Research at FHWien der WKW

Research at FHWien der WKW combines the best of both worlds:

As a University of Applied Sciences, we produce reliable research results.
As a partner of the business community, we create practice-oriented know-how.

Research at FHWien der WKW is focused in two institutes as well as thematically distributed in the study programs and pursues the following three research priorities:

Responsibility and Sustainability
Digitalization and Digital Transformation
Strategic Management

In order to transfer knowledge to the business world, impulses and questions from society, companies and organizations are addressed and practice-oriented solutions and methodologically sound findings are developed in research projects.

Contact

Research

FH-Prof. Dr. Walter Mayrhofer
Head of Research

Währinger Gürtel 97
1180 Vienna

Tel.: +43 690 40 476 164

Research for Businesses

Research & Development Projects (R&D)

FHWien der WKW cooperates with a large number of partners and clients in successful research and development projects (R&D). More than 70 business partners demonstrate that our focus on the specific needs of our clients is highly appreciated. In close cooperation with our researchers, the solutions that are developed are scientifically and commercially relevant. For suitable topics, we develop cooperative funding applications and submit them to appropriate funding agencies.

Our projects focus on increasing the competitiveness and innovative strength of the economy. Our R&D activities focus on the key research areas of Responsibility and Sustainability, Digitalization and Digital Transformation, as well as Strategic Management, in order to develop the know-how required for market success in cooperative R&D projects.

We support our clients and partners in the practical implementation of the results in the company in a comprehensive manner.

Collection of basic data within the framework of feasibility studies
Development of new processes, cost- and business-models
Answering questions of customer acceptance, market research projects and product marketing
Problems of Digital Transformation and Sustainable Business Development
Transfer of R&D results to business

We contribute those complementary competences that deliver relevant results and make the findings practically usable – from Human Resources and Organizational Development to Operational Management, Knowledge Management and Financial Management.

Together with clients and partners, we are able to develop individual and cooperative research projects.

We offer expertise and infrastructure for research projects within the scope of our main research priorities.
We identify specific, individual questions for companies within the framework of final theses (Bachelor’s theses, Master’s theses).
We organize practical projects with the collaboration of students in the context of lectures and seminars.
We advise on the optimal methodological and practical approach.
We choose the necessary methods to achieve comprehensible and usable results.

The individual interests of our clients and partners take centre stage. Because this is how we achieve the highest level of application-oriented knowledge together.

Web Analytics Lab

A large part of human behavior is controlled by unconscious processes. To understand these better, our mobile lab can be applied in a wide range of areas and enables a combination of emotion measurement, skin resistance measurement and eye tracking.

For example, we researched at FHWien der WKW:

the effect of advertising media
the usability of websites
as well as service interactions such as chatbot interactions or sales conversations

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How capable is your company of change?

Take 15 minutes of your time. After completing the test, you will immediately see how developed your company’s competence is in

reflection,
information search,
information processing and idea generation,
strategy development,
planning and action.

The test is only available in German.

Participate now

Research Areas

Research & Development – the key for a competitive economy

Research at FHWien der WKW focuses on the innovation and competitiveness of the economy by working on research topics that are relevant to companies.

This results in three main research areas for FHWien der WKW:

Research in the area of responsibility and sustainability at FHWien der WKW focuses on strategic sustainability & CSR management, sustainability-oriented innovations, responsible corporate governance as well as on Political CSR, i.e. the political responsibility of companies and issues of responsible advocacy.

FHWien der WKW takes an interdisciplinary approach to the opportunities and challenges that arise in connection with digital transformation. Specifically, it examines corporate strategic responses to these changes as well as changes in activities, qualifications and forms of work.

The focus at FHWien der WKW is on questions of corporate strategies and (regional) competitiveness, corporate governance and SME & entrepreneurship. Findings from current projects are to contribute to scientific discourse and provide concrete perspectives for action in practice.

Institutes & Study Program Research

Institute for Business Ethics and Sustainable Strategy (IBES)

The IBES generates application-oriented and internationally visible research achievements in the fields of business ethics and sustainable management.

IBES activities include research, teaching and practice transfer. The institute pursues three concrete goals:

Contribution to the international scientific discourse through excellent research projects
Training students and future managers to become responsible members of society
Science transfer through practical studies and the application-oriented preparation of research results for entrepreneurial use

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Institute for Digital Transformation and Strategy (IDS)

Founded in 2021, the IDS focuses its research activities on the analysis and solving complex problems in the organization of digital transformation processes.

In doing so, practice-oriented research questions in the following thematic areas are at the centre of activities:

Digital Transformation
Organization Design
Strategy & Competitiveness
Corporate Governance

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Research in the Study Programs

In the study programs of FHWien der WKW, practice-oriented research is carried out in the professional fields. We cooperate closely with business partners as well as national and international universities and funding agencies.

Research within the study programs focuses on supporting companies in overcoming new challenges and expanding their innovative capacity, even in economically difficult times.

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Projects & Publications

Current Projects

Organizational Ambidexterity in SMEs

How can SMEs successfully respond to the demands of digital transformation?

The digital transformation is one of the greatest challenges for established companies in all industries. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which constitute the foundation of the regional economy in Vienna are pressured to successfully transform their businesses.

Funding: City of Vienna (MA23 – Economy, Labor and Statistics)
Project period: 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2025
Project duration: 36 months

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Study on Supply Chain Responsibility in Austria

Evaluation of Regulatory Projects on Corporate Due Diligence in the Context of Human Rights

The study aims to present the opportunities and challenges of implementing such regulations in Austria and to identify potential fields of action.

Funding: Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs

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Change for Corporate Sustainability

City of Vienna Competence Team – TransformS
Institute for Business Ethics and Sustainable Strategy (IBES)

As part of the “Transformation for Sustainability (TransformS)” project, the City of Vienna Competence Team addresses the question of how Austrian companies can develop the strategic change competencies required for the transformation towards sustainability (Dynamic Capabilities for Sustainability).

Funding: City of Vienna (MA23 – Economic Affairs, Labour and Statistics)

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DigiPharmaLogNet

Sustainable digitalization of pharmaceutical logistics

Programme: COIN SME Innovation Networks, 13^th call for proposals

Funding Organization: Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs
Implementing agency: FFG

Project period: 1.10.2021 to 30.09.2023
Project duration: 24 months

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"Made in Austria: The Future of Production in Austria"

Study by the TU Vienna in cooperation with the Institute for Digital Transformation and Strategy (IDS) of FHWien der WKW.

Annual survey of over 100 managers in Austrian industrial companies to present the status quo and the expectations of domestic industry on a regular and methodical basis. Automation, digitalization and assistance systems play a central role in the survey.

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City of Vienna Competence Team for Digitalization of the Communication Professions

The project team dedicated itself for three years to the requirements due to the digital transformation in university teaching as well as communication professions. As part of the project the topics of “(digital) communication professions in transition” and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and studies were researched and published.

Funding: City of Vienna MA23 – Economy, Labor and Statistics
Project period: April 2019 to March 2022