This study (carried out on behalf of the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich ) examines the bureaucratic burden in Austrian trade and crafts. The aim was to record the time and financial burden caused by bureaucratic obligations. The study is based on 1,535 company responses from all federal states. In Lower Austria, a survey has already been carried out by KMU Forschung Austria for the entire commercial economy. Additional questions for other provinces were asked as part of the economic monitoring of trade and crafts.

Time spent on bureaucracy
Each year, companies invest around 70 million working hours in bureaucratic activities, which corresponds to around 42,190 full-time equivalents and ties up 6.6% of total personnel capacity. The manufacturing sector (about 21 million hours) and construction (about 17 million hours) are particularly burdened.

Financial costs of bureaucracy
The financial burden of red tape amounts to about €4.3 billion per year. Of this, €2.6 billion are internal costs and €1.7 billion are external costs such as tax advice. In total, these costs amount to about 3.3% of a company's turnover. There are differences between industries: In the food industry, 68% of costs are internal, compared to 55% in the construction industry.

Consequences of growing bureaucracy
Some 71% of companies report an increase in red tape over the last three years. 86% of companies report that the bureaucratic burden has had a negative impact (increased costs for legal advice, delayed decision-making processes or more difficult customer relations). The high level of red tape therefore remains a major challenge for the craft sector.

Energy Management Systems for SMEs" is the first nationwide funding programme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the introduction of energy management systems (EnMS). The aim of the programme is to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. To this end, the programme offers financial support for external consultancy services and investments in technical equipment for the introduction and certification of EnMS. The interim evaluation of the funding programme analyses the impact of the funding and makes recommendations to improve the programme's effectiveness.

The results of the evaluation show significant energy savings in the participating companies. Despite these strategic achievements, the operational objectives were not fully met. The number of projects funded was well below target and only 50% of the funding was used.

The interim evaluation shows that the funding programme is a valuable initiative, but in its current form does not provide optimal support to SMEs. The evaluation therefore recommends that the programme should not be extended. Instead, the existing environmental support and advice programmes should be optimised through improved exchange of experience, qualified advice and clear quality standards.

The research project 'Business transfer in tourism' provides an inventory of business succession in tourism. In addition, current support services and the funding landscape in Austria and the federal states are analysed. The study was conducted on the basis of an online survey of tourism businesses in Austria.

About the research project: Business handover in tourism

The aim of the project was to develop a concept to support business succession in tourism. The study was carried out by KMU Forschung Austria on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour.

As a result of the research project, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs has developed a handover guide based on the data: Business handover in tourism (bmaw.gv.at)

Key findings of the research project on business succession in tourism

The results of the study can be divided into three thematic areas:

Succession planning

• Three-quarters of tourism businesses surveyed plan to transfer their business in the next 10 years.
• More than half (56%) of those planning to hand over the business plan to do so within the family.
• The focus is on children as successors, with sons leading the way, followed by daughters.
• More than a third of those handing over their business in the tourism sector have made initial considerations and started looking for a successor as concrete steps in the handover process.
• About six-tenths of the entrepreneurs intend to remain active in the business after the handover, mainly through informal support and advice.

Challenges in the succession process

• The economic environment is currently one of the biggest challenges for all transferors of tourism businesses, regardless of the planned handover date.
• Finding a suitable successor is perceived as (very) challenging, especially in the case of external handovers.
• In addition, the planning of the handover process, the tax burden for the successor and legal aspects are perceived as difficulties, especially in the case of intra-family handovers.
• As contingency measures for an unplanned departure from the company (due to accident, illness, death), the respondents have primarily saved passwords and built up financial reserves.
• For planned intra-family transfers, the most common contingency measures were life insurance or pension plans.

Business Succession Support Services

• The most important players in supporting business succession in tourism are the transferor's tax advisors.
• Other important advisors: Family members, friends, acquaintances, lawyers, notaries, banks and chambers/associations
• Concrete transfer advice and specific information services are used more frequently the closer the planned transfer date approaches and the older the transferor is.
• The various support services are considered (very) useful, especially tax incentives and advisory services.

Facilitation of business transfers

In the research project 'Business handover in tourism', entrepreneurs were asked what would make it easier for them to hand over their business. The answers are summarized in the word cloud above. The focus is on tax and bureaucratic simplification, followed by aspects of support and advice.

The national Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) are a central point of contact for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in need of support in the area of digital transformation. The aim of the evaluation was to determine the extent to which the existing DIHs are visible and accessible to SMEs, whether the program is achieving its objectives and what effects have been achieved to date. Recommendations for the continuation and future design of the DIH program were derived from the findings of the evaluation.

Further Information

The report "SMEs in Focus 2023" uses current data and facts to show the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for the Austrian economy. One focus chapter is devoted to the topic of "Innovative strength of SMEs". Furthermore, the report offers an overview of recent SME support measures, which are oriented towards the three pillars of the SME strategy of the European Commission. The report was submitted to the National Council by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy.

Report & Results (German)

The Vienna Creative Industries Report provides a comprehensive overview of the structure and development of Vienna's creative industries.

Almost a fifth of Vienna's companies (19,000) belong to the creative industries. These companies employ around 71,300 people and generate a turnover of € 12.7 billion.

The software and games sector employs the most people - around 23,000. Advertising is in second place with 13,100 employees, followed by the book and publishing sector with 10,000 employees.

The study examines the current economic significance and development of the commercial cleaning sector, the importance of the sector for the labour market, the market and competitive situation and the economic/financial situation of companies. It also looks at the framework conditions (e.g. with regard to regulation and bureaucracy) and the current challenges in the sector and identifies potential improvements.

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. Furthermore, strategies and measures to support entrepreneurship in these underrepresented groups are identified. The Austrian Institute for SME Research is part of the network of national experts and responsible for the country report Austria.

Read report:

• English Version (2023)
• English version (2021)
• German version (2019)

This study looks at the experiences of Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises with doing business on the European Single Market. The study focuses on remaining barriers in accessing the markets of other Member States and on possible (regulatory) initiatives to further improve the functioning of the Single Market for SMEs. The Austrian study is part of a series of EU country reports on SMEs and the Single Market.

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For the APCC Special Report, scientists from KMU Forschung Austria have compiled the state of the art on existing supply structures in Austria and show how the supply of goods and services can be changed to enable climate-friendly living.

The report was presented on September 25th 2023 at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (in German).

More information

The chapter (14) and the whole report are published Open Access by Springer Verlag (in German)

Download 

The Creative Industries Report 2023 shows that the Austrian creative industries comprise about 50,000 companies with about 170,000 employees. The sector has generated revenues of € 24 billion, which have increased significantly by 13 % from the first Corona year 2020 to 2022. The decisive factors for this are the continued positive development of the software sector in particular, the recovery of the creative industries that were heavily affected by the Corona measures, such as the film and music industries, but also price increases.

Further information can be found here.

The project aims to develop a better understanding of the embedding of entrepreneurship competences in VET in Europe, to identify related challenges and opportunities, and to identify differences between selected countries (Austria, Spain, Finland, France, Croatia, Latvia, Sweden and Italy). The focus is on initial vocational education and training (apprenticeship, vocational (higher) education). The results of the study will support policy makers, social partners, VET providers and other stakeholders in promoting entrepreneurship skills. More Info

The study serves to record the potential and technological competence of industry and research in the field of lightweight construction in Austria. Based on this, links to lightweight construction strategies and activities in other countries will be established. This serves to embed Austrian research and industry in the emerging European lightweight construction network, as well as to prepare transnational R&D funding calls in cooperation with ministries and funding agencies in European partner countries.

The aim of the study was to determine how the introduction of AI technologies affects different actors (management, employees, etc.) and whether this differs between countries depending on policy measures or institutional frameworks. Another goal was to identify good practices as well as barriers to the introduction of innovative, work-enhancing and trustworthy AI in the workplace. More Info

On 14 June 2023, the book "From Gender Policy to Diversity-Oriented Gender Equality Policy in the Austrian Higher Education and Research Area" was presented. The book aims to depict two decades of gender equality work in the field of science and research. Eva Heckl from KMU Forschung Austria contributed to the anthology.

More Information can be found here and here (german only).

