Prof. Dr. Reto Steiner

Work at ZHAW

Position

Dean at ZHAW School of Management and Law, Member of the Executive Board and Head of Academic Affairs at ZHAW

Focus

Public Management, Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector, Local and Regional Governance, Public Corporate Governance

Teaching

• University of Bern
• ETH Zurich

Experience

• Dean and Professor at ZHAW School of Management and Law
  ZHAW
  2017 - today
• Visiting Professor for Public Management
  University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy)
  2020 - 2020
• Contract Professor for Strategic Management in the Public Sector
  Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy)
  2016 - 2018
• Founder and Managing Director
  Swiss Institute for Public Management
  2016 - 2017
• Member of the Management Board
  Center of Competence for Public Management at the University of Bern
  2002 - 2016
• Visiting Research Fellow
  Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore (NUS)
  2013 - 2013
• Visiting Research Fellow
  Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Hong Kong (SAR, China)
  2013 - 2013
• Visiting Professor for Business Administration in the Public Sector
  Vienna University of Economics and Business
  2008 - 2008

Education and Continuing education

Education

• Dr. rer. oec. / Management
  University of Bern
  1997 - 2002
• Mag. rer. pol. / Management
  University of Bern
  1991 - 1996

Network

Membership of networks

• Vice President of the European Group for Public Administration
• Member of the Board of Governors of Beta Gamma Sigma. Representative of European Universities (USA)
• Chair of the Organizing Committee of the 44th Annual Colloquium of the European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS) in 2028
• Representative of Switzerland in the Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government at the Council of Europe (France)
• Member of the Scientific Board of the PhD Program in “Public Management and Governance” at the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy)
• Member of the commission "Education" of the chamber UAS of swissuniversities
• Chair of the Special Interest Group "Local Governance" of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM)
• Member of the International Advisory Board of the Faculty of Business Administration at Prague University of Economics and Business (Czech Republic)
• Member of the International Advisory Board of the School of Business, Woxsen University (India)
• Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the "International Journal of Public Sector Management"
• Member of the Advisory Board of the journal “Verwaltung & Management”
• European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference Chair in 2022
• President of the Board at NMS Bern
• President of the Reformed Church Congregation of Langenthal

Social media

• Personal Website
• LinkedIn
• X

Projects

• The Relevance and Success of Co-Production in Local Governance / Team member / ongoing
• Digital Transformation at the Local Tier of Government in Europe: Dynamics and Effects from a Cross-Countries and Over-Time Comparative Perspective / Project leader / completed
• Data Monitoring Local Communities in Switzerland / Project leader / completed

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• Machljankin, J. et al. (2026) 'Exploring the role of consulting in local government digital transformation', Public Money & Management, 46(2), pp. 202–211. doi: 10.1080/09540962.2024.2414060.
• Ege, J., Kaiser, C. and Steiner, R. (2025) 'Explaining patterns of co-creation in Swiss local governance', Public Management Review, 28(6), pp. 1644–1666. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2025.2505149.
• Neumann, O., Guirguis, K. and Steiner, R. (2024) 'Exploring artificial intelligence adoption in public organizations : a comparative case study', Public Management Review, 26(1), pp. 114–141. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2022.2048685.
• Steiner, R. and Notter, M. (2021) 'Verbreitung von Kirchgemeindefusionen in der Schweiz', Verwaltung & Management, 27(2), pp. 51–58. doi: 10.5771/0947-9856-2021-2-51.
• Eicher, B. and Steiner, R. (2020) 'Strategies as a basis for the development of hospital assets', Public Money & Management, 40(1), pp. 21–30. doi: 10.1080/09540962.2019.1612204.
• Steiner, R. et al. (2018) 'Is local always better? Strengths and limitations of local governance for service delivery', International Journal of Public Sector Management, 31(4), pp. 394–409. doi: 10.1108/IJPSM-05-2018-226.
• Bach, T. et al. (2017) 'Administrative tradition and management reforms : a comparison of agency chief executive accountability in four continental Rechtsstaat countries', Public Management Review, 19(6), pp. 765–784. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2016.1210205.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2017) 'Effects of amalgamations : evidence from Swiss municipalities', Public Management Review, 19(2), pp. 232–252. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2016.1153704.
• Eicher, B. and Steiner, R. (2016) 'Realisierungsmodelle bei Krankenhausinvestitionen : Einflussfaktoren für deren Auswahl', Verwaltung & Management, 22(6), pp. 315–321. doi: 10.5771/0947-9856-2016-6-315.
• Steiner, R., Raess Brenner, K. and Saxenhofer, A. (2015) 'Verbreitung und Effekte von Public-Corporate-Governance-Richtlinien am Beispiel der Schweizer Kantone', Verwaltung & Management, 21(2), pp. 59–64. doi: 10.5771/0947-9856-2015-2-59.
• Steiner, R., Raess Brenner, K. and Saxenhofer, A. (2014) 'Effects of public corporate governance guidelines at the subnational level in Switzerland', Jahrbuch der Schweizerischen Verwaltungswissenschaften, 5, pp. 139–161. Available at: https://ssas-yearbook.com/articles/73/files/submission/proof/73-1-144-1-10-20180606.pdf.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2013) 'Rolle der Kantone bei Gemeindefusionen in der Schweiz', Verwaltung & Management, 19(3), pp. 144–149. doi: 10.5771/0947-9856-2013-3-144.
• Steiner, R. and Huber, E. (2012) 'Autonomy of the federal organizational units', Jahrbuch der Schweizerischen Verwaltungswissenschaften, pp. 141–160. doi: 10.5334/ssas.45.

