Study on the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility in Austria

The implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility is a challenge for companies, especially SMEs. However, they are increasingly recognizing the business need as well as the opportunities that result from the inclusion of social and environmentally relevant aspects in the business process. For the first time, the study uses current quantitative data from Austria to analyze the motivation of SMEs to implement Corporate Social Responsibility. The aim of the study is to provide an overview of the systematic integration in Austrian SMEs. From this, recommendations for action for the professionalization are derived, which should lead to the creation of expected competitive advantages.

Created in the framework of the endowed chair of the Microeconomics of Competitiveness, sponsored by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

Project lead IBES: Dr. Anne Maria Busch

Study on corporate responsibility through inter-firm cooperation in Austria

As little data is available for Austria on the subject of “Corporate Social Responsibility through inter-company cooperation”, the Institute for Business Ethics and Sustainable Strategy (IBES) of FHWien der WKW conducts a corresponding study. Within the scope of this study, qualitative data for Austria are to be used for the first time,

1. what goals are pursued through cooperation and what forms of cooperation exist,
2. which factors of success are to be observed in the individual phases of a cooperation and across phases and
3. which business opportunities arise for the company in the long term.

Created in the framework of the endowed chair of the Microeconomics of Competitiveness, sponsored by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

Project lead IBES: Dr. Anne Maria Busch

Study on the cooperation between established industrial companies and technology start-ups in Austria.

To manage the digital transformation, established companies are increasingly entering into cooperation with technology start-ups. Using qualitative data for manufacturing firms, , the study examines the following questions: 1) what forms and objectives exist for cooperation between established industrial companies and technology start-ups, 2) what critical success factors are to be considered in the individual phases of a cooperation and across phases, and 3) what business opportunities can arise for the companies in the long-term.

The results should help companies to better understand the opportunities and risks of cooperation projects with start-up firms. Concrete recommendations for the implementation and design of such cooperation schemes will be derived and ultimately support companies in the successful implementation and thus in mastering the digital transformation.

Duration: 1/7/2019 – 31/12/2019

Created in the framework of the endowed chair of the Microeconomics of Competitiveness, sponsored by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

Project lead IBES: Dr. Anne Maria Busch

Study on reasons and motives for setting up voluntary bodies – advisory boards – in medium-sized enterprises in Austria.

An advisory board offers medium-sized companies, in particular, various opportunities for organisational and strategic development. Nevertheless, the advisory board does not yet have a strong presence in Austrian medium-sized companies. The questions of why companies have set up an advisory board what role it plays and what influence it has on business success, are all answered in this study. For this purpose, a quantitative study of 530 medium-sized enterprises was conducted. The findings were enriched and contrasted with six interviews with managers of companies in Vienna who have set up an advisory board.

Duration: 1/9/2018 – 28/2/2019

Created in the context of the endowed chair Microeconomics of Competitiveness, sponsored by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

Project lead IBES: Dr. Anne Maria Busch

The central aim of the research project was the development of sustainable and at the same time competitive solutions for the management of social and ecological responsibilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on focus groups and interviews, a diagnostic model was developed to assess corporate responsibility in SMEs. Subsequently, the strengths and development opportunities in eight local SMEs were investigated through case studies, and corresponding strategic measures were developed. An Austria-wide online survey focused on the challenges for SMEs in terms of the integration of ecological and social issues into their business operations.

The CR4SME project comprised the three core areas: research, teaching and practice. The results of the project were disseminated to the academic community through publications and lectures, and integrated into relevant courses for Master’s students at FHWien der WKW. Thanks to cooperation with SMEs, the findings also lead directly to the implementation of successful changes in terms of corporate responsibility.

Duration: 1/02/2016 bis 31/01/2019

Funding programme: Vienna University of Applied Sciences Funding of the Department of Economics, Labour and Statistics (Municipal Department 23)

Project partners: BIOGENA, Boutiquehotel Stadthalle, Buchbinderei Fuchs, CUITEC Großküchentechnik, CulumNATURA, Hotel & Villa Auersperg, Mach & Partner ZT-GmbH, Ölmühle Fandler

Project lead IBES: Dr. Daniela Ortiz Avram

Creation of a catalogue of values for strategic decisions.

The Josef Manner & Comp AG carried out an analysis of the company values together with IBES. On the basis of a content analysis of the corporate communication, interviews with Carl Manner, as well as internal and external surveys, Manner values were worked out and summarised in a compendium.

The aim of the project was to create a catalogue of values which can serve future generations of managers as a reference point for strategic decisions.

Duration: 1/01/2013 bis 1/06/2015

Created within the framework of the endowed chair for Corporate Governance & Business Ethics

Project partner: Josef Manner & Comp AG

Project lead IBES: FH-Prof. Dr. Markus Scholz