SDU Business School
Week 25: SDU Business School finalises the internal organisation and strategic ambitions
SDU Business School (SBS) has established the framework for its future organisation and strategic ambitions, which were presented at the staff seminar on 1 June 2026 and at the dialogue forum on 8 June 2026.
The strategic ambitions are to increase external visibility and profiling, with a clear identity and branding of SBS as a single entity. This will be achieved by intensifying collaboration with external partners and the continued development of the quality of research and education. Specifically, work is ongoing to achieve further international accreditations, increase external funding, and strengthen the academic profile, supported by strategic recruitment, a sharper educational portfolio, and a strengthening of the PhD area.
The academic organisation
The new organisation is designed to support the strategic ambitions by creating a solid foundation for research environments with critical mass, academic development, and coherence across units. At the same time, the organisation supports SBS’s role as a regional actor by ensuring continued local presence.
A key element of the new organisation is the establishment of five sections, with Heads of Section appointed. The sections provide the framework for both research and teaching.
- Marketing: Julie Emontspool
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Majbritt Rostgaard Evald
- Strategy, Organisation & Leadership: Mette Lund Kristensen
- International Business: Martin Hannibal
- Accounting & Finance: Jochen Theis
The sections operate across campuses, with all sections represented at more than one campus. Within each section, smaller research groups are established as the core academic communities where research activities are developed and anchored.
At the same time, Dannie Kjeldgaard has been appointed Vice-Dean for Research at SBS as of 1 September 2026 and will contribute to advancing the strategic ambitions within research.
Reorganisation of the MERE Group
As part of the academic organisation at SBS, it has been decided that members of the research group “The Management and Economics of Resources and the Environment (MERE)” will be divided between SBS and the Department of Economics. This is based on an academic assessment that several members have a stronger economics profile than a business administration profile. Staff will remain based at Campus Esbjerg and will continue to collaborate closely across units. The Master’s programme in Environmental and Resource Management (ERM) is anchored in the Department of Economics, with continued close collaboration with SBS.
Organisation of the SBS secretariat
In parallel with the academic organisation, an adjusted administrative structure is being established to ensure more coherent support for the core tasks within research, education, and strategic initiatives.
The complete secretariat is headed by Acting Head of Secretariat Johanna Süssmeir and organised into three teams with a responsible team leader:
- Team Research: Susanne Feldt Jørgensen
- Team Education: Kirsten Stribley
- Team Strategic Initiatives: Johanna Süssmeir
The overall organisation will be implemented towards the new faculty structure.
Further information and questions
If staff have questions about the process, they are always welcome to contact their immediate manager and/or a union representative. The site on SDUnet will also be continuously updated.
The next news item is expected to be published on SDUnet in week 26.