Prof. Dr. Mirko Kremer is a Professor of Supply Chain Management at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management since July 2014. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University (2008-2014) and held visiting roles at London Business School, Kellogg School of Management, and INSEAD. He earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Mannheim (2008), with prior studies in Business Administration at Mannheim (1999-2003) and Economics at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (1997-1999). Research Focus: Micro-behavioral foundations of supply chains, inventory management, sales forecasting, and service systems. Editorial Roles: Department Editor for Production and Operations Management , Associate Editor for Operations Research . Teaching: Courses in Operations Management, Supply Chain Strategy, and quantitative decision modeling at Frankfurt School, INSEAD, London Business School, and Kellogg School of Management. Research Trends: His work bridges behavioral economics with supply chain operations, emphasizing how human decision-making (e.g., managerial biases, consumer behavior) impacts inventory systems, pricing strategies, and forecasting accuracy. Recent articles focus on diagnostic errors under congestion, strategic sourcing biases, and dynamic pricing experiments.
Prof. Mark Heitmann is a Professor of Marketing & Customer Insight at the University of Hamburg Business School. He holds a visiting appointment at Nova School of Business and Economics. His research focuses on AI-driven marketing strategies, social media analytics, brand equity, and consumer decision-making. He has held academic roles at institutions including the University of St. Gallen and Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel before joining Hamburg in 2011. Academic Career: Holds a PhD (2004) and post-doctoral Habilitation (2007) from the University of St. Gallen. Visiting researcher at Columbia University and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Research Interests: Applications of artificial intelligence in marketing Social media and digital transformation Ethical consumer behavior Brand self-expression and visual design Marketing technology (MarTech) innovations Key Achievements: Over 20 peer-reviewed publications in top journals like Journal of Marketing Research and Harvard Business Review . Award-winning research includes the MSI/H. Paul Root Award and IJRM-EMAC Best Article Award. Active in translating research into scalable commercial solutions through software-as-a-service ventures. Team & Collaborations: Leads a research team including M.Sc. candidates Sammar Rath, Julia Rosada, Maximilian Witte, Tijmen Jansen, Claus Hegmann-Napp, and Magdalena Heynicke. Engages in interdisciplinary projects with industry partners.
Prof. Dr. Christian Homburg holds the Chair of Business-to-Business Marketing, Sales & Pricing at the University of Mannheim's Faculty of Business Administration. Since 2007, he has been a Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne. His research spans marketing strategy, sales management, pricing, and customer relationship management, with a focus on business-to-business contexts. He collaborates with global firms such as Accenture, BOSCH, SAP, and BASF. Research Interests: Prof. Homburg explores topics like sales force automation, key account management, IoT in marketing, and augmented reality in sales. His work bridges academic theory and practical implementation, emphasizing organizational systems driving customer and competitor responsiveness. Scientific Awards: Hermann Billing Prize (1989) Multiple Best Paper Awards from the American Marketing Association (1997-2010) Louis W. Stern Award (2009) Best Paper Awards from Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science and Journal of Business to Business Marketing Publications: Author of 7+ editions of Marketing Management , co-editor of the Handbook of Customer Loyalty Management , and contributor to leading journals like Journal of Marketing and Strategic Management Journal .
Stephen Meisenbacher is a Research Associate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) , affiliated with the School of Computation, Information and Technology and the Department of Computer Science, I19 . He has been part of the Software Engineering for Business Information Systems (SEBIS) chair since March 2022. His research focuses on Privacy-Preserving Natural Language Processing (NLP) , Differential Privacy , and Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) , with a particular interest in their integration into software development and business applications. His work also explores Hybrid, Expert-Driven Classification Systems and Usable Privacy solutions. Stephen’s recent publications address trends in AI Privacy Risks , Text Rewriting with DP , Legal AI Use Cases , and Data Protection Compliance . He has contributed to GDPR-related research and PETs adoption in small enterprises. His teaching includes Natural Language Processing seminars and Software Engineering lecture courses for Master’s and Bachelor’s students at TUM. He also organizes Entrepreneurship for Small Software-Oriented Enterprises seminars. Stephen holds a Master’s in Informatics from TUM (DAAD Graduate Scholarship) and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame, with additional studies in German Language and Literature. Contact: stephen.meisenbacher@tum.de | LinkedIn
Prof. Dr. Sven Heidenreich is a full Professor of Business Administration, specializing in Technology and Innovation Management at the University of Saarland. He leads an active research group and holds a prominent position in the German-speaking academic community, with consistent recognition in national and international rankings. University: University of Saarland Department: Business Administration Research Focus: Technology and Innovation Management Email: sven.heidenreich@uni-saarland.de His research centers on innovation processes, particularly consumer integration, co-creation, resistance to innovation, and sustainable business models. He employs a quantitative-empirical approach to study individual and organizational aspects of innovation, with applications in digital services, video games, and green innovation. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in understanding consumer behavior in innovation contexts, including greenwashing, leapfrogging, co-creation, and the role of personality in entrepreneurial success. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as Journal of Product Innovation Management , R&D Management , and Technological Forecasting and Social Change . Top 0.5% researcher worldwide in Innovation Management (ScholarGPS 2024) JPIM Outstanding Reviewer Award 2023 Multiple appearances in WirtschaftsWoche Economist Rankings (2018–2024) Finalist, Best Paper Award, IRCSM 2024 Prof. Heidenreich supervises doctoral researchers and has led significant research projects, including the DFG-funded TRIP project on integrating different consumer types into new product development. His team includes postdocs, junior professors, and scientific staff, indicating active mentorship and collaborative research. He also collaborates with researchers across Europe and beyond. He leads the DFG project TRIP and has secured funding from major German research bodies. His lab focuses on empirical studies involving consumer panels, student experiments, and idea competitions to validate innovation theories in realistic settings.
Markus König is a Professor of Informatics in Civil Engineering at Ruhr University Bochum, where he has been researching and teaching since October 2009. His work focuses on Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital construction technologies, and civil engineering informatics, with significant contributions to the development and implementation of digital methods in German construction industry. Dr. König earned his degree in civil engineering with a focus on applied computer science at Leibniz University Hannover, where he also completed his doctorate on cooperative building planning at the Institute for Building Informatics. He subsequently held a junior professorship for Theoretical Methods of Project Management at Bauhaus University Weimar before joining Ruhr University Bochum. His research spans multiple cutting-edge areas including Building Information Modeling (BIM), construction process simulation, tunneling informatics, infrastructure asset management, and the application of artificial intelligence and computer vision in civil engineering. As chair of the Building Informatics Working Group from 2012-2016, he played a key role in developing the first national BIM curriculum for German universities and serves as editor of the book 'Building Information Modeling: Technological Foundations and Industrial Practice.' Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward semantic technologies, digital twins, automated compliance checking, and the integration of AI in construction processes. His work increasingly focuses on information containers, ontology development, and the application of large language models to infrastructure data, reflecting the evolving landscape of digital construction. Dr. König's significant contributions to digital construction have been recognized with prestigious awards: Lower Saxony-Bremen Construction Industry Award (2017) for 'services in the development and introduction of digital construction in Germany' Konrad Zuse Medal (2020) While specific details about his advising and grant activities aren't explicitly mentioned in the provided text, his extensive publication record with numerous co-authors suggests active supervision of doctoral students and research staff. His involvement in multiple collaborative research projects is evident from his publication history. At Ruhr University Bochum, Professor König leads a research group focused on civil engineering informatics, with particular emphasis on BIM, digital construction technologies, and their application across the building lifecycle. His team appears to work at the intersection of computer science and civil engineering, developing innovative solutions for construction process optimization, infrastructure management, and digital transformation of the AEC industry.
Stephan Hankammer is a Professor of Sustainable Corporate Management at Alanus University of Arts and Society, where he holds the Chair for Sustainable Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. He is also the co-founder and scientific director of the Institute for Regenerative Economics (REGWI), an affiliated research institute. His academic career includes roles as Junior Professor (2018-2022) and Postdoctoral Researcher at RWTH Aachen University. His research focuses on sustainable innovation, regenerative business models, circular economy, and the dual transformation of digital and sustainable business practices. Key areas include collaboration in value chains, regeneration of ecosystems, and post-growth economic models. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from RWTH Aachen in 2018, with postgraduate studies at institutions like MINES Saint-Étienne and the University of St. Gallen. His work emphasizes frameworks for sustainable degrowth, co-creation in innovation, and leveraging digital tools (e.g., blockchain) for transparency and circular practices. He has presented globally at venues like the Academy of Management and Impact Festival, advocating for regenerative business practices. Hankammer serves on editorial boards (e.g., International Journal of Sustainable Design) and is a member of professional networks like the Academy of Management and SCORAI. His recent projects explore Industry 4.0 sustainability, post-growth business models, and co-opetition strategies for circular economies.
University of Economics and Environment Nürtingen-GeislingenGermany
Professor Reinhold Bopp serves at the University of Economics and Environment (Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt) as Professor of Automotive and Mobility Management since 2010, specializing in Development and Production Management within the Institute of Automotive Management. His educational background includes: Doctorate in Engineering from University of Stuttgart (2000), dissertation: "A method for optimizing residual value at the end of a product's life cycle" Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering/Economics from Northwestern University, USA (1991-1992) under DAAD scholarship Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from University of Stuttgart (1985-1992) Professor Bopp's research integrates engineering principles with business management in the automotive sector, focusing on development processes, production optimization, and product lifecycle management. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industry applications, particularly in automotive manufacturing systems and mobility solutions. His academic recognition includes a DAAD scholarship for international study and his engineering doctorate earned under Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Prof. e.h. mult. Dr. hc mult. Hans-Jörg Bullinger at the University of Stuttgart. Professor Bopp maintains an extensive international academic presence with visiting professorships at Babes-Bolyai University (Romania), National Institute of Development Administration (Thailand), and Stanford University's Center for Design Research (2023), plus guest lectures at institutions across Jordan, Czech Republic, and Spain. Prior to his academic career, he held significant industry positions including various management roles at automotive supplier Magna (2003-2010), Managing Partner at ingeniCON GmbH (1999-2003), and Project Manager at Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (1997-1999).
Prof. Dr. Harald Ritz serves as Professor of Practical Computer Science, especially Business Informatics, at the Technical University of Central Hesse (THM) within the Department of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Computer Science since 2003. He holds leadership roles as Chair of Examination Committees for B.Sc. and M.Sc. Business Information Systems and Spokesperson for the MNI department in the Business Informatics Working Group (AKWI). His educational background includes a Diplom in Business Informatics (Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Inform.) and doctorate (Dr. rer. pol.) from the Technical University of Darmstadt, following professional experience at SAP SI AG and a professorship at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences. Ritz's research centers on AI-driven digital transformation for data-driven enterprises, with focus on the “Data to Decision” value chain encompassing Framing, Allocation, Analytics, and Preparation phases. His work integrates business intelligence, data warehousing, machine learning, and SAP ecosystems to address challenges in SME digitalization, operational IT management, and educational technology. Current projects emphasize AI applications in higher education, including intelligent tutoring systems and automated feedback mechanisms. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward applied AI solutions in business contexts, particularly in intelligent chatbots for educational support, financial trading algorithms, and cloud-based data infrastructure. The research demonstrates increasing integration of no-code platforms, real-time analytics, and domain-specific AI applications across logistics, banking, and procurement sectors. No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. Professor Ritz actively supervises academic development through bachelor’s and master’s theses, doctoral research, and collaborative projects. Current initiatives include the “Winfy” AI chatbot (v4.0, 2025), AI-based feedback systems for educational content (Freiraum 2025 grant), the frits intelligent tutoring project with Prof. Kammer, and doctoral research on AI adoption in SMEs. His work bridges theoretical research with practical implementation in SAP environments and cloud platforms. He operates within THM’s MNI department infrastructure, collaborating through the Business Informatics Working Group (AKWI) and contributing to the Digital Classroom communication platform for online education.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Eicker is a Professor and Chairholder of Business Information Systems and Software Engineering at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. He has held this position since April 2004, following previous academic appointments at the Technical University of Clausthal, the University of Essen, and other German institutions. His research spans multiple domains within information systems and software engineering, with a particular focus on digital transformation and emerging technologies. Prof. Eicker's research interests center around Smart Products , Service Systems , Internet of Things , and Platform Economics . His work explores how digital technologies transform traditional business models and create new value propositions. He has developed taxonomies for smart services and investigated quality factors in self-tracking solutions, demonstrating his interdisciplinary approach that bridges technical and business perspectives. His research particularly emphasizes the integration of physical and digital components in modern products and services. His recent publications (2019-2024) reveal a strong focus on digital platform economies, smart services, and IoT applications. The research shows a clear trajectory toward understanding value creation mechanisms in digital ecosystems, with increasing attention to practical applications in energy systems, self-tracking technologies, and business model innovation. His work often involves collaboration with colleagues like Gero Strobel and Tobias Brogt, indicating an active research group focused on digital transformation. Prof. Eicker has contributed significantly to the academic community through his extensive publication record spanning nearly two decades, with work appearing in journals, conference proceedings, and edited volumes. His research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in business contexts. He maintains an active role in academic administration and education at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where he has contributed to curriculum development and the implementation of systems for managing academic information. His work on the bolognaT3 system demonstrates his commitment to improving academic processes through technology.
