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For the third time, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics honors scholarly work at the Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral levels that contributes science to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)* and thus has an impact on society, the environment, and the economy. The awards were presented at theFaculty's graduation ceremony on 1 June 2024. Here an overview of all awardees and nominees of 2024.
With his outstanding dissertation entitled "Essays in Development Economics", Claude Raisaro makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-Being", SDG 4 "Quality Education", SDG 5 "Gender Equality", SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth", SDG 10 "Reduced Inequalities", SDG 11 "Sustainable Cities and Communities" and SDG 13 "Climate Action".
Claude Raisaro received his PhD in Economics from the University of Zurich in 2023. His research interests are at intersection of development and behavioral economics. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Stockholm School of Economics affiliated to the Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets. In September 2024, he will join the Geneva Graduate Institute as an Assistant Professor in Economics.
Supervisor: Prof. Lorenzo Casaburi (IVW)
Contact: LinkedIn Claude Raisaro
Not all progress leads to greater equality (read Abstract)
Inequality poses a major challenge worldwide and is deeply rooted in societal norms. Sustainable economic development hinges on equal opportunities, yet disparities persist from childhood, upon entering the labor market and within workplaces. What are the drivers of these inequalities? How can policy help to reduce them? By what means can we efficiently promote a transition away from harmful social norms? Claude Raisaro delved into these issues, examining early education in Peru and revealed that while access boosts learning, it also widens socioeconomic gaps, urging a re-evaluation of educational policies. In Uganda, his work with urban firms through a randomized controlled trial uncovered how technological advancements and targeted training inadvertently heighten gender bias in hiring, calling for a rethinking of policies to encourage gender equality in employment. In addition, his thesis explored financial incentives in urban transport sectors to mitigate conformity to harmful norms and shows how transparency of financial incentives within firms improves road safety. His findings advocate for more nuanced interventions to address and dismantle the roots of inequality, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future.
With her outstanding Master‘s thesis entitled "Towards Green Transportation Sector: What drives decarbonization of passenger cars?", Mirela Sabotic makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 7 "Affordable and Clean Energy" and SDG 13 "Climate Action".
Mirela Sabotic (26) studied Economics and Data Science at the University of Zurich and graduated with a Master's degree in 2023. During her studies, she focused on development economics and data analysis. She is currently completing a trainee program as a data scientist in the sustainability department at Zürcher Kantonalbank. She lives in Zurich and in her free time she loves to discover countries and their cultures. She is also an enthusiastic lover of Asian cuisine and enjoys cooking accordingly.
Supervisor: Prof. Armin Schmutzler (IVW)
Contact: LinkedIn Mirela Sabotic
Towards Green Transportation Sector: What drives decarbonization of passenger cars? (read Abstract)
Since 2006, emissions from new cars in Switzerland have fallen by 33%. How did this happen? In her work, Mirela Sabotic shows that one of the key factors is energy efficiency as an indicator of technological progress in the automotive industry. Challenges remain: For example, CO2 intensity has increased between 2017 and 2019 due to a shift in consumer preferences towards SUVs and a recent slowdown in fuel efficiency improvements. This highlights the need for policy support for lighter and more efficient vehicles. However, from 2019 onwards, the main reason for the decline is the growing popularity of electric vehicles, reaching a share of 17.8% of the new car market thanks to stricter emission targets. Achieving Switzerland's climate goals will require a combined strategy of technological innovation, changes in consumer behavior, such as managing demand for heavier cars and accelerated adoption of electric vehicles that goes beyond previous efforts.
With her outstanding Bachelor’s thesis entitled "Aufdeckung der Auswirkungen der geschlechtsspezifischen Vielfalt in Verwaltungsräten", Isabelle Amhof makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 5 "Gender Equality".
