In part 21 of the Alumni Stories, we feature Prof. Dr. Ann-Marie Nienaber, who studied Business Administration at the University of Münster and also earned her doctorate there. After positions as a postdoctoral researcher and as the City of Münster’s Commissioner for Science, her path led her via a professorship in Witten/Herdecke to the United Kingdom, where she has held the Chair of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at Coventry University since 2017. In October, she will move to Technische Universität Braunschweig to establish the new Chair of Business Ethics. Her research focuses primarily on trust, communication, innovation, and sustainability, as well as the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

In Teil 21 der Alumni Stories porträtieren wir Prof. Dr. Ann-Marie Nienaber, die an der Universität Münster Betriebswirtschaftslehre studierte und dort auch promovierte. Nach Stationen als Postdoktorandin und Wissenschaftsbeauftragte der Stadt Münster führte ihr Weg über eine Professur in Witten/Herdecke nach Großbritannien, wo sie seit 2017 an der Coventry University den Lehrstuhl für Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour innehat. Im Oktober wechselt sie an die Technische Universität Braunschweig, um dort den neuen Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsethik aufzubauen. In ihrer Forschung widmet sie sich vor allem Fragen des Vertrauens, der Kommunikation, Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit sowie den ethischen Implikationen von Künstlicher Intelligenz.

The International Conference on Wirtschaftsinformatik (WI) is regarded as the most important platform for the Information Systems community in German-speaking countries. It offers academics, company representatives, and young professionals the opportunity to learn about and exchange information on the current state of research and business practice. In 2025, the conference celebrated its 20th edition at the University of Münster – the location of the very first WI in 1993. The event was led by Prof. Tobias Brandt and Prof. Jan vom Brocke. The European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS), headquartered in Münster, connected the conference with an international audience.

Under the theme “Digital Future of Society and Business”, the conference focused on emerging digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Discussions centered on how opportunities created by AI and related technologies can be leveraged, while also addressing the requirements for responsible design and regulation.

The conference featured a diverse scientific program: In addition to numerous sessions and workshops on current research and practice, the new format “Research Spotlight” highlighted innovative projects and the international diversity of the community. A particular highlight were the keynotes by Prof. Liana Buchholz (President of the Sparkassenverband Westfalen-Lippe) and Prof. Dorothy E. Leidner (University of Virginia, USA), who provided clear impulses and reflective perspectives that set important accents.

Beyond the academic content, the WI25 also created unforgettable moments. With the festive ERCIS Reception at the Allweterzoo Münster, a glamorous 1920s-style anniversary party, and additional formats such as a pub crawl, city tour, and morning run, the social program offered numerous opportunities for networking and exchange.

Special thanks go to all authors, reviewers, chairs, workshop hosts, volunteers, and mentors for their commitment, as well as to the sponsors GuideCom AG, Springer Nature, KNIME, Konsultec, viadee Unternehmensberatung AG, Finanz Informatik, d.velop, and zeb consulting, who made the conference possible in this form.

With a wealth of impressions and new impulses, we now look forward to the WI26 at Johannes Kepler University Linz next year.

On September 17 and 18, 2025, the second bootcamp of the EU-funded CURATE project took place at REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center in Münster. The bootcamp was led by Prof. Tobias Brandt and Shariga Sivanathan from the Chair of Digital Innovation and the Public Sector.

Students from the partner universities Haaga-Helia (Finland), MCI The Entrepreneurial School (Austria), Université Côte d'Azur (France), and the Technical University of Košice (Slovakia) came together to present their final challenge pitches to corporate partners, experts, and their mentors.

Over the past months, the international teams have been working on topics such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and health, with the aim of developing innovative, real-world solutions to practical challenges.

The bootcamp concluded with a pitch event where participants showcased their projects. A dedicated pre-pitch training had prepared the teams specifically for this moment.

The bootcamp not only provided space for creative ideas and entrepreneurial impulses, but also fostered the international exchange, cultural diversity, and sustainable networking within the European higher education and innovation community.

Beim Hochschultag Münster besuchen jährlich über 10.000 Studieninteressierte die Stadt. Die Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät nimmt in diesem Jahr mit einem komplett neu gestalteten Programm teil. Wir laden Studieninteressierte ein zu einer interaktiven Reise durch die Studiengänge der Wirtschaftswissenschaften. Ein BWL-Planspiel bietet direkte Einblicke in die Praxis. Für Lehrkräfte gibt es Impulse und Austausch zu "Schule mit und über KI" sowie zu "Finanzbildung". Eltern geben wir direkte Einblicke und die Möglichkeit, Fragen zu stellen. Die Anmeldung ist ab sofort freigeschaltet.

