University of Hamburg Business School
University of HamburgBusiness School
Summa cum laudeOral Defenses in August
29 August 2025
Photo: Private
Dr. Janine Allenbacher (left) and Dr. Julia Diana Lenk (right)
Read here who successfully defended their dissertation, what it was about and what the young researchers' future plans are.
The Business School would like to congratulate the new doctoral graduates of the last few weeks—both with summa cum laude—and introduce them with a short profile:
Dr. Janine Allenbacher
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Title and topic of the dissertation:
“Corporate Human Rights Practices in Global Supply Chains”
My dissertation focuses on the organizational practices of multinational companies to protect human rights. I have distinguished different types of practices, analyzed their effects, and examined the opportunities and challenges of implementing them in global supply chains.
Supervisors/reviewers:
- Prof. Nicola Berg (primary doctoral supervisor and primary reviewer)
- Prof. Gilbert (second doctoral supervisor, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences)
- Prof. Alewell (second reviewer)
- Prof. Philipp C. Sauer (NEOMA Business School, external reviewer)
- Prof. Wolfgang Brüggemann (Chair of the Examination Board)
My experience at the Business School:
The last four years at the University of Hamburg were very formative and enriching for me. Above all, I learned to really appreciate the supportive environment! Above all, the exchange with other scientists in the context of colloquia, doctoral courses or conferences was super helpful, very exciting and always helped to solve one or two knots in my head!
My plans for the future:
I definitely want to stay in science. Since May 2025, I have been working at Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, where I am involved in exciting new research topics at the interface between occupational health and sustainability.
Dr. Julia Diana Lenk
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Title and topic of the dissertation:
“How Marketing Communication and Megatrends Influence Sustainable Development Goals”
This dissertation examines how marketing communication can influence the achievement of selected sustainability goals (SDGs) and how this influence is shaped by global megatrends. The focus is on four megatrends—technological progress, demographic change, climate change and social inequality—as well as six SDGs from the 2030 Agenda, including gender equality, climate protection measures and industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Doctoral supervisors and reviewers:
- Prof. Henrik Sattler (University of Hamburg)
- Prof. Jochen Hartmann (TUM)
- External reviewer: Prof. Karen Gedenk (UHH)
- Chair: Prof. Malte Fliedner (UHH)
My experience at the Business School:
An instructive, inspiring and all-round fantastic time.
- Deepening research skills through international experience (e.g., summer school in Michigan, research stay in France)
- Participation in exciting scientific conferences with valuable exchanges
- Publications in (high-ranking) journal(s)
- Great pleasure in teaching by supervising final theses and passing on knowledge in Bachelor's and Master's modules
- Participation in the EQUIS accreditation process
- Wonderful colleagues, some of whom have become friends
My plans for the future:
Stay in Academia for the long term.
