News
New Environmental Social Sciences department (ESS)
The new Environmental Social Sciences department (ESS) has started its work in September 2012. The Research of the new department focuses on three fundamental social science topics: the analysis of individual behavior and decision making related to environmental and health problems, the analysis of institutions, networks, and governance structures that regulate and address environmental problems, and the understanding of sustainability oriented socio-technical transformation processes in major industry sectors.
Based on these competences, ESS research contributes to better understanding, assessing and managing water related problems such as acceptance and use of health-related water technologies, sustainability oriented reforms of urban water management sectors, aquatic ecosystem services, or the design of new policy approaches for handling pollutants in aquatic environments. There are five research groups, the department head is Bernhard Truffer.
Cirus Seminar July 27, 2012
Environmental change and organizational transformation
The presentation is about the special case of economic
reforms in Latin America (emerging economies). A new perspective on the
relationship between environmental and organizational change is explored.
Empirical evidences from Latin America are used to explore and propose
enhancements to existing theory that take into account how organizations
respond to extreme forms of change. In the presentation, he proposes a typology
of environmental change that helps to interpret the findings and position the
study vis-à-vis existing research.
Speaker: Rogelio Oliva, Mays Business School at Texas A&M University
Place: Eawag Dübendorf, BU-B18, 9.30 am to 10.30 am
Further information: Heiko Gebauer
Presentations
Heiko Gebauer held the key note presentation at
International Research Symposia on Service Management (IRSSM) in Beijing. The
symposia connects research in developed with research in developing countries.
The presentation was titled - Service Business Development in Manufacturing
Companies. The conference had about 60 participants. (pdf 2,3mb)
Heiko Gebauer held a public seminar at the Dalian Nationalities University. The
seminar was about "How to write scientific and practical-oriented
management journals". (pdf 6mb)
Cirus Seminar June 1, 2012
A Capability Perspective on the Unintended Consequences of Public Policy Reforms in Infrastructure Sectors
Presentation of results from the Capabilities in Utility Sectors (CapUS) project. The project is a research collaboration between Cirus and the Management Programme in Infrastructure Reform & Regulation, University of Cape Town.
Speaker: Hagen Worch, Eawag, Dübendorf
Place: Eawag Dübendorf, FC C03, 13.30 bis 15.30 h
Further information: Hagen Worch
Highly Commended Award
The article entitled “Global approaches to the service business
in manufacturing companies” authored by Gunther Kucza and Heiko Gebauer
and published in the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing has
been chosen as a Highly Commended Award Winner at the Literati Network
Awards for Excellence 2012.
Appointment
Heiko Gebauer has been appointed to the Editorial Advisory Board of Journal of Service Management.
New collaborator
In March 2012, Dr. Philip Leifeld joined the Cirus team
as a postdoc.
His research is mainly about policy networks and the
formation of political debates, with applications of social network analysis
and agent-based models. Philip is also affiliated with the Institute of
Political Science at the University of Bern (Chair of Policy Analysis, Prof.
Dr. Karin Ingold). He held previous pre- and postdoc positions and visiting
scholarships at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods in
Bonn, at the University of Konstanz, at the Max Planck Institute for
Demographic Research in Rostock and at Columbia University. His doctoral thesis
was funded by the Max Planck International Research Network on Aging
(MaxNetAging).
More information: http://www.philipleifeld.de
Cirus Seminar March 30, 2012
Insights into the intentional formation of business networks in the wastewater industry
This presentation provides insights into the intentional formation of business networks in the wastewater industry. By drawing on theoretical contributions on business networks and capabilities, the article enriches theory-building on business network formation. The empirical purpose of the article is to describe, assesses, and predict scenarios on business network formation in the wastewater industry. The research methodology employed is based on multiple sources of data in a multi-method design, interpreting potential business network scenarios. Our findings reveal that water scarcity, population growth, and economic constrains jeopardize existing business networks in the wastewater industry. Two potential scenarios (A: re-inventing the centralized system through on-site systems for mass-markets and B: expanding on-site systems into mass-markets) seem possible. Comparing both scenarios suggest that Scenario A is in a superior position to utilize the business opportunities offered. Research limitations arise from the qualitative nature of the research undertaken.
Capability alignments and barriers suggest that Scenario A, i.e. re-inventing the centralized system through on-site systems for mass-markets, is the most suitable. The knowledge gained allows managers to outline a specific capability development approach to take advantage of the alignments and to overcome the barriers. The presentation highlights that theory-building on business networks can benefit from combining the formation of business networks with dynamic and operational capabilities.
Speaker: Heiko Gebauer, Eawag, Dübendorf
Place: Eawag Dübendorf, FC D77, 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Further information: Heiko Gebauer
Cirus Seminar January 20, 2012
Innovation at the Base of the Pyramid
Since the publications of seminal work on Innovation at the Base of the Pyramid, the topic has become an active research area in the field of management. In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in working papers, workshops, and conference sessions throughout the world on this topic. Despite the increasing research attention. empirical foundations, theoretical conceptualization, or research methods in this context face strong challenges. The presentation will provide insights into following topics: (i) current status of management research, (ii) paradoxes challenging innovations, and (iii) recommendations for successful innovations at the base of the pyramid. The presentation contains examples of successful innovations, discusses successful business models for the base of the pyramid and provides a framework for designing business models.
Speaker: Heiko Gebauer, Eawag, Dübendorf
Place: Eawag Dübendorf, FC D77 from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Further information: Heiko Gebauer