Master Thesis Human Resource Management

The aim of a Master’s thesis is to work independently on a scientific issue in the field of human resource management or family businesses.

There are two application and awarding periods per year (see below under procedure). Master’s thesis topics are announced here on 23 April and 23 October (see below under topics) that you can apply for. 

Your own topic suggestions are welcome.

Contact

Basic Information
Requirements

  • Completed Bachelor’s degree

  • Transcript of records showing successful passing of a seminar at IOP (Department of Human Resource Management) or current participation in the course:
    • a) Human Ressource Management
    • b) Management of Family Businesses
    • c) Diversity Management and Inclusion
  • Transcript of records showing successful completion of the course “Management of Family Businesses” or “Human Resource Management”
Crediting 20 ECTS
Scope of the work
 To be agreed upon individually with the supervisor
Language German or English
Completion time 20 weeks
IOP information sheet written work Department of Human Resource Management (PDF, 345KB)

Procedure

Should you wish to write your Master’s thesis at the IOP, there are two dates each year on which you can apply for an announced topic or with your own personal topic.

  1. Publication of the possible topics
    • 1st date: 23.04.
    • 2nd date: 23.10.
  2. Registration for the Master’s thesis (student)
    • Registration period:
    • Period 1: 25.04. (12:00) - 02.05. (12:00)
    • Period 2: 25.10. (12:00) - 02.11. (12:00)
    • By e-mail to thomas.koellen@unibe.ch
      Content: Name, matriculation number, contact details, transcript of records, at least 3 prioritized topics or a short proposal (see Topics)
      Please note that registration outside this period will not be considered.
  3. Feedback (IOP-P)
    • Date 1: 11.05.
    • Date 2: 11.11.
    • By email to the student
      Content: acceptance or rejection of supervision. Assignment of the supervisor.
  4. Choice of kick-off meeting (student)
    • Registration period:
    • Period 1: 12.05. - 19.05.
    • Period 2: 12.11. - 19.11.
    • By email to the supervisor
      Content: Name, matriculation number, contact details, preferred date (see period for kick-off meetings under point 6)
    • Attention: If you register late for the kick-off meeting, your supervision entitlement will become invalid. By registering for the kick-off meeting, you accept a binding place for supervision. Withdrawal after acceptance will result in failure of the thesis and a grading of 1.
  5. Feedback (IOP-P)
    • Date 1: no later than 22.05.
    • Date 2: no later than 22.11.
    • By email to the student
      Content: Appointment scheduling
  6. Kick-off meeting (student, supervisor)
    • Possible time period:
    • Period 1: 22.05. - 20.10.
    • Period 2: 22.11. - 20.04.
    • Place: Supervisor’s office
      Content: Clarification of the topic
  7. Submission of proposal (Student)
    • When: 3 weeks after the kick-off meeting (see point 6)
      By e-mail to the supervisor
      Content: Proposal according to “IOP” information sheet written work Department of Human Resources (see under legal principles)
  8. Meeting proposal (student, supervisor)
    • When: 1 week after submission of proposal (see point 7)
      Place: Supervisor’s office
      Content: feedback, discussion, revision requests if applicable
  9. Submission of revised proposal, if applicable (student)
    • When: 2 weeks after the proposal meeting (see point 8)
      By e-mail to the supervisor
      Content: revised proposal in acc. with the meeting
  10. Approval and start of the completion time (supervisor)
    • When: 1 week after submission of the revised proposal (see point 9)
      By e-mail to the student
      Content: approval and comments on the revised proposal, if applicable
  11. Optional interim meeting (student, supervisor)
    • Date: can be feely chosen within the two-week period of the completion period
      Place: supervisor’s office
      Content: freely selectable
  12. Submission of Master’s thesis (student)
    • When: 20 weeks after approval and start of completion period (see point 10)
      Content: a bound version AND a pdf
      By e-mail to the supervisor as well as submission to the secretariat
      Please note: the thesis is deemed to have been failed if the submission deadline is not met
  13. Submission of grades to the Dean office (supervisor)
    • When: at the latest three months following submission of the Master’s thesis (see point 12)
  14. Optional feedback meeting (student, supervisor)
    • When: coordinated with the supervisor
      Place: supervisor’s office

Topics

You may also propose your own topic. In this case, please submit a short proposal (2 pages) with a description of your topic, your motivation and at least 5 relevant sources with your application. Practical theses are also welcome in the Department of Human Resources. The contact person for practical theses is Prof. Dr. Andreas Hack. In general, practical theses are only available for Master's theses. Proposals for practical theses can always be submitted, even outside the regular registration procedure.

There are two options for the core content of the Master's thesis:

  1. The empirical (quantitative or qualitative) examination of a scientifically sophisticated research question from the fields of human resources or family businesses.
  2. Preparation of a scientifically complex, comprehensive and complete systematic literature review on a topic from the fields of human resources or family businesses.