Leading people and building resilient organizations requires critical processes: setting direction, aligning people behind it, setting and maintaining values, and growth of self and others. Today’s executives face unprecedented levels of complexity and have to make decisions with foresight and integrity in our uncertain, high-pressure, turbulent world. To navigate through periods of radical change and disruption, to survive and thrive in global environments that are fraught with uncertainty, difficulties and ethical dilemmas responsible leadership is a key success factor.

Examine the management challenge of building sustainable brands developing successful marketing strategies . Develop skills in applying analytical perspectives, leveraging the use of new technologies and data to design a competitive marketing mix.

This course introduces accounting as the language of business and its primary information system. The course provides an introduction to financial statements and the financial reporting process. The purpose of financial reporting is to provide information to owners and other stakeholders of the firm to serve as the basis for making decisions about the firm. The course explains fundamental accounting concepts and accounting procedures that convert economic events into information reported in financial statements. Based on this foundational knowledge, the course then conveys evaluation methods to analyze financial statements and interpret them, in order to assess the performance of a company and its future prospects. A student who successfully completes this course should be able to (i) understand the basic concepts and principles of accounting, (ii) appreciate the rationale behind accounting rules and differences and similarities between rules used across the world, (iii) gain the technical knowhow to record and report business transactions, and (iv) become informed users of financial reports by developing some level of expertise in reading, understanding, and analyzing basic financial statements.

Examine the technological, political and ethical forces which shape a competitive environment. Look at those theoretical considerations used to analyze such forces, as well as businesses’ responses to specific issues. Coursework will include projects and cases of current interest to companies in the country of the first International Immersion.

Supply chain and operations (SCO) has become a critical focus area for executives across all industries, whether it is manufacturing, or services such as retail, finance, healthcare, insurance, hospitality, or transportation and logistics. Rapid changes such as digital technologies and increased focus on sustainability require executives to fine-tune their business and operations strategies. This course will focus on identifying strategic decision-making frameworks that are industry-agnostic and broadly applicable across industries. We will focus on bread and butter issues in the contemporary landscape that allows firms to deliver value to customers. With this in mind, the fundamental purpose of this course is to demonstrate: 

• how SCO decisions are inherently connected to a firm’s business strategy,

• how a better understanding of SCO decisions can help executives unlock unrealized potential for efficiencies within their firms and supply chains, and

• why SCO decisions can be a source of sustained competitive advantage for firms locally and globally.

We will dive into topics relating to the development of SCO strategy, process analysis and capacity planning, inventory management strategies, and global sourcing.

This course will provide a broad, deep, but not too technical, understanding of how executives can use data analytics to make better business decisions. The students will learn about all the different elements that it takes to create a data-driven organization to compete in the digital age, including analytics strategy, IT infrastructure, Machine Learning and AI, data governance and Responsible AI. The course will use a mix of case studies, examples, and analytics design sprints to help students identify business problems that can be addressed with data analytics and create a roadmap for solving them.  

The course first gives an overview of the basic concepts in data analysis and focuses on how executives can develop strategies using insights from business data, including a discussion of A/B testing and experimentation for innovation. It then introduces students to the topic of investing in digital infrastructures for data analytics and how to generate ROI through examples in exploratory analytics. This is followed by an overview of the key methods in business analytics – descriptive, predictive, causal, and prescriptive methods, as well as an introduction to Generative AI. We conclude the course with a discussion of the need to implement processes to support a data-driven organizational culture, including discussion of data governance, risk management, and responsible AI. Throughout, we focus on basic concepts and the practical use of these methods in management environments. Students will work in small group to ideate and develop business questions that can be addressed using the analytics solutions learned in the course. This course provides the background in data analytics methods that are required for several other courses in the curriculum, such as marketing, operations, and finance.

In this course we will identify broad macro-trends and analyze their implications for firms and investors looking for an edge when dealing with governments and rival firms.  We will identify and analyze the business implications of three big macro trends in three modules: firm and investor strategies for dealing with industry deregulation; firm and investor strategies for dealing with liberalization and democratization; and firm and investor strategies for dealing with privatization. Module 1 analyzes firm strategies for managing industry deregulation running from the US airline experience in the 1970s and 1980s to European online advertising in the 2010s and 2020s. Module 2 analyzes foreign investor strategies to manage classic host-country government threats of expropriation as well as emerging threats related to host-country government elections and political violence. Module 3 puts students into teams negotiating the potential sale of a state-owned enterprise similar to those currently up for privatization in many developing countries. Students should come away from the course with a deeper understanding of key concepts like political risk, key theories like those explaining the likelihood of industry deregulation, and key analytical techniques like those permitting the valuation of privatizing state-owned enterprises.

