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At the end of January, the University of Zurich (UZH) became the epicenter of cutting-edge organizational research as it hosted the 5th Organization Theory Winter Workshop. This prestigious event, held under the auspices of the renowned journal Organization Theory (OT), brought together approximately 45 scholars, OT editors, and local faculty for an intensive two-day exchange of ideas.
Hosted as a joint initiative by three UZH chairs – Prof. Dr. Andreas Georg Scherer (Foundations of Business Administration & Theories of the Firm), Prof. Dr. David Seidl (Organization & Management), and Prof. Dr. Katja Rost (Economic & Organizational Sociology) – the workshop was organized and coordinated by Dr. Roman Gibel.
A Kickoff Steeped in History
The event began in true Zurich fashion, with an informal reception at the legendary Cabaret Voltaire in the city’s historic Niederdorf district. Known as the birthplace of the Dadaist movement, this venue symbolized the workshop’s ethos: challenging conventional thought, broadening perspectives, and breaking rigid theoretical structures.
Thought-Provoking Discussions and Theoretical Explorations
The official program commenced the next morning, led by OT Editors-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Markus Höllerer and Prof. Dr. Sigrid Quack, who introduced participants to the diverse styles and paradigms of theorizing. Their opening remarks underscored Organization Theory's commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship, dynamic debate, and paradigmatic pluralism.
Following this, participants engaged in six roundtable discussions, where they received valuable feedback on their submitted theoretical contributions. These discussions were facilitated by OT editors – including Prof. Dr. Joep Cornelissen – alongside a distinguished Swiss faculty panel featuring Prof. Dr. Patrick Haack (University of Lausanne), Prof. Dr. Hannah Mormann (University of Lucerne) and Prof. Dr. Nadine Arnold (University of Lucerne).
The first day wrapped up with a guided stroll through Zurich’s historic quarter, leading to a networking dinner at the renowned Riithalle restaurant—an opportunity to continue discussions in a more relaxed setting.
Academic Freedom and the Future of Organization Theory
The second day opened with an insightful keynote address by Prof. Dr. Andreas Georg Scherer, who sparked a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of academic freedom and the growing challenges faced by scholars today. This set the stage for the final round of discussions, where participants reflected on their feedback and explored ways to refine their theoretical contributions further.
A Successful Exchange of Ideas
The workshop concluded with a Q&A session with the Organization Theory editors, providing valuable insights into academic publishing and the future of organization theory research.
Ultimately, the event was a resounding success, thanks to the engagement, intellectual curiosity, and collaborative spirit of all participants. Beyond the rigorous debates and theoretical deep dives, the workshop fostered a sense of camaraderie—proving once again that groundbreaking ideas emerge not just from structured sessions, but also from moments of shared inspiration.
