Austrian Research and Technology Report 2020

Glass ceiling index based on the management levels
1
1.57
1.52
1 Calculated as the share of women among all employees/share of women in management positions. The following are considered management 
positions: head of department/division, head of competence unit/Center, managing director and heads of staff units and authorised officers. 
An explanation of the index can be found in the “Definitions” box at the end of the chapter.
Source: Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). 
2.1.3 Special events in 2019 and outlook
The Flagship Region 
New Energy for Industry (NEFI) 
was launched in 2019, funded by the Climate and 
Energy Fund (KLIEN) and under the direction of the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) Center for En-
ergy in cooperation with the University of Leoben, the Upper Austrian Energy Conservation Association 
(OÖ Energiesparverband) and Business Upper Austria (OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur). The innovation network, 
with over 80 industry, technology and research companies, will spend the next eight years pursuing the 
goal of demonstrating the path to renewable energy supply and complete decarbonisation of manufactur-

---

2. Key Players in Research Funding and in Non-university Research 
101
ing and energy-intensive industries on the basis of key technologies Made in Austria. The spectrum of 
companies participating in NEFI ranges from large industry leaders to innovative SMEs. The governments 
of the heavily industrialised federal states of Upper Austria and Styria are backing the strategic pro-
gramme and are prepared to substantially support the development. NEFI is also focused on six fields of 
innovation at the technological level (e.g. renewable energy, energy storage, processes) and systemic 
level (infrastructure, business models, policy).
The European Commission has set the goal of achieving strategic autonomy in the critical area of