Educating future leaders in innovation management

All courses and exams are delivered in English.

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Current Challenges in Innovation Management Winter Term (Seminar)

Bachelor Modul: Marketing, Management, and Innovation: "Creating Market Offerings" (Lecture/Tutorial) (PStO 2024) (PStO 2024)

Bachelor Specialization Module: Technology & Innovation II "Managing the Front End of Innovation" (PStO 2015)

impACTup!: Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Better Futures (Seminar) (Online Course)

Master of Science (MSc)

Subject-specific foundation: Marketing, Management, and Innovation "Foundations of Value Management" (Lecture/Tutorial) (x)

Innovating for Impact (Seminar)

Social Entrepreneurship (Seminar)

Project Course Innovation Management (Research and Praxis) (Project Course)

Notes:

Courses marked with an (x) are offered (in the main responsibility) by another chair in the corresponding semester.

Note: The scope of a seminar paper relates to the number of ECTS points that can be earned for successful participation in the seminar. This scope is measured by the number of signs of the paper, including blanks. In general, the scope of a paper in a 3 ECTS-seminar constitutes 22,200 signs (approx. 10 pages, excluding figures and tables) and 44,400 signs (approx. 20 pages) for a 6 ECTS seminar. However, these guidelines are only valid for seminars, in which the seminar paper is the only examination form. When the examination form consists of more than one parts, the length of the seminar paper will be reduced accordingly. For example, if the seminar examination for a 6 ECTS-seminar consists of a presentation and papers, each examination part accounts for 3 ECTS (50% presentation, 50% paper). In this case, the length of the seminar paper equals 22,2000 signs (3 ECTS).

Wintersemester 2024/25 (1)

• Topics: 16.09.2024
• Application: 30.09.-04.10.2024
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 07.-11.10.2024
• Colloquium: 08.11.2024 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 8 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 06.12.2024

Wintersemester 2024/25 (2)

• Topics: 20.12.2024
• Application: 06.-10.01.2025
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 13.-17.01.2025
• Colloquium: 14.02.2025 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 8 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 14.03.2025

Sommersemester 2025

• Topics: 24.03.2025
• Application: 31.03.-04.04.2025
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 07.-11.04.2025
• Colloquium: 09.05.2025 (11:00-16:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 8 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 06.06.2025

Wintersemester 2025/26 (1)

• Topics: 22.09.2025
• Application: 29.09.-03.10.2025
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 06.-10.10.2025
• Colloquium: 07.11.2025 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 8 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 05.12..2025

Wintersemester 2025/26 (2)

• Topics: 19.12.2025
• Application: 05.-09.01.2026
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 12.-16.01.2026
• Colloquium: 13.02.2026 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 8 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 13.03.2026

Title: The role of legislation in consumer adoption of novel food

Topic Description: The evolution of food systems often intersects with legislative frameworks, especially when introducing novel food products into the market. Within the European Union, novel foods—those not significantly consumed within the EU before 1997—must undergo rigorous safety assessments and receive authorization from bodies like the European Food Safety Authority. This literature review aims to explore the multifaceted role of legislation in shaping consumer adoption of insect-based food, with a particular focus on the balance between regulatory safety requirements, cultural acceptance, and market readiness. The review will provide a comprehensive overview of existing research on how legislative measures influence consumer perceptions and behaviors toward novel food products. The findings are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of how legislation can drive or inhibit the integration of innovative food products into traditional food systems, highlighting the critical role of regulatory frameworks in fostering consumer acceptance and market success.

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Title: The role of IPO in startup innovation

Topic Description: Innovation is the driving force behind the success of startups, enabling them to achieve growth, build competitive advantages, and attract critical investment. It is the foundation that allows startups to disrupt industries, solve pressing challenges, and create meaningful impact. The aim of this thesis is to explore the innovation dynamics of startups, as they transition through the initial public offering (IPO) process. In terms of method, you will employ a systematic literature review, primarily within the fields of finance and innovation management, to synthesize existing findings on post-IPO innovation behavior, providing valuable insights into how public listing affects the innovative activities of startups.

