Theses

Theses currently available at the Institute of Business Analytics

Bachelor’s theses (BA) and Master’s theses (MA) carried out in collaboration with the Institute for Business Analytics are different from what you might expect. We are looking for ‘thinkers’ and ‘doers’. You will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have acquired and tried-and-tested techniques in a targeted manner (in some cases directly within companies). A member of staff from the IBA will provide you with academic and methodological support.

Chair of “Digital Business” - Prof Dr Steffen Zimmermann

Digital platforms have established themselves as the dominant business model of the modern economy by efficiently matching supply and demand and leveraging network effects. This research area examines the mechanisms and evolution of these ecosystems, which are increasingly being revolutionized by artificial intelligence. The focus is on both the algorithmic control of interactions (e.g., through Generative AI) and the strategic implications for market participants, ranging from the disintermediation of entire industries to new forms of collaboration.

Possible Topics

  • Generative AI as a Game-Changer: Analysis of new use cases and altered value creation potential on digital B2B or B2C platforms through the use of GenAI. (BA & MA; Contact: Leonie Embacher, Jonathan Ibele)
    #GenAI, #Literature-Based
  • From Assistant to Autonomous Actor: The potential of “Agentic AI” in the platform economy – when AI agents independently handle transactions and negotiations. (BA & MA; Contact: Leonie Embacher, Jonathan Ibele)
    #AgenticAI, #Literature-based
  • Real vs. Fake: How do we recognize AI-generated content, and how should digital platforms handle it? (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher Tille)
    #FakeContent, #MachineLearning, #Coding
  • GenAI-based summarization of customer reviews (BA & MA; Contact: Kilian Züllig)
    #CustomerReviews, #GenAI, #Experiment
  • The Role of “Collaborative Reviewing” in Managing the Information Overload. (BA & MA; Kilian Züllig)
    #CustomerReviews, #Analytics, #Coding
  • Power and Market Structure: An Investigation of Disintermediation Effects (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß)
    #MarketPower, #Economics, #LiteratureBased
  • Structural Constraints and Dependencies for Suppliers and Consumers on Dominant Platforms. (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß
    #MarketPower, #Economics, #Literature-Based

The topics are individually coordinated and specified with the students in terms of content and methodology. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

The Recommender Systems research area focuses on the development and application of AI-powered recommendation systems that assist users in selecting products, information, or services. By analyzing large amounts of data and identifying individual preference patterns, recommender systems can generate personalized suggestions that simplify decision-making processes and reduce information overload. The focus is on the interplay between algorithmic predictive power and human judgment: While AI calculates recommendations based on past interactions, users retain control over selection, evaluation, and the final decision.

Possible Topics

  • How Spotify & Co. Generate Recommendations – Implementation and Evaluation of a Recommendation System (BA/MA; Contact: Leonie Embacher
    #Analytics, #Programming
  • Trust in AI-powered recommendation systems – How does explainability affect user acceptance? (BA/MA; Contact: Leonie Embacher
    #Explainability, #AI, #Experiment
  • Explainability of review-based recommender systems – A systematic literature review (BA/MA; Contact: Leonie Embacher)
    #Explainability, #Literature-based
  • Human Judgment and Algorithmic Recommendations – The Influence of Recommendation Systems on Human Decision-Making Processes (BA/MA; Contact: Leonie Embacher)
    #Decision Quality, #Literature-based
  • Recommender Systems in (Social) Media - Approaches to Reducing Filter Bubbles and Echo Chambers (BA/MA; Contact: Kilian Züllig)
    #FilterBubbles, #Literature-Based, #Analytics

The topics will be individually coordinated and specified with the students in terms of content and methodology. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree level (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

In an increasingly digital world, people are spending more and more time in digital environments and making decisions there. Digital nudging involves the strategic use of design elements to encourage users in digital decision-making environments—such as digital platforms—to make certain choices through small prompts (known as nudges), without coercion or restrictions.

