Impact may seem like a rather redundant topic for the Steinbeis TRANSFER magazine. But outside of the Steinbeis world at least, there are good reasons to think about the impacts of science and indeed to insist on the importance of it having an impact. Science and society are inextricably interwoven – scientific accomplishments have profound impacts on our lives, our economy and our culture.
Ferdinand Steinbeis was one of the first to recognize the importance of linking scientific advances to industrial practice. His vision was to strengthen the region’s economic and technological base by translating scientific knowledge into practical applications. His devotion to driving social progress through science is an inspiring example of the positive impact that scientific endeavor can have.
In today’s age of rapid technological change, Steinbeis’ legacy is more relevant than ever. As well as deepening their research, the challenge for scientists is to consider and communicate its social implications. Science’s responsibility toward society is not only to strive for knowledge but also to seek ways in which that knowledge can contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of one and all.
The humanities and social sciences are key to the success of the transformations that society is currently undergoing. In recent decades, however, they have been particularly guilty of an excessive focus on publications, and have paid less and less attention to the impact of science on society. The business research rankings in Germany – which are based solely on scientific excellence – (regrettably) carry a huge amount of weight. This puts researchers under a lot of pressure to publish in highly-ranked journals. Given the rankings’ importance to scientists’ career progression, this is especially true for young researchers and decisively shapes how they approach their scientific work. This focus on publication metrics means that science’s social role ends up taking a back seat. The publishability of the research findings becomes the most important thing, rather than a research question’s social relevance and real-world impact.
Ferdinand Steinbeis’ life and work remind us that the true value of science lies in its contribution to society. His legacy inspires and obligates us to take an integrated approach to research and practical application, and to ensure that scientific advances bring benefits for society. With this in mind, at the Ferdinand Steinbeis Institute we evaluate all our research projects based on both their advancement of scientific knowledge and their real-world impacts.
This latest issue of the Steinbeis TRANSFER magazine provides an insight into how some of the experts in the Steinbeis Network are creating impact through their work. We hope you find it an interesting read!
With kind regards,
Prof. Dr. Dr. Helmut Schneider and Prof. Dr. habil. Heiner Lasi
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Prof. Dr. Dr. Helmut Schneider has been an active member of the Steinbeis Network since 2006. He has been engaged as a senior researcher at the Ferdinand Steinbeis Institute since 2022, investigating shifts in value creation as a result of artificial intelligence technology and the Internet of Things. Prof. Dr. habil. Heiner Lasi is Professor of Industrial Intelligence. Since 2015, he has served as Director of the Ferdinand Steinbeis Institute based in Heilbronn and Stuttgart. His main interest is in the transformation of all sectors of our society and economy through digital twins and AIoT.
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