INTERDISCIPLINARY ELECTIVES

Who is your lecturer?

Prof. Dr. Michael Kohlegger is a lecturer for Data Engineering, Data Science, and Software Development at Management Center Innsbruck. Until September 2024, he led a degree programs in Data Science & Intelligent Analytics at FH Kufstein Tirol. His work focuses on data storage and analysis, emphasizing a holistic approach and he advises companies on implementing data-driven projects.

Mode
Online | 2 evenings during each week + Fridays afternoon

Assessment
Ongoing participation during lessons where students will develop a learning portfolio

Digital Badge
This elective can be credited towards the MCI Badge Data Science. You can find more information HERE.

The following content is discussed in the course:

• Use of data Visualization Tools to create visuals (e.g. Python orange, Power BI, or Tableau).
• Aesthetics of data visualization and data visualization design (e.g. using Gestalt principles).
• Creation of dashboard solutions for various different application scenarios (e.g. using Power BI, or Python Streamlit).
• Conception and design of visualizations using the data storytelling process (e.g. using the proposal of Cole Nussbaumer).
• Applying visual analytics in data driven projects.

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate different visualization techniques with respect to a certain real-world problem.
• Implement simple visuals as part of a real-world project using an appropriate visualization technique.
• Evaluate data visualizations with regard to aesthetic features and with regard to a desired communication outcome.
• Conceptualize data stories in the context of rea-world scenarios.
• Implement visuals in response to a conceptional data story.
• Arrange visualizations to create effective dashboard applications.

Who is your lecturer?

Nils Mevenkamp is professor of statistics and empirical social research at MCI since 2009. He studied human and economic geography at the University of Bremen and did his doctoral degree in the field of applied spatial analysis and geoinformatics. His teaching expertise covers statistics & data analysis, empirical social research, philosophy of science, geography, and demography. At present, his research focuses on integrative digitalization in research methods education.

Mode
On-Campus | Monday till Friday during the day

Assessment
Students create an individual analysis free of choice

• Why space matters: Key concepts and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in various fields.
• Types, sources, and acquisition methods (geodetics, remote sensing, GPS, etc.), organizing, storing, and retrieving spatial data in GIS databases.
• Principles of cartography & visualization, spatial codes as universal language
• Spatial analysis techniques for querying, overlaying, and modeling spatial data.
• Hands-on real-world problem-solving in marketing, urban planning, environmental studies, health management, disaster response, and more, with open source tools.

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Explain the core principles, components, and real-world applications of Geographic Information Systems.
• Acquire and manage spatial data from diverse sources.
• Design clear and professional maps to communicate spatial information effectively.
• Use GIS tools to analyze and interpret spatial patterns and relationships.
• Demonstrate practical skills in open source tools like QGIS or R.
• Apply GIS techniques to address real-world interdisciplinary challenges.

Who are your lecturers? 

Willemijn van Kooten is a teaching and research assistant at the department of Digital Business & Software Engineering at MCI. During her doctoral studies at the University of Potsdam, which she completed in 2023, she analyzed spatial patterns of mountain building in the Argentinian Andes.

Lukas Schifferle is a project manager and earth scientist at Energieagentur Tirol. Working with spatial data is his daily business, analyzing patterns of energy usage and potential for municipalities in the state of Tyrol. He obtained his doctoral degree in mineralogy at the University in Potsdam in 2023.

Mode
Online | 2 evenings during each week + Fridays afternoon

Assessment
Exercise portfolio (to be submitted at the end of the course)

• Introduction to spatial data: data types, formats and sources
• Working with spatial data in geographic information systems (GIS): loading, transforming and analyzing data
• Integration of external data sources in GIS
• Fundamentals of spatial analysis: core concepts, spatial relationships and spatial queries
• Automation and scripting in GIS using Python
• Visualization of spatial data using maps, charts and dashboards
• Hands-on practical exercises in GIS using case studies of real-world applications

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Understand and identify spatial data types, formats, and sources.
• Navigate and operate within GIS to load, transform, and manage spatial datasets.
• Integrate external data sources into GIS projects.
• Apply core concepts of spatial analysis to solve spatial problems.
• Automate geospatial workflows in GIS using Python scripting.
• Visualize spatial data through e.g., maps, charts, and dashboards, to communicate spatial information effectively.
• Apply practical skills in GIS to analyze spatial relationships.
• Work on small case studies to analyze real-world spatial problems.

Who is your lecturer?

