The Master's degree program Leading Innovative Organizations (LIO) consists of a pre-term (distance learning) phase, on-site 9-month mandatory attendance at the JKU, and a period to complete the required Master's thesis (post-term). You are free to choose your elective classes and take them during your studies.

Program Information

If you would like to learn more about the Master's degree program in Leading Innovative Organizations, we strongly recommend taking a look at the curriculum. In addition, we have summarized some of the program details separately for you.

We focus on a sound, holistic educational program in management and scientific methodology that includes deeper insight into the following subject areas:

• Organization & Leadership: Strategic organizational design; organizational cultural dynamics; developing creative teams; managing innovation networks; human resource management and development;
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Organization and innovation; entrepreneurial activities for start-up companies and establishing organizations; agile and community-based management approaches; sharing economy; designing innovation processes; modern marketing approaches for the digital age; open strategy
• Digital Economy and Data-Driven Management: Digital organizational forms and business models; digital supply chain management; data management (big data); business intelligence and algorithms

The Master's degree program Leading Innovative Organizations has been designed for high potential students aspiring toward a management career at innovative companies:

• Business undergraduates who demonstrate a high level of promise and commitment
• Highly gifted and promising students who
  • have no current commitment to a company after completing a Bachelor's degree (non-consecutive)
  • are completing a company traineeship program and can take a year-long leave of absence - with professional traineeship experience
  • are currently working at a company and can take a year-long sabbatical and/or those who wish to change careers (educational leave of absence) - with professional work experience

We provide you with research-driven and experience-based learning in the areas of organization and leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, the digital economy, and data-driven management. Additionally, we will refine your skills to conduct independent research.

• Leadership, Intercultural Management, Group Dynamics: How do I define my leadership style? How do I drive a team and group processes, and how do I deal with employees in an intercultural context?
• Leadership, Innovation and Organization: How can I design an organization that fosters innovation and creativity? How do I manage creative teams and individuals? How can I leverage inter-organizational relationships to enhance innovation?
• Entrepreneurship: What makes an entrepreneur successful? What are the social impacts of entrepreneurship? How can entrepreneurial ventures be sustainable in both economic and social terms?
• Understanding Digital Transformation: What are the technical, organizational, social and economic foundations for a digital economy? How do digital business models work? How are digital platforms organized? How can I leverage big data in order to make future-oriented management decisions? How are algorithms developed and applied?
• Scientific Methods: How are research questions developed? How do I find information to support my research? How do I collect and analyze empirical data using quantitative and qualitative methods?
• The Fundamentals of Business Administration: What are the foundations of business management and leadership? How do I read a balance sheet? What are relevant financial ratios, particularly in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship? How do I develop a successful digital marketing strategy?
• Analytical Skills: How do I develop data models in order to make better decisions? What is an algorithm's mathematical base? What kind of heuristics can I apply? What kind of software tools can I use effectively to help make decisions and find solutions?

Whether at a start-up company or at large companies, you can use your expertise and acquired skills:

• As a leader responsible for driving innovation in dynamic business areas or units
• As a project manager for innovation, business development, or change projects
• As a business consultant responsible for organizational and strategy development - either independently or at large consulting firms
• As an entrepreneur or intrapreneur at companies and other organizations, such as NPOs, think tanks, and interest groups

On average, graduates in this field find a job immediately after completing the program. After 3 years on the job, their average monthly gross salary is € 3.483.

Apply Now - A Step-by-Step Guide

Here is a step-by-step guide to the admissions procedure beginning with entering your personal information to paying tuition fees! We have also summarized all of the important information about the admissions procedure for you.

Program Management

Are you interested in the Master's degree program in Leading Innovative Organizations? Please make an appointment in advanced for individual consultation or stop by during our office hours:
Monday 1:00 - 4:00 PM, Wednesday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Tanja Desgeorges, MA
Management Center, 2^nd Floor, Rm. 211 B 
+43 732 2468 3073
lio@jku.at

Alina Morales / Thomas Holzapfel
Hochschuldfond Building, 2^nd Floor, Rm. 215
+43 732 2468 4441
lio@jku.at

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After successfully completing the Master's degree program, you can opt to pursue a doctorate degree:

These academic degree programs may also be of interest: