SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR’S REFERENCE  Program:	Master in management (MIM), Concentration -  International logistics & Supply Chain Management (IL&SCM) Student:	Ekaterina Artemovich Title of thesis:	MANAGING INFORMATION RISKS IN FREIGHT FORWARDING SEA CONTAINERS 	 Justification of the topic choice. Accuracy in defining the aim and objectives of the thesis. Justification of the topic choice; accuracy in defining the aim and tasks of the thesis; originality of the topic and the extent to which it was covered; alignment of the thesis’ topic, aim and objectives. The research presented by Ekaterina Artemovich concerns the topic of risks associated with information flow in container shipping – being the subject of high importance for international trade where managers’ errors or operation risks could be of great losses if not fatal ones. As far as this information risks field hasn’t been well covered in the scientific literature yet and in addition is not conveniently systematized, the results provided by the author could be of interest both for academic and practical tasks. The goal and objectives of the research are rather well-formulated and have mainly got to. Structure and logic of the text flow. Logic of research; full scope of the thesis; alignment of thesis’ structural parts, i.e. theoretical and empirical parts. The paper consists of 4 chapters and these parts are logically connected – the logic of this research moves from theoretical suggestions concerning container shipping and corresponding risk management to the methodology of current research followed by the findings received by the author.                                                                Quality of analytical approach and quality of offered solution to the research objectives. Adequacy of objectives coverage; ability to formulate and convey the research problem; ability to offer options for its solution; application of the latest trends in relevant research are for the set objectives. The goal of the research is clearly formulated. The research process is consistent and the methods of data collection are chosen in accordance with the research tasks, the valuable conclusions are drawn on the basis of the data analysis. The chosen approach is applicable for the research field of information risk management in maritime logistics.   Quality of data gathering and description. Quality of selecting research tools and methods; data validity adequacy; adequacy of used data for chosen research tools and methods; completeness and relevance of the list of references. The data used in the paper is relevant. The main classification of the research, derived from the comprehensive literature review, based on adapting the business Risk Model, developed by the PWC company to the case of information risks in freight forwarding sea containers. Ranking the risks under consideration is presented as a result of processing appropriate managers’ interviews and analysing data of the corresponding survey.   Scientific aspect of the thesis. Independent scientific thinking in solving the set problem/objectives; the extent to which the student contributed to selecting and justifying the research model (conceptual  and/or quantitative), developing methodology/approach to set objectives. It is possible to say, that some outputs of the research makes a certain contribution to risk management theory and practices, mainly to the risk identification and risk assessment stages of the risk management process. Naturally, this process is bordered in the domain of information flows providing information to be used and transferred by freight forwarders. Taking into account the fact that such information should be classified as an “insider’s” one and, as it is understandable, is difficult to be got, some limitations of the said research should be more clearly noted. Then, the border between information risks and operation risks and еорушк overlapping could be highlighted more clearly.  Practical/applied nature of research. Extent to which the theoretical background is related to the international or Russian managerial practice; development of applied recommendations; justification and interpretation of the empirical/applied results. The outputs and considerations, presented in the Master thesis, could be applicable by managers of any company, engaged in the freight forwarding sea containers. Especially, it concerns to the case of training or coaching appropriate managers. Special recommendations to use for this purpose the ranking of information risks The check-list of information risks with assessment of managers’ perception could be used for data records and risk monitoring and risk mitigation. Quality of thesis layout. Layout fulfils the requirements of the Regulations for master thesis preparation and defence, correct layout of tables, figures, references. The master thesis mainly meets GSOM’s styling and formatting requirements. However, the general form has to be assessed as suffered from the author’s negligence. E.g., presenting the very important table presenting the information risks classification with corresponding assessments stemmed relevant managers' perception as “Figure 11” as well as the general layout of the said outputs remained absolutely incomprehensible.    The Master thesis of Ekaterina ARTEMOVICH “MANAGING INFORMATION RISKS IN FREIGHT FORWARDING SEA CONTAINERS” generally meets the main requirements for master thesis of Master in Management program thus the author of the thesis can be awarded the required degree.   Date	01.06.2017  Scientific Advisor:	 Chartered Professor, Marketing Department, GSOM SPSU 					V.I. Cherenkov