Driven by a fascination with human behaviour and a passion for understanding the complexities of organisational systems, Prof. Matthias Fahn is an Associate Professor of Management and Strategy at the HKU Business School.

He brings a unique blend of analytical rigour and real-world insights, launching his academic journey in a small town near Frankfurt, Germany. His development has taken him from aspirations of becoming a professional violist to becoming a leading scholar in Organisational Economics, Strategic Management, and Diversity and Inclusion.

Although initially drawn to the world of classical music, Prof. Fahn found a new passion in politics, mathematics, and human behaviour. This led him to pursue studies in Economics and Management, ultimately earning a PhD in Economics from LMU Munich, in Germany.

It was during his college years that he discovered a particular affinity for the “microeconomics” approach for analysing human behaviour. This way, he’s found more profound ways to understand systematic patterns in human actions. Combined with Game Theory, this approach offered invaluable insights into the foundations of human interactions, sparking his interest in organisational economics.

Prof. Fahn’s research explores the intricate dynamics within organisations, especially how different people with varying backgrounds and perspectives interact to achieve common goals. His work examines how these potentially chaotic systems can be streamlined, and he seeks to understand the causes of their failures.

A crucial aspect of his research focuses on relational contracts – informal agreements and unwritten codes of conduct that govern long-term relationships, particularly in business contexts. He has found that the role of mutual trust and shared norms in maintaining these contracts is crucial, especially in situations where flexibility and adaptation are needed.

Before joining HKU Business School, Prof. Fahn was a Professor at Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria, where he developed his ability to integrate theoretical models with data to get a deeper understanding of organisations. He also spent a year at the Strategy Department of the Kellogg School of Management, where he connected with future colleagues and shaped his perspectives.

Currently, Prof. Fahn is involved in several ongoing research projects, including collaborations with global technology companies to explore the role of middle managers and team leaders. These partnerships aim to uncover the subtle ways in which different roles contribute to organisational success. He is keen to establish similar collaborations at HKU, further bridging the gap between academic research and real-world organisational practices.

In the classroom, Prof. Fahn is committed to fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment. His teaching philosophy centres on ensuring that students not only learn concepts but also intuitively understand them and can connect them to their own professional and personal lives. He encourages students to challenge him, ask questions, and actively engage in discussions. He believes this is the best way to deepen their understanding. By relating discussions to recent research, he ensures that students gain a practical and contemporary grasp of the subject matter, preparing them for real-world applications.

Prof. Fahn is looking forward to contributing to HKU Business School’s academic community and creating collaborations that advance the understanding of organisational dynamics.