Research

The objective of our research

Our goal is to support companies in systematically tapping the potential of digital technologies. We want to understand these developments and show companies innovative options for shaping them.

Impulses for projects arise from new technological options, from new theoretical or methodological approaches, and from persistent real-world problems.

Current research fields: Digital change of companies, Data-based business concepts, Digital media companies, Process and algorithmic management.

A complete overview of our publications can be found here: Publications DMM

All details of our publications can be found here: Publications in detail

Digital change of companies

Research area: Companies founded before the digital age must recognize the opportunities offered by digital technologies and deal with associated risks systematically and proactively. Suitable management structures and adequate instruments are required to manage digital change. Such structures and instruments are the focus of the work of this research group.
Current topics: - Fundamental questions of digital transformation: forms, process models, connection to digital innovations
- Contextualization of digital transformation: medium-sized companies, non-profit organizations
- Structures for digital transformation: CDO, digital innovation units, program management
- Tools for digital transformation: strategies, competence building, citizen development as a driver
- Beyond digital transformation: routine adaptation of new digital technologies
Team: Prof. Dr. Thomas Hess
Dr. Bastian Wurm
Mathias Bohrer
Julia Kraus
Linus Lischke
Publications: Publications Digital change of companies
Partnerships: Partnerships in this research area

Digital media companies

Research area: Media companies are the group of companies that were first confronted with the opportunities and risks of the digital transformation. The aim of this research focus is to understand the impact of these technology-driven developments on the value creation of media companies and to develop and test innovative solution concepts.
Current topics: - Use of AI in media companies: areas of application, operational effects, strategic impact
- Content selection: manual and automated approaches, personalization, selection procedures
- Trust as a competitive advantage for media companies: approach, change, implementation
- New forms of non-profit providers in the media sector
Team: Prof. Dr. Thomas Hess
Nils Bail
Mario Bacher
Yuyang Dai
Eva Hoffmeister
Joseph Nserat
Nina Zwingmann
Publications: Publications Digital media companies
Partnerships: Partnerships in this research area

Data-based business concepts

Research area: A previously unimaginable amount of data is now available for the management of companies. This data is often created as a by-product of the use of various application systems. Likewise, the technologies for merging and evaluating large amounts of data have evolved significantly.
Current topics: - Data spaces: value creation logic, governance, economic viability
- Privacy for consumers and in the workplace
- Corporate privacy strategies
- Data governance in companies
Team: Prof. Dr. Thomas Hess
Dr. Rahild Neuburger
Jana Ammann
Pauline Liebert
Publications: Publications Data-based business concepts
Partnerships: Partnerships in this research area

Process & algorithmic management

Research area: Business processes are the nexus in which organizations perform work and generate value. Due to the ongoing digitalization in all economic sectors, companies must continuously evaluate the potential of new technologies, implement them and adapt their processes accordingly. More and more, digital technologies are not only used to support employees, but act autonomously or even as managers. How technologies are used in processes and change those processes represents the core concern of the research group. Usually, an empirical approach is chosen to study these topics.
Current topics: - Management of employees through algorithms
- Collaborations of managers and algorithms
- Use of digital twins in organizations
- Value creation through process mining
- Governance for process management
Team: Dr. Bastian Wurm
Luc Becker
Publications: Publications Process & algorithmic managment
Partnerships: SAP Signavio
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Prof. Jan Mendling and Lukas Pfahlsberger
University of Liechtenstein - Prof. Jan vom Brocke and Dr. Thomas Grisold
Universität zu Köln - Prof. Christoph Rosenkranz and Pascal Budner

Foundations of business informatics

Research area: We are engaged in the further development of the technical and methodological foundations of business informatics. An overview of these works can be found under Publications.
Publications: Publications Foundations of business informatics