In the meantime, consult the Library Catalog to find older items in print.

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Dissertation: Two Essays on Industry Tournament Incentives , Sarah Almisher

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Sentiment , Amin Amoulashkarian

Dissertation: Two Essays on Retail Trading , Qiqi Liang

Dissertation: Two Essays in Real Estate Dynamics , Navid Safari

Dissertation: Firm Capabilities, Great Power Competition, and the Structural Reshaping of Globalization , Samuel Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Dissertation: Three Essays on Stock Price Informativeness, Stock Price Momentum, and Firm Investment Efficiency , Chen Chen

Dissertation: Exploring Blockchain-Based Digital Transformation In Organizations , Weiru Chen

Dissertation: Two Essays on Antecedents and Effects of Award-Winning CEOS , Veronika Ciarleglio

Dissertation: Two’s a Crowd? Implications of Economic Geography for Corporate Governance , Matthew Farrell

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Effects of CEO Social Activism , Habib Islam

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Role of Empathy in Consumer Response to User-Generated Content , Mohammadali Koorank Beheshti

Dissertation: Three Essays on the Effects of Other Customer Brand Tie and Employee Behavior on Consumer Behavior , Saeed Zal

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Traits, Corporate Investment Decisions, and Firm Value , Rongyao Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Dissertation: Two Essays on Antecedents and Effects of Board Female Representation Non-Conformity , Fatemeh Askarzadeh

Dissertation: Application of Optimization Techniques in Corporate Cash Management , Venkateswara Reddy Dondeti

Dissertation: Two Essays on Corruption, FDI, and Digitalization , Mahdi Forghani Bajestani

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Information Embedded in Flow of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) , Hamed Yousefi

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Dissertation: The Influence of Mating Motives on Reliance on Form Versus Function in Product Choice , Seyed Hamid Abbassi Hosseini

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Characteristics and Corporate Bankruptcy , Rajib Chowdhury

Dissertation: The Effects of CEO Dismissal Risk and Skills on Risky Corporate Decisions and CEO Compensation , Son T. Dang

Dissertation: Essay 1: How We Feel: The Role of Macro-Economic Sentiment in Advertising Spending-Sales Relationship; Essay 2: It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times: The Effect of Emotional Uncertainty and Arousal on Healthy Food Choices , Leila Khoshghadam

Dissertation: The Accumulation of IT Capability And Its Long-Term Effect on Financial Performance , Jin Ho Kim

Dissertation: Three Essays on the Roles of Review Valence and Conflict in Online Relationships , Ran Liu

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Microstructure of the Housing Market: Agents' Diffused Effort and Sellers' Behavior Bias , Zhaohui Li

Dissertation: Two Essays on CEO Overconfidence in Relation to Speed of Adjustment of Firm Financial Policy and CEO Inside Debt , Xiang Long

Dissertation: Pricing the Cloud: An Auction Approach , Yang Lu

Dissertation: Two Essays on Consumer Envy , Murong Miao

Dissertation: Two Essays on Negotiations Between Entrepreneurs and Angel Investors , Aydin Selim Oksoy

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Dissertation: Two Essays on Bitcoin Price and Volume , Mohammad Bayani Khaknejad

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Attention, Investor Sentiment, and Earnings Pricing , Qiuye Cai

Dissertation: Success Factors Impacting Artificial Intelligence Adoption --- Perspective From the Telecom Industry in China , Hong Chen

Dissertation: Early Information Access to Alleviate Emergency Department Congestion , Anjee Gorkhali

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Consumer Acculturation Process – A Need for and Development of a Consumer Acculturation Measure , Kristina Marie Harrison

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Characteristics and Corporate Decisions , Trung Nguyen

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Effects of Organization Capital on Firm Behavior , Andrew Root

Dissertation: Underlying Factors Behind Generation of Different Types of User-Generated Content - Impact of Individual and Brand/Product Level Factors in Generation of Brand-Oriented Content and Community-Oriented Content , Kemal Cem Soylemez

Dissertation: Customers’ Goal-Related Behavior in Loyalty Programs , Junzhou Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Dissertation: Security Risk Tolerance in Mobile Payment: A Trade-off Framework , Yong Chen

Dissertation: Numerical Framing and Emotional Arousal as Moderators of Review Valence and Consumer Choices , Anh Dang

Dissertation: Three Essays on CEO Risk Preferences, and Ability, Corporate Hedging Decisions, and Investor Sentiment , Sonik Mandal

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Creation and Success of New Ventures , Amirmahmood Amini Sedeh

Dissertation: Effectiveness of Social Media Analytics on Detecting Service Quality Metrics in the U.S. Airline Industry , Xin Tian

Dissertation: Two Essays on Value Co-Creation , Hangjun Xu

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Dissertation: Two Essays on Forced CEO Turnover During Envy Merger Waves, and Dividends , Bader Almuhtadi

Dissertation: The Role of Consumer Ethnocentrism on the Effects of Domestic vs Foreign Product Failure on Post Consumption Emotions and Complaint Behaviors , Kittinand Bandhumasuta

Dissertation: The Impact of Help-Self and Help-Others Appeals Upon Participation in Clinical Research Trials , Susan Lewis Casey

Dissertation: Is Every Tweet Created Equal? A Framework to Identify Relevant Tweets for Business Research , Thad Chee

Dissertation: Three Essays on Mutual Funds, Fund Management Skills, and Investor Sentiment , Feng Dong

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Impact of Institutional Structures on Entrepreneurship: Country Level Analysis , Mehdi Sharifi Khobdeh

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Antecedents and Effects of Internationalizing Out of Emerging and Developed Economies , Mark Robert Mallon

Dissertation: From Placebo to Panacea: Exploring the Influence of Price, Suspicion, and Persuasion Knowledge on Consumers’ Perception of Quality , Vahid Rahmani

Dissertation: Essays on the El Niño Anomaly and Stock Return Predictability , Zhijun Yang

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Dissertation: The Effect of XBRL and Social Media on Information Asymmetry: Evidence from Bank Loan Contracts , Dazhi Chong

Dissertation: Two Essays on CEO Inside Debt Holding in Relation to Firm Payout Policy and Financial Reporting , Asligul Erkan

Dissertation: Two Essays on The Internationalization Speed of New Ventures , Orhun Guldiken

Dissertation: Two Essays on Shareholder Base, Firm Behavior, and Firm Value , Yi Jian

