Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

Participating students must have an interest in scientific processes and research in general. In addition, the students have to work independently, especially when defining research questions relevant to them, to active participation in the elaboration of the content that contributes to solving the research questions.

The prerequisite for enrolment in this course is the willingness to carry out the project over two semesters with 6 ECTS credits each and to complete it in the winter semester. If the student is unsuccessful, the contextual studies will be continued in the following semester outside of the course.
The continuation of the research project as part of a Master's thesis is strived. The aim is to publish the research results in the form of a publication, a research report, a conference paper, a video or similar.
Due to the required prerequisites, students are not entitled to admission to the course.

Sustainability: SDG 9 - sustainable industrialisation

FHV Future Skills: Appropriate Application, Foster Critical Thinking, Create Environmental & Sustainable Awareness

Project 1: Status Quo of Digital Transformation in Vorarlberg

Digital transformation is reshaping all areas of life and work – from business and politics to healthcare and education. For Vorarlberg, the exciting question is: Where do we currently stand in this transformation, and what opportunities and challenges arise from it? With this research project, you have the chance to actively find answers and contribute to a highly relevant societal topic of the future.

As part of the project, you will conduct a qualitative study – from the literature review to the development of data collection instruments, as well as data collection, analysis, and preparation of results. You will also have the opportunity to shape the focus yourself, choosing for example business, politics, healthcare, or education.

You will work closely with our motivated research group Digital Business Transformation, develop your own research skills, and gain deep insights into the practice of academic work. Your results will not only be part of a joint publication with our team but will also be presented at a public evening event. In this way, you will actively contribute to shaping Vorarlberg’s digital future.

Project 2: Future 2040 – How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Vorarlberg

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered one of the most influential technologies of our time. But how will it shape our future by 2040? What opportunities and risks will arise – for healthcare, production, education, politics, or our everyday lives? This research project invites you to look into the future and actively contribute to shaping which scenarios might become reality for Vorarlberg and beyond.

At the core of the project is a Delphi analysis: Following an in-depth literature review, you will develop initial projections of possible future scenarios, which will then be evaluated by a panel of experts. This process generates nuanced and scientifically grounded insights into the potential impacts of AI across different areas of life and work. You will also have the chance to choose your own thematic focus – for example, healthcare, production, learning, or other domains.

You will work closely with our dedicated research group Digital Business Transformation, acquire valuable methodological and subject-specific skills, and gain experience in a forward-looking field of research. Your results will be part of a joint publication with our team and presented at a public evening event – a direct contribution to the discussion about our digital future in 2040.

General learning outcomes of research projects:

• Students produce a scientific paper by developing, independently working on and answering a research question.
• Students know the cornerstones and milestones of a research project (research question and objectives, theses, falsification, experiments, quality criteria, etc.).
• Depending on the research centre or group, students learn about different research methods - from qualitative/quantitative methods, understanding and operating programmes and production facilities to the use of specific IT tools, etc.
• Students can integrate relevant aspects of research ethics and data protection into research projects.
• Students can present research content in the context of team meetings, events or publications.
• Students know their expertise and passion for research and are aware of their next steps in deepening their research expertise, including PhD options.
• Students know elements of interdisciplinary collaboration.
  
  

Specific learning outcomes of research projects:

Students familiarise themselves with aspects of current research projects being conducted by the Digital Business Transformation research group.

The detailed, scientific learning outcomes are agreed and documented individually with the students before the start of the course as part of the formulation of their research questions.

Mobilisation: Students are given leeways to pick up own questions and approaches.

Actionability: Joint planning of an appropriate approach, outline of methods and readings needed. Specification of standards and requirements concerning the work result.

Performance: Specification of general requirements of the collaboration and the mode of behaviour which are necessary for an effective performance.

Supervision by researchers at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is provided by coaching, instruction, participation in discussions and seminars, as well as by accompanying self-study.

Achievement of objectives specified at the beginning of the project in relationship to the students previous knowledge. Documentation of learning outcomes and project results.

Publication of the research results in the form of a presentation in the winter semester, a publication, a research report, a conference paper, a video or similar.

The course "Research Project: Digital Business Transformation“ is the continuation of the course of the same name from the summer semester. 

Anthony, C., Bechky, B.A., Fayard, A.-L. (2023). Collaborating” with AI: Taking a System View to Explore the Future of Work, Organization Science, 34(5):1672-1694. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1651

Berente, N., Gu, B., Recker, J. Santhanam, R. (2021). Managing artificial intelligence, MIS Quarterly, 45(3), 1433-1450.

Choudhary, V., Marchetti, A., Shrestha, Y. R., & Puranam, P. (2023). Human-AI ensembles: When can they work? Journal of Management, 51(2), 536-569. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063231194968

Csaszar, F. A., & Steinberger, T. (2022). Organizations as Artificial Intelligences: The Use of Artificial Intelligence Analogies in Organization Theory. Academy of Management Annals, 16(1), 1–37. https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2020.0192

Ostheimer, J., Chowdhury, S., & Iqbal, S. (2021). An alliance of humans and machines for machine learning: Hybrid intelligent systems and their design principles. Technology in Society, 66, 101647.

Wade, M., Trantopoulos, K., Navas, M., Romare, A. (2025, July 08). How to scale GenAI in the workplace, MIT Sloan Management Review. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-to-scale-genai-in-the-workplace/

Specific literature depending on the research project in consultation with the supervisors.

• Self-organised learning and independent work according to the standards of the respective research unit
• Collaboration and presence in the team and participation in working groups
• Coaching and guidance
• Experiments, field research, laboratory work, etc.
• Moderation and presentation techniques
• Project completion in the form of a publication, research report, poster, video, etc.