Isabelle Amhof studied Business Administration at the University of Zurich and successfully completed her Bachelor's degree in November 2023. During her studies, she took courses with a focus on Accounting, Auditing and Governance and in September she will start her Master of Accounting & Corporate Finance at the University of St. Gallen. She is currently working as an intern at a private equity company in Zug. Isabelle lives in Zurich and enjoys spending her free time doing sports, traveling and cooking.
Supervisor: Prof. Dieter Pfaff (IBW)
Contact: LinkedIn Isabelle Amhof
Advancement of women: at what levels it helps companies move forward (read Abstract)
Numerous studies indicate that a high proportion of women not only improves a company's reputation, but can also boost its financial performance and promote sustainable entrepreneurship. In 2013, the UK introduced a law that obliges listed companies to disclose the gender composition of their management boards. Isabelle Amhof examined 100 British companies and was able to show that such a disclosure obligation can effectively increase the proportion of women. The results also show that it is not diversity on boards of directors but rather in operational positions that has a positive impact on profitability, company value and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This underlines the importance of focusing on operational management levels when it comes to promoting gender diversity in companies.
With his outstanding dissertation entitled "Die Entwicklung des Revisionsmarkts im Kontext des neuen Revisions- und Revisionsaufsichtsrechts - Empirische Untersuchungen zu den Veränderungen auf der Nachfrage- und Angebotsseite sowie zur Schutzwirkung der Revisionsstelle bei Konkurs", Daniel Bättig makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal SDG 9 "Industry, Innovation und Infrastructure" und SDG 16 "Peace, Justice and strong Institutions".
Daniel Bättig (39) obtained his Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Bern in 2009 and then completed his training as a certified auditor. In 2016, he began his doctoral studies at the University of Zurich while working; his research focuses on the quantitative analysis of the Swiss auditing market. Daniel Bättig lives with his wife in Binningen (BL).
Supervisor: Prof. Reto Eberle (IBW)
Contact: LinkedIn Daniel Bättig
Does an auditor protect against bankruptcy? (read Abstract)
Two students have founded a company to realize their business idea. The external investors are not involved in the day-to-day business but are dependent on reliable financial information. They therefore want the annual financial statements to be audited. They also hope that the independent and critical view of the auditors can save the start-up from early bankruptcy. Are these expectations of the auditors justified? Based on the commercial register data of several 100,000 Swiss corporations, this dissertation was able to prove that the auditors can contribute to the harmonization of different levels of information, e.g. between the management and external investors. On the other hand, they cannot directly protect an individual company from bankruptcy; from a macroeconomic perspective, however, they can help to minimize the damage caused by bankruptcies.
With his outstanding dissertation entitled "Essays on Environmental and Agricultural Economics", Emilio Dal Re makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2 "Zero Hunger", SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth", and SDG 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production".
Emilio Dal Re (32) graduated cum laude with a Doctoral degree in economics from the University of Zürich in 2023. His focus during his studies was on the sustainability of coffee production, for which he won the FAN Award for young researchers and the Global Highly Commended Award at the U21 3-Minute-Thesis Competition. After his graduation he has co-founded the impact-driven startup Unbound Potential, where he is currently employed as managing director. Emilio lives in Zürich and is passionate about cycling, hiking, and ski touring.
Supervisor: Prof. David Yanagizawa-Drott (IVW)
Contact: LinkedIn Emilio Dal Re
Why Organic Coffee can be a Problem for Farmers (read Abstract)
Carlo's family has been growing coffee in Guatemala for generations. A few years ago, he switched to organic production in the hope of better profits. But with the transition came new problems - among them, a fungal disease called coffee rust, which started affecting his crops until he was left with no other choice than to abandon coffee production. Emilio Dal Re's PhD thesis reveals that Carlo’s story is not an isolated case. Many farmers transitioned to organic methods, incentivized by certification bodies and hoping for better profits, only to later discover the disproportionate impact of infectious plant diseases on their organic plantations. This resulted in crop failures, income declines, and exacerbation of existing issues such as rural emigration among youth, ultimately showing that sometimes good intentions, if not properly executed, can cause unintended negative consequences. Dal Re’s study ends by advocating for advanced monitoring systems, exploring alternative organic solutions, and educating farmers about the risks of organic farming, showing a future where economic growth and environmental conservation can coexist in harmony.
