Mara Börjesson researched possible explanations for the underrepresentation of East Germans in central leadership positions in her master's thesis entitled "East Germans: No desire for elite positions?" in the Management of Social Change degree program. Using an experimental approach, she analyzed four books by East German authors from two generations - the "Wendekindern" and the "Nachwendekindern" - and examined the experiences and narratives they reveal as well as the topics they deal with.

The analysis showed that the East German origin appears to be precarious both from a structural and symbolic point of view, at least for the "Wendekinder", and that this continues in part across generations. The effects of social categorization processes, negative discourses about East Germany and structural disadvantages as a result of German reunification as well as aspects of social origin became particularly clear in the analysis. Although no concrete explanations for the low proportion of East Germans in elite positions could be identified in the analysis, cross-generational lines of development became visible, showing how structural and symbolic factors influence each other and help shape the opportunities and orientations of East Germans. The results offer starting points for further research into the causes of the underrepresentation of East Germans and possible obstacles to advancement, particularly with regard to the interactions between structure and subject.