Emphasis in Research

Emphasis in Research

Sociology is a branch of the social sciences. On a theoretical level, it examines social phenomena and makes them accessible for systematic analysis on the empirical level.

The Institute’s research profile is based on a traditional research structure with the following characteristics:

  • a broad thematic spectrum oriented towards basic research
  • main emphasis placed on scientific and cognitive theory
  • emphasis on both theory and practice: Development and application of sociological theories in applied and project-based research
  • explicit methodological and methodic competence in specific areas of empirical social research

Development of methods and theories

Sociological research is based on empirical research methods and sociological theories. The Institute concentrates mainly on the following areas:

Method development

Our qualitative method research encompasses two main areas:

  • Qualitative organization analysis
    Qualitative organization analysis looks at actions in organizations: how they are oriented, how the interaction of collective activities (even independent of purpose) are structured, which expectations result from them, and how organizations stabilize or change themselves. For more information (in German), please click on the link above.
  • Qualitative biography research
    Modern societal structures are increasingly complex, and the importance of biographical processes has grown accordingly, particularly in a professional context. Hermeneutically-oriented social research has developed interpretative methods to observe and analyze these changes. For more information (in German), please click on the link above.

Our quantitative research concentrates mainly on:

  • Multiple indicator models
    Which indicators make it possible to measure “unobservable” theoretical concepts? The models for choosing these indicators are based mainly on two concepts: the “indicator universe” and the theory of multiple indicators. For more information (in German), please click on the link above.
  • International comparative survey research
    This research area focuses on the methodic implications of international comparisons against the backdrop of increasing globalization and Europeanization of societies. For more information (in German), please click on the link above. For an English summary of the project The relationship between home and work in eight European countries. A quantitative analysis, please click here: Summary.

Theory development

With regard to sociological theory, the Institute’s recent activities have been mostly in the following areas:

  • Cognitive and scientific theory
    This field is characterized by many conflicting schools of thought. The current project looks at the conditions that made the prevailing schism possible, and at the problem profile of specific theories. For more information (in German), please click on the link above.
  • Social action theory
    Until now, the social sciences have attempted to avoid problems in the definition and conceptualization of the term “action” by leaving mental / psychic elements out of the equation or applying reductionist models. The current project attempts to undertake the appropriate theoretical and practical steps to make use of other available theoretical models, especially newer biological and psychoanalytical models. For more information (in German), please click on the link above.
  • Structural genetic perspectives
    For more information (in German), please click on the link above.

Economics and Culture

Research area Economics and Culture

This research emphasis focuses on the relationships between economic and cultural processes. Both basic and applied research will be conducted in this field. This interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research area encompasses numerous different sociological approaches and perspectives.

Research topics include:

  • Creative industries
  • Economic globalization and cultural differences, intercultural influences in management processes, diffusion of management concept)
  • Analysis of cultural logic (socio-economic conditions for creative processes and public reception in the media)
  • Interactions between social-cultural context and economic institutions and fields of activity (companies, markets, production structures, forms of employment, consumption processes)
  • Symbolic dimensions of economics (money and trade as social, cultural and economic phenomena)
  • Socio-cultural conditions of economic thought and knowledge

For more information (in German), please click on any of the links below: