The application deadline for Bachelor's and Master's theses in the summer semester is 15.01. Applications for theses in the winter semester are possible until 15.07. Possible topics will be published here in good time (i.e. approx. one month) before this deadline.

In general, we offer two types of theses: (1) Conceptual theses and (2) empirical theses. Conceptual theses derive implications for science and practice on the basis of literature research without collecting or analyzing any additional data. Empirical theses involve the analysis of data, whereby this data can come from databases or be collected by the students themselves (e.g. by means of interviews).

Empirical thesis

• Value Capture in Transforming Technology Ecosystems (Master thesis)

Conceptual theses

For the winter semester, we offer conceptual theses on the following topics. For each topic, the (scientific) literature should first be reviewed in order to (a) compile common definitions of the most important concepts and demonstrate the relevance of the topic, (b) summarize key findings from the scientific debate and (c) provide concrete practical recommendations, tools and best-practice examples. Furthermore, additional interviews with experts and company representatives can be conducted to validate the results and gather additional insights.

Very good work is published in the Sustainability Management Wiki (https://www.sustainability-management.wiki/), which is currently being set up by the chair. As the language of the wiki is English, theses on the topics mentioned must be written in English.

The topics for the winter semester 2025/2026 are:

• Recycling technologies
• Multi-sector sustainability partnerships
• Social movements
• Green coding
• Impact investing
• Environmental innovation
• Design for the environment and ecodesign
• Ageism and age-based discrimination
• Sustainable aquaculture
• Toxic materials and hazardous waste
• Sustainability assurance and auditing
• Carbon Disclosure Project
• Climate change adaptation
• Conflict management
• Sustainable consumer behavior and consumerism
• Disaster management
• Employee engagement and involvement
• Fairtrade
• Social marketing
• Fraud prevention and detection
• Integrity management
• E-waste
• Sustainable logistics
• Rebound effects
• Humanistic management
• Servitization
• Technological innovation systems
• Externalities
• Legal forms for sustainability
• ISO 20121 Standard (Event Sustainability)
• AA1000 Series of Standards
• ESG Ratings
• Sustainability strategy tool

Application process

If one of the topics appeals to you, we look forward to receiving a written application including a short letter of motivation, CV and a current certificate of grades. Please send your documents as a PDF file by e-mail to Dr. Swantje Freund ([email protected]). In addition to your preferred topic, please also indicate a second, third and fourth preference in your application so that we can take your preferences into account when assigning topics.

We will then review the applications immediately after the application deadline and let you know whether we can supervise your work. If you have an idea for your own topic or would like to write your thesis externally with a company, please contact the chair at least one month before the application deadline to clarify the extent to which the topic is feasible from the chair's point of view and fits in with the chair's research interests and focal points.

Please refer to the document Process and Guidelines for Bachelor's and Master's Theses (in German) for detailed information on the application and processing of theses.