Books, peer-reviewed

• Steiner, R. et al. (2021) Zustand und Entwicklung der Schweizer Gemeinden : Ergebnisse des nationalen Gemeindemonitorings 2017. Glarus: Somedia Buchverlag. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-3134.
• Steiner, R., Ladner, A. and Reist, P. (eds) (2014) Reformen in Kantonen und Gemeinden. 1. Auflage. Bern: Haupt.
• Steiner, R. and Ritz, A. (eds) (2012) Personal führen und Organisationen gestalten : Festschrift für Norbert Thom zur Emeritierung. Bern: Haupt.
• Geser, H. et al. (2012) Les membres des exécutifs dans les communes suisses. Glarus: Rüegger.

Book chapters, peer-reviewed

• Kaiser, C., Machljankin, J. and Steiner, R. (2025) 'Swiss local government associations and the representation of urban and rural interests', in Kössler, K. and Belser, E. M. (eds) Local government structure and intergovernmental relations : an urban-rural perspective. Cham: Springer, pp. 271–288. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-99820-1_16.
• Kaiser, C., Steiner, R. and Machljankin, J. (2023) 'Corporatisation in Swiss local government', in Van Genugten, M. et al. (eds) Corporatisation in local government : context, evidence and perspectives from 19 countries. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 221–242. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-09982-3_10.
• Steiner, R. (2020) 'Territoriale Gliederung der Kantone', in Diggelmann, O., Hertig Randall, M., and Schindler, B. (eds) Verfassungsrecht der Schweiz / Droit constitutionnel suisse (PrintPlu§) : Band I: Grundlagen Demokratie Föderalismus / Volume I: Fondements Démocratie Fédéralisme. Zürich: Schulthess, pp. 737–752.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2018) 'Inter-municipal Cooperation in Switzerland', in Teles, F. and Swianiewicz, P. (eds) Inter-municipal cooperation in Europe : institutions and governance. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 173–187. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-62819-6_9.
• Steiner, R., Kaiser, C. and Reichmuth, L. (2018) 'Consulting for the public sector in Europe', in Ongaro, E. and Van Thiel, S. (eds) The Palgrave handbook of public administration and management in Europe. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 475–495. doi: 10.1057/978-1-137-55269-3_25.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2017) 'Democracy and citizens" engagement', in Klassen, T. R., Cepiku, D., and Lah, T. J. (eds) The Routledge handbook of global public policy and administration. London: Routledge, pp. 167–178.
• Steiner, R., Fetz, U. and Käppeli, S. (2016) 'Gestaltung von Gemeindefusionsprozessen', in Bergmann, A. et al. (eds) Praxishandbuch Public Management. Zürich: WEKA, pp. 880–896.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2016) 'Preventing corruption in the public administration : shown using the example of switzerland', in Kovbasyuk, Y. and Fedorenko, V. (eds) Anti-corruption policies and preventing and combating corruption in public service in state and local government. Kiev: NAPA, pp. 113–118.
• Steiner, R. (2016) 'Interkommunale Zusammenarbeit', in Bergmann, A. et al. (eds) Praxishandbuch Public Management. Zürich: WEKA, pp. 897–914.
• Steiner, R., Kaiser, C. and Eythorsson, G. T. (2016) 'A comparative analysis of amalgamation reforms in selected european countries', in Kuhlmann, S. and Bouckaert, G. (eds) Local public sector reforms in times of crisis : national trajectories and international comparisons. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 23–42. doi: 10.1057/978-1-137-52548-2_2.
• Steiner, R. (2016) 'Strategische Aufgabenüberprüfung', in Bergmann, A. et al. (eds) Praxishandbuch Public Management. Zürich: WEKA, pp. 716–733.
• Ladner, A., Steiner, R. and Reist, P. (2014) 'Einleitung', in Steiner, R., Ladner, A., and Reist, P. (eds) Reformen in Kantonen und Gemeinden. Bern: Haupt, pp. 3–12.
• Steiner, R., Ladner, A. and Reist, P. (2014) 'Kommunale Reformprojekte und deren Auslöser', in Steiner, R., Ladner, A., and Reist, P. (eds) Reformen in Kantonen und Gemeinden. Bern: Haupt, pp. 83–110.
• Steiner, R., Ladner, A. and Reist, P. (2014) 'Gestaltungsempfehlungen für Kantone und Gemeinden', in Steiner, R., Ladner, A., and Reist, P. (eds) Reformen in Kantonen und Gemeinden. Bern: Haupt, pp. 161–174.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2013) 'Die Gemeindeverwaltungen', in Ladner, A. et al. (eds) Handbuch der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Zürich: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, pp. 149–166.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2012) 'Herausforderungen der Bürgerbeteiligung', in Schröter, E., von Maravic, P., and Röber, J. (eds) Zukunftsfähige Verwaltung? : Herausforderungen und Lösungsstrategien in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz. Opladen: Barbara Budrich, pp. 187–206.