Johannes Siebert is a full professor of Decision Sciences and Behavioral Economics at MCI. He has managed research and consulting projects for national and international business, politics, and society clients, such as Bayer, the California Department of Transportation, and the Pentagon. He is a successful keynote and TEDx speaker and regular guest author for Focus Online in Germany.

Mode
On-Campus | Monday till Friday during the day

Assessment
Presentation

Digital Badge
This elective can be credited towards the MCI Badge Entrepreneurship & Start-ups. You can find more information HERE.

• This course introduces students to the concepts of how to make proactive, entrepreneurial, ethical, and sustainable decisions
• In interactive sessions, methods are presented and practiced using small exercises
• The students choose a life-changing personal or professional decision or a decision of significant societal importance and apply the methods step by step in group work
• The (interim) results are reflected on and discussed by the class in a critical but constructive manner
• The result is a decision-analytically sound recommendation for action in the decision-making situation

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Be empowered to become the (decision) architect of their own fortune
• Internalize how to make good individual decisions
• Formulate and model personal, entrepreneurial, or societal choices appropriately
• Develop their personal life objectives
• Understand how to make ethical decisions
• Understand how to use AI effectively in decisions
• Understand how to become more effective and efficient in personal and professional tasks

Who are your lecturers? 

Antje Bierwisch: 20+ years in applied futures research, innovation management, and entrepreneurship, expert in futures thinking, creativity, certified LEGO Serious Play facilitator, chairholder of UNESCO Chair in Futures Capability for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Juliana Pattermann: background in business education and business English, research and teaching activities focused on futures studies (especially futures literacy) and learning

Mode
Online | 2 evenings during each week + Fridays afternoon

Assessment

• Individual written assignment
• Multiple choice test on futures thinking, creativity, and innovation concepts and methods related to asynchronous self-study lectures

Digital Badge
This elective can be credited towards the MCI Badge Entrepreneurship & Start-ups. You can find more information HERE.

• Introduction to Futures Thinking, Creativity, and Innovation: Concepts, relevance, and practical application
• Futures Thinking Methods: Frameworks and tools to explore and create alternative futures, e.g. trend canvas, futures persona, futures triangle, scenarios etc.
• Creative Thinking Techniques: Methods and tools to generate, evaluate and improve ideas, e.g. brainstorming, Superhero, SCAMPER, LEGO serious play etc.
• Apply futures thinking and creativity methods/techniques to various topics and challenges
• Creativity and Futures Thinking in the context of future skills & life-long learning

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Think critically, creatively, and strategically about the future using their newly gained and developed skills and mindset.
• Understand the concepts and principles of futures thinking, creativity, and innovation.
• Select, apply, and evaluate futures thinking and creativity tools to innovation and foster sustainable entrepreneurial decision-making.
• Boost imagination, adaptability, and innovation in the face of change.
• Enhance resilience in navigating evolving landscapes.
• Communicate, collaborate, and exchange ideas to shape the future.
• Recognize their role as active change agents.

Who are your lecturers? 

Martina Kohlberger: extensive practical experience in people  development, researcher and lecturer, certified systemic coach, theatre enthusiast

Oliver Som: 20+ years in applied innovation & future research, expertise in creativity and agile project management, jazz musician and composer

Mode
Mixed | 2 weekends on campus (Friday afternoon +Saturday) + 1 weekend online

Assessment
Reflection Paper and Contributions throughout the course

Digital Badge
This elective can be credited towards the MCI Badge Entrepreneurship & Start-ups. You can find more information HERE.

• Develop improvisational skills for effective use in business contexts
• Foster creativity as a trainable capability for problem-solving and decision-making
• Enhance communication proficiency to adopt a flexible approach to varying situations
• Cultivate collaborative skills through focusing on the importance of establishing trust
• Promote personality development by building confidence with uncertainty and being present and in the moment

Didactics: Interactive and highly collaborative learning settings focusing on group activities, improvisation-theatre-like settings, methods of positive psychology, mini-lectures for self-learning

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Explore, apply and reflect on exercises and training methods to boost creativity, improvisation and communication skills
• Build on and adjust their personal behaviours and interactions, recognizing the impact of group dynamics
• Implement double-loop learning processes for sustainable capability development
• Individually reflect on their emotions, contributions and learning path during the course
• Cognitively understand concepts of creativity, theories of communication, positive psychology, futures literacy, and self-leadership

Who are your lecturers? 

