Psychology meets entrepreneurship:

This introductory seminar focuses on psychological and individual factors that shape entrepreneurial behavior. It centers on topics such as motivation, risk appetite, self-efficacy, and personality, as well as the influence of individual resources on start-up decisions and success. In addition, gender differences and varying perceptions of success are examined. The seminar offers the opportunity to learn about current research findings and to develop and work on your own questions about various psychological aspects of starting a business. At the same time, the basics of scientific work are taught and applied in practice.

Formal scope:

• Seminar paper and colloquium

Credit points:

• 6 ECTS Credits

Organization:

Time: Thursday, 8:15–11:30 a.m. 

• 23.04.2026
• 07.05.2026
• 21.05.2026
• 28.05.2026
• 02.07.2026
• 09.07.2026

Location: Room: N.11.16

Further information on the chair's bachelor's degree programs can be found at Studilöwe.

Family businesses play a central role in both the German and the global economy. They are characterized by a long-term orientation, a strong sense of responsibility toward employees and local communities, and a close connection between ownership and management. At the same time, they face unique challenges, such as succession planning, managing conflicts between family and business interests, and making strategic decisions in an environment often shaped by emotional dynamics. This combination of economic significance and distinctive characteristics makes family businesses a fascinating subject of academic research.

As part of this introductory seminar, students will explore the fundamental questions of family business research:

• What are the main theoretical perspectives?
• What insights does empirical research provide?
• How can these insights be applied to real-world case studies?

The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of this unique type of business organization.

At the same time, the seminar equips students with essential academic research and writing skills, enabling them to structure and present their findings in a written seminar paper.

Requirements

• Seminar paper (12–15 pages)
• Presentation
• Number of participants: 20

Credit points:

• 6 ECTS Credits

Organization

• Schedule: Thursdays, 8:15–11:30 a.m.

• 15.10.2026
• 22.10.2026
• 12.11.2026
• 19.11.2026
• 21.01.2027
• 28.01.2027

• Location: M.13.09 (CIP 2)

How do new ideas emerge in teams? What makes collaboration in innovation processes successful—and why does it sometimes fail? In this seminar, students will explore the dynamics of teamwork in innovative contexts. The seminar focuses on both traditional teams and emerging forms of collaboration, including:

• Virtual or globally distributed teams
• Interdisciplinary teams in startups or innovation departments
• Hybrid teams in which humans and artificial intelligence collaborate

Students will engage with academic concepts related to team processes, creativity, leadership, and communication. Working in small groups, they will investigate a specific topic, present their findings to the class, and complement their group work with a written paper.

Key Topics

• Success factors for teamwork in innovation contexts
• Digital collaboration and virtual teams
• Collaboration with artificial intelligence
• Diversity and psychological safety in teams
• Fostering creativity and innovation processes in teams

Learning Objectives

Students will…

• understand key concepts of team research in the context of innovation,
• analyze the challenges of digital and global collaboration,
• reflect on the opportunities and limitations of AI-supported teamwork,
• strengthen their academic research and writing skills.

Requirements

• Small-group work on a selected topic
• Group presentation
• Written paper (approx. 10 pages per student, based on the group's topic)
• Maximum number of participants: 15

Credit points:

• 6 ECTS Credits

Organization

• Schedule: Thursdays, 14.15 – 17.30 p.m.

• 15.10.2026
• 22.10.2026
• 12.11.2026
• 19.11.2026
• 21.01.2027
• 28.01.2027

• Location: M.13.09 (CIP 2)