With his outstanding dissertation entitled "Efficient, Data-Driven Perception with Event Cameras", Daniel Gehrig makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-being", SDG 9 "Industry, Innovation und Infrastructure", SDG 11 "Sustainable Cities and Communites", SDG 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production" und SDG 13 "Climate Action".
Daniel Gehrig (29) studied mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich and graduated with a Master's degree in 2018. In 2023 he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Zurich which focused on applications of bioinspired cameras for robotics. In his free time Daniel can be found biking, skiing, and travelling, and he also enjoys learning new languages.
Supervisor: Prof. Davide Scaramuzza (IFI)
Contact: LinkedIn Daniel Gehrig
Technology with a sharp eye: How event cameras are changing mobility (read Abstract)
Jeremy sits in his red Tesla early in the morning. While the car drives autonomously through the still empty streets, Jeremy prepares for his working day by writing emails. Suddenly a truck appears in front of him and there is a fatal collision. Everyone is talking about self-driving cars. They promise to reduce traffic jams and accidents, but also to supplement public transport in sparsely populated regions. In practice, however, cases like Jeremy's are becoming more frequent: the image camera of the smart Tesla only recognized the truck as a blur and therefore ignored it. In his dissertation, Daniel Gehrig investigated event cameras that are intended to supplement the image cameras of self-driving cars. Similar to the human eye, which was used by prehistoric hunters to search for nocturnal animals, event cameras also detect cars that suddenly appear in sharp focus. Daniel Gehrig has implemented this feature in new algorithms, thereby contributing to a safer future for self-driving cars.
With his outstanding dissertation entitled "Privacy and Verifiability in Decentralized Electronic Voting Systems", Christian Killer makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 10 "Reduced Inequalities" and SDG 16 "Piece, Justice and Strong Institutions".
Christian Killer (32) received his PhD in Informatics from the University of Zurich in 2023. His main research interests are blockchain-based voting systems and the security and improvements of the existing Swiss voting system. Currently, he is Head of Research with Acurast Association and a Security Expert. Privately, he enjoys cooking and long walks with his german shepherd dog.
Supervisor: Prof. Burkhard Stiller (IFI)
Contact: LinkedIn Christian Killer
E-voting for more security: Are electronic voting systems just as secure as traditional paper-based systems? (read Abstract)
In his dissertation, Christian Killer dealt intensively with this topic, focusing on the Swiss postal voting system. His research took him from municipal offices to the Federal Chancellery and brought to light numerous security gaps in the complex Swiss postal voting system. To address these, he developed innovative cryptographic voting systems. These approaches allow the entire process to be transparently and comprehensibly verified - a significant advance over the current system in Switzerland, which is based on trust in many areas. Questions such as "Has my vote been recorded correctly?" and "Has my vote been kept secret?" no longer arise. Votes can now be verified cryptographically without being based on trust in processes or people. Christian Killer's research shows a way in which electronic voting systems can match or even surpass paper-based systems in terms of security and transparency. His findings have been picked up by several Swiss media outlets and have led to improvements in the Swiss postal voting system.
With his outstanding dissertation entitled "Essays on Institutions, Innovation, and Productivity", Moritz Lubczyk makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-Being", SDG 5 "Gender Equality", SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth", SDG 9 "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure" and SDG 16 "Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions".
Moritz Lubczyk (32) obtained his PhD in Management & Economics at the University of Zurich. His research focuses on empirical questions about the influence and behavior of institutions and firms in the labor market. Moritz Lubczyk has been working as a postdoc in Berlin since October 2023.