Anita Zehrer is a Professor and Head of the Family Business Center and Research in Management and Society at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School ®. With a PhD from Innsbruck University and post-doctoral qualification from the Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, her research focuses on entrepreneurial behavior and family business management, particularly in SMEs. She is also a certified Business Coach and Mediator.

Desiree Wieser is an Assistant Professor at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School ®. She holds a PhD in Management and a degree in International Economics & Business Studies from the University of Innsbruck. Her research includes family business management, responsible management, entrepreneurship education, and higher education management. She has led several national and European research projects at the MCI Family Business Center.

Florian Sexl is a doctoral student and project manager at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School ® with leadership experience at Deloitte UK. He holds an MBA and MSc from ESCP Europe, a bachelor's degree from Innsbruck University, and a Magister from MCI. He is also a freelance management consultant specializing in corporate health, strategy, and change management.

Mode
On-Campus | Monday till Friday during the day

Assessment
The final grade comprises the following parts:

Participation (individual) 30%:

• Individual active participation during classes (10% Zehrer, 10% Wieser 10% Sexl)

Presentation (group) 70%:

• Group Participation | 20% during field trip
• PowerPoint Final presentation | 50% on insights & findings from the field trips
  

Digital Badge
This elective can be credited towards the MCI Badge Entrepreneurship & Start-ups. You can find more information HERE.

• Introduction to Family Business: Key concepts, advantages/disadvantages, 3-circle model (family, business, ownership), cultural factors, roles/role conflicts, theories, and concepts.
• Succession Management: Succession types, planning, success factors, non-family employees, transition challenges, nepotism, gender equality, generational issues, and outcomes.
• Family Business Governance: Structures, agreements, family vs. business strategy, family constitution, advisory boards, councils, and meetings.
• Growth and Conflicts: Growth strategies (organic/inorganic), family vs. corporate growth, conflict types, resolution methods.
• Coping with Uncertainty and Risk: Definitions, VUCA, global risks, resilience levels, adaptive cycles, stress management, and outlook.
• Innovation in Family Firms: Forms, measurements, antecedents, and the tradition vs. innovation paradigm.
• Sustainability in Family Firms: Practices and strategies for sustainable growth.covered with family firm entrepreneurs of different generations.

• Understand the dynamics and unique challenges of family businesses.

• Appreciate the interaction between family, ownership, and business systems.

• Explore succession planning as a critical challenge.

• Learn about governance mechanisms and strategies for growth and internationalization.

• Develop coping mechanisms for uncertainty and risk.

• Examine the balance between innovation and tradition in family firms.

Who is your lecturer?

Dr. Natacha Estèves holds a PhD in Law from Sciences Po Law School. She has received her Master Degree in International Economic Law from the Panthéon-Sorbonne University in Paris. She has been a post-doc researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition in Munich. She is currently the Innovation Hub manager for Ulysseus at the MCI.

Mode
Online | 2 evenings during each week + Fridays afternoon

Assessment
Presentations and MC test

Digital Badge
This elective can be credited towards the MCI Badge Entrepreneurship & Start-ups. You can find more information HERE.

Why Protect Your Ideas?

Ideas are powerful—but only if they are protected! Dive into the world of Intellectual Property and discover why it’s a game-changer for businesses and entrepreneurs.

What Are Your Options?

Your creations, your rules! Explore how to safeguard your work with options like patents, copyrights, designs & trademarks.

Navigating the IP Maze

Wondering where to start? You will be guided through the application process for Patents, Trademarks, and Designs.

IP in Action: Turn Ideas into Gold

Protection is just the beginning. Learn how to enforce, license, and assign your IP to create real value for your business.

Who's Got Your Back?

Every innovator needs a support system. Discover resources for young entrepreneurs and SMEs, from EU programs to national initiatives.

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Understand the importance of IPRs for businesses, entrepreneurship & innovation
• Know how to identify and distinguish the different IPRs and their respective regimes
• Know about the various options for IPRs management
• Know the relevant processes related to IPRs and how to inquire/use existing support for IP, particularly for young entrepreneurs and SMEs. 

Who are your lecturers? 

Prof. Wei Manske-Wang holds a PhD in Economics, is Professor of International Business and Head of the China Center at MCI. Prof. Wei Manske-Wang strengthens Europe-China ties by connecting students, academia, industry, and society.

Yiqiao Wang, Assistant and Project Manager at the China Center, as well as a Chinese language teacher at the Language Center, seamlessly integrates language education with intercultural exchange.

Mode
Study Tour

Assessment
Project Work

Week 1: Blended learning – Unlocking business and society in China

• Info Session about traveling to China (Hybrid)
• Blended Learning:
• How does the Chinese political system impact essential aspects of the business environment?
• Who are the key players in the Chinese economy, state-owned vs. private enterprises?
• What has contributed to China's rise as an innovation powerhouse?
• What are the business implications, especially regarding the consumer demands of the younger generation?
• What future "mega-trends" might impact the outlook for Chinese business?

 Week 2: Shenzhen Study Tour – Global Innovation Frontier

• Study tour program as listed in the presentation HERE

Upon completing this elective course, students will be able to:

• Understand Shenzhen’s technological innovation and entrepreneurial environment
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the technological advancements and business practices of China’s Silicon Valley
• Develop cultural awareness and understand the underlying causes of cultural differences
• Think creatively and expand their global perspectives
• Prepare for the challenges of a professional career in a global environment

Who is your lecturer?

Prof. Raphaela Stadler, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at MCI Tourism. She has international experience in teaching Event and Festival Management, and is currently involved in several research projects with event organizations in Austria, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. Her main area of expertise are community events and their impact upon well-being.

Mode
On-Campus | Monday till Friday during the day

Assessment

• Group: Group project work (80%)
• Individual: Engagement in class (20%)

• Cultural policy, cultural events and their role in society;
• Cultural and social impacts of events;
• Managing culture, rituals, and traditions in an events context;
• Events and marginalised communities, expressing difference, and issues of inclusion/exclusion;
• Community cultural development and empowerment through events;
• Events and placemaking, sense of belonging and pride;
• Protest events and social movements;
• Contemporary event case studies (e.g. Pride events, Full Moon Party, European Capital of Culture);
• Cultural event attendance and observation (in small groups).

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Discuss how events are both producers and preservers of culture;
• Assess how events can help develop a sense of place and belonging;
• Explain the role of rituals and rites of passage in events;
• Highlight how events can express and celebrate ‘difference’;
• Debate issues of discrimination, inclusion and exclusion at events;
• Discuss how cultural events can empower marginalised communities; and
• Think critically about current challenges and opportunities within the events industry.

Who is your lecturer?

Raffael Heiss is a Professor at MCI's Center for Social & Health Innovation. He was also a Fulbright Professor at Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.), where he taught a course titled "Misinformation & Society". He is passionate about tackling misinformation and looks forward to working collaboratively on this topic, drawing on the knowledge and experience of a diverse group of students.

Mode
On-Campus | Monday till Friday during the day

Assessment

• The course includes both lectures and interactive elements.
• Students will work on tailored and practical solutions to the misinformation challenge.
• Their grades will be determined by active participation in discussions, short group presentations, and individual essays.

Misinformation has emerged as a fundamental meta-challenge, influencing the resolution of issues such as public health, peace, climate change, and social polarization. Social media (SM) have become a focal point for misinformation. In this class, we discuss the following topics:

• Causes: Understanding the psychological, economic, and technological drivers of misinformation on SM.
• Impact: How does misinformation affect our minds, and how does it affect individual behavior and public decision-making?
• Solutions: Which policies, laws and technological changes are needed to reduce misinformation?

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Improve their own digital literacy and their ability to critically judge content on social media
• Develope a conceptual understanding of misinformation and how it impacts our society
• Develope an understanding of the influence of misinformation on unsuspecting audiences and the implications for science, health, and politics
• Understand the key drivers of misinformation and which interventions can be implemented to counter the misinformation pandemic

Who is your lecturer?

Victoria Pirker holds a degree in political science from the University of Innsbruck and Science Po Paris and has many years of work experience with and within the EU institutions, in particular the European Parliament. She specializes in EU foreign relations and worked as Advocacy officer for international human rights organizations in Brussels. Her motivation is to bring the European Union closer to citizens and to actively engage young people in the policy discussion.

Mode
Study Tour

Assessment
At the end of the course, students will demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired in a written report (2-3 pages).

The course aims to offer MCI students the opportunity to better understand the European Union (EU) policy-making, the EU institutions and the interaction between politics, business and civil society organizations in Brussels. Special attention will be paid to the concept of ‘lobbying’ (or ‘interest representation’), in order to show how not only companies but also EU citizens can participate in the decision-making process. The individual thematic background of the students will be considered and tailor-made visits and interdisciplinary lectures will be requested.

Innovative and also multimedia concepts will be used to give students from different programs a first-hand insight in the work of the main EU Institutions and its decision-making processes and political mechanisms. The lecturer will provide students with instruments and tools that can be used to understand and ideally shape these processes.

Details on the two weeks:
Week 46 is intended to provide students (on site and online) with a basic knowledge of the EU institutions. Prof. Markus Frischhut will provide some background an EU Law. Since week 46 is a so-called ‘committee & plenary week’ of the European Parliament in Brussel, various interactive tools (e.g. live broadcasts to committee hearings and votes in Brussels) will be used.

During week 47, students will visit Brussels and its EU institutions during 3-4 days and have the possibility to establish personal contacts with members of the European Parliament and their staff, European Commission officials as well as national diplomats and representatives from interest groups.
Students will be provided the possibility to extend their personal and professional network and to elaborate on professional opportunities within the European institutions and beyond.

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Identify the main EU institutions and understand the EU decision making process.
• Understand the interaction of these EU institutions and to understand their policy impact on our daily lives, as nowadays the most important decisions are taken at EU level.
• Gather knowledge about what it means to be an EU citizen and to defend EU interests (‘lobbying’).
• Identify job offers within the EU Institutions in Brussels and beyond and understand the importance of networking in the EU.

Who are your lecturers? 

Hannah Gratzer: Expertise in future-oriented topics (Sustainability, Communications, Leadership). Self-employed as a Business Coach, Consultant and Trainer. Teaching at FH Wien, FH Burgenland, University of Salzburg.

Lena Stern: Expertise in Sustainability & related topics like Transformation, Communication & Leadership. Self-employed Business Coach & Trainer; Former Consultant for Sustainability, Transformation & Cultural Change and sustainability manager.

Mode
Mixed | 2 weekends on campus (Friday afternoon +Saturday) + 1 weekend online

Assessment 
Grading is based on critical analysis of the topics and reflection tasks through presentations and a reflection paper.

Digital Badge
This elective can be credited towards the MCI Badge Sustainable Development. You can find more information HERE.

• Foundations of sustainability (definition, historical context, concepts of sustainability, responsibilities)
• Deep Dive:
  1. Environmental sustainability (biodiversity, climate change and resources)
  2. Social sustainability (equity and social justice, education, health, diversity and inclusion)
  3. Economic sustainability (sustainable and responsible business models e.g. circular economy, degrowth)
  4. Personal responsibility in sustainability (personal sustainability practices, communication, argumentation)

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Understand the interconnectedness of environmental, social and economic systems using a systemic thinking approach
• Be aware of responsibilities and develop a pro- active mindset for addressing sustainability challenges
• Emphasize holistic views of future challenges and ensure inclusivity
• Navigate in polarizing discussions and use empathy and active listening to facilitate constructive dialogues
• Gain practical knowledge of best practices in political, business, and personal contexts

Who is your lecturer?

Tim Herberger is Associate Professor and Chaired Professor (Entrepreneurship, Finance and Digitalization) and Head of Master Study Program Management and Leadership at Andrássy University Budapest (since 09/2018); PhD 2012; Habilitation 2023; since 2017 lecturer in the online master program Corporate Governance and Finance and Business Psychology & Management. Research and Teaching Focus: Finance; Financial Intermediation; Digital Finance; Intangible Assets; Sports Management

Mode
Online | 2 evenings during each week + Fridays afternoon

Assessment 
Student Research Project and Presentations

• The Role of Sports in a Sustainable Society
• Organizations in Sports in the Public and Private Sector and Their Inner Structures
• Sports Club and Sports Association Decisions from a Legal Point of View
• Sports Finance under Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
• Sports Marketing
• Sustainable Sports Venue Management
• Planning of Sustainable Sports Events of Worldwide Interest
• The Role of Trend Sports and E-sports

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

• Understand sports, fandom, and sports organizations as essential pillars of social systems and to develop them further in the spirit of sustainability.
• Understand the legal framework of international sports and the process of awarding major global events and transferring them to future major sports events.
• Acquire skills to address both individual and team sports, as well as financing and marketing issues, in a target group-specific way under considering sustainability goals.
• Understand the basics of sustainable sports venue management and apply them in a practice-oriented way.
• Experience the conceptualization, planning and presentation of applications for major sports events based on practical cases under sustainability goals.
• Learn to recognize and anticipate future trends in sports, with a particular focus on the role of e-sports and big data.