How did you become interested in your field of research?
The idea that businesses can have a positive impact on society has resonated with me for many years and became a core motivation toward the end of my bachelor’s degree. During my studies at HSBA, I chose the Sustainable Leadership major and later wrote my master’s thesis on the intraorganizational effects of voluntary sustainability initiatives. From that point on, it was clear this was the only topic I would consider if I decided to pursue a PhD. The prospect of contributing to more sustainable business practices has been my primary driver from the very beginning.
What is the focus of your PhD?
My dissertation is titled “Just for Show? The Institutional Role of Voluntary Sustainability Initiatives in Corporate Social Responsibility Governance”. In essence, it examines voluntary sustainability initiatives, such as the UN Global Compact or the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to promote more sustainable business practices on a voluntary basis. As organizations adopt these initiatives in various ways, they have become key instruments in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) governance and now play an essential institutional role. Companies turn to these initiatives for guidance, advice, and legitimization. In times of fluctuating non‑voluntary regulation, for example, with the CSRD and the related Omnibus packages, organizations increasingly rely on sustainability initiatives for orientation, which is what my dissertation seeks to understand more deeply.
What are the main findings of your PhD and who are your results aimed at?
The dissertation draws conclusions about the institutional effects of voluntary sustainability initiatives and their implications for the broader CSR landscape, with specific takeaways for managers and policymakers. One central insight is that we need to move away from a binary view of institutional adoption (Has an organization implemented the UN Global Compact?) toward a more nuanced understanding (How deeply, and in which parts of the organization, has the UN Global Compact been adopted?). This more differentiated view helps explain when and how such initiatives actually shape corporate behavior.
Are there any results or discoveries you are particularly surprised of?
I remember a particularly challenging phase around two to three years into my PhD. With the rise of reporting regulations and CO2 pricing, I began to question whether there was still a place for voluntary CSR or whether regulation would simply take over the role of enabling sustainable business practices. While I was second‑guessing my entire dissertation, I was also hopeful (perhaps naively, in retrospect) that instruments such as the EU CSRD, ETS, and CSDDD would address the core sustainability challenges. Today, it is clear that government regulation is more volatile than many expected, and voluntary CSR remains crucial. While each paper or chapter of my dissertation brought more specific, technical surprises, the key realization for me is the significant impact that voluntary CSR can still generate.
How relevant is your work for your further professional development?
In parallel to my corporate role, I started teaching about three years ago, and I can clearly see how my teaching and research reinforce each other, which I find very encouraging. Over the course of the PhD, I have developed a strong skill set: navigating academic debates, reading and interpreting scientific studies, handling critical feedback, and building robust, research‑based arguments. These capabilities strengthen my resilience and communication skills and serve as a cornerstone of my future career, both in industry and academia.Industrie als auch in der Wissenschaft.
