Prof. Dr. Stefan Iskan, Professor of Logistics and Business Informatics, in particular Automotive SCM and Digitalization, and Head of the Master's degree program in Logistics at HWG LU, has published a book on the coronavirus crisis. In an interview with Kohlhammer-Verlag, he provides some initial insights.
What began locally in Wuhan, China, has become an event of the century: But what is Germany's position before, during and after the major pandemic? Experts from various disciplines - history, medicine, economics, IT, political science and journalism - address this question in this publication by Stefan Iskan entitled "Corona in Germany". From these different perspectives, the team of authors sheds light on the connections and consequences of the current coronavirus crisis. The pandemic is placed in a wider historical context and we learn what the corona crisis ultimately means for the economy, society and politics.
The book with contributions by Stefan Iskan, David Engels, Timo Ulrichs, Karl-Rudolf Korte, Tanjev Schultz, Robert Kölbl and Pelin Iskan was published by Kohlhammer-Verlag in Stuttgart on September 1, 2020.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Iskan in an interview with Kohlhammer Verlag on his book "Corona in Germany" and why the major geo-strategic issues of the future are no different from those of the "pre-corona era"
Mr. Iskan, your book "Corona in Germany - The consequences for the economy, society and politics" aims to provide a perspective for the future. However, the current figures for new infections are worrying. Where do you get this optimism and confidence from?
In every crisis there is also a treasure trove of opportunities. Opportunities for the state, companies and each and every one of us. I am convinced of that. Regardless of the medical component, which Timo Ulrichs breaks down in detail in the book, people could also face the coronavirus pandemic and its various systemic consequences with a certain degree of confidence. After all, as the historical dimension in our book shows, this pandemic is no exception in world history. In terms of the course, measures and possible consequences, humanity does not appear to be entering uncharted territory. Therefore, in the coming period, which will be characterized by radical changes, there are certainly components that we can use as a guide. And Karl-Rudolf Korte also concludes from a sociological perspective in our book that narratives about the future can act as a mobilizing force in politics. Incidentally, this also applies to business leaders. So I'm not just a logistician, I'm also a realistic optimist.
But you also say that "companies and public institutions are no longer driving into the future". Isn't that contradictory?
Not at all. Because this sentence is linked to a central condition. In my view, we are dealing with such a deep crisis and such a huge change with corona that - unlike in the 2008/209 financial crisis, for example - we can no longer get out of it with simple but brutal cost cutting. We already had a megatrend before the coronavirus crisis - namely digitalization. This is shown very clearly in the article by Robert Kölbl and myself. Countries, authorities and companies that do not invest in "future-proofing" at the same time as rigorous cash management will not emerge from this crisis without massive damage. The corona crisis will be their neck breaker. The top credo in the corona crisis must be: Cash management and investing. In parallel!
In your book, you call for people in Germany not to lose sight of the "big picture". What do you mean by that?
The coronavirus pandemic is overshadowing many areas, as Tanjev Schultz impressively shows in his contribution to our book. We would be well advised to detach ourselves from the confusion of micro-reporting and adopt a kind of helicopter perspective. Then we will realize that the major geo-strategic issues of the future will not differ significantly from those of the pre-corona era. That's what I want to show people with this book.
And what are the big issues in your eyes?
In addition to climate change, these certainly include the trade war between the USA and China. Or should we say the battle for technological supremacy and the race for digital currency sovereignty. But it also includes China's New Silk Road, geostrategy par excellence. The trend towards even greater budget deficits worldwide and the intermeshing of politics with the economy, the inflation of sought-after assets and the resulting spread in our society. However, the consequences for the real estate market, the role of digitalization, industry winners and losers and ultimately job substitution should also be mentioned. But also topics that go hand in hand with an Industry 4.0 world in the emerging markets. A development that not only undermines local social stability, but could even jeopardize global stability as a whole.
(Interview: Kohlhammer-Verlag)
Prof. Dr. Stefan Iskan (editor and co-author)
Professor of Logistics and Information Systems, in particular Automotive SCM and Digitalization, and Head of the Master's degree course in Logistics at Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society.
Other authors in the book include:
Prof. Dr. Tanjev Schultz, Professor at the Journalism Seminar and the Institute for Journalism Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. The former journalist for the Süddeutsche Zeitung has been awarded the Nannen Prize, the most important honor for journalists in Germany, for his reporting on the NSU trial. His areas of specialization include conspiracy theories, extremism/terrorism, freedom of the press, trust in the media and investigative journalism.
Prof. Dr. Karl-Rudolf Korte, Professor of Political Science at the University of Duisburg-Essen in the field of "Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany and Modern Governance Theories". He is also Director of the NR School of Governance. Karl-Rudolf Korte can regularly be seen in the media as a guest for election analyses in the context of federal elections.
Prof. Dr. med. Timo Ulrichs holds the Chair of Global Health and Development Cooperation at Akkon University in Berlin. Timo Ulrichs previously worked on infection and immunobiological issues at the Max Planck Institute and the Charité in Berlin. As a consultant at the Federal Ministry of Health, he was responsible for epidemic protection and influenza pandemic planning, among other things. In the media, Timo Ulrichs is currently a regular guest on NTV, among others, to assess the development of the coronavirus pandemic in Germany.
Robert Kölbl is an expert in IT security issues, databases, telecommunications and high-availability solutions. As an IT system integrator, the owner of Systemhaus Kölbl works at the interface between hardware software and process automation in industry, retail and the hotel industry. Robert Kölbl is a partner of the Japanese IT and telecommunications group NEC.
Pelin Iskan, Assistant and Project Manager to the Center Manager Mercedes-Benz Cars Purchasing and Supplier Quality Exterior and Van Purchasing at Daimler AG in Stuttgart. The economist was previously Assistant to the Board at Deutsche Bahn Group (DB Schenker) and Senior Buyer at BASF headquarters for the purchasing of inbound logistics service providers. Pelin Iskan is currently working on her doctorate at the Chair of Industrial Management (Prof. Dr. Ronald Bogaschewsky) at the University of Würzburg and has teaching assignments at the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society in the areas of purchasing/supplier management and personnel management.
