The seminar allows PhD students to present their research, receive valuable feedback, and discuss their progress as well as theoretical/methodological challenges in their dissertation projects.

Topic-wise, the seminar addresses (but is not limited to) research questions at the intersections of international business and (international) entrepreneurship with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and young firms. Focal areas include, for example:

• Firms’ strategic decisions in the internationalization process (such as the foreign market entry mode choice or foreign location choice) and their performance implications.
• How and what firms learn during the internationalization process and how experience and learning affect future strategic decisions as well as the firm’s innovation output.
• How the heuristics and biases of individual decision-makers shape the internationalization patterns of firms.
• The unique internationalization patterns of born globals as well as family firms and their performance implications.
• Broader strategic management, entrepreneurship, and innovation management topics.

Upon completion of the seminar, participants:

• can position their dissertation/research projects into relevant topical areas in the field;
• can identify relevant literature for their dissertation/research projects;
• can explain and defend theoretical and methodological choices in their dissertation/research projects;
• can define the next steps in their dissertation/research projects;
• have the professional and social skills to present their dissertation/research projects, paper ideas, or research questions to a scientific audience;
• can discuss and constructively criticize their own and others’ dissertation/research projects.

As this seminar relies heavily on personal interactions between students and faculty, presence in all sessions is mandatory.

The course's didactic approach rests on two pillars: the participants 1) present and discuss their own dissertation/research projects, and 2) take an active part in the scientific discussions of other participants’ dissertation/research projects.

The overall seminar grade is based on three individual assessments:

1. Research presentation and discussion (40%)
2. Quality of the presentation document (30%)
3. Individual participation and contributions to the academic discussions (30%)

• Enrolment in the PhD/doctoral program.

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E-Mail:

• Univ.-Prof. Dr. Florian B. Zapkau: florian.zapkau@wu.ac.at

Please also approach me before, during, or after classes.