Dissertation: Valence or Volume? Maximizing Online Review Influence Across Consumers, Products, and Marketing , Elika Kordrostami

Dissertation: Essays on the Equity Risk Premium , Mohamed Mehdi Rahoui

Dissertation: A Study of the Impact of Information Blackouts on the Bullwhip Effect of a Supply Chain Using Discrete-Event Simulations , Elizabeth Rasnick

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Emotions and Their Effects in Financial Markets , Jiancheng Shen

Dissertation: Two Studies on The Use of Information Technology in Collaborative Planning, Forecasting & Replenishment (CPFR) , David McCaw Simmonds

Dissertation: Founder CEOs and Initial Public Offerings: The Role of Narratives, Institutions and Cultural Context , Christina Helen Tupper

Dissertation: Ambidexterity: The Interplay of Supply Chain Management Competencies and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems on Organizational Performance , Serdar Turedi

Dissertation: Two Essays on Short Selling , Zhaobo Zhu

Dissertation: Buying Love Through Social Media: How Different Types Of Incentives Impact Consumers’ Online Sharing Behavior , Yueming Zou

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Dissertation: Three Essays on Dividend Policy , Mehmet Deren Caliskan

Dissertation: "The Magic Formula: Scent and Brand"- The Influence of Olfactory Sensory Co-Branding on Consumer Evaluations and Experiences , Ceren Ekebas

Dissertation: The Value of Integrated Information Systems for U.S. General Hospitals , Liuliu Fu

Dissertation: Two Essays on Managerial Horizon, Cash Holdings and Earnings Management , Sanjib Guha

Dissertation: Three Essays on Opportunistic Claiming Behavior in a Services Setting: Customers and Front Line Employees Perspectives , Denis Khantimirov

Dissertation: Spillover Effects of Brand Alliance and Service Experience on Host Brands in Loyalty Program Partnerships , Gulfem Cigdem Kutlu

Dissertation: Measuring Consumer Expectations of Salesperson Unethicality: A Scale Development , Amiee Mellon

Dissertation: Essays on International Risk-Return Trade-Off Relations , Liang Meng

Dissertation: Two Essays on Investor Attention and Asset Pricing , Nadia Asmaa Nafar

Dissertation: International Venture Capital Firms Syndication and Performance: A Social Network Perspective , Amir Pezeshkan

Dissertation: Three Essays on Institutions, Entrepreneurship, and Development , Adam Smith

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Dissertation: An Empirical Examination of the Antecedents and Consequences of Earnings Management in Emerging Markets , Shuji Rosey Bao

Dissertation: Dynamic Capabilities and Resilient Organizations Amid Environmental Jolts , Stav Fainshmidt

Dissertation: An Empirical Examination of the Moderators of Direct Versus Indirect Comparative Advertising , Chun-Kai Hsu

Dissertation: Two Essays on Attracting Foreign Direct Investment: From Both a National and Firm Level Perspective , Ryan Lawrence Mason

Dissertation: The Effect of Online Reviews on Attitude and Purchase Intention: How Consumers Respond to Mixed Reviews , Chatdanai Pongpatipat

Dissertation: Three Essays on the Enterprise Strategy for Multinational Firms , Veselina Plamenova Vracheva

Dissertation: The Antecedents and Effects of Strategic Caring: A Cross-National Empirical Study , Thomas Weber

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Dissertation: International Banking sector Linkages: Did the Global Financial Crisis Strengthen or Weaken the Linkages? , James Edward Benton

Dissertation: Three Essays on Corporate Liquidity, Financial Crisis, and Real Estate , Kimberly Fowler Luchtenberg

Dissertation: Three Essays on Immigrant Entrepreneurship , Kaveh Moghaddam

Dissertation: The Response of Commercial Banks to Credit Stimuli , Denise Williams Streeter

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Dissertation: An Examination of Middle Manager Innovation Behaviors and Institutional Factors Impact on Organizational Innovation in the USA and Mexico , J. Lee Brown III

Dissertation: Essays on Foreign Reverse Mergers and Bond ETF Mispricing , Charles William Duval

Dissertation: Three Essays on Strategic Risk Taking , Krista Burrill Lewellyn

Dissertation: Two Essays on Executive Pay and Firm Performance , Thuong Quang Nguyen

Dissertation: A Study of Risk-Taking Behavior in Investment Banking , Elzotbek Rustambekov

Dissertation: A Study of Failures in the US Banking Industry , Joseph Trendowski

Dissertation: Two Essays on Behavioral Finance , Quang Viet Vu

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Dissertation: Three Essays on Individual Currency Traders , Boris Sebastian Abbey

Dissertation: Cross-listing Premium or Market Timing , Moustafa M. Abu El Fadl

Dissertation: Warranty and Price as Quality Signals: The effect of Signal Consistency and Unexpectedness on Product Perception , Sultan Alaswad Alenazi

Dissertation: The Behavior and Choices of Serial Bidders in M&A Transactions: A Prospect Theory Approach , Ahmed Essam El-Din El-Bakry

Dissertation: Two Essays on the Effect of Macroeconomic News on the Stock Market , Ajay Kongera

Dissertation: Intercultural Accommodation of Ethnic Minority Consumers: An Empirical Examination of the Moderating Effects in Service Encounters , Sarah Mady

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How to Write a Master's Thesis: A Guide to Planning Your Thesis, Pursuing It, and Avoiding Pitfalls

#scribendiinc

Part 1: Initial Considerations

Who needs to write a master’s thesis.

Thesis writing is one of the more daunting challenges of higher education. That being said, not all master's students have to write a thesis. For example, fields that place a stronger emphasis on applied knowledge, such as nursing, business, and education, tend to have projects and exams to test students on the skills and abilities associated with those fields. Conversely, in disciplines that require in-depth research or highly polished creative abilities, students are usually expected to prove their understanding and independence with a thesis.

What's Your Goal?

Do you want to write a thesis? The process is a long one, often spanning years. It's best to know exactly what you want before you begin. Many people are motivated by career goals. For example, hiring managers may see a master's degree as proof that the candidate is an expert within their field and can lead, motivate, and demonstrate initiative for themselves and others. Others dream of earning their doctorate, and they see a master's degree as a stepping stone toward their Ph.D .

No matter what your desired goal is, you should have one before you start your thesis. With your goal in mind, your work will have a purpose, which will allow you to measure your progress more easily.

