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Sustainability in Research, Consultancy and Services

Combining in-depth science with practical relevance Ambitious, but grounded

A sustainable economy can be attained if we optimise the use of natural resources, act in a socially responsible way and adopt ethical operations management practices. These themes resound throughout in our research activities and consultancy practice, in areas ranging from tourism and mobility, consumer behaviour and the sharing economy, investments and real estate, to company management, regional development and health economics.

Conducting research in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

As a School of Business, our main contributions are to the following goals:

  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

In addition, some of our research, consultancy and services projects focus on:

  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Selected research projects in the fields of tourism and mobility

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Tourism and Sustainable Development

Sustainability in the tourism industry has been a key focus of the Lucerne School of Business since 2010. The Institute of Tourism and Mobility ITM conducts research and offers consultancy services around sustainable tourism, specifically as it relates to company management, product development, destination management and mobility.

Swisstainable – Switzerland Tourism’s sustainability programme

This multi-stage programme developed by the HSLU is for service providers in the tourism industry, event organisations and tourism destinations.

Touristenmassen

Unbalanced tourism growth at destination level

Based on an investigation and analysis of the root causes of unsustainable overtourism at destination level, a set of indicators to identify overtourism was developed in this project.

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INTERREG VB – MELINDA – Alpine Space

INTERREG VB project: “Mobility ecosystem for low-carbon and innovative modal shift in the Alps (Melinda)”. This project identified the framework conditions necessary for ride sharing and thus for a more sustainable mobility in the alpine region.

Selected research projects in the fields of digital economy and regional development

Drei paar Hände mit Laptop und Papier am Tisch

Digital economy and regional development

The digitalisation of the economy is a megatrend affecting all sectors and all of society. Lecturers at the Institute of Communication and Marketing IKM and the Institute of Management and Regional Economics IBR conduct research into, and offer advice on, current topics such as the sharing economy, consumer behaviour, business models and regional development—all with a view to ensuring that new business models and process optimisations contribute to the attainment of sustainability goals.

Pilatus

NRP pilot measures for the Canton of Lucerne’s mountain regions

This project helps mountain regions in the Canton of Lucerne to develop. Building on locally sourced ideas, it provides support for the launch and development of projects that strengthen the canton’s rural areas and mountain regions.

Schlüssel steckt im Schlüsselloch einer Glastür

Affordable rental and living space in Cham

The project discusses measures designed to help communities like Cham to provide affordable living space and to strengthen social sustainability.

Bauarbeiter mit Solarpanels auf einem Dach

RENOWAVE Fuel-Switch Business Models

This project revolves around new business models that promote the retrofit of urban apartment buildings and, accordingly, more sustainable heating options.

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PEFA Tajikistan

The study evaluated and and reported on the strengths and weaknesses of the Public administration (PFM) in Tajikistan and thus made a contribution to a sustainable financial management of the country.

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Sustainability in Swiss e-commerce

Commissioned by Swiss Post, the HSLU investigated to what extent online stores can be considered sustainable.

Vier Hände, die Puzzleteile zusammenstecken

Swiss Sharing Monitor

The sharing monitor not only surveys the population’s sharing behaviour, but also investigates the maturity of the sharing economy and a range of urban initiatives around sharing and the concept of SmartCity. The new sharing economy has the capacity to strengthen environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Selected research projects in the fields of sustainable investment and real estate

altes und neues Haus nebeneinander

Sustainable investment and real estate management

Investments being the driver of economic development, sustainability is of major importance for the finance sector. The Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ conducts research into, and offers advice on, topics in this area—most notably sustainable investments, sustainable real estate management and development, and risk management.

Windpark

Sustainable funds: more transparency and increasing requirements

The IFZ's annual Sustainable Investments Study investigates sustainable investment funds.

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Climate risks: a long-term challenge for companies

The 2022 ERM Report investigates how Swiss and German companies deal with climate risks.

Windrad in den Bergen

Sustainable investments. Fundamentals, strategies, realisation

A textbook for sustainable capital investment.