Research strategy

In our research – just like in our teaching – we focus on the topic of sustainability management. In our understanding of sustainability management, we thereby follow the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” by the United Nations that comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Guided by this Vision 2030, we see that our primary mission as a department for business administration is to help develop solutions for SDG no. 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production. As a topic that addresses the whole society, research on sustainability and on sustainable consumption and production cannot be limited to individual actors. Consequently, at the organizational level, we address sustainability management of actors in the three sectors market (e.g. forprofit firms), civil society (e.g. nonprofit organizations), and the public sector (e.g. public administration). Because of the topic’s complexity, we usually do not only focus on the actors themselves, but also on interorganizational and intersectoral Networks (SDG no. 17: Partnerships for the Goals) and their socio-cultural, ecological, and political-economic environment. In this entire system, a key function is acquired by individuals with their abilities, skills, and characteristics, who influence not only organizations and networks significantly, but them also the socio-cultural, ecological, and political-economic environment.

Against the backdrop of this multi-level framework, our research strategy currently focuses on the following research areas:

  • Digitalization as a path to sustainable development
  • Business models and eco-innovations for the circular economy
  • Sustainability management at the individual level
  • Sustainability management at the organizational level
  • Sustainability and digital transformation
  • University management in the context of sustainability
  • Service learning and experiential learning at universities
  • Nonprofit management
  • Public management and public-private partnerships
  • Sustainability Governance