The role of unlearning in organizational development

January 2022 until July 2022 (completed) FFF-Funding Project

Project Description

Organizational unlearning is regarded as an essential driver of organizational change. To be pre-pared in the best way possible, organizations should possess the capability of deliberately dis-carding obsolete or undesired assumptions and practices in order to make room for new ways of thinking and doing. However, literature is still scarce in terms of how this phenomenon un-folds in organizational development processes. This research project aims to examine this com-plex topic. In doing so, unlearning processes will be investigated in the context of (i) planned and (ii) unplanned organizational development processes. Further, this project should reveal how unlearning unfolds across different levels (individual, group, organizational). The case study method will be used to generate insights and theory in this area of research.

Participating Institutions

Chair of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship / Project Lead

Project Participants

Dr. Adrian Klammer

- Principal Investigator

Principal Investigator

The Role of Space in Information Systems

December 2021 until November 2022 (completed) FFF-Funding Project

Project Description

We act in the understanding of a smart space management solution that we are prototyping and testing specifically for the COVID-19 use case. The project will explore the evolving role of space and spatial data obtained therein in the context of designing sociotechnical systems and processes. Furthermore, we will develop a system that allows to manage rooms based on different requirements that have to be met by external conditions like the actual recommendations for action in the pandemic. Presently there are for example recommendations from the authorities to periodically ventilate closed rooms for a higher safety. Current studies show that rooms are significant catalysts for the spread of the virus and that the risk of infection can be significantly reduced through timely ventilation. To take the rapidly changing protection concepts into account, the sensors can give a clear information about the situation in a room and prescribe recommendations for action (e.g., open windows) to keep the risk low. The sensors measure and count the number of entries and exits and determine the humidity, temperature, and the air quality (CO2). Concepts from behavioural economics, in which, for example, people can be guided to behave in a way that is beneficial to them by influencing their perceived direct environment, are also increasingly coming into focus in the use of such systems.
keywords: smart space, IoT, organisation, pervasive systems

Relevance to Liechtenstein

The entire University of Liechtenstein and all stakeholders involved can benefit from this space monitoring system. Current COVID-19 regulations for indoor stays in Liechtenstein and the rapidly changing protection concepts will be considered. For example, the constantly changing conditions regarding the maximum number of people in a room make it difficult for students and staff at the University of Liechtenstein to keep track of whether additional people are allowed, because of the actual COVID-19 spatial regulation, to enter a room and under what conditions. In future work, we could imagine making the living space even more measurable, e.g. in order to be able to scientifically substantiate statements about the quality of life in Liechtenstein and also about the country with its many spatial facets even better. In outdoor spaces, for example, data can be collected continuously on air quality, noise levels or even the intensity of use of the space (e.g. a village square). The data can be visualized and made accessible on an online platform, e.g. to be able to analyse the influence of traffic arteries or new construction areas of different development forms.

Scientific, Economic and Societal Impact

We will develop a system that allows to manage rooms based on different requirements that have to be met by external conditions like the actual recommendations for action in the pandemic. The space management system shall integrate various sensors from which information about the current state of the room is transmitted. This sensor data will be made accessible to various visualization devices in combination with the room configuration and the current COVID-19 regulations.

Participating Institutions

Hilti Chair of Business Process Management / Project Lead

Project Participants

Dr. rer. oec. Gregor Kipping

- Principal Investigator

Principal Investigator

Markus Otto BSc.

- Project Collaborator

Project Collaborator

Prof. Dr. Jan vom Brocke

- Project Collaborator

Visiting Professor - Information Systems and Process Science

Project Collaborator

Dr. Michael Gau

- Project Collaborator

Senior Scientist - Dean's Office Liechtenstein Business School

Project Collaborator

Publications

Weber, M., Kipping, G., vom Brocke, J., & Schweitzer, M. (2025). Adopting the Internet of Things (IoT) Technology Paradigm Using the IoT Implementation Framework. In J. vom Brocke, J. Mendling & M. Rosemann (Eds.), Business Process Management Cases Vol. 3. Cham: Springer.
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The role of information systems in environmental sustainability transformations

February 2013 until May 2016 (completed) PhD-Thesis

Project Description

Environmental sustainability is one of most important challenges of the 21st century and can be defined as "behavior impacting on the natural environment that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future stakeholders to meet their own needs". To that end, fundamental changes in the behavior at the individual, organizational, and societal levels are needed. Information systems (IS) have been identified as a key resource in order to influence human behavior and the beliefs about the natural environment. While environmental sustainability has been on the agenda of researchers from different disciplines for the past decades, only few studies exist that investigate the influence of information systems on environmental sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how information systems can contribute to sustainability transformations.