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2018) 'Amalgamation and inter-municipal cooperation: alternative or consecutive re-form strategies? : an analysis based on an empirical longitudinal study of Swiss local governments', in ECPR General Conference, Hamburg, Germany, 22-25 August 2018. Available at: https://ecpr.eu/Filestore/PaperProposal/83997573-83e4-491e-937f-45c95f5c09eb.pdf.
• Steiner, R., Kaiser, C. and Reichmuth, L. (2015) 'What structural factors influence public service delivery? : lessons learned from a study of swiss municipalities', in Minderman, G. and Reddy, P. S. (eds) Innovation for the urban age : innovative approaches to public governance for the new urban age. The Hague: Eleven International Publishing, pp. 99–128.
• Steiner, R. and Huber, E. (2012) 'Building empires? : the strategies of state-owned enterprises limiting governmental influence', in Minderman, G. et al. (eds) Good, bad and next in public governance : the Winelands papers 2012. The Hague: Eleven International Publishing, pp. 99–109.

Other publications

• Kaiser, C., Steiner, R. and Machljankin, J. (2024) 'Raumplanung sowie Betreuung Asylsuchender bereiten Gemeinden Probleme', Schweizer Gemeinde, 2024(12), pp. 28–29. Available at: https://www.schweizer-gemeinde.ch/artikel/raumplanung-sowie-betreuung-asylsuchender-bereiten-gemeinden-probleme.
• Machljankin, J., Kaiser, C. and Steiner, R. (2021) 'Les hommes dominent la politique communale', Schweizer Gemeinde, 2021(1/2), pp. 26–27. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-22067.
• Kaiser, C., Machljankin, J. and Steiner, R. (2021) 'Les communes déplorent une constante perte d'autonomie', Schweizer Gemeinde, 2021(1/2), pp. 36–37. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-22068.
• Schwarz, D., Steiner, R. and Fivaz, J. (2020) Mitwirkungsmöglichkeiten des Urner Landrats bei der Ausarbeitung von Konkordaten und anderen interkantonalen Vereinbarungen : Bericht im Auftrag der Justizdirektion des Kantons Uri. Bern: KPM-Verlag.
• Steiner, R., Kaiser, C. and Machljankin, J. (2020) 'Come prende forma la politica nei comuni svizzeri', Schweizer Gemeinde, 2020(12), pp. 14–29. Available at: https://schweizer-gemeinde.cld.bz/12-20.
• Steiner, R. et al. (2020) Die Public Corporate Governance der Schweizer Kantone und grösseren Städte : eine empirische Analyse. Bern: KPM-Verlag. Available at: https://www.kpm.unibe.ch/unibe/portal/center_generell/a_title_strat_forschung/k_kpm/content/e69701/e69704/e139214/pane1313321/e1313404/SR_58_online_ger.pdf.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2020) Wider den Moral Hazard : Lehren aus der Finanzkrise. Bern: KPM-Verlag.
