Economic Sectors and Industries

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.

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Project duration: 2022/01 - 2022/08
Client: Austrian Cooperative Research (ACR)
Project partner: Industriewissenschaftliches Institut (IWI)
Contact: Thomas Oberholzner

While the added value of agricultural goods and food is increasing, companies in agriculture are feeling increasing cost pressure. Labour and social costs in particular contribute to this as essential elements of the cost structure of farms.

Since both food prices and labour and social costs in agriculture vary significantly in the EU countries, these labour costs are to be subjected to a detailed, comparative examination.

In addition to Austria itself, the labour costs for several comparative countries (Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Spain and Hungary) are  examined within the framework of the project. In addition, productivity figures are collected and calculated according to product groups and countries.

The analysis by KMU Forschung Austria includes the industry structure and economic significance of the industry, the business situation and central developments of the past years. From this, future challenges and success potentials of the companies are derived, on the basis of which recommendations for action for the sector representation are presented.

Project duration: 2022/05 - 2022/07
Client: Austrian Economic Chamber, Federal Body of Insurance Agents
Contact: Wolfgang Ziniel

Branchenfolder (in German):  https://www.wko.at/branchen/handel/versicherungsagenten/versicherungsagenten-branchenfolder-2022.pdf

Press conference (in German): https://www.wko.at/branchen/handel/versicherungsagenten/branchenstudie-fuer-versicherungsagenten.html

The 13th edition of the “E-Commerce-Report Austria 2022” analyses the shopping behaviour of the Austrian population regarding classic mail-order business as well as internet retail-trade. The main indicators are the number of Austrians, who buy via distance selling, expenditures and the development over time.

The study includes a presentation and description of the value chain of the Lower Austrian construction industry (construction sector as well as real estate and housing), an analysis of its regional and economic importance as well as an estimation of the effects on the Lower Austrian and Austrian economy of an increase in demand for Lower Austrian construction services.
In addition, it analyses specific effects in the construction value chain using various case studies: New construction of an average detached and semi-detached house, new construction of an average kindergarten, thermal-energy building renovation, recycling of building materials, installation of photovoltaic systems.

Link to the study (German)

Link to the presentation (German, Data on case studies updated, June 2022) 

Client: Economic Chamber Lower Austria

Ansprechperson: Christina Enichlmair

In this study, for the first time in Austria, a detailed analysis of balance sheet data was made for three important elements of the value chain: Food production excluding feed, restaurants and hotels, inns and guesthouses. The period covers the period up to 2019, thus reflecting the situation before the COVID 19 crisis.

- In the years before Corona, the industry developed positively,
- In a sector comparison with the market-oriented economy, restaurants and hotels have a more difficult starting position.
- Micro enterprises are particularly challenged.

To the To the study report (in German)

Contact: Wolfgang Ziniel

The funding programme "EXIST – university based business start-ups" aims to increase the number and success of technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups and to improve the start-up climate at German universities and non-university research institutes.
This accompanying evaluation focuses on the EXIST - Potentials Programme from 2018, the evaluation of EXIST - Start-up Grants and EXIST Research Transfer from 2020 and the overarching consideration of the three programme lines from 2022 to 2025.
EXIST is a funding programme provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate.

After Corona-related declines in turnover in 2020, the information and consulting sector developed positively again in 2021. Only in the printing, advertising and book/media industries was it not yet possible to reach the starting level of 2019. For 2022, the companies expect further increases in turnover with positive effects on the number of employees and investments. An increase in turnover for 2022 is forecast for all sectors. Unfortunately, these results must be considered subject to further developments surrounding the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia. As part of the 2021 business survey, companies were also asked additional questions on climate targets, the digital transformation and general challenges.

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. Regionally available clay can replace conventional materials if appropriately prepared and processed and helps to save both manufacturing processes and transport routes. This project establishes a service for the rapid and low-threshold testing of in-situ clay as well as a network of experts in planning, material and component testing and building physics for the use of clay.

