Students will learn and understand the spatial aspects of strategic business decisions, learn how to use and employ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to solve spatial allocation problems, and work with quantitative information to produce an empirically grounded research report. They will also get a better understanding how theories help them frame research projects and inform the methodological approach to successfully address particular research questions.

Featured methods include:

· Evaluation of target regions using regional socioeconomic data.

· Geomarketing: Defining and locating target groups by analyzing the spatial distribution of demand using concepts like HeatMaps, Hot Spot Analysis and Kernel Density estimation.

· Facility location: Determining (near) optimal locations for service and production facilities, shops, warehouses, etc.

· Vehicle Routing: Determine optimal routes for servicing a predefined set of customers.

Continuous assessment courses (PI) are high-interactive courses.

For a positive completion of the course an 80% presence is required.

Should there be an important reason for an absence in the course, then a maximum of 20% of the entire course duration can be missed. For cumulative absences of more than 20%, the course must be repeated. A confirmation (eg. a medical certificate) must be provided for the absence.

According to the examination regulations of the WU, important reasons are those which are outside the disposition of the student (illness, accident, death of a close relative). Professional obligations are not considered as an important reason within the meaning of the examination regulations, because they are in the disposition of the students.

· 10% class contribution

· 30% practical assignments

· 60% group project (total):

•  10% presentation
• 30% quality of analysis (solution strategy, usage of methods)
• 20% final report