This course provides a comprehensive guide to the research process for PhD students across different research fields. It is organized in two formally separate courses, Part A and Part B. Part A (in the Winter Term) is hands-on research and focuses on developing a draft research paper from scratch or beginning with the initial research proposal students might have. It covers all stages of the process, from formulating clear research questions, through detailed literature review, choice of research methodology and data analysis toolkit, to putting the first draft together. In Part B (in the Summer Term) students delve also into professional aspects of the academic research process. They first learn about research funding and related schemes. Then they develop comprehensive understanding of research design, practice presenting their research results effectively, thus preparing for seminars and conferences, and finally explore different stages of the publication process, including crafting cover letters for journal submissions and participating in the peer review process.

Students can start with either Term, although it is recommended to begin with Part A. Nevertheless, both Part A and Part B are designed to be independent and complementary. In the Summer Term in Part B, students who completed the Winter Term work on their assignments based on the draft research paper they completed in Part A. Instead, those students starting with Part B in the Summer Term work on their assignments using an established published paper of their choice from within their research field, as case study, to explore also these professional aspects of the research process. In the Winter Term in Part A, students who decided to complete Part B in the Summer Term first, thus working with an established published paper of their choice, work on writing their draft research paper and are expected to apply knowledge gained in Part B to their output later at their own discretion.

Key topics covered in part A are:
• Stages of the PhD research process.
• Develop research questions and hypotheses rigorously.
• Conduct a comprehensive literature review in a systematic way.
• Choose and implement research methodologies that match.
• Analyze and interpret research data from different sources.
• Write and present research findings effectively.

• Lectures providing input
• Take-home tasks (writing, application of newly acquired knowledge and competences)
• Student presentations incl. feedback

After successful completion of Part A, students will

Professional competence
• Understand the stages of the PhD research process.
• Present research findings effectively to various audiences.
• Apply effective presentation techniques.
• Write a coherent and compelling draft research paper.

Methodological competence
• Develop a clear and viable research question.
• Conduct thorough and critical literature reviews.
• Select and apply appropriate research methodologies.
• Analyze data using appropriate tools and techniques.

Social competence
• Collaborate effectively in team settings.
• Network and communicate effectively with peers.

Personal competence
• Use self-reflection to enhance communication skills.
• Understand personal strengths and areas for improvement in communication.
• Develop self-awareness in various communication contexts.

Students are provided with lecture slides and supplementary material (e.g., selected journal articles).

In Project Seminar, students analyse a real-world case from a specific industry. Students divide into groups according to their preferences and work on one of four cases through the lens of process management, data and application security, data science, or digital innovation. The course topics change from semester to semester.

Projects will address various aspects of digital innovation, focusing on developing and implementing novel solutions. Exemplary topics include but are not limited to digital transformation strategies, AI management, innovation ecosystems, digital product design, and the impact on organizational and social transformation. Projects are expected to deliver conceptual designs or practical case studies demonstrating how digital technologies enable or embody the innovation process and its outcomes.

• The course involves interactive seminars with workshops and regular presentations.
• The faculty and a jury of representatives from regional companies evaluate the students’ solutions in terms of innovativeness and usefulness and provide them with feedback and advice.

After successful completion of the course, students will

Professional competence

• be able to analyse real-world cases
• integrate knowledge to identify areas of improvement or innovation
• use appropriate methods to develop recommendations for a case company

Methodological competence

• manage a (small) project
• identify and structure existing information
• work with domain experts (external partners)

Social competence

• self-organise within a group
• work in a group and with external partners
• handling criticism and demonstrate the ability to criticise in a constructive manner

Personal competence

• reflect on limitations of their own work
• work on tasks independently within a group
• manage time

• Students are provided with the lecture slides and supplementary material (e.g., selected journal articles).

Seminar paper (50%), presentations (50%); attendance is mandatory (80%)

The digitization of society and business is transforming the way we consume, work, interact and create, leading to a new era centered on the digital user and their evolving needs. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for companies, forcing them to adapt their business models and strategies.
Building on the fundamentals of Digital Innovation, this lecture will explore the integration of digital technologies, par-ticularly within established companies, and how organizations can develop digital transformation strategies that foster innovation, optimize operations, and drive cultural change. The course is structured around three core themes:

• Digital Transformation of Value-Based Offerings: Examining how firms can utilize digital tools and technologies to create and enhance value propositions.
• Optimization of Existing Business Processes: Analyzing ways in which digital technologies can help streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Driving Cultural Change in Organizations: Investigating the organizational dynamics and leadership strategies essential for fostering a digital culture.

