Business research lies at the heart of society. This short text presents key takeaways from the second VHB Forum, 'The Future of Business Research'.
Business research is widely applicable today, with significance extending far beyond the corporate world to areas such as public finance and social governance. The field has made enormous methodological progress and is also experiencing a theoretical renaissance. However, increasing specialisation raises the question: Does this mean a loss of the integrative power of business research?
The panel agrees: 'Business research is at the heart of society.' Nevertheless, the discipline risks losing its voice if it becomes too focused on methodological niches. While there is a strong demand for increased methodological competence, particularly in politics, practice and the public sphere, this should not come at the expense of broad dialogue. Alongside in-depth training, teaching is needed that overcomes silos, inspires students and actively seeks social discourse. This also plays a role in the evaluation of scientific performance. Non-scientific publications should be valued more highly, even at junior level.
The synergy between the different perspectives within the discipline holds enormous potential. The diversity of theories and methods is a valuable resource that must be exploited further, for example through intensified interdisciplinary cooperation, collaborative project work, and close engagement with other professional associations.
Large-scale research projects, in particular, strengthen the sense of community and raise the profile of the discipline. However, there is room for improvement when it comes to research proposals. The challenge lies in thinking cooperatively and visionarily, rather than getting bogged down in details and focusing on problems.
Business research should also pay more attention to geopolitical developments. There is a wealth of untapped expertise in this area. Current challenges such as climate change, digitalisation and global crises require interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral responses. In light of the aforementioned issues, the traditional boundaries between business research 'silos' are and should be increasingly dissolving. Business research has always been a somewhat generalist field, and this is exactly what is needed today. To this end, representatives of the discipline should feel confident in taking a bolder and louder stance in social discourse.
Community makes us strong. Not everyone has to be able to do everything, but together, we can overcome many challenges. Business research can and should be part of the solution. A perceived lack of social impact and visibility of the subject, given its size, is increasingly recognised as a problem. Universities and business schools are setting up working groups and teams of journalists to address this issue. The right communication strategy walks a fine line: the projects and people who are most visible to the public are not necessarily those with the greatest practical impact. Impact often requires restraint rather than self-promotion.
The question remains, however: how can a common DACH or European business research identity be established? Some initial projects and initiatives already exist. For instance, the German Research Foundation (DFG) is encouraging researchers to apply for research funding in collaboration with colleagues from neighbouring countries. The opportunity for business research in the future lies in working together to shape a science that is relevant, visible, connected, and that is aware of its responsibilities in research, teaching, and society.
Many thanks go to Prof. Dr. Renate Meyer (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dr. h.c. Caren Sureth-Sloane (University of Paderborn),
Prof. Dr. Claudia Wöhle (Paris Lodron University of Salzburg) und Prof. Dr. Michael Wolff (University of Göttingen) for their thoughts.