Contact Professor Elmar Kutsch

Background

To be uncertain is uncomfortable, but to be certain is ridiculous.' (Chinese Proverb)

For Elmar, the discomfort associated with uncertainty serves as both a challenge and a catalyst for opportunity. As an avid skydiver, his personal and professional pursuits centre on navigating the unexpected. Elmar's initial immersion into the enigmatic realm of uncertainty dates back to 1998, during his tenure in various senior roles within Germany's IT sector. Tasked with the successful execution of large-scale projects, including pivotal roll-out and outsourcing strategies, he liaised with noteworthy clients like Commerzbank, Deutsche B枚rse, and the Polizei Rheinland Pfalz.

This enduring fascination with risk and the unpredictable steered him toward academia. Initially a Lecturer in Operations Management at the University of Surrey, Elmar has been affiliated with Cranfield since 2007, continually exploring the intricacies of managing the unexpected.

Current activities

To foster enthusiasm for his specialism in the management of risk and uncertainty, as well as the development of resilient organisational strategies, Elmar actively engages with the industrial sector and has a prolific publishing record on topics related to managing the unforeseen. His recent publications include:

Kutsch, Elmar. (2022) Organisational Resilience: Navigating Paradoxical Tensions. Abington: Routledge.

Kutsch, Elmar, & Hall, M. (2020) Mindful Project Management: Resilient Performance Beyond the Risk Horizon (2nd edition). Abington: Routledge.

Kutsch, Elmar. (2018) The Art of Organisational Resilience: Revisiting the Fall of France in 1940. Abington: Routledge.

In recent years, Elmar has been instrumental in the conceptualisation and orchestration of Graduate (Apprenticeship) Programmes and Tailored Executive Development courses, employing intuitive and outcome-focused learning methodologies. In recognition of his excellence in the research, development, and publication of impactful case studies, he was awarded the Cranfield SOM Teaching and Learning Faculty accolade in 2017. As a visiting scholar at emLyon in France and Warwick School of Engineering in the UK, he engages learners through experiential activities and paradoxical learning that are not only enjoyable but also induce transformative shifts in attitudes towards managing the unexpected.

Publications

Articles In Journals

Conference Papers

Books