Master Thesis

E2024

Social Entrepreneurship and Management

Master Thesis

English

Read about the Master Programme and find the Study Regulations at ruc.dk

Registration is happing through STADS Online Student Service within the announced registration period, as you can see on the Study administration homepage.

30

Luise Li Langergaard (luiseli@ruc.dk)

Luise Li Langergaard (luiseli@ruc.dk)

IMT Registration & Exams (imt-exams@ruc.dk)

U60226

The objective of the Master’s thesis is that the student demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in using scientific theories and methods during the work with a defined, academic and relevant research question in the field of social entrepreneurship, social enterprises, social innovation, CSR, sustainability, social economy organization and/or management.

The master’s thesis is a major independent study project that is problem- oriented, exemplary and participant-managed. The master's thesis consists of a time-limited and targeted academic process where a problem is formulated, analysed and worked with

The master thesis is supported by supervision.

Supervision: Students will have a supervisor assigned. The aim of supervision is to support the project work through feedback and constructive critique to help the group progress with their project work. The supervision is centered around the students’ problem formulation and under concern for the students’ freedom to choose theories and method within the frame of the module’s project description.

Students are expected to independently manage the project, which includes taking the initiative to meet with the supervisor and to send an agenda and reading instructions prior to supervision meetings. The students are also expected to engage in a dialogue on agreement and expectations with regards to the collaboration with the supervisor. The number of supervision hours depends on the group size and are specified in the project work guidelines, which are shared on moodle.

Competency reflection: Competency reflection: A competency reflection must be submitted with the project on all modules. The details about the competency reflection is specified in the Project work at SEM – practice and guidelines, which can be found on moodle. It is an individual reflection on the learning and competency development through the course of the studies. It has the aim of supporting students in articulating their competency development and progression throughout the programme. It is meant as a tool that the students can use to create an overview and construct and overview of their progression from one semester to the next.

There is no common syllabus for thesis work. Students themselves select relevant literature for their project work.

Study intensity

Outline

The master thesis corresponds to 30 ECTS = 810 working hours per student.

Working hours related to specified activities:

• Competency reflection: 3 hours
• Supervision meetings 5,5-12 hours, excluding preparation
• Exam ½ per student, excluding preparation of oral presentation. The total exam time depends on the number of students in the group

Teaching and learning activities

• Project work
• Supervision
• Peer feedback
• Competency reflection report
• Homework individually/in study groups

The thesis is evaluated by a survey by the end of the semester.

Continuous evaluation of the project work process includes mutual feedback between students and supervisor. At the end of the oral exam, there is individual and/or group feedback from supervisor and examiner.

After completing this activity, students will be able to:

• Present and critically assess research-based knowledge in the subject area of social entrepreneurship and management, including understanding and reflection on the positioning of the student’s own thesis study in the academic field.

• Define, apply and motivate a problem-oriented research question related to social entrepreneurship and management.

• Select, apply and critically evaluate research methods in a study within the field of social entrepreneurship and management.

• Select, present and justify a research design based on relevant philosophies of science.

• Distinguish, discuss and reflect on theories within the field of social entrepreneurship and management, and hereby demonstrate theoretical overview, depth and conceptual clarity in an independent analysis of cases and/or questions related to social entrepreneurship and management.

• Independently initiate, manage and carry out a project on a complex interdisciplinary research question in a reflective and critical manner.

• Communicate research-based knowledge to peers and practitioners.

• Critically assess and reflect on own learning as a knowledge generator and facilitator.

Master thesis written individually or in a group

Permitted group size: 2-4 students.

The student(s) can choose whether the assessment should be based on solely the written product or on both the written product and the oral exam.

The character limits of the master thesis are:
for 1 student: 120,000-150,000 characters, including spaces.
For 2 students: 145,000-200,000 characters, including spaces.
For 3 students: 170,000-225,000 characters, including spaces.
For 4 students: 195,000-250,000 characters, including spaces.

The character limits include the cover, table of contents, summary, bibliography, figures and other illustrations, but exclude any appendices.

The master thesis must include a summary. The summary can either be written in English or Danish.
The summary is included in the overall assessment.

Before submitting a master thesis written by a group, that have chosen an assessment solely based on the written product, each member of the group must clearly indicate which part(s) of the thesis they are responsible for.
All group members are responsible for the introduction, conclusion and summary.

The oral exam is individual for students that have written the thesis alone, or students that have requested an individual exam. All other oral master thesis exams are conducted as group exams.

Time allowed for exam including time used for assessment for:
1 student: 30 minutes.
2 students: 60 minutes.
3 students: 75 minutes.
4 students: 90 minutes.

There will be an individual assessment of each student’s performance.
The assessment is an overall assessment of the master thesis and, where relevant, the oral performance.

Writing and spelling skills in the thesis are part of the assessment.

Permitted support and preparation materials at the oral exam: All.

Assessment: 7-point grading scale.
Moderation: External examiner.

Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam

The assessment is an overall assessment of the written product(s) and the subsequent oral examination. The exam is conducted in a way, which allows for individual assessment of each student. It will be assessed to which degree the student demonstrates:

The assessment of the project report will be based on the extend to which it:

• Demonstrates ability to define, apply and motivate a problem-oriented research question and a research design in a study within the areas of the programme
• Demonstrates ability to select, apply and critically assess philosophies of science, theory and empirical research methods in a study and analysis in the area of social entrepreneurship
• Demonstrates ability to select and argue for the choice of relevant theories for the research problem
• Conducts the research planned in the selected research design
• Conducts a relevant and reflective analysis of to answer the research question
• Demonstrates critical reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of the selected research design and choice of theories

The oral performance is assessed to which degree the student demonstrates:

• Ability to present and critically reflect upon the problem formulation, research design, analysis and findings of the project
• Ability to conduct a discussion of all elements of the project report including the theories and research literature used in the project