Supervisor: Prof. Ulrich Kaiser (IBW)
Contact: LinkedIn Moritz Lubczyk
What are the long-term effects of air pollution? (read Abstract )
Moritz Lubczyk examined the impact of institutional constraints on economic outcomes. Specifically, he studied the effect of environmental pollution on individual behavior. It is difficult to measure these effects because individuals react to pollution increases by moving away, switching jobs, or taking other mitigation strategies. However, without reliable estimates of pollution effects, we cannot understand how costly pollution truly is for society. The dissertation uses historical data to address this issue and studies air pollution in the context of socialist East Germany, an authoritarian country that did not allow individuals to move or switch jobs. By analyzing the large increase in pollution since the 1980s, the dissertation shows that the negative effects of pollution are much more severe and long-lasting than previously known. The study further investigated the effects of institutions on gender equality, innovation, and industrial policy.
With his outstanding dissertation entitled "Essays in Labor and Public Economics" Samuel Škoda makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth" and SDG 10 "Reduced Inequalities".
Samuel Škoda has been an assistant professor at the University of Oslo since August 2023, working on topics in labor and public economics. He is particularly interested in understanding how workers and firms match in the labor market, and how are these outcomes shaped by available information, such as prospective wages mentioned in a job ad, as well as by different channels used by firms to attract new workers.
Supervisor: Prof. Josef Zweimüller (IVW)
Ask and you shall receive? (read Abstract)
You just nailed the interview for your dream job. After a long and strenuous job search with many applications sent and several interviews that did not go that well, you are now finally confident you will receive a job offer. But there is one final piece missing that needs to be agreed upon: the wage. “How much should I ask for? And what if our expectations are not met and all my effort has been in vain? Wouldn’t it be better if every job ad already mentioned the salary?”, you ask yourself. And you are not the only one – in the last couple of years pay transparency reforms have become an important topic in several countries. Samuel Škoda has studied one such reform: All job ads now must include the salary and firms cannot hire anyone at a lower wage than the one stated in a job ad. To find out what happens to the workers and firms after the change, he put together a dataset from public and administrative sources. First, he found that firms are starting to publish lower wages in job ads. Secondly, jobs that now must reveal wages receive more job applications. Thirdly, workers starting new jobs right after the change earn more than they would do otherwise. Finally, he combined these facts to shed new light on economists' understanding of labor markets.
With her outstanding Master’s thesis entitled "Collective Action toward Grand Challenges in polarized times - The role of deliberation in responding to COVID-19 in the U.K.", Fatima Ahmed makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2 "Zero Hunger", SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-Being", SDG 13 "Climate Action" und SDG 17 "Partnerships for the Goals".
Fatima Ahmed (23) studied Management and Economics and Information Systems at the University of Zurich and graduated with a Master's degree in 2023. Her focus for her Master's thesis was on the topic of coronavirus, as was the case with her Bachelor's thesis. Currently, she works as a consultant in Information Risk Management at KPMG. Fatima lives in Schaffhausen and enjoys baking in her free time.
Supervisor: Prof. Andreas Scherer (IBW)
Contact: LinkedIn Fatima Ahmed
Collective Action toward Grand Challenges in polarized times – The role of deliberation in responding to COVID-19 in the U.K. (read Abstract)
The COVID-19 pandemic constituted one of the biggest challenges faced by society and let to fundamental societal divide. While some wanted the government to take the initiative, others pleaded for self-governance. This resulted in a continuous back-and-forth between a tightening and loosening of government measures. Fatima Ahmed analyzed the pandemic in the UK and studied newspaper articles to identify the mechanisms driving the changing government measures. Her study showed that the interplay of the way that we communicate, the trust in institutions and hope drives the government measures. To tackle challenges, it is vital to enable a consensus-oriented discourse - meaning a discourse in which individuals are willing to listen and consider opposing opinions – in order to foster hope in the public for a better future and increase the public trust in institutions.
With her outstanding Master‘s thesis entitled "Job Loss Leads to Joy Loss Forever? Effect of Unemployment and Re-Employment on Subjective Well-Being in China", Yao Huang makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth".
