From May 12 to 16, 2025, FHWien der WKW was transformed into a center of international exchange: over 150 students and lecturers from four renowned universities took part in the largest Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP) of the Bachelor’s program in Management & Entrepreneurship to date. The topic of Family Business & Entrepreneurship: “Value Creation in Challenging Times” focused on the innovative strength and resilience of family businesses.
Four universities, one goal: creating value together
Over five days, students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (with Inza Gast and Janette den Uyl), the Berlin School of Economics and Law (with Prof. Dr. Birgit Felden), Kozminski University Warsaw (with Prof. Svetlana Gudkova) and FHWien der WKW worked in international teams on practical issues relating to family businesses. The diversity of perspectives and cooperation characterized the intensive week and not only promoted professional exchange but also allowed the students to gain valuable international experience. At FHWien der WKW, the week was organized by Maija Worek, Katharina Rotter and a team of 14 FH-students, with support from the study area.
The focus was on the presentations by the students, who were able to show the results of their own research projects from family businesses. Almost 30 groups showed creative and exciting results from companies from different countries. The best presentation, this time from Kozminski University, received a prize, which was awarded at the closing ceremony on Thursday.
Practical learning: company visits and keynotes
Of course, the BIP also focused on practical experience. Visits to traditional family businesses were a particular highlight: students were given exclusive insights into Lobmeyr, Blaha Büromöbel and Ottakringer Brauerei. On site, the managing directors reported on how they are leading their companies through challenging times while combining innovation and tradition. They also addressed the particular challenges of a family business and answered the students’ questions.
Keynote speeches by Reinhard Prügl (university professor and head of the Institute for Family Business Research) at WU Vienna, Christiane Wenckheim (Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Ottakringer) and Elias Resinger (Peter May Family Business Consulting), among others, rounded off the program and provided valuable practical input.
Another highlight was the visit to the UN Office in Vienna.
“Vienna City Video Challenge”
As part of a scavenger hunt through the city with a video challenge, the students were divided into mixed international groups to solve creative puzzles in Vienna’s city center. Each group produced a video based on their experiences. The week culminated in the presentation of the videos and the award ceremony for the best video and the best research presentation, followed by a get-together at the Luftburg in Vienna’s Prater. In a relaxed atmosphere, contacts were made, experiences exchanged, and the successes of the intensive week celebrated.
Manfred Schieber, Head of Management & Entrepreneurship Study Programs, emphasized the importance of the international Erasmus+ program:
“This Blended Intensive Program shows how valuable the exchange between students and lecturers from different countries is. Especially in challenging times, international cooperation creates a deeper understanding of the special needs of family businesses – after all, more than half of all companies in Europe are run by families.”
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