Materials Management, Production & Logistics
Shape the Value Chains of Tomorrow
Theses
Here you will find current topics from the department that can be used for your thesis.
Current topics for theses
- Questions such as: “How can supply chain strategy and corporate strategy be aligned?” “What are the key elements that need to be aligned?” “What is known about these elements so far?” “What are current trends influencing these elements?”
- International literature review and review of grey literature (consultancy reports etc.)
- Overview and summary of literature and comparing them against latest trends to identify potential gaps
- Comparison of main elements/alignment parameters against prototype of supply chain management strategy assessment tool developed by BHC (Hassemer Consulting; non-disclosure agreement to be signed by student)
- Identification of similarities and differences, development of recommendations
Contact: Prof. Dr. Lydia Bals
- Definitions and summary of current literature on circular sourcing and competences
- Analysis of essential circular sourcing processes
- Combination of the processes with the necessary competences
- How can these competences be formulated/described in more detail?
- Which training options would be suitable? Why?
Contact: Prof. Dr. Lydia Bals
- Defining such technologies
- Summarizing the related reshoring literature
- Analyzing a case company/case companies or an industry
Contact: Prof. Dr. Lydia Bals
Thesis in corporation with Schott.
- Details please see: https://join.schott.com/job/Mainz-Abschlussarbeit-Purchasing-KI-Einsatz-im-Einkauf-%28mwd%29-RP/1066689501/
- Preferred start October / November 2024
Contact: Prof. Dr. Lydia Bals
- Solution of practice-orientated problems
- Objective: Conception, construction and interpretation/evaluation of a model (KNIME, ChatGPT etc.)
- With own practice partner or, if applicable, with a department's practice partner
- Example 1: Forecast model for Lufthansa Cargo
- Example 2: Generative AI model to support supplier management at Daimler Truck AG
Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner
- Development and typification of application contexts and requirements for trucks in small and medium-sized transport companies
- Comparison with performance data of battery-electric trucks
- Creation of a model for a cost-benefit comparison / for an evaluation
Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner
- Defining both sustainable supply chains (Oparations and Supply Chain Management literature) and sustainable value chains (International Business literature)
- Comparing which elements/characteristics are the same, which differ
- Analyzing a case company/case companies or an industry to illustrate these similiarities/differences
- Drawing conclusions for future research and practice
Contact: Prof. Dr. Lydia Bals
- Planning, monitoring and evaluation of a Delphi survey of managers in the context of supply chain management + life science
Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner
- Definitions and summary of current literature on AI assistants and those in purchasing processes (based on scientific but also "grey literature" from consulting companies etc. due to the actuality of the topic) as well as competencies of buyers
- Analysis of the present coverage of purchasing processes
- What challenges can be found (categorised according to a framework tbd), e.g. according to conception, implementation and usage phase
- With a particular focus on (e.g.) the usage phase, which competences do buyers need here in particular?
- How can these competences be formulated/described in more detail?
- Which training options would be suitable? Why?
Contact: Prof. Dr. Lydia Bals
- Structured Literature Review
- Interpretation and transfer regarding other technologies, e.g. AI
Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner
- Focus: Consulting in logistics and SCM
- Identifying success factors for consulting projects
- Illustrating developments and trends up to 2030
- Qualitative survey of companies that use consulting services in logistics & SCM
Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner