Open Call for Master’s Thesis Topics – Exploring the Intersecion of Open Innovation and Resilience

13. March 2025

In today’s volatile and interconnected business environment, organizations are increasingly challenged by disruptions such as technological change, supply chain instability, and global crises. To remain competitive and sustainable, firms must foster both organizational resilience (the ability to adapt and recover from shocks) and inter-organizational resilience (the ability of networks, ecosystems, and partnerships to withstand and respond to disruptions).

Open Innovation (OI) – collaborating with external partners, integrating diverse knowledge sources, and leveraging innovation ecosystems—has become a crucial strategic approach. However, its role in enhancing resilience is still not fully understood. Can open innovation act as a driver of resilience? What practices or structures enable organizations and networks to thrive in uncertain environments?

This call invites master’s students to develop a thesis around the links between open innovation and resilience. Possible research directions include, but are not limited to:

  • Open Innovation and Organizational Resilience
    How does OI help firms anticipate, absorb, and adapt to disruptions?

  • Inter-Organizational Resilience
    How do innovation ecosystems, networks, and collaborations create resilience at the system level?

  • Barriers and Enablers
    What challenges must organizations overcome to balance openness and resilience?

  • Strategic and Managerial Implications
    How can companies design OI strategies that strengthen resilience in practice?

Level Master
Language English
Field of Study Business Administration, Information Systems, Management, or related fields
Prerequisites
  • Interest in open innovation, resilience, and inter-organizational collaboration
  • Motivation to engage in academic research with practical relevance
  • Familiarity with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods is a plus
  • You are planning to start your thesis process during the next 1-2 months

Description

This master’s thesis opportunity invites students to explore the intersection of open innovation and resilience through academic research combined with potential real-world insights. Depending on the chosen direction, research may involve systematic literature reviews, case studies, expert interviews, or comparative analyses of innovation-driven resilience practices.

The goal is to provide a structured understanding of how open innovation contributes to organizational and inter-organizational resilience—and to generate practical insights for managers seeking to build stronger, more adaptable organizations and ecosystems.

Why Choose This Topic?

  • Interdisciplinary & Innovative – Combines two cutting-edge research streams: open innovation and resilience.

  • High Practical Relevance – Addresses challenges that organizations and ecosystems are facing in real time.

  • Flexibility & Customization – Students can shape their thesis focus (e.g., firm-level, network-level, or industry-specific).

  • Strong Research Contribution – Offers an opportunity to bridge gaps in both OI and resilience literature while generating actionable insights.

How to Apply

This is an open call, meaning students can define their specific research angle within the broader theme of open innovation and resilience.

If you are interested, please send the following via mail:

  • CV
  • Transcript of records
  • Short motivation
  • Research plan

We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact Person

Joni Riihimäki (email: joni.riihimaeki@fau.de)