Universität Wien

040142 SE Bachelor Seminar (incl. Bachelor´s Paper) (2025S)

Int. Business

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

Summary

1 Raha , Moodle
We 21.05. 13:15-14:45 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
2 Windsperger , Moodle
Mo 05.05. 15:00-16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock

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

  • Wednesday 05.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 05.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 09.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 09.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 09.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 21.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 21.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 28.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 28.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 11.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 11.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 18.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 18.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 18.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock

Aims, contents and method of the course

The bachelor seminar aims to support students in the final stage of their undergraduate studies, focusing on preparing and completing their bachelor's thesis. The objectives of the course are to guide students in selecting and refining a research topic and to develop their ability to conduct independent research by writing a well-structured and coherent bachelor’s thesis.

The course proceeds in two main stages:
1. Choosing a Topic: This stage involves guidance on identifying and selecting a research topic that is both feasible and relevant. Students will also prepare a seminar paper (extended ab-stract) summarizing the thesis work.
2. Presentation and Finalization: In this stage, students will deliver a 20-30 minute presentation on their thesis topic, receiving feedback from other students and the instructor. Subsequently, students will finalize their thesis by incorporating the feedback received during the seminar and submit the completed thesis by the deadline.

The seminar's main focus is on topics related to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and the socio-ethical aspects of doing business in an international environment (e.g. multina-tional firms), but may not be limited to these areas. The topics may be extended to themes such as:
• Country Culture and Other Institutional Factors Influencing MNEs' Governance
• Political CSR and the Role of MNEs in Addressing Grand Challenges
• Market Entry Strategies of MNEs and the Link with CSR Activities
• Internationalization of Family Firms and Sustainable Practices
• Market Entry of Start-up Firms
• Green Entrepreneurship
• Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship
• CSR and Digital Platform Firms
• Internationalization of Digital Platform Firms
• Greenwashing in International Business

Students may opt for any other relevant international business topic with the prior consent of the lecturer.

https://international-business.univie.ac.at/studies/bachelor-courses/

Assessment and permitted materials

The evaluation is structured as follows:
• Presentation and class participation (20%)
• Bachelor Thesis (80%): Minimum length of the thesis (without references): 30 pages

The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the production of texts is prohibited and only permitted if they are expressly requested by the course leader (e.g. for individual work tasks).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

For a successful completion of the course, the following conditions must adequately be met:
1. At least 75% attendance (first session is mandatory)
2. Submitting the seminar paper and presentation of the proposal (20-30 Minutes)
3. Submission of the Bachelor Thesis
4. Applying the rules for scientific paper writing

The deadline for thesis submission is July 31th, 2025. This is final and cannot be negotiated.

Examination topics

Students are encouraged to base their theoretical framework on articles from academic journals and textbooks. Suggested literature will be provided during the course. Articles can be accessed through databases available on the University of Vienna's library website.

Reading list

Students are encouraged to base their theoretical framework on articles from academic journals and textbooks. Suggested literature will be provided during the course. Articles can be accessed through databases available on the University of Vienna's library website.

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

Dear colleagues, the first meeting of the course will be on March 10!
There is no course on March 17!

  • Monday 10.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 10.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 10.03. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 17.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 17.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 17.03. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 24.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 24.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 24.03. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 31.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 31.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 31.03. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 07.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 07.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 07.04. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 05.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 05.05. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 12.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 12.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 12.05. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 19.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 19.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 19.05. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 26.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 26.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 26.05. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 02.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 02.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 02.06. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 16.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 16.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 16.06. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 23.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 23.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 23.06. 18:30 - 19:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock

Aims, contents and method of the course

Course Overview
Every student who writes a bachelor thesis (in English - no other language is possible) must attend the BA seminar and deliver a presentation on the topic of the thesis (presentation time: 20 minutes) as well as 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: 24.03.2025 (1-2 pages)
Final submission of the extended proposal: 7.04.2025 (3-5 pages)

(II) Presentations
Final proposals are to be presented between 28.04.2025 - 23.06.2025
Presentation time: 20 - 30 minutes
The PowerPoint slides must be sent to the lecturer at least one day before the presentation.
(III) Bachelor Thesis
Deadline for the Submission of the Bachelor theses: 20.09.2025

Assessment and permitted materials

Participants will be assessed on the basis of the presentation of research proposal, bachelor thesis, and in-class participation.

The proposal for the bachelor thesis has to be presented in class. The presentation has to 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.

In their bachelor thesis, the participants should demonstrate a profound knowledge of the chosen topic. Based on a thorough literature review, students not only summarise their findings, but also develop an own perspective on the chosen topic. Please choose Snyder (2019) as basis for writing a literature review and Yin R. K., (2018) Case Study Research: Design and Method for writing a case study (see Moodle).

The course is designed to be interactive. Therefore, class participation would be valued.

Bachelor Thesis (80%)
Presentation and class participation (20%);
minimum requirement for attendance: 75 %
Minimum length of the thesis (without references): 30 pages
Deadline for submission: 20 September 2025

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 September 20
4. You have to apply the rules for scientific paper writing
USE:
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.

1. Existence of the multinational corporation (MNC): Discuss the different theories that explain the existence of the MNC
2. The Impact of 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. Relationship between Strategy and 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. Internationalization through Franchising Networks
10. Market Entry through Joint Ventures
11. Internationalisation of Family Firms
12. Determinants of the Market Entry Modes of International Franchise Networks
13. Acquisitions and Greenfield Investments as Market Entry Forms
14. Market Entry of Family Firms
15. Internationalization of Born Globals
16. Digitalization and Multinational Corporation
17. CSR Strategies of the MNC
18. The Role of Networks in Early Internationalizing Firms
19. Internationalization of Digital Platform Firms
20. International Offshoring, Near Shoring and Home Sharing Strategies
21. The Role of Country Culture for the Knowledge Transfer in MNC
22. Knowledge Management Strategies: Codification versus Personalization Strategies of MNC
23. Centralization vs. Decentralization between Headquarters and Subsidiaries of the MNC
24. Knowledge Management in International Joint Ventures
25. Knowledge Management in International Strategic Alliance
26. Market Entry of Start-up Firms
27. Corporate Governance of the MNC
28. Ownership and Control of International Joint Ventures
29. Market Entry Modes of Digital Platform Firms: A Case Study Analysis

Students may opt for any other relevant international business topic with the lecturer's prior consent.

Reading list

Buckley, P., Enderwick, P. and Voss, H. (2022) International Business, Oxford University Press
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
Daft, L. R., Murphy, J., Willmott, H. (2020). Organization Theory and Design: An International Perspective, 4th ed., Cengage.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Sa 08.03.2025 15:45