Universität Wien

040142 SE Bachelor Seminar (incl. Bachelor´s Paper) (2023S)

Int. Business

8.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

Summary

1 Windsperger , Moodle
2 Yaqub , Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Registration information is available for each group.

Groups

Group 1

Sprache: Englisch/Deutsch
Das Seminar wird nur für Bachelor IBW Studierende angeboten.
service email address: opim.bda@univie.ac.at

max. 25 participants
Language: English
LMS: Moodle

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

On 06.06. 2023 and 27.06. 2023 is no seminar!
IMPORTANT:
The seminar is offered in English; all presentations are in English. However, you have the possibility to write the thesis in German!

  • Friday 10.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock (Kickoff Class)
  • Tuesday 28.03. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 02.05. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 09.05. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 16.05. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 22.05. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 16 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 05.06. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.06. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 20.06. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Friday 23.06. 15:00 - 19:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 27.06. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock

Aims, contents and method of the course

Course Overview
Every student who writes a bachelor thesis (in English) must attend the BA seminar and deliver a presentation on the topic of the thesis (presentation time: 20-30 minutes) as well as to write a seminar paper. The course proceeds in three stages as outlined in the following;
(I) Choosing a Topic
Deadline for the submission of the topics for the Bachelor thesis: 28.03.2023 (1-2 pages)
Deadline for the submission of Synopsis/Extended Proposals along with the list of the literature: 02.05.2023 (3-5 pages)
(II) Presentations
Final proposals are to be presented between 9.5-20.06.2023
Presentation time: 20 -30 minutes
The PowerPoint slides must be sent to the lecturer at least one day before presentation
(III) Bachelor Thesis
Deadline for the Submission of the Bachelor theses: 15.09.2023
The deadline for submission of Bachelor Thesis is final and cannot be negotiated.

Assessment and permitted materials

Bachelor Thesis (80%)
Presentation and class participation (20%)
Minimum length of the thesis (without references): 30 pages
Deadline for submission: 15. September 2023

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

For a successful completion of the course, the following conditions must adequately have to be met;
1. At least 75% attendance
2. Presentation of the proposal (20 Minutes)
3. Submission of the Bachelor Thesis by Sept. 15
4. You have to apply the rules for scientific paper writing
SEE: Karmasin, M., R. Rainer, Die Gestaltung wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten, , 2015, UTB Facultas
Skern, T., Writing Scientific English, 2015, UTB Facultas

Examination topics

Suggested Topics
The following list is by no means an exhaustive one.

I. International Strategy and Organization

1. Existence of the multinational corporation (MNC): Discuss the different theories that explain the existence of the MNC
2. The Impact of Environmental Uncertainty on the Organization of the MNC: A Contingency Perspective
3. The Impact of Information and Communication Technology on the Organization of the MNC
4. Country Culture and Organization of the MNC
5. Determinants of the Organization Structure of the MNC
6. Global versus Regional Strategies of the MNC
7. Interorganizational Networks of the MNC
8. Determinants of Strategic Alliances of MNC
9. Market Entry through Digital Plattforms
10. Market Entry through Joint Ventures
11. Internationalisation of Family Firms
12. Market Entry through Franchising Networks
13. Acquisitions and Greenfield Investments as Market Entry Forms
14. Market Entry of Start-up Firms
15. Internationalization of Born Globals
16. Digitalization and Multinational Corporation
17. CSR Strategues of the MNC
18. The Role of Networks in Early Internationalizing Firms
19. Governance of Digital Platforms in International Business
20. International Offshoring Strategy: Advantanges and Disadvantages

Literature basis for choosing a topic:

Peng, M. 2015. Global Business, Boston.
Charles W. L. Hill, Melissa A. Schilling, Gareth R. Jones (2017), Strategic Management – Theory and Cases: An Integrated Approach,
12th edition.
Peng, M. 2022. Global Strategic Management, Boston
Verbeke, A., I. Lee 2021. International Business Strategy, 3rd ed., Cambridge
Mats Forsgren, 2017. Theories of the Multinational Firm: A Multidimensional Creature in the Global Economy., Edward Elgar Publishing
Welch, L. S., Benito, G. R., & Petersen, B., 2018. Foreign operation methods: Theory, analysis, strategy, Edward Elgar Publishing

II. Knowledge Management of the Multinational Firm

1. Centralization vs. Decentralization between Headquarters and Subsidiaries of the MNC (Jensen, Meckling 1995; Hayek 1945; Windsperger 2004)
2. The Knowledge Management Model of Nonaka (1994) and Hedlund (1994) applied to MNC
3. Knowledge Management Strategies: Codification versus Personalization Strategies of MNC (Hanson et al. 1999)
5. The Role of Country Culture in Knowledge Transfer in MNC (Lukas 2006)
6. Knowledge Transfer between Headquarter and Subsidiaries of MNC (Gupta, Govindarajan 1991,2000; Björkman et al. 2004)
7. Knowledge Transfer in International Strategic Alliances (Simonin 1999; 2004)
8. Knowledge Management in International Joint Ventures (Inkpen, Dinur 1998)
9. Knowledge Transfer in International Franchising-Networks (Windsperger, Gorovaia 2010; Gorovaia, Windsperger 2013)
10. Knowledge Transfer in Acquisitions (Breshman et al. 1999; 2010)

Students may opt for any other relevant topic with a prior consent of the lecturer

The introductory literature to the topics under II. will be published on moodle!