Through real-world case studies, students will engage with practical examples of successful digital transformation ef-forts, focusing on incumbent firms. By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of how digital technologies can drive sustainable change and competitive advantage.

• The module involves interactive lectures with exercises to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical de-sign and analysis skills.
• Case studies are used to discuss and transfer the course contents. Contemporary scientific publications from Information Systems and Management Research are discussed in class.

After successful completion of the course, students will

Professional competence

• understand the strategic significance of digital transformation and its impact on incumbent firms
• analyze and evaluate various digital business models and strategies

Methodological competence

• apply digital transformation theories and frameworks to real-world cases
• develop skills in process analysis and optimization using digital tools

Social competence

• Engage in collaborative projects, enhancing teamwork and communication skills
• Present findings and analyses, fostering public speaking and presentation abilities

Personal competence

• Critically reflect on their learning and the implications of digital transformation for society
• Cultivate a mindset for continuous learning and adaptability in a digital landscape

• Students are provided with the lecture slides and supplementary material (e.g., selected journal articles, case studies).

Written exam (60min)

In the Research Seminar course, students learn to apply in practice what they learned in the Research Methods course. The seminar covers issues related to identifying and formulating research questions, choosing a suitable research design to use in answering these questions, evaluating the feasibility of a planned research study, and writing research proposals. Together with faculty, students develop research proposals (so-called “exposés”) for their master’s theses.

• The course involves interactive seminars with workshops and regular presentations.

After successful completion of the course, students will

Professional competence

• critical analyse state-of-the-art literature on selected research topics
• be able to write independently and scientifically about new research topics
• be able to present research ideas and designs

Methodological competence

• be able to understand and apply research methods in computer science and information systems
• be able to identify open research problems
• be able to identify feasible solution strategies for research problems

Social competence

• be able to effectively communicate their research ideas to their peers
• be able to effectively communicate their research ideas to their research supervisor(s)

Personal competence

• be able to plan and implement complex research tasks

Technological competence

• conduct proof-of-concept research experimentation and design

• Students are provided with the lecture slides and supplementary material (e.g., selected journal articles).

Seminar paper (70%), presentation (30%)

• The purpose of this course is twofold: First, invited talks by researchers from other institutions (and, occasionally, from the University of Liechtenstein) bring students in touch with cutting-edge research in their field. Second, students learn how to give an academic presentation of one of their research papers. Students will receive feedback on their performance. Our goal is to provide research colloquia for all specializations, but the course may not be offered for all specializations in each academic year. Students from two specializations may be gathered into one colloquium for organizational reasons. Key topics covered are: Current research in business economics Structure and content of an academic paper discussion

Presentations, discussions with feedback.

• After successful completion of the course, students will Professional competence Prepare and deliver a presentation of a research paper at a research seminar. - Social competence Interact with scientists in different phases of their career. Formulate critical questions in a neutral and professional manner. - Personal Competence Reflect on one’s own performance and professional behavior.

For the specialisations in Entrepreneurship and Management and Information Systems the module is not offered internally at the moment. The process flow for external modules can be found on
uni.li/legal. It is not possible to register directly for the desired module here. The module coordinator for ENT and IS is Prof Dr Michael Hanke. If you have any further questions, please contact doktorat@uni.li.

For the specialisations in Economics and Finance the module is offered as part of the Finance Research Seminar. The module coordinator for ECO and FIN is Ass.-Prof. Dr Sebastian Stöckl. Please register for the desired module directly in the module.

Finance Research Seminar

The Advanced Studio - Sustainable Design concentrates on the design of complex building projects in which the deficits for our society in the future are revealed through in-depth analyses. With the aim of achieving a sustainably good quality of life for individuals and humanity, we use a framework of five pairs of needs: resources and energy, space and mobility, food and health, demography and integration as well as values and ethics. These replace the familiar scale categories of common architectural theory and thus overcome the linear functionalism. Not unexpectedly, utopian, dystopian, but also very humble and reflective projects can result.