In 2025, Prof. Jan vom Brocke is once again among the world’s top 2% most-cited researchers. The Stanford University and Elsevier have published their latest ranking of internationally leading scholars, recognizing the significant impact that the listed researchers have in their respective fields.

Jan vom Brocke, Chair of Information Systems and Business Process Management, ranks first in Germany for Information Systems, 5th in the EU and 68th worldwide out of 18,546 scholars. Also listed for the School of Business and Economics is the now emeritus Professor of Information Systems, Prof. Gottfried Vossen. In total, the University of Münster is represented by 160 researchers.

Details on the ranking methodology and individual placements can be found here.

Subventionen gelten als zentrales Instrument der grünen Transformation – vom Kauf von Wärmepumpen bis zur Förderung klimafreundlicher Technologien. Eine aktuelle Analyse im Wirtschaftsdienst von Markus Dertwinkel-Kalt, Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Volkswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Verhaltens- und Digitalökonomie, an der Universität Münster, und Christian Wey vom Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics zeigt, dass sogenannte inverse Subventionen deutlich effizienter wirken.

Was können Kund:innen von der neuen Bahnstrategie und der just gewählten Bahnchefin Evelyn Palla erwarten? Dazu hat Prof. Gernot Sieg, Leiter des Instituts für Verkehrswissenschaft und Vorsitzender des Wissenschaftlichen Beirats des Bundesministeriums für Verkehr, auf tagesschau.de ein Interview gegeben.

The University of Münster’s team “Leeze and Company” achieved outstanding results at the Sydney International Business Competition 2025. The four students Julia-Sophie Ladehoff, Maya Auping, Daniel Schäffer, and Lars Kruse secured 1st place in the 6-hour case and 2nd place overall.

Das Team „Leeze and Company“ der Universität Münster hat bei der Sydney International Business Competition 2025 herausragende Ergebnisse erzielt. Die vier Studierenden Julia-Sophie Ladehoff, Maya Auping, Daniel Schäffer und Lars Kruse erreichten den 1. Platz im 6-Stunden-Case sowie den 2. Platz in der Gesamtwertung.

In 2025, Prof. Jan vom Brocke and Prof. Thorsten Hennig-Thurau from the University of Münster are once again among the world’s top 2% most-cited researchers. The Stanford University and Elsevier have published their latest ranking of internationally leading scholars. Jan vom Brocke ranks first in Germany for Information Systems, 5th in the EU and 68th worldwide out of 18,546 scholars. Thorsten Hennig-Thurau is listed third in Germany for Marketing, 12th in the EU and 70th worldwide out of 14,920.

2025 gehören Prof. Jan vom Brocke und Prof. Thorsten Hennig-Thurau von der Universität Münster erneut zu den Top 2% der meistzitierten Wissenschaftler:innen weltweit. Die Stanford University und Elsevier haben ihr aktuelles Ranking der international führenden Forscher:innen veröffentlicht. Jan vom Brocke liegt für die Wirtschaftsinformatik im deutschen Vergleich auf Rang 1 in der EU auf Rang 5 und weltweit auf Rang 68 von 18.546. Thorsten Hennig-Thurau wird für Marketing deutschlandweit auf Rang 3 geführt, in der EU auf Rang 12 und international auf Rang 70 von 14.920.

Wie können Unternehmen digitale Partnerschaften nutzen, um umweltfreundlicher zu werden? Die Studie, verfasst von Prof. Dr. David Bendig, Dr. Thomas Schäper, Dr. Manfred Strehlow und Prof. Dr. J. Nils Foege von der Universität Münster und veröffentlicht im European Journal of Information Systems (VHB-JOURQUAL3: A), zeigt: Digitale Allianzen – also strategische Kooperationen zwischen Unternehmen zur gemeinsamen Entwicklung und Nutzung digitaler Technologien – sind ein zentraler Treiber für grüne Innovationen und den Aufbau einer grünen Unternehmenskultur.

How can companies use digital partnerships to become greener? The study, published in the European Journal of Information Systems (VHB-JOURQUAL3: A), shows that digital alliances – strategic collaborations between firms to share and develop digital technologies – are a powerful driver for green innovations and the creation of a green corporate culture.

