Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Originally published in:
2022
Version: 26-Sep-2022
Length: 15 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
Beginning in 2018, a seemingly innocuous Chinese-German joint investment venture aiming to turn a historic castle in southwestern Germany into a private international boarding school eventually led to a rash of opposition from the local community. Opponents of the project came to question the political agenda of the two Chinese investors involved in the project and called on residents to boycott the plan because 'German heritage should not be sold to the Chinese.' They also urged the government to buy the castle itself and use it for socially beneficial causes. On the other hand, supporters argued the financial benefits of the project and said the school would represent the ideals of diversity, openness, and preservation. The controversy over the project eventually led to a referendum in February of 2020. However, despite the project getting approved after winning a slight majority in the referendum, the chances of the plan going into effect still remain rather low due to the impact of the pandemic and the continued public opposition. Dr Christian Hodeige, the German investor involved in the project to build the school, became despondent over the fate of the project, and the question arose for him: Should he exit the project completely, or simply pause it to perhaps resume again when the situation improves?
Teaching and learning
This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2018-2022.Geographical setting
Region:
Europe
Country:
Germany
Location:
Freiburg im Breisgau
Featured company
Badische Zeitung
Employees:
201-500
Type:
Privately held
Industry:
Newspaper publishing
Featured protagonist
- Dr Christian Hodeige (male), CEO
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Originally published in:
2022
Version: 26-Sep-2022
Length: 14 pages
Data source: Field research
About
Abstract
Beginning in 2018, a seemingly innocuous Chinese-German joint investment venture aiming to turn a historic castle in southwestern Germany into a private international boarding school eventually led to a rash of opposition from the local community. Opponents of the project came to question the political agenda of the two Chinese investors involved in the project and called on residents to boycott the plan because 'German heritage should not be sold to the Chinese.' They also urged the government to buy the castle itself and use it for socially beneficial causes. On the other hand, supporters argued the financial benefits of the project and said the school would represent the ideals of diversity, openness, and preservation. The controversy over the project eventually led to a referendum in February of 2020. However, despite the project getting approved after winning a slight majority in the referendum, the chances of the plan going into effect still remain rather low due to the impact of the pandemic and the continued public opposition. Dr Christian Hodeige, the German investor involved in the project to build the school, became despondent over the fate of the project, and the question arose for him: Should he exit the project completely, or simply pause it to perhaps resume again when the situation improves?
Teaching and learning
This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.Settings
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2018-2022.Geographical setting
Region:
Europe
Country:
Germany
Location:
Freiburg im Breisgau
Featured company
Badische Zeitung
Employees:
201-500
Type:
Privately held
Industry:
Newspaper publishing
Featured protagonist
- Dr Christian Hodeige (male), CEO
Related
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Originally published in:
2022
Version: 26-Sep-2022
Length: 14 pages
Data source: Field research