Eva Christine Erhardt

Eva Christine Erhardt is Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Technical Business Administration, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences. She serves as Internationalization Officer for the department and as Fachkoordinatorin for the Mexican-German University Cooperation (mdhk) in International Business since 2024, managing the double degree program with Tec de Monterrey.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Economics (summa cum laude), University of Mainz, 2019
• Master of Arts (Political Science), University of Innsbruck, 2004
• Master of Science (International Economics), University of Innsbruck and Tulane University, 2002

Professor Erhardt's research focuses on firm growth (particularly start-ups, SMEs, and high-growth firms), sustainable finance and microfinance, and development economics. Her work bridges economic theory with practical applications in international business, emphasizing empirical approaches to economic challenges in emerging markets. She has published in journals including Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade and Small Business Economics.

Her publications demonstrate a consistent trajectory in studying high-growth entrepreneurship and microfinance mechanisms, with increasing focus on institutional frameworks that support economic development across diverse contexts. The research shows strong methodological rigor with both quantitative and qualitative approaches applied to real-world economic challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• 2020 Dissertation Prize of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Alfred Teves Foundation)
• 2016 Best Paper Award, 2nd Microfinance and Rural Finance Conference, Aberystwyth, UK
• 2016-2018 Scholarships for conference and lecture trips from DAAD and the University of Mainz
• 2013 Research Funding Pro Credit Group
• 2000, 2002 Merit Scholarships Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck

Professor Erhardt actively supervises bachelor's and master's theses, welcoming both independent topic proposals and those developed with companies. Her third-party funded projects include studies on employment impact of agriculture and education sector programs commissioned by KfW Development Bank. She serves as peer reviewer for Research Policy, Small Business Economics (5 reviews), and other prestigious journals. As Internationalization Officer, she coordinates international partnerships and advises students on study abroad opportunities with particular expertise in German-Mexican academic cooperation.