The theoretical section is extensive, but it is more of a compilation of literature than a true theoretical synthesis. It lacks critical comparison, original synthesis, and discussion of different approaches. The methodology section states that a qualitative case study approach was used, but it does not describe how many interviews were conducted, with whom, or how the information was obtained and the data analyzed! The data methodology is not transparent. The analytical section is extensive, but it is not supported by hard data as one would expect; it lacks the author’s critical evaluation, scoring systems, evaluation criteria, or benchmarking. The proposal is reasonable and realistic, but relatively general. It lacks elaboration into specific implementation steps. Another weakness is the economic evaluation; the author admits that he does not use standard investment methods such as NPV, IRR, discounted cash flow, or the profitability index, although he does refer to Bradley’s investment evaluation.

The objective is composed very broadly, even though it was clearly defined in the formal requiurements in IS. The author states that the thesis analyzes development activities and their impact on long-term competitiveness. To achieve this objective, it was necessary to demonstrate the relationship between development activities and competitiveness, identify causal links, and document the impacts of the proposed measures. In reality, the thesis primarily describes the current state of affairs, identifies weaknesses, and proposes measures, but the actual impact on competitiveness is not analytically demonstrated! From my perspective, the author did not adhere to the objective as stated in the assignment, and the specified objective was not met!



There is a discrepancy between the original assignment and the actual content of the work. The assignment calls for the development of business activities, while the work itself focuses primarily on digitization, sustainability, diversification into marble exports, and organizational management.

Questions:

1. Explain why you changed your goals at work and deviated from the assignment, even though we discussed and agreed on it many times together?

2. Explain your approach to economic evaluation. Why did you not use NPV, IRR, or discounted cash flow?

3.The author states a payback period of 1.5–2 years, but it is unclear how this was calculated, what cash flows it is based on, whether investments in working capital are included, and whether inflation is taken into account. What is this calculation based on? Explain!

Whether the thesis has fulfilled the set objective:
The thesis has successfully fulfilled its primary objective. The author mapped out the strategic gaps of the company and outlined a logical roadmap toward export-oriented vertical integration. The theoretical goals and practical industry requirements are balanced appropriately.

The approach to solving the problem and the results of the thesis, specifying the specific contribution of the student:
The qualitative case study approach is suitable for this type of research. The student’s specific contribution lies in aligning internal company operations with established management frameworks. The results provide a useful baseline for strategic planning, though the final recommendations function more as a general framework rather than a dynamic operational model.

The formal layout of the thesis and its language level:
The academic English level is professional, clear, and fluent throughout the text. However, the formal layout shows minor signs of a rushed final edit. There are occasional sentence redundancies, repetitive phrasing in analytical summaries, and minor inconsistencies in the formatting of in-text citations. While these editing oversights do not disrupt the readability of the text, a more precise final proofreading would have enhanced the professional presentation of the work.
Additionally, inconsistent formatting in in-text citations (such as missing commas between authors and years on pages 14 and 18) further indicates that the final layout was rushed and lacks precise academic oversight.

Whether the thesis meets the standard requirements for a bachelor's or diploma thesis in the given field:
Yes. Despite the minor editing flaws and phrasing redundancies mentioned above, the thesis demonstrates sufficient analytical depth, a structured methodology, and practical relevance. It fully meets the standard requirements for a master's (diploma) thesis in the field of International Business and Management.

Conclusion
The thesis addresses a relevant strategic shift for Miray Invest: transitioning from regional real estate development to international marble quarrying and exports. The author demonstrates a solid understanding of theoretical frameworks (such as PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, and McKinsey 7S) and successfully applies them to our operational environment. As a company, we consistently open our doors to both local and international students to support their academic research. This cooperation has been mutually beneficial, and the strategic framework developed in this thesis will serve as a useful reference for our future business development planning. Topics for thesis defence:

1. 1. Why is marble export important? 2. How can the company reduce risk 3. Why vertical integration?