Swedish name: Master'sThesis in Business Administration (second year)
This syllabus is valid: 2011-01-17 valid to 2012-08-26 (newer version of the syllabus exists)
Syllabus for courses starting after 2017-08-21
Syllabus for courses starting between 2016-09-05 and 2017-08-20
Syllabus for courses starting between 2016-08-29 and 2016-09-04
Syllabus for courses starting between 2016-01-18 and 2016-08-28
Syllabus for courses starting between 2013-09-02 and 2016-01-17
Syllabus for courses starting between 2013-08-26 and 2013-09-01
Syllabus for courses starting between 2012-09-03 and 2013-08-25
Syllabus for courses starting between 2012-08-27 and 2012-09-02
Syllabus for courses starting between 2011-01-17 and 2012-08-26
Course code: 2FE131
Credit points: 30
Education level: Second cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Business Administration: Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Business Administration
The objective of the Masters thesis is to further develop the students ability to carry out and contribute to business research. The student should demonstrate, through his/her thesis and orally, an ability to plan, conduct, and present a solid scientific investigation in a business context of relevance to the subject of Business Administration. The thesis contribution should rest upon clearly evaluated and motivated standpoints. The student should demonstrate good knowledge of the research front within the field of study, and ability reflect upon and position oneself towards alternative approaches within the field. Module 1. Work-in-progress seminars, 0 ECTS Seminars develop the student's ability to examine and analyze academic investigations and reports in a critical and scientific manner. This part of the Masters thesis work requires firstly the student to participate in two in-progress seminars during the semester, where the student is required to make presentations of his/her thesis work to date on at least two work-in-progress seminars. At these seminars, the student can be assigned to discuss other students in-progress thesis work. Module 2. Side-opposition, 0 ECTS Secondly, the student should submit written critical analyses (side-oppositions), 4-5 pages in length, of two other Masters theses at the public thesis seminar. This is an individual assignment. The side-oppositions must clearly document the students critical abilities. In addition, the student is required to participate at the thesis seminars relating to these two Masters theses. Module 3: Masters Thesis, 30 ECTS The work described in this section, which comprises the bulk of the course, should stimulate the students independent ability at an advanced level to investigate and develop an issue within the field of Business Administration and of relevance to the students chosen Masters programme. The research issue chosen for the thesis work should reflect the identification, definition and justification of a gap in theory, including the application of theory or models to a new empirical area, or a methodological gap, to be addressed by the thesis. Thereby, the author should make a contribution to the literature in a chosen subject and problem area. The thesis should comprise a thorough literature review that both positions the thesis, and focuses it theoretically, in the creation of a relevant theoretical frame of reference. An indication of the relevance of the theoretical frame of reference - and of identified theoretical gaps is that it should show an in-depth knowledge on the subject. This literature review and construction of a relevant theoretical frame of reference should show the students ability to independently treat and work through the literature. The thesis must also be based upon a critical choice of method, where the students methodological and theoretical choices should reflect a good awareness of the underlying assumptions related to the disciplines ontological and epistemological points of departure as well as in the particular research issues underlying assumptions. The methodological discussions must thus be clearly connected to the problem area and provide stringency throughout the thesis. The thesis should show an independent treatment of the empirical data, and a systematic analysis of the theoretical and empirical material lifting the level of abstraction in the discussion of the analysis. There must be systematic evidence of stringency issues making visible the interrelationships between different parts of the thesis / stages of the research process. Thesis work should generally be conducted in groups of two. The length of the Masters thesis should typically range from 70-100 pages, depending on discipline and methodological approach. The written thesis is to be defended at a public seminar. Module 4: Main opposition, 0 ECTS A major critical analysis of another Masters Thesis is required. The designated thesis should be presented within the same program or, should particular circumstances dictate, a thesis from the students minor subject. This module comprises an individual written critical examination as well as an oral discussion at a public seminar. Generally, the oral critical analysis is conducted together with ones thesis co-author.
