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Research

Research Areas: Research That Counts

Research means more than counting publications: Munich Business School aims to actively contribute to the development of practical solutions for business and societal challenges. In the field of research, we focus on selected research areas, each representing distinct fields of study: By addressing “Sustainability,” “Digital Transformation,” and “Globalization,” we tackle significant megatrends Additionally, through the research areas of “Innovation,” “Responsible Leadership,” and “Family Business & Entrepreneurship,” which align with the university’s mission, MBS explores important topics and their impact on all relevant business sectors. At the same time, the MBS Research Framework also focuses on “People,” “Organization,” and “Society” as research subjects, thus examining the dynamic interactions between individuals, organizational structures, and societal consequences.

Publications
and Intellectual Contributions

The MBS Research Framework is designed to reflect the complexities of today’s interconnected world. Research at Munich Business is guided by global megatrends and specific research areas, it also explores the research subject dimension.

Research focuses

Research focuses on these three global megatrends:

Sustainability

Sustainability

Transforming how businesses operate and interact with the environment and society by embracing sustainable practices and responsible leadership.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation

Reshaping industries and business models through technological advancements and data-driven decision-making.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Globalization

Globalization

Analysing different macroeconomic, political, and cultural contexts. Managing trade-offs between global and local value creation and establishing a global presence while respecting local values.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Research Areas

These three research areas are at the center of research at MBS:

Innovation

Innovation

To foster sustainable commercial growth and competitive advantage, we research and promote innovative practices. This includes studying social and sustainable innovation, which integrates social and environmental considerations into new product development and business strategies. Additionally, we investigate how organizations can leverage digital technologies to drive efficiency and adapt to changing market demands.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Responsible Leadership

Responsible Leadership

Our research explores the role of leaders in promoting ethical decision-making. By understanding the attributes and behaviors of ethical leaders, we aim to cultivate a new generation of responsible leaders who integrate social impact and sustainability on a local and global scale into their leadership practices. We also examine the drivers and outcomes of conscious business initiatives, fostering a more responsible business culture.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Family Business & Entrepreneurship

Family Business & Entrepreneurship

We recognize the unique challenges and contributions of family owned enterprises and entrepreneurs in the business landscape. Our research explores effective succession planning, governance mechanisms, and innovation practices in family businesses. We also investigate entrepreneurial ecosystems and global trends, enabling aspiring entrepreneurs to thrive in a dynamic market.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Research Subjects

The research subject dimension of the Research Framework explores dynamic interactions between individuals, organizational structures, and broader societal impacts. This aligns with contemporary business challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of human-centered approaches in business practices

People

People

This aspect examines the behavior, motivations, and development of individuals within organizational contexts. It involves studying leadership styles, employee engagement, motivation techniques, and personal development, with an emphasis on how these factors influence organizational effectiveness and personal fulfillment.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Organization

Organization

This component focuses on organizational behavior, structures, and processes. It explores the design, management, and transformation of organizations to achieve strategic objectives. Topics such as organizational culture, change management, and innovation are central to understanding how organizations can adapt to and influence changing market conditions and technological advancements.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Society

Society

This area investigates the role of organizations in society and their impact on social, economic, and environmental issues. It encompasses corporate social responsibility, ethics, sustainability, and the role of businesses in promoting social welfare and environmental stewardship. This facet also explores how societal trends and issues influence organizational strategies and operations.

A list of contributions and publications on this topic is being compiled.

Center of Expertise

European Center for Social Finance

The European Center for Social Finance (ECSF) at Munich Buisness School was founded in autumn 2018. The aim of the institution is to bundle MBS' expert knowledge in the fields of social entrepreneurship and social finance and to provide a platform for applied research in these areas. The European Center for Social Finance is headed by Dr. Barbara Scheck, Professor of Entrepreneurship at MBS and proven expert in Social Entrepreneurship. The Center is dedicated to academic research, business intelligence and technical support in the field of social finance and has a wide range of proven tools and experience in working with relevant stakeholders in the social finance sector. The European Center for Social Finance maintains close relationships within the European Community and works with experts across the continent.

 

Ongoing Research Projects

Next Generation SMEs (NextSMEs)

Next Generation SMEs (NextSMEs)

Next Generation SMEs (NextSMEs) is an Erasmus+ Research Project that aims to equip family-owned SMEs with tools for successful succession planning, addressing challenges such as professionalism, financial stability, and innovation. By fostering awareness among stakeholders, the aim is to ensure the longevity and prosperity of these businesses.

