Sustainability at WFI
»WFI fosters Sustainability across our academic community and beyond, aiming to equip our students, faculty, and surrounding regional business ecosystems with the knowledge and tools necessary to drive sustainable growth. We aim to empower our learners, faculty, and the local and regional business community by integrating sustainability into our curriculum, research, and collaborations.«
Sustainability Representative at WFI
Prof. Dr.
Max
Ringlstetter
Prof. BA, Organisation and Human Resources
Room: 208
Postal Address
Auf der Schanz 49
D-85049 Ingolstadt
Auf der Schanz 49
D-85049 Ingolstadt
Office hours
by prior arrangement via the secretariat
by prior arrangement via the secretariat
Sustainable University
Our sustainability efforts at the university level have seen multiple milestones, including being designated a “Fairtrade University”, and becoming the first university in Germany under EMASplus, which expands environmental management to include a social and economic perspective. KU has implemented an Overall Sustainability Concept, was successfully certified for its sustainability management in accordance with the EMASplus standards, and received UNESCO recognition for exemplary sustainable learning. In the Times Higher Education University Impact Ranking, KU achieves top positions internationally and leads nationally in "Sustainable Consumption and Production" and "Climate Change Mitigation." This outstanding performance confirms KU's long-standing commitment to diverse activities in the area of sustainability.
The Sustainability Steering Group consists of committed employees from the faculties and the relevant science-supporting areas, as well as committed student university groups. They all support the sustainability officer in implementing the measures for more sustainability at KU.
KU’s Science Gallery includes the Green Office – KU's Sustainability Office. This hub caters to all KU members involved in sustainability efforts and extends its reach to the communities of Eichstätt, Ingolstadt, and neighboring regions. It serves as an invaluable resource, offering information, materials, networking opportunities, and direct contact points for all matters related to sustainable development. Together, we contribute wholeheartedly to fostering sustainability within the KU and its surrounding region.
Sustainability in our Curriculum
At WFI, Sustainability is a core pillar of the Curriculum, reflecting the institution's commitment to responsible management education. The Curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex global challenges and to drive sustainable business practices.
Here are some examples of how Sustainability is woven into our Curriculum:
Sustainability in our Curriculum
- Introduction of a new Sustainability Bachelor’s Program: Our relentless commitment to academic excellence shines through the inception of our B.Sc. Program Sustainability in Business & Economics (SBE). It has a socio-economic focus, setting it apart from other programs.
- WFI Certificates and Supplementary Study Program: WFI offer Certificates in "Sustainability in Business" and "Digitalization in Business." Additionally, there is a university-level supplementary study program in "Sustainable Development".
- “Research Project on Sustainability” Course in B.Sc. SBE: This course engages students in group projects where they develop sustainability research questions, analyze sustainability aspects and stakeholder preferences, and create and present comprehensive research reports. The course prepares students to work independently and effectively communicate their findings to relevant audiences.
- Case Studies in Sustainability Management: This module tought by Prof. Dr. Andre Habisch employs action learning and collaborates with global corporate partners, including the Federation of Catholic Entrepreneurs (BKU) in Cologne and the Union of Christian Entrepreneurial Associations (UNIAPAC) in Paris. It encompasses lectures, group case study work, desk research, readings, presentations to both internal and external stakeholders, and a comprehensive learner's portfolio, which includes self-reflection. Students gain expertise in crafting scientific case studies, cultivating intercultural competence for analyzing value-driven entrepreneurial initiatives across diverse economic, cultural, and social contexts. They also develop the ability to concentrate on specific contexts and narratives within collected data. Furthermore, students enhance their social competence for effective teamwork in diverse groups and acquire the skills to regularly communicate their learning progress via social media channels.
- Public Lecture Series on Sustainable Economy: WFI introduced a public lecture series held every Thursday. Esteemed speakers, including KU professors such as Prof. Dr. Dominika Langenmayr, Prof. Dr. Alexander Danzer, and Prof. Dr. Jörg Althammer, alongside experts from other German universities and industry professionals, will discuss sustainable economic practices. These lectures emphasize the importance of sustainability for environmental conservation, social justice, and economic stability, covering topics such as poverty, inclusion, sustainable food systems, circular economy, biodiversity risks, and bioeconomy. The series aims to raise awareness among students and the public about achieving prosperity within ecological limits.
