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2026 Survey
The European Manufacturing Survey (EMS) examines how companies are modernizing their production and what technical and organizational innovations they are implementing. Key areas of focus include production processes, technologies, and digitalization; work organization; innovation; current challenges; and the competitiveness of manufacturing.
The EMS has been conducted since 2001 by an international consortium of research institutes and universities. In Austria, the survey is coordinated by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Center for Innovation Systems & Policy.
Participation in the 2026 Survey
The 2026 Austrian survey is aimed at companies and businesses in the manufacturing sector (ÖNACE 2025, Divisions 10–33) with at least 20 employees.
We invite companies to share their experiences and assessments. Even if not all of the technologies or measures surveyed are used in your company, the information you provide is valuable for the study.
Participation takes place exclusively online via a personalized survey link that invited companies receive by email. The link can be shared within the company with the appropriate person.
Would you like to participate in the survey but haven’t received an invitation, or can’t find your invitation anymore? Please email us at ems(at)ait.ac.at. We’d be happy to send you a personalized survey link.
Background
Innovation is crucial for business growth, competitiveness, and job security. It encompasses not only new or improved products and services, but also production processes and organizational structures.
A company’s competitiveness therefore depends not only on its products, but also on how efficiently, flexibly, and to what high a standard they are manufactured. While many national and international innovation surveys focus primarily on research and development as well as product innovations, changes in production processes are often documented in less detail. To close this gap, the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) developed the “Modernization of Production” survey in 1993. The AIT has been participating in it since 2003.
The European Manufacturing Survey uses a common set of questions across participating countries. This allows for international comparisons of trends in manufacturing and the analysis of differences between companies, industries, and countries.
International Partners
The European Manufacturing Survey is supported by an international network of research institutes and universities. Coordination is handled by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
The EMS network includes research organizations from numerous European and non-European countries. The joint survey enables international comparative analyses of the use of innovative technologies and organizational concepts, as well as performance indicators such as productivity, flexibility, and quality.
FAQ
Companies and businesses in the Austrian manufacturing sector with at least 20 employees.
Yes. If your company is part of the target group, please email ems(at)ait.ac.at. We’ll be happy to send you a personalised survey link.
It is recommended that the production or operations management team complete the questionnaire, as they have a good overview of production, technologies and work organisation. Specific details can be discussed with colleagues. The personal survey link can be shared within the company with the relevant person.
You can pause the survey after completing each page (by clicking the ‘Next’ button) and continue later using your personal survey link. Please make a note of this link.
Your details will be treated confidentially. The results will only be published in summary form, without any reference to individual companies. You must confirm that you have read and accepted the privacy policy before the survey begins.
We would be grateful if you could take part by 6 December 2026 if possible. The online survey will remain open until 31 December 2026.