Partners: European Center for Social Finance (DE), Synergy Ltd (CY), Coopération Bancaire Pour L’Europe (BE), Servizi ed Investimenti Innovativi Srl (IT), Gestión Estratégica e Innovación SL (ES). Associated partner: Munich Business School (DE)

Time: 09/2024 – 08/2026

Funding: European Commission, Erasmus+ Program, TEUR 250

MBS Researchers: Dr. Giulia Parola, Prof. Dr. Barbara Scheck

Impact for Future (IFF)

Impact for Future (IFF)

Impact for Future (IFF) is a collaborative initiative led by a consortium of Munich-based institutions, with the aim of embedding impact-oriented entrepreneurship and social responsibility deeply within the university ecosystem. The project seeks to broaden impact-oriented entrepreneurship education beyond the humanities and social sciences, developing a comprehensive teaching framework that appeals to a diverse range of students, educators, and professionals.

Partners: Technical University of Munich (DE), Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences (DE), Hochschule Landshut (DE). Associated partners: Munich Business School (DE), Universität der Bundeswehr München (DE).

Time: 03/2022 – 02/2026

Funding: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst, TEUR 2.388

MBS Researchers: Prof. Dr. Nadine Chochoiek

ELDiCo - Exploitative Leadership in Digital Collaboration

ELDiCo - Exploitative Leadership in Digital Collaboration

ELDiCo is a research project that examines the complex facets and potential challenges that arise in the field of digital leadership. ELDiCo aims to identify and analyze the central mechanisms of exploitative leadership, as well as gain an understanding of their impact on the resilience of employees and leaders. Special attention is given to designing and optimizing digital communication tools to create the foundation for successful collaboration in virtual teams and improve leadership effectiveness.

The project is a collaboration between Munich Business School, Hochschule Landshut, and the University of the Allied Forces Munich (the coordinating institution). The project team includes Prof. Dr. Ellen Schmid and Dr. Melanie Vilser (Bundeswehr University), Prof. Dr. Markus Böhm (Landshut), as well as Prof. Dr. Alexandra Hauser and Maxi F. Holzapfel (MBS).

Through interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in psychology, organizational development, and informatics, ElDiCo aims to generate groundbreaking insights and practical solutions for the challenges of the digital work environment. The project’s goal is to fully harness the potentials of digital leadership while minimizing potential risks, thereby enabling sustainable and successful collaboration in the digital era.

The project will run for three years to 2027 and is funded by the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt).

More information can be found on the ELDiCo website or on LinkedIN.

STAY OK - Rethinking wellbeing at workplaces in the EU SMEs

STAY OK - Rethinking wellbeing at workplaces in the EU SMEs

STAY OK is an Erasmus+ research project focusing on well-being at work, an issue that has gained significant importance due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects. STAY OK aims to develop a toolkit, particularly for small companies in the professional and consulting services sector, to increase their attractiveness in the labor market in an innovative way.
STAY OK - Rethinking wellbeing at workplaces in the EU SMEs

The project is an international collaboration involving the Munich Business School, EXEO Lab (Italy), MICC Maltese-Italian Chamber of Commerce (Malta), GEINNOVA (Spain), brainplus (Austria), and WAE We Are Entrepreneurs (Denmark).

Together, the partners of STAY OK are creating a comprehensive training and development course for both small business leaders and trainers, tutors, and mentors. Additionally, STAY OK supports the VET community and delivers an innovative Digital Tool for self-assessment of staff well-being and identifying corrective actions.

The project will run for two years until autumn 2025 and is funded by the EU commission with 250,000 Euros within the framework of the Erasmus+ program.

More information can be found on the STAY OK website.

Social-X-Change

Social-X-Change

Social-X-Change is an Erasmsus+ research project, that aims to promote the internationalization of teaching and learning on the topic of social entrepreneurship at universities by establishing a network of centers for social innovation and social entrepreneurship.
Social-X-Change

The project is an international cooperation of MBS with three universities (ESSEC Business School in France, TED University in Turkey, Universitat Ramon Llull Fundacio in Spain) and the Impact Hub in Austria.

The research focuses mainly on social impact measurement, impact investing and the legal framework for social enterprises as well as impact-oriented enterprises.

The project will run for three years to 2025 and is funded by the EU Commission with 400.000 Euros within the framework of the Erasmus+ program.

Conscious Business Education
Conscious Business Education Conscious Business Education (CBE) is an Erasmus+ funded research project coordinated by Munich Business School. It aims to develop a syllabus on the topic of conscious business for bachelor’s and master’s programs as well as for the field of executive education.
Conscious Business Education

MBS’ partners on this project are the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (Germany), UPF Barcelona School of Management (Spain), Palacký University Olomouc (Poland), Nova School of Business and Economics (Portugal), Impact Centre Erasmus (Netherlands), and PIMEC, Catalonia’s Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Spain). Konstantin Mudrack and Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidkonz (both MBS) are responsible for project management and academic input respectively.