- Lecture Series “Sustainability in China”: Since its 2016 inception, our renowned "Sustainability in China" guest lecture series, a collaboration between the Competence Unit Sustainability in China (CUSC) and the AUDI Konfuzius Institut, has thrived. This platform, both transdisciplinary and international, delves deep into sustainable development and management in China and Germany. Chinese, German, and international speakers from academia and business and beyond, engage students and the public in comprehensive sustainability discussions. Students further benefit by engaging with speakers to discuss potential seminar papers in more detail. Originating for Chinese guest students, this lecture series has gained popularity among Germans, broadening their horizons to comprehend sustainability challenges within a rapidly growing economy. It also fosters an appreciation for the depth of Chinese culture and its natural surroundings. The lectures touched on a range of compelling topics, including poverty reduction, employment, social protection, sustainability marketing, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Sustainability in Research and Knowledge Transfer
Sustainability is deeply embedded in the research agenda at WFI, highlighting our dedication to promoting responsible leadership. The scholarly work produced at WFI not only contributes to sustainable development but also influences curricular advancements that prepare students to become conscientious leaders. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with industry leaders, WFI ensures that its research remains at the forefront of sustainable business strategies, driving meaningful impact in both local and global contexts.
Here are select examples of Sustainability in our research:
Sustainability in Research and Knowledge Transfer
- Annual Colloquium of the Bavarian Science Forum: KU hosted the Annual Colloquium of the Bavarian Science Forum in Ingolstadt, focusing on the potential of universities in driving sustainability transformation in the 21st century. Political scientist Prof. Dr. Claus Leggewie delivered a keynote on preparing university systems for future challenges. The colloquium, involving all Bavarian universities, explored sustainability challenges and the potential of transformative science to advance higher education.
- Ignaz Kögler Research Summer Camp: KU hosted the first Ignaz Kögler Research Summer Camp, bringing together graduates and doctoral students from around the world to develop research ideas at the intersection of sustainability and digitalization. The camp provided insights into sustainable mobility, data ethics, and climate modeling, and featured workshops on scientific posters and "Design Thinking." Sponsored by the "Exzellenzstiftung Ingolstädter Wissenschaft - Ignaz Kögler," the event emphasized creating socially relevant and sustainable research.
- On-Demand Buses: The "VGI newMIND" pilot project has introduced on-demand buses within the Ingolstadt Public Transport Association to explore future mobility concepts, monitored by the Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) and the WFI, the Technical University of Ingolstadt (THI), and the Artificial Intelligence Network Ingolstadt (AININ). WFI's experts, Prof. Dr. Pirmin Fontaine and Simon Mader, revealed in an AININ podcast that AI can increase passenger capacity by 20%. The project seeks financial sustainability beyond federal funding by using AI to optimize pick-up times and routes, enhancing efficiency without extra resources.
- Economists' Network: Prof. Dr. Dominika Langenmayr is a founding member of a new Economists' Network advising the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) on current issues. Comprised of up to twenty distinguished female economists, this network aims to enhance diversity in policy recommendations alongside existing advisory committees.
- Cargo Bike Logistics: A study conducted by WFI’s Assistant Professorship of Operations Management and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) revealed that cargo bikes could play a much bigger role in the delivery of parcel mail in inner cities than in the past. In the example of the cities Munich and Regensburg, around 15 percent of CO2 emissions caused by deliveries could be avoided. The team of researchers has developed a planning tool that companies and municipalities can use to determine the potential of cargo bikes for individual urban areas. www.ku.de/wfi/om/radlast
- Online Fashion Retail Customer Preferences Study: A study by Prof. Dr. Heinrich Kuhn and Dr. Stefan Voigt explored customer willingness in the online fashion sector to accept longer delivery times for cost savings or environmental benefits. The findings indicate a notable preference for slower deliveries if they lead to reduced shipping costs or CO₂ emissions, suggesting retailers can target environmentally conscious customers with this information.