In 2023, the information and consulting sector recorded a subdued development. Although turnover has increased in nominal terms, there has been a decline in real terms. Companies are generally confident for the current year 2024. With regard to turnover expectations, however, it is clear that the increases are likely to be primarily price-related and only small increases are expected in real terms. Taxes and duties, bureaucracy and administration as well as weak customer demand pose the greatest challenges for companies. Further information and reports; WKO press release

The report "SMEs in Focus 2022" uses current data and facts to show the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for the Austrian economy. One focus chapter is devoted to the topic of "New Work and New Entrepreneurship". Furthermore, the report offers an overview of recent SME support measures, which are oriented towards the three pillars of the SME strategy of the European Commission. The report was submitted to the National Council by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy.

More Information & Download Report

Main Results (German)

The Directorate for Innovation and Technology of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) has a heterogeneous portfolio of thematic priorities, RTI policy instruments and accompanying measures, and implements these with the support of agencies (e.g. FFG, aws) via strategic governance of public research centres (i.e. AIT, SAL). With the development of an overarching monitoring system, the aim is to create an efficient and transparent system for measuring impact and supporting knowledge development to facilitate strategic intelligence at the department level. The various interventions of the BMK - in particular the funding of programmes, networking and institutions – are to be recorded and be verifiable concerning their effects. More Information

The 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. More Info

The study contains an analysis of the situation and development on the Viennese labour market in general and the skilled labour situation of 10 economic sectors (sector portraits) in particular. Based on this, a comprehensive assessment of the skilled labour situation in Vienna is made by means of a SWOT analysis and the identification of central fields of action. In addition, recommendations regarding the need for action are to be formulated and further analysis and research needs are to be identified.

Zu den Branchenportraits

The Research and Technology Report provides information on current national and international research and technology policy issues by analyzing current developments and trends on the basis of comprehensive data, analyses and findings. Another component of the report is an annual monitoring of the eleven central research and research promotion institutions, which provides a systematic overview of publicly funded research promotion and implementation. The report will be produced annually by a consortium until 2026. More information & download the reports

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. The PRO_Service project is investigating the areas in which rental and service models have particularly great potential and outlines paths for future research and development. More info (German)

The Creative Industries Barometer provides information on the economic situation of the industry based on a company survey.

The creative industries have clearly developed positively in the last twelve months, but not quite as positively as the rest of the economy. The biggest challenges in 2022 are labour costs, the shortage of skilled workers and the prices of energy, raw materials and inputs.

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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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. More information

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. First, the terminology is clarified in an overview study and possible potentials and challenges are considered. The focus is on the necessary digitalisation of the areas of production, mobility and medicine.

In addition, the climate friendliness of AI and its potential for climate protection is increasingly gaining interest. Against this background, a second study provides a knowledge base for assessing the climate protection potential of AI applications and provides an overview of existing developments and practices in business support.

The policy insights are a result of the accompanying research in the context of the accompanying monitoring and evaluation of the call "aws Digitalisation - trustworthy artificial intelligence" on behalf of aws - Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH.

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. More Info

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.

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.

Download Report (German)

English Executive Summary

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.

The subject of the evaluation is Switzerland's space policy as it has developed over the past thirteen years on the basis of the institutional strategy "Swiss Space Policy 2008". The appropriateness and effectiveness of selected guidelines are described and assessed, taking into account past and future developments. Furthermore, the evaluation serves as an information base for the development of a future Swiss space policy. Part of the evaluation is, among other things, the analysis of the complex landscape of actors including the start-up ecosystem around Swiss space policy.

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.

Viele Start-ups und KMU verfügen über wertvolles geistiges Eigentum, aber nicht über das erforderliche Know-how zur bestmöglichen Verwertung dieser Ressource. Ein neuer Bericht aus dem EU-Projekt „LeadershIP4SMEs“ zeigt auf, was in der Unterstützung von Unternehmen zu beachten ist und wirft einen Blick auf die neuesten internationalen Entwicklungen in diesem Bereich.

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. The project seeks to raise the awareness and change the perception about the importance of IPR of the targeted groups of SMEs and Start-ups as well as financial intermediaries and investors.

The framework will allow to support step by step 15 SMEs and 15 Start-ups, selected through open calls, to exploit their IPR to raise capital, generate business opportunities and become “hypergrowth” role models.