Together, the partners are designing courses on all aspects of Conscious Business Education, including conscious leadership, conscious marketing, impact entrepreneurship, an ethical approach to risk management and governance, and many other relevant topics. The project will run for three years until fall 2024 and has been granted around €300,000 of funding by the European Commission as part of the Erasmus+ program.

The course materials will be tested by the participating universities as part of their curricula, presented to lecturers in Business Studies at public and private universities at conferences across Europe (known as “multiplier events”) and further refined in an ongoing process of exchange.

The research project’s stated aim is to train, inspire and motivate lecturers in Business and Economics throughout Europe to adopt elements of the CBE course material in order to change the way the subjects are taught. After all, more conscious business means acting in a more ethical, people-centered, regenerative, inclusive, stakeholder-oriented, and purpose-driven manner.

More information on the launch of the research project can be found on the MBS blog Insights and on Conscious Business Education's website.

EASE - Empowering Adult Survivors of domestic violence through Entrepreneurship

EASE - Empowering Adult Survivors of domestic violence through Entrepreneurship

EASE - "Empowering Adult Survivors of domestic violence through Entrepreneurship" is an Erasmsus+ research project, that aims to support women affected by domestic violence in their regeneration and professional reintegration, through training and mentoring programs in the start-up/ entrepreneurship field. It also creates an opportunity for institutions of higher education, to expand their curricula, and offer new educational pathways for adults who have already left higher education or the education sector.
EASE - Empowering Adult Survivors of domestic violence through Entrepreneurship

The project is being carried out under the leadership and coordination of MBS professors Dr. Patricia Kraft and Dr. Barbara Scheck. Further partners are Institute de Preparation a l'Administration et a la Gestion (France) and the University of New York in Prague, s.r.o. (Czech Republic), the think tank ThinkYoung (Belgium) and the NGOs led by HER (France) and Fondatsiya Bulgarski Tsentar za Gender Izvedvaniya (Bulgaria).

Pilot projects are being carried out in France, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, with the goal to enable replication across Europe. The project will run for three years to 2024 and is funded by the EU Commission with approx. 380.000 Euros within the framework of the Erasmus+ program.

More information can be  found here EASE website.

Completed Research Projects

StayOn

StayOn

StayOn is a project focusing on empowering young people in rural areas, particularly NEETs, by providing them with digital and environmental skills, as well as personal development coaching, to help them access local job markets and reduce the risk of social exclusion.

Partners: European Center for Social Finance (impact management and research partner, DE), REZOS Brands S.A. (GR), Cresaçor (PT), BB Consulting (SI), The Polish Farm Advisory (PL), ATIS (IT), Regione Siciliana (IT), Meath Partnership (IE)

Time: 10/2021 – 12/2023

Funding: EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment, TEUR 1.299

ECSF Researchers: Prof. Dr. Barbara Scheck, Dr. Giulia Parola

For further information, see the project’s website StayOn.

 Beyond Capital

Beyond Capital

Beyond Capital is an Erasmus+ project that equips early-stage social enterprises with essential financial planning tools to enhance their sustainability. It focuses on training in areas like internal and external financing, income diversification, and innovative financial instruments such as Social Impact Bonds and Crowdfunding.
 Beyond Capital

Partner: Maltese Italian Chamber of Commerce (MT), SYNTHESIS Center for Research and Education (CY), Malta Stock Exchange Institute (MT), Gestión Estratégica e Innovación (ES), Exeo Lab (IT), European Center for Social Finance (DE), Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe (BE)​

Time: 01/2022 – 01/2024

Funding: European Commission, Erasmus+ Program, TEUR 1.299

ECSF Researchers: Prof. Dr. Barbara Scheck, Dr. Giulia Parola.

For further Information, see Beyond Capital.

WEMAG - Women Entrepreneurs in the Maghreb
WEMAG - Women Entrepreneurs in the Maghreb The research project Women Entrepreneurs in the Maghreb (WEMAG) is a cooperation of MBS lead by Prof. Dr. Patricia Kraft and Prof. Dr. Barbara Scheck with the European universities IPAG Business School (France, lead partner) and VIVES University College (Belgium) as well as the Tunisian universities of Sousse and Gafsa and the Moroccan universities Hassan 1 and Abdellah (duration November 2020 to November 2023).
WEMAG - Women Entrepreneurs in the Maghreb

The aim of this project, funded by the EU Commission, is to increase start-up activities by female students and graduates in African universities from a teaching and research perspective by jointly building knowledge and finding solutions to (gender-specific) challenges.

