We understand technologies as the tangible - or intangible - artifacts at the core of countless human activities, such as manufacturing, providing services. and communications. These technologies are imbedded in social systems (norms, values, beliefs and interests) and determine the way we create and use them. The Professor of Socio-Technical Transitions is conducting research on transformation (meaning, change) related to technologies as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
What are we working on?
In considering technology as intertwined with social aspects, we are focusing on two areas of socio-technical transitions:
How do we work?
We firmly believe in the potential of productive synergy between research, education and engaging in academia and science. Our research findings are published in international journals and we are creating an environment in which our students to achieve excellence. We work proactively with the stakeholders that drive change (such as companies, non-governmental organizations, foundations, think-tanks, governments). We also actively participate in public conversations to understand and shape the transformations we face on a daily basis.
Where are we located?
We are located in the Open Innovation Center (OIC) at the Linz Institute of Technology (LIT) at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. The LIT and OIC brings experts in research and real-world practices together. As an interdisciplinary melting pot, the OIC’s international environment speaks to the spirit of what we are committed to achieving.
The LIT Sustainable Transformation Management Lab
Address
Johannes Kepler University Linz
Altenberger Straße 69
4040 Linz
Location
The JKU annually awards the 'Kepler Awards for Excellence in Teaching' to recognize innovation in and implementation of excellent teaching. As part of this, Thomas Gegenhuber and Laura Thäter were honored with their course 'KS Fundamentals of Integrated Management' in the 'Best Practice' category.
We are inundated with an overwhelming barrage of information, day in and day out. Fake news, conspiracy myths, the targeted dissemination of misinformation, and manipulating images make media literacy education more important than ever before. The ubiquity of media and technology demands more than just basic literacy skills.
The Volkshilfe has been a pivotal institution in Austria's socio-political landscape for decades, providing people with support during difficult times and in particularly vulnerable life circumstances. Faced with an ever more apparent increase in inequality as a result of the climate crisis, the Volkshilfe is now turning its attention to socio-ecological issues.
Together with Diana Tran Nhat and Timm Teubner (Technical University Berlin), Laura Thäter recently published an article titled "The Duality of Reputation Portability: Investigating the Demand Effect of Imported Ratings Across Online Labor Markets" in the journal Electronic Markets.
The paper investigates the impact of reputation portability on demand across online labor markets, particularly as to how introducing reputation portability affects the demand for workers and influences imported ratings on the demand. The findings suggest that while imported ratings stimulate demand, their effect is lower compared to on-site ratings, raising concerns about potential unintended consequences, particularly favoring workers who have high rating volumes.
The article is part of a special issue about social welfare computing and is openly available (open access).