Information Systems, Digital Innovation and Performance Management

Our mission is to advance information systems through rigorous, practice-oriented research and education. We empower students and professionals with scientifically grounded knowledge of lasting relevance, support the development of individual potential, and address real-world challenges. By fostering effective knowledge transfer, we bridge academia and practice to create sustainable impact.

Research Areas

Our research spans three core areas: IT Management, Personal Productivity, and Smart City & Utilities. In IT Management, we investigate how organizations plan, govern, and realize value from information systems, with a focus on innovation, project portfolios, and digital transformation. In Personal Productivity, we explore how individuals—particularly knowledge workers—interact with digital tools, including AI-based systems, to enhance efficiency and decision-making in their daily work.

Extending beyond the organizational and individual levels, our research in Smart City & Utilities examines how information systems contribute to the development of intelligent, connected, and sustainable infrastructures. By linking these three perspectives, we aim to better understand how digital technologies create value across individual, organizational, and societal contexts.

Our Activities

Teaching

Our academic programs provide students with a robust foundation in information systems, equipping them with the essential skills required for successful careers across a diverse range of global industries.

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Research

We conduct advanced research into contemporary business challenges, exploring a wide array of interdisciplinary topics situated at the critical intersection of technology, social sciences, and management.

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Industry Collaboration

We empower organizations to enhance their digital leadership and performance through specialized development programs, evidence-based coaching, and strategic executive education services designed for the digital age.

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 Tue, 07. Jul 2026

Paper accepted at WI2026: "Virtual Coaches, Real Challenges"

We are pleased to announce that our full paper "Virtual Coaches, Real Challenges: An Ethical Guide for AI-Based Virtual Coaches in Educational Settings" by Daniel Davydov, Falco Korn, and Frederik Ahlemann has been accepted for…

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 Mon, 06. Jul 2026

Join Our Team: Student Assistant Position for IS:link

Are you interested in international exchange, student mobility, and working in a university environment? Then this might be a great opportunity for you.

The Chair of Information Systems, Digital Innovation and Performance…

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 Mon, 29. Jun 2026

Falco Korn Participates in the ECIS Doctoral Consortium and Presents New Research

The European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2026), held in Milan, Italy, brought together Information Systems researchers from around the world to exchange ideas and discuss current developments in the field. Representing…

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Picture by Bernd Thissen

 Fri, 29. May 2026

Professor Ahlemann Delivers Key AI Insights at "AI for SMEs on the Lower Rhine" Kickoff

On May 28, 2026, the official kickoff event for the "AI for SMEs on the Lower Rhine" (KI für KMU am Niederrhein) initiative took place. The Chair of Information Systems, Digital Innovation and Performance Management was actively…

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 Thu, 07. May 2026

AI Transformation in Logistics: Insights from the Future Logistics Event

This year’s “Future Logistics” event highlighted the critical challenges surrounding AI transformation and data-driven logistics - themes that sit at the very heart of our chair’s research in digital innovation and information…

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 Wed, 06. May 2026

District Administrator Thomas Schürmann Hands Over Funding Notification for "AI for SMEs Lower Rhine" Project

The digital transformation of the regional economy has reached a new milestone: District Administrator Thomas Schürmann has officially handed over the funding notification for the joint project "KI für KMU NiederRhein" (AI for…

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Associations

METAPOTT

A spin-off from the University of Duisburg-Essen’s EPA and DIP chairs, METAPOTT specializes in digital transformation. The company provides consulting, professional education, and software development, bridging scientific research with practical applications in retail, Smart Cities, and the utilities sector.

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We Learn in Bits

In partnership with SAP University Alliances, the EPA Chair provides specialized SAP online courses for students. Participants receive a University of Duisburg-Essen certificate upon completion and have the opportunity to earn an official SAP industry certification by passing the final exam.

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Curatorship

The student-run consulting firm act e.V. offers highly motivated students a platform to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges. Working in project teams, these student consultants collaborate to develop and deliver customized business solutions for various clients.

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IS:link

IS:link is a global exchange network for Information Systems students. It simplifies semesters abroad by providing tuition waivers at international partner universities and ensuring seamless credit transfers. The program enables students to gain essential intercultural experience and global perspectives without administrative hurdles.

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About our chair

We collaborate with corporate partners in a variety of flexible formats designed to create meaningful impact at the intersection of academic excellence and real-world relevance. Our collaborations combine rigorous scientific methods with practical applicability, enabling organizations to address current challenges while building sustainable capabilities for the future.

Long-term partnerships are ideal for organizations seeking a strategic relationship with the chair. These collaborations typically involve multi-year research programs, often linked to a doctoral dissertation, and may consist of one major initiative or a series of related projects. Topics can be defined from the outset or continuously refined as the collaboration evolves. This format provides a strong foundation for long-lasting innovation and typically spans two years or more.

For organizations aiming to tackle a clearly defined challenge, we offer individual research and consulting projects. These projects address specific organizational or technological questions in a structured and scientifically grounded way. A doctoral researcher or academic team member is closely involved—often also on-site—ensuring intensive exchange and strong practical alignment. In addition to the project results, partners benefit from targeted knowledge transfer and coaching. The typical duration is three to nine months.

We also support organizations through executive education and professional training programs. These offerings enable companies to strengthen the competencies of experts and managers in key areas of digital transformation and IT management. Depending on the needs of the partner, formats range from in-house workshops to open programs. Typical topics include Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM), IT Governance, and Project Portfolio Management (PPM). Training modules usually last two to five days per topic.

A particularly dynamic format is collaboration through student projects. In these projects, corporate partners work with a team of students on a practice-relevant topic as part of the regular curriculum. This format is well suited for exploratory challenges, conceptual work, and structured analyses that can generate valuable insights without requiring immediate mission-critical outcomes. The duration is typically around six months.

Finally, we offer cooperation through Bachelor’s and Master’s theses, allowing companies to investigate well-defined research questions in a focused and time-efficient manner. Theses are jointly supervised by the chair and the corporate partner, ensuring both academic rigor and practical relevance. The typical duration is three to six months.

Across all formats, our goal is to build partnerships that generate measurable value, foster innovation, and ensure effective transfer of knowledge into practice.