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Title: Measuring consumer trust in innovation: A review of trust scales and metrics

Topic Description: Consumer trust is a key factor in the adoption of new products, yet its measurement varies across studies. This thesis will conduct a systematic literature review and/or a bibliometric analysis to identify and compare existing trust measurement scales used in consumer innovation adoption research. The student will summarize strengths and limitations of the identified scales, providing recommendations for researchers who want to measure consumer trust in new products.

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Title: The role of strategic partnerships in startup innovation

Topic Description: Innovation is the driving force behind the success of startups, enabling them to achieve growth, build competitive advantages, and attract critical investment. It is the foundation that allows startups to disrupt industries, solve pressing challenges, and create meaningful impact. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the innovation dynamics of startups, with a specific focus on how collaborations with larger corporations or universities could influence their innovation performance. In terms of method, you will employ a systematic literature review, primarily within the fields of innovation management, to identify the mechanisms and contingencies that influence the impact of these collaborations on innovation performance. The findings are expected to uncover the key factors that drive or hinder successful innovation through external partnerships.

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Title: Understanding the innovator’s psychology

Topic Description: The psychology of motivation and mindset plays a crucial role in an individual's performance in an innovation project. It determines how they approach challenges, persist through setbacks, and generate creative solutions that lastly secure performance and success. Some key psychological concepts are self-determination-theory, growth mindset, self-efficacy, or resilience, risk-taking, passion, among various others. In this thesis, students will conduct an interdisciplinary literature review (mainly management and psychology) to collect the different concepts and constructs inherent to the psychology of motivation and mindset that have been empirically studied in the context of management performance.

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Title: Leveraging system dynamics and feedback loops in entrepreneurial initiatives

Topic Description: Entrepreneurial ecosystems are complex and dynamic, with numerous interacting components and feedback mechanisms (Theodoraki et al., 2022). Understanding how to identify and utilize leverage points within these systems can enable entrepreneurs to implement effective strategies for growth and sustainability (Lu & Dimov, 2023; Volkmann et al., 2021). This study aims to explore the role of system dynamics and feedback loops in entrepreneurial contexts and to identify leverage points that can serve as strategic intervention opportunities for entrepreneurs. The outcome of this thesis should be a systematic literature review drawing on insights from entrepreneurship, system dynamics, systems thinking and related literature streams contributing to the understanding of how entrepreneurs identify and utilize leverage points within complex systems.

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Title: Standing out while fitting in: A review of research on entrepreneurial distinctiveness

Topic Description: Distinctiveness is a multifaceted concept that plays a crucial role in identity formation and legitimacy of ventures (Lounsbury & Glynn, 2001; Navis & Glynn, 2011; Zhao & Glynn, 2022). In the entrepreneurial context, distinctiveness is essential as it allows startups to stand out from the crowd, attracting attention from resource-providing audiences by deviating from market category prototypes (Taeuscher, Bouncken et al, 2021). However, achieving distinctiveness involves balancing the need for uniqueness with the need for belonging. This balance is important in ensuring that ventures are not so unique that they lose legitimacy, nor so conforming that they fail to attract attention (Taeuscher, Zhao et al, 2022). The purpose of this bachelor's thesis is to dive deeper into the concept of optimal/legitimate distinctiveness by conducting a systematic literature review, highlighting key topic domains, empirical methods and findings, gaps, and avenues for future research inquiry.

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Title: On the way to better futures? Contrasting systems thinking and reductionist perspectives in entrepreneurship

Topic Description: Entrepreneurial decisions often require navigating complex, interconnected challenges to create innovative solutions (Shepherd, 2015). Systems thinking offers a holistic perspective on these complexities, focusing on interrelationships and broader contexts (Grewatsch et al., 2023; Williams et al., 2017), while reductionist approaches tend to adopt linear perspectives and analyzing individual components of entrepreneurial phenomena in isolation (Schindehutte & Morris, 2009). This thesis aims to explore and compare the applications, benefits, and limitations of systems thinking and reductionist perspectives within entrepreneurship literature. It seeks to identify contexts in which each approach is being used and explores how their integration could contribute to sustainable and innovative entrepreneurial practices. The outcome of this thesis should be a systematic literature review drawing on insights from management research to highlight and contrast the use and impact of systems thinking and reductionist perspectives in entrepreneurial contexts.

