Academic Year 2019/20

Author: Stefan Vaterl, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to give readers the opportunity to move away from Blockchain as a “Buzzword” towards a deeper technical understanding of Blockchain Technology. In the first part, the functionality, technical specifications and limitations as well as different technology concepts are described. In addition, the distinction between different types of Blockchains and the function of Smart Contracts are discussed. The second part deals with possible applications of the Technology in Supply Chain Management, where the characteristics of Blockchain Technology can be used particularly advantageously because of the large number of interactions between different parties, a partial lack of trust between them and an enormous amount of ongoing transactions and documentation requirements. A short introduction to the initial situation, the challenges and the potential of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management is followed by an analysis of the integration possibilities of the Technology along the value chain; including examples of companies already using the Technology. Especially International Trade, Intellectual Property Management and Transport & Logistics offer countless potential applications; such as tracking of rare gems, pharmaceutical and food products; customs clearance, goods authentication, payment & invoice management and trade finance. With IBM, Maersk, Walmart, Nestlé and other major players, several companies are already in a good starting position for the implementation and spreading of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management after successfully completing their first pilot projects. The paper concludes with a selection of promising Blockchain Platforms for applications in Supply Chain Management.

Author: Dr. Lisa-Maria Kampl, BSc MSc

Study Program: Doctoral Program

Abstract:

Financial markets play an essential role in the global economy. This thesis deals with two specific topics in this research area. On the one hand, the relationship between monetary policy and financial markets is examined as both conventional as well as unconventional monetary policy measures have a significant impact on financial markets. In particular, the announcements of these measures have short-term effects on bond and stock markets. This paper provides an overview of empirical literature using event studies to examine the short-term effects of the unconventional measures of the ECB. On the other hand, this thesis deals with the issue of debt. In particular, it examines how to choose an optimal debt instrument in the current low-interest-rate environment. In this context, decision criteria are presented, that incorporate both current and future interest rates. Furthermore, the thesis provides risk-neutral valuation expressions to value risky debt instruments. Firstly, a multivariate extension of the Merton (1974) model is presented. This model can be used for the valuation of risky debt instruments with different repayment modalities, for the valuation of specific debt instruments as part of a debt portfolio and in the presence of continuous dividend payments to equity holders. Besides that, a model is introduced that uses rating migrations to value risky debt instruments. This model uses market prices of risky zero-coupon bonds to determine risk-neutral default probabilities to value risky debt instruments with different repayment terms. Furthermore, the results of the risk-neutral valuation are applied to calculate relevant risk-adjusted figures, e.g., risk-adjusted default probabilities, risk premiums and expected yields to perform a risk/return analysis for a risk-averse investor.

Author: Tobias Eibinger, BA MSc

Study Program: Political and Empirical Economics

Abstract:

This thesis aims to reevaluate the boundaries of the firm in the context of the blockchain technology. Ronald Coase identified transaction costs as the reason for why some production is coordinated by firms rather than the market. Implicit in this statement is that a reduction in transaction costs should disadvantage firms as efficient governance structures to coordinate production and thus negatively affect the size of firms. The blockchain is largely hailed as a technology that can economize on transaction costs, dis-intermediate transactions, and even substitute centralized governmental institutions. Therefore, the technology might shift the relative institutional efficacy in coordinating transactions in favor of more decentralized governance structures. This thesis analyses how the blockchain technology might shift the institutional efficacy of centralized institutions (i.e. firms) in bilateral dependency relationships á la Oliver E. Williamson. It is argued that the blockchain technology can decrease transaction costs in such situations and thus increase contractual completeness. The boundaries of the firm are then reevaluated within the setting of a simple model, which is based on Grossman and Hart (1986). It is emphasized that unified ownership protects own investments but distorts the counterparty’s incentives to invest optimally. This creates a tension between maximizing own benefits (via unified ownership) and incentivizing the other party to invest (via decentralized governance). The blockchain technology can protect investments and thus introduces new dynamics to the model. The popular conjecture that the blockchain necessarily leads to more decentralized production (and thus fewer firms) is ultimately challenged.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Kristina Schaffer, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

