Students undertaking a Field Study Project (FSP) work in a consulting mode in teams to address issues of current concern to a company or organization. Strategic, tactical and operational aspects of the problem should be considered. Indicative examples of potential subject areas for Field Study Projects are:
- Introduction of new products and services – Feasibility Studies, Business Plans, Opportunity Evaluations,
- Market research and market planning – in Greece and abroad,
- Internationalization studies,
- Managing reorganization and change – Business Process Analysis and development,
- Sustainable development / circular economy project development,
- Information Systems planning, selection and implementation,
- Digitalization projects,
- Design and management of supply chains,
- Logistics Management, logistics system optimization and simulation, and transportation problems.
The FSP Partner Organizations propose a study of importance to the organization, and commit executive and staff time. When a study topic is chosen, the commitment of the Partner Organization determines to a large extent the success of the study project. Part of the commitment includes providing a company liaison – the Partner Organization Supervisor, providing access to information and data necessary to complete the project successfully.
Schedule:
The schedule will generally be as follows:
- By mid-May each year, the Partner Organizations wishing to participate in the program define and propose field study projects in collaboration with students and program faculty.
- By mid-June, the student team and the faculty tutor are defined for each project. The Partner Organization can participate in the selection of students by examining the CVs of potential candidates.
- The project is initiated by the beginning of July, with a kick-off orientation meeting in order to acquaint the student team and the advisor with the Partner Organization.
- The first phase (proposal) of the project is concluded with a proposal meeting that presents the Partner with the field study team’s proposed study scope and focus, their proposal for gathering and analyzing data, and possible preliminary findings. The objective is to create a venue for mutually agreeing upon the parameters and methodology of the study.
- The second phase of the project (execution) includes periodic progress reviews that take place at the convenience of the company, the students and the faculty tutor. The reviews are gateways in which preliminary results and further evolution and orientation of the project are discussed.
- At the end of November each year students submit their report to the company and to the faculty tutor. An oral presentation of the results and recommendations takes place soon thereafter.
Upon completion of the Field Study Program requirements by the students, the Partner Organization is kindly asked to provide a project evaluation. The report and presentation are then subject to formal grading at the University in December each year. The feedback from the Partner Organization is taken into account in this grading.
To download the Field Study Program’s leaflet, click here.