• Steiner, R., Kaiser, C. and Machljankin, J. (2020) 'Parteilose regieren die Schweiz : Ältere bestimmen vermehrt das politische Leben', Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 241(244), p. 9. Available at: https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/gemeinden-parteilose-maenner-und-aeltere-sind-in-exekutive-ld.1581787.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2016) 'Switzerland', in Merloni, F. (ed.) Regionalisation trends in european countries 2007-2015 : a study by members of the group of independent experts of the european charter of local self-government. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, pp. 208–213.
• Steiner, R. and Ladner, A. (2016) 'Kunden- und Bevölkerungsbefragungen', in Bergmann, A. et al. (eds) Praxishandbuch Public Management. Zürich: WEKA, pp. 298–310.
• Bergmann, A. et al. (eds) (2016) Praxishandbuch Public Management. 1. Auflage. Zürich: WEKA.
• Steiner, R., Kaiser, C. and Reichmuth, L. (2015) Entwicklungsoptionen für den Zukunftsraum Aarau : Bericht im Auftrag der 11 Gemeinden Aarau, Biberstein, Buchs (AG), Densbüren, Erlinsbach (AG), Küttigen, Muhen, Oberentfelden, Schönenwerd (SO), Suhr und Unterentfelden. Bern: KPM.
• Steiner, R. and Kaiser, C. (2013) 'Administration communale', in Ladner, A. et al. (eds) Manuel d'administration publique suisse. Lausanne: Presses Polytechniques et Universitaires Romandes, pp. 143–160.
• Steiner, R. (2013) Strukturen der Hauptstadtregion Schweiz auf dem Prüfstand, Im Herzen der Macht? : Hauptstädte und ihre Funktion : Referate einer Vorlesungsreihe des Collegium generale der Universität Bern im Frühjahrssemester 2012. Bern: Haupt, pp. 105–124.
• Lienhard, A. et al. (2013) Public Governance - Entwicklungen und Herausforderungen : Jubiläumsschrift zum 10-jährigen Bestehen des KPM. Edited by R. Steiner. Bern: KPM.
• Ladner, A. et al. (2013) Gemeindemonitoring 2009/2010 : Bericht zur fünften gesamtschweizerischen Gemeindeschreiberbefragung. Bern: KPM.
• Steiner, R. (2013) 'Die Eigensteuerung von Post, SBB und Swisscom durch den Bund auf dem Prüfstand', in Public Governance - Entwicklungen und Herausforderungen : Jubiläumsschrift zum 10-jährigen Bestehen des KPM. Bern: KPM, pp. 47–59.
• Steiner, R. (ed.) (2013) The crisis : challenges for public management. Bern: KPM-Verlag.
• Steiner, R. and Huber, E. (2012) Autonomiegrad der Organisationseinheiten des Bundes : eine empirische Untersuchung. Bern: KPM.
• Steiner, R. et al. (2012) Praxis des Bundes bei der Steuerung von Post, SBB und Swisscom. Bern: KPM.
• Bergmann, A. et al. (2006) Managementleitfaden öffentliche Verwaltung : Grundlagen, Mustervorlagen, Checklisten. Zürich: WEKA.
• Bergmann, A. et al. (2006) Managementleitfaden öffentliche Verwaltung : Grundlagen, Mustervorlagen, Checklisten. Zürich: WEKA.

Research data

Steiner, Reto; Ladner, Andreas; Kaiser, Claire; Haus, Alexander; Amsellem, Ada; Machljankin, Jana, 2019. Gemeindemonitoring der Schweizer Gemeinden. SWISSUbase. Available from: https://doi.org/10.23662/FORS-DS-1116-1

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