Master Thesis: Evolving Generation Planning for Future Product Portfolios

Are you a couple of master students looking for an innovative company to collaborate with on your master’s thesis during the spring semester of 2027? Look no further.

ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in access solutions and provides the latest technologies to give access to physical and virtual spaces for millions of people every day. Joining ASSA ABLOY means being part of a fast-moving and highly innovative company with diverse opportunities in more than 70 countries worldwide. 

What can you expect as a master’s thesis intern at ASSA ABLOY? Cutting edge technology, a steep learning curve, dedicated supervisors from within the enterprise, a group of fellow master's thesis students to share the experience with – and much more.

We have an exciting range of subjects. Please remember to indicate in your application if you're interested in other subjects as well and mark them in your order of preference. Please also let us know your thoughts on how you would approach the subject. Please note that most of your work will be done at one of our two sites in Stockholm.


Master Thesis Nr 1: Product Management - Generation Planning & Technology Foresight (2 students)

This thesis explores ASSA ABLOY’s structured approach to shaping future product portfolios. Used globally across all divisions, the generation planning framework helps businesses envision the future by identifying key trends and looking beyond near-term product roadmaps. The output is a strategic direction for coming generations of products, platforms, technologies and business capabilities. The research will combine an investigation of divisional learnings and adaptations with how modern AI tools can be leveraged to help develop an updated academically supported approach to generation planning. The project aims to make generation planning more efficient, evidence-informed and useful across ASSA ABLOY’s diverse and decentralized businesses.

Suggested Areas of Exploration:  

• How is the current generation planning approach used across ASSA ABLOY businesses, where does it create value, and which challenges do teams experience?
• What can be learned from divisional adaptations and from research on strategic technology foresight and long-term portfolio planning?
• How can AI support the collection, critical evaluation, analysis and synthesis of generation planning inputs and outputs?

Expected Student Capabilities and Prior Knowledge:  

• Knowledge of innovation management, product portfolio planning, and strategic foresight methods.
• Practical familiarity with AI tools and an understanding of their limitations.
• Advantageous: Experience with Miro collaboration tool.
• Comfort with facilitating workshops and engaging stakeholders across functions and businesses.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to dissect complex problems, assess information objectively, and propose solutions to identified challenges.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

We look forward to receiving your application with your resumé and hearing your ideas on how you would approach this subject!