Major Types of Theses

Once you've carefully researched or even enrolled in a master's program—a feat that involves its own planning and resources —you should know if you are expected to produce a quantitative (which occurs in many math and science programs), qualitative (which occurs in many humanities programs), or creative (which occurs in many creative writing, music, or fine arts programs) thesis.

Time and Energy Considerations

Advanced degrees are notoriously time and energy consuming. If you have a job, thesis writing will become your second job. If you have a family, they will need to know that your thesis will take a great deal of your attention, energy, and focus.

Your studies should not consume you, but they also should not take a back seat to everything else. You will be expected to attend classes, conduct research, source relevant literature, and schedule meetings with various people as you pursue your master's, so it's important to let those you care about know what's going on.

As a general note, most master's programs expect students to finish within a two-year period but are willing to grant extra time if requested, especially if that time is needed to deal with unexpected life events (more on those later).

Part 2: Form an Initial Thesis Question, and Find a Supervisor

When to begin forming your initial thesis question.

Some fields, such as history, may require you to have already formed your thesis question and to have used it to create a statement of intent (outlining the nature of your research) prior to applying to a master’s program. Others may require this information only after you've been accepted. Most of the time, you will be expected to come up with your topic yourself. However, in some disciplines, your supervisor may assign a general research topic to you.

Overall, requirements vary immensely from program to program, so it's best to confirm the exact requirements of your specific program.

What to Say to Your Supervisor

You will have a supervisor during your master's studies. Have you identified who that person will be? If yes, have you introduced yourself via email or phone and obtained information on the processes and procedures that are in place for your master's program? Once you've established contact, request an in-person meeting with him or her, and take a page of questions along with you. Your questions might include:

• Is there a research subject you can recommend in my field?
• I would like to pursue [target research subject] for my thesis. Can you help me narrow my focus?
• Can you give me an example of a properly formatted thesis proposal for my program?

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help (to a Degree)

Procedures and expectations vary from program to program, and your supervisor is there to help remove doubt and provide encouragement so you can follow the right path when you embark on writing your thesis. Since your supervisor has almost certainly worked with other graduate students (and was one at some point), take advantage of their experience, and ask questions to put your mind at ease about how to write a master’s thesis.

That being said, do not rely too heavily on your supervisor. As a graduate student, you are also expected to be able to work independently. Proving your independent initiative and capacity is part of what will earn you your master's degree.

Part 3: Revise Your Thesis

Read everything you can get your hands on.

Whether you have a question or need to create one, your next step is simple and applies to all kinds of theses: read.

Seek Out Knowledge or Research Gaps

Read everything you can that relates to the question or the field you are studying. The only way you will be able to determine where you can go is to see where everyone else has been. After you have read some published material, you will start to spot gaps in current research or notice things that could be developed further with an alternative approach. Things that are known but not understood or understood but not explained clearly or consistently are great potential thesis subjects. Addressing something already known from a new perspective or with a different style could also be a potentially valuable project. Whichever way you choose to do it, keep in mind that your project should make a valuable contribution to your field.

Talk with Experts in Your Field (and Don't Be Afraid to Revise Your Thesis)

To help narrow down your thesis topic, talk to your supervisor. Your supervisor will have an idea of what is current in your field and what can be left alone because others are already working on it. Additionally, the school you are attending will have programs and faculty with particular areas of interest within your chosen field.

On a similar note, don't be surprised if your thesis question changes as you study. Other students and researchers are out there, and as they publish, what you are working on can change. You might also discover that your question is too vague, not substantial enough, or even no longer relevant. Do not lose heart! Take what you know and adjust the question to address these concerns as they arise. The freedom to adapt is part of the power you hold as a graduate student.

Part 4: Select a Proposal Committee

What proposal committees are and why they're useful.

When you have a solid question or set of questions, draft a proposal.

You'll need an original stance and a clear justification for asking, and answering, your thesis question. To ensure this, a committee will review your thesis proposal. Thankfully, that committee will consist of people assigned by your supervisor or department head or handpicked by you. These people will be experts who understand your field of study and will do everything in their power to ensure that you are pursuing something worthwhile. And yes, it is okay to put your supervisor on your committee. Some programs even require that your supervisor be on your committee.

Just remember that the committee will expect you to schedule meetings with them, present your proposal, respond to any questions they might have for you, and ultimately present your findings and thesis when all the work is done. Choose those who are willing to support you, give constructive feedback, and help address issues with your proposal. And don't forget to give your proposal a good, thorough edit and proofread before you present it.

How to Prepare for Committee Meetings

Be ready for committee meetings with synopses of your material for committee members, answers for expected questions, and a calm attitude. To prepare for those meetings, sit in on proposal and thesis defenses so you can watch how other graduate students handle them and see what your committee might ask of you. You can even hold rehearsals with friends and fellow students acting as your committee to help you build confidence for your presentation.

Part 5: Write Your Thesis

What to do once your proposal is approved.

After you have written your thesis proposal and received feedback from your committee, the fun part starts: doing the work. This is where you will take your proposal and carry it out. If you drafted a qualitative or quantitative proposal, your experimentation or will begin here. If you wrote a creative proposal, you will now start working on your material. Your proposal should be strong enough to give you direction when you perform your experiments, conduct interviews, or craft your work. Take note that you will have to check in with your supervisor from time to time to give progress updates.

Thesis Writing: It's Important to Pace Yourself and Take Breaks

Do not expect the work to go quickly. You will need to pace yourself and make sure you record your progress meticulously. You can always discard information you don't need, but you cannot go back and grab a crucial fact that you can't quite remember. When in doubt, write it down. When drawing from a source, always create a citation for the information to save your future self time and stress. In the same sense, you may also find journaling to be a helpful process.

Additionally, take breaks and allow yourself to step away from your thesis, even if you're having fun (and especially if you're not). Ideally, your proposal should have milestones in it— points where you can stop and assess what you've already completed and what's left to do. When you reach a milestone, celebrate. Take a day off and relax. Better yet, give yourself a week's vacation! The rest will help you regain your focus and ensure that you function at your best.

How to Become More Comfortable with Presenting Your Work

Once you start reaching your milestones, you should be able to start sharing what you have. Just about everyone in a graduate program has experience giving a presentation at the front of the class, attending a seminar, or watching an interview. If you haven't (or even if you have), look for conferences and clubs that will give you the opportunity to learn about presenting your work and become comfortable with the idea of public speaking. The more you practice talking about what you are studying, the more comfortable you'll be with the information, which will make your committee defenses and other official meetings easier.

