My Research

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About My Research

Bridging business strategy and purpose: insights for scholars, leaders, and change agents

Science cannot, by any means, find universal truths or even provide an objective picture of the world. Nevertheless, in my eyes, it is a tool to test hypotheses, critically challenge everyday certainties and assumptions, and initiate reflection. Thus, scientific work not only has intrinsic value for me but also assumes a responsible role in society.

My research and teaching is about what it takes to force business to serve society.

What I am interested in

My research examines how for-profit organizations strategically align with corporate purpose as a normative strategic commitment that influences decision-making, organizational learning, and legitimacy over time.

I study how companies translate purpose into practice, the tensions and contradictions that emerge in this process, and how leaders navigate these dynamics in pursuit of both economic and societal value.

Drawing on longitudinal case and qualitative research, I analyze the evolving legitimacy of purpose-driven strategies and the organizational mechanisms that make such commitments credible—or expose them as symbolic.

A central part of my work examines the role of Chief Purpose Officers and responsible leadership, focusing on how they mediate between internal expectations, stakeholder pressures, and moral aspirations.

Strategy

leadership

Trust

Sustainability

Communication

Change

A corporate culture ideally combines performance orientation with the principles of humanity and, with its offers and conditions, contributes to stabilizing society.

Publications