Yao Huang (28) studied economics and data science at the University of Zurich and graduated with a Master’s degree in 2024. Her focus during her studies was in particular on econometrics and data analysis. She is currently living in Schaffhausen and learning German. In her private life, Yao Huang is interested in fashion, music, literature, and traveling.
Supervisor: Prof. Rainer Winkelmann (IVW)
Contact: LinkedIn Yao Huang
Unraveling the Tale of Unemployment and Well-Being (read Abstract)
In China’s vast landscape, a silent struggle unfolds among youth and those over 35 alike. Wei Zhang, a 36-year-old man who used to be a respected programmer in Shenzhen, now struggles with unemployment, a shadow that darkens his days and nights. Wei Zhang’s story, while deeply personal, mirrors a broader challenge captured in Yao Huang’s research. She finds that unemployment significantly dampens people’s well-being. It does more than drain the wallet; it erodes the very soul, chipping away at hope and confidence in the future. Urban-dwelling men over 35 with higher education and income, like Wei Zhang, are the most vulnerable. Yet even in the darkest tales, light finds a way. Yao Huang suggests with her research that the wounds of unemployment start to heal after two years. Moreover, finding new employment, regardless of its nature, often sparks a restoration of well-being. She uses her insights to advocate for government action to promote the job market and dismantle age barriers. By creating opportunities that cater to a diverse workforce, a more prosperous future can be realized for all.
With her outstanding Master‘s thesis entitled "Gender differences in emotional intelligence: A meta-analysis" Salomé Lara Keller makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 5 "Gender Equality".
Salomé Keller (26) studied Business Administration at the University of Zurich and graduated with a Master's degree in 2024. After an exchange semester in Lisbon, Salomé began working in internal auditing at KPMG. She lives in Zurich in a shared flat with friends, where she enjoys cooking and baking. Apart from that, Salomé is often on the go, often playing sports and/or outdoors with friends.
Supervisor: Prof. Jochen Menges (IBW)
Contact: LinkedIn Salomé Lara Keller
Emotional intelligence: more similarity than difference between the sexes (read Abstract)
In her work, Salomé Lara Keller conducted a meta-analytical study on the differences in emotional intelligence (EI) between men and women. To this end, she examined contradictory results from existing studies and summarized them. She considered various influences on the difference and emphasized the importance of a uniform definition of EI. Although the results of the study show a higher average EI in women, they also support the "gender similarities hypothesis". This states that gender differences in psychological constructs are small, and men and women therefore have more similarities than differences. The work therefore also underlines the importance of gender stereotypes and the upbringing of girls and boys, as these can have an influence on EI and thus on the recognition, understanding, regulation and expression of emotions.
With her outstanding Master‘s thesis entitled "Neurofeedback training to enhance stress resilience and mental health", Lili Servile makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-being" and SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth".
Lili Servile (25) studied Business and Economics at the University of Zurich and completed her master's degree in 2023. Her focus during her study was particularly on behavioral economics and neuropsychology. She is currently doing an internship as a Client Experience Project Intern at Hermès. Lili Servile lives in Lausanne and is particularly interested in repairing her car, sporty driving, sewing and yoga.
Supervisor: Prof. Christian Ruff (IVW)
How neurofeedback helps to cope with stress (read Abstract)
Emma, manager of a pharmacy company, is stressed by her work and overloaded with her duties as a mother. In her work, Lili Servile shows how neurofeedback training can help Emma feel better when she is stressed, by teaching her to better handle her emotions. Participants joining the experiment were asked to complete specific tasks, such as looking at repulsive pictures or identifying the emotionality of faces, while ignoring the words written above them. In the meantime, the movement and dilation of their pupils was recorded. Half of the participants received a real feedback on this monitoring, while the others received randomized feedback. After the training, they were asked to fill in surveys for three months assessing their wellbeing, depression or anxiety. Over the 90-day observation period, the participants with the real feedback exhibited changes in their emotional experience. They reported feeling less tired or exhausted, demonstrating a decrease in emotional fatigue. The findings suggest that this pupil feedback is able to help improve our understanding of stress resilience mechanisms. This helps to identify if Emma is subject to stress-related disorders and provides a basis for developing new strategies for a better stress management and mental health.