Published authors can be called upon to present at conferences, and if your thesis is strong, you may receive an email or a phone call asking if you would share your findings onstage.

Presenting at conferences is also a great way to boost your CV and network within your field. Make presenting part of your education, and it will become something you look forward to instead of fear.

What to Do If Your Relationship with Your Supervisor Sours

A small aside: If it isn't already obvious, you will be communicating extensively with others as you pursue your thesis. That also means that others will need to communicate with you, and if you've been noticing things getting quiet, you will need to be the one to speak up. Your supervisor should speak to you at least once a term and preferably once a week in the more active parts of your research and writing. If you give written work to your supervisor, you should have feedback within three weeks.

If your supervisor does not provide feedback, frequently misses appointments, or is consistently discouraging of your work, contact your graduate program advisor and ask for a new supervisor. The relationship with your supervisor is crucial to your success, especially if she or he is on your committee, and while your supervisor does not have to be friendly, there should at least be professional respect between you.

What to Do If a Crisis Strikes

If something happens in your life that disrupts everything (e.g., emotional strain, the birth of a child, or the death of a family member), ask for help. You are a human being, and personal lives can and do change without warning. Do not wait until you are falling apart before asking for help, either. Learn what resources exist for crises before you have one, so you can head off trauma before it hits. That being said, if you get blindsided, don't refuse help. Seek it out, and take the time you need to recover. Your degree is supposed to help you become a stronger and smarter person, not break you.

Part 6: Polish and Defend Your Master's Thesis

How to write a master’s thesis: the final stages.

After your work is done and everything is written down, you will have to give your thesis a good, thorough polishing. This is where you will have to organize the information, draft it into a paper format with an abstract, and abbreviate things to help meet your word-count limit. This is also where your final editing and proofreading passes will occur, after which you will face your final hurdle: presenting your thesis defense to your committee. If they approve your thesis, then congratulations! You are now a master of your chosen field.

Conclusion and Parting Thoughts

Remember that you do not (and should not) have to learn how to write a master’s thesis on your own. Thesis writing is collaborative, as is practically any kind of research.

While you will be expected to develop your thesis using your own initiative, pursue it with your own ambition, and complete it with your own abilities, you will also be expected to use all available resources to do so. The purpose of a master's thesis is to help you develop your own independent abilities, ensuring that you can drive your own career forward without constantly looking to others to provide direction. Leaders get master's degrees. That's why many business professionals in leadership roles have graduate degree initials after their last names. If you already have the skills necessary to motivate yourself, lead others, and drive change, you may only need your master's as an acknowledgement of your abilities. If you do not, but you apply yourself carefully and thoroughly to the pursuit of your thesis, you should come away from your studies with those skills in place.

A final thought regarding collaboration: all theses have a section for acknowledgements. Be sure to say thank you to those who helped you become a master. One day, someone might be doing the same for you.

Image source: Falkenpost/Pixabay.com 

We’re Masters at Master’s Theses! Make Yours Shine.

Let our expert academic editors perfect your writing, or get a free sample, about the author.

A Scribendi in-house editor, Anthony is happily putting his BA in English from Western University to good use with thoughtful feedback and incisive editing. An avid reader and gamer, he can be found during his off hours enjoying narrative-driven games and obscure and amusing texts, as well as cooking for his family.

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Master Thesis The sustainable economy models- The need to integrate strong sustainability into the business strategies

• August 2020
• Thesis for: Master degree
• Advisor: Elena Shulzhenko

• University of Southern Denmark

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The Best Final Theses in 2022

March 27, 2023

More than 170 final theses were submitted to the examination office of Munich Business School in 2022. Four of them stood out in particular: They are the best theses of the year and were included in the MBS Outstanding Thesis series. In the blog article, we present the topics of the theses in more detail and let the honorees and their supervisors have their say.

As in the previous year , the best theses of 2022 demonstrate that bachelor’s and master’s theses are not only the icing on the cake on the way to graduation, but can also make a valuable contribution to research on current topics. “Best”, by the way, does not only refer to an outstanding grade; the theses should primarily convince through innovative approaches and methods as well as new findings.

And now, clear the ring for the best theses of 2022!

Mitigating, Managing and Moving Past Burnout: An Organizational Perspective on Mental and Physical Well-Being

Bachelor’s thesis by gavin trudeau.

Gavin Trudeau, graduate of the bachelor’s program International Business at MBS, deals in his bachelor’s thesis with the topic of burnout, which has become more present in society as well as in medicine and the workplace in recent years. On the basis that burnout is not just an isolated feeling of overwhelm, but a syndrome which is experienced after ongoing negative experiences that and poses great dangers to organizations and their employees, Gavin Trudeau discusses causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies. By combining a comprehensive literature review with empirical research consisting of a self-reporting survey and in-depth interviews, the bachelor’s graduate succeeds in painting a “holistic picture” that reveals “not only what causes stress at the workplace but also shows the drivers as well as appropriate measures at the company and their relation to avoid negative impacts” – say the thesis supervisors Prof. Dr. Arnd Albrecht and Evelyn Albrecht-Goepfert.

We asked Gavin Trudeau how he came to address the topic of burnout in his bachelor’s thesis:

“I have always been interested in psychology and the importance of mental health so it was important for me to bring those two elements into my thesis and relate it to current issues I had been witnessing in the business landscape. At the time I started thinking about my topic we were still in the depths of the pandemic, and working from home was still mandatory for most people. I was seeing and hearing so many examples of people from my network experiencing abnormal levels of stress at their jobs and having difficulties adapting to the new way of life and working, which ultimately led me to the topic of burnout prevention, stress reduction and health promotion. I thought these topics were extremely relevant and also forward thinking. The importance of mental health in the workplace is on the rise and starting to be seen as equally important as physical health. My motivation for this research was to be able to provide valuable and insightful data and recommendations so that CEO’s, managers, entrepreneurs and employees can integrate these learnings into their lives to create healthier and more positive work environments.”

You can read the full paper here .

Bootstrapping New Networks – Incentivization Strategies to Leverage Network Effects within Digital Platforms by Using Blockchain Technology

Master’s thesis by philipp wohlfart.