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. Furthermore, strategies and measures to support entrepreneurship in these underrepresented groups are identified. The Austrian Institute for SME Research is part of the network of national experts and responsible for the country report Austria.

The Tenth Austrian Creative Industries Report sheds light on the resilience of the creative industries in the Corona crisis. The creative industries data sheet includes the analysis of current data on the economic significance, the development before and during the Corona crisis as well as the economic effects of the Corona crisis on the Austrian creative industries. The Creative Industries Barometer from Winter 2021 contains economic information on the self-assessment and expectations of entrepreneurs in the creative industries.

More Information and the report (in German) can be found here.

New business ventures hold great potential for the transformation to a Circular Economy. 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.

Funding agency: MA 7 – Stadt Wien Kultur

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 study is based on analyses of secondary data, a quantitative survey of transferors, successors and potential transferors as well as qualitative interviews with experts and entrepreneurs concerned.

This evaluation will examine the effects that the "Stadt der Zukunft" (“City of Tomorrow”) programme has achieved since its inception. The evaluation is based on extensive surveys of research project participants and various multipliers from application areas such as civil engineering and urban planning. The evaluation thereby creates an important basis for the design of future research funding. More information

The programme evaluation was awarded the DeGEval Young Researcher Award, which is given for outstanding contributions to evaluation research or practice.

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. Data collection took place in the form of semi-structured interviews with 100 enterprises in five countries: Austria, Estonia, France, Ireland and Italy. The Austrian Institute for SME Research implemented interviews with 20 enterprises in Austria.

Publication

The Austrian Institute for SME Research has been regularly analyzing the situation and development of one-person enterprises in Austria since 2007. In a comprehensive study and survey of around 2,000 one-person entrepreneurs in 2022, the diverse characteristics of their entrepreneurial activities were examined more closely.

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.

Furthermore, it was of interest which instruments of governmental support exist for different types of technology transfer or company types and where corresponding gaps exist in Austria.

Project partner: AIT, Joanneum Research
Client: Federal Ministry for Climate Action
Contact: Peter Kaufmann

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 "RTI Strategy for the Austrian Aviation Sector 2020 plus" was introduced by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMK) in 2016, taking into account international strategies and guiding papers, and followed the RTI Aviation Strategy 2008. It is now necessary to update this in light of changed framework conditions, and at the same time also to incorporate the newly developed Austrian RTI Strategy with its strong focus on internationality, infrastructure, overcoming the climate crisis, human resources, excellence and output.

Further Information can be found here.

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; for micro-enterprises, these are primarily financial barriers; for small and medium-sized enterprises, access to skilled labor is the most significant barrier. On the other hand, with regard to the effectiveness of support services, different contextual conditions in the individual member states make it difficult to draw a blanket conclusion, but most SMEs see public support as crucial for carrying out their innovation activities.

The study can be found here.

The impact monitoring of RTDI funding for Austrian companies and research organisations, managed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), assesses direct impacts of the funded projects on RTDI inputs, behavioural changes, and outputs. The results of the analyses serve as an input for the further development of the portfolio of the funding agency.

More information can be found here (German only).

Further information: Why investment in research and innovation is essential Our Deputy Director Mr. Peter Kaufmann in an interview.

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 report "SMEs in Focus" uses current facts and figures to highlight the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for the Austrian economy. One focus chapter is devoted to the effects of the Corona-related crisis on SMEs. Furthermore, the report provides an overview of recent SME support measures, which are based on the three pillars of the new SME strategy of the European Commission. Every year the report on small and medium sized enterprises is presented to the Austrian Parliament.

The report can be found here (german only).

So far, the shift to a Circular Economy has hardly arrived in the everyday lives of many people. 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 conceptual building blocks developed in this study can support the design of a socially inclusive Circular Economy.

Within the framework of the project, the klimaaktiv climate protection initiative was evaluated together with the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy. Internal and external reports, personal interviews with key stakeholders, an online survey of the partner network and a strategy workshop formed the basis for the evaluators. They evaluated the klimaaktiv program period 2013 to 2020. Based on the results, indications were developed on how to design the program phase until 2030. The results show that klimaaktiv is effective, well organized and has built up a powerful network. The activities are to be expanded and intertwined with upcoming measures and funding.

