Last week, scientists, business representatives and students spent an entire day at HSBA’s Annual Conference discussing how research can provide impetus for a sustainable, resilient and responsible economy and society. Among other things, they discussed how multinational companies are dealing with current geopolitical challenges, what role personal values and social norms play, and how accessible and transparent sustainability reporting is, for example in the banking sector.
Annual Conference 2025: Best of HSBA Research
‘I would like to thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and the intensive exchange during the conference. Relevant economic challenges were addressed and crucial food for thought was provided, which will hopefully contribute to shaping a resilient and sustainable future,’ said Prof. Dr. Sarah Jastram, HSBA Vice President for Research and International Affairs and Professor of Business Ethics and Sustainability. ‘We were particularly pleased to see the great commitment of our young researchers, who are already making a contribution with practical projects during their studies. Supporting and encouraging them is one of our central tasks as a university.’
Lectures and Sessions
Session 1: Sustainable Governance, Reporting, and Consumption
- The Interplay Between Psychographics and Social Norms in Ethical Consumption – Evidence from Japan and the United States
Zara Berberyan (HSBA PhD Candidate) & Prof. Dr. Sarah Jastram (Vice President Research & International Affairs, Professor of International Business Ethics and Sustainability at HSBA) - Mainstreaming Sustainability – The Institutionalization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Tatjana Minulla (HSBA PhD Candidate) & Prof. Dr. Sarah Jastram (Vice President Research & International Affairs, Professor of International Business Ethics and Sustainability at HSBA) - Exploring the Accessibility of Sustainability Sections on Corporate Websites: Perspective from the European Banks
Giampiero Palazzo (Visiting Researcher at HSBA; PhD Candidate at University of Salento, Italy)
Master Poster Session
- Determinants of German Manufacturing FDI into European Countries: An Empirical Approach, Frederik Simonet (MSc Business Development)
- Balancing Academia and Family: Exploring Family-Friendliness at HSBA through a Qualitative Study on Staff, Isabelle Meijer (MSc Business Development)
- Increasing Acceptance of Digital Transformation in Public Administration through Neuro-Management Approaches, Maya Kaufholz (MSc Digital Transformation & Sustainability)
Session 2: Strategic and Responsible Decision Making in Global Business
- Fight or Flight? The Reaction of Socially Responsible Investors to Roadblocks in the Pursuit of their Purpose, Dr. Shubham Singh (Postdoctoral Researcher at HSBA)
- The Role of Reference Points in New Ventures' Strategic Decision-Making: Evidence from Kenya and Ghana, Dr. Ronja Kirschning (Postdoctoral Researcher at HSBA)
Keynote
- New Challenges in International Business in the Age of Geopolitics
Prof. Dr. Johann Fortwengel (Professor of International Management, King’s College London, Incoming General Editor of Journal of Management Studies)
Ingeborg Gross Young Scientists Award
Ingeborg Gross Young Scientists Award
This year's Young Scientists Award went to HSBA Master's alumna Maya Kaufholz (MSc Digital Transformation & Sustainability), who impressed the audience with her poster. The award was presented during the Annual Conference by public vote among the Master's students who had written one of the best theses and presented their posters on site.
We would like to thank the Ingeborg Gross Foundation and Schill + Seilacher ‘Struktol’ for their generous support.