Self-fulfilment as the key to overcoming poverty
2024-03-06 Michael Frese honoured with prestigious award for Entrepreneurship
Prof. Dr. Michael Frese, a long-standing professor at the School of Management and Technology at Leuphana University, is this year's recipient of the ‘Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research’. The psychologist is receiving the prize in the field of economic research for his outstanding research and influence on research into entrepreneurship.
First German researcher to receive the honour
The Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research is considered the most prestigious honour in the field of entrepreneurship research. Frese is the first German and the first psychologist to receive the award, which comes with prize money of €100,000.
Fighting poverty
‘Professor Freses‘ research reflects the spirit of the Global Entrepreneurship Awards. He is commited to the advancement of entrepreneurship through psychology. It has not only enriched the field, but has also empowered and activated a new generation of entrepreneurship researchers and many entrepreneurs and communities around the world,’ says Professor Ivo Zander, chair of the committee. The STEP (Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion) project, which was developed at Leuphana under Frese's leadership, encourages countless students in developing countries to start their own businesses. In 2006, he launched the first project in Uganda with the help of Prof. Michael Gilnik, who also teaches at Leuphana's Faculty of Management and Technology. Together with African teachers, the Lüneburg team developed the STEP project in such a way that it encouraged and supported bachelor students in Africa throughout the process of founding their own business, building their own mindset and their own company.
Motivation and encouragement
‘As a psychologist, my motivation for getting into entrepreneurship research was to overcome poverty,’ he says in the interview. ’What we have learned is that most people can succeed in freeing themselves from their situation and taking their own destiny into their own hands. What is crucial is to take the initiative to build something up independently over the long term and to deal well with problems and resistance,’ says Prof Michael Frese, who is currently also teaching at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur.
The psychology of entrepreneurship
Michael Gielnik, a colleague of Frese's on the project for many years, confirms the new and pioneering approach of Frese's research: ‘Michael Frese's work has had a significant influence on the direction of my research and the results of my research in the psychology of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship training, particularly in the context of the Global South.’ Prof.
Michael Gielnik, who also teaches at the School of Management and Technology, continues to pursue the approach in Lüneburg consistently: ‘Michael Frese is still a mentor and source of inspiration for me today. The fact that he is now receiving the award for his significant work confirms the achievements of our research group to date and encourages us to continue along the path we have taken.’
Member of the Leopoldina
The significance of Michael Frese's research is reflected in his publications. During his career, he has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as ‘Science’, ‘Academy of Management’ or the ‘Journal of Applied Psychology’ and has also published numerous books himself.
He has been a member of the Leopoldina (German National Academy of Sciences) since 2014 and in 2015 he was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Management and other scientific organisations. With over 78,000 citations (h-index=121), he is one of the world's most renowned scientists in the field of entrepreneurship and management.
Success through transdisciplinarity
“We place the highest value on combining management and entrepreneurship with psychology, computer science and engineering. The Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, an absolutely relevant award, honours the groundbreaking success of Michael Frese and his research. For us, it is an encouragement to know that we are on the right track with our profile topics and our development,” says Prof. Dr. Paul Drews, Dean of the School of Management and Technology.
Incidentally, the statue that will be presented at the award ceremony in May is called “The Hand of God” by the artist. Sometimes it just takes a little push or a little confirmation to create great things.