The Professor Pleitner Award
Prof. Dr. Hans Jobst Pleitner was named Director of the Swiss Research Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship in 1975. Ten years later, he was appointed Professor for Business Management with special emphasis on SMEs at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. After becoming an emeritus professor, he took up a new role as Professor for Entrepreneurial Management at Steinbeis University Berlin.
Throughout his career, Professor Pleitner has focused on working with entrepreneurs in SMEs, dealing with both theory and practice. He firmly believes that SMEs play an important role in the economy as a whole – by moving away from the mere pursuit of profit and finding ways to benefit society and the community. The “Professor Pleitner Award for Social Engagement in Entrepreneurship” has been established to further encourage this approach and was awarded for the first time in 2008.
Aim
Each year, the Steinbeis Center of Management and Technology (SCMT) at Steinbeis University Berlin awards the Professor Pleitner Award. Awardees are in particular MBA students who have shown exceptional social commitment beyond the call of duty to help those less fortunate. The award also acts as an incentive for other entrepreneurs in SMEs to do the same.
Reward
The winner is receiving a unique sculpture by artist Bastian Widera, living on the Canary Island Lanzarote. The award is endowed with prize money of 2500 Euros.
Participants
All students taking part in the ExMBA-program and other social engaged managers in SMEs taking part in a SCMT-program. Nominations can be sent to the jury at all times.
Jury
Prize winners are chosen by a jury made up of Prof. Dr. Hans Jobst Pleitner (chair), a SCMT-director and at least one more full-time professor of Steinbeis University Berlin.
Award ceremony
The award is presented during a graduation ceremony of the SCMT.
MBA (Entrepreneurial Management)
2007/2008: | Lutz Frischmann, MBA |
2008/2009: | Peter Kiesling, MBA |