Research

The social relevance of business education research at the Chair currently lies in particular in the digital and sustainable transformation and socio-demographic change. In our projects and studies, we investigate the connections between these transformations and professions, occupational fields and educational processes. We conduct transdisciplinary research, in particular with researchers from the fields of economics, labor sciences, sociology and psychology. We use empirical social research approaches as a basis. An overview of current and completed research projects can be found here.

Current research

The following studies are currently being carried out at the Chair. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

The Digital and Sustainable Transformation of the Economy, Occupations and Work – An Online Survey of Employees and Apprentices

  • Objectives: The study examines transformations that arise from digitalization, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change. It captures mental models, current experiences, attitudes and emotions related to these transformation processes. The aim is to understand how cognitive and non-cognitive facets are interrelated and to distinguish between different transformation profiles of employees.
  • Methodology and sample: Online questionnaire, n = 3,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions and apprentices in Germany
  • Data collection period: August to October 2026
  • Analysis: Initial results are expected in Q4 2026.

Learning and Innovation in the Context of Digital Transformation – A Qualitative Study in Two Case Companies and a Quantitative Survey of Employees in Germany

  • Objectives: The study examines transformations that emerge in relation to the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and how these are shaped through employees’ learning and innovation practices. To this end, two case companies that have introduced AI-based applications were studied, and an online survey of 3,000 employees in Germany was conducted.
  • Data collection period: May to November 2025 and February to August 2026
  • Analysis: Initial results are expected in Q4 2026.
  • Cooperation partners: Chair of Labor, Human Resources and Organization at Helmut Schmidt University / University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg (Dr. Jennifer Liehr)
  • Context and funding: Project CKoBeLeP II, funded by dtec.bw – Digitalization and Technology Research Center of the Bundeswehr and financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU
  • Contact persons: Prof. Dr. Tobias Schlömer, Prof. Dr. Sven Hauff, Dr. Jennifer Liehr and Karen Schwien

InnoHubAzubi Project: Learning and Work Practices of Commercial Apprentices in Innovation Projects

  • Objectives: To identify the effects, conditions and critical success factors for the use of innovation hubs in dual vocational education and training (VET), the piloting of an InnoHubAzubi concept is accompanied by three empirical sub-studies.
    Part 1, “MMSA – Mental Models and Situational Awareness in the Field of Digital Transformation”, aims to analyze the cognitive foundations commercial apprentices draw on when working on innovation projects in digital transformation settings.
    Part 2, “Team Mental Models and Team Learning in Transformative Innovation Contexts”, focuses on learning in teams.
    Part 3, “Participatory Work and Learning Practices”, aims to explore, model and analyze the apprentices’ work and learning practices initiated by the intervention.
  • Methodology: Voice messages, team observations, MMSA questionnaire; approx. 100 commercial apprentices
  • Data collection period: March 2026 to March 2027
  • Analysis: Initial results are expected in Q3 2027.
  • Context and funding: InnoHubAzubi project, part of the InnoVET PLUS innovation competition of the The Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ), supervised by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
    Contact: Melina Wesp and Dr. Christine Kreuzer

Basic Ideas about the Digital-Sustainable Transformation – a Qualitative Study of Crowdworkers via Diagnostic Tasks and Interviews (Doctoral Study)

  • Objectives: Basic ideas of market, value creation and transformation among crowdworkers are examined. In addition to the methodological validation of the applied research approach, the study focuses on the transdisciplinary and paradigmatic determination and justification of the basic ideas, their case-related representation by individual crowdworkers and action-guiding effect.
  • Survey period: February to July 2023
  • Evaluation: Results will be published in 2026/27
  • Contact person: Tim Neu  

Knowing and Learning of Crowdworkers in Digitalized Work Contexts – Online Ethnographic Research (Doctoral Study)

  • Objectives: Knowing and learning in digitalized work contexts are empirically investigated from a practice-theoretical perspective and presented in thick descriptions and models. Crowdwork, as a highly digitalized form of work, serves as a case study to enable a fundamental understanding of the relationship between skills and knowledge in connection with digital technologies.
  • Data collection period: June to August 2022 and February to June 2023
  • Analysis: Results will be published in 2026/27; a final publication will follow.
  • Contact person: Karen Schwien
HSU

Letzte Änderung: 21. October 2026