Prof. Dr.

Karolin Frankenberger

Professor

Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger is Full Professor in the field of Strategy and Innovation, Director of the Institute of Management and Strategy, and Academic Director of the Executive MBA at the University of St. Gallen.  Her research focuses mainly on the topics of business model innovation, (digital) business transformation, ecosystems, and circular economy. Prior to her academic career, Prof. Frankenberger worked at the management consulting company McKinsey & Company for almost 7 years. Her publications appear regularly in top-tier academic and practitioner-oriented outlets such as the «Academy of Management Journal» or the “Harvard Business Review”. Her book «The Business Model Navigator: 55 Models That Will Revolutionize Your Business» was translated in multiple languages and is known worldwide as a standard reference for business model innovation literature. Prof. Frankenberger was named Thinker of the Month, May 2019, by Thinkers50, the world’s most reliable resource for identifying, ranking, and sharing leading management ideas. She supports numerous Fortune 500 companies and is an internationally renowned keynote speaker.

Since April 1, 2018, Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger has been a Full Professor at the Institute of Management & Strategy focusing on strategy and innovation.  She is also Academic Director of the Executive MBA at the Executive School of Management, Technology and Law at the University of St.Gallen (ES-HSG). Mrs. Frankenberger received her diploma in business administration from the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in 2000. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of St.Gallen in 2004.  The topic of her thesis was: «The role of the social context in strategy-making», supervised by Prof. Dr. Günter Müller-Stewens and Prof. Dr. Andreas Herrmann. During her doctoral studies, she was a visiting PhD student at Harvard Business School and the University of Connecticut. After completing her PhD, she started working in consulting for McKinsey & Company worldwide for almost seven years.  In 2011, she returned to the Institute of Technology Management at the University of St.Gallen as a post-doc researcher.  She was named Assistant Professor of the Institute in 2014. During this time, she was also Director of the Competence Center Business Model Innovation, which blossomed globally under her supervision.   From 2016 to 2018, she was Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Lucerne.

Research Focus Business Model Innovation, (Digital) Business Transformation, Circular Economy and Ecosystems

Prof. Frankenberger’s research focus includes business model innovation, (digital) business transformation and circular economy and ecosystems. She spends time researching how businesses can develop and implement new business models to remain competitive in the market.  Her focus is also on the topic of sustainable business models. Mrs. Frankenberger’s experience includes many publication activities, both academically and related to practice. Her articles in the «Academy of Management Journal» and her published books are particular highlights.  Her book «The Business Model Navigator: 55 Models That Will Revolutionize Your Business» was translated in multiple languages and is known worldwide as a standard reference for business model innovation literature. She regularly attends international conferences or in-house management events as a keynote speaker.

Broad experience in teaching and executive education

Karolin Frankenberger has a tremendous amount of experience in education. For many years, she has been teaching on the topic interface of strategy and innovation in the Bachelor, Master and Executive programs at the University of St.Gallen, the University of Lucerne and the University of Zurich, and continues to receive excellent feedback from her students.  She experimented with various teaching methods in order to meet the particularly high requirements of executive education.  She authored four case studies and a business model kit for educational purposes.  She is also an experienced provider of in-house continuing education courses.

Education

Year

Degree

University

2004Visiting PhDHarvard Business School, USA
2003Visiting PhDUniversity of Connecticut, USA
2004PhDUniversity of St. Gallen
1996-2000DiplomaKatholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
1996DiplomaFriedrich-List-Gymnasium Reutlingen, Deutschland

Work Experience

Year

Position

Organisation

2016-2018Assistant Professor & Chair Owner Strategic ManagementUniversity of Lucerne, Switzerland
2014-2016Assistant Professor & Head of Competence Center Business Model InnovationInstitute for Technology Management, University of St. Gallen
2011-2014Postdoctoral researcher & Head of Competence Center Business Model InnovationInstitute for Technology Management, University of St. Gallen
2004-2011Senior Engagement ManagerMcKinsey & Company, Zürich

