Steven A. Brieger

Dr. Steven A. Brieger is an Associate Professor in International Business (Strategy and Marketing) at the University of Sussex Business School, where he also serves as Research Director and Co-Director of the Responsible Business Research Group. His academic journey began at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, where he earned a PhD (summa cum laude) in Management & Entrepreneurship, following a Master’s and Bachelor’s in related fields. He has held academic positions at the University of Sussex since 2018, progressing from Assistant to Associate Professor, and will join NEOMA Business School as Full Professor in 2025.

Education:

• PhD in Management & Entrepreneurship, Leuphana University of Lüneburg (2018)
• MA in Management & Entrepreneurship, Leuphana University of Lüneburg (2014)
• BS in Economics & Political Science, Leuphana University of Lüneburg (2011)

His research centers on the intersection of business and society, particularly how cultural, institutional, and economic contexts shape corporate responsibility, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. He investigates how firms and entrepreneurs respond to societal challenges such as inequality, environmental degradation, and public health crises. His work integrates quantitative and qualitative methods, using large-scale datasets to analyze job quality, working conditions, and diverse forms of entrepreneurship, especially social, environmental, and female-led ventures.

Dr. Brieger’s recent publications span top journals including the Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Journal of Business Ethics, and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. His work shows a strong trend toward understanding the socio-political dimensions of business—how work influences political engagement, how inequality affects sustainable consumption, and how geopolitical events like the Ukraine war reshape corporate social responsibility. A recurring theme is the role of institutional support and cultural norms in shaping entrepreneurial behavior and well-being.

Scientific Awards:

• Top Reviewer 2023, Journal of Business Ethics
• Top Reviewer 2022, Journal of Business Ethics
• Research Excellence Award, University of Sussex (2022)
• PhD Award, Leuphana University of Lüneburg (2019)
• Student Led Teaching Award, University of Sussex (2018)
• Award for Outstanding Publications, Leuphana (2016)
• Science Award of Lower Saxony (2013)

Dr. Brieger has supervised multiple PhD students and secured research funding, including a British Academy/Leverhulme grant on organizational social mobility. He actively contributes to academic service as an editor for Small Business Economics and editorial board member for Journal of Business Ethics. He collaborates with the OECD on policy research related to job quality and working conditions in Europe.

Labs and Research Groups:

• Co-Director, Responsible Business Research Group, University of Sussex
• Collaborator with OECD on SME and entrepreneurship policy
• Liaison Lecturer, Hans Böckler Foundation