Possible Topics

  • Digital Green Nudging: An analysis of the effectiveness of digital nudges in promoting eco-friendly behavior. (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß, Christopher Tille
    #Sustainability, #Experimental, or #Literature-based
  • Identification of spillover effects of digital nudges on other decisions (e.g., different context, different time, …) (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß, Christopher Tille)
    #Sustainability, #Experimental, or #Literature-based
  • Personalized digital nudges and their potential. (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß, Christopher Tille
    #Personalization, #Analytics, #Coding, or #Experimental
  • Context-Aware Nudging: Development of situational digital nudging in real time. (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß, Christopher Tille
    #Individualization, #Analytics, #Programming, or #Literature-Based

The content and methodology of the topics will be individually coordinated and specified with the students. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

Modern professional sports have evolved from purely intuitive decisions to “data-driven decision-making.” The use of modern tracking technologies generates vast amounts of data that hold untapped potential. Sports analytics focuses on the systematic analysis of this data to identify competitive advantages. The goal is to use advanced statistical methods and machine learning to gain objective insights for tactics, player recruitment, workload management, and economic decisions.

Possible Topics

  • Development of a 360-degree player performance dashboard: design and implementation. (BA & MA; Contact: Kilian Züllig)
    #Basketball, #Application-oriented, #Analytics, #Coding
  • Beyond Goals & Assists: Evaluating the quality of individual player actions in Bundesliga soccer using advanced methods. (BA & MA; Contact: Kilian Züllig)
    #Soccer, #Literature-based, #Analytics, #Coding
  • Injury Prevention through Machine Learning: Analysis of training data (GPS, heart rate) to predict injury risks in competitive sports. (BA & MA; Contact: Kilian Züllig
    #TeamSports, #Analytics, #Coding, or #Literature-Based
  • Tactical Pattern Recognition: Using positional data for the automated recognition of plays and formations in team sports. (BA & MA; Contact: Kilian Züllig)
    #TeamSports, #Analytics, #Coding, or #Literature-Based 

The content and methodology of the topics are determined and finalized in consultation with each student. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree program (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

The Societal AI research area explores how artificial intelligence can help address societal challenges. In a societal context, the focus is on ethical, fair, and transparent AI applications that promote social inclusion, responsible decision-making support, and societal benefits.

Possible Topics

  • How does effective collaboration between humans and GenAI work? What are the societal consequences of blind trust in GenAI? (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher Tille, Kirsten Pitz)
    #GenAI, #Trust, #Literature-based, #Experiment
  • What impact does GenAI have on the education system? Which skills are becoming increasingly important with the comprehensive integration of GenAI into our daily lives? (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher Tille, Kirsten Pitz)
    #GenAI, #Education, #Literature-based
  • Disinformation with GenAI – What are the effects on political opinion-forming? How is the internet changing due to the flood of AI-generated content? (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher Tille, Kirsten Pitz)
    #GenAI, #PoliticalOpinionFormation, #LiteratureBased
  • How should AI-supported educational programs be designed to effectively promote democracy and prevent extremism? (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß, Kirsten Pitz)
    #GenAILiteracy, #Democracy, #LiteratureBased
  • Ethical Challenges of AI in a Social Context (e.g., greenwashing, extremism, transparency, etc.) (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher TilleKilian Züllig)
    #Ethics, #Literature-based
  • Social Recommendation – Opportunities and Risks of Recommendation Systems in Social Networks (BA & MA; Contact: Jana Ruß, Kilian Züllig)
    #RecommenderSystems, #SocialMedia, #Literature-based

The content and methodology of the topics will be individually coordinated and specified with the students. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree program (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

More and more people are taking charge of their own wealth accumulation. Yet despite this growing interest, young investors in particular often lack the financial literacy needed to build sustainable wealth. This trend is reflected on social media: so-called finfluencers now reach thousands of people with their content. On the one hand, they raise awareness of financial topics; on the other, they pose risks: They often oversimplify risks or provide insufficient information due to conflicts of interest. Since the phenomenon of finfluencers is still relatively new, it is important to understand and quantify the potential opportunities and dangers.