Project duration: 2021/05 - 2023/05
Client: ACR (Austrian Cooperative Research)
Project partners: IBO, BTI, AEE Intec
Contact: Andrea Dorr

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.

The Creative Industries Report is available at the following link: https://www.kreativwirtschaft.at/neunter-kreativwirtschaftsbericht

The 12th edition of the “E-Commerce-Study Austria 2021” analyses the shopping behaviour of the Austrian population regarding classic mail-order business as well as internet retail-trade. The main indicators are the number of Austrians, who buy via distance selling, expenditures and the development over time. Furthermore, the focus in 2021 is on the implications of the Corona-Pandemic on the customers in distance selling.

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. This is done on the basis of an online survey and serves as a basis for the design or expansion of tailor-made support formats that make it easier or possible for management consultants to gain a foothold in foreign markets or further develop their foreign business.

The Report 2021 shows the economic development of the member companies of the Information and Consulting sector for the year 2020, an assessment of the order situation with the beginning of 2021 as well as the outlook for the year 2021. Based on secondary statistical data as well as a survey among 3,300 companies, the number of companies and employees, the development of turnover and prices, exports, investments and training costs, the order situation and turnover expectations as well as investment and personnel plans are analysed at sector level and for the industries of the sector. As part of the 2021 business survey, companies were also asked additional questions about the impact of the Corona pandemic on their business, the results of which are also presented in the business survey report.

The foodservice industry is facing special challenges and pressures as a result of the Covid 19 crisis and infection risk reduction measures. To assess future trends and evaluate measures to improve crisis management, it is necessary to have sufficient knowledge of the baseline situation. Therefore, this project is dedicated to an industry representation of the hospitality industry.

A wide variety of metrics are examined to assess resilience. In comparison with other sectors along the food value chain, capacities for coping with the current crisis can be identified in this way.

Project duration: 03/2021 - 06/2021

Client: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism

Contact: Wolfgang Ziniel

Structural change in the stationary retail sector has left clear traces in recent years: The number of retail stores has declined, and concentration trends have increased. The sector mix has changed: Certain sectors are losing significant commercial space (e.g. clothing retail), while other sectors such as food and drugstore retail are increasing their share slightly (in the city center). Particularly retail-related providers (especially restaurants and cafés) are becoming more important in the commercial space mix.

The Corona pandemic is leading to an intensification of many developments that have been underway for years. These include, first and foremost, the massive online shift and the intensifying competition. The study uses the institute's structural database to show the changes that have occurred in the number of stores, commercial spaces and concentration trends in stationary retail in Austria.

Project duration: 03/2021 - 06/2021

Client: WKO - Austrian Federal Economic Chamber

Contact: Wolfgang Ziniel

The study explores the competitiveness of the engineering industries in the EU against its major competitors USA, Japan, South Korea and the BRICs countries. It compares regulatory frameworks of EU and major third country competitors in the field of engineering industries. Furthermore, it analyses the impact of digitalisation on the EU engineering industries and its effects on the global market position. The study also provides a strategic outlook and an assessment of the challenges and opportunities ahead for the European engineering industries.

Provision of scientific expertise for a demand survey among the members of mica (music austria).
Support in creating the questionnaire, analysis and  presentation of the results.

Project duration: 2020/01 - 2020/09
Client: mica (music austria)
Contact: Christina Enichlmair

The 11^th edition of the “E-Commerce-Report Austria 2020” analyses the shopping behaviour of the Austrian population regarding classic mail-order business as well as internet retail-trade. The main indicators are the number of Austrians, who buy via distance selling, expenditures and the development over time. Furthermore, the focus in 2020 is on the development of smartphone-shopping. Voice-Commerce serves a new topic in the study.

The study examines the way in which businesses in the crafts and trades sector are affected by the COVID-19 crisis, i.e. the degree of the drop in sales, the effects on the earnings situation of the individual trades and the uptake of measures by the companies. An outlook provides information on how enduring the economic losses are.

