Björn Häckel

Prof. Dr. Björn Häckel is a Research Professor for Digital Value Networks at the Faculty of Computer Science, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences (THA). He is also the scientific director of the Data Analytics Technology Transfer Center in Donauwörth and leads the AI production network at THA. As deputy managing director of the Research Institute for Information Management (FIM), he oversees the 'IT-supported Financial Management' research group and collaborates closely with the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology.

• Doctorate in Business Administration (summa cum laude, University of Augsburg, 2010)
• Habilitation in Business Informatics (University of Augsburg, 2015)
• W2 Professorship in Industrial Engineering (University of Augsburg, 2013–2016)

His research centers on digital transformation, particularly in Industry 4.0, smart factories, and digital value chains. He explores integrated opportunity and risk management, data-driven business models, and sustainable digitalization. His work bridges technical innovation with economic evaluation, focusing on IT investment decisions, AI applications, and cybersecurity in production systems.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in digital transformation, with emphasis on risk management in smart factories, human-AI collaboration, federated learning, and sustainability through AI. His work spans both theoretical frameworks (e.g., maturity models, taxonomies) and practical applications in industries like automotive, energy, and manufacturing.

His scientific awards include earning his doctorate summa cum laude. He has contributed to numerous applied research projects with industry leaders such as BMW Financial Services, Infineon, Carl Zeiss, and ZF Friedrichshafen.

• Developed maturity models for incident response, agile IT, and product-service systems
• Created frameworks for evaluating IT security risks, data value, and AI services
• Advises multiple researchers and leads collaborative projects across academia and industry

He leads the Data Analytics Technology Transfer Center and the AI production network, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange between research and industry. His work in the FIM research institute strengthens applied business informatics in both public and private sectors.