This master thesis investigates the concept of supplier satisfaction and its possible outcomes for the customer firm. Supplier satisfaction can be split into economic and social satisfaction, that is, the satisfaction with the financial and economic outcomes as well as with the social aspects of the relationship. The author developed a conceptual framework in which the economic and social satisfaction, their impact on the customer firm costs, and the supplier performance are investigated. Additionally, the moderating role of transactional dimensions and relational norms on this relationship are investigated. In order to test the conceptual framework, a study in cooperation with a company in the automotive industry was conducted, in which one buying company and its whole supplier base were investigated. In this way, it was possible to combine supplier, buyer and objective company data. The study contributes to existing marketing literature by differentiating supplier satisfaction into economic and social satisfaction, thereby showing that these two aspects are two separate constructs with different outcomes. Additionally, the investigation of quantitative relationship outcomes gives buying companies the possibility to evaluate the relevance of supplier satisfaction, while the investigation of the moderating variables can help the buying company to improve their understanding of the construct of supplier satisfaction.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Georg Handel, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

Social media offers new opportunities for companies to provide information and to improve communication. Also, private users like patients receive information by using the internet or social networking services like Facebook and Co. This study analyzes the social media presence of the Austrian private religious hospitals, which play a relevant role in the healthcare system. At first, the social media presence of the private religious hospitals on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Xing was examined. In addition to that, specific metrics concerning the activities of the private religious hospitals on Facebook and YouTube were analyzed by using the social media tool “Fanpage Karma”. As well, the linear correlation between the size of the hospitals and the social media activity was measured. Furthermore, this study observed to which topics the private religious hospitals published postings on Facebook in a defined period of time as well as if these postings were also published on their website. Finally, an analysis of the Facebook ratings, which the private religious hospitals received from users, was carried out. The results showed that the majority of the examined private religious hospitals have a presence on social media but the amount of the used social networking services and the extent of usage varied. The analysis of the postings revealed that the private religious hospitals use the opportunity to publish postings about health topics, job advertisements, events, employees, etc. on Facebook, less than half of the postings were found also on their website. The analysis of the Facebook ratings showed that the private religious hospitals received mainly positive ratings from users.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Sabrina Rosa Rinder, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

A circular economy is based on the ideas of avoiding waste and environmental pollution, keeping materials in use and regenerating natural systems. Strategies such as re-use, repair and recycling are essential for this (cf. Ellen Macarthur Foundation, 2020; cf. Köppl et al., 2019, p. 3). Maintenance and repair tasks can be performed by repair and maintenance service companies (cf. Wang & Syntetos, 2011, p. 1194). The aim of this thesis is to find out how service-relevant processes in the repair and maintenance service industry can be improved. A literature review was conducted on the industry (see Chapter 2 Repair and maintenance service providers) and on spare parts management in the industry (see Chapter 3 Spare parts management). To identify and analyse service-relevant processes and to recognise potential for improvement, a single case study was carried out in cooperation with the repair and maintenance service provider TSF Technisches Service GmbH. This includes a field observation of 35.5 hours (see chapter 4.1 Inventory). Within the scope of an initial analysis of the service-relevant processes, the processes about the material check were classified as critical, which is why a further analysis including simulation was carried out for it. Results of the analysis are described in chapter 4.2 Analysis, chapter 4.3 Identification of optimization potentials shows optimization potentials based on this analysis. It could be proven that the average time from order entry to completion can be reduced and the First Time Fix Rate can be increased if one person performs the material check for all repair orders. A significant increase in the First Time Fix Rate can already be achieved if one person spends three hours per day for the material check.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Nathalie Marion Frieß, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

