Prof. Dr. Thorsten Merkle

Prof. Dr. Thorsten Merkle

ZHAW Life Sciences und Facility Management
Kompetenzgruppe Hospitality & Service Management
Reidbach
8820 Wädenswil

+41 58 934 57 45
thorsten.merkle@zhaw.ch

Arbeit an der ZHAW

Tätigkeit

Kompetenzgruppenleiter Hospitality & Service Management
Leitung Internationales IFM

Aus- und Weiterbildung

Ausbildung

Fluglehrer FI(A)
Flugschule Grenchen
08 / 2022 - 12 / 2022
Berufspilot CPL(A)
alpaviation
03 / 2019 - 07 / 2021
PhD / Business and Management
University of Gloucesterhire
10 / 2011 - 03 / 2017
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
University of Derby
08 / 2013 - 10 / 2014
MBA / international Management
Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg
03 / 2008 - 09 / 2009
Diplom Betriebswirt (FH)
Hochschule Heilbronn
10 / 1998 - 03 / 2002

Netzwerk

Mitglied in Netzwerken

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8945-1438

Medienpräsenz

Projekte

Publikationen

Beiträge in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift, peer-reviewed

Gerber, N., Merkle, T. and Schefer, N. (2025) 'Wanted: New approaches for food service provision in care homes of the future', Journal of Ageing and Longevity, 5(4), p. 50. doi: 10.3390/jal5040050.
Merkle, T. and Das, S. (2025) 'Passenger delight in liminal spaces : uncovering the dynamics of airport airside F&B', ICHRIE Research Reports, 10(6), p. 5. doi: 10.61701/382227.968.
Merkle, T., Seenivasan, S. and Das, S. (2025) 'Effect of street-pricing deregulation in U.S. airports on customer satisfaction', ICHRIE Research Reports, 10(3), p. 1. doi: 10.61701/957987.659.
Ratten, V., Lux, A. and Merkle, T. (2025) 'Tips from management editors : managing your academic reputation, post-publication promotion and building your network', Journal of Management & Organization, 31(1), pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1017/jmo.2024.54.
Jeanfavre, E. and Merkle, T. (2024) 'Nachhaltiges Management von Hotelinfrastrukturen : Untersuchung der Zieldivergenz zwischen Eigentümern und Betreibern', Swiss Real Estate Journal, (29), pp. 59–66.

Bücher, peer-reviewed

Ratten, V., Merkle, T. and Tavare, F. (eds) (2026) International encyclopedia of business management. Academic Press.

Buchbeiträge, peer-reviewed

Merkle, T. (2026) 'The evolution of tourism, hospitality, and service management', in International Encyclopedia of Business Management. Elsevier, pp. 339–344. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-443-13701-3.00602-2.
Gerber, N. and Merkle, T. (2026) 'Non-medical support services in healthcare organizations', in International Encyclopedia of Business Management. Elsevier, pp. 455–459. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-443-13701-3.00245-0.
Merkle, T. (2026) 'Overtourism', in International Encyclopedia of Business Management. Elsevier, pp. 650–654. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-443-13701-3.00488-6.
Merkle, T., Knaus, D. and Siegrist, C. (2024) 'Closing the service innovation gap in hospitality management : the case of a fast-food chain in Switzerland', in Sigala, M. et al. (eds) Case Based Research in Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality. Singapore: Springer, pp. 179–192. doi: 10.1007/978-981-97-1891-7_10.
Merkle, T., Knaus, D. L. and Siegrist, C. (2023) 'An exploration of the service innovation gap in Swiss tourism', in Ratten, V. (ed.) Entrepreneurship Business Debates. Singapore: Springer, pp. 87–96. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-1071-7_6.
Hörburger, N. and Merkle, T. (2023) 'The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism in alpine areas of Switzerland', in Ratten, V. (ed.) Heritage Entrepreneurship: Cultural and Creative Pursuits in Business Management. Singapore: Springer, pp. 119–135. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-5149-7_6.
Golding, P. and Merkle, T. (2022) 'Matching business travel with wine tourism : the case of the canton of Grisons, Switzerland', in Dixit, S. K. (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Wine Tourism. Routledge, pp. 395–408. doi: 10.4324/9781003143628-35.
Merkle, T. et al. (2020) 'Entrepreneurship within airside food and beverage outlet patronage : the creation of ecosystems using outlet context and passenger's emotions', in Entrepreneurship as empowerment : knowledge spillovers and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Bingley: Emerald, pp. 127–150. doi: 10.1108/978-1-83982-550-720201010.
Knaus, D. L. and Merkle, T. (2020) 'Open innovation in sports management : the case of the FIFA museum in Zurich, Switzerland', in Sport entrepreneurship : an economic, social and sustainability perspective subject. Bingley: Emerald, pp. 43–53. doi: 10.1108/978-1-83982-836-220201008.
Merkle, T. et al. (2019) 'Digital application : evidence from Zurich airport', in Tajeddini, K., Ratten, V., and Merkle, T. (eds) Tourism, Hospitality and Digital Transformation. London: Routledge, pp. 147–164. doi: 10.4324/9780429054396-9.

