Michael Frese receives important international science award

2024-03-08 Lüneburg/Stockholm. Professor Dr Michael Frese from Leuphana University Lüneburg is the first German scientist to receive the "Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research". This was announced by the Swedish Entrepreneurship Forum on 6 March. The prize, which has been awarded annually since 1998 and is endowed with 100,000 euros, is regarded as the world's most important award in the field of entrepreneurship research. Frese shares the prize with Robert Baron from Oklahoma State University in the USA. The award ceremony will take place on 27 May in Stockholm.

Mich Frese ©Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Prof. Dr. Michael Frese

Professor Frese's ground-breaking research has provided answers to fundamental questions about human psychology and entrepreneurship, the jury said, explaining its decision and adding: "His contributions have breathed new life into the discussion about personal characteristics and their role in entrepreneurship."

"I am overjoyed to receive this award," said Professor Frese in an initial reaction. "I see it as an acknowledgement of the work I have done in the field of entrepreneurship research. Being the first psychologist to be honoured in this field, which is otherwise dominated by economists, is also something special for me."

Professor Frese's research has provided fundamental insights into the origins and effects of personal initiative, self-regulated behaviour in the entrepreneurial process and the success factors of entrepreneurs. In several large-scale meta-studies, he has identified and explained the relationships between psychological factors, entrepreneurial behaviour and entrepreneurial success.

It is particularly noteworthy that his scientific work goes hand in hand with very practical efforts to educate and train prospective and practising entrepreneurs, especially in the difficult context of developing and newly industrialising countries.

Personal details:
Michael Frese has been Professor of Business Psychology, in particular Entrepreneurship and Innovation, at Leuphana University Lüneburg since August 2009. He is one of the most frequently cited European authors in the field of work and organisational psychology. In 2013, he was elected to the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina. In 2014, the renowned US Academy of Management (AOM) appointed him as a Fellow in recognition of his outstanding research achievements. In German economist rankings, he is repeatedly counted among the most influential economic researchers.

About the prize:
According to the statutes, the prize is to be awarded to "an individual who has presented an academic paper of outstanding quality and significance, thereby making a significant contribution to theorising about entrepreneurship and small business development, the role and importance of start-ups and the role of SMEs in economic development".
Nominations can be made by authorised professorships at Swedish universities, the prize committee, selected scientific journals and previous prize winners. The selection is made by a prize committee with the help of experts.
Further information here