On 3 July 2025, the Faculty of Business and Economics hosted its annual research workshop at PARSEC in Paderborn, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of research across the faculty. A total of 118 faculty members came together to exchange ideas on 38 research projects presented across 16 talks and two poster sessions. The event placed a strong emphasis on in-depth discussions of ongoing research.
A highlight of the event was the keynote by Jun. Prof. Dr. Sylvia Hubner-Benz, “One Size Fits None: When Culturally Diverse Entrepreneurial Journeys Meet Digital Tech.” She discussed how digital technologies intersect with diverse entrepreneurial paths and stressed that support strategies must be tailored to the unique challenges faced by different individuals and teams.
Key insights from her talk included:
· Entrepreneurs who do not fit traditional stereotypes often face additional obstacles.
· Misaligned support - for example, startup-focused resources in intrapreneurial contexts - can have unintended consequences.
· Cultural differences influence innovation behaviors in teams, highlighting the need for tailored and counterbalancing leadership.
Jun. Prof. Dr. Hubner-Benz also outlined a platform-based research approach to identify what support works, for whom, and under which conditions—and enable more individualized support.
The BMFTR-funded project SeeHerTech was also presented by Constanze Obst, Catharina Blome, and Jun. Prof. Dr. Sylvia Hubner-Benz, reflecting ongoing work on diversity in entrepreneurship and technology. Overall, the workshop offered a collaborative environment, encouraging the exchange of ideas among faculty and researchers.
