Decisions and Behavior: Strengthening the Focus on Sustainability in Business and Society
The sustainable transformation of the economy and society is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. In addition to substantial investments in sustainable technologies and infrastructure, far-reaching changes in decision-making processes and behavioral patterns are required across economic and social sectors. A successful transformation requires the systematic integration of environmental and economic objectives; interdisciplinary approaches to analyzing and promoting sustainable decision-making and behavior play a central role in this process.
The “VORAN” Research College brings together researchers from Mainz University of Applied Sciences and the University of Trier to investigate sustainability-oriented decisions and behavior in business and society. Four interdisciplinary tandems are examining topics such as the financing of sustainability projects, sustainable behavior in organizations, biomimetic principles in procurement processes, and the use of immersive technologies.
Objective
The goal is to develop scientifically sound insights and practice-oriented solutions that effectively combine ecological and economic objectives, thereby promoting sustainable transformation. The focus is on individual behaviors and competencies as well as organizational structures and processes and institutional frameworks. The projects provide complementary insights into how framework conditions and decision-making processes can be designed to promote sustainable decision-making and action at the individual, organizational, and societal levels.
Method
The four research projects employ mixed-method approaches that combine quantitative and qualitative methods as well as constructivist and behavioral science methods. Experimental designs, case studies, interviews, surveys, prototypes, and reference models offer a broad spectrum of methods for capturing complex relationships between economic and environmental objectives. The interdisciplinary approach makes it possible to synergistically link insights from various disciplines, such as behavioral science, organizational science, computer science, and finance. By combining theoretical models and empirical analyses, the tandems provide valuable insights for academia, business, and policy to shape the path toward a sustainable future.