Chancen und Herausforderungen eines gemeinsamen Agrardatenraumes und Datenökosystems im Hinblick auf Innovationen in der Landwirtschaft

Abstract

In recent years, the importance of the data economy has increased, driven by the exponential growth of data volumes, the evolution of AI applications, and the pivotal role of data in innovation and value creation. Against this backdrop, the European Union is striving to establish a unified market for data, with a key initiative being the creation of Common Data Spaces as a cornerstone of the European Data Strategy. This master's thesis delves into the prospects and challenges associated with the formation of a Common European Agricultural Data Space (CEADS) and a complementary data ecosystem, both aimed at fostering innovation within the agricultural and food sector. The following key research questions guide this investigation: 1. What are the opportunities of common data spaces for innovation in the agri-food sector and what challenges must be addressed? 2. How viable business models can be designed and implemented within a data space? To provide insightful answers, this thesis presents a comprehensive overview of the European-level development of the data space concept, along with the indispensable technical and organizational components. Additionally, it explores the evolving nature of data ecosystems and the adaptation of business models to this new paradigm. The empirical component of this work involves conducting focus groups with stakeholders from the agricultural sector. These sessions aim to gather insights into their perspectives on the potential benefits of a data space for Austrian agriculture and to engage in a dialogue about the opportunities and challenges. The focus group discussions were analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques. The findings of this thesis reveal significant innovation potential through enhanced data utilization within a trusted environment, presenting numerous avenues for advancement in the agricultural sector. Nonetheless, challenges remain in ensuring the economic feasibility of implementing a Common Agricultural Data Space. The establishment of such a space has the potential to be a powerful catalyst for innovation and sustainability in agriculture, provided that the concerns of stakeholders are effectively addressed. A critical aspect is striking a balance between broad data utilization, understanding its advantages and identifying appropriate use cases.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Günther Tschabuschnig (Supervisor)