Awards

Year

Award

Awarding Organization

2019Thinker of the month MayThinkers 50, the world’s most reliable resource for identifying, ranking, and sharing leading management ideas
2018AcademiaNet – Expert Database for Outstanding Female AcademicsRobert Bosch Stiftung and Spektrum der Wissenschaft (Nature Publishing Group)
2017NRP 73SNF Research Foundation
2013Nominated for the “Best Conference Paper Award” of the Annual Conference in AtlantaStrategic Management Society
2013Finalist Strategy Process Best Proposal Award der Annual Conference in AtlantaStrategic Management Society
2013-2014Basic Research FundUniversität St. Gallen, Schweiz
2006Winner of the Sumantra Ghoshal Research and Practice AwardAcademy of Management
2006Winner of the Distinguished Paper AwardAcademy of Management
2003Finalist Best Research ArticleAcademy of Management
2003-2004Full time ScholarshipSwiss National Science Foundation

Publications

Academic Publications

  • Frankenberger, K; Sauer, R. 2018. Cognitive antecedents of business models: Exploring the link between attention and business model design over time. Long Range Planing, forthcoming
  • Gassmann, Oliver; Frankenberger, Karolin & Sauer, Roman: A Primer on Theoretically Exploring the Field of Business Model Innovation. In: The European Business Review (2017), S. 45-48
  • Bonakdar A, Frankenberger K, Bader M, Gassmann O. 2017. Capturing value from Business Models: The role of formal and informal protection strategies. International Journal of Technology Management. 73 (4), 151-175
  • Frankenberger K, Weiblen T, Gassmann O. 2014. The antecedents of open business models: an exploratory study of incumbent firms. R&D Management 44(2): 173‐188.
  • Frankenberger K, Weiblen T, Gassmann O. 2013. Network configuration, customer centricity, and performance of open business models: A solution provider perspective. Industrial Marketing Management 42(5): 671‐682
  • Frankenberger K, Weiblen T, Csik M, Gassmann O. 2013. The 4I‐framework of business model innovation: A structured view on process phases and challenges. International Journal of Product Development 18 (3/4): 249‐273
  • Lechner C, Frankenberger K, Floyd S. 2010. Task contingencies in the curvilinear relationships between intergroup networks and initiative performance. Academy of Management Journal. 53 (4), 865‐889.

Best Paper Proceedings

  • Bonakdar, A., Frankenberger, K., Gassmann, O. 2014. Intra‐firm networks and noveltycentered business models. Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings. (top 10% of papers).
  • Marx1, K., Lechner, C., Floyd, S. 2006. The costs and benefits of intrafirm networks: an embeddedness perspective. Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings. (top 10% of papers).

Academic Work Under Review

  • Frankenberger, K., Stam, W. Entrepreneurial Copycats: the contingent value of business model imitation, 2nd round Revise & Resubmit at Long Range Planning.

Academic Work in Progress

  • Frankenberger K., Zott C. The role of differentiation, integration and organizational governance in business model innovation.
  • Frankenberger K., Voelz D., Prescott J., Gassmann O. The role of partnership networks in innovation initiatives.

Books

  • Gassmann, Oliver; Frankenberger, Karolin & Csik, Michaela : Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln : 55 innovative Konzepte mit dem St. Galler Business Model Navigator. 2. Auflage. München : Hanser Verlag, 2017, – ISBN 978-3-446-45175-9.
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Csik M. 2013. Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln: 55 innovative Konzepte mit dem St. Galler Business Model Navigator. 1. Auflage. München: Hanser Verlag, 2013. ‐ ISBN 978‐ 3‐446‐43567‐4. (Bestseller, over 10.000 copies sold, the FAZ reviewed as “nothing less than a sensation”)
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Csik, M. 2014. The Business Model Navigator, 55 Models that will revolutionise your Business, FT Publishing Pearson, Harlow, UK, 387 pages. (translated to more than 10 other languages)
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Sauer R. 2015. Business Model Innovation: Research theories on the phenomenon. Palgrave McMillan. Basingstoke, UK. ISBN 978-3-319-41143-9.
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Csik M. 2017. Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln: 55 innovative Konzepte mit dem St. Galler Business Model Navigator. Zweite und erweiterte Auflage. Hanser Verlag. München. ISBN 978‐3‐446 43567‐4.
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Csik M. 2017. Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln: 55 innovative Konzepte mit dem St. Galler Business Model Navigator. Zweite und erweiterte Auflage. Hanser Verlag. München. ISBN 978‐3‐446‐43567‐4.

