Sebastian Kummer

Professor Sebastian Kummer is a distinguished academic and practitioner in the field of transport and logistics management. Currently serving as Head of the Institute for Transport and Logistics Management at Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna), he has shaped the field through both academic research and practical applications since joining WU in 2001.

His academic journey began with studies in economics and philosophy at the University of Tübingen (1982-1984) and business administration at the University of Cologne (1984-1987), followed by doctoral and habilitation work at WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management. His professional path uniquely combines academic rigor with industry experience, having served as CEO of Zahnradfabrik Unna GmbH from 1989-1993 before transitioning to academia with a professorship at TU Dresden (1997-2001).

Professor Kummer's research spans transport industry, mobility management, logistics controlling, supply chain management, sustainable mobility, and digitization. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly evident in his development of the 'Kummertabellen' for truck toll calculation, which became an industry standard across multiple European countries. His recent research focuses on carbon management in supply chains, digital transformation in logistics, and urban mobility solutions.

With 555 publications including 10 leading textbooks, Professor Kummer has established himself as a prolific scholar whose work informs both academic discourse and industry practice. His publication trend shows consistent output over decades, with recent works increasingly addressing sustainability challenges in transport and supply chains.

• Red Arrow 2022 infrastructure award from Future Business Austria
• Silver Honorary Pin from the Austrian Federal Association of Logistics (2017)
• Emerald Literati Network Outstanding Paper Award 2022
• WU Vienna Excellence in Teaching Award (2013)
• Alexander Freud Medal (2007)
• Honorary member of the Austrian Transport Science Society (2017)

Professor Kummer maintains strong industry connections, having consulted for major companies including Deutsche Bahn, Siemens, and Red Bull. He leads numerous research projects (201 total, with 102 currently active) and serves in leadership roles including President of the German Arbitration Court for Logistics and Head of the Austrian BVL. His work exemplifies the integration of academic research with practical problem-solving in the transport and logistics sector.

His institute serves as a hub for both teaching and applied research, with Professor Kummer directing the university course in logistics and supply chain management while maintaining active collaborations with industry partners across Europe. He has developed several educational programs including the Professional MBA Mobility Management at WU in cooperation with Porsche Holding and the MBA Supply Chain Management at ETH Zurich.