This module is a requisite cross-faculty course in the preparation phase of the doctoral programme Business Economics. It addresses fundamental aspects of research design and management with a focus on the specific disciplines, styles of inquiry, and learning cultures at the University of Liechtenstein.

Research design can be broadly conceived of as the high-level plan to conducting research projects in the service of answering research questions. A research design links the key parts of a research endeavour to form a coherent scheme, under consideration of ontological, epistemological, and methodological choices. Key elements include the problematization, research question, relevant theoretical lenses and conceptual frame-works, specific strategies of inquiry, and measures to ensure key criteria including validity and reliability.

Research management skills address the researcher's ability to manage projects, work autonomously, build an international research network, think analytically, and be creative, inquisitive, and original. Through our approach towards innovative doctoral education, we contribute to embracing some key aspirations of the League of European Research Universities (LERU).

Interactive, seminar style presentations and discussions

The course aims to develop key skills required for conducting scientific research in Business Economics. At this, we explicitly aim to expose PhD students to a broad range of methodological and theoretical approaches, always under consideration of the respective implications for research design. Grounded in the understanding that research designs should be in response to relevant research questions, we aim to equip our students with the skills that qualify them as competent researchers beyond the design and execution of their particular dissertations.

By developing skills in research design and research management, as well as by promoting an awareness of the variety of epistemological and methodological approaches, this module provides an understanding of the multiple logics and procedures involved in the discovery and formation of knowledge. Participants will learn to appreciate the structure and performance of successful research endeavours and will acquire conceptual and technical skills needed for designing their own research approaches in light of the particular styles and research cultures of their respective scientific communities and discourses.

• After completing the module, students will be able toassess the nature and quality of a research design;develop research designs, including problematization, research questions, philosophical assumptions, general strategies of inquiry, and specific methods for collecting and analyzing data;manage research projects under consideration of time, resources, and quality management;converse reflectively with the academic research community of their respective fields;position their work in the context of their research community as well as with regards to specific discourses in that community;apply for research funding; andappreciate the range of research styles and cultures across the University of Liechtenstein and beyond.

In the seminar paper the students will be asked to outline and discuss a potential research design for their dissertation. That way, the seminar paper builds on knowledge acquired in the course, and it serves to transfer this knowledge to the students’ individual PhD project. Attendance of all mandatory and selected classes as well as the presentations is expected; 80% attendance is required for a positive grade.

The students will be assessed in this module through:
- Presentation and defense of the seminar paper
- Participation in class

Unternehmen unterliegen wiederkehrenden Konjunkturschwankungen. Ziel des Prozessmanagements ist es, die eigene Tätigkeit am Markt einerseits optimal auf den Kunden auszurichten und andererseits durch maximale Effizienz und Standardisierung die eigenen Reibungsverluste zu minimieren bzw. den eigenen Ertrag zu maximieren. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden im Modul folgende Themengebiete behandelt: Grundlagen des Prozessmanagements, Methoden zur Prozessidentifikation und Prozessimplementierung, das Prozesscontrolling sowie Methoden zur Prozessverbesserung und Prozesserneuerung. Auch das Customer Relationship Management, Supply Chain Management und das Product Lifecycle Management sind wichtige Bestandteile des Prozessmanagements.

Präsentationen, Fallstudien, Diskussionen

Präsentation und Fallstudienanalyse

In diesem Modul wird eine systematische Einführung in die Denkweise des Marketings, seine Prinzipien, Entscheidungstatbestände, Instrumente und Methoden gegeben. Die Veranstaltung soll den Studierenden ein Grundverständnis über die Aufgaben und Ziele einer marktorientierten Unternehmensführung vermitteln. Die Studierenden sollen anschließend in der Lage sein, Praxisfälle aus einer Marketingperspektive zu analysieren und zu beurteilen, um unter Verwendung der einschlägigen Terminologie Lösungsvorschläge zu entwickeln.

Präsentationen, Fallstudien, Diskussionen

Präsentation, Essay

Practical project work

After completion of the module, the students have at their disposal practical experiences in handling a consulting project in the area of finance.

In the course of the assignment, they utilize a range of advanced procedures and techniques incorporated in the discipline and apply theoretical insights to practical solutions, so that they are directly prepared for their professional life.

Students develop original and creative answers for topics and problems and are able to evaluate the situation even without complete information.

They are able to reflect and enlarge their knowledge and capabilities. In addition, they master professional project assignment and presentation techniques and are trained to function in a team.

They are also able to assume responsibility within the team and to coordinate team assignments while taking into account the interest of the business.

See lectures within the module.

The research proposal is a research plan. The contents of the research proposal are governed by the curricula of the doctoral degree programmes. If a cumulative dissertation is intended, it is necessary to mention the publication journals and the number of publications planned. The formal aspects of the research proposal must comply with the "Guidelines for Writing Academic Papers at the University of Liechtenstein".

In the colloquium on the research proposal, the doctoral student shall present his/her dissertation project and provide reasons for his/her chosen approach.

The grade for the research proposal will be determined by taking the average of the grades given by the supervisor and the co-supervisor.

This module serves manifold competencies: As a doctoral consortium it aims at deepening both, methodological and professional research skills of the students. In addition, it is designed to foster the international profile of their work.

By means of submitting their work to an internationally renowned doctoral consortium the students learn how to position themselves in a highly competitive environment.

