• Define the project’s research issue or question, which should be clear, consistent and in every way controlling the structure and analysis of the project
• Specify the empirical sources and/or theories appropriate to the analysis of the issue or question, as these have been derived from project fieldwork and/or course material
• Explain and evaluate the hypotheses (if appropriate) or method of analysis developed for the project
• Identify and evaluate the variables (or issues) of interest and, when appropriate, correctly identify their type, scale, and role in the project
• Describe and evaluate the primary or secondary data sources used. Please note that Bachelor Projects must be based on primary data, with supportive secondary data
• Explain and evaluate the characteristics of the project method that make it an interdisciplinary research project at the corporate level
• Clearly and concisely state the problem(s) to be solved at the corporate level in an international perspective
• Link the theoretical/analytical/empirical perspectives used in the project to IBA course material with particularly emphasis on models, theories and methods taught during the business courses. Apart from the business economic fields, the project must also draw on material from at least one the following fields: comparative social analysis, communications or Asian studies
• Discuss the chosen problem in the light of the economic, political and cultural internationalization that characterizes the development of contemporary society
• Communicate findings to two target groups: CBS and the company or organization with which the group has collaborated. Evaluate the reactions of the company/organization
• Evaluate the project achievements and limitations (as appropriate): Implications for the specified company/organization/issue support for hypotheses, or theoretical confirmation. Also, suggest further steps for inquiry given research opportunity
• Concisely present, communicate and discuss the project findings orally

The bachelor project is the final project in the undergraduate programme and the objective and requirements should be seen as a continuation of the First and Second Year Projects. 

The objective is to further develop the students’ abilities to formulate an interdisciplinary problem and conduct a systematic analysis within the framework of a complex theme. 
In the bachelor project (3rd year Project) students are to demonstrate the unique qualifications obtained during all three years of undergraduate studies. On the basis of their studies, the students should be able to formulate one or several multidisciplinary research question(s) suitable for methodological guided analysis within the framework of a complex theme.

During the 1st year at IBA the focus was primarily on the concepts and methods for analysing society and culture combined with macro- and micro-economic models and theories related to national and international business.

The 2nd year nurtured the ability to view industrial sectors and business enterprises as functioning systems in relation to national and international social and political systems as well as specific and general economic conditions.

The 3rd and final year at IBA focuses on concrete problems found in international economic and political situations in which companies and organisations typically find themselves. By combining the aggregated knowledge accumulated during the three years of undergraduate studies the 3rd year project should thus take its point of departure in this aggregated knowledge. 

On the basis of the above the 3rd Year Project thus focuses on an international management problem within the thematic framework of “International and Global Corporate Strategies” 

For example, competition and co-operation takes many forms. There are various consequences and implications for the parties involved. Companies have to develop their resources to be able to be part of the international competition, and international organisations work politically to create a better environment for the global distribution of economic and knowledge based resources. Companies and organisations have to understand these processes to engage in international competition or international co-corporation, and both internal and external relations of the company are influenced by changes in the political, social and cultural environment in a given societal context. 

Accordingly, the project can deal with both market and co-operative relations, and the chosen problem can be viewed from a social, company-specific or actor-centred angle. However, the company/organization must always be at the centre. Furthermore, the project shall combine and apply economic theories and models together with various societal perspectives learnt during the three years of undergraduate studies at IBA when dealing with the selected topic in their project. 

It is thus required that the project:

• Is based on economic models and different theoretical perspectives on various societal manifestations
• Is interdisciplinary, i.e. integrate at least one of the academic fields taught, for example, within economic, political and sociological disciplines
• Incorporates an international and an Asian perspective

It is important that the students demonstrate abilities to consider the financial consequences of proposed ideas, projects, marketing initiatives, communication or organisational change. That is, the project design needs to assess how these activities influence the financial situation of the company/organisation. These considerations should be included even if your research issue does not imply a financial analysis or accounting aspects. 

The chosen problem must be discussed in the light of the economic, political and cultural internationalisation that characterises the development of society. The project need not therefore exclusively focus on external or internal relations, but can deal with internal relations in an internationally working company or organisation or a company/organisation that to a significant degree is affected by internationalisation. Inspiration for establishing this perspective with regard to empirical data, theory and method can be taken from, for example, comparative social analysis, communications and more general Asian studies. As stated in the thematic framework, Asia must have a central role in the formulation of the project. It may deal with an Asian company seeking international relations or a European company working in Asia, however, different and creative angles are most welcome.

Please see the project manual for Bachelor Project on my.cbs for more details on the process.

Supervisor hours per group:

2 student group - 12 hours

3 student group - 16 hours

4 student group - 18 hours

Supervision hours are offered in connection with the course during the semester and cannot be automatically transferred to the re-take period.  

Exemptions of any kind regarding the project and/or exam must be applied for by filling out a detailed exemption application - kindly see more information on my.cbs.

In exemption cases where a student is granted permission for an individual exam the following allowances apply: 

max. 40 pages

7 hours supervisor hours

Please note that this course is new and will be offered for the first time in spring 2022 in the new IBA structure following the IBA programme reform.