The REACH THESIS AWARD 2025 is an initiative of the REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Center to reward highly innovative bachelor, master and doctoral theses. The focus is on applied science and research that can be used as a basis for product development and innovation. In each of the three categories two graduates will be selected and awarded with prize money of 300 € (Bachelor), 500 € (Master) and 700 € (PhD). Applications are accepted from University Münster and FH Münster University of Applied Sciences. It is possible to submit in english or german language. Deadline: 30.09.2025.

Der REACH THESIS AWARD 2025 ist eine Initiative des REACH – EUREGIO Start-up Centers zur Auszeichnung innovativer Bachelor-, Master- und Doktorarbeiten. Der Fokus liegt auf angewandter Wissenschaft und Forschung, die als Grundlage für Produktentwicklung und Innovationen genutzt werden können. In jeder der drei Kategorien werden zwei Absolvent*innen ausgewählt und mit Preisgeldern von 300 € (Bachelor), 500 € (Master) und 700 € (PhD) ausgezeichnet. Die Einreichung ist noch bis zum 30.09.2025 möglich und kann auf Englisch oder Deutsch erfolgen.

The renowned journal Information Systems Research (ISR) has presented the Best Paper Award 2025 to Prof. Dr. Stefan Klein, long-standing member of the Department of Information Systems and recently retired, together with his co-authors Ojelanki Ngwenyama, Frantz Rowe, and Helle Zinner Henriksen. The award-winning paper is titled “The Open Prison of the Big Data Revolution: False Consciousness, Faustian Bargains, and Digital Entrapment.”

Das renommierte Fachjournal Information Systems Research (ISR) hat den Best Paper Award 2025 an Prof. Dr. Stefan Klein, langjähriges Mitglied des Instituts für Wirtschaftsinformatik und kürzlich in den Ruhestand getreten, sowie seine Co-Autor:innen Ojelanki Ngwenyama, Frantz Rowe und Helle Zinner Henriksen verliehen. Ausgezeichnet wurde das Paper „The Open Prison of the Big Data Revolution: False Consciousness, Faustian Bargains, and Digital Entrapment“.

From September 17 to 18, the University of Münster will host the second bootcamp of the EU-funded CURATE project. The bootcamp will be led by Prof. Tobias Brandt and Shariga Sivanathan from the Chair of Digital Innovation and the Public Sector. The aim of the project is to strengthen students from various European countries in their entrepreneurial and in dealing with artificial intelligence. 

Around 70 students from the partner universities Haaga-Helia (Finland), MCI The Entrepreneurial School (Austria), Université Côte d'Azur (France) und Technical University of Košice (Slovakia) are expected to attend the bootcamp, accompanied by coaches and experts. At the heart of the event are the challenge pitches, where the teams will present their solutions.

Over the past months, the participants have worked in international teams on practice-oriented challenges set by companies, focusing on the use of AI and digital technologies. At the bootcamp, the students will present their results as the project concludes.

A pre-pitch training will support the students in sharpening their presentation skills and delivering their results convincingly. In this way, the bootcamp not only serves as a platform for innovative ideas, but also as a hands-on learning environment in which young talents can demonstrate their skills in an international setting. 

The paper “The Open Prison of the Big Data Revolution: False Consciousness, Faustian Bargains, and Digital Entrapment” written by Ojelanki Ngwenyama, Frantz Rowe, Stefan Klein (long-time member of our department and recent retiree), and Helle Zinner Henriksen, was awarded the ISR Best Paper Award 2025. The paper addresses the fact that, while some scholars warn of the social harms caused by Big Data practices, there is a little critical social theory (CST) Information Systems research has been conducted into the structures and dynamics that drive these practices.

In this research, the authors examine how tech firms strategically shape social practices and platform design to encourage individuals to accept datafication and data assetization. While these strategies create positive network effects for companies, they often produce negative outcomes for individuals – including privacy violations, economic loss, and reduced freedom.

Drawing on the work of Heidegger and Marcuse, the paper introduces concepts such as false consciousness, digital entrapment, and Faustian bargains to explain how people become socially conditioned into a digital habitus and identify as homo digitalis, seeing all their social and economic relations as digital. The study uses the case of Microsoft Viva to illustrate how even everyday digital tools can shape reality and tether users to platforms, creating what the authors call an open prison.

The paper offers both a critique of the Big Data paradigm and a research agenda aimed at understanding and addressing the social consequences of these practices. It encourages further research into solutions that can reduce digital entrapment and protect freedom, privacy, and individual agency in the digital age.

The full paper can be found here.