Student Thesis Projects
Who should apply?
How to apply?
Are other topics possible?
- These are primarily project descriptions for bachelor theses at the University of St.Gallen. However, students from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) may also find this list useful and apply via my CBS email.
- Some of these projects can be expanded to master thesis projects; see the Comments section in each description.
How to apply?
- Send an email to [email protected] with the title of your preferred topic, a brief motivation statement, ideally a CV or a link to your LinkedIn page, and your desired dates for starting and concluding your project.
Are other topics possible?
- Yes, of course! In that case, please also include a brief description (similar to the project outlines below) of the topic you have in mind.
- Variations of below projects are also possible. In that case, please indicate how you would want to adapt the project to your expectations.
Open Innovation Capability Maturity (OI-CMM)
Background
A CMM is a 5-level capability maturity model used to assess an organization’s ability to predictably perform certain processes. Open innovation is an innovation strategy based on including external R&D partners in innovation projects. Several CMMs exist for basic organizational processes (e.g., software development), but a CMM for Open Innovation (“OI-CMM”) is still missing. We have a draft of an OI-CMM that requires substantiation and calibration.
Assignment
Based on Open Innovation and CMM literature, what would be the most relevant dimensions and performance criteria of an Open Innovation CMM?
Approach
Case research, conduct ca. 5 research interviews with representatives of a single case company. Also disseminate, collect and analyze ca. 20 responses on a company-internal OI-CMM survey (assessment).
Student Profiles
Ideal for students who have or want to develop skills in qualitative research, Qualtrics or similar survey tools, deepen understanding in organizational behavior and operational strategies, and have a flair for innovation/NPD/R&D management.
Expected Outcome
A case study of a company’s OI-CMM; input to the OI-CMM methodology; improvements of the OI-CMM assessment tool.
Learning Outcome
Ideal for students planning to sharpen their consulting, interviewing, qualitative research and analytical skills.
Comments
Also possible as a Master thesis; then with 3 case companies. Contributes to an ongoing PhD project based at SGI-HSG.
A CMM is a 5-level capability maturity model used to assess an organization’s ability to predictably perform certain processes. Open innovation is an innovation strategy based on including external R&D partners in innovation projects. Several CMMs exist for basic organizational processes (e.g., software development), but a CMM for Open Innovation (“OI-CMM”) is still missing. We have a draft of an OI-CMM that requires substantiation and calibration.
Assignment
Based on Open Innovation and CMM literature, what would be the most relevant dimensions and performance criteria of an Open Innovation CMM?
Approach
Case research, conduct ca. 5 research interviews with representatives of a single case company. Also disseminate, collect and analyze ca. 20 responses on a company-internal OI-CMM survey (assessment).
Student Profiles
Ideal for students who have or want to develop skills in qualitative research, Qualtrics or similar survey tools, deepen understanding in organizational behavior and operational strategies, and have a flair for innovation/NPD/R&D management.
Expected Outcome
A case study of a company’s OI-CMM; input to the OI-CMM methodology; improvements of the OI-CMM assessment tool.
Learning Outcome
Ideal for students planning to sharpen their consulting, interviewing, qualitative research and analytical skills.
Comments
Also possible as a Master thesis; then with 3 case companies. Contributes to an ongoing PhD project based at SGI-HSG.
Global Sources of Product Innovation
Background
Every product, even if designed be a single R&D team, is composed of parts and modules likely sourced from and developed somewhere else. This has impact not only a company’s make-or-buy strategy, but increasingly also on national compliance with technology sovereignty laws. So far, most companies have been able to avoid accountability on where they sourced their intellectual property (IP) from. The topic of "Reverse Innovation" is an emerging field that captures global innovation coming from or transitioning through fast-developing countries.
Assignment
Given product X, what is its global IP footprint, and how can we ascertain it efficiently?
Approach
After choosing a reference product, investigate its entire design-related global value chain (GVC) by choosing one of four possible perspectives: IP, process organization, R&D organization, or product decomposition. Identify and test specific data collection approaches most suited for this model. Conceptualize and quantify possible determinants of a product’s global innovation footprint.
