The master thesis is an independent and scientific research project, a masterpiece meant to show maturity, reflection and analytical skills within the subjects of entrepreneurship and innovation. The master thesis is a substantially different type of work compared to projects that are more practical where the purpose is to work in larger teams to solve problems for enterprises by e.g. writing business plans and strategies. Throughout the master thesis, you will be using your own methods to highlight and answer the thesis research questions, in other words; how problems (possibilities and challenges) connected to innovation and entrepreneurship can be highlighted and researched through exposition and research.

In other words the purpose of the thesis is not to create a concrete «product» while working with the thesis, but rather to highlight results, processes or areas of interest for our field, and study them from the outside as a scientist with the help of theory and practical examinations. In some cases our master thesis may produce results that it is on the border of being products, these are produced in the action research profile, where the purpose is to contribute to change in practice and then research the change. In this case, the change in practice can be defined as «the product» for the master thesis, however, there is a demand to anchor the change of result in a theoretical perspective. The master thesis is a major piece of work that will demand your full attention and work capacity over an extended period of time, thus you will benefit from a strong inner motivation to work with the thesis to achieve a good result.

The master thesis in entrepreneurship and innovation must fall within one of the following methodical profiles, or a combination of these.

1)    Classic academic profile, theoretically driven -  In this profile the student may be connected to a research project and research themes from supervisors at Handelshøyskolen (external partners may also be part of the research project). The classic profile utilizes different research designs and methods, however, primarily qualitative research methods is being used for this profile.  

2)    Action research, empirically driven -  The main purpose of action research is to contribute to the understanding of practice with the goal of improving it. In the action research profile the student initiates a new practice or alternative solutions to existing practice and evaluates the results through appropriate theory. This profile is used by students who want to test methods, work with evolving practice in an enterprise or develop their own entrepreneurial ideas.  

3)    Assignment based, research for an enterprise profile -  This profile is connected to enterprises need for research within innovation and/or entrepreneurship themes. The different projects may vary in theme and will utilize different methodological approaches. This profile may use elements of the other profiles in it theoretical and methodological approach. Many students are interested in this type of scientific research, but may be faced with challenges in regards to limitations in relaying the information due to confidentiality. 

There is 40 hours of allocated time for supervision including examination, reading and commenting on the last draft. The supervising period for the master thesis of master programme in Entrepreneurship and innovation follows the study plan to the program and will be held in the 4th semester. At least one person in the staff at School of Economics and Business carries out the supervision. The choice of supervisor is made based on the theme of the thesis and is made after evaluations by the collegium in regards to the academic committee following School of Economics and Business codes of conduct. 

There is a given setup of seminars at master programme in Entrepreneurship and innovation during the master thesis period, these are obligatory and is part of the total offer of supervision at the program. These seminars are: Mastertorg (medio September, 3rd semester), kick-off master thesis (ultimo November, 3rd semester), oppstartsseminar (primo January, 4th semester together with other programs) and literature course 3rd semester). 

There is a given setup of seminars at master programme in Entrepreneurship and innovation during the master thesis period, these are obligatory and is part of the total offer of supervision at the program. These seminars are: Mastertorg (medio September, 3rd semester), kick-off master thesis (ultimo November, 3rd semester), oppstartsseminar (primo January, 4th semester) and literature course (3rd semester). 

The student must submit a signed contract to supervisor and to the study administration at the faculty before he/her can start working on his/hers thesis.