Thomas Rudolph held a prominent position at the Migros Group until 2020, serving on the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Association, where he was responsible for finances.
After 17 years, he stepped down but maintained his connection with the Orange Giant, receiving an annual compensation of 400,000 francs for his institute at the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
Rudolph is the owner of the so-called “Gottlieb-Duttweiler” chair, where he conducts research on retail trade.
In the spring of 2023, Rudolph became the target of unknown critics on a company rating platform. They voiced concerns regarding the HSG professor and his leadership style.
Curiously, several requests to speak vanished, while increasing numbers of people praised Rudolph excessively.
When asked, Rudolph confirmed that he had reached out to Kununu following notifications of the criticisms from “those around me.”
“As the head of the institute, I felt compelled to address the criticism internally, especially since it sparked discussions within the institute,” Rudolph stated.
“Some of my employees later wrote positive comments, which probably intensified the criticism even further.”
The exchange became quite heated. There were “reviews” that Rudolph deemed inappropriate and disrespectful, prompting him to inform Kununu about them.
“Kununu removed the posts for not adhering to the platform’s rules and standards. It was a personal choice of my employees to write their own entries.”
Ultimately, he felt that it was out of his control. “I didn’t want it, encourage it, or demand it.”
And gone (Deleted Kununu statement; IP)The underlying issues to the disputes are evident incidents. There has been considerable turnover at Rudolph’s “Dutti” institute.
Specifically, we are referring to seven dismissals in recent months, including four doctoral students who discontinued their studies before completion.
This is extremely rare, according to one individual.
“Due to the system, personnel changes are a constant at university institutes,” Rudolph explains.
“On the one hand, this is due to the nature of scientific staff, who typically leave the institute after 4 to 5 years upon completing their doctorate.”
“Dissertations can also be abandoned for various reasons, such as changes in personal circumstances, attractive offers from the industry, or slow progress on their projects.”
Also removed from the world – thanks to intervention (IP)The dissatisfaction within the institute had repercussions. An investigation was initiated against Rudolph for possible breaches of scientific integrity, but the investigations yielded no consequences.
“During the disclosure campaign (January to March 2023), a number of mostly anonymous reports were received,” confirmed a spokesperson for HSG.
“Where necessary, further clarifications have been conducted, and in a few cases, investigations have been carried out.”
This included Rudolph’s case. “No violations of the HSG’s integrity guidelines could be identified regarding the named professor.”
According to one critic, the investigative commission that was established “did not adhere to the whistleblowers’ suggestions and only conducted an investigation among the employed doctoral students.”
“They are in a dual dependency relationship with Mr. Rudolph.”
Thomas Rudolph: Former Migros Group Leader Under Scrutiny
Thomas Rudolph held a prominent position within the Migros Group until he stepped down in 2020 after serving for 17 years as a board member responsible for finances at the Cooperative Association. Despite his departure, Rudolph remains affiliated with Migros, receiving an annual payment of 400,000 francs to support his role at the University of St.Gallen (HSG).
At HSG, Rudolph is the esteemed holder of the “Gottlieb-Duttweiler” chair and has dedicated his research focus to the retail trade sector.
Recent Controversies and Criticism
In the spring of 2023, Rudolph found himself at the center of controversy when he was criticized on the company rating platform Kununu. Critics voiced their concerns regarding his leadership style, prompting a significant response regarding the validity and context of these reviews.
Rudolph acknowledged that he had initiated communication with Kununu in response to the criticisms brought to his attention by colleagues. He stated that he found it necessary to address these issues internally, especially given their impact on discussions within his institute.
Following this, an influx of positive reviews about Rudolph emerged on the platform, leading to a slew of mixed opinions about his leadership. When asked about these developments, Rudolph commented, “I felt the need to address the criticism internally, especially since it led to discussions within the institute.”
The Dismissals and Their Implications
Amidst the scrutiny, Rudolph faced significant personnel churn within his institute, leading to seven dismissals in a short period, including four doctoral students who withdrew before completing their doctorates—an unusual occurrence in academic settings.
“Due to the system, personnel changes are common at university institutes,” Rudolph explained. “Scientific staff typically leave after 4 to 5 years following the completion of their doctorate. Other factors may include personal circumstances or other lucrative offers.”
Table: Reasons for Faculty Turnover
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Completion of Doctorate | Staff typically exit the institute after earning their doctorate. |
| Personal Circumstances | Changes in personal life can impact academic commitments. |
| Job Offers | Attractive alternative job offers in industry may lead to early exits. |
| Research Progress | Slow progress in dissertation work may cause candidates to reevaluate commitments. |
Investigations Into Scientific Integrity
The dissatisfaction within the institute culminated in an investigation against Rudolph concerning possible breaches of scientific integrity. This inquiry, however, resulted in no findings against him. According to a spokesperson for HSG, “No violations of the HSG’s integrity guidelines could be identified by the named professor.”
The process followed a wider disclosure campaign that began in early 2023, which unearthed multiple anonymous reports about various staff members and leadership styles. Some critics expressed concerns regarding the investigative commission’s methodology, arguing that they only interviewed current doctoral students, who might have been in a dependent relationship with Rudolph.
“The commission’s approach did not align with the whistleblowers’ suggestions, as it limited investigations mainly to employed doctoral students,” one critic remarked. “In doing so, it overlooked potential biases inherent in these relationships.”
Operational Insights and Leadership Lessons
While Thomas Rudolph maintains a significant position due to his history and contributions to the retail trade studies and the Migros Group, the ongoing controversies highlight critical lessons in transparency, leadership, and organizational communication.
- Effective Communication: Leaders must engage with their teams openly and address negative feedback constructively.
- Encouraging Feedback: Institutions should promote an environment where feedback is welcomed and addressed, enabling growth and improvement.
- Maintaining Ethical Standards: Upholding integrity in research and leadership practices is crucial in maintaining trust across all levels of an organization.
In the context of academia, leadership challenges can significantly affect both staff morale and institutional reputation. Rudolph’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of strong ethical standards and transparent operational practices in retaining talent and maintaining academic integrity.
