معرفی
Thorsten Semrau is Professor of Management at the University of Trier, affiliated with Faculty IV and the Department of Business Administration. He is a key member of the Forschungszentrum Mittelstand and the SPIRIT project, contributing to research on small and medium-sized enterprises and innovation. His academic leadership spans teaching, research, and international collaboration.
- University: University of Trier
- Faculty: Faculty IV (Business Administration)
- Department: Department of Business Administration
- Role: Professor of Management
- Research Centers: Forschungszentrum Mittelstand, SPIRIT project
Thorsten Semrau holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Cologne, where he studied Business and Psychology. His academic career includes positions as E&Y Endowed Junior Professor at the University of Cologne, lecturer at Fresenius University and the University of Mannheim, and Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Leuphana University Lüneburg. He has held research stays at Rowan University (USA) and the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge (UK).
- PhD: University of Cologne, 2010
- Dissertation: Networks in New Venture Creation and Development
- Junior Professor: University of Cologne
- International Research: USA, UK
His research focuses on management, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior, with particular emphasis on team dynamics, failure learning, human resource management, and entrepreneurial orientation. His work explores how leadership, diversity, and institutional contexts influence performance in startups and organizations. He investigates psychological factors such as risk propensity, motivation, and personality in entrepreneurial settings, as well as structural aspects like networks, coopetition, and franchising systems.
His recent publications reveal a strong trend in understanding team-level processes, including virtual collaboration, age diversity, and learning from failure. There is a consistent focus on empirical studies in entrepreneurship, particularly in franchise systems and academic innovation. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges psychology, management, and strategy, often using multi-level and cross-cultural designs.
Thorsten Semrau has received numerous accolades for both teaching and research excellence.
- Teaching Award Trier University „Excellently taught”, 2021
- Nomination for „Bridges built” award, 2021
- Best Research Paper Award, Forum Entrepreneurship Research, 2014
- Best Conference Paper Award, INGRoup Conference, 2013
- Editor’s Choice Award, USASBE Conference, 2013
- Multiple teaching awards from University of Cologne, 2009–2013
He has supervised and collaborated with numerous researchers and students, particularly in the areas of team performance, franchising, and entrepreneurial networks. His work is supported by affiliations with research centers and ongoing collaborations across Europe and the US. He has contributed to doctoral education through guest lectures and mentoring. His leadership in the Forschungszentrum Mittelstand indicates active grant involvement and institutional research programs.
Thorsten Semrau is associated with the Forschungszentrum Mittelstand and the SPIRIT project at the University of Trier, where he leads research initiatives on SMEs, innovation, and organizational development. His team engages in interdisciplinary work combining management theory, psychological insights, and practical consulting applications.
