Thi Minh Chau Bui, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany)

Chau Bui is a PhD candidate in the International Doctorate Programme, “Business and Human Rights: Governance Challenges in a Complex World”, at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. Her doctoral research focuses on cross-sector partnerships for sustainability between firms and civil society organisations in authoritarian institutional contexts.

Chau has almost 14 years of working experience in international development cooperation and nonprofit governance as a project, communications, public relations, and event manager for various German and international organisations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and in 2014, thanks to a DAAD full scholarship, obtained a master’s degree in Development Management from Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.

Here is Chau’s story.

What are some memorable experiences you have had during your time as a PhD student?

Receiving the Emerging Scholar & Founders’ Award by the Society for Business Ethics:

I was one of 15 PhD students, from all over the world, receiving the title of “Emerging Scholar” and the Founders’ Award by the Society for Business Ethics (USA) at its Annual Conference in Chicago, in August 2024.

Time management and work-under-pressure skills:

During my PhD journey, I have been working on three ongoing research papers, preparing for the fourth, while managing three EU-funded development projects. In addition, together with my doctoral colleagues, I have successfully co-implemented the EELISA European University-funded academic project called “Partnerships Orchestrating Sustainability Transformations” (POST), which includes one seminar in Florence (Italy), one workshop in Madrid (Spain), and a Spring School in Nuremberg (Germany). Although I sometimes feel overwhelmed, these experiences have significantly boosted my time management and work-under-pressure skills.

Inspiring conferences such as GRONEN (2024) in Paris, the Society for Business Ethics annual meeting (2024) in Chicago, and the New Business Model conference (2023) in Maastricht:

Over the past three years, I have participated in several academic conferences, and the three mentioned above stand out as the most inspiring and impactful. These events provided invaluable feedback on my research, introduced me to a network of friendly and supportive professors, and facilitated enriching discussions with like-minded researchers and fellow PhD candidates. The sense of community and intellectual exchanges I experienced at these conferences were truly remarkable, and being part of such vibrant academic circles has been an incredibly rewarding journey.

What inspired you to pursue a PhD?

In short: my love for my homeland, Vietnam!

I was born in an indigent family, in one of the poorest provinces in Vietnam (Ninh Thuan province). From an early age, my father taught me a lesson that I would bring with me for the rest of my life: “Only education can change your life!” Thus, since I was a kid, I’ve been very interested in learning. Every day, acquiring new knowledge is my pure happiness. Until now, I could confirm that my father was absolutely right. Education has opened new doors to my life, brought me countless opportunities, and contributed to realising many of my dreams—dreams that a lot of people might think impossible for such a “rural” girl with a very low starting point like me.

I hope my research results will make concrete contributions to sustainable development in Vietnam. My doctoral research is dedicated to my country, my people, for a sustainable Vietnam!

How would you summarize your research project(s) in a short title?

“Cross-sector partnerships for sustainability in the Global South: the sustainability-oriented partnership journeys of businesses and civil society organisations in Vietnam and China”.

In brief, what is the empirical method you are adopting in your thesis?

We employed a case study approach, focusing on a European-based multinational enterprise (MNE) and both international and domestic civil society organisations (CSOs) collaborating on sustainability issues in Vietnam and China. Between 2023 and 2024, I conducted four field trips to Vietnam, collecting primary data through observations and semi-structured interviews in multiple languages. We interviewed key MNE, CSO, and supplier representatives, applying both purposive and snowball sampling methods to capture diverse perspectives and develop cross-case insights.

Can you describe a “eureka moment” you might have had during your PhD?

I am currently a third-year PhD candidate, and over the past three years, I have often felt stressed and overwhelmed. Recently, I watched a talk and the speaker reminded me that although it is not new, many people tend to forget that happiness is not the destination – the destination, rather, is the motivation—what guides us—, while happiness is the journey itself. I reflected on this message based on my PhD journey and for me, it was a “eureka moment”, because I realised that instead of focusing on the stress, I should embrace the process of doing research and enjoy the beauty of knowledge and academia. This shift in perspective has helped me release stress and reminds me how fortunate I am as a PhD candidate to receive various forms of support from academic communities, while pursuing my passions.

What side projects, communities, or other initiatives are you involved with?

In 2020, I co-founded a German nonprofit organisation called Visible Impact, aiming to create visible impacts on the lives of the disadvantaged, toward social cohesion and sustainable development.

