24.10.2024
Bavarian Culture Prize awarded to Passau economist Dr Johanna Zimmermann
Bayernwerk AG (Bayernwerk) has awarded the Bavarian Culture Prize. Among this year's prizewinners is Dr Johanna Zimmermann, research associate at the chair of Professor Jan Schumann at the University of Passau.
Award winner Dr Johanna Zimmermann with Minister Markus Blume (left) and Bayernwerk CEO Dr Egon Leo Westphal (right); Photo: Alex Schelbert/ Bayernwerk AG
Dr Johanna Zimmermann was honoured for her thesis in the economics programme with a focus on marketing. Her work provides new insights into how the design of data disclosure processes influences consumer decision-making. Zimmermann shows that sharing personal data with companies does not have to have negative connotations: ‘Although consumers’ increasing awareness of and concerns about data sharing present companies with challenges, they also offer opportunities to make data sharing more customer-friendly,’ says Zimmermann. In particular, she says, invitations to share data offer great potential for positively influencing the decision-making process.
‘Dr Zimmermann acquired a broad and deep understanding of the literature on data disclosure processes at a very early stage of her dissertation and, building on this, wrote two very strong papers that have already been published in leading international scientific journals,’ says Professor Jan Schumann, Vice President for Research and holder of the Chair of Marketing and Innovation. ‘The Bavarian Culture Prize is a well-deserved tribute to her achievements to date and a welcome endorsement of her future academic career.’
This year's university award winners are getting to the bottom of important social issues and their work provides valuable impetus for the reality of today and tomorrow.
Dr Egon Leo Westphal, CEO of Bayernwerk AG
In addition to Dr Johanna Zimmermann, 32 other graduates of Bavarian colleges, art colleges and universities will receive the prize in the science category. Markus Blume, Bavarian Minister for Science and Culture, emphasised: ‘Science and art are closely intertwined – they are the lifeblood of a free society. It is right and important that we honour young talents from our universities for their ideas and courage in the category of science of the Bavarian Culture Prize. With their forward-looking spirit, the prizewinners invigorate our science location. This shows that our universities are real talent and innovation incubators.’
Dr Egon Leo Westphal, CEO of Bayernwerk AG, sees science as the basis for tomorrow's reality: ‘Our world is changing at a rapid pace. Science shows us what is necessary and what is possible. This year's university award winners are getting to the bottom of important social issues and their work provides valuable impetus for the reality of today and tomorrow.’
This text was machine-translated from German.
About the Bavarian Culture Prize
Bayernwerk AG presents the Bavarian Culture Prize in partnership with the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and Culture. The prizes in the science category are each endowed with 3,000 euros. All 33 prizewinners also receive the bronze statue ‘Gedankenblitz’ (flash of inspiration) created by the Schwandorf sculptor Peter Mayer. The winners are selected by the Bavarian state colleges, art colleges and universities. The art prizewinners are chosen by a jury of experts.
Professor Jan Hendrik Schumann
How does it affect people when firms pass on their data?
How does it affect people when firms pass on their data?
Professor Jan Hendrik Schumann has held the Chair of Marketing and Innovation of the University of Passau since 2012. He is also one of the principal investigators of the DFG Research Training Group 2720. Since July 2013, he has also worked a director of the Institute of Market and Economic Research.