The expanding social and political trend towards sustainability is one of the main drivers of the increasing adoption of battery electric propulsion systems. As public transport is particularly suitable for the deployment of these propulsion systems, the optimal design of electrified city bus networks has recently become a highly active research topic. Accordingly, this master thesis seeks to address this issue. Based on a comprehensive literature review well-established assumptions as well as current challenges in the field of battery electric bus networks were identified. Subsequently, an integer linear program (ILP) was developed in order to support planning decisions in the electrification process and to contribute to the conversion of a conventional bus fleet to a battery electric bus fleet. The main objective of this work was to determine the optimal location of charging stations in city bus networks following an opportunity charging (OPC) concept. In particular, optimal locations for the charging infrastructure were sought. To gain synergies from the joint usage of charging stations, it was necessary to consider the complete bus transportation system. Moreover, minor changes of the daily bus schedules were allowed to fully exploit the optimization potential. The developed ILP-model was implemented in Python and solved by Gurobi for the real-world planning problem of the bus network of Holding Graz. The results revealed fundamental insights into the relations of major decision variables. Moreover, adapted schedules as well as decisions for the location of charging stations were provided.

Author: Anja Kuhn, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

Exaggerated self-esteem, suppressing criticism and aggressive behaviour have long been described as typical characteristics of successful executives (Krainz 2013). However, the consequences of these characteristics for employees and corporations are rarely examined. As scandals of failing corporations accumulated more attention has been paid to possible causes such as Corporate Psychopaths (Boddy 2011). Corporate Psychopathy is an umbrella term for the three main socially-aversive attributes: Psychopathy, Narcissism and Machiavellianism and all show interpersonal traits including superficial charm, pathological lying, and lack of fear or remorse (Pardue et al 2013). In order to understand the immense impact of Corporate Psychopaths on economical norms this thesis analyses exemplary high ranking leaders that can be directly linked to corporate failings in the past (Boddy 2006, p.1467). The selected examples are Maxwell Communication Corporation, Enron, Madoff Investment Securities, Wells Fargo and Steinhoff. Combining these cases with the analytical framework of Behavioural Agency Theory and Corporate Governance enables the setup of hypotheses about typical characteristics within a failing corporation due to Corporate Psychopaths. As Behavioural Agency Theory is a basis for dealing with incentive setting strategies, Corporate Governance is about the way power is practised and managed in a corporation (du Plessis, Hargovan and Harris 2018). The results of the analysis can be used for creating guidelines to cope with Corporate Psychopaths as the insights of the samples serve as base for the prevention and management of them. This combination has not yet been evaluated in this way and could provide great insights into signs of corporate failure caused by Corporate Psychopaths as they have been described as “the most important forensic concept of the early 21st century” (Babiak et al. 2012, p.3).

Complet Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Lea Steffens, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

Not only Japanese companies face the challenge of finding suitable personnel, but also foreign companies with a subsidiary in Japan face hurdles in recruiting. In order to counteract this problem, this study follows the approach of investigating the preferences of Japanese university graduates when choosing an employer and derives concrete measures for recruitment from the findings. The research question "Which decision factors are decisive for Japanese university graduates when applying for jobs with non-Japanese companies" was answered by analyzing various decision factors. The factors are divided into the following dimensions: context-based decision factors, job/activity characteristics, corporate culture and company characteristics. For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed and an electronic survey was conducted among students of the Sophia University in Tokyo. From the broad and complex question pattern of the survey, a factor analysis made it possible to identify a clear pattern of seven factors. These factors provide relevant facts about the perception of the characteristics of a company and a future job. From the analysis of the four dimensions, implications for practice for the optimization of recruitment could be derived and the preferences of the target group could be revealed. In summary, this study makes a concrete contribution to the handling of the problem of recruiting in foreign companies in Japan. Furthermore, it highlights the importance that companies know the preferences of the target group in order to survive in the war for talents, nowadays.