With her outstanding Bachelor’s thesis entitled "Consumer motivations for and against offsetting: A Switzerland-based perspective on voluntary carbon offsets in purchasing decisions", Lorena Jenny makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production", SDG 13 "Climate Action", SDG 14 "Life below Water" and SDG 15 "Life on Land".
Lorena Jenny (22) studied Business Administration at the University of Zurich and completed her Bachelor's degree in 2023. She is currently doing the Bachelor Graduate Program in Pricing at the Liechtensteinische Landesbank in Vaduz and will start her Master's degree in Accounting and Corporate Finance in September. Lorena Jenny spends her free time doing sports and getting to know new countries and cultures.
Supervisor: Prof. René Algesheimer (IBW)
Contact: LinkedIn Lorena Jenny
Climate crisis in the shopping cart: are we ignoring the consequences of our consumption? (read Abstract)
The latest gadget is just a mouse click away - and yet we want to protect our planet. A tempting way out: voluntary CO2 offsetting. But are we really prepared to bear the actual costs of environmental damage? In her Bachelor's thesis, Lorena Jenny uses interviews to investigate the perceptions and purchasing decisions of Swiss consumers for and against voluntary CO2 offsetting in online retail. The results show that the motivation to buy CO2 offsets depends on a variety of factors - from pricing to environmental awareness and guilt avoidance. However, the study also shows that barriers such as a lack of trust in companies and a lack of transparency in offset projects have a negative influence on decisions. Finally, various solutions for companies to increase the popularity of voluntary CO2 offsetting in their online trade are discussed. Because in the end, the realization prevails: Every action, even the smallest one, can make a difference.
With his outstanding Bachelor’s thesis entitled "Design, Implementation and Usability Evaluation of the AfriBit Bitcoin Lightning wallet", Marco Leder makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 10 "Reduced Inequalites".
Marco Leder (24) studied People-Oriented Computing at the University of Zurich and successfully completed his studies in 2024 with his degree "Bachelor of Science in Informatics". Thereby, Marco focused on the user interface, user experience, and human-computer interaction in the field of Blockchain technology. Next to having worked on multiple Blockchain-related projects such as the UZH Blockchain Wallet, Marco's passion is further highlighted by his Bachelor thesis titled "Design, Implementation and Usability Evaluation of the AfriBit Bitcoin Lightning wallet". Outside of academics and work, Marco regularly engages in sports with friends and enjoys tinkering with his smart home setup.
Supervisor: Prof. Burkhard Stiller (IFI)
Contact: LinkedIn Marco Leder
Barrier-free Bitcoin technology for financial inclusion (read Abstract)
Claudia uses credit cards, cash or Twint for her purchases, as is common in stable financial systems. Everyday life is different for Mbiti. She lives in Kibera, a slum in Kenya with high inflation and limited money transfers. Blockchain could help here but is often complex to use. In his Bachelor's thesis, Marco Leder investigated the Bitcoin Lightning Network to make financial services more accessible. In an extensive user study, a user-friendly Lightning wallet was designed, implemented and tested. This ensures that the user interface can also be made more accessible for people who can neither read nor write. A user-oriented design is crucial for the acceptance of the technology, eliminates comprehension problems and thus forms the basis for the further development of blockchain wallets and approaches to financial inclusion.
With his outstanding Bachelor’s thesis entitled "Green Bonds als Shareholder Strategie: Aktienkursreaktionen nach Herausgabe von Green Bonds in unterschiedlichen Ländern", Philipp Wetter makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 13 "Climate Action".
