Theses

The topic of the thesis must be developed independently by the students. We will be happy to advise you on the choice of topic and the development of the research question. If you are interested in writing a thesis in our field, please send us a detailed e-mail first. This should contain the following:

• Topic or suggested topics: Describe which subject areas interest you and which specific questions you would like to work on, as far as you can already outline this.
• Motivation: Explain why you have chosen this topic and what previous knowledge or interests you have.

A formal exposé is not required at this stage, but can help you as a starting point in the further writing process.
On this basis, we will invite you to a personal consultation. In this meeting, we will discuss the type of supervision, a more precise topic, possible methodological approaches and other general conditions of the work.

After the consultation, you will draw up a timetable for working on your thesis, which will include important milestones and deadlines to help you work on your thesis in a targeted and structured manner.

A thesis is an independent academic qualification paper that should meet academic standards in terms of content and form:

• State of research: students prepare the (international!) state of research on their topic of investigation and critically examine the existing scientific literature.
• Terminology: Students use the correct administrative science vocabulary in their work. Key terms are defined.
• Structure: Students show that they are able to develop a coherent outline ("red thread") and a theory-based argumentation structure for dealing with a specific research question.
• Linking theory and empiricism: Students demonstrate that they can classify their research question theoretically and are able to link theory and empiricism in a meaningful way.
• Methods: Students demonstrate that they are familiar with and can apply social science methods. The methodological approach is described and justified as transparently as possible in the thesis.
• Analysis and presentation: Students demonstrate that they are able to analyze complex issues and to work out the essential points of content precisely and clearly in a limited space.
• Formalities: Students apply academic presentation and editing techniques in a formally correct manner (citation, source work, bibliography, etc.).

Students on the MPA degree program can find more detailed information on the requirements for written papers on eCampus under "Things to know" (Handout for written papers in MPA).

• The role of leadership behavior in promoting uncertainty tolerance in administrative organizations
• Interaction of companies with public authorities
• Burnout prevention through work-life balance measures in the public sector

• Diversity management in public administration using the example of the City of Cologne
• Knowledge transfer in the administration of non-university research institutions - How can implicit expert knowledge and experience be preserved? A recommendation for action using the example of the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
• Effects of working from home on collaboration and cooperation
• Agility as a driver of administrative digitization?
• Opportunities and risks of the introduction of artificial intelligence and chatbots in public administration using the example of job.com of the district of Dueren.
• The influence of mobile work and desk sharing on employer attractiveness in the public sector: an experimental study using the example of the Federal Information Technology Center
• Employer attractiveness in the public sector - conceptual development of measures to increase attractiveness using the example of the city of Leverkusen
• Visions of a digital administration - ideas of the central players of the Kassel Regional Council
• Knowledge management as a double-edged sword in personnel and process development - development of a concept for the city of Bad Salzuflen
• Requirements for knowledge management in public administration - development of a practicable concept for the Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture
• Digitization of Hessian municipalities - An empirical study on the status of digitization in Hessian municipalities taking into account the Corona pandemic
• IT-supported knowledge management in local government - Implementation taking into account the specifics of German local government using the example of the budget department of the treasury of the Mönchengladbach city administration
• Knowledge transfer during personnel changes - recommendations for action for a structured knowledge transfer in the "Central Administration" Department of the Federal Criminal Police Office
• Artificial intelligence in public administration
• Designing a knowledge management system - using the example of Unfallkasse Berlin
• Facebook, Instagram & Co. - social media presence of local administrations
• Knowledge management in the registry office
• Digital transformation of teaching at adult education centers - acceptance and success factors
• The complaints culture at local authorities - recommendations for action to improve communication between citizens and the administration