Bachelor's thesis in Business Administration, 15 Credits

Contents

The objective of this course is to develop the student’s critical ability and the student’s ability to independently undertake and solve a business problem using scientific methods. Thus, the main task of the course is comprised of a comprehensive independent work (thesis). A chosen research question of relevance for practical business problem solving is to be thoroughly analysed and described. The thesis work must be based on empirical material.

Module 1. Work-in-progress seminar, 0 ECTS
The thesis work is to be supported by an oral and written critical examination of a prior Bachelor thesis. The written examination should follow the directives for side-oppositions. The aim is both to establish the requirements and extent for the thesis work and to give practice before the side- and main opposition work.

Module 2. Side-oppositions, 0 ECTS
The aim of this module is to develop the students’ ability to examine written reports and investigations within the field of business administration, from a critical and scientific point of view.

Module 3. Bachelor's thesis, 15 ECTS
The thesis work should prove the student’s independent ability to investigate and develop a focused topic within the field of business administration. The emphasis lies in a critical choice of method, creating a relevant theoretical frame of reference, and an analysis of the theoretical and empirical material, where the author should make a contribution to the chosen subject or problem area.

Module 4. Main opposition, 0 ECTS
The student’s critical ability is to be documented by conducting a main opposition/major critical analysis of someone else’s Bachelor’s thesis work.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

•  demonstrate an insight into the chosen topic, the area of research, and related methodical issues
•  choose, define and argue for a business related research question
•  identify relevant empirical material and choose relevant methods to gather empirical material in light of the research question
•  collect empirical material in a systematic manner
•  analyse and discuss empirical material utilizing a relevant theoretical framework based on scientific literature
•  draw conclusions and make recommendations for a specific research question
•  discuss societal and/or ethical issues of relevance for the thesis
•  communicate the main arguments, contents and results of the study
•  defend the thesis at a scientific seminar
•  critically examine other scientific reports both orally and in writing.

Required Knowledge

University: Courses in Business Administration (75 ECTS) of which courses at Basic level (A-level) and Intermediate level (B-level) a minimum of 60 ECTS (in Management, Marketing, Accounting and Finance courses), 15 ECTS, at the Bachelor level (C-level) in Business Administration. Previously completed courses must include studies of scientific methodology within business/social sciences corresponding to at least 7.5 ECTS, including both qualitative and quantitative methodology.

Language: Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section).

Form of instruction

Thesis work is a programmed process with continuous supervision. It is implied that the ongoing thesis work is presented for the supervisor at least on three occasions, after agreement with the supervisor, during the thesis process. The work-in-progress seminar with critical examination of a prior thesis is scheduled in the beginning of the course. Apart from obligatory seminars the student is normally expected to take active part in in-progress seminars organised by the supervisor. Supervision is only guaranteed for the semester under which the student is firstly registered for the course.

Examination modes

Module 1. Work-in-progress seminar, 0 ECTS
This part of the course is examined through seminar participation and delivery of written material. The activity is graded as pass or fail.

Module 2. Side-oppositions, 0 ECTS
The module is examined through written ‘side-oppositions’, i.e. critical analyses, of two other Bachelor’s theses. Written side-oppositions are always individual assignments. The side-oppositions should be numbered consecutively (C1-C2) and comprise 4-5 pages. In addition participation in each of the thesis seminars is required. Side-oppositions are graded as pass or fail.

Module 3. Bachelor’s thesis, 15 ECTS
The module is examined through authoring and defending an independent work. The defense cannot take place until the work-in-progress seminar (module 1) has been approved. The grades used are: pass with distinction, pass or fail. The thesis is evaluated and graded by a grading committee, whereas the individual effort in the defence is graded at the seminar.
In case the Bachelor’s 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.

Module 4. Main opposition, 0 ECTS
The module is examined through an individual written as well as an oral main opposition (critical examination where the student is responsible for leading the seminar) on another Bachelor’s thesis. The oral main opposition can be conducted in collaboration with your co-author on your thesis. The main opposition is graded as pass or fail.
Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments.
For grading of the thesis course as a whole, the grades used are: pass with distinction, pass or fail.

Academic credit transfer
Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.

Other regulations

When a thesis has been written in English, the seminar should as a general rule also be held in English, unless all seminar participants (including side opponents) are Swedish speaking. The written main- and side-oppositions may be in Swedish provided that the seminar leader is Swedish speaking.

Supervision is only guaranteed for the semester under which the student is first registered for the course.

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 bachelor and the other a master’s thesis).

As a rule of thumb, the scope of the thesis should be approximately 40-60 pages.

The empirical material that is utilized in the thesis should on request be available for supervisor, main opponents and the grading committee in its original form (raw-data).

The thesis seminar (defense) should, if possible, not be held until the compulsory side-oppositions have been completed. The work-in-progress seminar must be completed before thesis defense.
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.

When the grade has been set, archive copies of the completed thesis shall as soon as possible, and within 4 weeks, be submitted in both paper and digital form. For details, see http://www.usbe.umu.se/english/dept/fek/for-our-students/theses/printing-and-archiving/