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.

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.

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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.

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

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%

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

Office hours: by appointment

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