Master's Thesis Summer Term 2026

Master's thesis supervision summer term 2026

Before you consider to apply for thesis supervision at the BIM chair, please carefully read the following:

1) Do not write your thesis under our supervision if at the same time you plan to work full time, do an internship, travel the world, or still need to do a large number of other courses! The thesis is an integral part of your study program and, thus, should be in the focus of your attention. You will need all the time to be able to deliver the best package (we fully understand that most of you have a student job and this is perfectly doable). All students who despite our warnings still started a full-time job or internship struggled with finishing their thesis in time and delivering the desired quality. YOUR thesis should be YOUR first priority!

2) Only write your thesis under our supervision if you are commited, motivated, and responsible as well as willing to accept new challenges! If you consider to write your thesis at the BIM chair, you should be well-organized, be able to motivate yourself to achieve your goals, and be willing to independently learn new skills (e.g., learn new statistical approaches largely on your own). Writing your thesis with us inlcudes to go beyond what you have learned in your scientific project, your seminars, and lectures. We expect that you are proavtive and motivated as well as able to largely do this on your own. Our job is to reduce uncertainty. Be prepared for all meetings and show us that you invest effort and time to solve issues yourself. This is YOUR thesis, work for it!

3) We are not your personal assistant! Our job is to supervise your thesis with respect to the topic and method as well as the general content and process (e.g., literature search, writing, etc.). It is not our job to remind you of deadlines, to fill out your documents, or to replace your own efforts to understand the submission procedure. All this information is publicly available on the website of our faculty, specifically the examination office. We are not your internet search engine substitude. If you schedule a Zoom meeting with your supervisor, it is your responsibility to send him/her a Zoom link from your official OVGU Zoom account (https://ovgu.zoom.us/). This is YOUR thesis, YOU need to organize it!
Registration form Master's thesis: Click here
Submission procedure of your Master's thesis: Click here
General information for your study program (including all information in case of illness): Click here

4) Time problems on your side do not create time pressure on our side! It is part of the mission of the BIM chair to provide students with timely answers to their questions as well as a timely feedback and grading after submission. Time constraints on your side do NOT create time issues on our side. Our aim is to answer questions and requests via e-mail within two working days. We are usually much faster than that, but if you send your question Friday late in the afternoon, you cannot expect an answer on the same day. Organize yourself and try walking in the shoes of the members of the BIM chair. The same applies to the situation once you have submitted your final thesis. If you want to start a job or internship, have visa requirements or travel plans, if you want to/need to move out of your apartment, or if you want to get back your semester fee, this is all your business and your responsibility. We have eight weeks to finish the grading of your thesis (see the study regulations), and while we aim for a much shorter time, it will not always be possible to finalize within two weeks. Each member of the BIM chair at any given point in time during the year is supervising at least five Master's thesis students, five Bachelor's thesis students, seminars, scientific projects, and several internships, etc. We simply cannot take into account all particularities for each and every supervised student, as this would already completely fill our schedule. All submitted theses are graded on a first come, first served basis. If you need your grade as soon as possible, make sure to submit early. YOUR issues, YOUR business!

Please read the following text carefully.

Master's thesis supervision at the BIM chair during summer term 2025 is organized in the following way:

Application: Apply for Master's thesis supervision no later than March 15th 2026 before midnight (deadline) and send it via e-mail to Ida-Anna Thiele (ida-anna.thiele@ovgu.de). Prepare a max. two page motivation letter (including a priority list of three topics from the BIM chair list or your own topic proposition - see below), a CV, and the transcripts of all Master's and Bachelor's grades in a single pdf document - use free of charge online tools to transfer and merge your documents. Please send us the most recent transcript of your current Master's degree to ensure that all grades from the Winter term 2025 are already included (if possible). Name the file with your last name and '_Thesis_App', e.g., 'Schlaegel_Thesis_App.pdf'.

Selection criteria: Preference in the selection of Master's thesis students will be given to excellent students who participated in the scientific projects of the BIM chair. The selection is not based on first come, first served. We always recommend you to apply at several chairs at the same time. There is no guarantee that you will be offered a place at your preferred chair/the BIM chair. We supervise a maximum of 10 Master's theses per semester, which is far more than we have capacity for.

