For students

For students

We seek highly motivated students with strong analytical capabilities to write their master thesis in collaboration with the MaDDO research project.

The selected students will be working together with senior faculty, which will provide expert feedback on your work. Selected student will also receive a research grant of up to 10.000 NOK in order conduct your research. 

For applications, please send the following documentation (in one PDF file) to dan-richard.knudsen@nhh.no: 

  • CV 

  • Application text, indicating which topic you would like to write about and why (1 text pr group) 

  • Grades 

For the fall semester 2025, we seek three groups of master students for the following three topics:

Work package 1:

 

Topic 1: The ERP Revolution – Transforming Accounting and Organizational Control 

 

Since the late 1990s, ERP systems have reshaped the way organizations manage control and decision-making. Marketed as game-changers for integration and efficiency, they also introduced new complexities—rigidity, unintended consequences, and tensions between standardization and local needs. 

 

Research highlights ERP’s dual impact: Mouritsen (1999) and Mouritsen & Hansen (2005) show how ERP systems mediate accounting and organizational processes, while Quattrone & Hopper (2006) reveal their power in shaping decision-making and visibility—what is seen and controlled versus what remains hidden. 

 

Today’s next-generation ERP systems go beyond transactions; they function as dynamic, cloud-based platforms with apps (Sundstrøm, 2024). These advancements promise real-time insights, adaptability, and smarter decision-making. But do they truly deliver, or are they just new versions of the same old systems? 

 

A master thesis on this topic is likely to address questions like:

 

  • Are modern ERP systems unlocking new efficiencies, or are they creating new blind spots?
  • How do they shape knowledge production and organizational visibility?
  • And what unintended consequences do they bring? 

 

Topic 2: Rethinking Risk: Creativity, Uncertainty, and Novel Threats 

 

Emerging risks—such as pollutants, AI, and climate extremes—challenge traditional risk management methods (Hardy & Maguire, 2020). Bureaucratic rigidity often hampers adaptive responses (Beck, 1992; Power, 2007; Williams et al., 2017), calling for more creative approaches to risk anticipation and adaptation. 

 

However, creativity itself introduces risks. Hilgartner (2008) highlights the need to study expert knowledge in risk communication, emphasizing its role in shaping societal responses. Power (2016) calls for more focus on “riskwork” to understand how risks are framed and managed. 

 

A master thesis on this topic is likely to address questions like:

 

  • How do experts create and communicate risk data?
  • How is responsibility assigned after crises?
  • Can organizations break free from institutional constraints to foster innovative risk responses?

WORK PACKAGE 2:

 

Topic: Leveraging Digital Technologies for Efficiency: Automating Reporting Processes and Strengthening Internal Controls in a Large Norwegian Corporation

 

As large organizations increasingly mobilize to harness the power of digital transformation, automation and efficiency have become critical priorities. This thesis explores how a major Norwegian corporation is implementing new digital tools to streamline reporting processes and enhance internal controls. By examining the challenges, opportunities, and real-world impact of automation, the study provides valuable insights into how businesses can navigate the shift toward more efficient and technology-driven financial management