Two FH projects in the spotlight at the 18th Research Forum

The Kufstein University of Applied Sciences took advantage of the 18th Research Forum of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences, which took place on 7 and 8 May 2025 at the FH Campus Wien, to present its research work to an expert audience from all over Austria. Prof. (FH) DDr. Mario Situm gave insights into the Interreg project GREENE 4.0 and presented recommendations for the green and digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Lea Carnuth, MA, responsible for the Interreg project Resilient Tourism, discussed measures to strengthen the resilience of tourism destinations.

 GREENE 4.0: GREEN AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The GREENE 4.0 research project is working on innovative and environmentally friendly digitization approaches for Central Europe. Mario Situm presented the results of the quantitative study in the conference track on economics and digital transformation. His presentation took a closer look at the challenges and potential of SMEs with regard to the twin transformation. High investment costs, limited financing options, and a lack of time and personnel are the main factors pushing SMEs to their limits and often preventing them from strategically planning and integrating green and digital initiatives into their businesses. However, networks, further training for employees, and a committed management team were identified as key success factors. The GREENE 4.0 project aims to address precisely these factors with the B2GreenHub platform and provide targeted support to SMEs.

GREENE 4.0 is a Central European project with project partners consisting of higher education institutions, universities, and technology and innovation parks from seven EU countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland) with the aim of developing a unique ecosystem of manufacturing companies, start-ups, and technology providers.

RESILIENT TOURISM: SUSTAINABLY STRENGTHENING DESTINATIONS IN THE ALPINE REGION

In line with the track Current Challenges in Sustainable Tourism Development, Lea Carnuth explained how current and future crises – from natural disasters to cyberattacks – pose significant challenges for the tourism industry. Successfully overcoming such crises requires resilient tourism – a central concern of the project of the same name funded by Interreg Bavaria-Austria. This is being carried out jointly by the Universities of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol and Salzburg, Chiemgau GmbH – Tourismus, and the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV). Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, Lea Carnuth defined the multidimensional concept of resilience in the tourism system. She presented the indicators of the Resilience Index and how it can be used to assess the resilience of tourism destinations. She also drew on evaluations of seasonal concentration, sustainable businesses, and tourism intensity from all tourism associations in Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Bavaria.

The presentation focused on the qualitative interpretation of these values and specific recommendations for action, such as promoting sustainable businesses, making destinations attractive all year round, and managing tourism intensity. “Our task as scientists is to provide tourism stakeholders with the necessary support, whether this involves analyzing further data on the resilience of tourism destinations or monitoring specific measures in practice,” Lea Carnuth concluded, addressing her fellow experts.

Links:

• GREENE 4.0 | Research Project
• B2GreenHub | Website
• Resilienter Tourismus | Research Project
• Indicators of the Resilience Index | Website