TH Köln Researcher Dr. Steffen Wolfer Wins International Research Award
Dr. Steffen Wolfer from TH Köln’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, Schmalenbach School of Business and Economics and Institute of Global Business and Society (GLOBUS), has received the highly prestigious Gunnar Hedlund Award for the best PhD thesis in the field of International Business.
The research prize, endowed with 10,000 Euro, is conferred biennially by the Stockholm School of Economics in collaboration with the European International Business Academy (EIBA). It is awarded to the work demonstrating the greatest potential to impact the field of International Business in the future. In the spirit of Prof. Dr. Gunnar Hedlund, a visionary pioneer in international business research, particular emphasis in the evaluation is placed on intellectual boldness, creativity, and originality.
On 13 December 2025, Dr. Wolfer was honored with the Gunnar Hedlund Award 2023-2025 at the EIBA Annual Meeting 2025 in Athens for his PhD thesis “Innovation and corporate catching-up in China: A configurational approach.” The study offers unique insights into how Chinese firms innovate and strategically position themselves within the globally competitive landscapes of the photovoltaic and wind power industries. In May 2025, Dr. Wolfer successfully completed his PhD at Tilburg University, a globally renowned research institution, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Geert Duijsters (Tilburg University) and Prof. Dr. Harald Sander (TH Köln).
“I am genuinely delighted by this well-deserved award,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Harald Sander. “Dr. Wolfer presented his research at leading international conferences, earning widespread recognition for the quality and relevance of his work. Particular noteworthy are the Best Conference Paper Award at the Annual Academy of International Business Southeast Chapter Conference 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and a Rising Scholar Award from the National Association of Chinese-Americans (NACA). He could also secure several funding opportunities, including multiple scholarships and a research grant from the Academy of International Business (AIB). The Gunnar Hedlund Award now marks another significant milestone in Dr. Wolfer’s academic career. I look forward to his continued impact on top-tier research at the intersection of international business and innovation studies, thereby contributing to the ambitions and growing recognition of our university.”
February 2026
