J.-Prof. Dr. Annabelle Hofer

Research focuses

Sustainable organizational behavior and HRM
Sustainable career development of workers: Health, well-being, and productivity
Precariousness: Career insecurity, job insecurity, career shocks
New forms of work and HRM practices (e.g., gig work, algorithmic management)

Curriculum Vitae

Since 09/2022 Junior Professor (W1) of Organizational Behavior/Organizational Economics, University of Cologne
2019-2022 Research Associate (Postdoctoral Level) and Lecturer, Bern University of Teacher Education, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Business, UniDistance Suisse, University of Bern
2016-2019 Doctor Philosophiae, University of Bern
2014-2016 Master of Science in Psychology, Trier University
2010-2014 Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Trier University

Teaching

Thesis supervision (Behavioral Ethics and Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management Practices, Organizational Behavior, Sustainability)
Course “Contemporary Topics in Organizational Behavior - From Theory to Practice”
Course “Global Leadership”
Course "Sustainable Career Development"

Selected Publications

Hofer, A. (2026). The rise of the platform economy: A news report on implications for career counselling practice. Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. Zeitschrift für Angewandte Organisationspsychologie (GIO). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11612-026-00901-z

Hofer, A. (2026). Beyond job insecurity: The role of global occupation insecurity in shaping happiness, health, and performance. Journal of Business and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-026-10113-3

Albrecht, R. M., & Hofer, A. (2026). Digital twins as enablers for circular economy development in the context of Industry 4.0. Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation, 56, 771–788. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11612-025-00856-7

Hofer, A. (2026). Navigating career insecurity: Resource-based interventions for practitioners. Career Development International, 31(8), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-09-2025-0557

Hagemann, V., Berretta, S., Decius, J., Georganta, E., Hofer, A., Klamar, A., Kubicek, B., Meyer, B., Ohlms, M. L., Ontrup, G., Otto, P., Pundt, A., Rieth, M., Tausch, A., Ulfert-Blank, A. S., & Vogel, O. (2026). Handlungsfelder des KI-Einsatzes in Arbeit, Teams und Organisationen: Eine Perspektive der Fachgruppe Arbeits-, Organisations- und Wirtschaftspsychologie zu Künstlicher Intelligenz in der Arbeitswelt. Psychologische Rundschau, 77(3), 162–168. https://doi.org/10.1026/0033-3042/a000768

Hofer, A., & Spurk, D. (2026). Career insecurity in the new world of work: Insights and critical reflections. In N. A. Fouad, B. I. J. M. van der Heijden, & D. Scholarios (Eds.), Research handbook on vocational behavior (pp. 65–80). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035322633.00014

Ebner, K., Hofer, A., Soucek, R. & Spurk, D. (2026). Putting AI into coaching: The effectiveness of a career coaching intervention conducted by a chatbot. Journal of Vocational Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2026.104264

Akkermans, J., Spurks, D., Beigi, M., Hofer, A., & De Cuyper, N. (2026). Navigating Careers in Non Traditional Work: Toward a More Context-Sensitive and Dynamic Research Agenda [Editiorial]. Journal of Vocational Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2026.104263

Hofer, A., Bankins, S., Ocampo, A. C., & Selenko, E. (2026). Guest editorial: STARA (Smart Technology, AI, Robotics, and Algorithms): implications for career research [Editorial]. Career Development International, 31(3), 225–239. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-06-2026-665

Spurk, D.*, Hofer, A.*, Nixon, N.S.R., Barthauer, L., & Kauffeld, S. (2025). Adapt to Survive? Attenuating Indirect Effects of Career Adaptability on Exhaustion via Career Insecurity. Scandinavian Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 10(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.16993/sjwop.281 *shared first authorship

Hofer, A., & Spurk, D. (2025). Exploring precariousness in the gig economy using a multiple-level perspective. In J. Akkermans, F. Pichault, & A. Keegan (Eds.), Research Handbook of Careers in the Gig Economy (pp. 15-35). Edward Elgar. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035318537.00008

Hofer, A., Kortsch, T., & Kauffeld, S. (2024). Shaping organizations sustainably: Insights and perspectives (editorial). Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. Zeitschrift für Angewandte Organisationspsychologie (GIO), 55, 115–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11612-024-00739-3

Hofer, A., Spurk, D. & Hirschi, A. (2021). When and why do negative organization-related career shocks impair career optimism? A conditional indirect effect model. Career Development International, 26(4), 467–494. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-12-2018-0299

Spurk, D., Hofer, A., Burmeister, A., Muehlhausen, J., & Volmer, J. (2019). Occupational commitment from a life span perspective: An integrative review and a research outlook. Career Development International, 24(3), 190–221. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-07-2018-0184

