IHK-Chair of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
The IHK-Chair of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises has particular focus on the following fields of research:
- Small Business Economics
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Remembering Professor Christina Günther
WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management regrets to announce that, following a hard-fought and courageous battle against a serious medical condition, Professor Christina Günther passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025, surrounded by her closest family.
Our Team
Our Teaching – Bringing research into the classroom.
The IHK-Chair of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises offers courses in the Bachelor of Science Program, the Master of Science Programs, and the MLB Program. Click on the courses below to find out more information:
Forum Mittelstand
In close cooperation with the IHK Koblenz (Koblenz Chamber of Commerce and Industry), the Forum Mittelstand at WHU aims to present the latest scientific findings to small and medium-sized companies from the surrounding region. Through this event, the Forum Mittelstand hopes to make a significant impact and contribution to the economic and innovative power of such companies.
Schneider Foundation – We support research, teaching, and students.
The Foundation was established in April 1998 by Irmgard and Erich Schneider at WHU. Irmgard and Erich Schneider, as well as their son Peter Schneider and grandson Axel Schneider, were and are strongly socially motivated.
The foundation aims to promote activities at WHU that support the transfer of knowledge to SMEs in the region, e.g., in the field of digitalization for economic or social purposes.
The Schneider Foundation is managed by a five-member Board of Trustees and represented by its Chairman. The members of the Board of Trustees are: Dr. Andreas Fromm (Chairman), Peter H. Schneider, Dr. Axel Schneider, Doris Meyer and Dr. Rebecca Winkelmann (WHU).
The foundation is associated with the IHK-Chair of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) and supports teaching, research as well as project work.
Highlights
2021: Forum Mittelstand September on: "Online Recruiting"
2020: Webinar series for small and medium-sized enterprises on „Dealing with the Corona crisis“
The Foundation also awards scholarships to WHU students who demonstrate an interest in practice-oriented research as well as an outstanding motivation to transfer knowledge to SMEs.
Highlights
2021: WHU In Praxi Outstanding Thesis Awards: Catharina Janz (winner) for her Master thesis “ESG and Investment Behavior – Does Corporates’ Engagement in Environment, Society, and Governance Impact Individual Investors’ Stock Market Decision-Making?” (supervised by Professor Burcin Yurtoglu, Chair of Corporate Finance)
2019: IHK Hochschulpreis der Wirtschaft: Daniel Davydov (winner) for his Bachelor thesis „Internationalization Strategy and Location Analysis for a SME“
Contact person: Yulia Litvinova
In order to create ideal conditions for the research projects of students and doctoral candidates, the Schneider Lab has been set up. VR-glasses as well as a video conferencing system and smartboard offer the opportunity to try out new approaches to the work of the future.
The Lab is available to all WHU stakeholders.
For example, Bachelor students Cedric-Pascal Sommer and Eva Scheiwe, conducted experiments in the VR Lab as part of their final theses.
Contact person: Yulia Litvinova
Theses samples:
Cedric-Pascal Sommer, BSc Thesis 2019
Abstract: Objective self-awareness theory predicts that individuals behave morally under increased self-awareness. This proposition requires a critical reflection in the context of Virtual Reality (VR). Results of the VR experiment show that when being exposed to the image of own avatar in a virtual mirror, individuals take significantly more time to submit a -- dishonest -- claim. However, it does not affect the level of dishonesty.
Eva Scheiwe, BSc Thesis 2019:
Abstract: The immersive Virtual Reality (VR) based experiment examines how the presence of virtual observers (avatars) influences the lying behavior. Results indicate that when lying cannot be detected, exposure to such an audience does not affect the level of dishonesty. This deviates from what the theory of social behavior suggests. They display, however, that individuals still prefer not to lie “to the full extent”.
Scholarship holders
Since the Schneider Foundation was established, about 50 students have been sponsored. Each year, the Foundation supports 4-5 scholarship holders. Click through the statements below to find out more about the scholarship holders.
Fostering connections – Enabling theory to grow.
Through close cooperation with universities and industrial partners, the Chair is able to transfer knowledge from theory to applied science. The following partner companies and institutions support the IHK-Chair of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in this commitment:
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