Possible Topics

  • How do videos by finfluencers affect consumers’ financial literacy? (BA & MA; Contact: Jonathan Ibele)
    #Education, #SocialMedia, #Experiment
  • Do viewers recognize manipulative elements (financial cues, social pressure) in finfluencer videos? (BA & MA; Contact: Jonathan Ibele)
    #Manipulation, #SocialMedia, #Experiment
  • What effect does clearly labeling advertising have on the credibility of finfluencers’ messages? (BA & MA; Contact: Jonathan Ibele)
    #Marketing, #SocialMedia, #Experiment
  • How do finfluencers address the risks of financial products in their videos? (BA & MA; Contact: Jonathan Ibele)
    #Risks, #GenAI, #Analytics, #Coding
  • How can videos by finfluencers be automatically fact-checked? (BA & MA; Contact: Jonathan Ibele)
    #FactCheck, #GenAI, #Coding
  • How can promotional content be identified in videos by finfluencers, and how do the characteristics of self-promotion differ from those of third-party advertising? (BA & MA; Contact: Jonathan Ibele
    #Marketing, #GenAI, #Coding

The topics will be individually coordinated and specified with the students in terms of content and methodology. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree level (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

The Green AI research area explores how artificial intelligence can help address environmental challenges. In an environmental context, this involves optimizing energy and resource use, preventing environmental disasters, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable processes.

Possible Topics

  • AI systems for reducing emissions or electricity consumption in the global supply chain, businesses, and residential buildings (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher TilleKilian Züllig)
    #ElectricityConsumption, #MachineLearning, #Coding, or #Literature-Based
  • Use of AI to detect natural disasters and environmentally harmful activities (e.g., using satellite images) (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher TilleKilian Züllig)
    #NaturalDisasters, #MachineLearning, #Coding
  • AI-supported sustainability reporting to improve preparation and auditing (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher TilleKilian Züllig)
    #SustainabilityReporting, #Analytics, #Coding, or #Literature-based
  • Ethical dilemmas of AI in an ecological context (e.g., greenwashing, transparency, etc.) (BA & MA; Contact: Christopher TilleKilian Züllig)
    #Ethics, #Literature-based
  • Energy Communities and Tenant-Generated Electricity. The Role of AI in Decentralized Energy Supply. (BA & MA; Contact: Kilian Züllig
    #P2P-Electricity-Trading, #Machine-Learning, #Coding or #Literature-based 

The content and methodology of the topics are determined and finalized in consultation with each student. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree program (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

Are you interested in writing a dissertation?
If so, please contact the relevant person directly to discuss the next steps.
The dissertation process at the Chair of Digital Business (pdf)

Péter Horváth Endowed Chair in “Business Information Management” – Prof Dr Mathias Klier

Today, companies and organizations have access to large and ever-growing volumes of data, such as from social media, the internet, databases, customer interactions, or human resources management; in fields like professional sports, extensive datasets are also generated from game and tracking data. Since much of this information is unstructured (e.g., images, videos, or text), automated analysis methods are required. In the field of Big Data Analytics & (Gen)AI, we therefore investigate the potential applications and benefits of artificial intelligence methods, including generative AI, for analyzing such data, while Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) addresses the transparency of these methods.

Possible topics:

  • Agentic AI – How can AI agents be designed to specifically empower users in task completion? (BA/MA; Contacts: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Agentic AI in Controlling: Potential, Limitations, and Governance (BA/MA; Contact: Lara Frost)
  • Analytics and AI in the Manufacturing Plant (BA/MA; Contacts: Patrick Bedué, Hannah Knehr, Maximilian Buck)
  • Explainable Agentic AI: Concepts for Trust and Traceability in Autonomous Systems (BA/MA; Contact: Lara Frost)
  • Expertise Meets AI: How End Users Can Improve AI-Supported Systems (BA/MA; Contact: Hannah Knehr, Maximilian Buck)
  • Hybrid Intelligence (Human + GenAI) Using Knowledge Networks as an Example (BA/MA; Contact: Andreas Obermeier, Hannah Knehr)
  • Human-in-the-Loop as an Approach to Improving AI-Based Systems (BA/MA; Contact: Hannah Knehr, Maximilian Buck)
  • AI-Based Time Series Forecasts for Energy and Market Data: Methods, Potential, and Limitations (BA/MA; Contact: Maximilian Buck)
  • Quantum Analytics: Which Data-Driven Applications Are Made Possible by Quantum Computing (BA/MA; Contact: Maximilian Buck)
  • Quantum Computing Roadmap: How Companies Can Gradually Integrate Quantum Computing into Their Operations (BA/MA; Contact: Maximilian Buck)

 

As a result of digitalization, organizations today have access to vast and ever-growing amounts of data (keyword: “Big Data”). However, empirical evidence shows that the data analyzed and used is often characterized by poor data quality—even in internal corporate customer databases, an average of approximately 30% of stored data values are incorrect. This results, for example, in annual additional costs of $15 million for the average American company. However, poor data quality is not only a major problem for businesses—in the age of “fake news”, the need for reliable information is also growing in politics and society. Therefore, quantitative methods are needed to measure, control, and improve data quality.

