Roman H. Mesicek
Scholar practitioner in the areas of
Sustainability and Responsible Management
Sustainability and Responsible Management
ABOUT ME
After a focus on bio- and environmental technologies in my studies of process engineering I have, over the last 25 years, been working in different sectors always in relation to the topic of Sustainable Development . Milestones of my career being the participation in the Sustainable Europe Research Institute in it's early days of establishment and leading European research projects there as well the founding of a spin-off, the tech start-up Sustainability.TV, and heading it's operations and business development . As managing director of respACT austrian business council for sustainable development the creation of the guiding vision for responsible management as well as the establishment of the award for business excellence in this area were among my responsibilities. As as scholar practitioner at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems the dedicated master programme on sustainability management was lead to great success and we achieved a high ranking of the institution in various sustainability ratings and rankings.
After a focus on bio- and environmental technologies in my studies of process engineering I have, over the last 25 years, been working in different sectors always in relation to the topic of Sustainable Development . Milestones of my career being the participation in the Sustainable Europe Research Institute in it's early days of establishment and leading European research projects there as well the founding of a spin-off, the tech start-up Sustainability.TV, and heading it's operations and business development . As managing director of respACT austrian business council for sustainable development the creation of the guiding vision for responsible management as well as the establishment of the award for business excellence in this area were among my responsibilities. As as scholar practitioner at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems the dedicated master programme on sustainability management was lead to great success and we achieved a high ranking of the institution in various sustainability ratings and rankings.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable development is vital for our society as it ensures social well-being for all within the planetary boundaries of our planet. It ensures that our present needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This approach fosters a stable, equitable, and resilient society, addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and resource scarcity.
Guiding frameworks
Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut economics: seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Resolution, G. A. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN Doc. A/RES/70/1 (September 25, 2015).
Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, Å., Chapin III, F. S., Lambin, E., ... & Foley, J. (2009). Planetary boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity. Ecology and society, 14(2).
Sustainable development is vital for our society as it ensures social well-being for all within the planetary boundaries of our planet. It ensures that our present needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This approach fosters a stable, equitable, and resilient society, addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and resource scarcity.
Guiding frameworks
Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut economics: seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Resolution, G. A. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN Doc. A/RES/70/1 (September 25, 2015).
Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, Å., Chapin III, F. S., Lambin, E., ... & Foley, J. (2009). Planetary boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity. Ecology and society, 14(2).
RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT
In the context of contemporary societal challenges and the pivotal role that companies hold in today's world, it is imperative for businesses to conduct their operations with a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The alignment of business objectives with ethical and sustainable principles stands as a fundamental prerequisite for obtaining and retaining the 'license to operate,' both in the present and in the ever-evolving future.
Guiding theory
Ainsbury, R., & Grayson, D. (2014). Business critical: Understanding a company’s current and desired stages of corporate responsibility maturity.
Beschorner, T. (2003). Wirtschaft und Ethik: Kein notwendiger Gegensatz. Einblicke (Forschungsmagazin der Universität Oldenburg), 19(38).
Loew, T., & Rohde, F. (2013). CSR und Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement. Definitionen, Ansätze und organisatorische Umsetzung im Unternehmen, Berlin.
Zadek, S. (2007). The path to corporate responsibility. Corporate ethics and corporate governance, 159-172.
In the context of contemporary societal challenges and the pivotal role that companies hold in today's world, it is imperative for businesses to conduct their operations with a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The alignment of business objectives with ethical and sustainable principles stands as a fundamental prerequisite for obtaining and retaining the 'license to operate,' both in the present and in the ever-evolving future.
Guiding theory
Ainsbury, R., & Grayson, D. (2014). Business critical: Understanding a company’s current and desired stages of corporate responsibility maturity.
Beschorner, T. (2003). Wirtschaft und Ethik: Kein notwendiger Gegensatz. Einblicke (Forschungsmagazin der Universität Oldenburg), 19(38).
Loew, T., & Rohde, F. (2013). CSR und Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement. Definitionen, Ansätze und organisatorische Umsetzung im Unternehmen, Berlin.
Zadek, S. (2007). The path to corporate responsibility. Corporate ethics and corporate governance, 159-172.