Author: Marie-Theres Svoboda, BA MA

Study Program: Sociology

Abstract:

The aim of the present work is to shed light on the resistant behaviour of active Austrian football fans using the example of the initiative "Pyrotechnik ist kein Verbrechen" (Pyrotechnics are not a crime) and to provide insights into the Ultra subculture. The fan protests against the enactment of a new pyrotechnics law mark a significant event in the history of Austrian fan culture. Furthermore, the study of the protest behaviour of the fans provides information about social conflicts within society and shows the diversity of protest forms. The fans’ motives and the implemented resistance strategies are therefore of particular interest. A suitable perspective is provided by the research approach of Cultural Studies, which allows protest activities to be understood as part of the specific style of the Ultra subculture, taking into account contextual framework conditions and existing power relations. In order to do justice to the multidimensionality of the investigated subject, procedures of qualitative social research were used, specifically, the Grounded Theory Method. In conclusion, it can be said that the Ultras, on the one hand, stage themselves as highly resistant, while, on the other hand, they have adapted their resistance tactics to the contextual conditions and reference groups. The rebellious actions with which the organized fans expressed their protest are part of the subcultural style of Ultra culture and illustrate the autonomy demands of the subculture. As their protest medium of choice the fans used a mix of their traditional stylistic elements and classical public relations work. In addition, intra-stadium resistance was complemented by cyberactivism. The implementation of the fan initiative can be seen as a characteristic example of the protest culture of the Austrian Ultra movement.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Beate Klösch, BSc BA MA

Study Program: Sociology

Abstract:

Despite strong environmental awareness amongst the Austrian population, many people seem to have difficulties with adopting an environmentally friendly behaviour. This phenomenon, in the scientific literature known as the Value-Action Gap, will be investigated in the present study. The theoretical basis lies in the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Framework of Environmental Behavior and the Low-Cost Hypothesis of Environmental Behavior. Based on these theories, a model is developed that assumes a linear relationship between attitude, intention and behaviour in environmentally related low-cost behaviours - in this case for consumption and mobility behaviour. Previous studies suggest that discrepancies can occur between personal environmental attitudes, the resulting intention and the subsequent environmental behaviour. In the first part of this study, quantitative analyses of the pretest of the OeNB questionnaire (209 persons) are used to determine which groups of people are particularly likely to exhibit a gap between these three factors. The results show that younger people, individuals living in rural areas, as well as high-income families with children living in one household, are particularly likely to show a gap between attitudes, intentions and behaviour. In the second part of the study, these results are examined in more detail with the help of 15 qualitative interviews regarding the reasons for these discrepancies as well as individual wishes and social approaches to solutions. Besides time and cost factors, the most common reasons for value-intention-action gaps are comfort and routine. The respondents would like to see a broader offer of environmentally friendly alternatives, a clearer labelling of these and more information about them. At the societal level, education and raising awareness as well as political regulations for environmental protection are particularly necessary.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Sophia Mörtenhuber, BSc MSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

Project management is constantly being faced with new challenges such as VUCA world, globalization, digitization or Generation Y. Therefore, companies are required to react flexibly to changing business environmental conditions, customer requirements and market demands. Consequently, the relevance of using agile approaches of project management has emerged. The aim of this thesis was to investigate three practical business fields regarding the use of Lean Project Management as well as to examine the changes noticed by applying Lean Management in the industrialization phase. The empirical study was conducted in cooperation with an international automotive company, using the practical areas of logistics, IT and consulting. Based on the literature review’s outcomes, interviews with experts from the various practice fields and interviews with seven other companies from various industries were conducted. The results of this research suggest that in all practice fields a flexible approach in projects is necessary in almost every case. Moreover, the study suggests that further improvement of understanding the very essence of the Lean Project Management approach amongst professionals is required. Nevertheless, parts of Lean Project Management are increasingly used in practice, even if they are not definitely named as such. According to this work, the Lean Project Management approach has proven to be a method that is well applicable in all practice business environments due to its strong adjustability. Recommendations for action showed how Lean Project Management can efficiently be used for contributing to the optimization of project management in diverse areas of practice in companies.