Data quality is also becoming increasingly important in the context of generative systems. In particular, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems, such as those underlying ChatGPT, place high demands on the quality of the underlying data. Data quality defects can arise both in the document corpus and in the retrieval process—for example, due to incomplete documents or imprecise user queries—and directly impact the quality of the generated responses. Consequently, there is a growing need for methods to detect and address data quality issues in RAG systems.

Possible topics:

Measuring and Improving Data Quality

Data Uncertainty

DQ in GenAI Applications

Explainable AI (XAI) is playing an increasingly significant role in our lives. From chatbots, spam filters, and shopping recommendations for individuals to fraud detection at financial institutions and marketing strategies for businesses—AI is already behind much of what we encounter. The growing prevalence of AI systems is opening up unprecedented possibilities. However, areas of application where critical decisions are made—such as in corporate controlling or when it comes to the creditworthiness of individuals—are under close scrutiny. The reason is the opacity of AI. In fact, studies show that many Europeans view decisions made by AI systems with unease. And this is true even when the algorithms demonstrably deliver better results than human experts. In critical application areas, it is important to understand how AI results are generated. This is where the research area of Explainable AI (XAI) comes in: the focus of research is on methods that make the results and functioning of AI systems understandable to human users.

Possible topics:

The world of work is facing major changes. Rapid technological advancements and societal upheavals call for solutions on how to shape the future of work in Baden-Württemberg. Digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence are considered key drivers of future economic growth and will have a significant impact on the world of work. In addition, society’s transition toward climate neutrality is bringing about far-reaching changes, including a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the shift to a resource-efficient circular economy, and the implementation of the energy transition. In coping with these changes, one thing is particularly important: people who shape economic and social progress. That is why we must now build the skills necessary to shape a positive future for everyone—so-called future skills.

Possible topics:

  • Extraction of skills from job postings (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Creation of future skills lists from job postings using machine learning methods (MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Automated detection of emerging skills using machine learning methods (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Time series analyses of future skills (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)

The ability to process large volumes of data from various sources (big data) and the use of artificial intelligence can help companies fundamentally improve their methods for recruiting, developing, and retaining employees. Despite the availability of advanced analytical methods, however, HR decisions in many companies are still based on gut feelings and intuition. This is where People Analytics comes in: As a central element of future-proof HR strategies, People Analytics enables an evidence-based approach to human resources, in which technologies are used to analyze data on current, former, and future employees across all HR areas, with the goal of improving HR and overall company performance.

Possible topics:

  • Innovative Applications of People Analytics: Case Studies and Best Practices (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Shaping the Transformation (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Quality of GenAI Use in the Workplace (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Empirical Study of the Influence of People Analytics on Business Problems and Organizational Performance (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • AI Ethics in People Analytics (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Organizational Prerequisites for the Successful Implementation of People Analytics (BA/MA; Contact: Chiara Schwenke)

Traditional sales processes often reach their limits when it comes to data availability and the ability to analyze and process data. In brick-and-mortar retail, employees generally cannot memorize all product and customer details. Even if this information were available to service experts (e.g., via a traditional IT system), processing it manually would be nearly impossible due to the large volume and complexity of the relevant data, or it would be distorted by subjective personal opinions. Recommender systems enable objective product recommendations to users based on large amounts of data. Robots like Pepper have the ability to perceive customers in the physical world, interact with them, and also possess the computing power to process the data obtained in this way more objectively, quickly, and accurately than humans.

Possible topics:

  • Use of the humanoid robot Pepper in customer service (BA/MA; Contact: Andreas Obermeier)
  • Explainable & Conversational Recommender Systems – Overview (BA; Contact: Andreas Obermeier)
  • Natural Language Generation – Systems for automating customer service (BA/MA; Contact: Andreas Obermeier)

 

Modern information systems can not only generate economic value but also make a significant contribution to addressing social and societal problems and challenges. Our research on the social impact of information systems focuses on the pressing societal issues of our time, such as unemployment, the shortage of skilled workers, integration, and strengthening democracy. For example, our studies have shown that digital applications enhance the job-search efforts of young people, and that online peer groups (i.e., digital self-help groups) in particular prove to be valuable in numerous social contexts, such as unemployment under difficult conditions, unemployment among older adults, career guidance for young people, or the integration of refugees. The digital nature of modern information systems brings particular advantages, such as flexibility in terms of time and location, as well as the possibility of anonymity and thus a protected exchange. Artificial intelligence can serve as an additional catalyst for social innovation, for example, by enabling counseling to be scaled and personalized.

