Manuel Wörsdörfer, Ph.D.

Dr. Wörsdörfer is an assistant professor at the Maine Business School and School of Computing and Information Science and an associate member of the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine. Before joining UMaine, 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 ‘The Formation of Normative Orders’ 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’s 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.,  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. Wörsdörfer’s CV

View Websites

Academia.edu, ResearchGate, Papers SSRN

Publications

Monographs

Wörsdörfer, M. (2018/2023): Engineering and Computer Ethics; Dubuque, Great River Learning (GRL).

Wörsdörfer, M. (2015): A New Understanding of Economic Behavior, Organizations, and Regulation – Foundations, Options, and Challenges; Habilitation Thesis (self-published), Frankfurt.

Wörsdörfer, 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

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2024): Biden’s Executive Order on AI: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Possible Reform Steps. AI and Ethics (Springer, Impact Factor: 2); 1-15 (Online First).

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2023): AI Ethics and Ordoliberalism 2.0: Towards a ‘Digital Bill of Rights.’ AI and Ethics (Springer, Impact Factor: 2). 1-19 (Online First).

Wörsdörfer, M. (2023): Mitigating the Adverse Effects of AI With the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act – Hype or Hope? Global Business and Organizational Excellence (Wiley, Impact Factor: 3.63); 1-21 (Online First).

Wörsdörfer, M. (2023): Apple’s Antitrust Paradox. European Competition Journal (Taylor & Francis, Impact Factor: 0.88); 1-34 (Online First).

Wörsdörfer, M. (2023): The E.U.’s Artificial Intelligence Act – An Ordoliberal Assessment. AI and Ethics (Springer, Impact Factor: 2); 1-16 (Online First).

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2023): Louis D. Brandeis and the New Brandeis Movement – Parallels and Differences. The Antitrust Bulletin (SAGE, B Journal, Impact Factor: 0.6) 68(3); 440-459.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2023): Louis Brandeis – Father of Modern-Day Antitrust? History of Economic Thought and Policy 1-2023; 5-43.

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

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

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2022): Climate Finance – 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.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2022): What Happened to ‘Big Tech’ and Antitrust? And How to Fix Them!; Philosophy of Management (Springer, Impact Factor: 1.29) 21(3); 345-369.

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

Wörsdörfer, 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./Wörsdörfer, 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.

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

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2015): Equator Principles – 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.

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

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2014): ‘Free, Prior, and Informed Consent’ and Inclusion: Nussbaum, Ostrom, Sen and the Equator Principles Framework; Transnational Legal Theory (Taylor & Francis, Impact Factor: 0.87) 5(3); 464-488.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2014): Inside the ‘Homo oeconomicus Brain’: Towards a Reform of the Economics Curriculum?; Journal of Business Ethics Education 11; 5-40.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2014): The ‘Societal Crisis of the Present’ as a Neoliberal Leitmotif; History of Economic Thought and Policy 2(2014); 77-109.

Wörsdörfer, 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.

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2012): Walter Eucken on Patent Laws: Are Patents Just ‘Nonsense upon Stilts’?; Economic Thought 1(2); 36-54.

Wörsdörfer, M./Dethlefs, C. (2012): Homo oeconomicus oder Homo culturalis? Aktuelle Herausforderungen für das ordoliberale Menschenbild; ORDO Yearbook of Economic and Social Order (De Gruyter) 63; 135-157.

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

Klump, R./Wörsdörfer, M. (2009): Über die normativen Implikationen des Ordoliberalismus für die moderne Wirtschaftsethik; zfwu Journal for Business, Economics & Ethics 10(3); 322-340.

Non Peer-Reviewed

Wörsdörfer, M. (2019): Climate Ethics and Climate Politics: Current Challenges and Potential Solutions; Working Paper Series University of Maine; 1-31.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2017): The Equator Principles’ Relationship to Business Ethics and Human Rights; Journal of the Texas Tech University Ethics Center 1(1); 18-21.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2017): The Equator Principles and the ‘Business and Human Rights Debate’: Hype or Hope? in: A. de Jonge/R. Tomasic (eds.): Research Handbook on Transnational Corporations; Cheltenham, Elgar, 139-168.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2016): Selbstselektion versus Indoktrination in der (Sozialen) Marktwirtschaft. Eine Wirtschaftsethische Bestandsaufnahmein: G. Minnameier (ed.): Ethik und Beruf in der Marktwirtschaft: Interdisziplinäre Zugänge; Bielefeld, Bertelsmann; 135-156.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2016): Die Äquatorprinzipien und die ‘Business and Human Rights’-Debatte in: K. Wendt (ed.): CSR und Investment Banking. Investment und Banking zwischen Krise und Positive Impact; Berlin, Gabler, 405-425.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2015): Human Rights Due Diligence und die Äquatorprinzipien; WestEnd. Neue Zeitschrift für Sozialforschung 01-2015; 95-109.

Wörsdörfer, M. (2015): 10 Years ‘Equator Principles’: A Critical Appraisal in: K. Wendt (ed.): Responsible Investment Banking. Risk Management Frameworks and Softlaw Standards; Cham, Springer; 473-501.

Hennig, A./Wörsdörfer, M. (2015): Challenging Voluntary CSR-Initiatives – A Case Study on the Effectiveness of the Equator Principles; Working Paper Series, Cluster of Excellence ‘The Formation of Normative Orders’ 01/2015.

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

Wörsdörfer, M. (2013): 10 Years ‘Equator Principles’: A Critical Economic-Ethical Analysis; Osgoode Hall Law School, Comparative Research in Law & Political Economy Research Paper Series; Research Paper 54 (2013).

Wörsdörfer, M. (2011): Die Anthropologischen Grundlagen der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft und der Sozialpartnerschaft – Unter Besonderer Berücksichtigung Neuerer Forschungsergebnisse; Wiesbaden, Chemie-Stiftung Sozialpartner-Akademie (CSSA).

Wörsdörfer, M. (2010): Ordoliberalism and the Evolution of Norms; Working Paper Series, Cluster of Excellence ‘The Formation of Normative Orders’ 07/2010.

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

Editorship

Feichtner, I./Wörsdörfer, 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./Wörsdörfer, M. (eds.) (2014): “Next Generation”: New Perspectives on Business and Economic Ethics; zfwu Journal for Business, Economics & Ethics 15(2).

Others

Wörsdörfer, M. (2018): Online Learning Platform ‘Engineering and Computer Ethics’; Dubuque, Great River Learning.