Notification: Applicants are going to receive information about the result of the selection no later than March 20th 2026.

Topic: You are welcome to (a) propose your own topic (but make sure that you have access to data so you can test your hypotheses), or (b) make a priority list of three topics from the BIM chair list of potential topics. Topic issues will NOT be discussed before April. Please indicate the number of the topic (e.g., Topic 1) in your priority list. The topic preferences you send us should not be changed after the end of the application period, as we will try to assign you to a supervisor considering your first priority.

Cooperations with companies: It is generally possible to write your thesis in cooperation with a company. Before signing any agreements with external partners, please discuss your thesis plans with us. Supervision is only possible if the topic fits and sufficient capacity is available. A signed agreement with a company does not automatically secure supervision.

Timeframe: A total of 22 weeks are available for the thesis - a four week "reading" period and a 18 week "writing" period (to be graded in the summer term 2026, the thesis needs to be finished by the end of September, including the thesis submission and defense).

Reading period: Start of the four-week reading period is no later than April 29th 2026.

Registration: The thesis registration and start of the 18-week writing period is no later than May 27th 2026 (the registration document is available on the website of the examination office - registration form Master's thesis: Click here).

For the thesis registration, please check (a) again whether you fulfill all the requirements to register for the Master's thesis before sending us the registration form and (b) then send us your current transcript of records together with the registration form via e-mail. If it becomes apparent after the reading period has begun that you do not meet the requirements (for example, because you have failed a course for which you had not yet received a grade), please let us know IMMEDIATELY.

For IMME students starting their studies before WT24/25, the main requirements for the Master's thesis registration are: the successful completion of (1) at least 75 credit points including all compulsory modules, (2) at least one specialization section, and (3) at least one seminar worth 10 credit points (click here for the official examination regulations).

For IMME students starting their studies from WT24/25 onwards, the main requirements for the Master's thesis registration are: the successful completion of (1) at least 75 credit points including all compulsory modules, (2) 5 CP in the area of “scientific work”, and (3) at least one seminar worth 10 credit points (click here for the official examination regulations).

For BWL/Business Economics students starting their studies before WT24/25, the main requirements for the Master's thesis registration are: the successful completion of (1) at least 75 credit points, (2) at least two specialization sections (please consider the particularities for the specializations "Marketing and E-Business" and "Economics"), and (3) at least one seminar worth 10 credit points (click here for the official examination regulations).

For BWL/Business Economics students starting their studies from WT24/25 onwards, the main requirements for the Master's thesis registration are: the successful completion of (1) at least 75 credit points, (2) 5 CP in the area of “scientific work”, (3) at least two specialization sections (please consider the particularities for the specializations "Marketing and E-Business" and "Economics"), and (4) at least one seminar worth 10 credit points (click here for the official examination regulations).

Supervision approach: An important aspect of the Master's thesis is to work independently on the topic. Individual supervision meetings should not exceed four to five appointments of 30 minutes each (not including a meeting to specify the topic). In the meetings, your supervisor is not a substitute for your own efforts to solve problems. Thesis supervision does not include prior review of parts of the thesis or a "first draft". All thesis supervision meetings take place face-to-face on campus.

Defenses (mid-term): All theses defenses take place in August 2026 (15 minutes presentation of your current state and 10 minutes questions - the ppt slides do not need to be submitted earlier) - about 45 to 60 minutes in total to have time for feedback.

Submission: Submission of the thesis is no later than September 30th 2026 (see the website of the examination office for further details on the submission requirements and process - submission procedure of your Master's thesis: Click here).

Questions: Please read the above carefully. If you have any questions not answered by the above information, contact Ida-Anna Thiele (ida-anna.thiele@ovgu.de).

