Pursuing a PhD at HM Business School

• The Role of Business Models in Capturing Value for Target Financial Platforms.
• The Role of Trust in Executive Search.
• Predictive logistics – a discussion of the benefits and limitations of real-time data analysis for self-regulating logistics networks.
• Business modelling based on future funding requirements in the German SME market.
• The Need for Architectural Innovation in Tech Companies’ Customer-Supplier Relationships.
• A Critical Investigation of the Mobile Information Technology Expert’s Perspective on the Impact of Mobile Application Development within the German Financial Market and Service Industry.
• Identification and adaptation of key agile project management processes for IT service providers.
• Frugal innovation in the automotive industry
• How Disruptive Innovation is Set to Change the Future of the Medical Devices Industry – A Case Study Approach

Professors from our Business School have contributed to the following doctorates by taking on a role (supervisor, internal/external examiner, reviewer, etc.) at the partner university:

• Bittighofer, L. (2025) Strong Relationships Matter: How Female Entrepreneurs Grow and Leverage Social Capital in the German Consulting Sector, Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
• Edlmann, R. (2025) Exploring the Influence of AI Recruitment Technology on Trustworthiness. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
• Hyeun-Mi L. (2025) Building a competitive brand advantage through importer integration: A qualitative case study on collaborative brand building in export-import relationships, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
• Zehmisch, M. (2025) Surviving autonomous trucks: A triple-layer business model approach for logistics service providers using a pattern-based design approach. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
• Wolfram, K. (2024) Knowledge-related processes critical to enabling the systematic reuse of software assets in a global IT company. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
• Baustel, R. (2023) An Investigation of the Entrepreneurial Behaviour of a German Medtech Start-up with a Focus on Disruptive Innovation. University of South Wales, UK
• Krombholz, R. (2023) The Awareness of Biases in our Intuition: Understanding Influences on Decision-Making in User-Centred Agile Requirements Engineering. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Kohler, E. (2023) Leadership in companies that acknowledge complexity – an integrative framework for complexity-centric leadership in robust pioneer organisations. University of South Wales, UK
• Schneider, C. (2023) Agile transformation in large organisations – a framework for setting up project management. University of South Wales, UK
• Heindel, J. (2022) How Digitalisation in Manufacturing Drives Business Model Innovation in the Optical Lens Industry. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
• Seiss, J. (2022) Exploring Internationalisation & Development Strategies of the Largest Privately-Owned Breweries in Germany. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Karl, J. (2021) Public charging infrastructure as the key enabler for electric mobility in Germany: The future electric vehicle charging point and the provision of parameters for a sustainable business model concept. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Meyer, P. (2021) Managing Robotics in Retail: A Service Systems Perspective. Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Germany
• Müller-Gerndt, M. (2021) Exploring Factors that influence genome sequencing services for personalised healthcare in Germany. University of Gloucestershire, UK
• Ziegler, A. (2021) How e-learning drives organisational product adoption: an exploratory multi-case approach. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Müller-Gerndt, M. (2021) Exploring Factors that influence genome sequencing services for personalised healthcare in Germany. University of Gloucestershire, UK
• Clarenbach, U. (2020) An Examination of Strategic Leadership in a Dynamic Context: The Case of the German Car Manufacturer BMW. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Ehrenfried, F. (2020) Education and the labour market: empirical essays on enrolment decisions and the search for workers, LMU
• Heinemann, B. (2020) Exploration of Management and Leadership Techniques that Enhance Collaboration in an Agile Project. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Jekosch, M. (2020) The Challenge of Career Progression and Work-life Balance in the Consulting Industry in Germany. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Reich, C. (2020) The Development of Factors Influencing the Integration of Marketing and Sales. University of South Wales, UK
• Thiele, C. (2020) Applying the principles of system dynamics as a lever for sustainable service quality – The case of commercial vehicle dealerships in South Africa. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Tobias, F. (2020) Business Model Innovation based on Software Robotics for Mobile Network Operators. University of South Wales, UK
• Förster, N. (2019) Investigation of the potential impact of applying human cognitive psychology to the innovation of the mobile and interconnected working experience within modern business strategies. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Preinl, T. (2019) Predictive logistics – a discussion of the benefits and limitations of real-time data analysis for self-regulating logistics networks. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Scheuerer, T. (2019) Solving Incumbent Banks’ Predicament: Business Model Innovation for the Future. University of South Wales, UK
• Schroeder, C. (2019) Need, Challenges, and Opportunities for Finance Transformation in Global Organisations. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Weisshuhn, O. (2019) The impact of disruptive business model innovations and new technologies on international freight forwarders and their value creation along the supply chain. Edinburgh Napier University, UK, 2019
• Kallweit, K. (2018) Mobile Commerce and Location-Based Services (comprehensive). Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
• Meyer, E. (2018) Cloud Technology in Agile and Predictive IT Project Management: Structured Selection and Adoption of Processes, Methods and Tools. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Rohrmeier, J. (2018) The Trustworthy Headhunter – The Factors Influencing a Recruitment Consultant’s Trustworthiness and the Impact on Trust Behaviour. Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland
• Schroeder, C. (2018) Need, Challenges, and Opportunities for Finance Transformation in Global Organisations. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Schulz, B. (2018) Assortative Matching in Labour and Marriage Markets, LMU
• Hahn, K. (2017) The influence of mobile information technology on consumer behaviour. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Bastgen, A. (2016) Employment protection, innovation and the labour market, LMU
• Hiemeyer, W.-D. (2016) Design of an Integrated Marketing and Sales Approach for the B2B Industry – Using an Integration Model. University of South Wales, Cardiff, 2016
• Noeth-Zahn, S. (2016) Enterprise Risk Management: insights into emerging risks from the German banking sector. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Maier, U. (2015) Regulatory competition, banks, and the real economy, LMU
• Sand, C. (2015) Fostering innovation in organisations through the integration of learning organisation disciplines. University of South Wales, UK
• Bandorf, M. (2014) Mode switching from component manufacturer to system supplier – requirements, opportunities and best practices. A resource-based reflection on R&D. University of South Wales, UK
• Ebel, M. (2014) Digital music consumption on the internet: consumer behaviour in the context of digital piracy, legal alternatives and ethical considerations. University of South Wales, UK
• Gebert, M. (2014) Crowdsourced Innovation Models and Risk Management. University of South Wales, UK
• Kuniavsky, S. (2014) Essays on consumer search, LMU
• Pöllmann, M. (2013) Process innovation in sales and administration operating models for international trade fair companies and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) organisations. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Singh, D. (2023) From ABC to PhD: a theoretical and empirical analysis of education policy, LMU
• Klein-Schmeink, S. (2012) Supply Chain Risk Management in Networks – A quantitative and qualitative framework. Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany
• Ruhnau, T. (2012) Development of a process model for the systematic involvement of users in module development, with the aim of achieving a measurable increase in efficiency through variant optimisation (BMW AG). Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany
• Sachse, U. (2010) Internationalisation and Mode Switching – Performance, Strategy and Timing. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Lewrick, M. (2008) Changes in Innovation Styles: A Comprehensive Study of Changes in Innovation Styles to Identify the Causes and Effects of Various Influencing Factors and Capabilities, with a View to Establishing a General Innovation Pattern. Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Seidler, M. (2008) System-oriented process modelling: An explanatory approach to optimising international key account business in the automotive industry (BMW AG). Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany
• Koch, S. (2006) Opportunism-driven knowledge diffusion in international joint ventures. An empirical study based on joint ventures established by major German companies in China. Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany