Research in the focus “Responsibility and Sustainability” addresses pressing questions of ecologically, economically and socially sustainable business management. The research activities of FHWien der WKW aim to contribute to a responsible and sustainable transformation of corporate practice and pursue three overarching goals:
- Contribute to the international scientific discourse through research projects and publications;
- Educate students to understand major societal challenges such as globalization or climate change, and provide them with the knowledge and tools to implement responsible and accountable management principles in their working lives;
- Transfer knowledge to practice through collaborative studies, talks and practitioner-oriented publications.
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Research Areas
Sustainability Management
In addition to their economic development, companies also need to make a contribution to greater social and ecological sustainability. This requires companies to implement strategic change, e.g. through product, process or business model innovations. This concerns both aspects of the circular economy and the simultaneous management of sustainable and digital transformation (twin transition).
Corporate Governance
Corporate governance encompasses the legal and factual organization of the relationships between owners, managers, supervisory bodies and other stakeholders. In the various departments, researchers investigate the question of how institutional conditions support the development of a sustainable economy.
Sustainable Regional Development
Research at FHWien provides scientifically based impulses for achieving the sustainability goals set by the United Nations and the EU. This involves the observation of resource-conserving and climate-neutral developments as well as the analysis of current legal regulations in Austria and the EU in terms of meeting the needs of people, the environment and society in the regions.
Practice & Teaching
FHWien der WKW conducts application-oriented research aimed at creating immediate value for companies and society. Research findings are prepared for a diverse set stakeholders in the form of media contributions, practical studies, lectures, workshops, or courses. To reach a broad, public audience, new insights are further communicated via channels such as public events and (social) media outlets.
In 2012, FHWien der WKW was one of the first universities of applied sciences in the DACH region to include Business Ethics and Corporate Governance as compulsory subjects in the curricula of all business administration programs. Since 2015, FHWien der WKW has been a member of the “Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)” network. Implementing these principles in teaching provides a framework for training future leaders who can comprehensively understand and act responsibly on economic, ecological, and social aspects.
Research Projects
Publications, presentations & podcasts
You can find the publications and presentations of our experts as well as the podcasts with researchers and guest speakers here.