Businesses and entrepreneurship are a core area of the Institute’s national and European research activities. We study different forms of businesses (e.g. one-person businesses, hybrid entrepreneurs, older entrepreneurs, female entrepreneurship, multi-entrepreneurs, etc.) as well as their different life cycles, business models and innovation activities. The innovation activities of companies are an essential factor for a successful entrepreneurship. The Austrian Institute for SME Research regularly conducts analyses of innovation processes in companies as well as of the research, technology and innovation policy framework conditions and their effects on the development of companies and innovations in Austria and Europe. The connections between technology and innovation on the one hand and entrepreneurship (e.g. new business models) on the other are also analysed.
The study analyses the importance and development of one-person-enterprises in Austria. Central indicators, trends and developments are also considered over time. The study, on behalf of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, is based on a comprehensive primary survey of one-person companies in Austria as well as literature and secondary data analyses.
The report "SMEs in Focus" uses current data and facts to show the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for the Austrian economy. A focus chapter is dedicated to the effects of the shortage of skilled labour on SMEs. Furthermore, the report offers an overview of recent SME support measures, which are oriented towards the three pillars of the new SME strategy of the European Commission. The report will be submitted by the BMDW to the National Council.
Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy
2022/03
Karin Bachinger
More Info
The Research and Technology Report is the Austrian federal government's status report on federally funded research, technology and innovation in Austria. Based on current data, analyses and findings, relevant development trends and selected topics of the Austrian innovation system are described and reflected in an international context. The report will be produced annually by the Austrian Institute for SME Research until 2026.
Bundesbeschaffung GmbH
Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy
Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism
Peter Kaufmann
Publications
Following an action research approach, TranS4MEr will identify priority areas for climate action in the SME sector and develop climate mitigation policy goals and mixes that are able to address the heterogeneity of SMEs. The implementation of a ‘transformative SME policy hub’ and analysis of key mechanisms that underpin the integration or disintegration of climate concerns in SME policy will set the foundation for a long-term reorientation of SME policy.
Austrian Climate and Energy Fund
2025/04
Harald Wieser
MORE INFOThe Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG commissioned this short study in order to examine the status quo with regard to the representation of women in the projects it funds on the one hand, and on the other hand to analyze which measures an agency like the FFG can take or which measures already implemented seem most promising.
The report covers development trends and priority topics for the Austrian innovation system, and reflects on them in an international context.
Industrial manufacturing processes are still linked with high energy and material demands. Although rental and service models for production facilities have been discussed for many years as promising solutions, such alternatives to the acquisition of facilities have not yet been able to establish themselves on a widespread basis.
Following an action research approach, TranS4MEr will identify priority areas for climate action in the SME sector and develop climate mitigation policy goals and mixes that are able to address the heterogeneity of SMEs.
This study looks at the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in applied research. The research network Austrian Cooperative Research (ACR) is used as a case example for investigating aspects such as the forms and patterns, the purposes, the benefits, and the challenges and success factors of cooperation across different research disciplines.
The trustworthy use of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the economy in key future industries for the benefit of society and to positively influence the positioning of Austria and Europe in international competition.
The report "SMEs in Focus" uses current data and facts to show the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for the Austrian economy.
This project explores whether and under what conditions the implementation of democratic principles in companies can contribute to climate action.
LEADERSHIP4SMEs is an initiative aiming to support disruptive SMEs and start-ups to reinforce and leverage their IPR as an accelerator of growth on the EU single Market and beyond.
Based on experiences from Vienna’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the project “CircularHub” developed a policy guide on how to design support services for founders so that the companies of the future can operate in a circular and thus resource-saving way.
As in 2008 and 2014, the study comprehensively analyses the Austrian succession situation and estimates the transfer potential in the coming years. One focus of the study is on the concrete design of the transfer process as well as on the topics of innovation and digitalisation in the course of business transfers.
The biennial report “The Missing Entrepreneurs” examines policies and programmes in the field of inclusive entrepreneurship (entrepreneurship of youth, women, seniors, unemployed, migrants and people with disabilities) in Europe.
The OECD research project analyses the types, methods, reasons/purposes/motivation, participants, decision and planning processes, benefits/effects as well as barriers in terms of training in enterprises.
Since 2007, KMU Forschung Austria has regularly analysed the situation and development of One-Person-Enterprises in Austria. In addition to updating relevant key figures, the study also deals with hybrid One-Person-Enterrises (simultaneous self-employment and employment).