Important dates summary:

Application: Until midnight on March 15th 2026 via e-mail (ida-anna.thiele@ovgu.de)
Notification: until March 20th 2026
Mandatory kick-off meeting on campus: tba (probably on April 8th or April 9th 2026)
First meeting with supervisor: Until April 30th 2026
Reading period: Start no later than April 29th 2026
Writing period: Start no later than May 27th 2026
Thesis registration: No later than May 27th 2026
Mid-term presentations/thesis defenses: probably between August 18th and August 25th 2026
Thesis submission: Latest by September 30th 2026 (see the official deadline after registration in the LSF)

Potential Master's thesis topics

This is the final list of topics. These are broad topics and they need to be specified in the individual meetings with your supervisor. In your application, please indicate your three priorities (e.g., Priority 1: Topic 5). Own research ideas are very welcome, but also need to be discussed sufficiently in advance. Usually, all students can work on their first priority.

Topic 1: The role of the external firm environment for firms’ international performance: A meta-analysis of means across time

The external business environment is a dynamic force that continually shapes organizational strategies, decisions, and outcomes. Key dimensions such as environmental hostility, environmental uncertainty, environmental dynamism, environmental munificence, market turbulence, and competitive intensity have been widely applied in the international management and international business literature. These constructs capture the complexity of external factors, yet they evolve over time due to changing market conditions, technological advancements, and shifts in regulatory landscapes. This thesis will undertake a comparative qualitative analysis of the conceptualization and measurement of these dimensions, with an additional focus on the evolution of these constructs over time.

1) Conceptual foundations and measurement approaches

Systematically review core environmental constructs and the theoretical frameworks supporting them.
Identifying overlaps and distinctions between constructs such as environmental uncertainty vs. market turbulence, or competitive intensity vs. environmental hostility.
Analyzing how these dimensions have been redefined or refined over time in response to global business trends.
Reviewing the operationalization of these constructs in empirical studies, including surveys, scales, and indicators.
Identifying challenges in measuring dynamic environmental factors (e.g., objective vs. subjective measures, and the impact of technological change).

2) Meta-analysis of the evolution of business environment dimensions

Conducting a meta-analysis of empirical studies to assess how the means of measuring these dimensions have shifted over time.

By combining a comparative analysis with a meta-study of the development of these dimensions, this thesis will provide a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical evolution and practical application of key constructs in the business environment. The results will be valuable for both scholars refining environmental models and managers seeking to assess and adapt to changing external conditions.

Starting literature
Rosenbusch, N., Rauch, A., & Bausch, A. (2013). The mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation in the task environment–performance relationship: A meta-analysis. Journal of management, 39(3), 633-659.

Topic 2: Beyond the buzzword: Building a data-driven VUCA index for cross-national comparison

The business world is constantly described as VUCA: Volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. While everyone uses the term, few have successfully measured it in a way that allows for direct comparison across countries. This lack of a standardized metric leaves multinational corporations, investors, and policymakers navigating global markets with intuition rather than insight. This Master thesis project offers you the unique opportunity to change that. You will be at the forefront of international business research by developing a novel, composite VUCA index to measure and rank the VUCA environment across a large number of countries. What you will do:

Literature review: Dive deep into the VUCA framework and existing methodologies for measuring its components (e.g., economic volatility, political instability, regulatory complexity).
Data mining and synthesis: Identify and harness existing, reputable global databases (e.g., World Bank, IMF, WHO, Global Competitiveness Index).
Methodology development: Design a robust methodological framework to weight and aggregate various indicators into a single, coherent VUCA score for each country. You will decide what best represents volatility (e.g., GDP growth fluctuation), uncertainty (e.g., economic policy uncertainty index, political terror scale), complexity (e.g., regulatory complexity), and ambiguity (e.g., lack of transparency indices, press freedom scores).
Analysis and visualization: Create a clear global ranking and map the results to identify patterns, VUCA hotspots, and stable havens across the last ten years.
Draw strategic implications: Discuss how your index can be used by businesses for risk assessment, market entry strategies, and strategic planning.

Starting literature
Taskan, B., Junça-Silva, A., & Caetano, A. (2022). Clarifying the conceptual map of VUCA: a systematic review. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 30(7), 196-217.

Bennett, N., & Lemoine, G. J. (2014). What a difference a word makes: Understanding threats to performance in a VUCA world. Business horizons, 57(3), 311-317.

Bennett, N., & Lemoine, J. (2014). What VUCA really means for you. Harvard business review, 92(1/2).

Lichtenthaler, U. (2025). From VUCA and BANI to a PUMO World: Why Agile Innovation Is Not Enough. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), 22(03n04), 1-14.