Dr. Yang Zhang is a tenured Professor at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security . His research focuses on Trustworthy Machine Learning , emphasizing privacy, safety, and security , with additional work on measuring misinformation and unsafe online content like hateful memes. He has published extensively at top conferences (CCS, NDSS, Oakland, USENIX Security) and received multiple awards including the Busy Beaver Award (2022) and NDSS Distinguished Paper Award (2019) . Research Interests : Trustworthy Machine Learning LLM Security, Privacy, and Safety Misinformation and Hate Speech Detection Social Network Analysis Recent Publications examine synthetic data auditing, hate speech detection in LLM-generated content, and privacy risks in curriculum learning, spanning conferences like USENIX Security , IEEE S&P , and ACM CCS . His work often intersects AI security with ethical considerations . Scientific Awards : Busy Beaver Award for “Privacy of Machine Learning” (2022) NDSS Distinguished Paper Award (2019) CCS Best Paper Runner-Up (2022) Best Machine Learning and Security Paper in Cybersecurity Award (2025) Best Paper Finalist at CSAW Europe (2023, 2024) Students in his group include Yixin Wu , Xinyue Shen , and Yiting Qu , the latter recently completing their Ph.D. defense. He actively recruits MSc and PhD students and has contributed to iDRAMA Lab for meme-related research.
Prof. Daniel Mondino holds the Suhr Endowed Professorship for Digital Integrated Process Management - Planning (Building Information Modeling - BIM) at HafenCity University Hamburg since February 1, 2018. He is a key figure in advancing Building Information Modeling research and implementation in Germany, focusing on digital processes in architecture and construction. Dr. Mondino studied architecture at ETH Zurich and has worked as a freelance architect in Hamburg since 1996. He was appointed to the Association of German Architects (BDA) in 2006. In addition to his academic position, he serves as a managing partner at CORE Digital Engineering GmbH, an architecture and general planning firm specializing in BIM processes and certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 for BIM processes and management. Prof. Mondino's research focuses on the further development of model-based concepts for sustainability analyses ("Digitalization and Sustainability") and inter- and transdisciplinary information management in the built environment ("Digital Process Chain"). His work emphasizes the systemic understanding required for digital processes across the entire building lifecycle. He actively contributes to national initiatives, having been a member of the core authoring group for the Digital Planning and Construction Phased Plan of the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport in 2015, and since 2021 leading the "Implementation Strategy and BIM Manual" sub-measure for the Federal Ministry of Construction. Prof. Mondino serves as a member of the Digitalization Steering Group of the Federal Chamber of Architects and deputy spokesperson of the board of the BIM Hub Hamburg, an interdisciplinary knowledge pool on BIM for the Hamburg metropolitan region. He participates in various national and international working groups, expert groups, and standardization bodies focused on BIM implementation. His teaching imparts fundamental methodological understanding for BIM application and supervises numerous bachelor's and master's theses related to BIM. Current research projects include the "CO₂-neutral World Heritage Speicherstadt Hamburg" (2021-2024) and "BIM cost planning" (2021-2023), addressing critical challenges in sustainable construction and digital process optimization. He also oversees the BIMLab@HCU, which serves as a research and teaching facility focused on advancing BIM methodologies and applications.
