Bachelor or Master thesis

Background

While sustainability is one of the most prominent topics of recent debates, the circular economy concept aims to ensure that recyclable materials, parts, or entire assemblies are returned and thus reused in high-quality products. However, the realization of a circular economy usually fails due to economic and technical challenges. Particularly, difficulties arise from many stakeholders and the lack of permeability of information. Therefore, data ecosystems are inevitable to ensure the exchange of data and information among participating stakeholders. This includes the conceptualization and design of such ecosystems, respective business models, and incentive mechanisms.

Research Goal

As part of the publicly funded research project ZirkulEA, you can contribute with your thesis to conceptualize and design such data ecosystems for a circular economy. In this context, we offer diverse potential topics to tackle the phenomena of data sharing & data ecosystems from different ankles. Based on your personal interest, potential starting points for a thesis could be:

• Identification and classification of existing business models for data sharing within circular economies
• Development of incentive mechanisms to foster stakeholder engagement in data ecosystems
• Investigation of requirements and restrictions of data sharing within a data ecosystem for circular economies

Further, we are open to your suggestions to contribute to the phenomena of data sharing and data ecosystems in a practice-oriented, yet theoretically sound manner.

Your Profile

• You are interested in the emerging field of data sharing and data ecosystems and topics around circular economy.
• You are highly motivated to work on recent real-world problems in a self-organized and goal-oriented working mode, and you bring in your own ideas
• You are open-minded and don’t hesitate to get in touch with professionals, e.g., throughout an interview study
• Very good English skills as the thesis will be written in English

Details

• Start: Immediately
•  Language: English

We offer you a challenging research topic, close supervision, and the opportunity to develop practical as well as theoretical skills. If you are interested, please send a current transcript of records, a short CV, and a brief motivation (2-3 sentences) to Ann-Sophie Finner. (ann-sophie finner ∂does-not-exist.kit edu).