Prof. Dr. Laura Bechthold

Allgemeine Infos Prof. Dr. Bechthold

Allgemeine Informationen rund um die Kurse von Prof. Dr. L. Bechthold

Corporate Social Responsibility & Leadership

Master Theses - Bechthold

Information, tips and tricks, and FAQ for all students who write their thesis with me as their primary supervisor. 

Scientific Research Seminar

In times of fake news and misinformation it is even more important to discuss and understand the role of science. Anybody can make statements and it sometimes is hard to proof someone right or wrong. Hence knowing about and conducting (responsible) scientific research is vital not only within the academic field, but also relevant for every day life.

In this course we will cover aspects along the scientific research process, beginning with research ethics and finishing with scientific writing and presenting. Which is going to be the outcome the course: scientific posters and a scientific papers. How to find a research gap and question as well as why this is important will be discussed in this course. We will continue with topics such as research strategies, tools and scientific writing to accompany you trough out the steps in the process. For conducting your own research it is important to choose a method that fits your research question. Therefore some sessions are dedicated to (choice of) methods.

The course is interactive and will require the preparation of additional small tasks in between sessions. Active participation is expected and required to guarantee the best learning experience. 

Technology Assessment and Business Ethics

“The social consequences of a technology cannot be predicted early in the life of the technology. [...] By the time undesirable consequences are discovered, however, the technology is often so much part of the whole economics and social fabric that its control is extremely difficult.” (David Collingridge)

The development and use of new technologies is not only a matter of what is technically feasible, but also of what is socially desirable. Today, managers and engineers alike have to face complex issues which do not only ask "What can be done?" but rather "What should be done?".  This course deals with the complexities and controversies regarding emerging technologies from a social science perspective. Therefore, we will look into different methods of technology assessment as well as corporate compliance (focus: corporate digital responsibility), before we will move on to business and technology ethics. You will learn (and practice) how to discuss controversial emerging technologies from different perspectives and how to develop sound arguments about what is ethically acceptable or not.   

The course is highly interactive and the curriculum is complemented by workshops, case studies, in-class debates and guest lectures. Active participation is expected and attending the course will require the preparation of pre-readings and other smaller tasks. 

Transformation Processes and Change Management

Everybody is talking about the need for transformation and change these days. Societies have to transform towards more sustainable ways of living, organisations need to revise their structures, business models are getting disrupted by new technologies, and so forth.

But how do transformation processes actually happen and is there a way to  orchestrate and steer them? 

These are the main questions of this course. In the first part, you will learn fundamentals of systems thinking as the cognitive tool to approach transformation processes. Based on that, we will first look into larger transformation processes of entire societies before we move to the organisational level. This part is complemented with an in-class simulation game in which you will simulate and experience a change processes yourself. 

The course is highly interactive and will require the preparation of pre-readings and additional small tasks. Active participation is expected and required to guarantee the best learning experience. 

Weitere Kurse

Future Business Modelling

Scientific Research Seminar

Strategic Foresight and Trend Analysis