Schriftliche Konferenzbeiträge, peer-reviewed

Schefer, N. and Merkle, T. (2026) 'The Step Productivity Index (SPI) : a human-centred metric for advancing operational excellence and equality in restaurants', in CHME Annual Conference, Surrey, United Kingdom, 9-12 June 2026.
Tschurtschenthaler, F. and Merkle, T. (2026) 'ESG-Nachhaltigkeitsreporting für das Facility Management in Gesundheitsinstitutionen', in Wiesweg, N. (ed.) Proceedings der Make Some Noise in Real Estate meets FMPlus 2026. Münster: FH Münster, pp. 175–204. doi: 10.25974/fhms-19957.
Gonzalez Martinez, A. et al. (2026) 'Simulation-based decision support in real estate and facility management : a multi-level integrative framework for workplace, hospitality, real estate, and smart building management', in Wiesweg, N. (ed.) Proceedings der Make Some Noise in Real Estate meets FMPlus 2026. Münster: FH Münster, pp. 38–61. doi: 10.25974/fhms-19955.
Diez, K. et al. (2026) 'Zipp & Scan – eine innovative Lösung zur Optimierung des Effektenhandlings im Krankenhaus', in Journal für Facility Management. Technische Universität Wien, pp. 8–24. doi: 10.34749/jfm.2026.4833.
Schneider Stingelin, C. et al. (2025) 'Alters- und Pflegeheim : explorative Studie zur Kommunikation für die Einführung und Begleitung neuer Technologien', in Jahrestagung der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations- und Medienwissenschaft (SGKM-SACM), Chur, Schweiz, 21.-23. Mai 2025.
Schneider Stingelin, C. et al. (2025) 'Residential and nursing homes : an exploratory study on the introduction and accompaniment of new technologies', in 7th Digital Health Lab Day, Winterthur, Switzerland, 3 September 2025.
Merkle, T. et al. (2025) 'Zipp & Scan : revolutionizing patient belongings management in same-day surgery – a pilot study from Switzerland', in APacCHRIE 2025 Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 27-30 May 2025.
Merkle, T. et al. (2025) 'The business of ageing in hospitality', in APacCHRIE 2025 Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 27-30 May 2025.
Merkle, T., Das, S. and Seenivasan, S. (2025) 'Passenger delight in liminal spaces : unveiling the dynamics of airport airside F&B', in APacCHRIE 2025 Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 27-30 May 2025.
Merkle, T. et al. (2025) 'Technische Innovationen im Alters-und Pflegheim und der Umgang mit heterogenen Stakeholdern', in Spotlight FMplus, Zürich, Schweiz, 30.-31. Januar 2025. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-32203.
Merkle, T. and Pfenninger, M. (2024) 'Using AI in business model development at Masters' level – findings from a preliminary study in Switzerland', in International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Global Conference, Montreal, Canada, 24-26 July 2024. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-31181.
Merkle, T. and Bratschi, T. (2023) 'Developing an innovative curriculum for a BSc hospitality program in Switzerland', in Annual International CHRIE Summer Conference, Phoenix, USA, 19-21 July 2023.
Merkle, T. et al. (2023) 'Implementation of service robots in Swiss hospitals and hotels : an investigation of the barriers to use', in 40th Annual European Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (EuroCHRIE) Conference, Vienna, Austria, 3-6 October 2023. Winterthur: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-28843.
Merkle, T. and Wrase, I. (2023) 'Digitizing healthcare patient nutrition intake in Swiss hospitals', in Annual International CHRIE Summer Conference, Phoenix, USA, 19-21 July 2023.
Gerber, N. and Merkle, T. (2023) 'Improving residents' wellbeing in senior citizen homes with more individualized food services', in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. IOP Publishing, p. 12016. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1176/1/012016.
Merkle, T., Knaus, D. and Siegrist, C. (2022) 'Addressing the service innovation gap : the case of a fast food chain', in 39th Annual European Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (EuroCHRIE) Conference, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands, 24-27 October 2022. Winterthur: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-26008.
Merkle, T., Knaus, D. and Siegrist, C. (2022) 'An exploration of the service innovation gap in Swiss tourism', in 2022 Annual International CHRIE Summer Conference, Washington, D.C., USA, 3-6 August 2022.