Client: Federal Economic Chamber Austria (WKO, Bundessparte Gewerbe und Handwerk)

Project Partner: Economica Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung

Contact: Christina Enichlmair

Presentation of the Study (in German only)

Report of the Study (in German only)

The brochure covers the main indicators of the Austrian construction industry. It includes balance sheet figures, forecasts on construction volume, company and employment structure, turnover, production value and gross value added.

The Austrian Institute for SME Research has been monitoring the Austrian crafts and trades sector on a quarterly basis since 1981. Data on the current situation and expectations for the following quarter are collected on a quarterly basis for selected sectors. In addition, data on sales development, exports and investments of the previous year as a whole are queried annually.

The Data Sheet on Creative Industries provides the most recent data on the Austrian creative industries each year. Figures, tables and short textual descriptions illustrate the relevance of the creative industries in direct and indirect terms. This includes the analysis of the economic importance and the development of creative businesses as well as an analysis of the economic effects of the creative industries in Austria.

Austrian Institute for SME Research results of the business cycle survey on retail trade 2018 (available only in German)

This analysis shows annual facts and figures on the situation and development in the food industry. The data are broken down by occupational groups. Both the latest available current figures and the development over time are presented.

The successor study is based on the results of 2016 and analyses the changes in administrative burdens since that time. The administrative burdens index allows for a monitoring of the administrative burdens for trades and crafts in Lower Austria over a specific period of time. It is based on expert interviews and case studies to assess bureaucracy (working time and resulting costs thereof) at company level as well as on projections for industry groups and the entire crafts and trades sector.

The night economy deals with the economic activity that takes place when people go out in the evening after their daily work, education or other activities. This includes in particular visiting bars, clubs, discotheques, clubbings and other events.

The study examines the economic significance of the Viennese night economy and analyses, among other things, the number of companies and employees engaged in the night economy.

The analysis of the economic situation in the Austrian retail sector carried out on behalf of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber - Retail Commerce shows a deterioration in earnings and an improvement in the financial situation for the current financial year 2017/18.

The structural analysis of stationary retail trade in Austria carried out annually on behalf of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber - Division Commerce shows a provisional halt to structural change for the analysis year 2018. Both the number of shops and the number of sales areas increased (slightly) in 2018 for the first time since 2012. The concentration is not intensifying any further.

The aim of the project is to develop an informed knowledge basis with regard to digitisation for all ACR member institutes. Building on the knowledge acquired a low-threshold sector-specific service for SMEs will be developed and tested in order to advance the transformational capacities of the ACR as a whole.

The project results will be disseminated in an open innovation process that will enable the ACR member institutes to achieve a vanguard position with regard to digitisation in their respective sectors. In sum, this will provide the institutes with the knowledge and tools to improve the competitiveness of the SMEs in these sectors.

Project results (German only)

The study aims at providing players within the Austria RTI policy landscape with a decision basis for their future advancement of the portfolio of funding programmes. In particular, the study identifies players within the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in science, business and industry as well as in the public sector and surveys the role, significance and use of AI in various sectors and industries.

The business cycle report 2019 shows the economic development of the companies of the division Information and Consulting for 2018 and the outlook for 2019, based on secondary statistical data and the response from around 2,100 enterprises.

The number of enterprises and employees, turnover and price trends, exports, investments and training costs, the order situation and turnover expectations as well as investment and personnel planning are analysed at sector level and for 10 branches.

This survey comprises the quarterly presentation of the economic and business cycle situation and the development of ten industries from the Austrian construction-related trade: stonemasonry, roof covering, glazing, tinsmith, pottery, painting, carpentry, building completion, timber construction and floor covering.

The business cycle indicators are turnover and price development, investments, insolvencies, unemployment figures, order situation and work to capacity, assessment of the business situation, order expectations and human resources planning.

