This is what it's all about.
John Bowlby’s attachment theory tells us that our parents have a major influence on our emotions and how we form relationships later in life.
Through experiments I want to find out how emotions and personal attachments influence peoples’ behavior, especially the behavior of entrepreneurs and managers. Are some people more innovative and creative because of their emotions and personal relationships? Or do they hinder creativity?
The New York Times has written some very interesting articles on the topic of attachment:
- Yes, It’s Your Parents’ Fault
- Our Elites Still Don’t Get It
You can find the links to the articles at the bottom of this page.
This is why I need your support.
The funds from this campaign will be used to recruit and compensate participants in the experiments. It can be very hard (especially as a PhD student) to get funding of that amount for scientific projects, which is why I highly appreciate your support. I am also grateful that platforms such as wemakeit exist to support these types of projects.
Quick facts:
- I plan to do 3 experiments with 120-140 participants in each of the experiments.
- Each participant receives up to 40 CHF, depending on his performance in the game.
- Participants (BA, MA and MBA students) will be recruited from the University of St.Gallen.
Why should you care?
Experiments are not commonly done in management research because they are quite time-intensive and costly. With your help, we will be able to get some fascinating new insights on the connection between emotions, relationships and innovation!
What does such an experiment look like?
Participants will first need to respond to some personal questions that help me to assess their emotional capabilities and attachment. Then the fun begins: they play a game! Participants play the Top Manager of a company and need to make some crucial investment decisions. In the end, they will find out whether their investments were worth it, or not. Pssst… the rest is a secret (for now) ;-)
If you want to know more about the results of these experiments, please support this project! Every Swiss franc or euro will be doubled by the Gebert Rüf Foundation.
Below you can see some of the benefits you could receive for your generous support.
Thank you very much for your support! 
I support #science sticker or magnet 
I support #science sticker or magnet 
Attached. The book on attachment. 
Stumbling on Happiness by Dan Gilbert. 
Your own research article. 
Your own little zen garden (for your desk) 
Colouring book for adults.