18th September 2023
In the scope of the 5th International Conference on Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing, focus group discussions will take place, where Graz University of Technology will resume work on future engineering competences and their impact on individual and organisational performance. The aim of focus group discussions is to derive teaching and learning implications for further development of needed competences of engineering students as well as organisational and managerial implications for human resource management practices that can further enhance organisational performance. Experts from research, academia, and industry are cordially invited to join the focus groups to share their experiences, ideas, and methods. More information about the conference can be found here.


15th September 2023
Rudolf Grünbichler from the Institute of Business Economics and Industrial Sociology at Graz University of Technology visited together with Eng. Sergio Salimbeni from the University Del Salvador (USAL) in Buenos Aires the company YKK in the industrial park of Pilar on Tuesday 12 September. The company’s area managers were present: Silvia Ortega, Enzo Sosa, Emilio Domínguez, Lorena Nokubi and Nicolás Barrionuevo. The meeting was accompanied by a representative of the Business Chamber of the Industrial Park, Eng. Tomás Tamaki. During the meeting, different aspects related to the adoption of Artificial Intelligence for the improvement of industrial processes were evaluated. After the meeting, a tour of the plant was carried out, evaluating the different possibilities of obtaining data for subsequent analysis and operational excellence. The visit is part of the international Marie-Curie SME5.0 project. Further information about the project can be found here.


30th August 2023
Rudolf Grünbichler (Institute of Business Economics and Industrial Sociology) has arrived at Universidad Del Salvador (USAL) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. During his stay, he is working on the SME 5.0 research project (funded by the European Union) on work package 4.1 with the topic of requirements and barriers of artificial intelligence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The SME 5.0 project is dedicated to developing a strategic roadmap to increase the competitiveness of SMEs in the areas of artificial intelligence, sustainability and human-centred approach. Together with Argentinean colleagues, the theoretical foundations are being laid and initial interviews conducted. Further information about the project can be found here. In addition, he holds seminars on artificial intelligence for Argentinean students.


22th August 2023
Marco Berger (University Assistant – Graz University of Technology) has arrived at Chiang Mai University (CMU) in Thailand. In the upcoming weeks, Marco Berger is going to teach CMU students and visit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Chiang Mai area. Additionally, within the scope of the research project SME 5.0 (funded by the European Union), he is going to carry out an investigation focused on the topic of “Skill Barriers for Future Work in SMEs”. The SME 5.0 project is dedicated to crafting a strategic roadmap aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs in the realms of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and a human-centric approach. Further information about the project can be found here.


28th June 2023
The 3rd Workshop of the EU-funded project “Design4SusMan” was hosted by the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. There, the project partner institutions (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, ISEP – Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Politehnica University of Bucharest and Graz University of Technology) analysed and discussed joint didactic, administrative, and financial programme execution procedures for a 2-year joint Erasmus Mundus Master on Digital and Sustainable Manufacturing


15th June 2023
Freshmen students of Anabela Alves, 2022/23 Coordinator of the Integrated Project in Industrial Engineering and Management from Industrial Engineering and Management Bachelor’s program of University of Minho won the ACA Innovation Student Challenge. Their winning idea involved developing a sustainable brick using discarded clothing, aligning with the principles of a circular economy.


6th June 2023
EPIEM research project news: Prof. Bernd M. Zunk, together with the TU Graz team led by Prof. Stefan Vorbach and their international project consortium, has received funding approval for the EIT-HEI project HEICE. The aim of this project is to develop innovative deep-tech talent programs with a focus on the fields of health and production.


11th May 2023
The EPIEM collaborators Manuel Woschank, Corina Pacher, Erwin Rauch, Jabier Retegi & Bernd M. Zunk et al. have received a funding commitment for the establishment of a “Centre of Vocational Excellence” that will focus on the future training of engineers in operations management in the mobility sector (“EE4M”). More information can be found HERE.


1st April 2023
Advance notice: Our EPIEM Research Design Seminars & Workshops will take place again in the winter semester of 2023/24. Updates and details can be found HERE.


24th March 2023
The second workshop of the EU-funded project „Design4SusMan” was hosted by TU Graz / the Institute of Business Economics and Industrial Sociology. This workshop focused on potential structures for designing a joint Erasmus Mundus Master Program on Digital and Sustainable Manufacturing between the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (IT), Graz University of Technology (AUT), Polytechnic of Porto (PT) as well as the Politehnica of Bucharest (ROM).


9th March 2023
Call for Papers for the “16th EPIEM Conference 2023 embedded in the program of the 19th International Scientific Conference on Industrial Systems (IS’23)” to be held at the University of Novi Sad / Faculty of Technical Sciences on October 4.-6. 2023. Details you may find HERE.


4th February 2023
The EPIEM Network is more than happy to cooperate with international universities and industry representatives within the EU-funded MSCA project “SME5.0 – A Strategic Roadmap Towards the Next Level of Intelligent, Sustainable and Human-Centered SMEs”, coordinated by Prof. Erwin Rauch from the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, one of our EPIEM Professors. After the very successful kick-off meeting at KTH Stockholm, we are looking forward to proactive cooperation in a great international network in the next 48 months. Further information can be found HERE.


2nd February 2023
The 5th edition of the ISM conference will be held on November 22-24, 2023 in Lisbon and is co-organized with ISCTE and NOVA School of Science and Technology. The conference aims to bring together researchers and experts to create an international network of smart and advanced manufacturing.


1st February 2023
The Inter-University Research Seminar on “Contemporary Empirical Research Methods: An Overview” was successfully held on the 27th of January 2023. Herewith EPIEM wants to thank Dr. Klaas Stek for delivering this great seminar! We hope to see you again at one of our EPIEM events in the future!


17th January 2023
The Inter-University Research Seminar on “How to write a Conference Paper: A Basic Guide” was successfully held on the 16th of January 2023. Herewith EPIEM wants to thank Dr. Sara Crockett for delivering this great seminar! We hope to see you again at one of our EPIEM events in the future!