Bachelor's and Master's theses at the Competence Center Leadership Experience
Would you like to write your thesis on a current and practical topic?
We regularly offer Bachelor's and Master's theses at the Competence Center Leadership Experience.
Students from the BIM, BMC and BNM degree programs have the opportunity to develop their own research ideas, apply qualitative methods and work in close collaboration with professors Dr. Michael Zipfel and Dr. Burkhard Schmidt.
Calls for applications on specific topics can be found below - or contact us directly.
Call for bachelor thesis (summer semester 2026)
Area: Marketing
Topic:Headhunting and placement: How can the market for experienced executives in the third stage of life be monetized?
Background
The baby boomer generation has shaped the economy and society for decades. As they enter the third stage of their lives - after completing their education and working life - the question arises as to how their knowledge, experience and networks can continue to be utilized. One exciting approach is the professional placement of former executives - for example through headhunters, specialized platforms or consulting models. This opens up new markets, business models and opportunities for companies and society.
Research question
How can the market for the placement of experienced executives in the third stage of life be monetized professionally and sustainably?
Key data
- Period: Summer semester 2026 (start March/April 2026)
- Prerequisite: Participation in the seminar "Leadership Experience - The Baby Boomers before Day X"
- Target group: Students from the BIM, BMC and BNM degree programs with an interest in human resources and marketing
- Supervision: Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel & Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schmidt
- Methodology: Qualitative methods (e.g. expert interviews with headhunters, HR consultants, companies)
- Formalities: Preparation according to the guidelines for scientific work of the HWG Ludwigshafen
Benefits of the work
- Analysis of a highly topical future issue at the interface of leadership, demographics and the labor market
- Development of practical concepts for the transfer of knowledge and experience in the third stage of life
- Scientific and practice-oriented examination of a newly emerging market segment
Contact us
Interested students should contact Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel directly.
Call for applications for Master's thesis (summer semester 2026)
Area: NewProductMarketing & MarketResearch
Topic:Leadership in the age of AI: Which management structures of tomorrow can integrate AI into the team?
The background
Artificial intelligence is changing working environments, decision-making processes and team dynamics. Tomorrow's managers face the challenge of understanding AI not just as a technology, but as an active component of management structures. This involves questions of organization, collaboration between humans and machines and the role of leadership in hybrid teams.
Research question
Which management structures of tomorrow will make it possible to integrate AI into teams in a meaningful and sustainable way?
Key data
- Period: Summer semester 2026 (start March 2026)
- Prerequisite: Students in the MIM degree programs, participation in the lectures "NewProductMarketing & MarketResearch"
- Target group: Students with an interest in leadership, organization and technology integration
- Supervision: Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel & Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schmidt
- Methodology: Combination of qualitative (e.g. expert interviews, case studies) and quantitative methods (e.g. surveys, data analysis)
- Formalities: Preparation according to the guidelines for scientific work of the HWG Ludwigshafen
Benefits of the work
- Analysis of one of the central future topics in the field of tension between leadership and AI
- Development of practical concepts for the design of management structures in the age of AI
- Combination of theoretical knowledge with empirical findings using qualitative and quantitative methods
Contact us
Interested students should contact Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel directly.
Call for applications for Master's thesis (summer semester 2026)
Area: NewProductMarketing & MarketResearch
Topic:Leadership in a human-AI world: Leadership models for human-AI collaboration in unified commerce
Background
Unified commerce stands for the seamless connection of all retail channels, systems and data flows. The advent of artificial intelligence opens up new opportunities - and challenges - in management: How do people and AI work together in retail organizations? Which models of collaboration ensure trust, efficiency and innovative strength? And how can managers design teams in which humans and machines cooperate productively?
Research question
Which leadership models enable successful human-AI collaboration in unified commerce?
Key data
- Period: Summer semester 2026 (start March 2026)
- Prerequisite: Students in the MIM degree programs, participation in the lectures "NewProductMarketing & MarketResearch"
- Target group: Students with an interest in leadership, AI and retail organizations
- Supervision: Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel & Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schmidt
- Methodology: Combination of qualitative (e.g. expert interviews, case studies) and quantitative methods (e.g. surveys, data analysis)
- Formalities: Preparation according to the guidelines for scientific work of the HWG Ludwigshafen
Benefits of the work
- Investigation of a highly topical issue at the interface of leadership, AI and retail
- Development of new leadership models for human-AI teams in the context of unified commerce
- Scientific and practical examination of a key issue of digital transformation
Contact us
Interested students should contact Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel directly.
Call for bachelor thesis (summer semester 2026)
Area: Marketing
Topic: Ambient intelligence as the next step in the development of unified commerce: opportunities for marketing, customer experience and efficiency in retail
Background
Unified commerce is considered the basis for a seamless, cross-channel shopping experience. Today's customers expect consistency, reliability and personalization across all channels. But the next step in retail development goes beyond this: ambient intelligence combines sensor technology, AI and real-time data to make retail environments adaptive and intelligent.
From smart merchandise management (RFID, predictive analytics) to dynamic store spaces (heat mapping, smart shelves) and personalized shopping experiences (AR, voice interfaces), ambient intelligence opens up new potential for efficiency, increased sales and a differentiated customer experience.
Research question
Based on unified commerce, how can ambient intelligence change marketing strategies, customer loyalty and efficiency in retail and what opportunities arise for retail companies?
Key data
- Period: Summer semester 2026 (start March/April 2026)
- Prerequisite: Participation in the lectures Marketing and/or the business management seminars Unified Commerce
- Target group: Students from the BIM, BMC and BNM degree programs with an interest in retail, marketing and digitalization
- Supervision: Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel
- Methodology: Theoretical foundation (literature work on unified commerce, ambient intelligence, AI in retail) combined with empirical part (e.g. case study analysis on Amazon Go, H&M Smart Mirrors, interviews with retail companies or technology providers)
- Formalities: Preparation according to the guidelines for scientific work of the HWG Ludwigshafen
Benefits of the work
- Analysis of a highly topical issue at the interface of marketing, technology and retail
- Development of practical recommendations for the integration of ambient intelligence in marketing and customer loyalty strategies
- Scientifically sound examination of a future field that represents the next step after unified commerce
Contact us
Interested students should contact Prof. Dr. Michael Zipfel directly.
