Title: The Potential of Steward-Ownership in Switzerland: Reimagining Corporate Ownership and Organization Design to Address Grand Challenges

As grand societal challenges intensify, the search for future-proof corporate ownership models becomes more pressing. Steward-ownership emerges as a promising alternative: it ensures long-term independence, reinvests profits into the company’s mission, and allocates control based on purpose rather than capital. While models like the Danish industrial foundations or the Zeiss Foundation have proven effective internationally, the concept remains nascent in Switzerland—despite rising interest, particularly in light of widespread SME succession challenges.

This research project explores the feasibility and appeal of steward-ownership among Swiss entrepreneurs and business leaders. We aim to understand the legal, economic, and cultural conditions that shape the adoption of this ownership form. Using a mixed-methods approach, we connect academic insights with practical relevance and contribute to the development of alternative ownership structures that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs #8, #10, #12, #13, #16).

ongoing projects