Spurk, D.*, & Hofer, A.*, Hirschi, A., De Cuyper, N., & De Witte, H.(2022). Conceptualizing career insecurity: Toward a better understanding and measurement of a multidimensional construct. Personnel Psychology, 75(2), 253–394. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12493 *shared first authorship

Spurk, D., Hofer, A., & Kauffeld, S. (2021). Why does competitive psychological climate foster or hamper career success? The role of challenge and hindrance appraisal pathways and leader-member exchange. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 127, 103542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103542

Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., Hofer, A., & Semeijn, J. (2024). “DON’T YOU WORRY ‘BOUT A THING” The Moderating Role of Age in the Relationship between Qualitative Job Insecurity and Career Sustainability. Career Development International, 29(5), 527–543. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-08-2023-0280

Selected Projects

2016-2019: Secure careers in times of insecurity? Conceptualization, causes, and consequences of career insecurity.
2020-2024: Gig Work in Switzerland: Types, Opportunities, and Risks of a Digitalized Labour Market Phenomenon.
2023-2025: Gig Work and Future Employment Prospects: A Correspondence Study

Cluster Faculty Member of ECONtribute

Member C-Seb

Contact

Postal address:
University of Cologne
Department Corporate Development
Albertus-Magnus-Platz
50923 Cologne, Germany

Visiting adress:
Room 7.21
Universitätsstraße 24 (WiSo-Hochhaus)
50931 Köln

Phone: Office Corporate Development

E-Mail: annabelle.hofer(at)wiso.uni-koeln(dot)de

Information:
LinkedIn
ORCID
Google Scholar

News

Special issue Journal of Vocational Behavior Navigating Careers in Non-Standard Work: Challenges and Ways Forward for Vocational Behavior and Human Resource Management.

All special issue articles can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10DN7CRP0GT. Guest Editors: Professor Mina Beigi (University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom), Dr. Daniel Spurk(University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland), Dr. Jos Akkermans (VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands), Assist. Prof. Annabelle Hofer (University of Cologne, Köln, Germany), Dr. Nele De Cuyper (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Faculteit Psychologie en Pedagogische Wetenschappen, Leuven, Belgium).

Special issue published: STARA (smart technology, AI, robotics, and algorithms): Implications for career research.

Guest Editors: Annabelle Hofer, Sarah Bankins, Anna Carmella Ocampo and Eva Selenko All special issue articles can be found here: https://www.emerald.com/cdi/issue/31/3

Online event on career prospects takes place in winter semester 2025/2026

The online event is aimed at Bachelor's and Master's students. Due to the speakers' fields of activity, the insights are particularly interesting for students from the Psychology, Business Administration and Management, Economics and Social Sciences degree programmes.

Funding Awarded to J.-Prof. Dr. Annabelle Hofer through the “Inklusions-Projekt-Fonds 2025”

We are delighted to share that J.-Prof. Dr. Annabelle Hofer has been awarded funding from the Inklusions-Projekt-Fonds 2025 at the University of Cologne. The funded project aims to enhance inclusive teaching practices by developing targeted resources and training formats for academic staff at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences. The initiative focuses on improving the accessibility of university teaching for students with chronic illnesses and contributes to implementing the university’s Inclusion Action Plan. Congratulations!

Funding Awarded to J.-Prof. Dr. Hofer for Student Assistant Position for First-Generation Students

We are pleased to announce that the tandem, consisting of a bachelor student and J.-Prof. Dr. Hofer has been awarded a funding opportunity for the summer term of 2025 through the "Student Assistant Position for First-Generation Students" program at the University of Cologne. This initiative aims to support bachelor students from non-academic backgrounds by offering a student assistant position (SHK) to help them gain valuable academic experience during their Bachelor's degree. The program aims to facilitate access to the academic system, boost motivation for an academic career, and support students' studies through an academic-related employment opportunity. Congratulations!

Special issue Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. Zeitschrift für Angewandte Organisationspsychologie (GIO) now published

Shaping organizations sustainably / Nachhaltigkeit in Organisationen (Volume 55, Issue 2) Introduction article: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11612-024-00739-3

Academy of Management 2. Careers Division Community Conference 2024 Best Symposium Award Winner: “Platform work challenges: Multidisciplinary perspectives on platform workers experiences and behaviors” by J.-Prof. Dr. Annabelle Hofer.

Call for papers:

Special Issue CDI "STARA (smart technology, AI, robotics, and algorithms): Implications for career research"