HSG Impact Awards 2025: Corporate responsibility in the Congo

In collaboration with the international provider of access solutions, dormakaba, the resulting study by the Institute for Business Ethics (IWE-HSG) uncovered systemic traceability challenges and ethical dilemmas associated with cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the key findings of the study was that avoiding cobalt from the DRC is neither realistic nor ethically justifiable - instead, meaningful measures are required on the ground. The research project is one of the winners of the HSG Impact Awards 2025.

As a result, dormakaba joined the important initiative "The Hub for Child Labour Prevention and Remediation" in 2024, which is led by Save the Children and The Center for Child Rights and Business. The initiative helps to free children from dangerous mining conditions and support families with education, healthcare and sustainable income alternatives.

"The biggest success of the project is that the company has really taken on board our recommendations and started to implement them. In addition, dormakaba has involved other companies and other stakeholders to increase the impact of its measures," says Prof. Dr. Florian Wettstein.

About the HSG Impact Awards
Every year, the University of St.Gallen (HSG) honours outstanding research with the HSG Impact Award. HSG researchers who make a particularly valuable contribution to society with their projects are honoured.