Student Profiles
Best for students with a good mix of qualitative and quantitative interests; possible coding / SW related skills for data collection and analysis tasks; ideally with a flair for IP and R&D themes.
Expected Outcome
A case study of the global innovation footprint of a particular product; one or several mathematical models evaluating and quantifying said footprint; a tested instruction set how to replicate footprint research on similar products.
Learning Outcome
Improved research and data analysis skills; sharpening understanding on an emerging field of political and strategic importance (techn. sovereignty).
Comments
Could also be the subject of a Master thesis – then comparing all four possible perspectives on the same product, or comparing several products within the same analytical perspective. Contributes to an ongoing PhD project.
Every product, even if designed be a single R&D team, is composed of parts and modules likely sourced from and developed somewhere else. This has impact not only a company’s make-or-buy strategy, but increasingly also on national compliance with technology sovereignty laws. So far, most companies have been able to avoid accountability on where they sourced their intellectual property (IP) from. The topic of "Reverse Innovation" is an emerging field that captures global innovation coming from or transitioning through fast-developing countries.
Assignment
Given product X, what is its global IP footprint, and how can we ascertain it efficiently?
Approach
After choosing a reference product, investigate its entire design-related global value chain (GVC) by choosing one of four possible perspectives: IP, process organization, R&D organization, or product decomposition. Identify and test specific data collection approaches most suited for this model. Conceptualize and quantify possible determinants of a product’s global innovation footprint.
Student Profiles
Best for students with a good mix of qualitative and quantitative interests; possible coding / SW related skills for data collection and analysis tasks; ideally with a flair for IP and R&D themes.
Expected Outcome
A case study of the global innovation footprint of a particular product; one or several mathematical models evaluating and quantifying said footprint; a tested instruction set how to replicate footprint research on similar products.
Learning Outcome
Improved research and data analysis skills; sharpening understanding on an emerging field of political and strategic importance (techn. sovereignty).
Comments
Could also be the subject of a Master thesis – then comparing all four possible perspectives on the same product, or comparing several products within the same analytical perspective. Contributes to an ongoing PhD project.
Frugal Innovation
Background
Frugal innovations are characterized by significant cost reduction in production, defeatured functionality, lower customer price, and scope-3 reduction in ecological impact. However, all these fundamentally desirable attributes impose dilemmas on most multinationals due to internal product cannibalization. “Frugal” also carries a negative connotation in branding and marketing. Yet, incumbent companies must become more frugal in order to be able to compete with new low-cost market entrants.
Assignment
How can firms overcome inherent operational contradictions and challenges when pursuing frugal innovations? What are best practices in frugal innovation?
Approach
Case research on one or two frugal products; interviews with key innovation stakeholders.
Student Profiles
Ideal for students planning to sharpen their consulting, interviewing, qualitative research and analytical skills. Students should have sufficient overlapping interests in the topics of operations, innovation, engineering, and marketing.
Expected Outcome
One or two case studies of frugal innovation addressing and comparing all four innovation objectives.
Learning Outcome
Sharpened case research and interviewing skills; sharpened investigative and analytical skills.
Comments
Could also be the subject of a Master thesis – then comparing multiple products within an industry, or multiple products within the same firm, focusing on frugal strategy and a firm’s “frugalization”.
Frugal innovations are characterized by significant cost reduction in production, defeatured functionality, lower customer price, and scope-3 reduction in ecological impact. However, all these fundamentally desirable attributes impose dilemmas on most multinationals due to internal product cannibalization. “Frugal” also carries a negative connotation in branding and marketing. Yet, incumbent companies must become more frugal in order to be able to compete with new low-cost market entrants.
Assignment
How can firms overcome inherent operational contradictions and challenges when pursuing frugal innovations? What are best practices in frugal innovation?
Approach
Case research on one or two frugal products; interviews with key innovation stakeholders.
Student Profiles
Ideal for students planning to sharpen their consulting, interviewing, qualitative research and analytical skills. Students should have sufficient overlapping interests in the topics of operations, innovation, engineering, and marketing.