This module will provide you with the core concepts and tools of finance. Internalizing these ideas will provide the foundation for addressing financial issues with confidence and curiosity both for your personal financial decisions and for your future career. The course will utilize a framework to help organize our discussions.

Key elements include: 

• Tools, techniques, and tips for financial and business performance assessment & analysis.

• Capital budgeting: investing decisions with a deep dive into valuation tools for applications ranging from project evaluation to company valuation.

• Capital structure: financing decisions. We will follow the lifecycle of a firm and evaluate financing options from early stage (such as angel investors and venture capital) through decisions to “go public” to late stage “take-private” transactions.

• Capital allocation: decisions on what to do with free cash flows. Topics will include dividend and buyback decisions as well as techniques to evaluate growth drivers such as mergers and acquisitions.

Learn how to create and use internal accounting numbers and other important KPIs to manage business performance, lead organizational members, and drive value creation that is both superior and sustainable across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Understand the key tools and techniques that top executives use for planning and control in organizations, such as internal P&Ls, accounting systems, transfer pricing, target setting, budgeting and variance analysis, comprehensive KPI systems like the Balanced Scorecard, and, last but not least, the important and emerging ESG controlling.

Develop international strategies for companies wishing to expand in the global marketplace. The emphasis is on analyzing opportunities and how the international environment constrains decision-making. Learn how to implement global strategies, including managing strategic alliances and networks.

Module is taught during the International Immersion in Asia.

Manage information resources and technology. Gain exposure to various information technologies. See how information systems can support business processes, examine their applications. Explore the competitive advantages and address organizational and managerial implications. Learn how information and communication technology can help create new business models.

Module is taught during the International Immersion in Asia.

Watch Prof. Deepa Mani from ISB on the topic of "Organisation of Technology and the Impact of Technology Interventions on Business and Society".

Why do some organizations fail while others succeed? Exploring the underlying principles of strategy analysis and formulation, including the analysis of industries and competition and the appraisal of firms´ resources and capabilities represent core topics covered in this module. Megatrends of digitization (including AI) as well as sustainability (ESG) and their implications for strategy and competitive advantage are equally discussed, as new business models which emerge as a result of these mega trends.

Negotiation is the art and science of securing agreements between two or more parties who are interdependent and who are seeking to maximize their own outcomes. The central issues of this course deal with understanding the behavior of individuals, groups, and organizations in the context of competitive situations. The emphasis will be finding creative solutions to building relationships with negotiation partners while maximizing joint benefits.

The purpose of this course is to understand the theory and process of negotiation in a variety of settings. This course is designed to be relevant to the broad spectrum of negotiation problems that are faced by managers and professionals. In particular, in one exercise, we will be tackling current problems associated with the overuse of environmental resources and how to negotiate sustainable solutions.

This course is designed to complement the technical and diagnostic skills learned in other courses in your program. A basic premise of this course is that while a manager needs analytical skills to discover optimal solutions to problems, a broad array of negotiation skills are needed to get these solutions accepted and implemented. This course will allow participants the opportunity to develop these skills experientially and to understand negotiation in useful analytic frameworks. As such, considerable emphasis will be placed on simulations, role- playing, and cases. Students will also gain valuable insight on how they negotiation from the self-diagnostic personality inventories and personalized peer feedback received in class.

Multiple perspectives on global strategy and innovations are brought together in this integrative course. Theory and practice are bridged by involvement of faculty and corporate executives, site visits to global companies and student projects.

Module is taught during U.S.A Residency in New York and Minneapolis

This two-day workshop on the future of business brings students in contact with alumni and offers insights into trends shaping the future of global business.

The Global Team Project (GTP) provides Global Executive MBA students with the unique opportunity to work in a collaborative team environment across cultures, industries, and markets. As participants in the GTP, students develop advanced skills in teamwork, cross-cultural collaboration, and business plan development within a dynamic environment shaped by academic rigor and the demands of real-world international business.

Our partner university, the Carlson School of Management of the University of Minnesota, is running two additional Executive MBA programs - in China and the USA. Each global team consists of students from all three Executive MBA programs:

• Minneapolis, USA

• Vienna, Austria

• Guangzhou, China

It is up to each team to develop norms and processes for the development of an integrated business plan designed for success in the real world.

Guided by a faculty leader in each program, the GTP participants learn from each other, develop a detailed business plan, and ultimately present to their fellow students and faculty evaluators at the conclusion of their degree program on the Carlson School campus in Minnesota.