Possible topics:

  • AI as an assistant and advisor for people (BA/MA; Contact: Maximilian Buck, Chiara Schwenke)
  • Explanatory AI assistant to support job searches for people over 50 (in cooperation with a startup) (BA/MA; Contacts: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Explainable AI assistant to support job searches for people with refugee backgrounds (in collaboration with an NGO) (BA/MA; Contacts: Chiara Schwenke)
  • Explainable AI for learning about digital disinformation (BA/MA; Contacts: Hannah Knehr; Chiara Schwenke)

Kurzbeschreibung:

Der Leistungssport befindet sich in einem tiefgreifenden digitalen Wandel. Trainings-, Wettkampf- und Bewegungsdaten entstehen heute in bislang unbekanntem Umfang – ergänzt durch Videoanalysen, Sensordaten und textuelle Berichte. Trotz der stetig wachsenden Datenverfügbarkeit bleibt deren tatsächliches Nutzungspotenzial in vielen Sportarten bislang weitgehend unerschlossen. Die reine Datensammlung führt noch nicht automatisch zu besseren Entscheidungen oder Leistungssteigerungen - vielmehr fehlt es häufig an systematischen Analyseansätzen, die aus der Datenflut verwertbares Wissen generieren. Genau an diesem Punkt setzt Sports Analytics an. Sports Analytics widmet sich der systematischen Auswertung dieser vielfältigen Datenquellen, um sportliche und organisatorische Entscheidungen fundierter zu gestalten. Durch den Einsatz moderner Methoden aus Statistik, Data Science und Machine Learning werden Muster sichtbar gemacht, Leistungen objektiver bewertet und Potenziale frühzeitig erkannt. Im Mittelpunkt steht die Entwicklung datenbasierter Modelle und intelligenter Entscheidungsunterstützungssysteme, die sportliche Performance, strategische Planung und nachhaltigen Erfolg messbar verbessern.

Mögliche Themen: 

The content and methodology of the topics are agreed and finalised individually with each student. The requirements for the topics vary depending on the degree programme (Bachelor’s/Master’s). 

Interested in writing a dissertation? Then simply get in touch with the relevant contact person – they will tell you everything you need to know about the next steps.

Procedure for a thesis at the Chair of Business Information Management (pdf)

Professur für "Wertschöpfungs- und Netzwerkmanagement" - Prof. Dr. Mischa Seiter

Hintergrund: Im Rahmen einer Masterarbeit soll für die Heilbronner Versorgungs GmbH (HNVG) ein wissenschaftlich fundiertes, marktorientiertes und strategisch ausgerichtetes Vergütungs- und Benefitkonzept entwickelt werden. Hintergrund ist der zunehmende Fachkräftemangel, insbesondere in technischen, kaufmännischen und IT-nahen Bereichen, sowie der tarifliche und regulatorische Rahmen eines kommunalen Versorgungsunternehmens. 

Zielsetzung: Ziel der Arbeit ist es, die bestehenden Gehalts- und Benefitstrukturen systematisch zu analysieren, mit relevanten Marktanforderungen zu vergleichen und darauf aufbauend eine langfristig tragfähige Vergütungsstrategie zu entwickeln. Diese soll die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Arbeitgeberattraktivität der HNVG nachhaltig stärken, Transparenz und Steuerungswirkung erhöhen, Schlüsselpositionen gezielt adressieren und zugleich umsetzbare Maßnahmen, einschließlich kurzfristiger Optimierungen, aufzeigen.

Die konkrete Ausgestaltung wird dann im persönlichen Gespräch besprochen.

