A new episode of the GEWINNE ZUKUNFT podcast featuring ESCP Business School’s Prof. Florian Lüdeke-Freund sheds light on a timely and encouraging message for businesses navigating economic uncertainty and the sustainability transition: investing in sustainability and transforming business models can strengthen competitiveness and resilience rather than undermining them
The episode features Professor Florian Lüdeke-Freund, Professor of Corporate Sustainability at the ESCP Business School Sustainability Institute, and author of a new Bertelsmann Stiftung study, alongside Gabriele Maurer, Vice President Corporate Sustainability at Jungheinrich, recently awarded the German Sustainability Award. Together, they bridge rigorous academic research with hands-on corporate experience.
Evidence-Based Insights for a Decarbonised Economy
In 2024, the first joint study of ESCP’s STAR Center and Bertelsmann Stiftung provided statistical evidence that German companies engage significantly in both business model transformation and sustainability measure (find the 2024 study here, English summary).
The new findings building on additional analyses identify a new strategic triad—competitiveness, resilience and sustainability—as mutually reinforcing pillars of long-term success (find the 2025 follow-up study here, English summary).
In the podcast, Professor Lüdeke-Freund outlines the four core capabilities that distinguish companies successfully navigating transformation, offering valuable insights for leaders seeking to future-proof their organisations.
From Research to Practice: Lessons from Jungheinrich
Complementing the research perspective, Gabriele Maurer shares how Jungheinrich integrated sustainability goals well before regulatory requirements such as the CSRD came into force. Drawing on her experience, she explains how the ESRS framework has generated concrete strategic insights and why the CSRD process can be seen as a “training camp” for operating in an increasingly VUCA world.
The episode also includes an industry perspective on recent EU-level regulatory developments and demonstrates how sustainability reporting can become a strategic tool rather than a compliance exercise.
Why Tune In?
Listeners will gain answers to key questions shaping today’s business agenda:
- How can competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience be linked in meaningful way?
- Which organisational capabilities enable successful development towards increased competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability?
- What does sustainability-driven transformation look like in practice at an award-winning company?
This episode is particularly relevant for sustainability professionals, business leaders, researchers, and students interested in evidence-based pathways toward resilient and sustainable business models.
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