Syllabus

Title
0932 Spatial Business Analytics
Instructors
Ass.Prof. Mag.Dr. Petra Staufer-Steinnocher
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
10/19/21 to 10/26/21
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
This class is only offered in winter semesters.
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Thursday 11/04/21 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM TC.2.01
Friday 11/05/21 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM TC.5.27
Friday 11/12/21 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM TC.5.27
Friday 11/19/21 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM TC.5.27
Friday 11/26/21 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 12/03/21 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 12/10/21 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 12/10/21 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 12/16/21 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 12/17/21 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 01/14/22 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM TC.5.27
Monday 01/17/22 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 01/21/22 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 01/27/22 02:00 PM - 08:00 PM D5.0.001
Friday 01/28/22 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM D5.0.001
Contents

This course explores the spatial aspects of business decisions. Hence, while much of economic geography is about processes of uneven regional development, this course, while acknowledging that decisions made by business will have an impact on regional development, will focus on the location decisions of businesses. Understanding how economically relevant spatial differences can be exploited and geographic distance, proximity and relations are key aspects to consider in strategic business decisions is essential for successful entrepreneurs and managers. The course will be taught through a combination of interactive lectures, practical computer sessions and student-led discussions and presentations of research projects developed in relation to an interesting spatial business problem.

Learning outcomes

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.
Attendance requirements

Please scroll down for English version

Anwesenheitspflicht

  • Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltungen (PI-LV) haben Anwesenheitspflicht.

  • Sollte es durch einen wichtigen Grund zu einem Fehlen in einer Lehrveranstaltung kommen, so können maximal 20 % der gesamten Lehrveranstaltungsdauer durch eine Zusatzleistung kompensiert werden. Bei kumulierten Abwesenheiten von über 20% ist die Lehrveranstaltung zu wiederholen. Für die Fehlzeit ist ggf. eine Bestätigung (z.B. ärztliches Attest) vorzulegen.

    Wichtige Gründe sind lt. Prüfungsordnung der WU all jene, die außerhalb der Disposition des Studierenden liegen (Erkrankung, Unfall, Tod eines nahen Angehörigen). Berufliche Verpflichtungen werden nicht als wichtiger Grund im Sinne der Prüfungsordnung angesehen, da diese in der Disposition der Studierenden liegen.

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.

Teaching/learning method(s)

Combination of interactive lectures, computer practicals, student presentations and group consultations

Assessment

Tasks: max. achievable points = 100

class contribution (10)

practical assignments (30)

group project (60 in total):

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

Grading scale:

  • Excellent (1): 90% - 100%
  • Good (2): 80% - <90%
  • Satisfactory (3): 70% - <80%
  • Sufficient (4): 60% - <70%
  • Fail (5): <60%
Readings
1 Author: Ballas, D., Clarke, G., Franklin, R.S., and Newing, A.
Title:

GIS and the Social Sciences: Theory and Applications


Publisher: Routledge
Remarks: WU library ebook available via https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315759326
Year: 2018
Recommendation: Strongly recommended (but no absolute necessity for purchase)
Type: Book
2 Author: Dicken, P.
Title:

Global Shift: mapping the changing contours of the world economy


Publisher: Sage
Edition: 7th
Year: 2015
Recommendation: Reference literature
Type: Book
3 Author: Maier, G., and Tödtling, F.
Title:

Regional- und Stadtökonomik 1.


Publisher: Springer
Remarks: Expecially chapters 2-5.
Year: 2012
Recommendation: Reference literature
Type: Book
Availability of lecturer(s)

Petra Staufer-Steinnocher (petra.staufer-steinnocher@wu.ac.at)

Office hours: by appointment

Other

Please notice that the project reports of all groups are due at the end of the semester.

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1 11/04/21
Theory: Introduction to spatial concepts (3h)
14:00-17:00

Bring your brain to engage in discussion

2 11/05/21

ArcGIS Online: Basics (3h)
13.00-16.00

Do homework I (GIS tutorial)

3 11/12/21

Theory: Business location decisions (3h)
13.00-16.00

Readings

4 11/19/21

ArcGIS Online: Geomarketing  (3h)
13.00-16.00

Do homework II

5 11/26/21

ArcGIS Online: Location-allocation models (3h)
13.00-16.00

Do homework III

6 12/03/21

Project-Coaching (4h) online
13.00-17.00

Bring what you have so far

7 12/06/21
Project-Coaching (4h) online
14.00-18.00

Bring what you have so far

8 12/10/21

Case study project proposal presentations (3h+3h)
09.00-12.00, 13.00-16.00

Bring what you have so far

9 12/16/21

Project-Coaching (3h) online
13.00-16.00

Bring what you have so far

10 12/17/21

Project-Coaching (3h+3h) online
09.00-12.00, 13.00-16.00

Bring what you have so far

11 01/14/22

Case study progress presentations (4h)
13.00-17.00

Slides for progress reports

12 01/17/21

Project-Coaching (3h) online
13.00-16.00

Bring what you have so far

13 01/21/21

Project-Coaching (3h) online
09.00-12.00

Bring what you have so far

14 01/27/22

Case study projects final presentations (6h)
14.00-20.00

Slides for final presentations

15 01/28/22

Back-up -- optional
Case study projects final presentations (6h)
09.00-15.00

Slides for final presentations

Last edited: 2022-01-07



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