Topic 3: Cross-cultural training and expatriate success: A systematic review of meta-analytic evidence and an updated empirical meta-analysis

This Master’s thesis topic addresses a sophisticated methodological and theoretical challenge in international human resource management: evaluating the true efficacy of Cross-Cultural Training (CCT) on expatriate adjustment. Moving beyond a foundational understanding of "if" training works, this research requires a two-phased approach: a systematic review of existing meta-analyses followed by the conduct of an original meta-analysis of primary empirical studies. By synthesizing decades of high-level data from landmark reviews (e.g., Deshpande & Viswesvaran, 1992; Littrell et al., 2006; Chenyang, 2022), you will first evaluate the evolution of the field and identify critical gaps or inconsistencies in how "adjustment" has been historically measured. In the second phase, you will apply rigorous meta-analytic techniques—including the calculation of pooled effect sizes (r or d), assessment of heterogeneity (I2), and testing for publication bias via funnel plots—to integrate recent primary research into a new empirical synthesis. This allows for a deeper analysis of moderating variables, such as training rigor (didactic vs. experiential), cultural distance, and the role of "micro-learning" in a digitalized global workforce. Ultimately, this thesis aims to provide a "state of the science" report that bridges the gap between theoretical models, such as Social Learning Theory, and the practical needs of multinational corporations seeking to mitigate the high costs of expatriate failure. This topic is ideal for students looking to develop advanced skills in quantitative synthesis and evidence-based management.

Starting literature
Chenyang, L. (2022). Meta-analysis of the impact of cross-cultural training on adjustment, cultural intelligence, and job performance. Career Development International, 27(2), 185-200.

Deshpande, S. P., & Viswesvaran, C. (1992). Is cross-cultural training of expatriate managers effective: A meta analysis. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 16(3), 295-310.

Littrell, L. N., Salas, E., Hess, K. P., Paley, M., & Riedel, S. (2006). Expatriate preparation: A critical analysis of 25 years of cross-cultural training research. Human Resource Development Review, 5(3), 355-388.

Morris, M. A., & Robie, C. (2001). A meta‐analysis of the effects of cross‐cultural training on expatriate performance and adjustment. International Journal of Training and Development, 5(2), 112-125.

Topic 4: The cross-cultural communication formality index: Quantifying formality in international business via large language models

This Master’s thesis topic explores the cutting-edge intersection of cross-cultural management and generative artificial intelligence by developing a Cross-Cultural Communication Formality Index (CCCFI). The primary objective is to leverage the latent cultural knowledge of multiple Large Language Models (LLMs)—including ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Grok, Gemini, MetaAI, and Claude—to quantify the degree of formality required in professional settings across different nations. In global business, failing to navigate the spectrum between formal and informal communication can lead to significant friction; while some cultures prioritize egalitarian directness and first-name basis interactions, others rely on a sophisticated architecture of honorifics, titles, and indirectness to maintain respect and social harmony. As a Master’s candidate, you will move beyond a simple description of these differences to conduct a rigorous, comparative empirical experiment. You will develop a standardized prompting protocol to query various AI architectures, systematically evaluating their outputs to identify AI bias and slop and assessing the validity of these tools as proxies for cultural expertise. The core challenge involves creating a methodology to transform qualitative LLM data into a structured composite index, rating countries on dimensions such as address protocols, hierarchy-based speech, and written etiquette. By comparing the consistency of results across platforms, you will provide a state of the art evaluation of whether generative AI can reliably assist multinational corporations in adapting their communication styles to diverse global environments. This research requires a high degree of analytical maturity, blending traditional communication theory with modern data synthesis to bridge the gap between AI-generated insights and practical international business outcomes.

Starting literature
Messner, W. (2025). Quantification of cultural practices and diversity: An empirical experiment with generative artificial intelligence. Journal of World Business, 60(3), 101622.

Szkudlarek, B., Osland, J. S., Nardon, L., & Zander, L. (2020). Communication and culture in international business–Moving the field forward. Journal of World Business, 55(6), 101126.