More information on the launch of the research project can be found on the MBS blog Insights and and on WEMAG's website.

Yes! - Young Entrepreneurs Succeed
Yes! - Young Entrepreneurs Succeed In many regions of Europe, young people still face great difficulties when trying to start and successfully run a business. So far, however, there has been great uncertainty about the best ways to provide support.

The research project "Young Entrepreneurs Succeed" (YES!) is addressing this issue. It aims to explore the most effective initiatives to support young entrepreneurs and the young unemployed as they enter the labour market. The target group is young people in Greece, Poland, Italy and Spain. Its long-term project objective is to develop a transnational, sustainable, replicable and scalable set of support methods.

The project is funded with € 2.3 million by the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. Represented by MBS Professor Dr. Barbara Scheck and MBS Research Associate Giulia Parola, Munich Business School is the official expertise project partner of „Trust-based Partnership – Yes!“.

More information can be found on the website of Young Entrepreneur Succeed.

EaSI - Technical Assistance for Social Finance Providers
EaSI - Technical Assistance for Social Finance Providers Commissioned by the European Commission, the European Center for Social Finance at Munich Business School analyses the innovation potential of social enterprises and their positive impact on the economy and society, and provides support for capacity building.

Cooperation partners are Munich Business School (Prof. Dr Barbara Scheck, ECSF), Dr Yiorgios Alexopoulos (Greece), NGEN Impact GmbH (Dr Wolfgang Spiess-Knafl, Austria). The project has a total volume of 2.4 million euros.

Publications

MBS Research Reports

MBS Working Papers incl. Outstanding Thesis

Outstanding Thesis

Working Papers since 2021

2024

2023

2022

2021

Working Papers 2010 – 2020

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Working Papers 2003 – 2009

2009


2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

New publications

New publications by MBS authors

  • Weilage, C., Stumpfegger, E., & Maráz, G. (in press). Enhancing Cross-Cultural Skills Acquisition in Online Exchange Semester Programs. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice.
  • Alcaraz, J. M., Shandler, K., Edwards, M, & Arevalo, J. A. (2024). Film-Making and Management Learning as (Multimodal) Design. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 23(1).
  • Berisha, G., Govori, D., Lajçi, R., Sonta, M., & Röhm, T. (2024). Innovative Work Behavior of Intrapreneurs: A Matter of Belonging and Support? European Journal of Innovation Management. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-05-2024-0540
  • Chochoiek, N., Rosendahl Huber, L., & Sloof, R. (2024). Optimism and Overconfidence of Strategic Decision Makers - Comparing Entrepreneurs and Managers with Employees. Journal of Economics & Management Strategy. doi.org/10.1111/jems.12615
  • Demastus, J., Ohsowski, B. M., & Landrum, N. E. (2024). Exploring the nexus of organisational culture and sustainability for green innovation. Industry and Innovation, 1–31.
  • Demastus, J., & Landrum, N. E. (2024). Organizational Sustainability Schemes Align With Weak Sustainability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(2), 707-725. doi.org/10.1002/bse.3511
  • Farias, G., Landrum, N., Farias, C., & Krysa, I. (2024). Explorations in organized hypocrisy and a proposed direction for a sustainable future. Sustainability Accounting, Management, and Policy Journal, 15(1), 1-22. doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-05-2022-0250
  • Hofinger, J., & Reich, S. (2024). Physische Risiken - Wie Extremwetter und hohe Temperaturen auf die G&V und Bilanz von Unternehmen wirken. Corporate Finance, 2024(7-8), 161-165.
  • Hofinger, J., Reiser, W., & Seif, H. (2024). Finanzierung von Working Capital in inflationären Zeiten: Intelligentes Bestandsmanagement zur Absicherung gegen Inflation. Controlling: Zeitschrift für erfolgsorientierte Unternehmenssteuerung, 36(3), 24-32.
  • Mohammadhossein, N., Richter, A., & Lukosch, S. (2024). Augmented Reality in Learning Settings: A Systematic Analysis of its Benefits and Avenues for Future Studies. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 54, 29-49. doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.05402
  • Richter, A. & Richter, S. (2024). Hybrid Work – A Reconceptualisation and Research Agenda. i-com, 23(1), 71-78.  https://doi.org/10.1515/icom-2023-0027
  • Rimbeck, M., Stumpf-Wollersheim, J. & Richter, A. (2024). Unfolding IoT Adoption: A Status Quo Bias Perspective. Business & Information Systems Engineering. doi.org/10.1007/s12599-024-00891-6
  • Wagner, D., Richter, A., & Oertel, B. (2024). Wie gesund ist meine Community? – Kennzahlen zur Erfolgsmessung von Online Communities. WiST - Wirtschaftswissenschaftliches Studium, (7-8), 47-50.
  • Weilage, C., & Kraft, P. (2024). Baseball Bat, Resign, or Accept? – Handling Career Impacting Feedback. The CASE Journal. doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-11-2023-0232
  • Weilage, C., Schmidkonz, Ch., & Gonçalves, G. (2024). Consumer WEEE recycling awareness in Portugal: Progression toward a circular economy. The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice, 20(1), 1-21. doi.org/10.18848/2325-1166/CGP/v20i01/1-21
  • Abeza, G. (2023). Social Media and Sport Studies (2014–2023): A Critical Review. International Journal of Sport Communication, 16(3), 251-261. doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2023-0182
  • Abeza, G., & Sanderson, J. (2023). Assessing the Social Media Landscape in Sport: Evaluating the Present and Identifying Future Opportunities. International Journal of Sport Communication, 16(3), 249-250. doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2023-0183
  • Bartholomae, F. W., & Nam, C. W. (2023). A Critical Discussion on the Reasons and Impacts of International Decoupling. Intereconomics, 58(2), 92-95. doi.org/10.2478/ie-2023-0019
  • Fladerer, M. P., Drozdzewski, S., Hauser, A., Lermer, E., Kuonath, A., & Frey, D. (2023). Matching by value congruence for high-quality mentoring: Evidence from a student peer mentoring program. Studies in Higher Education, 48(2), 1937-1951. doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2217441
  • Kittelmann, F., Kraft, P., & Schmid, E. (2023). Experiential Learning During Lockdown: A Teaching Case Describing Intercultural Competency Development Through the Mechanism of Reflection Using Different Digital Teaching Methods. Journal of International Education in Business, 16(3), 229-246. doi.org/10.1108/JIEB-
  • Vo, L.-C., Lavissière, M. C., Lavissière, A., & Alcaraz, J. M. (2023). 'Commit Professional Suicide or Take Up My Pilgrim's Staff Again?': A Cultural Examination of How Female Managers Resolve Shock Events in Developing Regions. Human Relations, 77(3), 360-397. doi.org/10.1177/00187267231170170
  • Wagner, D. (2023). A Review and Research Agenda for Brand Communities in Sports. International Journal of Sport Communication, 16(3), 335-343. doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2023-0114

Awards

Awards for MBS Researchers

  • Landrum, N.E. (2024). MBS Research Award, Munich Business School.
  • Landrum, N.E. (2023). Research Award, Les Roches Global Hospitality Education.
  • Landrum, N.E. (2022). Fulbright Scholar Award in Management, Business Research Unit – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (BRU-ISCTE), Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Wagner, D. (2023). MBS Research Award, Munich Business School.
  • Stumpfegger, E. & Weilage, Ch. (2022). MBS Research Award, Munich Business School.
  • Albrecht, A. (2021). MBS Research Award, Munich Business School.
  • Röhm, T. (2021). Employer Branded Case Studies – The Business Case Challenger. Nominated in the category of best university chair project, Science Award, EHI Foundation.
  • Seif, H. et al. (2020, July 29). ‘Give a Breath’ Challenge by Fraunhofer Gesellschaft and Munich RE. First place for VividBreath team (Munich Business School & NEMEON e.V. )
  • Bartholomae, F. (2019). MBS Research Award, Munich Business School.
  • Albon, A., Kraft, P., & Rennhak, C. (2018). Author Best Paper Award for Analyzing the Credibility of E-Word-of-Mouth Using Customer Reviews on Social Media, Business & Economics Track, 4th International Conference on New Directions in Multidisciplinary Research & Practice.
  • Scheck, B. (2018). MBS Research Award, Munich Business School.

THE MBS RESEARCH AWARD


Excellence in research should be rewarded

The MBS Research Award recognizes outstanding research performance among the faculty of the Munich Business School since 2018. The award criteria include the remarkable quantity and quality of research output publications, excellency in impact and engagement, remarkable contribution to research, but also considers remarkable personal development. The award comes with prize money of EUR 2,500.

 

Recent winners are:

Prof. Dr. David Wagner,
MBS Research Award 2023

 

Prof. Dr. Arnd Albrecht,
MBS Research Award 2021

 

Prof. Dr. Florian Bartholomae,
MBS Research Award 2019

 

PAGE-TITLE: Research at MBS