Chair Prof. Dr. Christoph Lechner

At the Chair of Professor Christoph Lechner, we develop teaching and research in strategic management. Our research topics include strategic initiatives and programs, alliances and networks, and business models and activity systems.

Basic Research
We conduct several international research projects with scholars across universities in Europe and the United States, including Steven Floyd (University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA), Thomas Keil (Aalto University, Finnland), Laura Cardinal (Houston University, USA), Jorge Walter (George Washington University, USA), Harbir Singh (The Wharton School, USA), or Frank Rothaermel (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA).

Industry Collaboration
We regularly conduct industry and practitioner studies related to our research areas. In particular, we study the adaptation of financial service business models to external pressures and change. For example, we have published the following two studies: „Regulatory change—Chances and Risks for the insurance industry“ and „Private Banking in Switzerland—Quo vadis?“

University Teaching
In the university curriculum we focus on both master programs developed by our Institute, „Strategy and International Management“ (SIM) and „Unternehmensführung“ (MUG). We offer our core course „Strategic Management“ as well as the elective courses „Alliance and Network Strategy“ and „Geschäftsmodell: Innovation, Optimierung, Erneuerung“. In the doctoral curriculum we offer the course, „Theoretical Perspectives in Management“.

For these courses we regularly provide case studies on leading Swiss and international companies.

Executive Education
In continuing education we are active in the MBA, the Executive MBA, and public programs such as the Strategy Professional and the Senior Management Program. Here we offer courses such as „Professional Service Firms“ and „Strategic Management“.