Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig, University of Hamburg, Germany
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig is a distinguished economist and professor at the Department of Economics, Hamburg University. He has held visiting scholar positions at esteemed institutions including UC Berkeley, MIT, the IMF in Washington, D.C., Deutsche Bundesbank, and universities across Dubai, Turkey, South Africa, Brazil, and Slovakia. His research focuses on policy evaluation, with specializations in transport economics, urban economics, and sport economics, and has been widely published in leading academic journals. He was awarded the Jubilee Prize by the Foreign Trade Advisory Board, presented by the German Federal Minister of Economics. Prof. Maennig has served as an expert for numerous major sporting event bids, such as the Olympic bids for Berlin 2000, Leipzig 2012, and Munich 2018, as well as the Athletics World Cup Berlin 2009. A former Olympic Champion in rowing (Seoul 1988), he also served as President of the German Rowing Federation (1995–2001) and received the Olympic Order in 2000.
Publication Profile
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📚 Academic Background
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig is a renowned academic who serves as a professor at the Department of Economics, Hamburg University. His impressive academic journey is marked by global engagement, having held visiting scholar positions at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions including the University of California, Berkeley, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has also extended his scholarly influence through academic residencies at the American University in Dubai, the University of Istanbul in Turkey, Stellenbosch University in South Africa, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia. Additionally, he has contributed to major international financial institutions as a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C., and the Deutsche Bundesbank in Frankfurt. This extensive international academic presence highlights his dedication to interdisciplinary research and global collaboration, enhancing the impact and relevance of his economic expertise worldwide.
🏆 Awards & Recognitions
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig has earned significant acclaim for his impactful contributions to economics and policy evaluation. Among his notable accolades is the prestigious Jubilee Prize awarded by the Foreign Trade Advisory Board (Außenwirtschaftsbeirat), presented by the Federal Minister of Economics, recognizing the depth and relevance of his research in shaping economic policy. This award reflects his outstanding scholarly influence and commitment to addressing real-world economic challenges. Beyond academia, Prof. Maennig has applied his expertise in high-profile international arenas, serving as an expert advisor for numerous large-scale sporting event bids, including the Olympic bids for Berlin 2000, Leipzig 2012, and Munich 2018, as well as the Athletics World Cup Berlin 2009. His advisory roles in these global events underscore the practical value and strategic importance of his academic work, bridging economic theory with complex, multidisciplinary applications. These honors affirm his stature as a thought leader in sport and urban economics.
Research Focus
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig’s research focus lies at the intersection of urban economics, sport economics, and policy evaluation, with a distinct emphasis on the economic impacts of mega sporting events. His work investigates how large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics influence regional development, employment, tourism, real estate values, and civic pride. Through highly cited publications such as those on the economic effects of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the socio-economic implications of stadium architecture, and the political economy of “feel-good” effects, he explores the tangible and intangible outcomes of international sports events on host cities and countries. Additionally, he has contributed to understanding corruption and doping in international sports, as well as the valuation of urban amenities like road noise or heritage buildings. His research blends empirical economics, regional studies, and infrastructure evaluation, positioning him as a leading expert in analyzing how public events and policies shape economic landscapes.
Publication Top Notes
📘 Economic impacts of the FIFA soccer world cups in France 1998, Germany 2006, and outlook for South Africa 2010 – 280 citations, 2009 📊⚽
📘 Corruption in international sports and sport management: Forms, tendencies, extent and countermeasures – 268 citations, 2005 🚫🏅
📘 Impact of sports arenas on land values: Evidence from Berlin – 217 citations, 2010 🏟️🏙️
📘 On the economics of doping and corruption in international sports – 188 citations, 2002 💉💰
📘 World Cup 2010: South African economic perspectives and policy challenges informed by the experience of Germany 2006 – 173 citations, 2007 🌍⚽
📘 International handbook on the economics of mega sporting events – 171 citations, 2012 📚🎯
📘 Substitutability and complementarity of urban amenities: External effects of built heritage in Berlin – 166 citations, 2010 🏛️🏘️
📘 Regional income and employment effects of the 1972 Munich Summer Olympic Games – 147 citations, 2008 💼📈
📘 Stadium architecture and urban development from the perspective of urban economics – 144 citations, 2010 🏟️🏗️
📘 Road noise exposure and residential property prices: Evidence from Hamburg – 134 citations, 2011 🚗📉
📘 Employment effects of the football World Cup 1974 in Germany – 130 citations, 2008 🧾⚽
📘 Induced civic pride and integration – 121 citations, 2010 🎉🤝
📘 Arenas, arena architecture and the impact on location desirability: the case of Olympic Arenas in Berlin – 116 citations, 2009 🏟️📍
📘 The 2010 FIFA World Cup high-frequency data economics: Effects on international tourism and awareness for South Africa – 103 citations, 2011 📈🌐
📘 The feel-good effect at mega sport events: Recommendations informed by the FIFA World Cup 2006 – 103 citations, 2008 😊📋
📘 Homevoters vs. leasevoters: A spatial analysis of airport effects – 96 citations, 2015 ✈️📊
📘 Innovative milieux and regional competitiveness: The role of associations and chambers of commerce in Germany – 93 citations, 2011 🏢📈