Research fields

Our extensive research and development activities are based on completed, ongoing and planned research projects in the various subject areas of our degree programs. Interdisciplinary research strengthens both individual and institutional areas of expertise. The transfer of findings from research and development into teaching and the involvement of our students in these activities play a decisive role. They not only enrich our degree programs, but also ensure that they are highly relevant and up-to-date. In this way, effective research and development work is closely linked to the quality of our teaching.

Our research area Digital Services, Drones & AI in applied computer science deals with the efficient processing of data - from acquisition, storage and analysis to usage. We mainly conduct research in the areas of multimedia, modern web-based information systems and data science, all of which are strongly oriented towards mobile applications.

RESEARCH FIELD MULTIMEDIA

• Multimedia retrieval, content-based analysis
• Multimedia applications in different domains e.g. mobility, tourism or medicine

RESEARCH FIELD WEB-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS

• Optimization of the usability of mobile and web-based systems
• Development of application scenarios for mobile and web-based systems
• Impact assessment of digitization processes

RESEARCH FIELDS DATA SCIENCE & INTELLIGENT ANALYTICS

• Analysis methods and techniques in application-oriented contexts
• Use of data-driven business models in a regional context
• Development of strategies for data collection, data storage, data integration, data analysis and data use
• Design and use of machine learning-based AI systems

RESEARCH FIELDS DIGITALIZATION & MOBILITY

• Data analysis to support autonomous mobility systems
• Development of application scenarios in the field of drone research
• Development of machine learning models for use in mobility contexts

Our research area Economics, International Business & Small Business Management deals with questions that shed light on the entire life cycle of a company. We focus on strategic management challenges of organizations in the context of dynamic environmental developments and work on them along practical and current problems. We also include current aspects such as digital transformation or sustainability issues on the agenda in order to develop suitable and viable solutions.

EXEMPLARY RESEARCH TOPICS

• Family businesses & corporate succession
• Innovation, crisis management & turnaround
• Consumer & purchasing behaviour
• Management decisions in the corporate life cycle
• Value-based corporate management
• Social media data & cultural ecosystem services
• Resilient tourism & crisis-proof destinations
• Regional growth & competitiveness
• Digitalization & AI from a management perspective
• Business model & strategy development, Organizational development & process management
• Leadership methodology
• Strategy, management & communication beyond plandeterministic-instrumental procedures
• Investment funds in the EU & the USA and their regulation(s)
• Importance of the usage of derivative financial instruments and the characteristics of managers on the investment behavior and performance of funds and companies
• Swarm financing/crowdfunding, start-up management, green finance/sustainability

For further information, please visit our Institute for Cross-Border Restructuring.

Our research area International Sports, Culture & Event Management covers various facets such as governance of sports, culture and events, migration and conflict management in sports, festival studies, sustainable event management and technologies of cultural experience.

Research field Governance of Sports, Culture and Events

• Examination of the structures and processes that influence coordination in the areas of sport, culture and events.

Research field Migration & Conflict Management in Sports

• Migration in sport
• Multicultural teams
• Potential of sport as a means of conflict resolution
• Research area sport & social development
• Designing sport programs to support social development
• Investigating the influence of political structures that affect the impact of such programs

Research field Festival Studies

• Management of festivals, taking into account the social and economic significance of festivals for regional development and internationalization
• Research area cultural tourism
• Quality-oriented sustainable tourism in rural areas
• Socio-cultural and socio-economic aspects
• Forms of cooperation between tourism and cultural enterprises

Research field Event Management

• Analysis of the significance of sporting events for urban development, media impact and politics

Our research area Marketing & Communications has an interdisciplinary structure and is based on four scientific pillars:

• Customer experience, service design & digital product experience
• Strategic communication & PR
• Digital marketing & AI
• Employer branding & management research

We pursue a holistic research approach to successfully carry out projects in complex, difficult to define systemic contexts.

Our team has extensive academic and practical experience. We develop innovative problem solutions and applications that are firmly anchored in the theoretical state of the art and based on a deep understanding of practical requirements. We are nationally and internationally networked and have experience in the collaboration and implementation of research projects. We utilize synergies at the interfaces of our disciplines in order to take appropriate account of both technological and social developments. 

Our research fields of the degree programs deal with digitalization in production and product development. Our focus is on tailor-made solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises, including the development of digital business models and process optimization. We place an emphasis on the efficient provision of workplace information and lean management through ERP and MES systems.

In the area of product development, the focus is on application-oriented solutions. Current methods are used for all phases of the product development process. The focus is on the sustainable and economical development of products using innovative technologies. At the same time, we ensure local networking of small and medium-sized companies in the Kufstein region in the area of product development. 

RESEARCH Field ERP AND BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT

• Selection of information systems for SMEs
• Introduction, testing and training of these systems
• Optimization of business processes with methodical support, lean management, Six Sigma, AI and more.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH GROUP “I-AM INDUSTRIAL-ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING”

• Additive manufacturing of functional components and assemblies
• Hybrid and combined manufacturing processes
• Application-oriented implementation of additive manufacturing processes with a focus on flexible manufacturing centers

RESEARCH FIELD ALPINE IOT

• Holistic development of IoT-based systems for the Alpine region
• Ecologically sustainable and economically viable IoT systems
• Development and operation of digital twins for Alpine regions

The Sustain & Estate research field combines the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary expertise of the Energy & Sustainability Management and Facility Management & Real Estate Management degree programs. The focus is on life cycle considerations, circular economy, energy-efficient technologies, renewable energies and the holistic view of real estate from planning to operation. The integration of various disciplines results in comprehensive solutions. Education and knowledge transfer initiatives promote the training of specialists and the practical application of research results for the qualitative development of the real estate industry and facility management as well as holistic solutions for the challenges of the energy transition, climate change and the transition to a circular economy.

RESEARCH field ENERGY, SUSTAINABILITY & CIRCULAR ECONOMY

• Analysis of renewable energy potential and efficient energy generation plants
• Life cycle assessment and environmental impact assessment of products and service providers, implementation of circular economy and ESG criteria
• Education and knowledge transfer for renewable energies, sustainable products and services and circular economy

RESEARCH Field FACILITY MANAGEMENT & REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT

• Use of AI and machine learning in the real estate sector
• Development of analytical methods for predicting property prices
• Usage of drones to optimize property management
• Analysis of users in buildings and facility management service providers