Topic 5: Determinants of expatriation intention: A meta-analytic review of boundary conditions

The willingness of individuals to temporally relocate for work (i.e., expatriation intention) is a critical factor for the success of multinational corporations. Research has identified several determinants of expatriation intention, including cultural intelligence (CQ), representing the psychological ability to function in diverse settings, and language proficiency (LP), representing the technical tool for communication. However, we still lack a profound understanding of the boundary conditions when CQ and LP are related to expatriation intention.

This Master’s thesis aims to provide a comprehensive meta-analytic synthesis of CQ and LP as determinants of expatriation intention. By focusing on moderator analyses, the study aims to uncover the boundary conditions that strengthen or weaken these relationships, providing a more nuanced understanding of global mobility drivers. The thesis includes a comprehensive critical review of the most common definitions, conceptualizations, and measurements of CQ, LP, and expatriation intention. The thesis should further include an abstract, an introduction to the topic (including a short summary of the results), a detailed and replicable description of the literature search process, applied analytical techniques, the results of the meta-analysis (including the investigation of moderators), and a discussion of the findings and their implications for the field. The meta-analysis requires a thorough literature search, coding, and analysis of articles on the relationship between CQ/LP and expatriation intention. The literature search involves the use of a variety of databases and should be guided by predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The identified studies will be meta-analytically synthesized to extract the main findings, and the role of moderators will be examined. The meta-analysis aims to provide a quantitative assessment of the current state of knowledge of the relationship between CQ/LP and expatriation intention, identify gaps in the current research, and suggest areas and methodological approaches for future studies.

Starting literature:
Ng, K. Y., Van Dyne, L., & Ang, S. (2012). Cultural intelligence: A review, reflections, and recommendations for future research. In A.M. Ryan, F.T.L. Leong, & F.L. Oswald (Eds.), Conducting Multinational Research: Applying Organizational Psychology in the Workplace (pp. 29-58). American Psychological Association. Link: https://soonang.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Ng_Van-Dyne-Ang-2012-CQ-review-reflections.pdf

Schlaegel, C., Richter, N. F., & Taras, V. (2021). Cultural intelligence and work-related outcomes: A meta-analytic examination of joint effects and incremental predictive validity. Journal of World Business, 56(4), 101209.

Tenzer, H., Terjesen, S., & Harzing, A. W. (2017). Language in international business: A review and agenda for future research. Management International Review, 57(6), 815-854.

Wang, C. H., Varma, A., Hung, L. S., & Wu, P. Y. (2024). A meta‐analysis of the antecedents of employee willingness to expatriate. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 62(1), e12359.

Topic 6: A meta-analytic synthesis of the association between organizational learning capability and firm innovativeness

Organizational learning capability (OLC) refers to managerial practices that facilitate organizational learning, or the conditions and enablers that can help an organization become a learning organization. Innovations within organizations are perceived as a process of individual and collective learning and a key instrument for finding alternative methods for problem solving. The main requirement for an environment in which innovation can occur efficiently is the communication of acquired knowledge as well as the interaction between individuals within the organization. The objective of this master’s thesis is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge and expand the understanding of OLC’s role (including corresponding dimensions) in firm innovativeness through a meta-analytic synthesis.

The thesis includes a comprehensive critical review of the most common definitions, conceptualizations, and measurements of OLC and firm innovativeness. The thesis should further include an abstract, an introduction to the topic (including a short summary of the results), a detailed and replicable description of the literature search process, applied analytical techniques, the results of the meta-analysis (including the investigation of moderators), and a discussion of the findings and their implications for the field. The meta-analysis requires a thorough literature search, coding, and analysis of articles on the relationship between OLC and firm. The literature search involves the use of a variety of databases and should be guided by predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The identified studies will be meta-analytically synthesized to extract the main findings, and the role of moderators will be examined. The meta-analysis aims to provide a quantitative assessment of the current state of knowledge of the relationship between OLC and firm innovativeness, identify gaps in the current research, and suggest areas and methodological approaches for future studies.

Starting literature:
Akgün, A. E., Ince, H., Imamoglu, S. Z., Keskin, H., & Kocoglu, İ. (2014). The mediator role of learning capability and business innovativeness between total quality management and financial performance. International Journal of Production Research, 52(3), 888-901.

