Max presenting his defense while Prof. Wagner and associates are listening

Maximilian Löffel successfully defends his doctoral thesis

On April 17th, Maximilian Löffel successfully defended his doctorate thesis at the Chair of Logistics Management. Congratulations!

by Alexander Bocken

In today's landscape, nonprofits face intricate challenges amidst increasing competition and heightened aid demands. In his dissertation titled "Organization and Management of Nonprofits: Examining Relationships, Complexity, and Risks," our colleague Maximilian Löffel offers insights into navigating these complexities. The dissertation delves into the dynamics of interorganizational relationships, institutional complexity, and risk management in humanitarian aid delivery through three comprehensive studies.

The dissertation uncovers relationship types between nonprofits and for-profit entities, highlighting specific mechanisms for relationship development. It addresses the formidable challenge of institutional complexity within humanitarian organizations, offering a model to manage conflicting mandates effectively. Additionally, the research explores risk management strategies, equipping organizations with tools to navigate uncertainty in humanitarian aid supply chains.

two by two matrix showing how complexity, relationships and risks overlap in the dimensions of "nonprofit environment" (program side vs nonprofit organization) and "scope of the phenomenom" (inter- vs. intra-organisational)
presentation slide showing the process of going from questions to research areas about relationships, complexity, and risks in managing nonprofits.

Since starting his doctorate at the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics in 2020, Maximilian has collaborated with various nonprofit partners, particularly through the HumOSCM Lab at the Chair of Logistics Management. These longstanding relationships have significantly informed his research. Furthermore, Maxmilian built new connections by exchanging with nonprofits and providing insights from the research.

Maximilian's dissertation contributes to a deeper understanding of nonprofit dynamics, providing insights for scholars and practitioners alike. By unraveling the intricacies of nonprofit management, it offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the contemporary nonprofit sector.

From the entirety of the Chair of Logistics Management: We want to congratulate you on your successful defense!

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