Project partner: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy

Client: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism

Further information & study download

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.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the Austrian economy. They therefore play a central role in the innovation and competitiveness of the country. 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. Particular attention is paid to digitization as a driver of innovation.

The study was commissioned by ACR - Austrian Cooperative Research and supported by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW).

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 in order to support innovation agents providing evidence-based and efficient consultation. The respective results are, among others, based on the use of applied methods e.g. social network analysis.

KMU Forschung Austria provided its scientific expertise in a needs assessment among the members of mica (music austria) and thus supported the preparation of questionnaires, analyses and the presentation of the results.

More information can be found here.

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.

Nearly all sectors of the retail industry suffered a massive drop in sales in March and April 2020. Many entrepreneurs are facing unprecedented challenges. In May, the first positive tendencies can be seen in some sectors, while others are still confronted with significantly declining sales.

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.

Half of the tourist accommodation establishments need at least 81 % of the "pre-Corona" turnover to operate profitably. This is shown by an analysis of more than 3,200 annual accounts by the Austrian Institute for SME Research.

The evaluation analyses the instrument "BMVIT endowed professorship" and develops recommendations for the further development of the instrument. The focus is on the organisational and structural framework conditions for endowed professorships from the perspective of the sponsor and the universities. The evaluation focuses on questions regarding the appropriate design of the instrument with regard to the intended funding objectives. In addition, the integration of the instrument into the national funding environment and the positioning of endowed professorships in the Austrian university and higher education landscape is examined. More Information

Within the framework of the "funding focus on talents" ("Förderschwerpunkt Talente), (potential) researchers are funded in the application-oriented, scientific and technical RTI area. The funding instruments are aimed at children and young people (internships for pupils, regional talents) as well as researchers (career grants, job exchange) and address equal opportunities in research (FEMtech student internships, FEMtech career (check), FEMtech research projects). The Research Partnerships ("Forschungspartnerschaften") program supports dissertation projects in companies and non-university research institutions. The evaluation focuses on the analysis of the funding concepts, the implementation and the effects of the programmes.

Project duration: 05/2020 - 02/2021
Client: Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Contact: Eva Heckl

Downloads (only executive summary available in English):

• Report Talente - Evaluierung des Förderschwerpunkts
• Report Forschungspartnerschaften – industrienahe Dissertationen - Programmevaluierung 

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 is the fourth after 2008, 2013 and 2017 to focus on family businesses. The project includes the analysis of the economic importance of family businesses in Austria and their characteristics. In addition, the degree of digitization of Austrian family businesses is examined. The project also includes an evaluation of the Austrian Entrepreneurial Index (AEI) 2019 for family businesses.

The study is the fourth after 2008, 2013 and 2017 to focus on family businesses. The project includes the analysis of the economic importance of family businesses in Austria and their characteristics. In addition, the degree of digitization of Austrian family businesses is examined. The project also includes an evaluation of the Austrian Entrepreneurial Index (AEI) 2019 for family businesses.

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.

More information and the report (in German) can be found here.

The 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. The report also provides a list of support measures for SMEs in Austria based on the 10 principles of the European Small Business Act. Every year the report on small and medium sized enterprises is presented to the Austrian Parliament.

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 Missing Entrepreneurs 2019 is the fifth edition of a series of publications that explore how to support job creation, economic growth and social inclusion at national, regional and local level by overcoming obstacles to business creation and self-employment by people from disadvantaged or under-represented groups of entrepreneurship. There is considerable potential to fight unemployment and increase labour force participation by facilitating the start-up of enterprises in population groups such as women, young people, the unemployed and migrants. However, the specific problems they face must be identified and addressed through effective and efficient policy measures. As in previous years, the Austrian Institute for SME Research was responsible for the country report Austria.

More information and the report can be found here.

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 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 evaluation of the German Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) with its three R&D programme pillars - individual projects, cooperation projects and innovation networks concerns one of the most important instruments of innovation policy in Germany.

The evaluation focused on the programme period 2015 to mid-2018 and integrated a theory-based approach with a strong empirical basis. Methodologically, the evaluation implemented a coordinated set of analytical-quantitative and qualitative approaches, such as a control group approach as well as a broad set of qualitative methods, including the analysis of spillover-effects of the different programme pillars.