Relevance to Liechtenstein

Information systems are a key resource in organizational sustainability transformations. Sustainability is a topic of high relevance for the regional industry, so Liechtenstein companies will benefit from the university's expertise on the action possibilities that information systems create to support such transformation.

Keywords

Green IS Environmental Sustainability Functional affordance

Participating Institutions

Hilti Chair of Business Process Management / Doctoral instiution

Project Participants

Dr. Nadine Székely

- PhD-Student

Research Manager - Research Management

PhD-Student

Prof. Dr. Jan vom Brocke

- Supervisor

Visiting Professor - Information Systems and Process Science

Supervisor

Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Zarnekow

- Co-Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

The role of information systems in environmental sustainability transformations

February 2013 (completed) Preproposal PhD-Thesis

Project Description

Keywords

Green IS Environmental Sustainability Functional affordance

Project Participants

Dr. Nadine Székely

- PhD-Student

Research Manager - Research Management

PhD-Student

Prof. Dr. Jan vom Brocke

- Supervisor

Visiting Professor - Information Systems and Process Science

Supervisor

Publications

Székely, N., Seidel, S., & vom Brocke, J. (2015). Green IS: Are We Still Thinking in Mere Economic Imperatives or Are We Striving for Eco-Effectiveness?. Paper presented at the Twenty-first Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), Puerto Rico.
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The Rhine Valley Curve: Innovation Efficiency of industrial firms in the Alpine Rhine Valley

January 2022 until December 2022 (completed) FFF-Funding Project

Project Description

Innovation efficiency goes along with better innovation and firm performance. However, the relationship between innovation practices, processes and techniques and their effect on innovation efficiency remain unknown on a large scale. This research project aims to bring the two fields together, tackling innovative-ness from a perspective of limited resources. Therefore, quantitative and qualitative methods such as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), interviews and case study research are applied. Endogenous growth theory and the Dynamic Capabilities View (DCV) frame the work. The project assesses the innovation capability of the researched region, elaborates a framework for practitioners who are active in a similar cultural envi-ronment and contributes to the extension of the Innovation Management / Innovation Efficiency literature.

Keywords: Alpine Rhine Valley, Innovation Efficiency, Innovationmanagement

Relevance to Liechtenstein

Das Forschungsprojekt setzt sich explizit mit dem Alpenrheintal und Firmen im Alpenrheintal auseinander. Dies umfasst folglich Liechtenstein sowie die schweizerischen und österreichischen Nachbarsregionen. Das Ziel des Forschungsprojekts ist es, die Region nachhaltig zu beeinflussen, im Sinne eines Beitrages zur Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Zukunftsfähigkeit der Unternehmen. Wie Garud et al. (2013, S. 774) erläutert, hängen Besonderheiten, wie sich ein spezifisches Innovationsmanagement entfaltet, vom kulturellen Umfeld ab. Durch die Fokussierung auf das Alpenrheintal wird sichergestellt, dass das kulturelle Umfeld berücksichtigt wird, was wiederum zu Rahmenbedingungen führt, welche für Industrieunternehmen in der Region funktionieren. Darüber hinaus sind viele der Unternehmen im Alpenrheintal aktiv in das Forschungsprojekt eingebunden, was (1) das Bewusstsein für das Thema schärft und (2) die Beziehung zwischen der Universität und den regionalen (Industrie-)Unternehmen aufbaut und stärkt. Schliesslich wirkt sich das Projekt nicht nur auf die Unternehmen aus, sondern auch auf regionale Akteure, wie z.B. die Handelskammer, indem es ihnen Informationen über die Innovationsleistung der Region liefert.

Scientific, Economic and Societal Impact

The research project contributes on a microeconomic and a macroeconomic level. On firm level, managers and practicioners are provided with a starting point to tackle innocation efficiency in their (industrial) companies. The participants (around 20-30 industrial companies in the Alpine Rhine Valley) of the research project are provided with their positioning regarding innovation efficiency, compared to other industrial companies in the Alpine Rhine Valley - and in Switzerland. The participating companies further benefit from a detailed analysis of their innovation management, and hence tailored suggestions to improve their innovation efficiency. However, also the managers of industrial firms in general, which aren't involved into the research project, benefit from the insights and guidelines that result from the project.