Expected Outcome
One or two case studies of frugal innovation addressing and comparing all four innovation objectives.
Learning Outcome
Sharpened case research and interviewing skills; sharpened investigative and analytical skills.
Comments
Could also be the subject of a Master thesis – then comparing multiple products within an industry, or multiple products within the same firm, focusing on frugal strategy and a firm’s “frugalization”.
NObel Prizes in Economics: Where Did the Sparks Fly?
Background
Nobel Prizes are given for exceptional research – in natural sciences but also in economics. They bestow fame and reputation not only on the laureates but also on their institutions. However, these institutions are rarely the places where the original breakthrough was created that earned the Nobel prize. We have the world’s most complete record of Nobel prizes and their location of discovery, which allows us do some groundbreaking work on the geography of science and innovation.
Assignment
Where are the origins of Nobel economic breakthroughs? If they differ from the locations of the awarded institutions, then why? How does Nobel “migration” in economics compare its natural science Nobel prizes?
Approach
A database with individual Nobel prize laureates for natural science and economics is available but must be updated and refined. Scientometric analysis of economics breakthroughs must be further explored. Statistical analysis of locational and temporal drift of economics Nobels.
Student Profiles
Best for students with a knack for elite science and scientometric analysis. Mid-level statistical analytical skills required.
Expected Outcome
An analysis of economics Nobel prizes complementary to the one already conducted on natural science Nobels.
Learning Outcome
Improved statistical skills and knowledge about the foundations of economics and social science.
Comments
The student can leverage a recent Research Policy on natural science Nobels. Depending on depth of the analysis and extension of the work, this could be either a bachelor or a master thesis project.
Nobel Prizes are given for exceptional research – in natural sciences but also in economics. They bestow fame and reputation not only on the laureates but also on their institutions. However, these institutions are rarely the places where the original breakthrough was created that earned the Nobel prize. We have the world’s most complete record of Nobel prizes and their location of discovery, which allows us do some groundbreaking work on the geography of science and innovation.
Assignment
Where are the origins of Nobel economic breakthroughs? If they differ from the locations of the awarded institutions, then why? How does Nobel “migration” in economics compare its natural science Nobel prizes?
Approach
A database with individual Nobel prize laureates for natural science and economics is available but must be updated and refined. Scientometric analysis of economics breakthroughs must be further explored. Statistical analysis of locational and temporal drift of economics Nobels.
Student Profiles
Best for students with a knack for elite science and scientometric analysis. Mid-level statistical analytical skills required.
Expected Outcome
An analysis of economics Nobel prizes complementary to the one already conducted on natural science Nobels.
Learning Outcome
Improved statistical skills and knowledge about the foundations of economics and social science.
Comments
The student can leverage a recent Research Policy on natural science Nobels. Depending on depth of the analysis and extension of the work, this could be either a bachelor or a master thesis project.
The Red Queen Effect in Product Development
Background
Time-to-market is one of the most important mantras in innovation and competition. Since the 1990s, companies have substantially increased their product development speed across all major categories of NPD complexity. NPD times are now measured in months instead of years. But it is unclear which industries have maxed out their potential, as it is unclear what drives or inhibits further time-to-market reduction.
Assignment
How far can this go? What determines further reductions in development times? And, who is doing better than others?
Approach
Based on the 2020 PDMA survey (to which SGI has preferential access), repeat a focused Qualtrics survey on NPD speed in a global sample of R&D, NPD and innovation managers. The questions already are tested but still need to be fielded. Some 300-400 responses need to be collected.
Student Profiles
Students with survey design and dissemination skills are preferred. Empirical statistical work will be required upon collection of survey responses. Some insights into NPD and innovation management literature.
Expected Outcome
A mini-PDMA survey analysis on 10-12 key questions, eventually leading to a separate managerial publication.
Learning Outcome
Survey design and Qualtrics. (Relatively) simple econometrics and managerial statistics.
Comments
This project is based on the 2023 publication on the global NPD benchmark study co-published by me in JPIM. Given the typical duration for survey collection, this is likely best done as a master thesis project.