The study analyses the effects of digitalisation and industry 4.0 on the economy on Lower Austria. The focus is on the changes with regard to (levels of) qualifications and professions that will be of special relevance in a digital economy. It will also look at which professions will most likely be affected by the rationalisation potential caused by digital technologies. Following this, the study will also develop recommendations on how to adapt the current training opportunities of the Public Employment Service in Lower Austria.

Austria's lakes and rivers provide excellent conditions for water sports of all kinds. They include "classic" leisure activities on and in the water such as sailing, diving, water skiing, canoeing or windsurfing. Additionally, the development of new trend sports is progressing rapidly.

The study develops a definition of the industry. Furthermore, the supply and demand side are analysed, as well as trends and future developments.

The 8th Report on Austrian Creative Industries includes the economic development of creative industries and the importance of this sector for the Austrian economy. The report further focusses the internationalsation of creative industries and provides export rates as well as motivations and success factors of internationalisation activities. The potential of the creative industries in the international market is illustrated by showing Austrian corporate case studies. In addition, the study includes the presentation of international policy approaches with regard to the development and design of internationalisation strategies for the creative industries.

Partner: Industriewissenschaftliches Institut (IWI)

Austrian Institute for SME Research results of the business cycle survey on retail trade 2018 (available only in German)

Since 2009, the "UBIT" survey describes the situation and development in the field of management consulting, accounting and information technology. The basis is analyses of secondary statistical sources as well as an empirical survey of the member companies of the professional association. A report with current structural and business cycle data is published in the first half of the year. The report for the second half of the year contains analyses of the companies' economic situation.

This study aims to improve the economic and policy knowledge of sport-related industries, especially in the sporting goods sector. Besides an overview of the sport-related industries, it includes a definition of the sporting goods sector, a collection of economic data (based on statistical data, surveys, interviews, case studies), a methodological guide for future data collection, and an assessment of the competitiveness of the sector (SWOT analysis, validation workshop, and recommendations). This study will help the industry make business decisions based on accurate information and to help policy makers engage in evidence-based policy-making.

The dynamic development in online retailing has continued in recent years. More and more consumers shop via the Internet and the number of online shops from Austrian retailers increases constantly. The Austrian Institute for SME Research carried out the study “Online Retailing 2018” on behalf of the division Commerce of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs. The study results for the analysis 2017 are based on extensive primary surveys of both the demand side (consumer)and the supply side (retail trade) as well as on special analyses of data of the Austrian Institute for SME Research, Statistics Austria and Eurostat. 

The trade calculator has been developed as a free online tool for Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in trade, that allows companies to anonymously analyze their own annual financial statements simply and clearly and compare it with industry averages for SMEs. The evaluations can be used for internal company analyses, which are becoming increasingly important for corporate controlling. In addition, the results of the trade calculator can be used for the preparation for bank meetings. Since banks also work with current industry averages, a conscientious examination is indispensable in advance. The data source for the online tool is the balance sheet database of the Austrian Institute for SME Research, which contains 18,000 anonymized annual financial statements of retail companies (p.a.).

The Industry Monitor provides a quarterly basis for assessing the economic development of almost 60 sectors and enables an assessment of future trends.

The detailed and comprehensive reports at industry level provide

• information on current developments (legal framework, demand, competition, preliminary work and labour market, technological developments)
• information on opportunities and risks for the future
• an overview of the most important key data (industry structure, economic situation, business development).

The publication “The Austrian Retail Trade – Facts, Figures, Analyses” provides the most recent and comprehensive data on trade in Austria and also by retail trade sectors (including selected retail trade industries), wholesale trade and the automobile sector. The compact reference guide in A-5 format is structured as follows: (1) structure of the retail sector, (2) the retail sector as employer, (3) output of the retail sector and (4) the economic situation in the retail sector. In addition, a special topic is dealt with annually (e.g. The retail sector under the influence of Covid-19 Business Demography in the retail sector (2018)).  The reports are based on statistical data of well-known institutions (Statistik Austria, Eurostat, etc) as well as recent research results, database analyses and own calculations of the Austrian Institute for SME Research.