Philipp Wetter (24) is studying Banking and Finance at the University of Zurich and completed his Bachelor's degree in 2024. He is currently in the 2nd semester of his Master's degree in Banking and Finance with a focus on Sustainable Finance. Philipp Wetter lives in Zug and is privately interested in CrossFit, tennis and playing the trumpet.
Supervisor: Prof. Steven Ongena (IFF)
Green bonds: greenwashing or sustainable financing instrument? (read Abstract)
Sustainable financial instruments can make a major contribution to future developments in relation to the climate targets of the Paris Climate Agreement. With the help of green bonds, companies can raise funds that must then be used for sustainable activities. Philipp Wetter's Bachelor’s thesis examines how the issue of a green bond by a public company affects its share price. Due to their novelty and lack of transparency, sustainable financial products often harbor the risk of greenwashing, whereby companies use such financial instruments to divert attention from non-sustainable business activities. The results of the study show that, on average share prices react negatively to the issue of green bonds, which is surprising at first glance. In addition, a correlation was established between the strength of the negative share price reactions and investor sentiment towards greenwashing.
With his outstanding Bachelor’s thesis entitled "On the Emission Reduction Potential of Electric Vehicle Policies: The Case of Switzerland - Comparing the CO2 emissions of battery electric vehicles with internal combustion vehicles using a complete life cycle assessment.", Michel Widmer makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 7 "Affordable and Clean Energy" and SDG 13 "Climate Action".
Michel Widmer (23) studied Economics at the University of Zurich and ESE Rotterdam and completed his Bachelor's degree at the end of 2023. He is currently working as an intern at KPMG, where he advises and audits companies on various sustainability issues. In his spare time, Michel plays floorball in the NLB.
Supervisor: Prof. Armin Schmutzler (IVW)
Contact: LinkedIn Michel Widmer
Will electric cars fulfil their green promise? (read Abstract)
Switzerland in the year 2035: 90% of cars are electric, the facades of houses on the roads leading into Zurich are no longer black, residents can open their windows again with confidence and 5,500 kilotons of CO2 are saved every year, which is more than the annual consumption of all residents of Zurich. This scenario not only sounds tempting but could soon be a reality. The life cycle analysis of all cars registered in Switzerland from 2017 to 2022 carried out as part of this work has shown that, from resource extraction and production to driving and recycling, electric cars are on average three times as CO2 efficient as combustion engines. The role of the battery, which is the subject of heated and sometimes unobjective debate, has been specifically investigated. The fact is that it accounts for 50% of the total production emissions of an electric car. However, since the combustion of petrol and diesel produces a lot of CO2, this disadvantage is offset after less than 40,000 kilometers or about 3 years.
With his outstanding Bachelor’s thesis entitled "Trade, Goods and Conflict: Security in a Globalized World", Stanislaw Zytynski makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 16 "Peace, Justice and strong Institutions".
Stanislaw Zytynski studied Economics at the University of Zurich and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 2023. He is currently pursuing the Analysis and Policy in Economics Master at the Paris School of Economics. His main research interests are applied econometrics, economic philosophy and public policy. He lives in Paris and is privately interested in hiking, traveling and contemporary art.
Supervisor: Prof. Ralph Ossa (IVW)
Contact: LinkedIn Stanislaw Zytynski
Supply Chain Diplomacy: Signaling Peace in a Divided World (read Abstract)
Does trade-driven economic interdependence decrease the chances of conflict between nations? This pivotal question shapes the global international security framework suggesting that trade acts as a peacemaker. The current tensions between Taiwan and China exemplify this. Their significant trade in highly complex goods such as semiconductors creates an interdependence that makes conflict more costly for both sides and indicates that economic ties influence conflict decisions. Stanislaw Zytynski argues that the impact of trade on peace varies and depends on how nations interpret the signal of trade with one another. In today's globalized world, trade is less a marker of allegiance, making it less relevant to war decisions. The focus has shifted from the mere existence of trade to the nature of supply-chain interdependence. Trading complex goods signals greater economic entanglement, increasing the cost of going to war. As global polarization intensifies, diminishing these interdependencies may further fuel the desire for war.