Report (in German)

This evaluation commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK, formerly BMVIT) examined the Austrian space commitment in the period 2012 to 2018 and derived corresponding recommendations for further development. This includes not only the design of the future space strategy, the relevant commitment at ESA and at the level of the European Union, but also the Austrian Space Applications Programme (ASAP), Austria's national space programme.

The evaluation was coordinated by the Austrian Institute for SME Research (KMU Forschung Austria) and implemented in close cooperation with the Institute for Innovation and Technology (iit) in VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH and inspire research GmbH.

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 study on behalf of DG GROW assessed the feasibility of including societal criteria (environmental, innovation, employment-related) in upstream space procurement within the European Union Space Programmes, Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS. The study required carrying out three tasks: Task 1) Investigate the legal feasibility of including societal criteria in the procurement of infrastructures for the EU Space Programmes, Task 2) Estimate the impact of including selected societal criteria and Task 3) Draw conclusions regarding the most appropriate societal criteria to be included in future procurement.

The accompanying impact analysis and evaluation of the Swiss "CTI Entrepreneurship" Training Programms assesses its conception, implementation and short to medium-term effects. The analysis, carried out by the Austrian Institute for SME Research in cooperation with B, S, S Volkswirtschaftliche Beratung AG in Basel, is based on theories of social psychology and their empirical implementation against the background of heterogeneous support infrastructures in the Swiss regions.

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. More Information (German)

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.

This accompanying evaluation of the implementation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-20 in Austria involves a consortium of six partners, and applies a broad evaluation design.

From the variety of methodologies applied in this evaluation, the Austrian Institute for SME Research implements, apart from some qualitative analyses, a conditional difference-in-difference to investigate the impact of ERDF subsidies on enterprises.

The Austrian Institute for SME Research has provided assistance to the government of Upper Austria in redesigning their labour market strategy with a focus on supply of skilled labour. This includes an analysis of the regional labour market (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats); the development of possible future scenarios, a system of strategic objectives and an impact model of the strategy; the definition of corresponding indicators; and the development and testing of a monitoring system. More Information

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.

More Information and the report (in German) can be found here.

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

Main findings of the evaluation of Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (AWS) and Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) have been published in the fteval Journal.

In 2017 and 2018 the implementation of HORIZON 2020 and ERA, as well as EUREKA, COSME and EEN in Austria was evaluated by a consortium consisting of AIT, Joanneum Research, KMFA and ZSI. The evaluation focused on three key areas: 1. Evaluation of Austrian Research Promotion Agency’s (FFG) advisory and support services for HORIZON 2020, EUREKA, COSME, EEN and ERA 2. EU performance monitoring of FFG 3. The ERA Observatory Austria, which forms an overarching framework for the integration of the individual tasks in the field of governance for EU-RTI policy in Austria on the part of the BMBWF (Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research).

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. More Information (in German)

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.

More information and the study can be found here.

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 evaluation analyses to what extent the concept for innovation promoting public procurement (IÖB) established in 2011 has been successfully implemented or whether the corresponding setting enables efficient implementation. The evaluation is based on a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods and also develops recommendations for further implementation with the help of an international comparison.

The BRIDGE programme funds basic science research projects at universities and other public research organisations that already demonstrate realistic application prospects. Thus, the BRIDGE funding will facilitate the transfer of basic science results into industrial applications.
Companies participate in these projects financially or non-financially by providing equipment and guidance to the research institutes. The evaluation focuses on the different facets of impacts of the programme and on the more recent modifications in the programme design during the period 2009 up to 2016.

After the global recession, job creation is a political priority. While it is generally accepted that most jobs are created by small and medium-sized enterprises, not all SMEs are growing fast or even want to expand. With limited public budgets, business models with high employment potential are becoming very attractive.

The study deals with company start-ups or young companies that pursue a business model geared to the international market from the outset (so-called Born Globals). Case studies will focus on their integration into international value chains. Another focus of the study is on the funding instruments with which these companies can be supported.

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.

Long-term unemployed persons represent a main target group of labour market policy as they entail various hampering factors with view to a reintegration at the labour market. On the one hand financial/social support has to be provided, on the other hand tailored measures have to be designed. In the framework of this study active and mainly passive support measures for long-term unemployed in selected European countries are analysed. These measures are compared with the Austrian support instruments.

