Advancing Research in Sustainability and Innovation at the Jackstädtzentrum

06.05.2026|13:00 Uhr

In this post, we present the research project of Marlene Fröhlich, an external doctoral researcher at the Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research of Prof. Dr. Julia de Groote. The project is pursued in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Birgit Felden at the EMF Institute, HWR Berlin, and supported by the EQUA Foundation.

The Jackstädtzentrum hosts diverse research activities in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation. 

In this post, we present the research project of Marlene Fröhlich, an external doctoral researcher at the Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research of Prof. Dr. Julia de Groote. The project is pursued in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Birgit Felden at the EMF Institute, HWR Berlin, and supported by the EQUA Foundation.

 

Her dissertation project examines how family businesses strategically navigate sustainability transformation while maintaining economic performance.

 

Key research focuses:

  • Determinants of successful sustainability transformation in family firms.
  • The interdependencies and synergies between sustainability and digitalization (twin transformation).
  • Structural and organizational levers within family firms for embedding sustainability practices.
  • Conditions under which sustainability can become a source of competitive advantage.

 

Marlene’s work builds on insights from family business research, sustainability management, and innovation studies. 

We look forward to the valuable insights her research will generate for family firms in Germany!