Economic Sociology

In this subject area sociological perspectives on the economy are developed and used to gain a more comprehensive, sociologically sound understanding of economic institutions and processes.

One focus of research and teaching are sociological explanations that combine action and structure on the one hand, and social, political and cultural aspects on the other hand, to shed light on important economic aspects and topics.
Another focus is the functional analysis of institutions such as private companies and the capitalist entrepreneur, markets e.g. for fair trade or financial products, social entrepreneurship, time and money.

New objects of research include processes of marketization and social reactions to the implementation of markets, economic principles and logics of action, foundations and pioneers of economic sociology.