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Research for the sustainable development of the economy and society

Research profile of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society

The Faculty’s research focuses on the sustainable development of the economy and society. Sustainability is viewed as a triad comprising economic, environmental and social sustainability. Our research is grounded in the behavioural and social sciences. It focuses on economic, technological and social change within organisations and society, and examines how these changes affect growth, prosperity, distribution and the environment.

The Faculty addresses cross-cutting research topics relating to the economy and society across various areas of specialisation, including:

  • The distinctive features of family businesses
  • Successful and sustainable corporate governance
  • Challenges and opportunities presented by the transformation of business and society driven by digital technologies
  • Global distributional issues
  • The interplay between philosophy, political science and economics
  • Causes and solutions to national and international conflicts
  • Financial market research
  • Management research
  • Innovation and start-ups
  • Organisation and markets


The faculty’s researchers place great emphasis on a diversity of perspectives and a pluralism of methods in their work. They collaborate with renowned national and international partners from business and society, politics and academia to facilitate problem-oriented and practice-oriented research.

The key research areas are addressed within the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, together with their affiliated institutes and centres, as well as their chairs and professorships.

Institutes and Centres

White logo of the Reinhard Mohn Institute for Corporate Management (RMI) at UW/H on a dark blue background

Reinhard Mohn Institute for Corporate Management

The Reinhard Mohn Institute for Corporate Management (RMI) focuses on sustainable corporate management and is committed to providing impetus for national and international reforms.

About the RMI
Logo of the Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU) of the UW/H on a white background

Witten Institute for Family Businesses

The Witten Institute for Family Businesses (WIFU) focuses its research on the specific characteristics of family businesses and entrepreneurial families.

About the WIFU
White logo of the Center for Sustainable Leadership (ZNU) at UW/H on a turquoise background

Centre for Sustainable Business Management

The mission of the Centre for Sustainable Business Management (ZNU) is to make sustainability tangible and measurable, and to inspire business leaders to embrace the opportunities offered by sustainable business practices.

About the ZNU
White logo of the PPE Institute for Social and Institutional Change (ISIC) of the UW/H on a dark blue background

PPE Institute for Social and Institutional Change

The PPE Institute for Social and Institutional Change (ISIC) brings together the disciplines of philosophy, political science and economics to analyse and shape institutional change.

About the ISIC
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International Centre for Sustainable and Just Transformation [tra:ce]

The inter-faculty research centre examines the processes of social, business and governmental transformation towards greater sustainability, democracy and justice.

About the tra:ce

Research projects

The Faculty of Management, Economics and Society’s key research areas are reflected in various projects that address current challenges. These projects challenge the status quo and are aimed at shaping a sustainable and equitable future.
 

Overview of research projects

Researchers

Renowned academics develop innovative solutions that have a positive impact on the economy and society. In doing so, they make a significant contribution to the faculty’s standing in the national and international academic community.

Overview of researchers

Publications

All publications from the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society at UW/H are listed in the university bibliography.

University bibliography
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Doctorate and Habilitation

The Faculty actively supports early-career researchers. Its PhD students are involved in research projects covering a wide range of topics. Find out more if you’d like to pursue further academic qualifications at the Faculty and are aiming for a PhD or a habilitation!

Information on doctoral studies
Information on the habilitation
 

Research funding

Institutional funding

Research within the faculty is directly supported by the Reinhard Mohn Institute for Corporate Management, the Centre for Sustainable Corporate Management and the Witten Institute for Family Businesses. Here, researchers are working on various projects addressing key issues in (family) entrepreneurship – such as cooperative and sustainable corporate management.

University-wide research funding

The Research Funding Department provides advice and support to researchers at Witten/Herdecke University: the staff provide information on, amongst other things, national and international calls for proposals and offer advice on individual funding opportunities. They assist with the application process and the finalisation of contracts, and support researchers throughout the project implementation and completion phases. This enables researchers to concentrate fully on their research.

UW/H research funding

Contact persons