Migdadi, M. M. (2021). Organizational learning capability, innovation and organizational performance. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(1), 151-172.

Tambosi, S. S. V., Gomes, G., & Amal, M. (2020). Organisational learning capability and innovation: Study on companies located in regional cluster. International Journal of Innovation Management, 24(06), 2050057.

Tohidi, H., Mohsen Seyedaliakbar, S., & Mandegari, M. (2012). Organizational learning measurement and the effect on firm innovation. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 25(3), 219-245.

Topic 7: Causal inference and endogeneity in international management and international business: A systematic review

Over the past years, leading scholars in international management (IM) and international business (IB) have called for greater methodological rigor, particularly regarding endogeneity and causal inference. Issues such as self-selection, omitted variable bias, and reverse causality are inherent in IM/IB research. While the awareness of these problems has grown, it remains unclear how consistently and effectively remedies (e.g., instrumental variables) are applied across different sub-fields of IM/IB.

This Master’s thesis aims to systematically review how endogeneity and causal inference are addressed in top-tier IM/IB journals. The objective is to identify which methodological standards have become best practice and which areas of IM/IB research still lag behind the credibility revolution.

Key tasks include:

Systematic literature search in top-tier IM/IB journals (GSJ, IBR, JIBS, JIM, JWB, MIR, MBR, TIBR) to identify quantitative studies that addressed endogeneity concerns (i.e., studies that explicitly mention endogeneity, specific causal identification strategies, or related keywords).
Development of a coding sheet to identify the type of endogeneity, the statistical remedies applied, and the transparency of the reporting of these statistical tests used to rule out endogeneity concerns.
Methodological synthesis of the advancement of IM/IB research in terms of endogeneity and causality in different research streams.

This is an advanced topic specifically designed for students who wish to understand the complexities of data and research design. It is highly suitable for those with a strong interest in quantitative methodology or those considering a future PhD path.

Starting literature:
Chandler, J. A., Johnson, N. E., Jordan, S. L., & Short, J. C. (2023). A meta-analysis of humble leadership: Reviewing individual, team, and organizational outcomes of leader humility. The Leadership Quarterly, 34(1), 101660.

Hill, A. D., Johnson, S. G., Greco, L. M., O’Boyle, E. H., & Walter, S. L. (2021). Endogeneity: A review and agenda for the methodology-practice divide affecting micro and macro research. Journal of Management, 47(1), 105-143.

Reeb, D., Sakakibara, M., & Mahmood, I. P. (2012). From the editors: Endogeneity in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 43(3), 211-218.

Topic 8: The role of expatriates’ cultural intelligence in the formation of cross-cultural adjustment: A meta-analysis

This Master’s thesis topic invites students to conduct a rigorous meta-analysis exploring the relationship between cultural intelligence (CQ) and the cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) of expatriates, moving beyond existing literature to provide a high-level synthesis of how expatriates adapt to foreign environments. While the baseline correlation between CQ and CCA is established, this research focuses on the critical boundary conditions by assessing a variety of potential moderators that may explain variance across previous studies. Specifically, you will investigate methodological moderators, such as study design and measurement scales, contextual moderators, like cultural distance and host-country characteristics, and conceptual moderators, including the specific dimensions of CQ to determine which factors most significantly influence expatriate adaption. By synthesizing this literature, your work will provide a state of the art evidence-based perspective that clarifies the boundary conditions of CCA, offering both a significant academic contribution and practical insights for international human resource management.

Starting literature
Ang, S., Van Dyne, L., Koh, C., Ng, K. Y., Templer, K. J., Tay, C., & Chandrasekar, N. A. (2007). Cultural intelligence: Its measurement and effects on cultural judgment and decision making, cultural adaptation and task performance. Management and Organization Review, 3(3), 335-371.

Black, J. S., & Gregersen, H. B. (1991). Antecedents to cross-cultural adjustment for expatriates in Pacific Rim assignments. Human Relations, 44(5), 497-515.

Rockstuhl, T., & Van Dyne, L. (2018). A bi-factor theory of the four-factor model of cultural intelligence: Meta-analysis and theoretical extensions. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 148, 124-144.