Manuel W枚rsd枚rfer, Ph.D.

Dr. W枚rsd枚rfer is an associate professor at the 海角社区 Business School and School of Computing and Information Science and an associate member of the Climate Change Institute at the University of 海角社区. Before joining U海角社区, he was an instructor at the Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism and a member of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University, as well as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Cluster of Excellence 鈥楾he Formation of Normative Orders鈥 and a member of the Centre for Business Ethics at Goethe University Frankfurt. He also worked as a visiting research fellow at Beijing University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Toronto, and York University. Manuel鈥檚 current research focuses on business and human rights, AI ethics, big tech and antitrust, and climate finance. Most of his research has been presented at prestigious international conferences, such as the annual conferences of the Australasian Business Ethics Network, the European Business Ethics Network, and the Society for Business Ethics, and published in peer-reviewed journals, such as AI and Ethics, Business and Society Review, European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, History of Economic Ideas, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Business Ethics Education, Journal of the History of Economic Thought, OEconomia, Philosophy of Management, Philosophy & Technology, The Antitrust Bulletin, Transnational Legal Theory, and Journal for Business, Economics, and Ethics.

Education

  • Habilitation, Business Ethics, Goethe University, Germany (2011-2015)
  • PhD, Business Ethics, Goethe University, Germany (2008-2011)
  • M.A., Philosophy & Economics, University of Bayreuth, Germany (2004-2007)
  • B.A.,听听Philosophy & Economics, University of Bayreuth, Germany (2001-2004)

Research Interests

  • Computer Ethics (i.e., Big Tech and Antitrust, AI Ethics, Big Data Ethics, Digital Privacy, Ethical Issues of Autonomous Vehicles)
  • Business (Ethics) and Human Rights (i.e., Conflict Minerals, Migrant Workers)
  • (Political) Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Citizenship
  • Multi-Stakeholder Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives (i.e., Equator Principles, U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights)
  • Climate Ethics (i.e., Climate Change and Human Rights)
  • Finance Ethics (i.e., Climate Finance, Green Bonds, Sustainable Finance)
  • History of Economic Thought (i.e., Constitutional Economics, Neoliberalism, Social Market Economy)
  • Economic Policy (with a Special Focus on European Integration and Politics)
  • Behavioral Economics, Happiness Economics, Economic Psychology, and Neuroeconomics

Dr. W枚rsd枚rfer’s CV

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Publications

Monographs

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2018/2023): Engineering and Computer Ethics; Dubuque, Great River Learning (GRL).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): A New Understanding of Economic Behavior, Organizations, and Regulation 鈥 Foundations, Options, and Challenges; Habilitation Thesis (self-published), Frankfurt.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2011): Die normativen und wirtschaftsethischen Grundlagen des Ordoliberalismus (The Normative and Economic-Ethical Foundations of German Neoliberalism); PhD Thesis (self-published), Frankfurt.

Peer-Reviewed

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2025). 鈥楻egulating the Undefined: Addressing Systemic Risks in the Digital Services Act’ 鈥 A Commentary. Philosophy & Technology (Springer, A* Journal [Computer Ethics], Impact Factor: 5.88, Acceptance Rate: 10%, H-Index: 48) 38. Article 76.

Ku虉ster, A. & W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2025). Exploring Laws of Robotics: A Synthesis of Constitutional AI And Constitutional Economics. Digital Society (Springer) 4. Article 46.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2024): 鈥Datafeudalism: The Domination of Modern Societies by Big Tech Companies鈥: A Commentary.听Philosophy & Technology听(Springer, A* Journal [Computer Ethics], Impact Factor: 5.88, Acceptance Rate: 10%, H-Index: 48 ) Article 86; 1-5 (Online First).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2024):听Biden鈥檚 Executive Order on AI: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Possible Reform Steps.听AI and Ethics听(Springer, Impact Factor: 2); 1-15 (Online First).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2024):听Biden鈥檚 Executive Order on AI and the E.U.鈥檚 AI Act 鈥 A Comparative Computer- and Business-Ethical Analysis.听Philosophy & Technology听(Springer, A* Journal [Computer Ethics], Impact Factor: 5.88, Acceptance Rate: 10%, H-Index: 48), Article 74; 1-27 (Online First).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听AI Ethics and Ordoliberalism 2.0: Towards a 鈥楧igital Bill of Rights.鈥櫶鼳I and Ethics听(Springer, Impact Factor: 2). 1-19 (Online First).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听Mitigating the Adverse Effects of AI With the European Union鈥檚 Artificial Intelligence Act 鈥 Hype or Hope?听Global Business and Organizational Excellence听(Wiley, Impact Factor: 3.63); 1-21 (Online First).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听Apple鈥檚 Antitrust Paradox.听European Competition Journal (Taylor & Francis, Impact Factor: 0.88); 1-34 (Online First).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听The E.U.鈥檚 Artificial Intelligence Act 鈥 An Ordoliberal Assessment.听AI and Ethics听(Springer, Impact Factor: 2); 1-16 (Online First).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听Brandeis and Eucken 鈥 Two Pioneers of the Modern Big Tech and Antitrust Debate.听History of Economic Ideas听(B Journal, Acceptance Rate: 30%) 2023(2), 87-125.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听Louis D. Brandeis and the New Brandeis Movement 鈥 Parallels and Differences.听The Antitrust Bulletin听(SAGE, B Journal, Impact Factor: 0.6) 68(3); 440-459.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听Louis Brandeis 鈥 Father of Modern-Day Antitrust?听History of Economic Thought and Policy听1-2023; 5-43.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2023):听The Digital Markets Act and E.U. Competition Policy: A Critical Ordoliberal Evaluation.听Philosophy of Management听(Springer, Impact Factor: 1.29) 22(1); 149-171.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2022):听Walter Eucken: Foundations of Economics听in: T. Biebricher/P. Nedergaard/W. Bonefeld听(eds.):听The Oxford Handbook of Ordoliberalism; Oxford,听Oxford University Press; 91-107.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2022): Big Tech and Antitrust: An Ordoliberal Analysis; Philosophy & Technology (Springer, Impact Factor: 5.88) 35(3), Article 65.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2022): Climate Finance 鈥 A Business-Ethical Analysis in: T. Walker/S. Wendt/S. Goubran/T. Schwartz (eds.): Business and Policy Solutions to Climate Change: From Mitigation to Adaptation; London, Palgrave Macmillan; 139-160.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2022): What Happened to 鈥楤ig Tech鈥 and Antitrust? And How to Fix Them!; Philosophy of Management (Springer, Impact Factor: 1.29) 21(3); 345-369.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2021): Digital Platforms and Competition Policy: A Business-Ethical Assessment; Journal for Markets and Ethics 9(2); 97-119.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2020): Ordoliberalism 2.0: Towards a New Regulatory Policy for the Digital Age; Philosophy of Management (Springer, Impact Factor: 1.29) 19(2); 191-215.

Martens, W./Linden, B.v.d./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2019): How to Assess the Democratic Qualities of a Multi-Stakeholder Initiative from a Habermasian Perspective? Deliberative Democracy and the Equator Principles Framework; Journal of Business Ethics (Springer, Five-Year Impact Factor: 7.83) 155: 1115-1133.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): The Equator Principles and Human Rights Due Diligence 鈥 Towards a Positive and Leverage-based Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility; Philosophy of Management (Springer, Impact Factor: 1.29) 14(3); 193-218.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): Equator Principles: Bridging the Gap between Economics and Ethics?; Business and Society Review (Wiley, Impact Factor: 0.85) 120(2); 205-243.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): Equator Principles 鈥 Now and Then in: M. Schwartz/H. Harris/D. Comer (eds.): Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations (Vol. 14): The Ethical Contribution of Organizations to Society; Bingley, Emerald; 121-160.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): Animal Behavioral Economics: Lessons Learnt from Primate Research; Economic Thought 4(1); 80-106.

Klump, R./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): Paternalistic Economic Policies. Foundations, Implications and Critical Evaluations; ORDO Yearbook of Economic and Social Order (De Gruyter) 66; 27-60.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2014): 鈥楩ree, Prior, and Informed Consent鈥 and Inclusion: Nussbaum, Ostrom, Sen and the Equator Principles Framework; Transnational Legal Theory (Taylor & Francis, Impact Factor: 0.87) 5(3); 464-488.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2014): Inside the 鈥楬omo oeconomicus Brain鈥: Towards a Reform of the Economics Curriculum?; Journal of Business Ethics Education 11; 5-40.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2014): The 鈥楽ocietal Crisis of the Present鈥 as a Neoliberal Leitmotif; History of Economic Thought and Policy 2(2014); 77-109.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2013): Von Hayek and Ordoliberalism on Justice; Journal of the History of Economic Thought (Cambridge University Press, Impact Factor: 0.653) 35(3); 291-317.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2013): Individual versus Regulatory Ethics: An Economic-Ethical and Theoretical-Historical Analysis of Ordoliberalism; OEconomia. History, Methodology, Philosophy; 3(4); 523-557.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2012): Walter Eucken on Patent Laws: Are Patents Just 鈥楴onsense upon Stilts鈥?; Economic Thought 1(2); 36-54.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M./Dethlefs, C. (2012): Homo oeconomicus oder Homo culturalis? Aktuelle Herausforderungen f眉r das ordoliberale Menschenbild; ORDO Yearbook of Economic and Social Order (De Gruyter) 63; 135-157.

Klump, R./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2011): On the Affiliation of Phenomenology and Ordoliberalism: Links between Edmund Husserl, Rudolf and Walter Eucken; European Journal of the History of Economic Thought (Taylor & Francis, Impact Factor: 0.682) 18(4); 551-578.

Klump, R./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2010): An Ordoliberal Interpretation of Adam Smith; ORDO Yearbook of Economic and Social Order (De Gruyter) 61; 29-51.

Klump, R./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2009): 脺ber die normativen Implikationen des Ordoliberalismus f眉r die moderne Wirtschaftsethik; zfwu Journal for Business, Economics & Ethics 10(3); 322-340.

Non Peer-Reviewed

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2019): Climate Ethics and Climate Politics: Current Challenges and Potential Solutions; Working Paper Series University of 海角社区; 1-31.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2017):听The Equator Principles鈥 Relationship to Business Ethics and Human Rights;听Journal of the Texas Tech University Ethics Center听1(1); 18-21.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2017): The Equator Principles and the 鈥楤usiness and Human Rights Debate鈥: Hype or Hope? in: A. de Jonge/R. Tomasic (eds.): Research Handbook on Transnational Corporations; Cheltenham, Elgar, 139-168.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2016):听Selbstselektion versus Indoktrination in der (Sozialen) Marktwirtschaft. Eine Wirtschaftsethische Bestandsaufnahmein: G. Minnameier (ed.):听Ethik und Beruf in der Marktwirtschaft: Interdisziplin盲re Zug盲nge; Bielefeld, Bertelsmann; 135-156.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2016): Die 脛quatorprinzipien und die 鈥楤usiness and Human Rights鈥-Debatte in: K. Wendt (ed.): CSR und Investment Banking. Investment und Banking zwischen Krise und Positive Impact; Berlin, Gabler, 405-425.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): Human Rights Due Diligence und die 脛quatorprinzipien; WestEnd. Neue Zeitschrift f眉r Sozialforschung 01-2015; 95-109.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): 10 Years 鈥楨quator Principles鈥: A Critical Appraisal in: K. Wendt (ed.): Responsible Investment Banking. Risk Management Frameworks and Softlaw Standards; Cham, Springer; 473-501.

Hennig, A./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2015): Challenging Voluntary CSR-Initiatives 鈥 A Case Study on the Effectiveness of the Equator Principles; Working Paper Series, Cluster of Excellence 鈥楾he Formation of Normative Orders鈥 01/2015.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2014): Freiburg School of Law and Economics, Freiburg (Lehrstuhl-) Tradition, and the Genesis of Norms; i-Lex 21; 223-256.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2013): 10 Years 鈥楨quator Principles鈥: A Critical Economic-Ethical Analysis; Osgoode Hall Law School, Comparative Research in Law & Political Economy Research Paper Series; Research Paper 54 (2013).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2011):听Die Anthropologischen Grundlagen der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft und der Sozialpartnerschaft 鈥 Unter Besonderer Ber眉cksichtigung Neuerer Forschungsergebnisse; Wiesbaden,听Chemie-Stiftung Sozialpartner-Akademie (CSSA).

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2010):听Ordoliberalism and the Evolution of Norms;听Working Paper Series, Cluster of Excellence 鈥楾he Formation of Normative Orders鈥櫶07/2010.

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2010):听On the Economic Ethics of Walter Eucken听in: C. Glossner/D. Gregosz (eds.):听60 Years of Social Market Economy. Formation, Development, and Perspectives of a Peacemaking Formula; Sankt Augustin, Konrad Adenauer Foundation; 20-41.

Editorship

Feichtner, I./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (eds.) (2014): 10 Years Equator Principles: A Transdisciplinary Inquiry; Transnational Legal Theory (Taylor & Francis, Impact Factor: 0.87) 5(3).

Brink, A./Schumann, O./W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (eds.) (2014): 鈥淣ext Generation鈥: New Perspectives on Business and Economic Ethics; zfwu Journal for Business, Economics & Ethics 15(2).

Others

W枚rsd枚rfer, M. (2018): Online Learning Platform 鈥楨ngineering and Computer Ethics鈥; Dubuque, Great River Learning.