RESEARCH STRATEGY AT MU
We aim to foster independent and original research and in turn, bring the benefits of innovation to the research community and the public.
Research is determined to be the prerequisite of high-quality teaching and Modul University Vienna pursues a research-led teaching approach. As a result, researchers at our University are committed to conducting contemporary, as well as future-oriented basic and applied research. The University’s research profile is characterized by a dynamic development of research activities, where researchers of various disciplines are highly innovative and meet the criteria for cutting-edge research. Interdisciplinary research activities shape the research profile of the institution.
Today, the University is organized into four academic Schools, each of which contributes to teaching and research in their fields of expertise (School of Tourism and Service Management, School of International Management, School of Applied Data Science, School of Sustainability, Governance and Methods) and one research center (Research Center of New Media Technology)
The Schools and the Research Center focus on 17 different core areas of research that form the basis for an exceptional output of more than 1500 publications with almost half being peer-reviewed journals, 100+funded research projects, and 300+ conference contributions.. Importantly, this research provides the essential foundation for new and innovative approaches that will contribute to society for decades.
The 17 core research areas are summarized in five research focal areas:
Digitalization and business transformation
Big Data analysis, artificial intelligence, and blockchain
Governance for innovation and sustainable development
Socioeconomic aspects of climate change
Travel behavior, trend, and competition analysis
The University aims at further strengthening its interdisciplinary research activities and balancing basic and applied research. Many of the 17 research areas are joint interests and activities of researchers from different disciplines. In order to provide a conducive environment for cutting-edge research, a few of our development steps are as follows:
Further support, especially to young researchers in developing their own research areas and provide guidance to them. This particularly includes PhD candidates, as well as young PostDoc researchers, especially female faculty members.
Continue building-up a research support infrastructure at the University in order to support researchers in submitting high quality project proposals. This includes funding support in the form of personal consultation and project controlling support.
Expanding the interconnectedness between schools and research centers and the future foundation of a second research center, so that the organizational anchoring of research is further developed.
Collaborations with other universities in Vienna to leverage PhD training opportunities
Research seminar series
Modul University Vienna invites international scholars to share their expertise and present latest research. Presentations and subsequent discussions last for about 30 minutes each. All sessions are live-streamed, free to attend, and open to the public. No registration needed.
Lehman Dale Edward
Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska
“Teaching Data Analysis/Statistics in the Age of AI"
Date: May 8th 2025 12:30-13:30 (Vienna local time)
Location: Modul University, Austria, 1190 Vienna, Am Kahlenberg 1, Room no. 4.05
Abstract: I first studied statistics 50 years ago and have been teaching it for the past 30 years. Over that time, my understanding and approach has evolved – like anyone that has taught a subject for a long time, I have moved further and further away from the traditional textbook approach. It is possible that this makes me a less effective teacher, as the distance between my understanding and that of my students has increased. But few subjects have been transformed as much as the analysis of data – and machine learning is continually reshaping the data we can analyze and the ways we do so. In this discussion, I will describe and illustrate the way I am now approaching my statistics courses – emphasizing complex and multidimensional data that requires considerable “cleaning” as well as subject matter expertise, and de-emphasizing the traditional topics of statistical inference. My focus is primarily at the introductory level – either a first and only undergraduate course or the first course in a focused graduate program (my approach is largely the same in both cases). I will illustrate this using a tourism-focused data source that is interesting in itself. Demonstrating my approach using this data will hopefully spur discussion of what data analysis skills are most appropriate in the age of AI.
László Szerb
Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), Vienna, Austria
“Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Index and its Application to Austria (2017-2022)"
Date: March 25th 2025 13:30-14:30 (Vienna local time)
Location: Modul University, Austria, 1190 Vienna, Am Kahlenberg 1, Room no. 2.07
Abstract: The Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (DEE) Index examines the impact of digital transformation on entrepreneurship and economic development. Technological innovation is a primary driver of economic growth, enhancing productivity, competition, and entrepreneurial activity. Digitalization, as a general-purpose technology, has reshaped entrepreneurial processes, making them more fluid, interconnected, and multi-actor driven. Platform-based business models and ecosystem-oriented entrepreneurship have replaced traditional, individual-driven ventures. The DEE Index, a newly created composite indicator offers a theory based, structured framework to assess and compare digital entrepreneurship readiness across nations. It consists of 65 sub-indicators, 24 variables, 12 pillars, 4 sub-indices reflecting to various aspects of DEE. A special focus is placed on Austria, analyzing its digital entrepreneurship ecosystem between 2017-2022. The study evaluates the country’s strengths, challenges, and policy implications, providing insights into how national policies could impact entrepreneurial performance.
Dimitris Christopoulos
Modul University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
“Public and Private Funding of Innovation Systems and its Impact on Green Technological Frontiers"
Date: December 17th 2025 13:00-14:00 (Vienna local time)
Location: Modul University, Austria, 1190 Vienna, Am Kahlenberg 1, Room no. 2.07
Abstract: The work presented is addressing a critical challenge in innovation studies. The adoption of innovations and the future impact of present innovation cannot be reliably modelled with simple econometric models. This is partly due to the complexity of determining likely outcomes between interconnected innovation systems. In this work we recognise that innovation has major societal significance. For instance, both the UN Sustainability Goals and the 2015 Paris Agreement hinges on the effective deployment of economic, social and political innovation. Ambitious targets for socio-economic change are not achievable without innovation. At the same time, sustainable innovation depends on effective collaboration of entities within a much bigger ecosystem, while innovation for sustainability would include economic, social and environmental dimensions. In its essence innovation is about connectivity within systems of interacting actors, i.e. networks. Innovation networks, viewed as complex systems of different entity classes, connected via different type of ties allow us to address the challenge of complexity. Data on hydrogen technologies, decarbonization research and more broadly green innovation are employed to address: (a) the link between invention and innovation revealed in patent network analysis of technological frontiers (Dekker et al); (b) how collaboration patterns are affected by public funding (Smith et al); and (c) the impact of finance on innovation (Christopoulos et al). This body of work identifies challenges to green innovation, empirically determines their scope and magnitude and recommends policy to corporate and public actors that will improve processes of public and private funding and optimise the efficiency of innovation systems.
RESEARCH REPORT
Modul University Vienna is at the forefront of groundbreaking research. For the past 10 years we have been a center of excellence for research in sustainability, consumer behavior, digital trends, tourism and hospitality, as well as socioeconomic sciences.
Here we are proud to present a comprehensive reflection on 10 years of insightful research at MU Vienna.
This report delves into the cutting-edge topics explored by five departments across the university, showcasing the remarkable work of 27 Modul University Vienna researchers, both past and present. It also encompasses the contributions of our third-party researchers and associate researchers, highlighting our collaborative and multidisciplinary approach.
Discover a rich tapestry of research topics, insights into our publication output, and innovative approaches applied by our researchers when searching for answers in their diverse fields.