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Title: Investor influence on startup strategic decisions: A systematic literature review

Topic Description: Investor involvement in startups is a multifaceted phenomenon that significantly shapes a venture’s direction and performance (Cable & Shane, 1997; Otto et al., 2025). In the entrepreneurial context, investors often take board seats, bringing both industry experience and a broader perspective on market trends. This gives them formal power to influence major strategic decisions. In cases of persistent underperformance, investors may push for strategic changes or leadership transitions—such as replacing the CEO—which can, in turn, lead to broader shifts in a venture’s strategic trajectory (Conti & Graham, 2016). However, investors can also hinder strategic pivots, particularly when they strongly identify with a venture’s previous organizational identity, which may conflict with emerging business models (Snihur & Clarysse, 2022). The purpose of this bachelor’s thesis is to systematically examine how investors influence strategic decisions in startups. Through a comprehensive literature review, the thesis aims to identify key themes and empirical findings related to investor influence. By synthesizing central insights and highlighting research gaps—particularly regarding investor-driven pivots and leadership changes—the study proposes directions for future research.

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Title: Who am I? A literature review on multiple identities

Topic Description: This thesis presents a literature review on the concept of multiple identities within individuals, synthesizing research across psychology and management literature. By analyzing and summarizing existing studies, it aims to uncover the factors influencing identity formation and the interplay between different identities. The research highlights key findings and identifies gaps in the current literature, offering valuable insights for understanding personal and social dynamics in a complex world.

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Title: The story of my life: A literature review on the life-story research method

Topic Description: This thesis presents a literature review on the "life-story research" method, focusing on its application in management and entrepreneurship research. It examines how this method has been used in recent years and how data has been analyzed to uncover insights. The thesis provides a concise overview of key studies, highlighting the method's strengths and potential for future research.

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Title: Tracing Replications: An Examination of Replication Studies in the Management Field

Topic Description: Replication studies are essential for confirming, extending, or improving previous scientific findings (Crawford et al., 2022) and ensure that research is credible and useful (Aguinis et al., 2017). Therefore, scholars call for more attention to be paid to the reproducibility and replicability of existing studies (Block et al., 2023; Maula & Stam, 2020). The aims of this thesis are thus 1) to conduct a systematic literature review, identifying the use of replication studies in prominent management journals and 2) to analyze and classify the types of replication studies in 5 exemplary management journals (see e.g., Mueller-Langer et al., 2019).

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Title: Success factors of academic startups: A systematic literature review

Topic Description: Academic startups are central to universities’ mission to translate research into practice, making them an increasingly central component of universities’ innovation ecosystems (Nikiforou et al., 2018; Perkmann et al., 2013; Siegel & Wright, 2015). Understanding the factors that drive their success can help shape policy and university support mechanisms. The aim of this thesis is to systematically review existing literature to identify the key success factors of academic startups.

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Last updated: March 24th, 2025, 8 am for the application from 31.03.-04.04.2025; information subject to change.

Exam Specifications

• English language for Colloquium and Thesis
• Further details can be found in the specific examination regulations of your studies (ISC).

