Scope
The overall objectives of the conference are to advance the theory and practice of Business Sustainability, implementation and promotion of practices in companies towards sustainability across multiple dimensions on all organisational levels, from strategic management to operational levels, in every type of business and for every company’s function.
To bridge the gaps between theory and practice, between academia and companies, between abstract and real worlds, and to bring people in the centre, as a critical success factor towards business sustainability.
Topics
Sponsors
10th International Conference on
BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY 2026
Management, Technology and Learning for Individuals, Organisations and Society in Turbulent Environments
25 - 27 November 2026
Portugal
Round Table
Hidden Waste: How Untapped Factory Data Sabotages Sustainability in Turbulent Markets
Prof. Markus Brillinger
Graz University of Technology
Abstract
In today's turbulent environments, organisations face immense pressure to implement sustainable practices across multiple dimensions and at all organisational levels, spanning from strategic management to operational activities. While companies often invest heavily in expensive new green technologies to meet ecological targets, a massive, cost-effective lever is already lying dormant on their shop floors: existing factory data. This round table addresses the critical gap between technology, management, and continuous learning. We will explore the phenomenon of "digital waste"—the vast, unutilized data streams that could optimize resource efficiency and minimize environmental footprints if properly analyzed. Grounded in the core mission of the BS2026 conference to promote sustainable practices across all businesses and functional areas, this session examines why data is hoarded rather than utilized. Furthermore, because achieving true business sustainability requires placing people at the center as the critical success factor, our discussion will focus on how individual operators and managers learn to interact with and trust this data. Participants will engage on an equal footing to share knowledge and brainstorm pragmatic, immediate strategies to turn passive digital graveyards into active, value-driving assets for sustainable operations.
Markus Brillinger is a mechanical engineer educated at Graz University of Technology, where he also earned his PhD in 2018. His doctoral research focused on the development of a novel 3D printing process, including its successful patenting. From 2018 to early 2026, Markus worked at Pro2Future in the field of Cognitive Production Systems, specializing in digital and data-driven manufacturing. His work focused on enabling industrial companies to make smarter use of existing production data and to implement practical approaches to cognitive and intelligent production. Since autumn 2025, Markus Brillinger has been a Head of Degree Programmes at FH JOANNEUM, where he is responsible for three study programs. His academic focus lies on “Smart Data Usage,” preparing the next generation of engineers to unlock value from data in industrial environments.