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.

This research project analyses territorial patterns and performance of SMEs in Europe and investigates factors and driving forces for SME development at regional level. To this end the research utilizes comprehensive statistical data as well as in-depth case studies of diverse territories in the EU. The study then looks at what can be learned in terms of effective territorial strategies fostering SMEs in different types of regions.

The Reportcan be found here (German only).

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of entrepreneurship of women in Austria. Socio-demographic characteristics of female entrepreneurs, the characteristics of companies run by women, working conditions and the entrepreneurial and private environment as well as the specific challenges of women entrepreneurs are in focus. Based on this, conclusions are derived on how women entrepreneurship can be promoted. A focus report is dedicated to women entrepreneurs in male-dominated industries.

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.

The Report can be found here (German only).

This study analyses existing barriers for young, innovative companies in Austria and develops recommendations for conducive framework conditions for founders. The main focus of the analysis is on the barriers to found a company in Austria, the financing and the role of the bank sector in this connection. Experiences from international good practice cases will be included in the report.

The evaluation of the AWS and FFG promotion agencies essentially addresses the question whether and to what extent ambitions and expectations of the predecessor organisations consolidations, which happened in the context of the structural reforms more than a decade ago, have been achieved. Applying a theory-based evaluation approach (TBE) the evaluation analyses organisational and content-related functionalities, inherent properties, functional logics and impacts of both institutions, in order to draw action-relevant conclusions.

Contact: Peter Kaufmann

Download Report (German only)

The situation at the labour market for specific groups (low skilled persons, migrants, 50+, etc.) becomes more problematic. One of the political solutions is early intervention. To improve such measures this study analyses early intervention measures in Germany and draws lessons learnt for Austria. Methods applied are literature and document analysis, expert interviews and case studies.

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)

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 project analyses and assesses the labour market situation and development (labour demand and supply) at the level of occupations and qualifications in the regions of Upper Austria. This is done based on an in-depth analysis of regionalised labour market and educational data, and regional focus groups. The results serve as a basis for policies and initiatives to improve matching on regional labour markets.

This report on small and medium sized enterprises is presented to the Austrian Parliament every second year. Besides recent information on the industries as well as a thematic focus on competitiveness, the report also provides a list of support measures for SMEs based on the 10 principles of the European Small Business Act.

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 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.

This technical assistance project contributes to the development of the SME sector in Kosovo through a set of specific support actions:
a) strengthening and capacity building of the local SME Support Agency for a more effective SME policy;
b) promoting and professionalising SMEs through a voucher scheme for management consulting Services; and
c) developing a credit guarantee scheme for SMEs to facilitate access to finance.

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.

The objectives of this study were to analyse the employment situation of young people in Switzerland and the framework conditions in the labour market, the identification of good practices of support for young people in the labour market in Switzerland, and conclusions and lessons learned for designing support measures for young people in the Austrian labour market.

The study investigates the use of competence measurement and assessment among European enterprises. The focus was on the purposes of skills assessment, the methods used and the quality of results obtained. In this respect, there were clear differences between company types and professional functions in companies. The research was primarily based on surveys and case studies in 10 European countries.

The project consisted of two studies, conducted together with the cooperation partner Panteia B.V. The aims of this study were to collect and analyse the most recent comparable statistical data on women entrepreneurs in Europe (37 countries) in order to quantitatively capture female entrepreneuership. Furthermore, the study explores the feasibility and possible design, input and set-up of a European-wide e-platform for women entrepreneurs. It incorporates findings of a women entrepreneurs survey as well as interviews with stakeholders.

This study investigated the development prospects of the Salzburg region up to 2025.

Based on comprehensive analyses, key factors influencing the regional economy and relevant trends were identified. This is used to frame different development scenarios for Salzburg. Eventually the main fields of action for government, social partners and other stakeholders are carved out.

The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the results and impacts of the participating SMEs within two initiatives of FP7: the cooperation programme and the research for the benefit of SMEs schemes under the capacities programme, including the impacts on economic performance, European added value, behavioural additionality and innovation. The evaluation study assessed the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the two initiatives.