From the automation of processes to the development of a digital reporting methodology to community ownership, the Economic Research Group established at the Vehicle Industry Research Center of Széchenyi István University is researching many areas.
As a real universitas, Széchenyi István University deals with many fields of science at a high level, which is a great advantage in researching complex topics. This is helped by the significant infrastructure developments of the recent period, the university’s site at ZalaZONE in Zalaegerszeg, and the fact that the lecturers and researchers of the institution are achieving better and better results by international standards. Close corporate collaborations provide a stable basis for all this. The research groups operating in the Vehicle Industry Research Center of the University of Széchenyi, including the Economic Research Group, build on these possibilities.
“The university’s Vehicle Industry Research Center is dealing with the most pressing technical issues, such as autonomous transport systems, digitization and electromobility. We thought that economists could be involved in the research, because this type of development obviously has many economic implications. ”
– Árpád Tóth, the head of the Economic Research Group, explained why this unit was established, in which university lecturers, researchers, doctoral students and undergraduate students work.
The economist, who previously worked for a large automotive supplier, gave several examples of areas in which they directly help the Vehicle Industry Research Center of the Széchenyi University and companies, and indirectly in strengthening the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy. One such exciting topic is process automation, which is already related to the 5.0 era of the industry. As part of this, companies are approached with advice on the timeframe and conditions under which, for example, manual business by administrators will be recouped if triggered by a software robot.
As another research area, Árpád Tóth mentioned the measurement of the development of carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions of car factories, which is an important issue due to the strict regulations adopted for the purpose of sustainable development. The research team, which also uses artificial intelligence, has begun to develop a methodology for a digital reporting system that seeks to address a number of issues that are not yet mature enough to help the companies involved. There is a real need for this, so this service will be marketable. The expert added: they are waiting for company inquiries even if they buy a company in Hungary or in the surrounding countries, because they can also give advice on the business solution of the transaction, keeping in mind the financial return and sustainability.
“Our research team also identifies and monitors companies involved in self-driving vehicle developments in the Central European region. We analyze their activities, business model, sales revenue, number of employees and many other parameters. Recently, more and more people have embarked on this path, in Hungary, for example, there are two large and about thirty smaller players in addition to development and research centers such as those operating at Széchenyi István University. ”
– explained Árpád Tóth, who also spoke about the fact that in the future self-driving will not be sure that everyone will buy such a vehicle in the future, it is conceivable that the already existing, albeit limited, community ownership will come to the fore. For this reason, this area is also being researched and, for example, the three major car-sharing services present in Hungary are being monitored.
They are waiting for the applicants to join the research team
The Economic Research Group of the Vehicle Industry Research Center of Széchenyi István University is open and is waiting for the applications of interested researchers and students at the e-mail address totha@ga.sze.hu. In addition to vocation, basic economic knowledge is required for successful operation, and accounting, financial or controlling knowledge is an advantage.