About us
The Institute for Economy and the Environment (IWOe-HSG) was founded on October 1, 1992 - being at that time the 26th institute at the University of St.Gallen (HSG). Its employees do their research, teach and counsel in the areas of sustainability management and management of renewable energies.
The IWOe-HSG sees itself as a practice-oriented, interdisciplinary institute of the University. It is characterised by a pluralistic culture that champions a diverse range of scientific approaches and methods. Above all, the objective of the work done at the Institute is to contribute to a sustainable market economy and to further develop sustainable business management models. At the IWOe business and political economics as well as juridical questions stand at the fore in the same way they do at the HSG. One particular focus is to examine the topic of renewable energy sources from the managerial perspective.
The Institute for Economy and the Environment is comprised of the following two chairs:
- The Chair for Sustainability Management – headed by Prof. Dr. Thomas Dyllick
- The Good Energies Chair for Management of Renewable Energies – headed by Prof. Dr. Rolf Wüstenhagen
Research
The IWOe-HSG is involved in finding solutions to problems of sustainability in business and society through its scientifically-based work and practice-oriented approach. Please refer to the homepages of the respective chairs to find out more about current research focuses.
Teaching
The intention of the courses is not to train students as specialists in ecology or sustainability, but rather to make them economists and management experts who are sensitive to the issues of ecology and sustainability. First, ecological knowledge is integrated into the general course offerings at the HSG. Specific seminars are offered as well. You can find a list of current and past seminars offered by the various chairs. In addition to numerous Bachelor’s and Master’s theses, more than 20 doctoral theses are currently in progress at the IWOe-HSG.
St.Galler Forum
Each spring, the HSG hosts the St.Gallen Forum for Management of Renewable Energies to address current issues in an international context. The programme includes both lectures and workshops. In addition, current research findings and topics will be examined in greater depth as part of special conferences and workshops.
Executive education
January 2011 marked the first year of the executive education programme "Renewable Energy Management" (Diploma of Advanced Studies in Renewable Energy Management (REM-HSG)).
An innovative executive education programme (Diploma in Sustainable Business) started in autumn 2011.
Services
Members of the IWOe-HSG are responsible for the administration of numerous domestic and international mandates in research and advisory panels and associations. They participate in the publication of scientific journals, supervise work groups and committees, give lectures, provide consulting and training, and are commissioned by partners – both public and private – to develop concepts and strategies.