Start-ups must deal with the “cold start” problem and especially for platforms that fight the “chicken and egg” dilemma, building an initial user base is a major challenge. Since new emerging technologies such as blockchain technology have so far received only little attention in research on this topic, although they promise attractive solutions, Philipp Wohlfart addresses this issue in his master’s thesis. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship graduate explores the question of how blockchain technology can help to bootstrap new networks by using token incentives when application utility is still missing. To answer the question, Phillip Wohlfart conducted six semi-structured experts interviews – with the result that token incentives can support in many ways.

“From the factual coverage to the method to the results, a truly outstanding work: logically argued, well researched, and very structured and transparently presented. Phillip Wohlfarts findings have both theoretical and practical implications for stakeholder management and alignment within platforms. They also provide insight into how to create, evaluate or analyze sustainable blockchain-based platform designs.” Prof. Dr. Anne Tryba, supervisor of the thesis and former Professor for Entrepreneurship at MBS

Read the full thesis here .

Analysis of the Impact of Customer Experience Management Among B2B Companies in the Construction Industry

Mba master’s thesis by sarim mehtab hasan.

While B2C companies have been firmly incorporating customer experience management (CXM) strategies into their business models for quite some time and there is accordingly sufficient research on the subject, the relevance of CXM in the B2B context has only recently been repeatedly emphasized. To investigate the importance of CXM in the context of his master’s thesis, Sarim Mehtab Hasan chooses the construction industry, for which the requirement of customer experience is even more vital due to diverse stakeholders. Interviews with senior professionals from construction companies show that the construction industry is still traditional, focuses on short-term returns, which doesn’t align with customer’s needs, and overall lacks awareness of CXM and its benefits. Sarim Hasan uses these – rather sobering – results to derive recommendations as well as short- and long-term implementation strategies for the construction industry in terms of customer experience, which earned his thesis the rating “outstanding”.

We asked Sarim Hasan what it means to him that his thesis in the MBA General Management was awarded as MBS Outstanding Thesis:

It was my first time writing a thesis and I learnt a lot during the entire process. Not only was I able to get an extensive understanding of the topic of CXM in the B2B environment but also improve my personal & professional skills. This, combined with the experience I gained from the business projects during my studies at MBS, really elevated my capability to manage projects effectively, which is something I currently apply on a daily basis in my full-time job. Getting this award gave a substantial boost to my confidence levels, especially to take on new risks for a higher reward, and validated the importance of CXM in today’s customer-driven business world. After working for almost 8 months in a customer-facing role post-MBA, I can undoubtedly confirm that my thesis has played a major role in my performance as a Customer Experience Manager at A2MAC1 and I hope that other business students find value in my research and take it even further.

Economic Evaluation of Digitized Health Data for the German Health Care System Using the Example of the Electronic Health Record

Mba master’s thesis by dr. sven grösgen.

Dr. Sven Grösgen dedicates his final thesis to a highly topical and explosively discussed subject: Germany’s plans to introduce of an electronic patient record. Such a digital file promises not only to improve healthcare, but also to have a positive impact on the economy. However, the status quo is that only 1.8% of total annual spending has been devoted to driving digitization in healthcare, while per capita spending continues to rise at the same time. With a general analysis of the electronic patient record and a detailed cost benefit analysis, Sven Grösgen shows that digital storage of health data has potential to counteract inefficiencies in healthcare and that the costs would be offset within the first ten years. In addition, the MBA graduate advocates an “opt-out” instead of an “opt-in” model and provides further impulses on how the implementation of an electronic patient record can be increased and further developed into an electronic health record.

“The author provides a very good and knowledgeable overview of existing literature and discusses all relevant aspects of the topic. At the time of the research, various reservations of both medical practitioners and patients shaped the discourse, so the focus on the economic benefits is particularly enlightening. As the relevance of the topic has recently increased even more, reading this thesis can be recommended to anyone seeking a sound basis on this topic area.” Prof. Dr. Eva Stumpfegger and Prof. Dr. Florian Bartholomae about why they decided to nominate Sven Grösgen’s thesis as MBS Outstanding Thesis

• Bachelor International Business
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• Customer Experience
• Digitalization
• Final Thesis
• Health Care Management
• Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Master's Thesis
• MBA General Management
• Mental Health

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MSc Business Consulting & Decision Intelligence

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Practical information

Type of programme

1 or 2 years

Tuition fees

19,000 for the 1-year MSc / €38,000 for the 2-year MSc

Paris (France), Sophia Antipolis (France)

Start date(s)

September, January

Admission level

High school + 3 years of study, Bachelor degree

Master degree

By joining an MSc, students obtain a master of science degree and the "Diploma of Specialised Studies in International Management" (DESMI), a degree approved by France's Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (master's level. More info - text in French ). 

​The QS 2024 ranking placed this MSc 45​th worldwide and 17​​​th among the European schools represented.​​This programme is ranked 2nd in the world for the diversity of its intake and faculty.​

Programme overview

Business consulting is a profession that regularly evolves. Consulting clients are continuously looking for innovative approaches, technologies and capabilities to further increase efficiency and/or create new sources of revenue. ​Aware of this accelerated pace of change, we at SKEMA decided in 2023 to merge our two consulting programmes (Business Consulting & Digital Transformation and International Strategy & Influence) to create a more evolved, multi-campus, state-of-the-art Master: Business Consulting and Decision Intelligence (BCDI).

BCDI builds on the content, curricula, partnerships and alumni of its both predecessors. It combines the use of modern digital technologies with our business acumen to equip our students with the necessary competencies to successfully apply and join top consulting companies and industrial corporations in France and the rest of Europe. Within the business consulting domain, BCDI offers specialisations on the high-growth areas of the future: digital transformation, sustainability and decision intelligence. The Master runs along two semesters in two Campuses (Paris and Sophia Antipolis). The first semester focusing on common competences, the second one on specialisation tracks.

Value proposition

Why choose this msc in business consulting .

The MSc offers forward-looking training which covers cutting edge theoretical developments, tools and methods in the fields of consulting, business and competitive intelligence. It is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by systematically relying on industry experts’ testimonials, real-life business cases and company projects.