Book Chapters

  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K 2016. Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln: Von der Kunst zum Handwerk. In: Geschäftsmodellinnovationen. Springer, Wiesbaden, 17‐33. ISBN 978‐3‐658‐08622‐
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Csik M 2016. Innovation Strategy: From new Products to Business Model Innovation. In: Business Innovation: Das St. Galler Modell, 2016
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Csik M. 2013. Konstruktionsmethodik für Geschäftsmodellinnovation. In: Das unternehmerische Unternehmen. Berlin: Springer‐Gabler, 2013, ISBN 978‐3‐658‐02058‐3.
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K, Csik M. 2013. Revolutionizing the business model. In: Gassmann O, Schweitzer F. Hrsg, 2013: Management of the Fuzzy Front End of Innovation, Springer, Cham, p. 339.
  • Marx11 K, Lechner C. 2005. The Role of the Social Context for Strategy Making: Examining the Impact of Embeddedness on the Performance of Strategic Initiatives. In: Innovating Strategy Processes. USA: Blackwell Publishers, 2005: 135‐148. ‐ ISBN 1405129395

Practicioner Oriented Journals

  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K; Sauer R, Emmonet S, Amann C. 2017. Neue Geschäftsmodelle erfolgreich entwickeln und umsetzen: Ansätze zur Steuerung und Organisation von Geschäftsmodellinnovationen. Controlling: Zeitschrift für erfolgsorientierte Unternehmenssteuerung, 29 (2). 12‐20.
  • Frankenberger K. 2016. Innovatives Vorlesungsformat; An der Wirtschaftsfakultät der Universität Luzern, zentralinfo, Informationen der Industrie‐ und Handelskammer Zentralschweiz, 04/2016
  • Gassmann O, Frankenberger K. 2014. Branchen‐Revolution durch neue Geschäftsmodelle, GfM‐Forschungsreihe, 02/2014.
  • Gassmann O, Csik M, Frankenberger K. 2012. Aus alt mach neu: Ein Fahrplan für Innovationen. Harvard Business Manager. 34(06): 18‐19
  • Lechner, C., Marx, K., & Müller‐Stewens, G. 2004. The race for new e‐business models. European Business Forum. (16), 65‐69.
  • Editorial Board: Journal of Management Studies, 2014‐present
  • Ad‐Hoc Reviewing: Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, R&D Management, Long Range Planning
  • Conferences: Academy of Management Conference, SMS. EURAM
  • Membership: Academy of Management (BPS division), Strategic Management Society
  • BMI Lab, Consulting Company on BMI, Founder (2013)
  • Bühler 2.0. project together with VRP and team, senior coach (2017‐present)
  • Swiss National Science Foundation Research Committee Lucerne (2017‐present)

Andreas Reiter

M.Sc.
PhD Candidate

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Christina Frei

Personal Assistant Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger / Prof. Peter Murmann Ph.D.

E-Mail
+41 71 224 23 57

Fabian Takacs

M.A.
PhD Candidate & Research Associate

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Felicitas Pietrulla

M.A.
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

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Hannah M. Mayer

MMSc.
PhD Candidate

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Natalia Kular

M. Sc.
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

LinkedIn
E-Mail
+41 71 224 23 63

Sascha Mader

MiM, M.Sc.
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

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E-Mail
+41 71 224 2374