Interdisciplinary Research in the Greater Field of Innovation Management: the Experience of Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg

On May 22, 2014, HSE hosted an open workshop of Michael Nippa, professor ofManagement, Leadership, and Human Resources at the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg. His visit was organised by the Centre for International Projects of HSE ISSEK, following the initial contact established during the opening events of the EU—Russia Year of Science in November 2013. Also present at the meeting was Professor Nippa’s Ph.D. student Katja Schneider.

Michael Nippa, Katja Schneider

Following an overview of Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg and its interdisciplinary research in the field of innovation management, the German guests focused on two research projects implemented with the participation of Ph.D. students. 

The focus of the first study, “Societal Acceptance of Energy Sources. A Research Agenda and International Comparison”, was the perception of lignite and other traditional and alternative energy sources (oil, natural gas, solar, nuclear and wind wend energy, biomass) in different countries (specifically, Germany, France, Turkey, Russia, and China). The surveys were conducted among students of large universities before and after the Fukushima accident.

The second project, “Contextualizing Success Factors of Inter-Organisational Networks in Emerging Economies: Comparing IJVs in Russia and China”, aimed to analyze the publication activity in Russia and China on international joint ventures (IJV), market entry, and business internationalization generally. The study revealed that Russian publications on the subject are underrepresented in international peer-reviewed journals specializing in management. As a next step, the project team plans to study the activities of joint ventures in Russia and China by analyzing selected cases, and to assess the applicability of classical economic and management theories to national peculiarities of the business environment of the two countries.

Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg is open for cooperation with HSE. After the workshop, Professor Nippa met with ISSEK key staff members to identify cooperation opportunities and to discuss further steps.

The participants have identified at least two areas for collaborative activities — in the framework of new Master’s programme “Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation” and in cooperation with ISSEK international research laboratories — Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies and Laboratory for Economics of Innovation. Identified thematic priorities for joint projects include, inter alia, corporate governance and R&D and innovations in oil and gas companies.

Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg is the oldest (founded in 1765) still active mining university worldwide and one of Germany’s top research universities. The University has 6 faculties and specializes in research and education in geosciences and mining, materials science, energy, and environment. Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg has won its international recognition thanks to its robust research in natural resources and energy technologies. Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg enjoys partnerships with 46 universities globally, including several Russian universities (National Mineral and Resource University (Mining University), Moscow State Mining University, National Research Technical University “MISiS”, et al.)

Professor Michael Nippa and his research team implement projects in the field of energy generation (coal gasification) and natural resource efficiency (e.g., urban mining, recycling). Professor Nippa’s current research is partly driven by large third-party funded research projects in the field of energy generation (coal gasification) and natural resource efficiency (e.g., urban mining, recycling), particularly strategic innovation management and governance, technology assessment, and socio-political acceptance. Besides, his research integrates International Management, Corporate Strategy and Restructuring, Behavioral Decision Making, and various aspects of Organisational Behavior (e.g. status, particularism, loyalty). To date, Professor Nippa has published four books, eleven editorships, nineteen articles in peer-reviewed management journals, more than forty editorial reviewed articles and book chapters as well as numerous other articles and working papers. He also serves on the editorial board of the Academy of Management Perspectives. Professor Nippa has spent research sabbatical leaves at the Marshall School of Business (USC), at the Australian Graduate School of Management (UNSW), and at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business (SMU). Prior to his scholarly career, Professor Nippa was co-founder and managing director of a management consulting and research firm specialized on strategy, innovation, organisation, and acceptance.

By Liliana Proskuryakova

Presentation by Prof. Dr. Michael Nippa & Katja Schneider