2014-2015 – feb brussels master thesis. introduction
TRANSCRIPT
2014-2015 – FEB BrusselsMaster thesis
Introduction
Master thesis (MT) is mandatory
• Higher Education Structural Decree (2003):o Each Master programme in Flanders must include a "Master thesis". In his
Master thesis the student shall prove his critical & analytical abilities (i.e. academic competencies)
• The MT is a "subject", a "course" in the Master yearo Master thesis is worth 15 creditso + 3 credits for Research Proposal MT (prep programme)
• The MT is subject to the Education and Exam Regulations!• Student has to receive a mark of at least 10/20 for the Master
thesis
What is the concept of the FEB Brussels MT about?• Research assignment carried out independently by the student• Topic: depending on the degree programme, related to
(business) economics• Research question: specific definition of subject
(possibly in collaboration with company)• Content supervised by the FEB Brussels supervisor• Methodologically sound approach to research• Supporting courses: Research proposal
• Mandatory output by student (= exam) consists of:o Written report (= work) of an academic nature (format, structure,
conclusions)o Student defends his work orally before a FEB Brussels jury
MT types and topics (content)
internally organised Master thesis student carries out research at the request of an internal client = FEB Brussels supervisor
"externally" organised Master thesis: Company project student conducts research at the request of an organisation/company= external client
MT types and topics (content)GENERAL• (Business) economics approach required• Topic can be linked to prior education• International dimension is obligatory!• 2 Output formats: classic "report" or scientific "article" (paper)• Language: EN mandatory for text and oral defence
Internally organised Master thesis (IOMT)
What is an IOMT?• Context:
o A master thesis which is completely embedded in the research of an FEB Brussels lecturer or researcher (supervisor). This supervisor acts as "internal client" for the research project. There is no official collaboration with an external partner (company or organisation)
o Deals only with a (business) economic research questiono Is mainly carried out through "desk research"o This type of Master thesis is open to all students from all degree
programmes/ graduation subjects
• Method : o literature review completed with own empirical research by the student,
for example. survey, interviews, observations ...o Comparison of several companies/industries, company cases by way of
illustration are allowed
Why an IOMT?
• This type of Master thesis usually builds on earlier research, and/or forms in its turn the start of follow-up research (by a next generation students)
• Usually there is a pretty strong control by the supervisor of data, approach and methodology to be used
Cons:• less practice-oriented than an externally organised Master
thesis • offers no real business experience
Examples • How CSR is bio?• Is there a relationship between the characteristics of the Board
of Directors and the management control systems at Belgian SMEs?
• The economic growth in China: cause and competitiveness• Emotional management as a differentiator for client retention
and customer loyalty• The EU's response to the financial crisis• A study on the characteristics of companies that are the target
of a management buy out• The future of the port of Antwerp• Do workaholics perform better?
Selecting an IOMT?
2 possibilities:o Through the FEB Brussels list (= most preferred)
Includes all title proposals by supervisors! Available on Toledo B-Course “Masterproef – Master thesis FEB Campus Brussel”
o The student submits his own title proposal to the supervisor for acceptance
Through FEB Brussels list
• Titles proposed by supervisors can be consulted via a search interface - various search entries (per supervisor, degree programme, specialisation) - each title proposal comes with an explanation made available by the supervisor
The FEB Brussels list is only available during different start-up rounds!• End of August – 8 October 2014• 20 October – 9 November (extra for prep MIBEM)
Observations:• Title proposals are strictly tied to a specific supervisor: you cannot choose a certain
supervisor's title and develop under the supervision of another!• Master thesis Fair (29/09/2014) = ability to meet supervisors. Come prepared!
The student's own proposal
1) Screen the research expertise of the supervisors and select most suitable supervisor
2) Check if the supervisor still has slots available (if fully booked, don't email!))
3) If available: contact supervisor and motivate your proposal
4) If the supervisor accepts, he will register the student's name and working title for acceptance
Externally organised MT:
Company project
What is an externally organised MT?
• A Master thesis in a contractual partnership with a company• Objective: solve a real problem from the work field using an
academically relevant research method• Always confidential (obligation of secrecy for student,
guaranteed in project agreement)• Focus on research – no internship
(internship is rather 'working' in the company)
Why an externally organised MT? • Not just theory, but real 'action' in a business environment• You can apply your knowledge to a real business situation• Consequently, you will contribute to innovative ideas within the
company• You acquire knowledge in your particular field of study • You will develop skills that are important on the labour market
• A Company Project is a unique selling point on your résumé and during a job interview
Examples MIBEM
• Training and technical advice in the Flemish electrical sector: a qualitative study at the installers (Unizo)
• Financing Plan for Groenendaal Recreational Site (RSG)• Tendencies on energy saving in the lightning industry (Antwerp
Business Center)• Market survey digital mammography in China (BARCO)• Commercialisation of new Green Roofs (Greenskin)• Business model for traffic information in a free of charge
environment (ARC Europe)
Looking for a Company Project?
2 possibilities:
o Through FEB Brussels list (available in different 3 start-up rounds)
o The student finds himself a company as well as a project
FEB Brussels project list • Through the FEB Brussels list search interface :
o Already screened project proposals + supervisor sheeto Possibility to download project proposal for more details on the project
• If interested in a project proposal: o Notify the supervisor you are interested in a particular project proposal (description of prior
knowledge / motivation through email - no more than 10 lines)o The supervisor will select the candidate for the project (possibly in consultation with
company)o If you are selected: you must send an email to [email protected] Your name is then linked to the project proposal = official registration
The project proposal is labelled "assigned" and is no longer available for other students
Students looking for project themselves (1)• Contact your company of choice yourself and write a project proposal
together:o This project proposal contains:
• A research question that is sufficiently concrete and complex• That can be carried out in an academically sound way• Within one academic year• a co-supervisor from the company to coach you until the defence
o Advantage: 100% your own field of interest and sector o Remarks:
• Difficult to write a project proposal from scratch• Internal screening of subject (sometimes adjustments necessary)• Deadlines:
• 24/11/2014 for project proposal (link with Research Proposal)• Spring 2014 for MT in 2015-2016
THEREFORE: Possibility to obtain advice from the Business Expertise Center: [email protected]
Student looks for a project himself (2)• The student downloads a blank 'project proposal' (B-course in
Toledo)• Student & company together write a project & fill out the form
(incl. name of student whose proposal it is!)
• Company sends completed form through email to: [email protected]
Regulation and more information on the Master thesis
More information?
In Toledo!• Course Master Thesis: for ECTS-sheet & specific
announcements • B-course “Masterproef-Master Thesis FEB Brussel”, i.e.:
- Regulations = Master thesis Guidelines incl. all deadlines!- Forms (start-up externally organised MT - adjustments - defence registration)- Templates (templates for cover, summary, article format)- Submission of MT: practical details (what, where, when..) and upload of your digital version
MT Regulations?
• ECTS file Master thesis contains the main principles!• “Master Thesis Guidelines” contains rules and details of
defence, etc.
Deadline registration MT
• Research proposal course in Autumn 2014
• Choice and start-up MT follows in reference to this course.
Questions ...?Please, consult the specific presentations on Toledo first!
For any additional questions:
Carla Morlion (internally organised MT + general questions)T’Serclaes – room B05-22Tel 02 609 18 05 -- [email protected]
Els van den Bosch (externally organised MT – Company projects)T'Serclaes – room B05-16
tel 02 609 18 04 -- [email protected]