Jan Christof Recker is Nucleus Professor and holder of the chair for Information Systems and Digital Innovation at the University of Hamburg Business School, funded through the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments. He also holds adjunct professor positions at the University of Agder (Kristiansand, Norway) since 2022 and at the QUT Business School (Brisbane, Australia) since 2018, and has previously served as Professor for Information Systems and Systems Development at the University of Cologne (2018-2021) and Full Professor for Digital Innovation at QUT Business School. Dr. Recker holds bachelor's and master's degrees in information systems from the University of Münster and a PhD in Information Systems from the Queensland University of Technology. His educational background forms the foundation for his expertise in bridging technical and organizational aspects of digital transformation. His research focuses on how organizations deal with digital innovation, digital transformation, and digital entrepreneurship. As a field researcher, he has collaborated with large organizations including Woolworths, SAP, Hilti, Commonwealth Bank, Federal Police, Lufthansa, and Ubisoft, as well as various startups. Dr. Recker employs quantitative, qualitative, and mixed field methods in his research and is also competent in design research. His current research interests include technology analysis and design in the digital age, digital entrepreneurship and new venture creation, digital innovation and transformation in large organizations, digitalization of products, services, and processes, and digital solutions for sustainable development. His work aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals including Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). Dr. Recker's recent publications demonstrate a sophisticated exploration of the intersection between physical and digital experiences, generative AI development methodologies, societal impacts of crises on business growth patterns, and responsible digital innovation frameworks. His work spans multiple high-impact journals across information systems, management science, and entrepreneurship disciplines, consistently addressing practical organizational challenges with theoretically grounded approaches. His notable awards and honors include: AIS Fellow Award (2018) Outstanding Associate Editor Award by MIS Quarterly (2019) SIGGreen Best Paper Award (2021) Best Paper Award by the Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application (2014) Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence (2014) Dr. Recker has secured significant research funding for projects related to digital innovation and transformation, including the HIVESOUND start-up scholarship (2024-2025) and research on how digital products are created through hardware-software interactions (2022-2024). As Editor-in-Chief for Communications of the Association for Information Systems (2015-2020) and current Senior Editor for the MIS Quarterly, he has shaped scholarly discourse in the field. His supervision of doctoral students has been recognized with multiple awards, reflecting his commitment to developing the next generation of information systems scholars. His Management Transfer Lab at the University of Hamburg serves as a nexus for academic-industry collaboration, focusing on translating theoretical insights into practical solutions for digital transformation challenges. The lab maintains strong partnerships with major corporations and startups alike, ensuring research relevance while providing students with real-world experience in digital innovation contexts.
Professor Matthias Lederer serves as a faculty member at the Weiden Business School of Ostbayerische Technical University Amberg-Weiden, specializing in Business Informatics with a focus on Process Management. His academic position is complemented by extensive industry experience across multiple sectors including IT services, manufacturing, and consulting. Dr. Lederer's research spans four interconnected domains: process analysis and optimization, IT process management, agile process transformation, and didactics for process digitization. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly in business process management (BPM), digital transformation, and the integration of agile methodologies into organizational structures. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated applications of data science and artificial intelligence in process optimization. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical implementations of business process management, with particular emphasis on agile transformations, data-driven process design, and the application of AI in business contexts. His work consistently addresses the intersection of academic research and industry practice, with publications appearing in both academic journals and professional conference proceedings. The research demonstrates growing attention to digital platforms, smart manufacturing applications, and sustainable business practices. His scientific recognition includes: Best Program Director award from ISM International School of Management Project Award 'Innovative LernOrte' from OTH Award for Good Teaching from the Bavarian State Ministry Best Paper Award at the 2014 International Conference on Information Systems Multiple professional certifications including Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and OMG-Certified Expert in Business Process Management Professor Lederer has developed significant academic leadership through his role as Chairman of the Institute of Innovative Process Management. His teaching approach integrates practice-integrated methodologies, reflecting his belief in connecting academic concepts with real-world applications. His extensive consulting background with organizations like REHAU AG + Co. and the Bavarian Ministry of Justice informs his academic work and student mentorship.
Prof. Michael Felderer is the Director of the Institute for Software Technology at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and a full professor at the University of Cologne. His expertise spans software testing, security, architectures, empirical software engineering, and emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. Previously, he held roles as associate professor at the University of Innsbruck, guest professor at Blekinge Institute of Technology, and CEO of QE LaB Business Services. His research focuses on developing methods to enhance software quality and trustworthiness through collaborations with academia and industry. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his career trajectory indicates advanced academic training in software engineering. Research interests include AI-driven software systems, data trustworthiness in IoT, and agile methodologies. He has co-authored over 200 publications and received 14 best paper awards, with notable recognition from the Journal of Systems and Software. Labs/Teams: Leads the DLR Institute for Software Technology, focusing on open-source software solutions for aerospace, energy, and security domains. Collaborates with global researchers and companies on advanced engineering applications like quantum computing and digital twins.
