Norbert Thom

Prof. Dr. Norbert Thom is a distinguished academic at the University of Bern, where he founded and leads the Institute for Personnel and Organizational Development. He has significantly contributed to the fields of personnel management, organizational development, and public administration. His career spans prestigious institutions including the University of Cologne, Justus Liebig University, University of Freiburg, and international guest lectureships in the USA, Japan, Spain, and Austria.

• PhD in Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne (1976)
• Habilitation, University of Cologne (1984)
• Studies in Business Administration, University of Cologne (1968–1972)

Prof. Thom's research focuses on personnel and organizational development, with key contributions to new public management, innovation management, and healthcare management. His work emphasizes practical applications in organizational design and leadership. With over 600 scientific publications translated into 20 languages, his influence is globally recognized.

Although specific article titles are not listed, his extensive publication record indicates a long-standing, interdisciplinary research program centered on management science, organizational behavior, and policy implementation across public and private sectors.

His scientific achievements have been recognized through numerous awards:

• Karl-Guth-Preis (1978)
• Honorary Medal, Johannes Kepler University Linz (1989)
• Denker Award (1992) – first recipient in Switzerland
• Golden Idea Oscar (1993) – first recipient in Switzerland
• Honorary Member, German Society for Organization (since 2002)
• Honorary Member, Swiss Society for Business Administration (since 2003)
• Honorary Doctor, Mykolo Romerio University (2005)

Prof. Thom has supervised 35 doctoral dissertations, all successfully defended, and served on six habilitation committees. His academic leadership includes founding key departments and fostering international academic collaborations, particularly in advancing modern public administration education. While no specific grants are mentioned, his sustained output and institutional development suggest significant research funding and collaborative support.

He founded and continues to lead the Institute for Personnel and Organizational Development at the University of Bern, a center for research and education in organizational behavior and human resource strategy. The institute plays a vital role in shaping management practices in Switzerland and beyond.