I have successfully managed three EU-funded development projects: the EUnlocking project, the Win-Win for Vietnam project, and the “Conservation Fund” (in short) project. The EUnlocking project aims to improve the capacity of youth-owned social enterprises in Ukraine and Moldova to combat unemployment, reduce migration, and foster social inclusion and cohesion. The Win-Win for Vietnam project promotes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Creating Shared Value (CSV), facilitating impactful cross-sector partnerships between private sector and civil society organisations (CSOs), in Vietnam, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Meanwhile, the “Conservation Fund” project strengthens the financial capacity of Vietnamese CSOs working on biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability, by diversifying their funding sources, particularly in Da Nang, in Central and Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Additionally, since September 2024 I serve as a voluntary Diaspora Expert within the Diaspora2030 initiative, managed by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Government. In this role, I am supporting RED Communication, a local NGO, to design and implement the RED/TreeBank programme, “Mobilising Business Engagement in Water Resource Conservation in Vietnam: Contributing to Climate Change Adaptation and Enhancing Livelihoods for the Poor”. Through this initiative, I hope to pass on my knowledge and expertise in supporting Vietnam’s journey toward sustainable development.

What three tips would you offer to new PhD students in your field?

1. Believe in yourself and your chosen research topic

When I began my PhD three years ago, I vividly recall attending a seminar where a researcher bluntly told me that my topic—cross-sector partnerships for sustainability—was a “dead topic” and not welcomed by many journals. Being in the early stages of my PhD, the researcher advised me to change my research focus. Did this make me anxious? Honestly, no. I believed, and still believe, in the significance of this research field for both academia and society. Instead of discouraging me, these words fuelled my determination to stay on course and bring this vital subject back to the forefront of academic discussions. My first step was conducting a systematic literature review to gain a comprehensive understanding and identify existing research gaps. This solidified my conviction and set the foundation for the rest of my work.

2. Attend relevant academic conferences

For new PhD students, I highly recommend attending key conferences such as GRONEN, the Society for Business Ethics’ Annual Conference, and the New Business Model Conference. These events were instrumental in refining my research ideas, helping me explore solutions to my research challenges, and building a supportive network of professors, journal editors, and fellow researchers. Spending all day behind a computer screen can sometimes feel isolating and unproductive. Conferences not only broadened my perspectives but also reignited my enthusiasm for my work when I felt stuck. The connections and insights gained from these experiences were invaluable.

3. Cultivate self-motivation and self-organisation

Research can, at times, feel endless and exhausting. My personal mantra for staying motivated is simple: “When you feel like giving up, remember why you started“. This reminder helps me reconnect with my original passion and goals, which are far greater than any temporary feelings of discouragement. Additionally, PhD students must master working independently and effectively organising their research. Prioritisation and focus are crucial, as distractions are everywhere, and the three to four years of your PhD journeys will fly by. But most importantly, savour the experience. You may only pursue a PhD study once in your life, so make it one of the most rewarding and memorable adventures you’ll ever have!

In one or two sentences, what does the GRONEN community mean to you? Or the community of sustainability management scholars more broadly if you are new to GRONEN.

Attending the GRONEN conference in Paris in May 2024 was my first experience with the GRONEN community and was beyond my expectations. I was welcomed into a diverse and supportive community of professors, researchers, and PhD candidates from all over the world. My research on sustainability-oriented cross-sector partnerships aligned well with the conference’s focus on mainstreaming sustainability, and I had the chance to present two of my research projects. The feedback I received, especially from professors whose work has shaped my own research, was both encouraging and insightful. The PhD Days programme was particularly helpful, offering tailored support for early-career researchers. I also enjoyed many meaningful conversations with fellow PhD students and researchers, which broadened my perspectives. Overall, it was a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for sustainability.

What’s next for you?

After completing my PhD, I’m looking forward to a few well-deserved lazy days—filled with reading, watching movies, doing Yoga, and catching up on sleep. I also hope to explore some new countries which I haven’t yet had the chance to discover.

I’m eager to return to my professional field of international development cooperation and nonprofit governance, to apply the knowledge, skills, and networks I’ve gained during my PhD and make meaningful contributions to society and the environment. I am also excited to explore opportunities for sustainability positions in the corporate sector to broaden my perspectives and experiences. Of course, continuing my journey to support Vietnam’s sustainable development remains a central goal. At the same time, I hope to maintain ties with academia—whether as a guest lecturer or by continuing to work on any ongoing research projects that may still need finishing by then.

Contact

You can contact me via email at chau.bui@fau.de or my LinkedIn profile.