Ronald Gleich

Ronald Gleich has been Professor of Management Practice & Control at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management since August 2020. In December 2020 he founded the Centre for Performance Management & Controlling together with Prof. Dr. Matthias Mahlendorf. His research centres on management control, innovation management, performance measurement and digital transformation, and he co-authors the leading German-language controlling textbook (14th edition).

Education & Career Path

• Apprenticeship as banker
• Studies in technically-oriented business administration, University of Stuttgart
• Doctorate and habilitation, University of Stuttgart
• Deputy professorship, University of Hohenheim
• Professor of Industrial Management, EBS University (2003–July 2020)

Research Interests

Ronald Gleich investigates practical and current issues in controlling, innovation management, performance measurement and cost management. He focuses on how organisations can design effective control systems to steer innovation, improve cost efficiency and master digital transformation (Industrie 4.0) and crisis situations such as COVID-19. His work bridges rigorous research with direct applicability for manufacturing firms and executive practice.

Publication Profile

Across more than 250 publications—spanning journal articles, monographs, edited volumes and practitioner guides—Gleich explores themes such as advanced budgeting, performance measurement systems, innovation controlling, supply-chain controlling and integrated reporting. His recent output (2020–2024) emphasises agility, crisis management, digital technologies and the evolution of controller roles.

Industry Engagement & Leadership

• Founder and Co-Director, Centre for Performance Management & Controlling, Frankfurt School
• Co-Director, ICV-Ideenwerkstatt (think-tank of the International Controller Association)
• Partner, Horváth & Partners (2001–2005)
• Managing Partner & Shareholder, Horváth Academy (2012–2018)
• Advisor to leading German manufacturing companies

Teaching & Executive Education

Professor Gleich teaches internal accounting, controlling and a variety of executive-education seminars and certificate programmes aimed at finance leaders and controllers.