On a macroeconomic level we can retrieve the following benefits: First, it opens the door to compare the innovation capability of the region, in terms of innovation efficiency, with other regions. This in turn might point out scope to action. Second, as innovation management patterns are investigated within the regional context, policies and location factors may emerge on the way that positively influence innovation efficiency.

Participating Institutions

Chair of Entrepreneurship and Technology / Project Lead

Project Participants

Dr. rer. oec. Arabella Nigg-Stock M.A. HSG

- Project Manager

Postdoc - Technology and Innovation

Project Manager

Dr. Niklas Maximilian Bayrle-Kelso

- Project Collaborator

Project Collaborator

Prof. Dr. Leo Brecht

- Project Collaborator

Professor - Technology and Innovation Academic Director MBA in Technology & Innovation - Technology and Innovation

Project Collaborator

Publications

Stock, A., & Bayrle, N. (2022). Drivers of Exploitative and Explorative Innovation Efficiency. Presented at the R&D Management Conference 2022, Trento, Italy.
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The reconstruction of the baroque granary in Planany

since September 2020 EEA grants

Project Description

tbc

Project Participants

Dipl. Ing. Robert Mair

- Project Collaborator

Senior Lecturer - Sustainable Design

Project Collaborator

The influence of the vernacular: applied principles in contemporary architecture of hot climates

September 2016 (completed) Preproposal PhD-Thesis

Project Description

The study of vernacular architecture has played an important role in the relation to the study of sustainability in the field, mainly because throughout history, it has normally been a way to build reacting to the local climate conditions and local resources based on traditional knowledge. However, the existing research is focused in a great proportion to the historical, cultural and typological approach, knowing that the latter has an effect on the thermal performance of the buildings, but without a precise comparison of which type response better to given climate conditions. Therefore, my research will be focused in analysing the energy performance of different typologies of vernacular architecture with simulations and physical on-site measurements, doing then a comparison to define the parameters of adaptability to a specific site. I will base the analysis on housing typologies from tropical and arid climates, in order to find principles from passive thermal systems that can be re-interpreted and applied on new constructions to improve its energy-efficiency and comfort.

The topic of passive and active thermal systems has been studied widely in Europe, giving a special attention to solutions for cold climates. Some of these studies are based on traditional construction, where the building materials, the type of construction and the orientation play a major role in gains and losses of energy in the buildings. The means and tools to measure their thermal behaviour are getting also more accurate, helping to develop new technologies combining low and high-tech principles. As an answer to the importance of designing also for hot climates, my research proposes to learn from passive traditional techniques and build a matrix of principles, so that the information can be used to further develop this or other types of passive and active systems in the buildings.

Keywords

Sustainability Energy Passive design Vernacular architecture Thermal performance

Project Participants

Dr. sc. Rodrigo Alba Krasovsky MSc Arch

- PhD-Student

PhD-Student

Prof. Dipl.-Arch. ETH/SIA Dietrich Schwarz

- Supervisor

Professor - Sustainable Design Academic Director BSc AR - Liechtenstein School of Architecture

Supervisor

The influence of risk and return perception on financial risk taking

June 2011 until February 2014 (completed) FFF-Funding Project

Project Description

We will investigate the role of risk taking in the human decision making process within the context of investments. A lot of theoretical and experimental research has been conducted in the last 50 years.
However, the role of the subjective perception of risk and return was mostly ignored. That has changed towards the end of the previous century, when psychological models and ideas have been introduced
to economics and finance.
Recent literature suggests that perception plays an important role in taking risky decisions. We want to study possible influence factors that change our perception of return and risk. For quite some time it was suspected that changes in risk taking behaviour are mainly due to changes in the the risk attidude of humans. This seems logical if that risk return situation itself has not changed.
However, studies have shown that even the change of investment behaviour in the recent financial crisis, where investors fled from more risky investments like stocks into more secure investments like bonds could mainly be explained by a change in risk perception, but not in risk attitude.
We will add to the ongoing discussion by examining factors of influence on perception and risk attitude with empirical, experimental and theoretical contributions to the scientific literature. Moreover we want to transfer our results to students at the University of Liechtenstein as well as to the local financial center.
Following this project, we will try to establish a cooperation with a local bank using the results gained here. As this project is joint work with professor Huber from the University of Innsbruck it will strengthen the scientific network of the University of Liechtenstein.