Wintersemester 2024/25 (1)

• Topics: 16.09.2024
• Application: 30.09.-04.10.2024
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 07.-11.10.2024
• Colloquium: 13.01.2025 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 22 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 14.03.2025

Wintersemester 2024/25 (2)

• Topics: 20.12.2024
• Application: 06.-10.01.2025
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 13.-17.01.2025
• Colloquium: 11.04.2025 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 22 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 20.06.2025

Sommersemester 2025

• Topics: 24.03.2025
• Application: 31.03.-04.04.2025
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 07.-11.04.2025
• Colloquium: 27.06.2025 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 22 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 05.-12.09.2025

Wintersemester 2025/26 (1)

• Topics: 22.09.2025
• Application: 29.09.-03.10.2025
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 06.-10.10.2025
• Colloquium: 12.12.2025 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 22 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 06.-13.03.2026

Wintersemester 2025/26 (2)

• Topics: 19.12.2025
• Application: 05.-09.01.2026
• Confirmation and Registration (ISC): 12.-16.01.2026
• Colloquium: 27.03.2026 (09:00-15:00)
• Submission thesis (ISC) 22 weeks after Registration at the latest on: 12.-19.06.2026

Title: The role of intellectual property in ipo success

Topic Description: Innovation is the cornerstone of startup success, fueling growth, fostering competitive advantages, and attracting critical investment. It enables startups to disrupt industries, solve pressing challenges, and create a lasting impact. The aim of this thesis is to explore the relationship between intellectual property (IP) and IPO success, focusing on the innovation dynamics of startups that go public. Based on existing literature, you will collect data on a sample of U.S. startups, and investigate how patents and trademarks serve as predictors of IPO outcomes. In terms of methods, you will employ regression analyses to examine the extent to which IP portfolios influence IPO valuation and post-IPO performance. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the role of IP in signaling innovation potential and driving IPO success.

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Title: Adopting mixed reality: investigating consumer intentions toward augmented reality and augmented virtuality in dining

Topic Description: Mixed reality technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and Augmented Virtuality (AV), have begun to shape the consumer experience in various industries, including the foodservice sector. These technologies have the potential to enhance the dining experience by offering immersive, interactive, and innovative ways to engage with food, restaurant ambiance, and service delivery. This thesis aims to explore consumer perceptions of AR and AV in food service settings, focusing on consumer adoption intention to such technologies and their impact on customer satisfaction. Surveys will be designed and used to gather quantitative data to assess the adoption potential of AR and AV in the foodservice industry. This study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the role of emerging technologies in the food industry and how they can enhance service offerings while meeting consumer demands.

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Title: Academic or entrepreneur? Navigating hybrid role identities in academic entrepreneurship

Topic Description: Academics engaged in entrepreneurial activities must navigate multiple identities and roles – those of an academic and an entrepreneur – each with distinct expectations and demands (Balven et al., 2018; Hayter et al., 2022; Jain et al., 2009). Managing this hybrid role identity can lead to tensions and conflicts as individuals attempt to balance and integrate scholarly commitments with entrepreneurial pursuits (Choi et al., 2024; Meek & Wood, 2016; Zou et al., 2023). This thesis aims to explore how academic entrepreneurs negotiate these hybrid role identities and mitigate potential conflicts. Students are free to choose between conducting a qualitative or quantitative study.

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Title: The effect of technology orientation on sustainable food innovations?

Topic Description: There is a rising expectation for for-profit firms to actively contribute to societal and environmental goals by generating social value alongside financial and market value. Despite a significant increase in literature focusing on strategic orientations, research has primarily concentrated on overall firm performance rather than specifically investigating sustainable product innovation outcomes. The goal of this thesis is to investigate how technology orientation affects sustainable product innovation outcomes by utilizing a sample of 42 firms in the food industry for the period 2016-2021.

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Title: Just can’t stop: Exploring drivers to found multiple ventures

Topic Description: This thesis explores the psychological and motivational drivers that lead entrepreneurs to found multiple ventures. By examining cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors, the study aims to uncover key patterns that drive serial entrepreneurs using either interview (in-depth interviews with serial entrepreneurs to explore their narratives, experiences, and motivational patterns) or survey data (survey exploring motivational traits, risk tolerance, and entrepreneurial experience to compare serial entrepreneurs with first-time founders).