Hintergrund: Private naturkundliche Sammlungen spielen eine wichtige Rolle für den Ausbau und die Vervollständigung musealer Bestände. Ihre Bewertung im Vorfeld eines möglichen Ankaufs stellt Museen jedoch vor erhebliche Herausforderungen: Der materielle, wissenschaftliche und kulturelle Wert solcher Sammlungen ist häufig schwer zu quantifizieren. Während in der Praxis oftmals vereinfachte Verfahren eingesetzt werden, können diese den tatsächlichen wissenschaftlichen und sammlungshistorischen Wert nur unzureichend abbilden. Gleichzeitig bergen solche Sammlungen erhebliche Chancen: Immer wieder zeigt sich, dass vergleichsweise günstig erworbene Sammlungen später wertvolle, teils wissenschaftlich bedeutende Objekte enthalten. Ein vertieftes Verständnis der Bewertungsprozesse, ihrer Kriterien und Entscheidungslogiken ist daher nicht nur für Museen, sondern auch für kulturpolitische und wissenschaftliche Institutionen von Bedeutung. Das Fallbeispiel eines Naturkundemuseums bietet hierfür einen praxisnahen Ausgangspunkt, um Bewertungsmechanismen systematisch zu untersuchen und weiterzuentwickeln.

Mögliche Schwerpunkte:

  • Analyse bestehender Bewertungspraktiken für naturkundliche Sammlungen (z. B. Marktmechanismen, Bewertungsrichtlinien, museale Bewertungsprozesse)
  • Fallstudienbasierte Untersuchung ausgewählter Ankaufsprozesse in naturkundlichen Museen
  • Entwicklung eines Kriterien- oder Bewertungsrahmens, der materielle, wissenschaftliche und kulturelle Werte integriert
  • Reflexion von Chancen und Risiken unterschiedlicher Bewertungsansätze, insbesondere im Hinblick auf Transparenz, Nachhaltigkeit und wissenschaftlichen Nutzen


Die konkrete Ausgestaltung (z. B. qualitative Interviews, Dokumentenanalysen, Framework-Entwicklung) erfolgt in Abstimmung mit der Betreuungsperson.

Hintergrund: Agentic AI beschreibt KI-Systeme mit hoher Autonomie und Entscheidungsfähigkeit. Diese Systeme können strategische Entscheidungen vorbereiten oder autonom umsetzen, ihre Rolle in Organisationen ist jedoch noch wenig erforscht. Mit zunehmender Autonomie können neue Risiken und Herausforderungen entstehen – von Haftungsfragen über Kontrollverlust bis hin zu ethischen Dilemmata. Insbesondere für Unternehmen mit geringen KI-Kompetenzen kann Agentic AI problematisch sein.

Mögliche Schwerpunkte:

  • Systematische Literaturübersicht zu Agentic AI und ihren Einsatzfeldern sowie die Entwicklung eines Einsatzrahmens
  • Analyse aktueller Forschung zu Risiken und Herausforderungen durch Agentic AI sowie Ableitung von Best Practices im Umgang

Die konkrete Ausgestaltung wird dann in Abstimmung mit der Betreuungsperson entwickelt.

Hintergrund: Ökonomische Turbulenzen haben in den vergangenen Jahren massiv zugenommen. Neben dem Klimawandel, der Covid-Pandemie und geopolitischen Schocks wie dem Krieg Russlands in der Ukraine ist eine langfristige Entkopplung der Weltwirtschaft zu beobachten, sogenanntes Decoupling. Als hochgradig vernetzte, exportorientierte Volkswirtschaft steht insb. die deutsche Industrie vor einer Vielzahl von Herausforderungen an unterschiedlichen Stellen.

Mögliche Schwerpunkte:

  • Entwicklung einer Methode zur Analyse unterschiedlicher Stressfaktoren und Aufbau eines Ursache-Wirkungs-Modells zur Bewertung der Auswirkungen von Krisen auf KMU
  • Definition wichtiger Ziel- und Steuerungsgrößen für Unternehmen unter Stress und Aufbau eines KPI-Treiberbaum zur Identifikation von Frühwarnindikatoren
  • Identifikation, Analyse und Aufbereitung frei zugänglicher Datenquellen zur frühzeitigen Erkennung von externen Störfaktoren in Unternehmensnetzwerken
  • Bewertung und Entwicklung von Anreizsystemen zur Steigerung der Krisenresilienz

Die konkrete Ausgestaltung wird dann in Abstimmung mit der Betreuungsperson entwickelt.