Relevance to Liechtenstein

Die Definition und Wahrnehmung von Risiko sowie dessen Kommunikation sind wesentliche Treiber der Risikobereitschaft von Investoren. Nach Abschluss des Forschungsprojekts ist die Umsetzung der Erkenntnisse mit einem FL-Finanzdienstleister geplant.

Scientific, Economic and Societal Impact

This project adds substantially to the understanding of customers' risk taking behaviour in the investment process and is therefore important and interesting for the local financial center of Liechtenstein. The practical implications of our primary academic findings are useful for improving the advisory process as well as product development because of its positive impact on understanding the client.

Keywords

Public finance

Participating Institutions

Forschungsförderungsfonds der Universität Liechtenstein / Sponsor Chair in Finance / Project Lead Universität Innsbruck / Partner

Project Participants

Prof. Dr. Martin Angerer

- Principal Investigator

Professor - Innovative and Digital Finance Academic Director MSc IF - Liechtenstein Business School

Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr. Michael Hanke

- Project Collaborator

Professor - Finance Dean - Liechtenstein Business School

Project Collaborator

Assoz. Prof. Dr. Sebastian Stöckl

- Project Collaborator

Associate Professor - Financial Economics Academic Director - Liechtenstein Undergraduate and Graduate School Official Representative AACSB - University of Liechtenstein

Project Collaborator

Publications

Stöckl, S., Hanke, M., & Angerer, M. (2017). PRIX - A risk index for global private investors. The Journal of Risk Finance, 18(2), 214-231.
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The impact of sustainability criteria on risk and return in the stock market

since September 2019 PhD-Thesis

Project Description

Sustainability aspects such as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria are recently often considered in the investment decisions of many financial institutions. The aim of this cumulative dissertation is to add value to the debate about the consideration of sustainability criteria in the investment process.

In the first paper, we investigate the time-varying nature of ESG materiality. We build on the concept that sector-specific materiality of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues varies over time, based on corporate managers being aware of ESG issues material to their industry - as made publicly available by e.g., the SASB materiality map - and consequently adapting their business model to account for these risks.

Thereon, business should demonstrate a change in ESG issues of material relevance after a successful transformation. To capture the time-varying nature of ESG materiality, we build on the SASB materiality framework and measure materiality by means of ESG issues that have a significant negative impact on future firm-level risk.
The second paper deals with the role of corporate innovation within the relationship between corporate social performance and corporate financial performance from the perspective of firm risk. Would like to answer the question, to which extent a firm's degree of innovation moderate or even mediate a firm's CSP within this relationship.

The third paper aims to figure out whether CSP allows to do better predictions in value investing approaches. This approach presupposes that future firm performance (e.g., cash flows) is not accurately reflected in current stock prices. Therefore, the extrinsic price, or market price, is assumed to be lower than the intrinsic value, or investor's biased expectations. Consequently, the stock price is regarded as undervalued. Following the Value/Glamour effect concept, price corrections are caused by expectation errors. Expectation errors occur, if market expectations are not in line with the strength of firms' fundamentals. We will investigate, whether ESG information can support investors to reduce these expectation errors and to predict future firm performance more precisely.

Keywords

ESG risk materiality Sustainable investing Public trust

Participating Institutions

Chair in Business Administration, Banking and Financial Management / Doctoral instiution

Project Participants

Prof. em. Dr. Marco J. Menichetti

- Supervisor

Professor Emeritus - Liechtenstein Business School

Supervisor

Patrick Wildhaber MSc

- PhD-Student

PhD-Student

Prof. Dr. Marco Wilkens

- Co-Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

The impact of sustainability criteria on risk and return in the stock market

September 2019 (completed) Preproposal PhD-Thesis

Project Description

Keywords

ESG risk materiality Sustainable investing Public trust

Project Participants

Patrick Wildhaber MSc

- PhD-Student

PhD-Student

Prof. em. Dr. Marco J. Menichetti

- Supervisor

Professor Emeritus - Liechtenstein Business School

Supervisor

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