While the importance of sustainable water strategies is increasing in the industry, domestic SMEs mostly lack the necessary resources and know-how to increase their water efficiency. In cooperation with KMU Forschung Austria and V-Research, AEE-Intec addresses this problem within the ACR project iWaterCheck by developing a simple and efficient audit method that enables SMEs to reduce their water consumption.
Manufacturing processes and transport of building materials are energy-intensive and cause high CO2 emissions. In addition, many building materials pose a health and disposal problem due to their content of disruptive and harmful substances.
The study analyzes different types of technology transfer in manufacturing and manufacturing-related SMEs, where they are positioned in corresponding value networks and what role they play in them. This was examined not only on the basis of academic literature, but also using secondary statistics from various sources as well as case studies.
The Austrian Research and Technology Reports describes the state and progress of federally subsidised research, technology and innovation in Austria.
The creative industries were affected to varying degrees by the lockdowns. Despite the Corona pandemic, it can be seen that creatives are important drivers of digital transformation.
As part of its Future of Work initiative, the OECD is conducting case studies in several countries to gain a better understanding of the extent to which AI-based technologies influence work organisation in companies.
Within the framework of the project, the RTI Strategy for the Austrian Aviation Sector will be updated against the background of changed framework conditions and the newly developed Austrian RTI Strategy will be incorporated.
The climate neutrality of the mobility system is more urgent than ever. Therefore, it is also necessary to use suitable monitoring to show the progress of research projects up to their implementation in social practice and thus also to identify supporting and hindering influencing factors.
The aim of the project is to ascertain the status quo of foreign activities, the main determining factors and opportunities, as well as the requirements of Austrian management consultants.
The overall objective of this study was to gather evidence on the effectiveness of public support for innovation in Europe. A key finding of the study is that SMEs in the EU continue to face barriers to innovation.
The report "SMEs in Focus" uses current data and facts to highlight the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for the Austrian economy. A focus chapter is devoted to the effects of the Corona-related crisis on SMEs.
This study shows what companies and other organisations in the Circular Economy need to consider to make their offers attractive to all social groups.
The present study provides an overview of the innovation performance and innovation behaviour of SMEs as well as of the conditions and barriers to innovation in these enterprises.
By analysing how to support the efficient implementation of digital innovation in SMEs, the project aims at the development of a suitable set of methods.
For the fourth time already, this study analyses the economic significance of family businesses in Austria and their characteristics.
This report on small and medium sized enterprises provides recent facts and figures on SMEs, most important industries as well as a thematic focus on family businesses.
Inclusive entrepreneurship policies aim to offer all people an equal opportunity to create a sustainable business, regardless of their background, age or gender. The report examines strategies and measures of different countries in the field of inclusive entrepreneurship. The Austrian Institute for SME Research prepared the Country Report Austria.
The study analyses the importance and development of one-person-enterprises in Austria.
Assessment of the conception, implementation and short- to medium-term effects of the CTI Entrepreneurship Programme.
The aim of the project is to develop an informed knowledge basis with regard to digitisation for all ACR member institutes.
Collection of figures, data and facts on artificial intelligence in Austria as a basis for decisions on the further development of the corresponding FTI programme portfolio.
Accompanying research of a technical research project, which shows the economic and technical potential of the external component activation for the renovation of existing buildings.
The study deals with company start-ups or young companies that pursue a business model geared to the international market right from the start.
The study analyses, if the current framework conditions in Austria promote or hinder competitiveness of Austrian enterprises - especially SMEs.
The Austrian Entrepreneurial Index (AEI) combines different aspects of self-employment and measures the satisfaction of entrepreneurs.
This study offers a comprehensive analysis of entrepreneurship of women in Austria.
Family businesses are very important for the Austrian economy.
This study analyses existing barriers for young, innovative companies in Austria and develops recommendations for conducive framework conditions for founders.
The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between R&D activities, company growth and investment dynamics in the context of a quantitative analysis.
This report on small and medium sized enterprises is presented to the Austrian Parliament every second year.
The Austrian Institute for SME Research carried out a study to formulate a definition of start-up enterprises and to make a first estimation of the number of start-ups in Austria.
The aims of this study were to collect and analyse the most recent comparable statistical data on women entrepreneurs in Europe in order to quantitatively capture female entrepreneuership.