Since successful applications are invited to be discussed by a selective academic committee the doctoral consortium also serves to further develop the communicative and social competencies of the students.

Students' participating in a doctoral consortium arranged in the context of an internationally well-regarded information systems conference, therein share both the main contents of and progress in their own researches. Moreover, they benefit from listening to the other students' experiences and results and receive valuable feedback of the consortium chairs and student participants.

Students will be assisted by lecturers of the Institute of Information Systems at the University of Liechtenstein in preparing their proposal and application for the doctoral consortium. Accepted students will take part in the consortium. Also, a reflection of the lessons learned at the consortium together with the lecturers at Liechtenstein is part of the module.

The primary objective of the doctoral consortium is to present and defend the PhD students' research in a competitive and international scientific environment.

The students will be assessed in this module through:
- Competitive selection process of the doctoral consortium
- Research paper submitted to the doctoral consortium
- Assessment by the professors discussing the proposal at the doctoral consortium

Module availability:
On application at an internationally renowned doctoral consortium, e.g. at ICIS, International Conference on Information Systems; ECIS, European Conference on Information Systems; AMCIS, American Conference on Information Systems or ACIS, Australasian Conference on Information Systems.

This module serves manifold competencies: As a doctoral consortium it aims at deepening both, methodological and professional research skills of the students. In addition, it is designed to foster the international profile of their work.

Students' participating in a doctoral consortium, therein share both the main contents of and progress in their own researches. Moreover, they benefit from listening to the other students' experiences and results and receive valuable feedback of the supervisors, consortium chairs and student participants.

The primary objective of the doctoral consortium is to present and defend the PhD students' research in a competitive and international scientific environment.

The students will be assessed in this module through:
- Competitive selection process of the doctoral consortium
- Research paper submitted to the doctoral consortium
- Assessment by the professors discussing the proposal at the doctoral consortium

Module availability:
On application at an internationally renowned doctoral consortium.

In the viva voce examination the doctoral student proves that he/she meets the requirements on the dissertation by publically defending his/her dissertation.

The Chairperson of the Board of Examiners, the supervisor and the co-supervisor(s) shall determine a grade for the viva voce examination.

> Review of Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
> Extensions of the CAPM
> Empirical confirmation/rejection of the CAPM
> Stock Market Anomalies
> Multi-Factor Models
> Investment Strategies
> Performance Evaluation
> Portfolio Execution, Monitoring, Rebalancing and Costs

After completion of the module, the students are able to evaluate assets by means of various
models and to illustrate investment procedure. They thereby draw on current knowledge of
capital market research and can show suggestions for solutions while integrating their
theoretical knowledge. Events on the capital market are critically scrutinised in discussions
with instructors and fellow students.

> Students have read and understand the most important literature in empirical asset pricing.
> Students are able to critically evaluate existing literature in the field of empirical asset pricing
> Students understand, can explain and appropriately apply methods used in empirical asset pricing.
> Students are able to effectively communicate research methods and outcomes to their peers.

See lectures within the module.

Die Lehrveranstaltung behandelt folgende Themenfelder:

• Forschungsmethoden in der Rechtswissenschaft
• Vertiefung der juristischen Arbeitstechniken (Datenbanken, Recherche, Legistik)
• Lokalisation von juristischen Problemstellungen
• Zeitmanagement
• Schreiben, Lesen, Präsentieren oder Denken?
• Kontakte und Netzwerk als Chance und Herausforderung
• Erstellung von Forschungsplänen
• Rechtstheoretische Forschung vs Rechtstatsachenforschung (Empirie)
• Methodenmix in der Forschung
• Analytische und experimentelle Bewertung von Forschung
• Umfragen in der Forschung
• Fallstudien und Aktionsforschung

Im interaktiven Kolloquium werden die Grundkonzepte der zu behandelnden Inhalte eingeführt und anhand von Anwendungen verdeutlicht bzw. interpretiert.

Ziel der Lehrveranstaltung ist es, die Forschungsgestaltung und Forschungsplanung zu intensivieren.

ie Studierenden erlernen die essenziellen Forschungsmethoden in der Rechtswissenschaft und in anderen Fachdisziplinen. Sie beherrschen die juristische Arbeitstechnik und den Umgang mit massgeblichen Datenbanken. Ziel der Veranstaltung ist es, eine solide Arbeitstechnik beim Umgang mit den juristischen Quellen aus Liechtenstein, Österreich, Schweiz, Deutschland, Grossbritannien und den USA zu erlernen. Die Studierenden werden befähigt, ein Problem zu lokalisieren und Fragen aufzuwerfen, um im Rahmen des Doktoratsstudiums eine Dissertation zu erarbeiten. Darüber hinaus sollen die Themen der Arbeitsorganisation auch im Zusammenhang mit dem Zeitmanagement vermittelt werden. Die Studierenden erwerben die Fähigkeit, Forschungspläne zu erstellen. Die Studierenden sollen begreifen, dass das wissenschaftliche Netzwerk gleichzeitig Chance und Herausforderung darstellen kann. Der vertiefte Umgang mit primären und sekundären Rechtsquellen als Ausgangsbasis für eine produktive eigene wissenschaftliche Arbeit wird erprobt. Zudem sollen die Studierenden den Umgang mit Praktikern bei der Ermittlung von empirischen Daten erlernen.