Scientific substitution of innovative anti-crisis strategies and management solutions in the qualification works of bachelors: the role of production practice in the formation of research competence

Abstract

The article conducts a comprehensive theoretical and methodological study of the problem of developing research competence in future managers under conditions of modern economic uncertainty and turbulence. The relevance of the topic is driven by the need for transformation in higher education approaches: a transition from a reproductive learning model to an activity-based one, where a Bachelor’s qualification thesis (BQT) is viewed not as a formal reporting document but as an applied scientific project capable of solving real business problems. A key issue is the gap between the empirical experience students gain during internships and the theoretical constructs presented in their theses. The authors analyzed the dialectical relationship between internships and scientific research. It is proven that under conditions of permanent crisis phenomena (the BANI-world concept), the effectiveness of anti-crisis management depends on a manager's ability to work with "weak signals" and empirical data. It is substantiated that an internship serves as a key stage for collecting primary information (field research), without which a valid scientific justification of strategies in graduation theses is impossible. The paper proposes a structural-functional model for integrating practice and scientific research, based on the "Diagnostics – Modeling – Strategy" triad. A typology of innovative anti-crisis strategies suitable for development at the undergraduate level has been developed: product micro-innovations, process optimization (Lean management), and digital marketing transformation. Special attention is paid to the psychological aspects of implementing changes. The author argues that a manager's research competence includes the ability to assess staff resistance and corporate culture. The research results confirm that using empirical data from a specific enterprise when writing a qualification thesis significantly increases its practical value and promotes the development of students' evidence-based management skills.