Sustainable Entrepreneurship in German Rural Areas: A Survey and Implications for Entrepreneurship Education and Support Programs
Schadt, Christian; Zagel, Christian; Koch, Janine (2025)
The Human Side of Service Engineering. AHFE (2025) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol 182. AHFE International, USA.http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1006403 182, 1-8.
Open Access Peer Reviewed
Results from studies indicate that starting a sustainability-oriented business is associated with specific challenges. Our aim therefore was to investigate the mindset and needs of sustainable entrepreneurs, focusing on their motivations, challenges and support requirements during the establishment of sustainability-oriented start-ups. The focus was on respective start-ups in two rural and rather conservative regions in Germany. Together with an interdisciplinary group of students at a university course, we conducted guideline-based interviews with N=14 founders of sustainability-oriented enterprises from different business sectors. The interviews were analysed using a category system aligned with the study’s objectives. Findings highlight that sustainable thinking is deeply embedded in the respondents' values, often prioritizing ethical considerations over profit maximization. Many of them face a tension between sustainability and profitability, as sustainable products tend to be more expensive, and there is uncertainty about the availability of willing customers. Moreover, the research identifies specific support needs, including assistance with bureaucratic processes, networking opportunities, and strategies for customer acquisition. We derive implications for higher education institutions’ education as well as for external programmes to support (prospective) sustainable entrepreneurs.
Growth Mindset im Kontext der VUCA Welt
Zagel, Christian (2025)
Die Macht des Growth Mindset
Zagel, Christian (2025)
Mit einem Growth Mindset in deine persönliche Zukunft
Zagel, Christian (2024)
Young Leaders Workshop, Kronach.
Mit Innovationen den Wandel erfolgreich gestalten
Zagel, Christian (2024)
IHK - Perspektiven für die Automobilzulieferindustrie in der Metropolregion Nürnberg.
Podcast "Fränkischer Talk" - Chris Zagel, wie lebt es sich mit Mikrochips unter der Haut?
Zagel, Christian (2024)
Fränklischer Tag - Podcast.
Concept and prototypic implementation of a tangible user interface for psychosocial interventions in the context of dementia
Leyendecker, Matthia; Zagel, Christian (2024)
AHFE International - The Human Side of Service Engineering 143, 167-177.
DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005095
Open Access
Die Macht des Growth Mindset
Zagel, Christian (2024)
Nachhaltigkeit mit KI! Wie natürlich ist eine Zukunft, die von KI und Technik gestaltet wird?
Zagel, Christian (2024)
Expertenpanel bei "ZU TISCH! 24", freakstotable.
Future Skills studieren? Ein Erfahrungsbericht
Zagel, Christian; Stübinger, Johannes ; Haase, Sarah; Grosch, Christian (2024)
Future Skills mit Online-Angeboten lehren und lernen, Schlaglichter aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Schule.
Open Access Peer Reviewed
MöglichMacher23 – Game of Rain, Hochschule Coburg
Zagel, Christian (2024)
DiNa-Sonderausgabe 06/24 2024, 19-20.
Die Macht des Growth Mindset
Zagel, Christian (2024)
IHK Abschlussfeier.
Vision Zukunftstechnologie trifft Gastro
Zagel, Christian (2023)
DEHOGA Bayern.
ErgoMate: Concept and Prototype of an Automated Ergonomic Workpace System for Office Environments
Leyendecker, Matthia; Zagel, Christian; Piazza, A. (2023)
Advances in the Human Side of Service Engineering, Springer, USA 2023.
Open Access Peer Reviewed
Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft, Mentorenprogramm
Zagel, Christian (2023)
Consumer Experience Through the Use of Mixed Reality in Shopping Environments
Zagel, Christian (2023)
Multisensory in Statonary Retail - Principles and Practice of Customer-Centered Store Design, 201-214.
Combining digital and physical user interfaces – concept of a self-service system for exhibitions
Zagel, Christian; Leyendecker, Matthia (2022)
The Human Side of Service Engineering 2022 (62), 436-441.
DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002586
Peer Reviewed
Die Zukunft der Welt
Zagel, Christian (2022)
IHK Ausbildungsfeier, 04.05.2022, Kronach 2022.
Design Thinking – the good, the bad & the ugly
Zagel, Christian (2021)
Coburg, Designer Treff, Coburger DesignForum Oberfranken e.V..
Future Design – Consumer Experience im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung
Zagel, Christian (2021)
München, Munich Creative Business Week.
Prof. Dr. Christian Zagel
Hochschule Coburg
Wissenschafts- und Kulturzentrum (WiKu; ehemalig)
T 09561317118 Christian.Zagel[at]hs-coburg.de