Author: Philipp Sommer, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

The aim of this thesis is to shed light on the consistency of used performance measures in annual reports of Austrian listed companies. The analysis is focused on compensation report, segment report and management commentary. For this reason, publicity and performance measures are generally examined. Alternative performance measures are of high importance, as they are used in all three considered segments of an annual report. First hypotheses are developed on the basic legal framework companies must abide by. Additionally, agency models and the general aim of publicity help to formulate further hypotheses. Based on these considerations, the likelihood of consistency and the rationale behind it are analyzed. Of central importance for this matter is the differentiation between information function and behavior control. In existing works of literature, the interplay between all three segments has not yet been investigated. Nevertheless, essays that consider the mutual influence of performance measures in the compensation report and other segments are examined. Based on this, further hypotheses can be developed. In this way, this thesis will serve as a basis for future analyses of consistency of used performance measures. In an empirical analysis of ATX-Prime and -Standard companies in 2018, first indications for the occurrence of the assumptions made can be observed. Since data was collected manually, only a limited amount of records is used for the analysis. Consequently, only descriptive statistics were used. Therefore, the observed figures must be further scrutinized. Only then one might be able to claim definitive statements about the motivation and impact of consistency.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Dr. Felix Peter Niggemann, MA

Study Program: Doctoral Program

Abstract:

This doctoral thesis studies the effects of selected regulatory activities on the strategic interac-tion of reporting managers and auditors and the information that shapes this process. The first paper analyzes how penalties for accounting fraud affect financial reporting quality when a manager desires to avoid detection by engaging in a costly cover-up act. I find that higher penalties for accounting fraud only improve financial reporting quality if there is scope for a cover-up act and the enforcement regime is weak. In a strict (weak) enforcement regime, higher penalties for accounting fraud do not affect (reduce) a manager’s scope for accounting fraud but impair (enhance) the probability of detection. The second paper studies how man-dating higher book-tax conformity influences a manager's strategy to misreport financial and taxable incomes in the presence of a financial and a tax auditor. I find that mandating higher book-tax conformity exacerbates the consequences of misreporting in the absence of a positive book-tax difference: if a manager's payoff is relatively more sensitive to financial (taxable) income, mandating higher book-tax conformity decreases financial reporting quality (tax revenues net of audit costs). In the presence of differences between financial and taxable in-comes, a financial audit complements a subsequent tax audit. The third paper analyzes the optimal timing of contracting for consulting services, before (ex-ante) or after (ex-post) the reporting process, with the incumbent auditor in the presence of moral hazard problems. The main result is that ex-ante contracting for consulting services creates additional audit incen-tives as the auditor commits to having more skin in the game. This induces endogenous in-formation-knowledge spillovers, reduces inefficiencies that result from moral hazard problems, and enhances firm value if higher incentives are not prohibitively costly.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Stefanie Pendl, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

If the change of ownership of a property-owning company results in the consolidation of at least 95 % of the shares amongst a business unity, real estate transfer tax is due according to § 1 (3) GrEStG. In 2016 this threshold has been reduced from 100 % to 95 % as a result of the Austrian tax reform 2015/16. By this means tax-avoiding ownership structures should be tackled. However, this is only partially achieved since it is still possible to bypass the tax by adjusting the level of ownership and holding a share below 95 %. This master’s thesis should provide insights into whether and to what extent shareholders have adjusted their shares in response to this reduced threshold. To do this, ownership levels of Austrian corporations have been analyzed for their extent and changes in this regard. When holding a percentage of shares just below the 95 % threshold, it is assumed that the share deal regulation of the GrEStG has been taken into account. Using probit models, probabilities of holding a certain ownership level in response to the tax reform have been estimated. Results suggest that after the reform a shareholder is significantly more likely to hold a share in the interval from 90 % to 94,99 % than before that event. In contrast, the probability of holding a share in the interval from 95 % to 99,99 % after the reform is significantly lower than before. Even stronger effects have been estimated for property intensive industries. By introducing German corporations as a control group, Austrian corporations react significantly stronger to the reform in comparison. These results suggest that the modified share deal regulation in the GrEStG has been considered when ownership changes occurred.