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Title: Voices of impact? Exploring entrepreneurial narratives for social and environmental change

Topic Description: Narratives play a central role in entrepreneurship, shaping how founders make sense of their journey and present themselves to external audiences (Cunliffe et al., 2004; Lounsbury & Glynn, 2001; Martens et al., 2007). Podcasts have emerged as a rich medium through which entrepreneurs share personal stories, mobilize support, and express their values and visions (Burnell et al., 2023; Brownell et al., 2024). While recent research has begun to unpack how entrepreneurs use podcasts to construct narratives of luck, identity, or strategic storytelling, less is known about how impact entrepreneurs – those pursuing social or environmental goals (Markman et al., 2019) – use narrative techniques to position themselves and inspire change. Thus, the question arises: What narrative strategies do impact entrepreneurs use in podcasts to communicate their purpose, differentiate themselves, and mobilize support? Drawing on entrepreneurship podcasts, this study will conduct a qualitative content analysis to identify recurring narrative themes and patterns. The goal is to extend our understanding of how entrepreneurial storytelling unfolds in new media formats and contributes to the field of impact entrepreneurship.

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Title: Responding to the unknown: Empirical exploration of startup pivots in uncertain environments

Topic Description: In the domain of business and entrepreneurship, a pivot refers to a strategic change in the direction of a venture to adapt to new information or changing circumstances (Grimes, 2018; Kirtley & O’Mahony, 2023). Popularized by Eric Ries in ‘The Lean Startup’ (Ries, 2011; Shepherd & Gruber, 2021), the concept has become a cornerstone for early-stage ventures operating in uncertain and dynamic markets (Allen et al., 2024). Although scholarly interest in entrepreneurial pivots has increased in recent years, empirical research remains relatively limited. Current studies primarily explore typologies of pivots and the underlying motivations and decision-making processes (Allen et al., 2024). However, large-scale empirical evidence on the phenomenon is still lacking. This thesis seeks to address this gap by examining legacy data from various startup ventures to analyze the relationship between environmental uncertainty and the frequency or nature of pivoting behavior. Through the application of textual analysis techniques, the research aims to identify patterns that suggest how startups adapt their strategic direction in response to changing (market) demands.

*Advanced Python skills are advantageous.

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Title: Innovation and distinctiveness: Friends or foes? Analyzing patterns in corporate 10-K reports

Topic Description: On one hand, optimal distinctiveness theory posits that actors strive to be both similar to and different from their peers simultaneously (e.g., Lounsbury & Glynn, 2001; Navis & Glynn, 2011; Zhao & Glynn, 2022), describing the strategic balance between differentiation and conformity that allows firms to be positively perceived by stakeholders. On the other hand, firms try to set themselves apart from the competition by being innovative. But how do these concepts coexist—*is being distinct inherently about being innovative? This thesis aims to investigate the content of 10-K filings from different companies to examine the correlation between innovativeness and distinctiveness. The student will conduct a content analysis of these filings to identify patterns and differences.

*Advanced Python skills are advantageous.

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Last updated: March 24th, 2025, 8 am for the application from 31.03.-04.04.2025. Information is subject to change.

Further details can be found in the specific examination regulations of your studies and exam organization at the ISC website.

Management - European Triple Degree (Master)

Please contact spanjol@lmu.de with Cc to the IIM office iim@som.lmu.de for further information.

Last updated on: March 24th, 2025

for Master Program application, semester abroad

Requirements for student evaluation (Gutachten)

• Participation in at least one seminar or project course offered by our institute (grade better than 2.0).
• CV and grade transcript
• Motivation letter describing why you apply for a certain program (e.g., university), how you are qualified for this application and how our courses prepare you for your upcoming challenge
• An overview of all formal requirements necessary for the student evaluation (e.g., templates, deadline)

Application process

1. Please directly contact your (former) seminar/ project course supervisor and send all relevant documents.
2. Your supervisor will send the recommendation letter directly to the contact person at your respective institution.

Remarks

• Please note that this process will take between 2 and 4 weeks and no exceptions are possible.