Weitere Publikationen

Schefer, N. and Merkle, T. (2026) Smart Kitchen im Spannungsfeld von Daten, Akzeptanz & Prozessintegration. Wädenswil: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-36172.
Diez, K. et al. (2025) 'Zipp & Scan-Prozess am Kantonsspital Baden zur Optimierung des Effektenhandlings von Same-Day-Surgery-Patient:innen', in Spotlight FMplus, Zürich, Schweiz, 30.-31. Januar 2025.
Merkle, T. and Schneider Stingelin, C. (2025) 'Service-Outsourcing im Alters- und Pflegeheim – Zukunft oder Zumutung?', Clinicum, 2025(5), pp. 80–81. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-34590.
Gerber, N. et al. (2025) 'Digitalität in Alters- und Pflegeheimen : den Stier bei den Hörnern packen oder wie das Kaninchen vor der Schlange erstarren? Wir haben die Wahl!', Gerontologieblog.ch. Available at: https://www.gerontologieblog.ch/digitalitaet-in-alters-und-pflegeheimen-den-stier-bei-den-hoernern-packen-oder-wie-das-kaninchen-vor-der-schlange-erstarren-wir-haben-die-wahl/.
Merkle, T. and Plüss, T. (2024) Organisationsformen des Facility Management in Schweizer Akutspitälern. Wädenswil: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-29640.
Merkle, T. and Plüss, T. (2024) 'Organisationsformen des Facility Managements in Akutspitälern', Clinicum, 2024(3), pp. 67–69. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-31486.
Merkle, T. et al. (2024) Innovationsforschung im Bereich Gästeservice / Hotellerie in Spitälern. Wädenswil: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-29836.
Gerber, N., Merkle, T. and Jeanfavre, E. (2023) Erhöhung des Wohlergehens von Bewohnenden in Alters- und Pflegeheimen durch Flexibilisierung der Verpflegungsleistungen mithilfe von Technologie : Schlussbericht der Vorstudie als Basis für weitere Forschungstätigkeiten. Wädenswil: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-26854.
Merkle, T. (2022) 'Tourism innovation in Spain and Portugal', Thunderbird International Business Review, 64(6), pp. 709–710. doi: 10.1002/tie.22310.
Klauser, V., Pfenninger, M. and Merkle, T. (2022) DIGINUT : Digitalisierung und Nutzen von Patientenernährungsdaten. Wädenswil: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-25314.

