Professor Andreas Taschner, an industry expert and esteemed German scholar, has recently joined the SBM ITB as a visiting professor. Prof. Andreas is on a mission to deepen the collaboration between Reutlingen University and SBM ITB.
From industry to academia: Never too late to follow your passion
Prof. Andreas’s path to academia was anything but conventional. After spending over a decade in the manufacturing industry, he last served as the head of the department responsible for management control systems at Alcatel-Lucent, a global telecommunications company. Despite not initially planning to transition into academia, Prof. Andreas discovered that teaching and research were his true passions. “In the industry, I always engaged in in-house training and served as a trainer,” he shared, reflecting on his early experiences as an educator.
His academic journey began after completing his PhD from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and relocating to Germany. Although he switched to academia later in life, Prof. Andreas firmly believes it is never too late to dedicate oneself to a passion. His years of industry experience have proven to be an asset, not a hindrance, in his academic career.
Prof. Andreas particularly appreciates academia’s flexibility, allowing him to pursue and study what he finds important. “I have never regretted it,” he affirmed.
Visiting SBM ITB and joint research in digitalization in accounting
During his five-week tenure at SBM ITB, Prof. Andreas taught undergraduate and MBA courses on financial management. He has found the SBM ITB community to be exceptionally welcoming, noting the friendliness of both students and staff.
In addition to teaching, Prof. Andreas is exploring opportunities for joint research and publications with SBM ITB faculty. His primary research interests include digitalization in accounting and finance and the complexities of global supply chains.
Prof. Andreas considers his time at SBM ITB especially beneficial for his research. He is particularly interested in measuring how each segment of the global supply chain contributes to a company’s value chain. Recognizing that this research requires international collaboration, he believes a multinational team of researchers is the best approach.
Regarding digitalization in accounting, he emphasized that advancements such as artificial intelligence, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and big data will undoubtedly transform society. The only question is “how.”
“Students and employers are asking, ‘Can you ensure that your graduates understand what digitalization does to industry?” Prof. Andreas shared. He noted that stakeholders are increasingly advocating for the teaching of digital analytics tools and emphasized the importance of “making sense of data” to fully realize the benefits of accounting in interpreting numbers.
Perspectives on education in Indonesia
Prof. Andreas has observed some key differences between students in Germany and Indonesia. While MBA students in both countries have similar experiences and attitudes, he noted that undergraduate students at SBM ITB tend to be more cautious, possibly due to the unfamiliarity of having a visiting professor. He stressed the importance of building a strong teacher-student relationship, stating, “if students trust and accept you, and if you show your \motivation and strength in what you do, it becomes easier for them [to engage].”
Advice for aspiring professionals
Prof. Andreas advises students aspiring to careers in accounting and finance to maintain curiosity and diligence. He believes that learning is a continuous process that can be challenging but ultimately rewarding. He encourages students to explore various fields during their undergraduate studies, listen to their interests, and pursue what resonates most with them.
Looking forward
As Prof. Andreas continues his visit, he remains eager to collaborate with the SBM ITB community. His presence enriches the academic environment and bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering invaluable insights from his extensive industry experience.