Thesis Defense

Master’s Thesis Defense and Knowledge Validation of the Study Programme

The defense comprehensively tests the ability to systematically and independently elaborate on a given topic in writing and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in a given study programme. The thesis defense includes a follow-up verification of knowledge related to the study programme.

Learning outcomes and competences
By successful completion, students will demonstrate the ability to work independently on a given topic in the field and to express their ideas in writing and orally in a limited space, in a prescribed form, and with a clear structure.
At the same time, successfully completing the defense demonstrates students’ ability to identify key findings in their field of study, establish connections between them, and apply this knowledge to solving real-world problems.

Course contents
Students are given 5 to 10 minutes to summarize the topic, content, and conclusions of their thesis. During the defense, they have the opportunity to respond to the evaluation and answer additional questions from both the supervisor and the opponent. An important part of the thesis defense is the discussion of questions posed by the committee members. This is followed by a discussion of a selected topic that tests key knowledge from the study programme.

Topic outlines:
1. Managerial ethics, tools, and methods, long-term managerial responsibility
2. Sustainable leadership, servant leadership, leadership and ethics
3. Sustainable supply chains, their strategies and concepts, and their impact on organizational sustainability
4. Sustainable organisation strategy, ESG strategy, and its link to corporate strategy
5. Environmental and natural resource economics
6. Sustainable marketing, strategic management of sustainable brands, and management of responsible marketing communications

Learning activities, teaching methods and workload (hours):

Assessment methods and criteria:

Assessment
Graded courses
1 Excellent (90 – 100%)
2 Very good (75 – 89%)
3 Good (60 – 74%)
4 Insufficient (0 – 59%)