With the Engagement Award for Special Commitment, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics UZH recognizes students of all levels who distinguish themselves through their achievements, commitment or innovation alongside their studies. The winner was voted by the audience at the graduation ceremony on 1 June 2024.
Over the past three years, Tarek Alakmeh has shown great commitment to students in a wide variety of areas. His appointment as president of the Informatics Students Association (ICU) two years ago marked a major milestone in his contribution to student life. He also took over the strategic management of the "Bestande 2.0" project and drove it forward together with a team of four. Tarek also showed great interest and intrinsic motivation to pursue positive changes for the benefit of students in political matters. He did this as President of the "fvoec x ICU" parliamentary group on the VSUZH Council. Council members and students alike particularly appreciated his extremely active way of representing the interests of WWF students in university-wide politics.
Tarek Alakmeh (24) is studying Informatics on the PhD fast track at the University of Zurich. He has been involved in the Informatics Student Association ICU for 4 years and has been President for 2 years now. At the beginning of his Bachelor's degree, he co-founded the unipolitical student faction of the faculty and has been co-chairing it for three years. Most recently, with the relaunch of the "Bestande" project, he facilitated the democratic exchange of knowledge on modules for students from the entire university.
Colin Jäckli has been an important part of the Fachverein Ökonomie (fvoec) since spring semester 2021 and has had a profound impact on the student association through his position on the board. Throughout his term of office, he was an essential piece of the puzzle at the Sales Resort, where he witnessed many successes and impressive decisions. As an initiator of new and high-profile partnerships in the business world, he has supported the student association in important ways, enabling it to finance many events that have benefited the students of the entire WWF Faculty. From spring semester 2023, he was elected Head of Sales and under his leadership, numerous goodies were collected from sponsors, which were given to first-year students in the goodie bags. Thanks to his sensitivity and negotiating skills, existing partnerships were strengthened, and new partnerships established. Last but not least, Colin also regularly acted as a buddy for exchange students, not shying away from going the extra mile for the benefit of the students.
Colin Jäckli (23) completed his Bachelor's degree with a focus on Banking and Finance in fall 2023. He was involved in numerous events as a board member of the Fachverein Ökonomie and was also involved in organizing the Freshers' Day. He currently works in private equity. Colin lives in the canton of Zurich, does fitness sports in his free time and enjoys playing the piano.
Severin Schmitt's commitment to the Fachverein Ökonomie (fvoec) and UZH has played a key role over the past four years, particularly in the area of events. Despite pandemic restrictions, Severin managed to organize appealing online events, including discussion forums, poker nights and Oec-connects. After his election to the Board in the fall semester 2021 to the Events department, he also strengthened the VSUZH Council and chaired the Service Commission. As president and constant motivator of the fvoec from 2022, he promoted interdisciplinary networking and began reorganizing the student association. His commitment as a buddy for exchange students underlined his supportive nature, which was also underpinned by his student representative position in the Faculty Assembly. The integration and acclimatization of these students at the university goes hand in hand with his visionary leadership in the organization of the flagship events OecTalks and the collaboration with OecAlumni UZH. His support also contributed to the successful organization of the Fresher's Day.
Severin Schmitt (26) is studying Business Administration at the University of Zurich and will complete his Bachelor's degree in July 2024. His ambition is to become self-employed and successfully set up his own start-up. Severin Schmitt lives in Uitikon and is interested in football and winter sports and enjoys spending time with friends. He is very close to nature and enjoys spending his free time outdoors.
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be achieved globally and by all UN member states by 2030. This means that all states are equally called upon to solve the world's pressing challenges together. Switzerland is also called upon to implement the goals nationally. Incentives are also to be created so that non-state actors increasingly make an active contribution to sustainable development. |
