Prof. Dr. Markus Pohlmann
- Organizational Sociology
- Organizational Crime
- Compliance
- Sustainable Knowledge Transfer
- Organization, Career, Management
Research Profile
Prof. Dr. Markus Pohlmann holds a W3 Professorship in Sociology, specializing in Organizational Sociology, at the Max Weber Institute at Heidelberg University. His current research focuses on organizational crime and compliance, as well as organization types, management, and careers in international comparison.
The central research question investigates how misconduct, corruption, and manipulation arise within organizations and the extent to which deviations from rules can paradoxically serve organizational goal attainment. A key focus of his current work is the willingness to report misconduct (Whistleblowing) across different organizational fields. This topic is specifically researched in various contexts, including companies, hospitals, and sport organizations.
To collect data and analyze the effectiveness of compliance measures, his research is supplemented by developing and applying innovative instruments like Role-Playing and Real Gaming, treating Compliance as a preventive intervention. This practical orientation is also evident in projects concerning ESG and Compliance in companies, where Awareness Trainings and perspectives are being studied.
These current works build upon earlier, seminal case studies, such as the analysis of the German Organ Transplant Scandal and comparative studies on corruption (e.g., the “Operation Carwash” in Brazil). Additionally, Prof. Dr. Pohlmann engages in the sociological analysis of Management, Organizations, and Careers, and the study of economic elites in the context of the New Spirit of Capitalism.
Selected Publications
- Pohlmann, M. (2026). Einführung in die Qualitative Sozialforschung (2. überarb. Aufl.). UTB/UVK.
- Pohlmann, M., & Bancsina, M. (2025). Organisationale Kriminalität und Korruption. In Handbuch Korruptionsforschung (S. 1–22). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
- Pohlmann, M., & Elias, F. (2024). Global Economic Elites and the New Spirit of Capitalism. Springer VS.
- Pohlmann, M. (2024). Soziologie der Organisation. Eine Einführung (3. überarb. Aufl.). UTB/UVK.
- Pohlmann, M. (2023). How to analyze organizational crime–Theory, concepts, and methods. In Organizational Crime: Causes, Explanations and Prevention in a Comparative Perspective (S. 19–61). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
- Pohlmann, M., Trombini, M., & Höly, K. (2021). The German Organ Transplant Scandal - Unwritten rules of organizational wrongdoings. Social Science & Medicine, 292.
- Pohlmann, M., Herrmann, D., & Klinkhammer, J. (2019). Grenzen formaler Regulierung: Wie informelle Normen und kriminogene Werte die Korruptionsbereitschaft von Managern beeinflussen. Monatsschrift für Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform, 102(2), 104–118.
- Valarini, E., & Pohlmann, M. (2019). Organizational crime and corruption in Brazil a case study of the “Operation Carwash” court records. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 59.
- Pohlmann, M., Helbig, V., & Bär, S. (2017). Ein neuer Geist des Kapitalismus? Selbstoptimierung und Burnout in den Wirtschaftsmedien. Österreichische Zeitschrift für Soziologie, 42(1), 21–44.
- Pohlmann, M., & Höly, K. (2017). Manipulationen in der Transplantationsmedizin. Ein Fall von organisationaler Devianz? KZfSS Kölner Zeitschrift Für Soziologie Und Sozialpsychologie, 69(2), 181–207.
Current Research Projects
Table
Curriculum Vitae
Table
2021 – 2023 | 2021–2023: Institute Director, Max Weber Institute for Sociology, Heidelberg University |
2009 – 2010 | Fellow, Marsilius College, Project “Perspectives of Ageing,” Heidelberg University |
2003 | Professor, Sociology specializing in Organizational Sociology, Max Weber Institute for Sociology, Heidelberg University |
2002 | Academic Director, Institute for Social Research and Social Economics (ISOS) e.V., Saarbrücken |
2001 | Temporary Professorship (Vertretung), Sociological Theory, Labor and Organization, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg |
2001 | Temporary Professorship (Vertretung), Social Structure Analysis, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg |
2000 | Habilitation (venia legendi), “Economic and Social Development in East Asia,” Friedrich Schiller University Jena |
1998 – 1999 | Scholar, German Research Foundation (DFG), and Visiting Scientist (Post-doc Research Fellow) at:
|
1996 – 1998 | Research Assistant (Wissenschaftlicher Assistent), Friedrich Schiller University Jena |
1995 – 1996 | Visiting Fellow (postdoc, assistant professor), Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
1993 – 1995 | Research Assistant (Wissenschaftlicher Assistent), Friedrich Schiller University Jena |
1993 | Doctoral Degree (Dr. rer. pol.), Economic and Social Sciences, University of Lüneburg (summa cum laude) |
1988 – 1992 | Research Associate (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter), University of Lüneburg |
1988 | Research Associate (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter), University of Bielefeld |
1983 – 1987 | Diploma in Sociology, University of Bielefeld |
External Functions
- Head of HeiGOS (Heidelberg Research Group for Organization Studies)
- Speaker HCLSI Heidelberg Research Center for Law, Society and Institutions (HCLSI)
- Member of the Scientific Board, DICO (Deutsches Institut für Compliance)
- Member of the Scientific Board, Observatory of Social and Political Elites of Brazil
- Member GfeO - Gesellschaft für empirische Organisationsforschung
Awards
- 2018: First Prize of the Fritz Thyssen Foundation for social science essays (jointly with Kristina Höly, for the article: Manipulationen in der Transplantationsmedizin. Ein Fall von organisationaler Devianz?)
- 2009–2010: Fellow of the Marsilius College for the project "Perspectives of Ageing"
- 2007: Professor of the Year, Top Ten in Humanities and Social Sciences