Guided project work in the design studio. A seminar week focussing on the studio topic is an integral part of the design studio.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to

Relevant reading will be made available at the beginning of the course. A list of recommended literature will be announced in the course and updated on an ongoing basis.

BSc AR 24: Successful completion of all four foundation studios (Grundlagenstudios)
MSc AR 24: none

Minimum 75% compulsory attendance, continuous assessment, midterm and final reviews.
The final grade is calculated according to the weighting of the following components: design project (80%) and final presentation (20%).

The Advanced Studio - Craft & Structure focuses on the design with materials and how they fit together to form a logical structure. This interaction is investigated on a wide range of scales, from architectural design in the urban context to construction on a 1:1 scale and tested in experimental prototypes. The knowledge generated in this process deepens the understanding of sustainably built and tectonically structured architecture. Analog tools meet digital productions:
Traditional and innovative methods are applied and transferred into sustainable constructions based on the focus on craft and structure.

Guided project work in the design studio. A seminar week focussing on the studio topic is an integral part of the design studio.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to

Relevant reading will be made available at the beginning of the course. A list of recommended literature will be announced in the course and updated on an ongoing basis.

BSc AR 24: Successful completion of all four foundation studios (Grundlagenstudios)
MSc AR 24: none

Minimum 75% compulsory attendance, continuous assessment, midterm and final reviews.
The final grade is calculated according to the weighting of the following components: design project (80%) and final presentation (20%).

Information Systems Modelling focuses on systems analysis and design. In particular, the course covers methods of and approaches to modelling information systems in organisations. The course covers five primary topics:

• Introduction to object-oriented systems
• Project planning and initiation
• Requirements analysis (i.e. requirements gathering and structuring)
• Information systems modelling (i.e. UML modelling languages)
• Information systems documentation

• The course involves interactive lectures with exercises to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical design and analysis skills.
• The e-learning platform Moodle is used throughout the course to disseminate course material and for information and discussion.
• Case studies are used to show how the course contents are related.

After successful completion of the course, students will

• know how information systems can be modelled
• know and apply basic methods of systems modelling and design (i.e. UML modelling languages)
• use systems-modelling methods to analyse, design, and implement information systems

Written exam (60min)

Security Management covers technical and organisational methods for the definition and implementation of security policies. The course covers five primary topics:

• People, processes, and strategic planning
• Risk management
• Regulatory compliance, aw, and ethics
• Security analysis, safeguards, and frameworks
• Maturity and performance measurement

• The module involves interactive lectures with exercises to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical design and analysis skills.
• Homework assignments are used to deepen students’ understanding of the analytical methods of security management.

After successful completion of the course, students will

Professional competence
• understand the main security objectives and processes
• be able to initiate and lead basic security initiatives in smaller organisations

Methodological competence
• be able to set up and maintain basic information security management systems
• be able to apply correct metrics to measure security related KPIs

Social competence
• understand that security management always has an ethical part

Personal competence
• be able to identify emerging security issues
• be able to find and apply suitable standards, literature and frameworks

Technological competence
• be familiar with the main security related standards, guidelines, and frameworks

• Students are provided with the lecture slides and supplementary material (e.g., selected journal articles).

Written exam

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Craft & Structure Unit:
After the intensive workshop with our Erasmus partners from the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway, we will construct the RED CUBE in the second part of the semester and build it ourselves in collaboration with local craftsmen. We will critically analyse the prototypes from the workshop and develop them into a logical tectonic system, which we will produce, assemble and build into a final structure.
This will take place in parallel with the advanced design studio CULTURE SPACE MALBUN and will continue until completion in the summer. It includes all elements of the building, from the foundations, which we are producing ourselves using the tamping technique, to the skeleton construction using the truss technique, to the roof structure and the roof cladding made of slate slabs. The four tectonic elements of the floor, the walls, the cladding and the roof will be modelled in the RED CUBE and form a striking symbol in the campus ensemble.

Self-defined design or research studies, developed individually or in groups agreed upon with research units and under the guidance of mentors. The size of the module is determined by the respective unit.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to

Relevant reading will be made available at the beginning of the course. A list of recommended literature will be announced in the course and updated on an ongoing basis.

Minimum 75% compulsory attendance, regular meetings with instructors, continuous assessment, portfolio and final review.
The final grade is calculated according to the weighting of the following components: final submission (80%) and oral presentation (20%).

Individual appointments will be set with the tutor.