Author: Viktoria Kern, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Administration

Abstract:

Within literature, income smoothing, as an accounting tool, is often controversially discussed. On the one hand, income smoothing enables management to pursue opportunistic goals and can be used as an instrument to conceal the current situation of the company. On the other hand, it can also be used as a tool to communicate private management information to the respective addressees. This includes information on the current situation of the company but also on future developments. The aim of this thesis is to give an overview of empirical and analytical publications dealing with the topic of income smoothing. This paper investigates management’s possible motives of resorting to income smoothing and examines whether these motives are used as signaling or garbling instruments. The focus of this paper lies on identifying the motives that arise in the context of income smoothing and compensation agreements, income smoothing and capital markets, as well as income smoothing and financing need. In that respect, this paper analyses and critically discusses eight research papers and evaluates the motives for which income smoothing is generally considered a positive discretionary reporting behaviour and the motives for which income smoothing is perceived as an information-distorting instrument in literature. In the first examined context, income smoothing and compensation agreements, opportunistic goals are in the spotlight. If income smoothing is considered within the context of the capital market and the financing needs, it can be shown that income smoothing is more often used as an instrument to communicate private information. In this context, however, it should also be mentioned that the research papers show both methodological and conceptual differences, which makes comparison difficult.

Author: Stefan Schwarz, BA MSc

Study Program: Political and Empirical Economics

Abstract:

A higher policy rate (the leaning against the wind policy) or stronger (or more efficient) regu-lation? The debate on if monetary policy or macroprudential policy is better to prevent the economy from a financial crisis has been going on for a long time. The debate was especially relevant within the US housing market before the global financial crisis, there was the debate if monetary policy should response to potential asset market bubbles. Higher policy rate has costs in terms of higher unemployment and a lower inflation but it benefits in terms of a lower probability of a crisis because it reduces credit growth. Macroprudential policy – for example a higher loan-to-value ratio – reduces the risk of a financial crisis. Therefore, macroprudential policy may be the better tool for financial stability. This work examines which of the two tools is better to reduce the risk of a financial crisis in terms of a cost and benefit analysis. Unsurprisingly, the result of this work is that macropru-dential policy is better for financial stability than monetary policy. Furthermore, a higher loan-to-value ratio is more beneficial than an increase in the bank capital requirements. The work starts with the definitions of these two concepts and then discusses the framework developed by Svensson (2016, 2017), where he discusses the marginal cost and marginal benefit. After-wards, the results of the leaning against the wind policy for real loans, loans/GDP, pre-World War II real loans and post-World War II real loans as a predictor for financial crisis are pre-sented. Then, there is a cost-benefit analysis for the euro-area and macroprudential policy in-terventions is discussed. Finally, some critiques to the benchmark parameters, which Svensson (2016, 2017) had used, are presented and whether or not asset prices are a good predictor for the next financial crisis are discussed.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Dominic Winkler, BA MSc

Study Program: Political and Empirical Economics

Abstract:

Although the market design strongly shapes agents’ possibilities to interact, it is frequently neglected in favor of an anonymous market setting. The standard competitive (or Walrasian) model is then uniformly applied to highly diverse markets for theoretical convenience, where aggregate outcomes are directly and solely derived from individual characteristics. The empirical evidence, however, often does not fit the results of the Walrasian standard model, for instance the law of one price. Furthermore, other benchmark models that try to capture the essentials of bargaining and auction markets also fail to explain the data with their predictions, such as the idea that prices remain constant during an auction session. Quite the contrary, it is shown that aberrations in the price building process are common for markets with perishable goods, especially regarding price dispersion and price dynamics. Prices do not only differ between individuals, but also change throughout the day. Furthermore, besides individual behavior, the market design itself also drives the aggregation process, adding to its complex build-up. For a better understanding, alternative models that consider structure-specific effects, but also special links between agents as well as learning paths, are discussed. They show that market outcomes are strongly influenced by features that are generally ignored in standard models, such as loyalty between market participants and their risk aversion. In a complex environment, agents tend to adopt habits and reinforce past experiences to reach their goals as riskless as possible. In this way, the models presented do not only explain the price irregularities, but also disprove the supposed superiority of auction markets over bargaining markets in efficiency terms. Instead, some sort of “division of labor” takes place between the two market formats, considering the prices observed, the goods traded and the agents that are present in them.

Author: Silvia Lipp, BSc MSc

Study Program: Business Education and Development

Abstract:

Every activity within the commercial field requires economic competence, from which the high value of accounting in commercial education can be derived. Although many quality criteria exist for designing learning-effective lessons, the didactic and methodical implementation in accounting lags, which is reflected in the students' massive learning and comprehension difficulties. To develop economic thinking and the ability to act accordingly, which is the goal of accounting classes, a holistic view, considering teaching, learning environment and learning behaviour, is needed. Behavioural economics deals with the exploration of human behaviour and reveals discrepancies between knowledge, willing and actual action. This leads to the approach of nudging, which aims to anticipate anomalies in human decision-making and, by steering them in a particular direction, balance them. This raises the question whether and which suggestions from the nudging approach can be derived to promote the learning effectiveness of accounting lessons for the teaching-learning context. In addition to the conceptual and applied presentation of nudging, this master thesis discusses the causes of non-optimal decision-making behaviour and presents selected nudging methods as a correction of behavioural anomalies while also discussing the parallels in terms of teaching and studying. The definition and explanation of accounting lessons and the chosen quality criteria of teaching are followed by the application of nudging in aforementioned context. For this purpose, suggestions and specific application examples from the didactic and methodological nudging approach, as well as the design of the learning environment, are illustrated and an outlook on a future use in accounting lessons is given.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library

Author: Katharina Pack, BSc MSc MSc

Study Program: Business Education and Development

Abstract:

Digitalization and Industry 4.0 are not only relevant for the economic context but also for the field of education. New qualities and prioritized requirements appear for operational competence development. The education sector has the responsibility to react to changed job descriptions in order to successfully qualify humans to that effect. For a considerable time, digital media are deployed at university and educational processes are adapted to requirements of digital developments. A study carried out by ‘Forum neue Medien in der Lehre Austria’ illustrates actual e-learning activities at Austrian universities. Digital media, that are applied at University of Graz, are not shown by this study. What is more, there is no specific inquiry of the current offer of digital learning media. As a consequence, this thesis addresses the question concerning, which digital teaching and learning formats are currently offered at social and economic science faculty at Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz and how their application can be assessed concerning the implementation of a learning success of students. At the beginning an overview of learning theories and classification of digital learning formats is given. Following this, the thesis focuses on digitalization at university. Aspects like didactical benefit, individuality and economic efficiency are used for an evaluation of meaningful application of e-learning formats. The last chapter tries to critical reflect the employed digital learning formats and elements in order to make some statements about the sustainability and the meaningfulness of the current e-learning landscape at social and economic science faculty. The dimensions of sustainability are oriented towards ‘St.-Gallener-Modell’ according to Seufert und Euler. Due to the lack of publications in quality measurement of e-learning activities with regard to learning success of students several new research hypotheses for University of Graz are shown up.

Complete Thesis in the University of Graz Library