Time-to-market is one of the most important mantras in innovation and competition. Since the 1990s, companies have substantially increased their product development speed across all major categories of NPD complexity. NPD times are now measured in months instead of years. But it is unclear which industries have maxed out their potential, as it is unclear what drives or inhibits further time-to-market reduction.
Assignment
How far can this go? What determines further reductions in development times? And, who is doing better than others?
Approach
Based on the 2020 PDMA survey (to which SGI has preferential access), repeat a focused Qualtrics survey on NPD speed in a global sample of R&D, NPD and innovation managers. The questions already are tested but still need to be fielded. Some 300-400 responses need to be collected.
Student Profiles
Students with survey design and dissemination skills are preferred. Empirical statistical work will be required upon collection of survey responses. Some insights into NPD and innovation management literature.
Expected Outcome
A mini-PDMA survey analysis on 10-12 key questions, eventually leading to a separate managerial publication.
Learning Outcome
Survey design and Qualtrics. (Relatively) simple econometrics and managerial statistics.
Comments
This project is based on the 2023 publication on the global NPD benchmark study co-published by me in JPIM. Given the typical duration for survey collection, this is likely best done as a master thesis project.
China's Eight Competitive Advantages
Background
China possesses, as a result of its unique cultural, socio-political and economic qualities, a number of country-level competitive advantages (CCAs) that result in the observed speed, growth, behavior, etc. Some of these CCAs are well known and well described, others are not. Many of them are inherently problematic, as they give rise to China’s competitiveness on the one hand but also to some challenges and weakness on the other. Some example CCAs are: the Pareto-Capability / Good-Enough Rule, the Dedication to Learning, Mass Parallelization, the Strike-Don’t Knock Approach, etc.
Assignment
Explore in-depth the background of one CCA. What is the literature on it? What is its theoretical or conceptual foundation? What makes it a “competitive advantage”? How does it explain some of China’s accomplishments (in business, economics, arts, technology, etc.)?
Approach
Literature review; selected expert interviews. Case study analysis and writing of mini-cases.
Student Profiles
Strong interest in China, ideally with a sociological, business, or economics perspective.
Expected Outcome
An in-depth analysis of why a particular CCA has been critical for China’s rise in the 21st century, and possibly beyond.
Learning Outcome
Deeper insights into China and the interplay between sociological, managerial, and organizational frames.
Comments
All eight CCAs haven been identified and used in teaching for years, but have not yet been summarized in a textbook format. This project can also be done as a Master thesis if several CCAs are selected and their combined effect is analyzed.
China possesses, as a result of its unique cultural, socio-political and economic qualities, a number of country-level competitive advantages (CCAs) that result in the observed speed, growth, behavior, etc. Some of these CCAs are well known and well described, others are not. Many of them are inherently problematic, as they give rise to China’s competitiveness on the one hand but also to some challenges and weakness on the other. Some example CCAs are: the Pareto-Capability / Good-Enough Rule, the Dedication to Learning, Mass Parallelization, the Strike-Don’t Knock Approach, etc.
Assignment
Explore in-depth the background of one CCA. What is the literature on it? What is its theoretical or conceptual foundation? What makes it a “competitive advantage”? How does it explain some of China’s accomplishments (in business, economics, arts, technology, etc.)?
Approach
Literature review; selected expert interviews. Case study analysis and writing of mini-cases.
Student Profiles
Strong interest in China, ideally with a sociological, business, or economics perspective.
Expected Outcome
An in-depth analysis of why a particular CCA has been critical for China’s rise in the 21st century, and possibly beyond.
Learning Outcome
Deeper insights into China and the interplay between sociological, managerial, and organizational frames.
Comments
All eight CCAs haven been identified and used in teaching for years, but have not yet been summarized in a textbook format. This project can also be done as a Master thesis if several CCAs are selected and their combined effect is analyzed.
Japan's Competitive Advantages
Description to follow soon.
CHina: Competing for MArkets or TEchnology?
Description to follow soon.