Graduates of the Global Executive MBA programs often refer to the GTP as one of their most meaningful learning experiences, with immediate application to their professional lives and careers. Relationships formed during the GTP often endure and enhance the participants' global network of colleagues and friends.

Yes, the WU Executive Academy offers a wide range of Executive MBA scholarships and financing options.

Scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis. The committee decides whether and to what extent a scholarship will be granted by evaluating your:

• High motivation for joining the program

• Enthusiasm for a challenging learning experience

• Clear understanding of personal contribution to team learning and the overall cohort experience

• Relevant skills and work experience

• Strong record of career progression

• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills

• Passion and commitment to achieve personal growth and success

• Diversity of the student group in terms of academic, professional, and cultural background

• Financial situation

Find additional eligibility criteria for each scholarship.

To apply for a scholarship, you need to hand in the following additional documents:

• Documentation of income

• Relevant documentation of exceptional circumstances (e.g. supporting dependents, medical care).

Learn more about application deadlines at WU Executive Academy and the process for each scholarship.

Yes, our Executive MBA tuition fees are fully tax deductible for taxpayers in Austria. With our flexible payment modalities, you can spread the fees over several tax periods. However, as tax deductibility can vary greatly from person to person, we recommend that you also contact a tax advisor or inquire directly at the tax office.

If you are taxpayer of another country, please contact your local tax authorities for information on available tax deductions.

Our Global Executive Program is designed for:

• Experienced C-level executives looking to gain valuable insights into modern management and leadership strategies in both developed and emerging markets.

• Board members, area, and department heads who want to deepen their leadership and management skills to successfully take the next step in their careers.

The application process for the Global Executive MBA at the WU Executive Academy is straightforward and transparent. The admission requirements include a university degree, at least five years of professional experience, leadership experience or potential, and strong English language skills. To apply, you need to complete an online application form, submit your CV, a motivation letter, and your transcripts, and attend a personal interview. Our dedicated admissions team will guide you through every step of the process and assist you with any questions or concerns.

On average, our students dedicate approximately 5 to 10 hours per week to coursework. We recommend investing 1 to 2 hours daily to stay on track with the program and make the most of the learning experience.

The Global Executive MBA is specifically designed for busy professionals. Our flexible online platform allows students to access course materials via their smartphones or tablets, enabling them to manage their studies conveniently while commuting, during lunch breaks, or while traveling. This flexibility ensures that even the busiest executives can balance their work and education.

The Global Executive MBA provides you with in-depth knowledge of international management and grants two prestigious MBA degrees: the Executive MBA from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business and the MBA from the University of Minnesota. You will study at renowned universities across four continents and learn from internationally experienced professors and executives. The program includes visits to leading companies, exclusive guest lectures, and collaboration with peers from different countries in the Global Team Project. With a study duration of only 16 months, you benefit from a compact education while building a strong international network, with access to two leading alumni networks.

We use a comprehensive evaluation approach to assess student progress and performance:

• Class Participation: Active engagement in classroom discussions and video conferences is continuously assessed. Every contribution, whether verbal or written, is considered.

• Individual Assignments: Students complete quizzes, individual projects, and assessed homework to demonstrate their understanding and progress.

• Group Projects: Working in small teams, students are required to prepare presentations, research studies, and papers that contribute to their final evaluation.

This well-rounded assessment method ensures that students develop both their individual capabilities and teamwork skills effectively.

Each GEMBA cohort consists of 30 to 40 experienced executives, with an average of 35 participants, ensuring a dynamic and diverse learning environment.

Upon completing the Global Executive MBA, participants earn two prestigious MBA degrees: the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Minnesota, USA. This double degree program reflects the international scope of the curriculum and the unique partnership between two renowned institutions, providing graduates with a global perspective and a strong foundation for leadership roles in the business world.

Our selection process involves careful consideration of the following factors:

• High motivation for joining the program

• Enthusiasm for a challenging learning experience

• Clear understanding of personal contribution to team learning and the overall cohort experience

• Relevant skills and work experience

• Strong record of career progression

• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills

• Passion and commitment to achieve personal growth and success

• Diversity of the student group in terms of academic, professional, and cultural background

Applicants must meet the following formal requirements:

• Undergraduate degree (Bachelor 180 ECTS or equivalent) from a recognized post-secondary institution*

• Minimum of 5 years of postgraduate work experience

• Leadership experience

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

^{* For the Executive MBA programs, outstanding professional experience may allow for application in exceptional cases.}