Reading list

Peng, M. 2015. Global Business, Boston.
Charles W. L. Hill, Melissa A. Schilling, Gareth R. Jones (2017), Strategic Management – Theory and Cases: An Integrated Approach,
12th edition.
Peng, M. 2022. Global Strategic Management, Boston
Verbeke, A., I. Lee 2021. International Business Strategy, 3rd ed., Cambridge
Mats Forsgren, 2017. Theories of the Multinational Firm: A Multidimensional Creature in the Global Economy., Edward Elgar Publishing
Welch, L. S., Benito, G. R., & Petersen, B., 2018. Foreign operation methods: Theory, analysis, strategy, Edward Elgar Publishing

Group 2

Sprache: Englisch/Deutsch
service email address: opim.bda@univie.ac.at

max. 24 participants
Language: English
LMS: Moodle

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

NOTE: If needed, some course meetings could be organised digitally. You would, however, be informed about it, well in time.

  • Monday 06.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock (Kickoff Class)
  • Tuesday 07.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 20.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 21.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 25.04. 09:45 - 13:00 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 26.04. 09:45 - 13:00 Seminarraum 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Thursday 27.04. 09:45 - 13:00 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Friday 28.04. 09:45 - 13:00 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Thursday 22.06. 09:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Friday 23.06. 09:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Monday 26.06. 09:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock

Aims, contents and method of the course

Course Overview

The primary aim of the Bachelor seminar is to prepare students to writing research texts in preparation for their Bachelor theses. The course begins with choosing a topic for the potential seminar paper and ends up with submitting the same. The course is divided in three important segments as follows.

(I) Choosing a Topic

Deadline for submission of topics/abstracts for the Bachelor paper: 18.03.2023 (midnight)

Feedback sessions, for the abstracts: 20&21.03.2023

Deadline for the submission of synopsis/extended proposals along with list of the literature: 20.04.2023 (midnight)

Both submissions are to be made electronically, through Moodle. The relevant links for submissions would pop up on the course page in Moodle in due course of time.

(II) Presentation of the Final Proposals

The proposals of the bachelor papers must be presented during the regular course meetings. The presentation must cover (a) a description of the problem and the specific research questions, (b) a summary and the highlights of the review of relevant literature, and (c) an outline of the research methodology.

Final proposals are to be presented in the duration: 25-28.04.2023

The PowerPoint slides must be sent to the lecturer at least 2 days before the presentation.

(III) Bachelor Thesis

In their bachelor thesis, the participants should demonstrate a profound knowledge of the chosen topic. Based on a thorough literature review, students not only would summarise their findings, but also develop an own perspective on the chosen topic.

Deadline for submission of interim papers: 20.06.2023 (end of day)

Presentations of interim papers: 22,23,26.06.2023

Deadline for the submission of the Bachelor papers: 15.07.2023 (midnight).

The Bachelor paper is to be submitted electronically, though Moodle. The relevant links for submissions would pop up on the course page in Moodle in due course of time.

The deadline for submission of Bachelor papers is final and cannot be negotiated.

NOTE: IT IS POSSIBLE TO WRITE A BACHELOR PAPER ONLY IN ENGLISH IN THIS GROUP.

Assessment and permitted materials

Performance of the course participants will be assessed based on the presentation of research proposals, bachelor papers, and in-class participation.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Assessment Criteria

The following would remain break up of the assessment.

• 60 % Bachelor Paper
• 30 % Presentations
• 10 % in-class participation

Minimum Requirements: For a successful completion of the course, the following conditions must adequately have to be met.

1. At least 75% attendance in the course meetings
2. Presentation of the proposal & Bachelor paper
3. Submission of the Bachelor paper

Examination topics

Suggested Topics

The following list is, by no means, an exhaustive one. Students may opt any other relevant topic with a prior consent of the lecturer.
1. Governance of the MNE
2. International market entry strategies
3. Inter-firm collaborations in the global markets
4. Cross-border entrepreneurship
5. Global supply chain management
6. Ethics, sustainability, CSR and the global business
7. Knowledge, creativity, and innovation in global business
8. Impact of digitalisation on global business
9. MNEs responses to environmental uncertainty
10. Cross-border social media collaborations
11. The configurational approach to organisational design
12. Evolutionary theory of the firm
13. International strategy and the organisation
14. The impact of culture on global business
15. Functional strategies of the MNEs
16. Knowledge transfer between headquarters and subsidiaries
17. Industry 4.0 Technologies (AI, IoTs, BDA, BCT etc.) in global business
18. Portfolio management by MNEs
19. The impact of global pandemics on cross-border supply chains
20. Emerging forms, designs and/or structures of the international organization

Reading list

Literature

The primary resource (or learning material) would be articles published in top tier journals discussing key aspects of the various phenomena enumerated in the above sections. Students are required to make a literature search and review for their respective term papers. David and Han (2004) methodology for searching relevant literature using academic databases could help the students in finding the most relevant and appropriate literature for their respective term papers. The description of the methodology and relevant guidelines would be provided separately.

Useful Databases (E-Resources)

1. ABI Informs (ProQuest)
2. ScienceDirect
3. JSTOR
4. EBSCO/EconLit
5. The Economist

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Su 10.09.2023 19:06