Particular features include:

• ​During fall semester, students enjoy the same courses in both campuses . In spring semester, students will follow different specialisation tracks depending in which campus they are. Thus, the choice of campus will be driven from the beginning of the academic year based on the preferred specialisation track .
• Designed by internationally recognised academics together with top business consultants/analysts and competitive intelligence specialists .
• Unique business optimisation approaches based on a combination of digital technologies, competitive intelligence and business acumen.
• Exclusive access to top consulting firms. Recruitment activities take place on both campuses along the two semesters.
• Courses taught by SKEMA researchers and senior executives from the Master ecosystem of consulting firms, think tanks, high-tech SMEs and multinational companies.

Programme certifications

Throughout the Master, students can acquire the following certifications:

• Google Project Management certificate
• Scrum Master certificate
• Google Data Analytics certificate
• Microsoft PL 900
• Digimind certificate
• Sécurité économique from IHEMI​

The programme on video

The MSc Business Consulting and Decision Intelligence runs along two semesters.

Core courses

During the fall semester, our students acquire three core competences that are simultaneously taught in Campus Paris and Campus Sophia.

• Business consulting We teach project management techniques, consulting tools, critical thinking, research approaches and coach our students to apply them in on-going consulting situations. These courses are taught by senior executives from EY, CapGemini, Frost & Sullivan, Sopra Steria Next, Accenture, Deloitte and Roland Berger.
• Business acumen We give our students an overview on how top companies succeed, starting with the analysis of a strategic environment, to the formulation of a business strategy, going through the relevance of aligned business models and business processes and concluding with an understanding of the importance of organisational and digital transformation. Optimisation techniques as well as globalisation and sustainability trends round up this area. These courses are provided by academic researchers of SKEMA.
• Decision Intelligence Decision intelligence is the application of AI and machine learning technologies, along with data fusion, data visualization and collaboration tools, to augment and improve decision making. We teach our students the distinctive analytical skills and the use of cutting-edge information systems to succeed in the knowledge economy. These courses are provided by decision intelligence specialists.

Three specialisation tracks

Besides the traditional business consulting skills, three specialisation tracks are offered during the spring semester. ​(Students choose only one track):

• Digital Sustainability Consulting (Campus Sophia) Our students learn the theoretical foundations of sustainability and digital transformation, and how to use them to increase company value. On the sustainability side, we provide courses on ESG reporting and audits, supply chain decarbonization, energy transition and technology transformation. Within the digital transformation field, we give an overview on modern digital technologies and how companies are using them to further optimize their operations and create new sources of revenue.
• Business Intelligence Consulting (Campus Paris) Students will be trained on linking data to decisions and outcomes.  They will get courses on data science and financial intelligence to create key performance indicators and identify market trends to enlighten management decisions.
• Sécurité Economique (Campus Paris, only in French) This track is done at the prestigious Ecole Militaire de Paris by the Institut des Hautes Etudes du Ministere de l'Intérieur. Thus, former CEOs, generals, police officers and top consultants in the field will train students about new risks, economic security, web 3.0 encompassing OSINT and crisis management.

​​A master thesis gives students the opportunity to learn and apply academic research methods to deepen further in an area of expertise of their choice. 

FALL SEMESTER - Paris and Sophia campuses - 21 credits​

• Sustainable governance in the digital economy​, 2 credits
• Corporate Strategy and Competitive Intelligence, 3 credits
• Advanced Business Models, 2 credits
• Organizational Dynamics, 2 credits
• Data Analytics Fundamentals, 2 credits
• Project Management Fundamentals, 2 credits
• Business Consulting Fundamentals, 2 credits
• Business Turnaround Consulting, 1 credit
• Critical Thinking and Methods, 2 credits
• Consulting Project 1, 3 credits
• Career Management 1

SPRING SEMESTER - Sophia campus - 21 credits

Track 1 : digital sustainability consulting - 21 credits.

• Data Analytics Advanced, 2 credits
• Digital Technologies Fundamentals, 3 credits
• Digital Business Models in Sales & Marketing, 2 credits
• Digital Business Models in Operations, 2 credits
• Digital Business Models in Finance, 2 credits
• Energy Transition, 2 credits
• Decarbonisation Transformation, 2 credits
• Sustainable Digital Technology, 2 credits
• Consulting Project 2, 3 credits
• Career Management 2, 1 credit​

SPRING SEMESTER - Paris campus -  21 credits​

​core courses - 14 credits.

• Growth Models, 1 credit
• Business Game, 2 credits
• International Merger & Acquisition, 1 credit
• Influence and International Negotiation, 2 credits
• AI for Business, 2 credits
• Social Media Analysis, 2 credits
• Career Management 2, 1 credit

​Elective tracks - 7 credits​

Track 2: Business Intelligence Consulting Data Science for Business Intelligence, 2 credits

• Preparing for Consulting Jobs, 1 credit
• Decision Intelligence Consulting, 2 credits
• Social Intelligence, 2 credits

Track 3: Sécurité Économique (in French)

• Nouveaux Risques et Nouveaux Défis, 1 credit
• Sécurité Économique, 2 credits
• Web 3.0 - Internet: Menaces ou Atouts pour l'Entreprise, 3 credits Gestion de Crise, 1 credit​

PROFESSIONAL THESIS : 18 credits

TOTAL CREDITS FULL YEAR: 60 credits

Professional consulting projects.

During the two semesters, our students will plan and execute consulting project with multinational companies, think tanks, high tech SMEs, among others which are part of the Master ecosystem. Student consulting teams will assess the performance of their “clients”, identify business opportunities, design solutions and launch their implementation.

That unique experience complements the theoretical formation of our graduates. In the past many companies have used the consulting services of our students such as: Thales, Mairie de Paris, Engie, A1 Telekom, FnacDarty, SAP, Credit Agricole, Schneider Electric, Takeda

A four-month (six months for Two-Year MSc students) work experience done at the end of the academic period is required to obtain an MSc degree. Students can get this work experience from an internship placement, an employment contract or a V.I.E.

Fall intake students can do an internship between the end of the spring semester up to December of the same year. Spring intake students can do an internship between their two academic semesters or after their second semester.

Master thesis

The master thesis is worth 18 credits.

The master thesis is an important part of the MSc degree, taking students a step on from undergraduate studies in terms of academic rigour, analysis and presentation. It is here that students will display their ability to master a chosen area of study, closely supported by a supervisor from SKEMA’s faculty.

Master theses are to be submitted after finishing the two academic semesters, normally beginning of September with defense by mid-October. Spring students may also submit their theses at the end of May with defense mid-June

These details are for information only and may be changed by the school without prior notice.

