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Prof. Dr. Falk Uebernickel

  • Research
Mitarbeiter:innenfoto

Professor for Design Thinking and Innovation Research (external)

I am a Professor for Innovation Research and Design Thinking at the Hasso Plattner Institute, University of Potsdam, and also at the University of St. Gallen's School of Management. My academic journey began with a background in Information Systems Research (M.Sc.) and Business Administration (Ph.D.), which has shaped my current research interests. 

My work primarily revolves around three key dimensions: exploring how individuals can lead more sustainable lives through the lenses of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Information Systems; understanding how incumbent firms navigate the transition to CO2-free production; and investigating the application of Design Thinking in organizations, teams, and individual practices. 

Additionally, I am deeply involved in studying the Digital Transformation of organizations, particularly within the industrial sectors of Germany and Switzerland. I also dedicate a significant portion of my time to executive teaching and coaching, helping leaders and professionals navigate complex challenges and drive impactful change. Throughout my career, I have authored and co-authored several best-selling books and over 200 scientific publications.

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Contact

office-uebernickel@hpi.de

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Research Projects

Currently we focus on Digital Innovation and Transformation with a strong perspective on cognition and behavioural aspects, management, and adoption of Design Thinking, as well as finishing our global design thinking study.

Education

02/2005 – 04/2008 Doctorate studies at University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) 

Topic: Product-oriented IT Service calculation – Methods and concepts | Referees: Prof. Dr. Walter Brenner and Prof. Dr. Helmut Krcmar

10/1999 – 04/2004 Studies of Information Management at University of Regensburg (Germany)

Main focus on Finance and Information Security (best graduate of the year)

Experience (Academic)

Since 10/2019 Full Professor for Design Thinking and Innovation Research at the Hasso Plattner Institute (Germany)

Since 09/2016 Adjunct Professor for Business Administration at University of St. Gallen (Switzerland)

04/2010 – 09/2016 Assistant Professor for Information Management at University of St.Gallen (Switzerland)

05/2008 – 04/2010 Senior Researcher and Project Manager at University of St. Gallen (Switzerland)

02/2005 – 04/2008 Research Assistant at University of St. Gallen (Switzerland)

08/2003 – 02/2004 Junior Research Assistant with Prof. Dr. Hannes Federrath at University of Regensburg (Germany) Chair of Information Security

10/2000 – 08/2001 Junior Research and Teaching Assistant with Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jochen Drukarczyk at University of Regensburg (Germany) Chair of Finance

Experience (Non-Academic)

12/2008 – 10/2019 Managing Partner at IT Management Partner St. Gallen AG (Switzerland)

Spin-off from the University of St. Gallen with focus on Transformation by Design in large organizations | 15+ experienced employees | reference customers are (extract): Royal Bank of Scotland, Eon, German Health Insurances, Siemens, UBS, Syngenta, Qiagen, Merck, Allianz SE

Since 09/2011 President of SUGAR Community and founding member (Switzerland, USA)

Coordination and organization of the global Design Thinking community together with Stanford University (Prof. Larry Leifer, PhD) (avg. 190 students and over 20 participating universities, amongst other: University of Science and Technology (USTC) (China), Aalto University (Finland), Hasso-Plattner-Institute (Germany))

07/2004 – 01/2005 Business Analyst at Deloitte Business Consulting (Germany) Conception and planning of group consolidation systems for international companies (focus on defense industry)

1998 – 1999 Basic military service at German armed forces (Germany) Armored infantryman / HR department

Publications

Uebernickel, F., Jiang, L., Brenner, W., Pukall, B., Naef, T., Schindlholzer B. (2020). Design Thinking - The Handbook. Link.

Stoeckli, E., Dremel, C., Uebernickel, F. (2018). Exploring characteristics and transformational capabilities of InsurTech innovations to understand insurance value creation in a digital world. Springer. Link.

Herterich, M., M., Uebernickel, F., Brenner, W., (2016). Stepwise Evolution of Capabilities for Harnessing Digital Data Streams in Data-Driven Industrial Services. Link. 

Vetterli, C., Brenner, W., Uebernickel, F., Petrie, C. (2013). From palaces to yurts: Why requirements engineering needs design thinking. Link. 

Vetterli, C., Uebernickel, F., Brenner, W., Petrie, C., Stermann, D. (2016). How Deutsche Bank's IT Division Used Design Thinking to Achieve Customer Proximity. Link. 

Haskamp, T., Marx, C., Dremel, C., Uebernickel, F. (2021). Understanding Inertia in Digital Transformation: A Literature Review and Multilevel Research Framework. Link. 

Viljoen, A., Klinker, K., Wiesche, M., Uebernickel, F., Krcmar H. (2021). Design Principles for mHealth Application Development in Rural Parts of Developing Countries: The Case of Noncommunicable Diseases in Kenya. Link.

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