After completing this course, the student should be able to: demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the chosen topic, the area of research, and related methodical issues identify a research topic and formulate a research question that furthers the knowledge within a specific field conduct a thorough literature review and present the results in an evaluative manner conduct a thorough study in accordance with the scientific practices pertaining to the methods chosen, including collecting, analysing and presenting the results in accordance with the ontological and epistemological foundations of the theoretical perspectives employed make a well-argued positioning of the research and its potential empirical, theoretical, and/or methodological contribution/s to the chosen research field provide suggestions for future research based on the study conducted defend the research conducted, and evaluate and discuss others research in a constructive and critical manner.
Admitted to a two-year Masters Program at Umeå School of Business. University: 82.5 ECTS within the program of which a minimum of 52.5 ECTS in Business Administration on advanced level of which 30 ECTS Core courses.
The authors independence and responsibility is emphasised in the conducting of thesis work. Thus the supervisors influence and control is reduced in order to create the necessary conditions for individual autonomy, creativity, and personal responsibility. The ongoing thesis work is to be presented to the supervisor on at least three occasions during the thesis process. Additionally, the student is required to make at least two in-progress presentations of his/her thesis work. At these seminars, the student can be assigned to discuss other students in-progress thesis work. In case further seminars are arranged, students will be obliged to participate. Supervision is only guaranteed for the semester under which the student is registered for the course. The authors independence and responsibility is emphasised in the conducting of thesis work. Thus the supervisors influence and control is reduced in order to create the necessary conditions for individual autonomy, creativity, and personal responsibility. The ongoing thesis work is to be presented to the supervisor on at least three occasions during the thesis process. Additionally, the student is required to make at least two in-progress presentations of his/her thesis work. At these seminars, the student can be assigned to discuss other students in-progress thesis work. In case further seminars are arranged, students will be obliged to participate. Supervision is only guaranteed for the semester under which the student is registered for the course.
Module 1. Work-in-progress seminars, 0 ECTS This part of the course is examined through participation in two compulsory in-progress seminars. In-progress seminars are graded as pass or fail. Module 2. Side-oppositions, 0 ECTS This module consists of written side-oppositions on two other 30 ECTS Masters Theses. Written side-oppositions are always individual assignments. Each written side-opposition should comprise 4-5 pages. In addition, the student is required to take part in the seminar for this particular Masters Thesis. Side-oppositions are graded as pass or fail. Module 3. Masters Thesis, 30 ECTS The Masters Thesis is examined through authoring and defending an independent work. The following grading system is used: Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG), Pass (Godkänd, G) and Fail (Underkänd, U). The Masters Thesis is assessed and graded by a grading committee. In case the Masters Thesis is not accepted as is, it may be revised with instructions given, or subject of a new effort. In cases of revision, the new version should be completed and delivered to the supervisor within four weeks after the final seminar/or after the date the revision was presented. Information about grading criteria is found in the thesis manual, see http://www.usbe.umu.se/english/student/theses-work Module 4. Main opposition, 0 ECTS A major critical analysis of another Masters Thesis is required. This is carried out through an individual written as well as an oral evaluation and discussion of anothers research in a constructive and critical manner at a public seminar. Generally, the oral critical analysis is conducted together with ones Masters Thesis co-author. The main opposition is graded as pass or fail. For the course as a whole, the following grading system is used: Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG), Pass (Godkänd, G) and Fail (Underkänd, U). Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. Academic credit transfer. Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.
The course is included in two-years Masters Programmes at Umeå School of Business. The thesis should normally be jointly written by two authors. It is not possible for two students who jointly write a thesis, to be registered for different types of theses (e.g. one student writing a Degree Project and the other a second year 15 ECTS Masters thesis). For students following a masters program, the subject for the thesis should be within the scope of the masters program. For further information, see descriptions for awarding degrees (in Marketing, Management etc.) The length of the Masters thesis should typically range from 70-100 pages. It is recommended that students complete the two compulsory side-oppositions before defending their own Masters thesis. The thesis seminar and the main opposition are normally carried out at the end of the course (usually the end of the semester). For students not completing their thesis on time, a seminar is arranged when the thesis is completed and when there are opponents available. Archive copies of the completed Masters Thesis shall, within 4 weeks after the thesis seminar, be submitted in both hard copy and in digital form. For details, see http://www.usbe.umu.se/english/student/theses-work/printing-and-archiving/
The literature list is not available through the web. Please contact the faculty.