Strategy | Education | Dialogue
STRATEGY
CONSULTING
Strategy evaluation with regard to the Green Deal, the Sustainable Development Goals or the preparation for ESG reporting to overall sustainability performance evaluation using science-based qualitative and quantitative tools.
Selected references
Using the SDGs to drive innovation management (research project with MAM and Tele Hase)
Case studies for evaluation of the sustainability performance (among others with BKS, Fundermax, Kelag, Sto, Bellaflora, Greiner, Internorm, Vöslauer, Gugler, Semperit, Verbund, Rhomberg, Haberkorn, Lidl, Palfinger, Salzburg Milch, Adler Lacke, Hollu Systemhygiene, Confiserie Heindl, EVVA, Simacek, Anton Paar, Saubermacher, Sonnentor, Kastner)
CONSULTING
Strategy evaluation with regard to the Green Deal, the Sustainable Development Goals or the preparation for ESG reporting to overall sustainability performance evaluation using science-based qualitative and quantitative tools.
Selected references
Using the SDGs to drive innovation management (research project with MAM and Tele Hase)
Case studies for evaluation of the sustainability performance (among others with BKS, Fundermax, Kelag, Sto, Bellaflora, Greiner, Internorm, Vöslauer, Gugler, Semperit, Verbund, Rhomberg, Haberkorn, Lidl, Palfinger, Salzburg Milch, Adler Lacke, Hollu Systemhygiene, Confiserie Heindl, EVVA, Simacek, Anton Paar, Saubermacher, Sonnentor, Kastner)
TRAINING &
EDUCATION
Development of dedicated programs with focus on either specialist topics like for example sustainability reporting or circular economy as well as basic training for sustainability issues including the lecturing in these areas.
Selected references
Overall responsibility for the content of master curricula "Environmental and Sustainability Management"
Highly evaluated teaching experiences on bachelor, master and postgraduate level in the areas of corporate social responsibility, sustainability management and stakeholder engagement.
EDUCATION
Development of dedicated programs with focus on either specialist topics like for example sustainability reporting or circular economy as well as basic training for sustainability issues including the lecturing in these areas.
Selected references
Overall responsibility for the content of master curricula "Environmental and Sustainability Management"
Highly evaluated teaching experiences on bachelor, master and postgraduate level in the areas of corporate social responsibility, sustainability management and stakeholder engagement.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Development and facilitation of meaningful stakeholder relations guided by the stakeholder engagement standard and using tools and methods from quantitative research.
Selected references
Responsible for the stakeholder process for the creation of the Austrian business guiding vision for responsible management (published in german as "Erfolgreich Wirtschaften, Verantwortungsvoll Handeln")
Partner in creation and facilitation of the "CSR Dialogue" which facilitated a qualitative discussion and produce valuable results as input for the Austrian business responsibility agenda
Organisation and facilitation of the stakeholder process for the FOPI (the Austrian Forum der forschenden pharmazeutischen Industrie) together with student facilitators and rapporteurs.
Development and facilitation of meaningful stakeholder relations guided by the stakeholder engagement standard and using tools and methods from quantitative research.
Selected references
Responsible for the stakeholder process for the creation of the Austrian business guiding vision for responsible management (published in german as "Erfolgreich Wirtschaften, Verantwortungsvoll Handeln")
Partner in creation and facilitation of the "CSR Dialogue" which facilitated a qualitative discussion and produce valuable results as input for the Austrian business responsibility agenda
Organisation and facilitation of the stakeholder process for the FOPI (the Austrian Forum der forschenden pharmazeutischen Industrie) together with student facilitators and rapporteurs.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Mesicek, R. & Harant, A. (Hosts). (2015-present). Tonspur N [Audio podcast]. https://tonspur-n.eu
Pferzinger, M., Mesicek, R. H., & Bachner, C. (2022). Das Beste aus zwei Welten: Die Kombination von Design Thinking und Service Learning. In Design Thinking im Bildungsmanagement: Innovationen in Bildungskontexten erfolgreich entwickeln und umsetzen (pp. 229-238). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
Altenburger, R., & Mesicek, R. H. (Eds.). (2015). CSR und Stakeholdermanagement: strategische Herausforderungen und Chancen der Stakeholdereinbindung. Springer-Verlag.