ERP Study Trip to Dublin: A Hidden Gem for Tech and Culture

This year’s study trip for the master’s program ERP Systems & Business Process Management took students to the Irish capital from June 15 to 18 - a city that has long established itself as a European hub for numerous American tech corporations. Between international business, digital work environments, and academic exchange, Dublin became a learning space with direct practical relevance.

Insights into Dublin’s Economy and Tech Companies

The academic and professional focus began with a visit to the foreign trade office Advantage Austria. There, students not only received an overview of the economic relations between Ireland and Austria, but also gained a sense of how closely international markets are interconnected.

Commercial Counselor Mag. Garcias shared insights from his professional experience and explained how he supports companies abroad at events, builds contacts, and monitors economic developments. Right from the start, it became clear that global business processes are not abstract concepts, but are shaped by people, networks, and decisions. He also encouraged students to gain professional experience abroad themselves.

From there, the trip led directly to where Dublin’s digital economy is especially visible: the city’s international tech companies. In recent years, Ireland has established itself as a major location for multinational corporations. In addition to language, EU membership, and tax conditions, the availability of well-educated professionals plays a particularly important role.

The visit to Salesforce, the San Francisco-based market leader in sales software, demonstrated how these location advantages are reflected in everyday business operations. The first impression of the new building directly at the old docks was already impressive. The well-known open office spaces with individual retreat areas, free food, and great colleagues create a pleasant working environment for the nearly 3,000 mostly younger employees. The students received a very warm welcome from the sales team for EMEA and were given an overview of the latest product developments under the keyword Agentic Enterprise.

The visit to LinkedIn offered a similar impression. The focus there was not only on working in a globally active company, but also on the conditions that allow such organizations to operate successfully. In conversations with employees, students discussed career paths, international mobility, and the dynamics of a labor market in which moving between major tech companies is not uncommon. At the same time, Dublin’s high housing costs highlighted the location factors that also shape everyday professional life.

Academic Perspectives and Cultural Impressions

In addition to insights into business and the economy, the study trip also provided opportunities for academic exchange. Marc Gallagher, a professor already connected to FH Kufstein Tirol, contributed a program item on Irish history and culture. A guided tour of Trinity College and a visit to Maynooth University, including a lecture on the topic of temporary organization, rounded out the academic program.

As the trip continued, attention also turned to the city itself and its cultural characteristics. A three-hour walking tour through the new tech district highlighted Dublin’s urban development in recent years, as well as efforts to strengthen public transportation. A visit to the Guinness Brewery offered a welcome break afterward, even if its taste did not convince all students.

Links:

• ERP Systems & Business Process Management | pt