Mündliche Konferenzbeiträge und Abstracts

Angela, M. et al. (2026) 'Airport F&B manifesto 2035 : a movement to redefine airport dining', in 15th Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference and Awards, Bengaluru, India, 7-8 July 2026.
Merkle, T., Schneider Stingelin, C. and Hall, S. (2026) 'Aktuelle Erkenntnisse zu Technologisierung und Digitalisierung in Schweizer Alters- und Pflegeheimen', in 11. Fachkonferenz – Das Pflegeheim der Zukunft, Blezinger Healthcare, Langenthal, Schweiz, 25.-26. Juni 2026.
Merkle, T. and Angela, M. (2026) 'The future of travel', in Menus of Change Leadership Summit, New York, USA, 2-4 June 2026.
González Martínez, A. et al. (2026) 'Simulation-based decision support in real estate and facility management : a multi-level integrative framework for workplace, hospitality, real estate, and smart building management', in Make Some Noise in Real Estate meets FMplus, Münster, Deutschland, 6. - 7. Mai 2026.
Merkle, T. et al. (2026) 'Food Service im Wandel : wie Genuss, Technologie und Nachhaltigkeit zusammenfinden', in Food Service Perspektiven – Innovation trifft Genuss, Wädenswil, Schweiz, 6. Februar 2026.
Wang, L. et al. (2025) 'The Business of Ageing in Hospitality (BAH) ICHRIE Special Interest Group (SIG) inaugural meeting', in 42nd Annual European Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (EuroCHRIE) Conference, The Hague, The Netherlands, 11-13 November 2025.
Merkle, T. et al. (2025) 'Für wen und wann ist Outsourcing sinnvoll?', in 10. Fachkonferenz – Das Pflegeheim der Zukunft, Blezinger Healthcare, Schwyz, Schweiz, 26.-27. Juni 2025.
Merkle, T., Das, S. and Weddig, A. (2025) 'The next evolution of CX delighters in an airport', in Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference, Madrid, Spain, 8-10 April 2025.
Schneider Stingelin, C. et al. (2025) 'Digitalisierung und Technologisierung im Alters- und Pflegeheim', in Neue Technologien für ein besseres Altern, Winterthur, Schweiz, 1. April 2025.
Wang, X. L. et al. (2024) 'Silver Economy and Hospitality 4 Good', in 41st Annual European Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (EuroCHRIE) Conference, Doha, Qatar, 4-7 November 2024.
Merkle, T. (2024) 'Stellenwert Hotellerie', in 4. Schweizer Hotellerie-Symposium im Gesundheitswesen, Suhr, Schweiz, 22. Oktober 2024.
Merkle, T. et al. (2024) 'Creating an ICHRIE Special Interest Group (SIG) for the field of "Hospitality Management in Senior Living and Care"', in International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Global Conference, Montreal, Canada, 24-26 July 2024.
Gerber, N. and Merkle, T. (2023) 'Individualisierte Verpflegung – ein Megatrend', in 8. Fachkonferenz – Das Pflegeheim der Zukunft, Blezinger Healthcare, Luzern, Schweiz, 22.-23. Juni 2023.
Merkle, T. (2021) 'Foodflow – und plötzlich ist alles digital', in FM Perspektiven: FM Innovationen in HC digital, Wädenswil, 26. November 2021.
Merkle, T. and Kaeuper, P. (2021) 'DIGINUT : Digitalisierung im Verpflegungsbereich', in FM Perspektiven: FM Innovationen in HC digital, Wädenswil, 26. November 2021.

Publikationen vor Tätigkeit an der ZHAW

Merkle, T., Tajeddini, K., Wittmer, A. (2021). Can the Netflix business model actually work in commercial aviation in central Europe? It is complicated!. Teaching case study. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases, 9(2).
Grechi, D., Ossola, P., & Merkle, T. (2017). eWOM and docility: the restaurant decision-making process. The International Journal of Business & Management, 5(9), 247-257.
Merkle, T. & Lewis, R. (2016). RB Leipzig: A Novel Approach to Sport Stadium Hospitality. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases, 5(1)
Merkle, T. & Lewis, R. (2016). LSG Sky Chefs Sao Paulo: Managing Food Safety in Airline Catering in an Emerging Market. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases, 5(2)
Tajeddini, K., Ratten, V., Merkle, T. (Ed.) (2019). Tourism, Hospitality and Digital Transformation: Strategic Management Aspects. London, Routledge.
Merkle, T. & Golding, P. (2020). Sports Stadium Hospitality and Catering: A Global Perspective. Routledge Companion to International Hospitality Management. M.A. Gardini, M. Ottenbacher and M. Schuckert, M. London, Routledge.
Merkle, T., Tajeddini, K., Vlachos, I., Keane, J. (2020). Entrepreneurship within airside food and beverage outlet patronage: The creation of ecosystems using outlet context and passenger’s emotions. Entrepreneurship As Empowerment: Knowledge Spillovers And Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. V. Ratten. Bingley, Emerald
Knaus, D. & Merkle, T. (2020). Open Innovation in Sports Management – The Case of the FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland. Sport Entrepreneurship: An Economic, Social and Sustainability Perspective. V. Ratten. Bingley, Emerald.
Ratten, V., Tajeddini, K., Merkle, T. (2019). Tourism, Hospitality and Digital Transformation: The Relevance for Society. Tourism, Hospitality and Digital Transformation: Strategic Management Aspects. K. Tajeddini, V. Ratten and T. Merkle. London, Routledge.
Merkle, T., et al. (2019). Digital Application: Evidence from Zurich Airport. Tourism, Hospitality and Digital Transformation: Strategic Management Aspects. K. Tajeddini, V. Ratten and T. Merkle. London, Routledge.

Interessenbindungen

Aktuelle Interessenbindungen

International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education: Special Interest Group Chair
International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE): The Business of Ageing in Hospitality SIG: Chair, Richmond
03 / 2025 - 08 / 2026

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