Research Focus of the Faculty


The economic sciences in Göttingen methodologically trace all decisions and actions back to the preferences of the individual. Consequently, research focuses on the sovereign, even decisive actor, e.g. as consumer or entrepreneur. These individuals drive development and change processes in order to find and implement novel solutions to social problems. This basic idea of an enlightened, responsible innovation activity of economic actors (individuals or organizations), "Responsible Innovation", forms the guiding principle of the Faculty of Business and Economics in research and teaching.

The model of the enlightened individual has effects on various levels, namely on the institutional, market, business and economic levels as well as on the global economic level. These effects are the subject of the research activities of the Faculty of Business and Economics. The researchers work on their research topics using a variety of econometric and experimental research methods on the one hand and formal analytical modelling approaches on the other.

The faculty bundles its versatile, interdisciplinary research activities in three main areas: "Governance and Compliance", "Marketing and Consumer Science" and "Global Change and Development".


Governance and Compliance

The research focus of the Governance and Compliance Group deals with the conception and impact of institutions in relation to organizational management. Corporate governance is a prime example as it deals with questions relating to sustainability and responsible corporate management. Furthermore the framework of governance affects the implementation of legal norms. These formal legal norms, as well as organizational rules (such as company statutes or remuneration systems), rely on behavioural control which is in turn integrated into behavioural modeling. Thereby all economic actors require an insight into the behaviour of competitors, employees, customers or shareholders, in order to evaluate the altered framework conditions and to reorient strategies.

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Marketing and Consumer Science

The research focus of the Marketing and Consumer Science Group considers all company activities that result in products and services developed for consumer consumption. Additionally, dynamic methods are being researched to help transform seemingly chaotic data, which is formed through real-world and digital consumer interactions, in order to obtain valuable consumer behaviour knowledge. All projects within this field are based on theoretically founded and empirical supported research that furthers the understanding of entrepreneurial as well as social and political decision-making processes.

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Global Change and Development

The research focus of the Global Change and Development Group deals with global economy transformation processes, in particular the problems facing low-income countries. The central theme within Development is the expansion and review of measures aimed at achieving the "Sustainable Development Goals" set out by the UN General Assembly in 2016, with a proposed implantation date by 2030. The area of Development is not only unique within Germany, but also includes a highly quantitative method orientation.

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Cross-sectional Areas

The three major research areas are complemented by 'cross-sectional' areas that include business information systems, business and human resource education, economic and social history as well as statistics and econometrics. All research areas and cross-sections of the Faculty provide networking possibilities with other scientific disciplines. Additionally, the boundaries between the research areas are permeable, allowing scientists of different focal points to cooperate with one another across various collaborative projects.

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