News
Global deal, local identity: the Aromat debate
16. April 2026A recently agreed deal between Unilever and McCormick is drawing attention beyond the M&A community.
The transaction — covering Unilever’s food business, including Knorr and Aromat— has also sparked debate in Switzerland about the future of a deeply embedded consumer brand.
Both Tages-Anzeiger and 20 Minuten featured perspectives from Xena Welch Guerra and Tomi Laamanen on the structural complexity of such transactions.
Integrated global brands like Knorr are embedded in tightly coupled production, supply chain, and IP systems, making the separation of individual brands challenging in practice.
At the same time, the case highlights how global M&A decisions can trigger strong local reactions. Aromat, produced in Thayngen, is widely perceived as part of Swiss culinary identity.
👉 Read the coverage here:
https://lnkd.in/dyKi23bV
https://lnkd.in/djmZq8ph
Neue Ausgabe: Business Model Navigator
2. April 2026Die dritte Ausgabe des Business Model Navigator, veröffentlicht im Jahr 2025, stellt 66 Geschäftsmodellmuster vor, ergänzt durch neue internationale Fallbeispiele und einen starken Fokus auf KI-getriebene Geschäftsmodellinnovation. Zudem enthält sie ein neues Kapitel zum Testen von Geschäftsmodellen und beleuchtet bislang verborgene Erfolgsfaktoren. Geschäftsmodelle erzählen die Geschichte darüber, wie Organisationen Wert schaffen und abschöpfen – eine zentrale Fähigkeit in der heutigen dynamischen Wirtschaft.
Digitale und kollaborative Innovation für Net Zero
1. April 2026Drei aktuelle Publikationen von Prof. Ann-Kristin Zobel und Kolleg:innen untersuchen, wie digitale und kollaborative Innovation zur Transformation hin zu Netto-Null-Emissionen beitragen. Sie beleuchten dabei die Rolle digitaler Technologien, die Bedeutung unternehmensübergreifender Zusammenarbeit sowie die Stärke virtueller Formate als zentrale Treiber im «Race to Net Zero». 👉 Eine Übersicht finden Sie
HSG Impact Award for the Circular Lab
5. Dezember 2025In 2025, the Circular Lab received the HSG Impact Award at the Dies Academicus of the University of St. Gallen, recognizing its societal impact in circular economy research. The interdisciplinary team, including Karolin Frankenberger, Anna Sophia Burch, Andrei Ciortea, and Simon Mayer, develops practical circular solutions across agriculture and food systems. Founded in 2023, the initiative connects academia and industry across the region. Addressing Switzerland’s 7% circularity rate (Circularity Gap Report 2024), the Circular Lab advances transdisciplinary, practice-oriented approaches with partners including FREITAG. Watch the video and explore how the Circular Lab collaborates with industry partners to drive circular innovation.
New book published: Der Circular Economy Navigator
15. November 2025In autumn 2025, the book „Der Circular Economy Navigator“ by Dr. Fabian Takacs, Richard Stechow, and Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger, was published by the renowned Hanser Verlag. The book is based on more than five years of intensive research on circular-economy business models and ecosystems. It provides a scientifically grounded yet highly practical guide for companies seeking to transition from linear to circular business models, combining theoretical foundations with numerous real-world case examples. Spanning over 400 pages, the book illustrates how organizations can shape the necessary transformation at societal, organizational, and individual levels in order to operate in more ecologically stable and economically resilient ways. As such, it offers a central set of tools for all those seeking to develop circular ecosystems and successfully implement sustainable innovations.
Engaging young minds at the Children’s University
1. November 2025At the University of St.Gallen Children’s University, Karolin Frankenberger once again curated the unique excitement of engaging young minds and witnessing how curiosity can ignite a passion for learning. In this recent session, participants were introduced to the concept of a business model and explored how it applies to FC St. Gallen 1879. By connecting football with strategy and innovation, the session offered an inspiring and accessible way for children to understand complex ideas. The afternoon was marked by enthusiasm, energy, and a shared sense of discovery.
Zurich Insurance Group lanciert AI Lab gemeinsam mit dem Institut für Betriebswirtschaft und der ETH Zürich
29. Oktober 2025Die Zurich Insurance Group startet gemeinsam mit dem Institut für Betriebswirtschaft (IFB-HSG) und der ETH Zürich das Zurich AI Lab. Eine gemeinsame Initiative zur Beschleunigung des Wandels in der Versicherungsbranche durch künstliche Intelligenz.
Strong presence from our institute at the SMS Conference
17. Oktober 2025Strong presence from our institute at the SMS Conference in San Francisco! Our team just returned from a truly inspiring few days at The Strategic Management Society Conference in San Francisco, filled with cutting-edge research, thought-provoking discussions, and valuable connections. Several members of our institute had the opportunity to present their latest strategy research, contributing to critical conversations shaping the future of our field.
We are especially proud that two of the papers presented — one by Dr. Dora Maric, and another by Heinrich-Jakob Wild (together with Dr. Fabian Takacs, Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger, and Joakim Vincent) — were nominated for the prestigious SMS Conference Best Paper Prize. Even more exciting, the latters‘ work on the integration of strategically misfitting corporate ventures received an Honourable Mention (Top 5 conference papers) — a fantastic recognition of their impactful research. Congratulations to all involved! 👏
New Publication – EXPRESS: Comprehensive vs. Speed: Investor Reactions to Due Diligence Length under Varying Industry Conditions
9. Oktober 2025A recent study by Prof. Dr. Tomi Laamanen and colleagues investigates how the pace of due diligence impacts the success of acquisitions. Analyzing 501 M&A deals of S&P 1500 firms, the research reveals that both excessively fast and overly slow due diligence can reduce acquirer performance, with optimal results achieved
New Publication – The role of CEO integrity in M&A decision-making
9. Oktober 2025New research by Prof. Dr. Tomi Laamanen and colleagues in the Strategic Management Journal explores how CEO integrity shapes M&A decision-making. The study shows that high-integrity CEOs act more cautiously, avoiding risky or large-scale acquisitions and paying lower premiums—protecting firms from costly mistakes but sometimes missing growth opportunities. 👉 Read
New Publication – Artificial intelligence in adaptive strategy creation and implementation: Toward enhanced attentional control in strategy processes
9. Oktober 2025This publication by Prof. Dr. Tomi Laamanen and colleagues explores how proprietary AI systems transform strategic management processes. Using the attention-based view as a framework, the study highlights how company-specific AI can broaden organizational focus, democratize strategic decision-making, and accelerate feedback through real-time monitoring. It also discusses challenges linked to
Fünf Mal den Doktortitel verliehen
22. September 2025Vergangenen Freitag fand an der Universität St.Gallen (HSG) die Promotionsfeier statt. Ein feierlicher Moment, bei dem die Diplome vom Rektor persönlich überreicht werden. Wir freuen uns besonders, dass gleich fünf Doktorand:innen unseres Instituts ihre Promotion erfolgreich abgeschlossen haben und nun offiziell den Doktortitel tragen. Herzliche Gratulation an Natalia Kular, Ph.D, Stephan Ryf, Dora Maric, Benedikt Alexander Schuler und Laura Weiss.