Dmitry Vladimirovich Kuzin

This is the first publication in a series of the three papers that present the research findings of the diagnostic project on the quality of Bachelors’ final papers initiated by the Faculty of Economics Pedagogical committee in 2021. We present the findings of academic quality analysis and the typology of the main formats of Bachelors’ final papers. The research is based on a methodology that is specially developed along the lines of positive economics approach. Its application allows us to demonstrate the qualitative features of the body of final papers prepared by our graduates which include inter alia quality of literature review, research statement, tools of analysis and interpretation of findings. We offer the steps for further strengthening the analytical quality of final papers, including early submission of research hypothesis, elective courses on the methods of academic research and research seminars for undergraduates. We also present a typology of formats for final papers covering Economics and Management streams of study. Based on our positive analysis, we have identified six primary formats of Bachelors’ final papers, which can be combined into three more general categories: academic, project and research, and applied project formats. A comparative analysis of formats in economics and management papers confirms the applicability of common criteria for evaluating and grading the papers, alongside common guidelines for final paper preparation. The study proves the viability of diverse analytical methods while preparing final papers in both streams of study.

The challenges which our country has faced in the years 2020–2022 requires some clarifications and amendments in methodological approaches particularly in economic and management education. One of the major and serious problems is our thinking in the new reality and the struggle for this thinking. The formation of management thinking and the culture of new management in the conditions of digital transformation, global and geopolitical challenges must start at the bachelor level of higher education. On one side, modern management is “different”, the paradigms shift has happened due to changes in society, in technology, in processes, in human behavior, etc. On other side, the new reality is so complex, the information and communication overload is so high, the consequences of actions and the ongoing processes are so different and often weakly predictable that even professionals face the difficulties with analysis, assessments and conclusions not to speak about young people who are just studying. The article, in the view of the author, suggests some actual research topics and issues of education programs on management which have to be focused. Among them are management of meanings, of values, of complexity, of attention, problems of business and management ethics, as well as systems thinking and analysis skills. In the final part of the article the analysis of the Bachelor’s in Management graduation papers (VKR) is presented. Such analysis is the part of the project “The diagnosis of quality of VKR at MSU Faculty of Economics” initiated by Faculty of Economics Pedagogical Commission the results of which were previously presented in the journal.