In line with our research topics, the teaching of the Digitalization and Sustainable Management research group deals with the transformation of the world of work through new digital technologies and their impact on economic, ecological and social sustainability in companies.
Courses
Management of digital media
The Master's course “Management of Digital Media” deals with current developments and challenges of digital transformation in companies. Using the strategic dimensions of the so-called “Digital Transformation Canvas”, students discuss the management and impact of digital technologies in various areas of the business model and acquire in-depth knowledge about the digitalization of business processes, workplaces, products and services. A special focus is also placed on the question of how digitalization can be responsibly shaped in companies.
Gamification for sustainability
The seminar “Gamification for Sustainability” deals with the fundamentals, modes of action and possible applications of playful systems for solving social challenges. In an iterative design science process, students develop their own gamification application to solve social challenges over the course of the seminar, which is accompanied by theoretical and methodological impulses based on the framework for “Meaningful Gamification Design”, from the definition of objectives to target group and context analysis, the selection of suitable gamification principles, gamification mechanics and gamification elements, through to design evaluation.
Current courses
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Theses
Would you like to write a thesis in the research field of digitalization and sustainable management? Great! Then you've come to the right place. Below, we briefly outline the process of writing a thesis in our research group and explain the most important steps for your thesis. Please read through all the steps before you apply.
Basic procedure for a thesis
While you and your supervisor work closely together at the beginning of the thesis to clearly define the research objectives and work out which methods can be used to achieve which milestones, your independence will steadily increase as the thesis progresses.
You will reflect on important interim results with your supervisor and in the colloquium of the Institute of Management in order to determine the further direction of development.
Finally, you will be given the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on the entire thesis in good time before submission, allowing you to put the finishing touches to a successful result.
Five steps to a successful thesis
Step 1: Finding a topic and participating in the thesis bootcamp
First of all, you should think about a specific research topic that you would like to address in your thesis. In principle, the choice of topic should be driven by your interests. Working on your own topics in conjunction with practice partners is not excluded. However, the topics proposed by companies should be critically examined for scientific validity.
You are also welcome to be inspired by currently advertised research topics:
In addition, we strongly recommend attending the Institute of Management's Thesis Bootcamp before starting your thesis. There you will receive extensive information on the steps involved in writing your thesis, the basics of scientific work and various research methods that you can use in your thesis.
Step 2: Application
Please contact JProf. Dr. Jeanine Kirchner-Krath with a letter of motivation (pre-exposé) in which a topic advertised is referenced or an own topic proposal is submitted (including research gaps/needs and potential research questions; optional: proposal of possible research methods and personal reference to the topic).
Step 3: Creating an exposé and participating in the colloquium
After a successful application, an initial meeting will take place to determine the research topic. You will then prepare an exposé. The synopsis is your “roadmap” for the thesis and is by no means duplicated work - on the contrary, you can incorporate the synopsis 100% into your thesis. At the same time, the synopsis ensures that you and your supervisor agree on a joint plan before you start your empirical work.
The synopsis consists of approx. 6-8 pages and contains:
Problem definition and relevance, current state of research and research gaps/needs
Research questions and expected contributions to theory and practice
Planned research methods to answer the research questions (usually at least one research method in a Bachelor's thesis, usually at least two research methods in a Master's thesis)
Rough structure of the work
Bibliography
Timetable for the work
After preparing your exposé, you present it in the colloquium of the Institute of Management.
Step 4: Release and processing phase
After usually two to three iterations with your supervisor, you will receive approval for your final exposé. With this approval, you will also register your thesis with the examination office and start the processing phase.
During the processing phase, you work on your thesis largely independently and are in regular contact with your supervisor, especially if questions arise. Although your supervisor is there to support you as a “coach”, the responsibility for carrying out the work lies entirely with you. During your processing phase, you can (and should) present your interim results up to twice in the colloquium of the Institute of Management in order to receive more detailed feedback on your progress.
Step 5: Final feedback and submission
You have the opportunity to obtain final feedback on your entire thesis from your supervisor and make any final fine-tuning at least two weeks before your submission deadline to the examination office.
You are responsible for submitting your thesis digitally to the University Examination Office. Be aware that the University Examination Office will enforce the deadline absolutely mercilessly (submission at 00:01 on the following day is too late and therefore failed) and there is nothing your supervisor can do about it - even if it failed due to technical difficulties. So here's a tip: set yourself a deadline from the outset three days before the deadline stated on your application - and save your nerves ;-)
Current research topics
The currently advertised research topics can be seen as inspiration for your own thesis. However, our range of topics goes far beyond this - and we look forward to hearing your own ideas!
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Co-creative research ideas: Using generative AI in academic ideation
