In January 2023, selected students from WU’s SIMC & CEMS master programs presented findings to partner executives as part of the course Value Creation and Value Capture in the Digital Age. The course focused on the question of how energy utilities in Europe and beyond use digital technologies to drive the sustainability transition in the…

The master thesis “Managing Digitalization Projects: Best-in-class Process and KPIs” derives a best-in-class model for the management of digitalization projects in the context of energy providers. Here is the abstract: Digitalization is having an increasingly bigger impact on the energy sector in recent years. Thus, organizations aim to set up digitalization projects to implement new…

The master thesis “Digital Technologies for Utilities: A Strategic Technology Management Perspective” identifies various digital technologies involved in the value chain of a energy providers of power utilities in the German speaking area. Here is the abstract: Power utilities have traditionally been known for their stability, reliability, and predictability. However, factors such as the energy…

The master thesis “Innovation Controlling in Industrial Markets” provides a comprehensive overview of ways to control innovation projects, with a particular focus on energy providers. Here is the abstract: This thesis examines the question of how effective controlling of individual innovation projects can be achieved. In particular, the use of KPIs as an objectifying means…

The master thesis “Innovation Controlling Process in Capital-Intensive Industries and its Implementation” derives best practices for innovation processes in the context of energy providers. Here is the abstract: The highly competitive environment in capital-intensive industries forces companies to innovate fast and develop high-quality innovation processes. The aim of this research paper is to identify a…

The master thesis “Multiples as M&A tool for valuing wind and solar energy projects in Europe” provides a comprehensive overview of how to value projects with a diverse set of multiples and compares their value for practice. Here is the abstract: The global shift from an energy system based on fossil fuels to one based…

The master thesis “Integrating Sustainability into the Strategy Process: Learnings from the Power and Utilities Industry” analyses the integration of the concept of sustainability into the whole strategy process within the power and utilities industry. Here is the abstract: Over the last decades, the issue of sustainability has received unprecedented attention. Companies experience increasing pressure…

The master thesis “Acceptance and B2C Market Potential of Smart Home-Based AAL Solutions for Elderly Care from the Perspective of an Austrian Energy Provider” deals with the challenges and opportunities of smart home-based AAL (Active Assisted Living) solutions with respect to energy providers in the Austrian market. Here is the abstract: The constantly growing aging…

The master thesis “Energy Communities: Best Practices, Players and Business Models in Austria, Germany and Switzerland” looks at the key characteristics of business models in energy communities and compares them for the German-speaking countries. Here is the abstract: Consumers are at the center of the energy transition from a centralized to a decentralized system with…