Swedish name: Master'sThesis in Business Administration (second year)
This syllabus is valid: 2008-01-21 valid to 2011-01-16 (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
Syllabus for courses starting before 2011-01-16
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 develop the students ability to provide a contribution to business research such as filling an empirical, theoretical, and/or methodological gap. The student should demonstrate, through his/her thesis and orally, an ability to plan, conduct, and present a major 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. The course comprises three parallel modules. Module 1: Masters Thesis 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. 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 work, 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 work 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. The thesis should also aim to include a study of the extracted implications of the thesis study. As a general rule, the thesis work is to be conducted in pairs of students from the same masters program. Should circumstances dictate, the thesis may also be conducted individually. The length of the Masters thesis should typically range from 40-100 pages, depending on discipline and methodological approach. The written thesis is to be defended at a public seminar. Module 2. Seminars The aim of this section of the course is to develop the students ability to examine academic investigations and reports from a critical and scientific point of view. This part of the Masters thesis work requires firstly the student to participate in in-progress seminars during the semester, where the student is required to make at least two presentations of his/her thesis work to date, and additionally to be an assigned discussant of other students in-progress thesis work on at least two occasions. Seminars may also be arranged specifically to treat issues to do with chosen methods and chosen fields of theory. In the event of these being arranged, students will be obliged to participate. Secondly, the student should submit written critical analyses, 4-5 pages in length, of two other Masters theses at the public thesis seminar. This is an individual assignment. The written critical analyses, in which the students critical abilities must be clearly documented, should be numbered consecutively (Number 1-Number 2). Module 3: Critical Analysis of Another Thesis - Main Discussant. Here, the aim is to perform a major critical analysis of a designated Masters thesis presented within the same program or, should particular circumstances dictate, a thesis from the students minor subject. This module comprises the critical examination of a thesis, and culminates in an oral examination by the discussants at a public seminar.
Upon completing the course, students should be able to: Identify a research topic and formulate a research question that furthers the knowledge within a field relevant to the students masters program Conduct a thorough literature review and present the results of the review in an evaluative manner Conduct a comprehensive 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 empirical, theoretical, and/or methodological contribution to the chosen research field From a scientific study be able to provide implications for practice as well as for future research Defend the research conducted, and evaluate and discuss others research in a constructive and critical manner.
University: At advanced level 90 ECTS of which a minimum of 30 ECTS in Business Administration. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic Training minimum score 5.0 with no individual score below 4.5 (Tests taken before January 2005 not admissible or TOEFL minimum score 500 on paper based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE, Alternatively 173 on computer based test with iBT61 is also required as well as basic entrance requirements for higher studies in Swedish language proficiency if the course is taught in Swedish.
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. Nevertheless, students are expected to participate actively in in-progress seminars during the thesis period. It is understood that the ongoing Masters thesis work is 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, and additionally to be an assigned discussant of other students in-progress thesis work on at least two occasions. In case further seminars are arranged, students will be obliged to participate.
The writing and defending of an independent work is the primary requirement. Students will also be evaluated on their ability to perform a major critical analysis of another Masters thesis and the quality of their written critical analyses of two other Masters theses. The presentation of study results to a wider audience will also be evaluated. The following grading system is used: Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg), Pass (Godkänd, G) and Fail (Underkänd, U). In case of failure on master thesis, seminars, main opposition or further dissemination of study results, complementary work must be carried out in accordance with specific instructions given. In case complementary work is required, this should be delivered to the supervisor within four weeks after the final seminar. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. 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 literature list is not available through the web. Please contact the faculty.