2018, What a Year it Was

This week, we had our department meeting for the first time this year. Thus, it is a time to reflect on the department’s achievements in 2018, and what a year it was.

Faculty: As assistant professors, Dr. Antonia Erz and Dr. Stefan Markovic delivered outstanding achievements in research and education, and both are now associated professors. We hired Anna-Bertha Heeris Christensen as a PhD student, Dr. Tobias Schäfers, Dr. Edlira Shehu, Dr. Michel van der Borgh, and Dr. Claus Varnes as associate professors, Dr. Ad de Jong as professor, and Professor Michael Beverland was appointed adjunct professor.

Funding: Faculty applied for 10 grants—totaling DKK 52 million—from EU (one grant), Independent Research Fund Denmark (seven grants), and private foundations (two grants). Currently, one of these applications has been successful (an Independent Research Fund Denmark grant of DKK 5.5 million, the largest in four years; Dr. Bo Christensen); another successful application (Dr. Jesper Clement) awaits decision as to which workflow will go to CBS. The overall amount applied for has increased significantly from DKK 16 million in 2015 and 2016 to DKK 22 million in 2017, and to DKK 52 million in 2018. Eight of the 10 funds applied for in 2018 are on CBS’ select list of prioritized funds. Dr. Bo Christensen leads our funding activities.

Teaching: To increase employability of non-Nordic students, we worked on a digital platform that connects students and companies. Furthermore, in our ongoing endeavor to promote and extend our experiences within online and blended learning, we developed cross-department blended learning seminars; and we hosted quarterly cross-CBS seminars about fully online teaching. Finally, our new MA program in Customer and Commercial Development had its first intake in September 2018 with a group of around 70 students (chosen from 146 applicants). Teacher evaluations average between 4.0 and 4.7. A signature feature of the program is the close collaboration with companies and other stakeholders. Finally, four Master’s programs are managed out of the department (led by Dr. Richard Gyrd-Jones, Professor Torben Hansen, Dr. Michel van der Borgh, and Dr. Sebastian Zenker), as is a Minor program (led by Dr. Karin Tollin). All Master’s programs experienced increase in application numbers. Dr. Thyra Uth Thomsen leads our education activities.

PhD students: We saw the graduation of Dr. Dalia Bagdziunaite (supervisor: Professor Torsten Ringberg), Dr. Helle Haurum (supervisor: Dr. Mogens Bjerre), and Dr. Mia Münster (supervisor: Dr. Tore Kristensen).

Research: From 2013 to 2018, our output of articles in AJG 3/4/4*-rated journals has increased with a staggering 1,500%; and from 2014 to 2018, the number of AJG 4/4* outputs increased with 400%. The number of total publications increased with 83% from 2013 to 2018, and our share of CBS’ publications increased with 90%. To support our research undertakings, we have created a center and several specialized research clusters (led by Dr. Jesper Clement, Dr. Richard Gyrd-Jones, Professor Torben Hansen, Professor Alexander Josiassen, Dr. Tore Kristensen, Dr. Stefan Markovic, Dr. Tobias Schäfers, and Dr. Sylvia von Wallpach).

Administration: Behind it all, we have a sterling secretariat headed by Mrs. Yvonne Bjørkov.

It is a huge privilege to head such a talented and good-spirited group of colleagues! At this time, we have eight job hires in progress. We always are interested in hearing from academics and organizations who would like to join us or to collaborate with us.

Thank you to everyone, and may the force be with you in 2019.