The Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne has a long history. It is one of six faculties at the University of Cologne, founded in 1388 as one of Germany’s oldest universities.

The faculty was officially established in 1901 and has since evolved into a prestigious institution for management, economic and social sciences studies and research. It offers a variety of programs in business administration, economics, sociology, political science, and other related disciplines. The faculty has a strong international focus and maintains close relationships with other renowned universities worldwide.

It is known for its excellent research and teaching as well as its dedicated student community. Throughout its history, the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne has produced many renowned researchers and made significant achievements. Some of the most notable researchers who have been or are associated with the faculty include:

All current researchers can be found under Find an Expert.

Alfred Müller-Armack was a prominent German economist and social scientist who was closely associated with the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences. In the 1940s he taught as a professor of economics at the University of Cologne and significantly influenced the economic policy discussion in Germany after World War II.

Müller-Armack is particularly known for his role in developing the concept of the "Social Market Economy." He was one of the key figures behind Germany's economic miracle ("Wirtschaftswunder") and advocated for a market-based system that ensured social justice and solidarity. His ideas had a major impact on German economic policy and contributed to Germany becoming one of Europe's leading industrial nations after the war.

Müller-Armack also played a significant role in the founding of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) and had a profound influence on the economic policy direction of the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1950s and 1960s. His work and legacy continue to have a lasting impact on German economic policy and economic research.

Eugen Schmalenbach was a significant German business economist and economist who was also closely associated with the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne. He is considered one of the founders of business administration in Germany and was a professor of business administration at the University of Cologne from 1919 to 1945.

Schmalenbach significantly influenced the development of business administration in Germany and advocated for a scientific foundation and professionalization of business thinking. He founded the renowned journal "Die Betriebswirtschaft" and was a co-founder of the Schmalenbach Institute for Business Administration at the University of Cologne.

Eugen Schmalenbach had a major impact on business research and teaching in Germany, and his ideas continue to shape the field of business administration to this day. His work at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne has had a lasting impact on the development of business education in Germany.

René König was a renowned German sociologist who taught at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne from 1955 until his retirement in 1973. He is considered one of the most significant figures in German sociology of the 20th century and had a major influence on the development of this field in Germany.

René König was particularly known for his work in empirical social research, organizational sociology, and sociology of science. He published numerous groundbreaking works and played a crucial role in establishing sociology as an independent discipline.

At the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne, René König was an important figure who helped shape the academic profile of the faculty. His work as a researcher and teacher has influenced generations of students and scholars, and his contribution to sociology is still highly regarded today.

Another renowed German business economist and economist who taught at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne from 1964 until his retirement in 1992, was Erich Gutenberg. He held the Chair of Business Administration, focussing on Corporate Management and Organization.

Erich Gutenberg is considered one of the leading experts in corporate management and organizational research in Germany. He published numerous groundbreaking works in this field and significantly influenced business research in Germany. His work "Foundations of Business Administration" is considered a standard work in the field of business administration.

At the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne, Erich Gutenberg played a crucial role in shaping the academic profile of the faculty. His research and teaching have inspired and influenced generations of students and scholars. Erich Gutenberg is among the outstanding scholars who have made an impact at the University of Cologne.

Furthermore, the faculty has conducted numerous significant research projects and made important contributions to various economic and social science topics. This includes studies on labour market economics, financial market regulation, social policy, and international economic and political relations.

The faculty is also recognized for its close collaboration with businesses, government agencies, and other institutions, as well as its efforts to provide practical education to its students. It has received several awards for its research achievements and is considered one of the leading faculties in Germany for management, economics, and social sciences.

The Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne relates its history of more than 100 years to the motto "Today's ideas. Tomorrow's impact." It is our long tradition of innovative research and teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exchange with the business world that allows us to develop forward-thinking solutions. Listing milestones ("Green Thread") from the image brochure).