Department Management & Economics

Research


The research in the Management & Economics department is characterised by thematic diversity in the fields of strategy, organisation and human resources. In cooperation with the Institut für Mittelstandsforschung at the University of Mannheim, Prof. Dr. Thomas Armbrüster is investigating the coordination forms of strategic corporate networks of small and medium-sized companies. The project, which is entitled "Creativity and Innovation through Networking" (www.kreanets.com) is being financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.



Within the context of the research field on the management of service companies, the department is dealing with the mechanisms of the corporate consulting market. Based on various empirical surveys, trust, reputational and recommendation mechanisms are particularly being investigated.



Together with the Bundesverband der Personalmanager (www.bpm.de), the department has also conducted a survey of human resources managers on their (leadership) functions and objectives, on their professional self-understanding, work satisfaction and salary development. The results have been published in the book, ?Personalmanagement als Beruf: Bedeutungswandel, Karrieren, Gehälter?. Academic article publications are in progress on the basis of this data set.