📌 Key facts
💡 Background
The project "Leading Sustainability" from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology focuses on the role of the finance sector in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the machinery and plant engineering sector in developing and implementing sustainability strategies. In light of new EU regulations, which will require SMEs to report on their social and environmental impacts starting in 2026, these companies face significant challenges. They often have limited resources for sustainable initiatives and a restricted awareness and knowledge about their role in sustainability.
The project argues that the finance sector, led by the CFO or an equivalent responsible party, can play a key role in integrating sustainability into corporate strategy. "Leading Sustainability" aims to empower the finance sector through specific control and reporting tools that enable SMEs to effectively implement comprehensive sustainability strategies.
Key research goals include understanding current practices and challenges of SMEs in sustainability, evaluating sustainability-oriented strategies, and developing an action plan for the finance sector to successfully implement these strategies. The project emphasizes the economic viability of these sustainability efforts, pointing to potential for cost savings, increased competitiveness, and enhanced attractiveness to skilled workers.
In summary, the "Leading Sustainability" project addresses the need to empower the finance sector in SMEs to act as a driving force behind sustainability initiatives, focusing on the requirements and frameworks set by new EU legislation.
💡 Open Master Thesis Topic: Revolutionizing Finance for Sustainable Business
You will conduct expert interviews to clarify two key questions:
- Which relevant interfaces do the finance departments of SMEs have to other functions?
- Which fields of action does the finance department have to enable a successful implementation of sustainability strategies?
Based on your findings, you will create a clear job description and plan for SME finance teams.
Method:
- Create a semi-structured interview guideline to answer key questions
- Conduct interviews with finance heads in mechanical and plant engineering industry (support will be offered in the acquisition of interview partners)
- Transcription and systematic analysis of interview results
- Deduction of a clear role description and action plan for finance departments of SMEs in relevant industries
Language: German is a must
Start: ASAP (preferrably before March)
🦾Who We Are
The Chair for Strategy and Organization is focused on research with impact. This means we do not want to repeat old ideas and base our research solely on the research people did 10 years ago. Instead, we currently research topics that will shape the future. Topics such as Agile Organizations and Digital Disruption, Blockchain Technology, Creativity and Innovation, Digital Transformation and Business Model Innovation, Diversity, Education: Education Technology and Performance Management, HRTech, Leadership, and Teams. We are always early in noticing trends, technologies, strategies, and organizations that shape the future, which has its ups and downs.
🧠Topics of Interest
- Leadership
- Finance
- Sustainability
🎓 Expectations
- German language skills are a must since the project language is german.
📬 How to Apply
- Please send your complete application documents (CV, Transcript of Records, motivational letter) in one pdf file to patricia.hornstein@tum.de and jennifer.ettner@tum.de.
- Start date: please indicate your preferred start date in your application (before march 2025)