The aim of Philosophy of Science, the first part of this module, is to familiarize students with the philosophical foundations and the historical development of science. The opportunities and limitations of scientific work, both of science in general and economics in particular, will be explored. The second part of the module will focus on Research Design which will enable students to design a research strategy and apply different research methods and techniques. The design and development of a research strategy and the collection of quantitative and qualitative data will also be practiced.

This module will enable students to interpret and discuss results in multivariate statistics primarily in the fields of social science, organizational research and marketing. The main methods covered will be factor analysis, conjoint analysis, multidimensional scaling, multiple regression, cluster analysis and variance analysis. Students will select, study, present and discuss current scientific articles in which advanced statistics have been applied. Using existing data sets, students will be able to run their own data analysis using SPSS or similar statistical software packages.

This module integrates elements of organization, competition and industrial economics. It helps students to understand the internal and external challenges of firms in allocating resources. After a brief outline of organizational theory, the first part of the Managing Organizations in Complex Environments module addresses individual and group behaviour in organizations from a micro-perspective. This is followed by considerations of organizational structures, an exploration of organizational boundaries in firms, and the analysis of power and leadership in complex organizational environments.

The second part of the module, Managerial Economics, mainly addresses aspects of microeconomics and the competitive framework within which firms operate, which influence strategic decision-making.

In the first part of this module, students will gain an understanding of how to deal systematically and strategically with current challenges in Human Resource Management (HRM), such as talent shortage, organizational transformation, globalization and diversity. Using selected topics, students will become familiar with current thinking and related scientific insights. In doing so, students will gain a differentiated perspective on HRM-related solutions. Topics can include social media, employer branding and talent management. The second part of this module looks at Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship. Building on the first part of this module, aspects of HRM will be integrated into the wider view of innovation management as a cross-functional strategic activity in firms. Various strategic innovation options will be explored using a holistic understanding of innovation, looking at both technological and non-technological aspects. Organizational limitations and enabling factors for successful innovation, as well as aspects of intellectual property rights, external collaboration and entrepreneurial design, will also be addressed.

The Sustainability module deals with the relationship of firms and organizations to, and their role within, society. Nowadays the Responsibilities of Managers are becoming increasingly diverse. Stakeholders and the trio of economic, social and ecological sustainability define the scope of managerial responsibility. These responsibilities have expanded to include such tasks as the installation of systems of Corporate Governance, Compliance & Risk Management, Liability and Conflict Management. The pressing challenges of economic, social and ecological sustainability require a multidisciplinary and integrative perspective as well as a critical approach towards existing business practices. This module will address these complex issues and explore potential solutions for responsible and Sustainable Management.

In this tutorial, students learn to conduct research and academic work within a multidisciplinary environment. Using the topics discussed in the Philosophy of Science and Research Design module in the first semester as a basis, the more specific challenges of multidisciplinary and intercultural collaboration will be explored. Students will become familiar with working academically within a diverse team environment.

This tutorial introduces students to the complexity of the multicultural and interdisciplinary environment we face today. The volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous setting of international work necessitates a global mindset and global competences to leverage and benefit from the diversity. Using the topics discussed in the Philosophy of Science and Research Design module in the first semester as a basis, the more specific challenges of coordinating various cognitive styles, professional disciplines and other cultural preferences in collaborative working styles will be explored. The psychology of group dynamics in general and the specifics of global face-to-face and virtual teamworking will be examined.