Ulrich Bremer examines the internationalization process of German public research universities, extracts multiple expected factors of impact from existing theory, tests them against data and thus delivers implications for research and practice. Strategy-based international partnerships, specialization and university size represent most relevant factors. The complex interplay of strategy and leadership are shown, a framework for their assessment is provided and conclusions in the fields of digitalization, uncontrolled migration and growing nationalism are drawn.

Ulrich Bremer examines the internationalization process of German public research universities, extracts multiple expected factors of impact from existing theory, tests them against data and thus delivers implications for research and practice. Strategy-based international partnerships, specialization and university size represent most relevant factors. The complex interplay of strategy and leadership are shown, a framework for their assessment is provided and conclusions in the fields of digitalization, uncontrolled migration and growing nationalism are drawn.