Meet the research fellows: Erik Lang
PhD candidate Erik Lang is looking forward to exploring innovation economics and strategy at DIG, focusing on disruptive technologies and their economic and societal impact.
The Path from Engineering to Innovation Economics
Originally from Germany, Lang pursued his master's degree in management and business at the Stockholm School of Economics. Here, he combined his studies with electives in finance and data science.
His academic journey began with a double degree in engineering from the Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences in Wolfsburg and Tongji University in Shanghai. His career path reflects a continuous development in his interests, moving from engineering to business strategy, economic policy, and innovation.
A Development in Interests
Before embarking on his PhD, Lang gained experience in multiple fields, working at the Volkswagen Group in new business field development and market research, as well as founding a digital storytelling and marketing agency. His entrepreneurial experience fostered his interest in strategic decision-making, leading him to an internship in venture capital, where he evaluated technology start-ups in their early stages.
“I got really interested in strategic decision making. Especially how major technology developments can be shaped by certain strategic choices. That’s what led me to shift my focus from engineering to the managerial and economic side of innovation.”
Additionally, he spent time at the European Central Bank, focusing on macroeconomic modelling and forecasting at the Directorate General Economics. Throughout his career, he has also developed a passion for teaching, having worked as a tennis coach and a teaching assistant for multiple courses during his master's studies. This led him to the idea that he might not only be interested in research, but also in becoming an academic teacher.
“I had this thought that maybe when I'm 50 and have a lot of experience, I can come back to university to teach. Then I thought - why not do what I really want right now?”
Exploring Technology's Strategic Impact
Lang’s research interests lie at the intersection of economic strategy, technological development, and innovation. His work aims to explore how strategic decisions about technology shape industries and societies, particularly from an economic and environmental perspective.
Having recently started with the PhD, Lang acknowledges that his research focus is still evolving. In his first year, he aims to leverage coursework to refine research questions, explore phenomena, and deepen his understanding of the field.
“So we kind of sense and try to understand what's going on, and then we seize it. Some actors or agents are more successful than others.”
“Then the question is why? And what can we learn from this if we want to foster certain innovation types, activities, or technologies that seem more beneficial, for example, when examined through a triple bottom line perspective. I think that's the foundation of where I'm starting,” he adds.
A Deliberate Choice
Choosing to pursue a PhD at NHH was a deliberate decision for Lang, influenced by the strong research environment, the support of his supervisors, and the opportunities offered by DIG. In the years to come, he is particularly looking forward to being a part of this community and collaborating with his supervisors, Bram Timmermans and Ivan Belik.
Lang also thinks that the PhD will offer personal insights.
“The PhD will probably teach me a lot more about myself — to really reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. What do I have an intuition for that might help me better understand our world?”