The Austrian Institute for SME Research is an independent non-university research institute in the field of economics and social sciences. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a core area of our research activities.
The Austrian Institute for SME Research was founded in 1954 and is an independent non-university research institute in the field of economics and social sciences. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute a core research area. The Institute is a private, non-profit association, which provides analyses and data on recent and future topics to facilitate economic policy making and business decisions. The research results of the Austrian Institute for SME Research address policy makers, advocacy groups, advisory bodies, and other research institutions at regional, national and international levels, as well as company managers and the interested public in general. The findings should contribute to a positive development of the Austrian and European economy and society.
The Institute has a team of highly qualified staff members and can build on more than 60 years of experience and continuity. Many years of expertise, objectivity, interdisciplinarity, a variety of methods, compliance with scientific standards, cooperation with national and international research institutions and integration in central (inter-)national research networks are key quality features of the Austrian Institute for SME Research and ensure that the research results of the Institute draw upon the state of the art in all fields of study. The Institute’s fields of Expertise include: entrepreneurship and innovation, economic sectors and industries, regional analyses, labour market and skills, evaluations and impact analyses as well as balance sheet ratios and benchmarking.
Scientific excellence and independence: The Austrian Institute for SME Research is committed to scientific integrity. Objectivity, variety of methods and compliance with scientific standards are the basis of the Institute’s research activities. An essential prerequisite for this is the Institute’s independence from particular interests.
Interdisciplinarity and internationality: Internal knowledge transfer, cooperation with national and international research institutions and integration in central (inter-)national research networks are key quality features for the Austrian Institute for SME Research and ensure that the Institute’s research results can be linked to the state of the art in all fields of expertise.
Practice orientation: Based on carefully prepared analyses, the research activities of the Austrian Institute for SME Research show a high degree of practice orientation. The research results are presented in a way that meets the users’ information needs. The evidence-based policy recommendations are as specific as possible.
Personal responsibility and equal opportunities: The Austrian Institute for SME Research relies on a highly qualified team. Openness, equal opportunities and a high degree of self-determination and personal responsibility guide HR policy and research activities. The continuous development of the team’s skills and abilities is of central importance. The Works Council and the Equal Opportunity Officer ensure that the concerns of the team and equal opportunities are anchored institutionally in personnel policy.
Univ. Prof. Dr. Birgit Feldbauer-Durstmüller (Chair)
Univ. Prof. Dr. Isabella Hatak
Univ. Prof. Dr. Martin Hiebl
Univ. Prof. Dr. Norbert Kailer
Prof. Univ. Doz. Dr. Christine Mitter
Prof. Dr. Roald Steiner
Professor Herbert Neubauer (president)
Sabine Siegl (deputy chair)
Kurt J. Miesenböck
Gudrun Schindler
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