Research & Master Thesis

The objective of the master thesis is to acquire and execute basic skills in initiating, setting up, organising, executing, and reporting a scientific research project pertinent to the domain of Supply Chain Management. 

The majority of SCM students choose a design-oriented research project at a specific company. Data collection is carried out during a master research internship. Our Career Services can help you secure a place. Approaching a company yourself by open applications or business days is, of course, also a good opportunity to find a research topic. The research idea should match the expectations and requirements of RSM’s MSc in Supply chain Management and the company. 

Other possibilities are: 

• Small groups of students conducting individual thesis projects but on closely related topics. Topics arise from Contract Research Projects or the interest areas of the tutors.

• Desk research; conceptual, bibliometric or empirical study based on secondary data or an empirical study based on surveys, databases, and field experiments 

Examples of Master Theses in Supply Chain Management  

W. van Nus (2006) – “Container terminal benchmarking using Data Envelopment Analysis” (winner of the ACTP harbor thesis prize, January 2007). This thesis combines desk research with survey research. The internship was carried out at APM (Maersk). Many authors try to compare and benchmark container terminals. This thesis shows that many of the results reported in academic literature are flawed by errors in the data. Furthermore, benchmarks in literature are flawed by comparing incomparable decision-making units (deep sea versus multimodal terminals, small and large terminals versus complete ports, etc.). Also, the number of input and output measures used is insufficient for proper benchmarking. Using APM primary (rather than secondary) data, Nus develops a benchmark that avoids most of the above flaws. 

S. Vermaesen (2006) – “Management of Logistics Information in Humanitarian Aid Organisations: A Case Study at Médicins sans Frontières – Holland”. This thesis assesses the need for logistics information and knowledge management in humanitarian aid organisations. To do so, literature sources are combined with an extensive case study at Médicins sans Frontières – Holland (Artsen Zonder Grenzen), which is following a trajectory to improve logistics management in its organisation. 

J. Vis (2006) - “Alternatively Produced Poultry in Supermarkets”. The research question in this study is: Which logistical concepts fit an increased assortment of sustainable poultry in supermarkets? Desk research leads to theories that can help to build logistical concepts. Field research includes interviews with informants and experts. The concept of a ‘legality chain’ fits best in this context. This thesis was written during an internship at the Agricultural and Economic Institute (LEI)