The national framework conditions are of high importance to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises in an increasingly globalised and digitised economy. Against this background 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 in an overall index consisting of 6 sub-indices with 35 sub-areas.

First surveyed in a large-scale company survey in 2015, the satisfaction of around 480 retailers can be measured over time for the first time on the basis of the new survey in 2017.

In the Vienna Creative Industries Report 2017, the economic development of the creative industries and their significance for the Vienna are presented in a time comparison as well as regarding the differences to other Austrian regions. The potential of the Viennese creative industry with regard to different dimensions of crossover effects and innovation are examined separately. Methodologically the analysis of recent secondary data as well as a special evaluation of the primary data of the 7th Austrian Creative Industries Report for Vienna are carried out.

This study aims to develop an up-to-date inventory of the ICT sector in Vienna and to identify opportunities to advance the region to an “innovation leader”. Methodologically, the study is based on analyses of secondary statistics, a company survey, expert interviews and interactive methodologies.

As a result, the study produces an assessment of employment, growth and development potentials as well as of the respective economic strengths and competences of the Vienna region’s ICT sector. These are transformed into recommendations for the regional economic policy.

This project develops scenarios and models regarding the perspectives of the Austrian trades and crafts sector and recommendations for stakeholders deriving economic and social policies. The Basis is the categorisation of the sections according to the development trends during the last 10 years and analyses of the recent situation based on these categories. The project was carried out in cooperation with WIFO.

The 7th Austrian report on creative industries presents the economic development of creative industries and the importance of this sector for the Austrian economy, especially with regard to networked structures and links to other economic sectors along the entire value chain.

The definition of creative industries is compared internationally. The study focuses on how creative industries generate innovation impulses and crossover effects on the economy, innovation system, regional development, public administration and society as a whole. These cross-over effects are also illustrated by means of case studies and lessons learned. 

Cooperation partner: Industriewissenschaftliches Institut (IWI)

Apart from the positive development of overnight stays the study focusses on the sustainable competitiveness of hotels and tourism in general. It provides a comparison of the main tax frame conditions with tourism in the relevant neighbour countries and regions as well as an assessment of the recent situation based on a survey among the enterprises. 

This analysis of the financing structure and income situation is based on about 8,000 balance sheets and 3,500 income statements of companies from the information and Consulting sector.

In addition to the asset and capital structure, the cost and performance structure, business key figures on liquidity, productivity and profitability of the companies are also analysed. The results are presented for the sector including information for successful and unsuccessful companies, industries, company size classes and federal states.

This study aims at the identification and quantification of administrative burdens: Which are the recurring legal obligations that are regarded as burdens by the entrepreneurs in the trades and craft sector in Lower Austria? What is the time requirement the enterprises expect for the obligations and what are the costs? Based on this data an “administrative burdens index” can be calculated to show the development over time.

This study focusses on the analysis of the competitiveness and economic relevance of the European cultural and creative industries (CCI). It includes an overview of the most important indicators regarding the economic situation of European creative industries and analyses of the necessary framework conditions fostering a positive future development against the background of economic and societal trends. This study includes 5 detailed case studies on national and 10 on regional strategies/initiatives to support CCI and derives central factors for policy learning and further recommendations for possible actions for an EU-wide CCI strategy.

Co-operation: VVA Europe Valdani, Vicari & Associates

In this study PIAAC-data concerning ICT-competences are analysed. Research activities and labour market concepts in Austria and selected countries (Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden and UK) are described. Furthermore, international labour market programmes and initiatives (good practices) to ameliorate these competences in Germany and the Netherlands are identified.

In recent years, creative industries have established themselves as an important economic sector in Austria. What is more, the Austrian and Styrian economies have developed more dynamically than the economy as a whole. This study builds on the study "Creative Industries Styria 2012" commissioned by Creative Industries Styria and provides an overview of the latest data on the Styrian creative industry and its development in recent years.