Recruitment is carried out on a rolling admissions basis. However, given the limited number of places, cand​​idates are advised to apply as early as possible.

​ You can apply online now​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Application​​s dea​​dli​​ne​s

Next application deadline is the 15th of the month.

Please note, for enrollment in January 2025 at the Raleigh, Belo Horizonte, Suzhou or Stellenbosch campus:

• Application deadline: Wednesday, 6 November 2024
• Enrollment deadline (contract signing and deposit payment): Friday, 15 November 2024

​If you would like any more information about application deadlines, please contact [email protected]

Requirements - Two-Year​ MSc:

Eligible to apply: students who hold a three-year university degree or equivalent. And students will be required to reach the necessary level for the MSc before moving to year two.

Require​ments - MSc (one-year):

Eligible to apply: students who hold a four-year university degree or equivalent + two months minimum of professional experience (for the MSc Financial Markets and Investments, this requirement is: a four-year degree + six months minimum of professional experience),

Students with the equivalent of a three-year degree in France, as well as a minimum of three years of professional experience*

English language test required for all students

In some cases, the English test can be waived (for English native speakers or if you have studied or worked two years in an English-speaking country)

• TOEFL IBT(71), TOEFL ITP(530), IELTS(6), TOEIC(810), ICIMS(61, on demand), Duolingo®(105), Cambridge English Qualification®(165).
• Academic Diploma Program in Digital Marketing & Entertainment or Music Business: TOEFL IBT (80), IELTS (6.5), TOEIC(830), Duolingo (105), or iTEP Academic-Plus (4.5).
• MSc Global Luxury and Management : TOEFL IBT(71), TOEFL ITP(530), IELTS(6), TOEIC(810), ICIMS(61, on demand).
• MSc Product Management & UX Design, MSc Entrepreneurship and Design for Sustainability : TOEFL IBT(88) ,TOEFL ITP (570), IELTS(7), TOEIC(870), ICIMS(67, on demand)

*Candidates with an Indian bachelor's degree are eligible for the one-year MSc if they have more than three years of work experience and for the two-year MSc if they have less than three years of work experience.

Depending on the programme, students may have the option of doing their studies as part of a part-time programme. For apprenticeships, students must make a prior request to the admissions department, which will study their application file.

The selection is in two parts:

• Eligibility: online application A selection committee examines the application submission taking into account the candidate's qualifications and professional experience. After submitting their application, candidates applying for the specialisations MSc FMI, GLM, LHI, AIBT, CFM, AMAIS and SFF will have a pre-selection test (Visiotalent) in the online video recording form. VisioTalent is an automated online recruitment tool that facilitates your admission to SKEMA. This easy-to-use platform will only take 10 minutes of your time to use for your MSc application.
• Admission: If the application submission is judged satisfactory, candidates undergo a face-to-face/via Skype, or telephone interview. The interview lasts about 30 minutes is based on a typical job interview.

Successful candidates will be admitted on the basis of the application form and the interview.

You can apply online here

Read our guide (pdf) to obtaining scholarships for SKEMA Business School

This interactive brochure provides information about a large number of French and international scholarships available for students going to study on SKEMA's bachelor and master degree programmes. There's also information on the scholarships awarded by SKEMA Business School. Each scholarship listed includes a full description, eligibility criteria, the amount of the grant available, the application process and contact details for each organisation. French Embassies worldwide also offer support for international students to study in France.  You can find information below or on the web by searching for ‘French Embassy’ and insert your country of residence. Check out our scholarships guide for international and French students .​

The application fee is €100 (non-refundable) 

Alumni job descriptions

• This Master opens vast job opportunities in a wide variety of fields in business consulting, business analysis or national security. Roles include:
• Business consultant/analyst
• Competitive intelligence consultant/analyst
• Knowledge and information manager
• Data analyst
• Information security and systems manager
• Risk manager

​​​​​​​​Career opportunities​

Graduates of this Masters will be able to work as :​ digital consultant, business consultant, strategy consultant, project manager, business analyst.

Recruiting companies

​Amazon, Accenture, Atos, Chanel, Capgemini, Deloitte, Devoteam, EY, Huawei, Hermès, IBM Consulting, KPMG, L’Oréal, LVMH, Microsoft, Onepoint, PWC, Sopra Steria, SAP, Wavestone.

2023 MSc employment rate - class of 2022

• Net employment rate after​​​ 6 months:   100 %
• Average salary after graduation  : 45 750€
• 57% work outside of their home country
• Business areas students choose to work in : ​Audit, Consulting & Technological services​, Consulting, Engineering, Technologies, Finance, Bank, Insurance

SKEMA Talent & Careers : Get ready for your career

SKEMA Talent & Careers, made of career consultants and dedicated experts, supports students in getting ready for their professional project, in discovering jobs, companies and business sectors, and in sourcing internships and jobs. Our mission is to give you all the resources, methods and opportunities to successfully get on the job market.

Professional development

Build your professional project at each step of your studies thanks to dedicated support and resources.

Corporate events

Meet companies and recruiters, learn more about jobs and business sectors. 

Internship and job search

Find your dream internship among a large number of offers available to you, in France or abroad.

Personalised advice ​

Discuss your plans further with a Talent & Careers consultant and get individualised guidance.

SKEMA Alumni : A powerful, supportive network

As an MSc student, you will become a member of SKEMA Alumni, a network of more than 60,000 graduates in key positions in more than 145 countries around the world. You will benefit from the numerous services that will help you to promote business opportunities, meetings and professional development.

More about the SKEMA Alumni network

Student testimonial

"I achieved my goals thanks to the personalised coaching I received from qualified professionals.  I was referred to the Talent & Careers team to get professional advice regarding my CV, cover letter and the steps I needed to succeed with my professional ambitions. During our regular exchanges, we defined a personalised strategy in line with my expectations. I have found an internship in a company with great values and I want to thank the Talent & Careers team for their precious advice." Maëlle Barrere SKEMA student

A team is at your disposal for any further information you may require. 

