Research

My Research

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Purpose, strategy and the people in between

My research examines how for-profit organizations commit to a corporate purpose and align their strategy with it. I am interested in purpose as a normative commitment that shapes decision-making, organizational learning and legitimacy over time.

I study how companies translate purpose into practice, which tensions emerge along the way, and how leaders navigate them in pursuit of economic and societal value. Methodologically, I work with qualitative and longitudinal designs, including interview studies and case research.

I am passionate about Chief Purpose Officers’ work, and thus, I founded a private community for those senior executives. (www.chief-purposeofficer.com).

Research Themes

Strategy

leadership

Trust

Sustainability

Communication

Change

Publications

Google Scholar
ORCID
ESCP Faculty Page
Journal Articles
  • Steller, N. & Möllering, G. (2026). Too good to be true? A systematic literature review about the ambivalent consequences and managerial challenges of purpose implementation. European Management Review, special issue on Purpose-Driven Strategies in Management. Link
  • Steller, N. & Björck, A. (2025). Dynamic strategifying: How do Chief Purpose Officers make purpose strategic and strategy purposeful? Long Range Planning. Link
  • Steller, N. & Möllering, G. (2025). Purpose und Motivation von Führungskräften. [Zeitschrift Führung + Organisation (zfo)]. Link

Practitioner Articles

  • Steller, N. & Björck, A. (2026). What kind of Chief Purpose Officer does your company need? MIT Sloan Management Review. Link
  • Steller, N., Björck, A. & Möllering, G. (2026). Chief Purpose Officers: A leadership solution or another management fad? The Conversation. Link
  • Steller, N. & Schwitteck, A. (2026). Purpose that binds? Why corporate purpose only becomes credible when it is costly. ESCP Impact Paper. Link

Book Chapters

  • Steller, N. (2026). How Chief Purpose Officers prevent purpose-washing by linking social purpose and strategy. In W. S. Harvey et al. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Social Purpose. Oxford University Press.
  • Steller, N. & Gillespie, N. (2026). How do social purpose initiatives influence trust? Insights from Chief Purpose Officers. In W. S. Harvey et al. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Social Purpose. Oxford University Press.
  • Steller, N., Björck, A., Pugnetti, C., Vogel, B. & Aebischer, A. (2025). Purpose in business models: Strategic principles and key decisions. In P. Wollmann, D. Pemler & M. Ndrevataj (Eds.), The Sustainable Organization.Future of Business and Finance. Springer.
  • Steller, N. & Gauch, K. (2024). Corporate Purpose in deutschen Unternehmen: Purpose-Statements und erste Ansätze für ein internes Purpose-Audit. In J. Theis (Ed.), Sustainability Reporting: Praxisnahe Informationen und Fallstudien. IDW.

Interviews & Media

  • Purpose in Organisationen. Im Gespräch mit Prof. Nicole Steller (2026). Podcast, Link