Einstiegsliteratur:

  • Lamorgese, A., Patnaik, M., Linarello, A., & Schivardi, F. (2024). Management practices and resilience to shocks: Evidence from COVID-19. Management Science, 70(12), 9058-9072.
  • Hayne, C. (2022). The effect of discontinuous and unpredictable environmental change on management accounting during organizational crisis: A field study. Contemporary Accounting Research, 39(3), 1758-1796.
  • Hyun, J. H., Matejka, M., Oh, P., & Ahn, T. S. (2022). Performance targets and ex post incentive plan adjustments. Contemporary Accounting Research, 39(2), 863-892.

Hintergrund: Der sogenannte Ratcheting Effect beschreibt die Tendenz, dass erreichte Ziele in zukünftigen Perioden als neue Zielvorgaben angesetzt werden – ein Phänomen, das sowohl motivations- als auch verhaltensökonomische Implikationen besitzt. Trotz seiner Relevanz im Kontext von Leistungsbewertung und Anreizgestaltung fehlt eine systematische Aufarbeitung des Forschungsstands zu diesem Effekt.

Forschungsfrage: Welche theoretischen und empirischen Erkenntnisse existieren zum Ratcheting Effect im Kontext von Zielsetzung und Performance Management?

Ziele der Arbeit:

  • Systematische Literaturrecherche und Kategorisierung bestehender Studien zum Ratcheting Effect
  • Analyse zentraler Einflussfaktoren (z. B. Anreizsysteme, Informationsasymmetrien, Mitarbeitermotivation)
  • Ableitung von Implikationen für Zielsetzung, Planung und Kontrolle in Unternehmen

Einstiegsliteratur:

  • Aranda, C., Arellano, J., & Davila, A. (2014). Ratcheting and the role of relative target setting. The Accounting Review, 89(4), 1197–1226. https://doi.org/10.2308/accr-50733
  • Charness, G., Kuhn, P., & Villeval, M. C. (2011). Competition and the ratchet effect. Journal of Labor Economics, 29(3), 513–547. https://doi.org/10.1086/659347
  • Matějka, M., Mahlendorf, M. D., & Schäffer, U. (2022). The ratchet effect: Theory and empirical evidence. Management Science, 70(1), 128–142. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4641

Hintergrund: Open Data gewinnt in Wirtschaft und Forschung zunehmend an Bedeutung. Im Bereich des Forecastings bieten frei verfügbare Datensätze aus z. B. Wirtschaft, Wetter, Mobilität oder sozialen Medien ein großes Potenzial, um Prognosen zu verbessern und neue Modelle zu entwickeln. Gleichzeitig besteht bislang wenig Transparenz darüber, welche Open-Data-Quellen existieren, welche Datenqualitäten sie aufweisen und für welche Prognosezwecke sie geeignet sind.

Forschungsfrage: Wie lassen sich Open-Data-Quellen systematisch identifizieren und nach Relevanz, Qualität und Einsatzmöglichkeiten im Forecasting klassifizieren?

Ziele der Arbeit:

  • Systematische Recherche und Erfassung relevanter Open-Data-Quellen mit Bezug zu Prognoseanwendungen
  • Entwicklung eines Klassifikationsschemas (z. B. nach Datenart, Aktualität, Zugänglichkeit, Prognosebezug)
  • Analyse von Stärken, Schwächen und Nutzungspotenzialen verschiedener Datenquellen für Forecasting-Modelle

Einstiegsliteratur:

  • Kugler, P., Vogt, H., Meierhofer, J., Dobler, M., Strittmatter, M., Treiterer, M., & Schick, S. (2024). Daten im B2B-Ökosystem teilen und nutzen: Wie KMU Voraussetzungen schaffen und Hürden überwinden. In Digitale Plattformen und Ökosysteme im B2B-Bereich (S. 209–240). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-43130-3_8
  • Petropoulos, F., Apiletti, D., Assimakopoulos, V., Babai, M. Z., Barrow, D. K., Ben Taieb, S., et al. (2022). Forecasting: Theory and practice. International Journal of Forecasting, 38(3), 705–871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijforecast.2021.11.001

Are you interested in writing a dissertation? If so, please contact Mischa Seiter directly with your preferred topics from the list above or your own topic proposal to discuss the next steps. We are also happy to supervise dissertations in collaboration with companies.