Indian subcontinent

JHAVERI Viragi

[email protected]

+919810715946

Latin America & Western Europe

DI GIROLAMO Pauline

[email protected]

+33493953296

North Africa & Middle East

FACE Stéphanie

[email protected]

+33320214099

Sub-Saharan Africa

AYERNOR Harriet

[email protected]

+33171068959

China & Northeastern Asia

[email protected]

+8651262602865

Eastern Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, Oceania

Lu Yongfeng

[email protected]

+33493953211

Last testimonials

Testimonial

Abderrahim Farchado

Marie-Carole Niava

Assaad Hani

Next events

12 Sep 2024

QS Master's Fair in São Paulo

21 Sep 2024

QS Fair in Dubai

25 Sep 2024

QS Fair in Riyadh

28 - 29 Sep 2024

Destino Francia in Bogotá

28 Sep 2024

QS Fair in San Francisco

Qs fair in istanbul.

/3 selected

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More From Forbes

The ultimate guide to business globalization: a to z.

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Michael Shribman is president and founder at APS Global Partners Inc. and Medias Health Inc.

In our interconnected world, business globalization is crucial for growth. Companies are expanding globally to reach new markets, diversify and access global talent. As a seasoned business professional, I've witnessed globalization's transformative impact. This guide covers all you need to know about going global.

A: Assessing Readiness

Before embarking on the globalization journey, it's crucial to assess your company's readiness. This involves evaluating your financial health, understanding your core competencies and analyzing your competitive advantages. A thorough readiness assessment will lay the foundation for successful globalization.

B: Building A Strategic Plan

A well-thought-out strategic plan is essential. This plan should outline your objectives, target markets, entry strategies and timelines. Consider different types of market entry strategies, such as exporting, franchising, joint ventures or establishing wholly owned subsidiaries. Each has its own set of advantages and challenges.

C: Cultural Sensitivity

Understanding and respecting cultural differences is vital in global business. This goes beyond language barriers—it's about recognizing different business etiquettes, consumer behaviors and societal values. For example, negotiation styles can vary significantly between countries.

Google Is Deleting Gmail Accounts—3 Steps Needed To Keep Yours

Google play store deletion—do not keep these apps on your phone, blackrock issues serious fed warning as crypto braces for a predicted 50% bitcoin price crash, d: digital transformation.

Leverage digital tools and technologies to streamline your globalization efforts. From e-commerce platforms to cloud-based collaboration tools, technology can help you manage operations across multiple markets efficiently. Invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect your data and maintain trust with international clients and partners.

E: Economic Factors

Keep a close eye on the economic conditions of your target markets. Factors such as inflation rates, currency stability and economic growth can significantly impact your business operations. Use this information to make informed decisions about pricing, investment and risk management.

F: Financial Management

Global expansion requires substantial investment. Ensure you have a solid financial management strategy in place. This includes budgeting for market entry costs, ongoing operational expenses and potential unforeseen challenges.

G: Global Supply Chain

Establishing a reliable global supply chain is critical. Identify suppliers, manufacturers and logistics partners that can meet your quality standards and delivery timelines. Diversifying your supply chain can mitigate risks related to geopolitical issues.

H: Human Resources

Building a global workforce comes with unique challenges. Develop a comprehensive HR strategy that includes talent acquisition, training and retention. Understand the labor laws and employment practices in each market.

I: Intellectual Property Protection

Protecting your intellectual property (IP) is crucial when entering new markets. Different countries have varying levels of IP protection and enforcement. Work with legal experts to secure patents, trademarks and copyrights in each market.

J: Joint Ventures And Partnerships

Forming strategic alliances can accelerate your global expansion. Joint ventures and partnerships allow you to share resources, knowledge and risks. Choose partners who complement your strengths and have a deep understanding of the local market.

K: Knowledge Transfer

Facilitate knowledge transfer across your global operations. Encourage collaboration and communication between teams in different regions. This can drive innovation, improve efficiency and help ensure that best practices are implemented.

L: Legal Compliance

Navigating the legal landscape of multiple countries can be daunting. Ensure you comply with all local regulations, including labor laws, environmental standards and corporate governance.

M: Market Research

Thorough market research is the cornerstone of successful globalization. Understand the needs, preferences and behaviors of consumers in your target markets. Analyze your competitors and identify gaps that your products or services can fill.

N: Networking

Building a strong network of contacts in your target markets can provide valuable insights and opportunities. Attend international trade shows, conferences and industry events. Join business associations and chambers of commerce. Networking can help you establish credibility.

O: Operational Efficiency

Maintaining operational efficiency is crucial when managing global operations. Standardize processes where possible but remain flexible to adapt to local nuances.

P: Pricing Strategy

Develop a pricing strategy that reflects the purchasing power and competitive landscape of each market. Consider factors such as import duties, taxes and local production costs. Your pricing strategy should also account for currency fluctuations and inflation.

Q: Quality Control

Ensure consistent quality across all markets. Implement rigorous quality control measures and regular audits. Quality issues in one market can tarnish your brand's reputation globally.

R: Risk Management

Globalization comes with inherent risks—political instability, economic fluctuations and cultural misunderstandings, to name a few. Develop a comprehensive risk management plan that includes contingency strategies for potential disruptions.

S: Sales Channels

Identify and establish effective sales channels in each market. This could include direct sales, distributors, e-commerce platforms or retail partnerships.

T: Technology Integration

Integrate technology into all aspects of your global operations. Use enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to manage resources, customer relationship management (CRM) systems to nurture client relationships and data analytics to drive decision-making.

U: Understanding Local Markets

Deeply understand the unique characteristics of each local market. This includes consumer behavior, regulatory environment, competitive landscape and cultural nuances. Tailor your business strategies to align with these local insights.

V: Value Proposition

Clearly articulate your value proposition in each market. A compelling value proposition can differentiate your brand in a competitive global marketplace.

W: Workforce Development

Invest in developing your global workforce. Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities. Encourage cross-cultural exchanges and international assignments to build a cohesive and capable global team.

X: Xenophilia

Embrace and celebrate the diversity of your global operations. Xenophilia, or the appreciation of foreign cultures, can foster a more inclusive and innovative company culture.

Y: Yield Management

Optimize your resources to maximize returns. This involves efficient allocation of capital, talent and technology. Regularly review and adjust your strategies to ensure you are achieving the desired outcomes.

Z: Zeal And Adaptability

Lastly, approach globalization with zeal and adaptability. The global business landscape is dynamic and ever-changing. Stay passionate about your mission and be prepared to pivot and adapt as needed.

Globalization provides vast opportunities for businesses to navigate its complexities. Use this A to Z guide to help position your company for global success. Remember, globalization is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay committed, informed and flexible for the rewards of a truly global business.

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