Health and care are issues that sooner or later affect us all—whether as a society, as organizations, or on a personal level. It is no secret that our care system is under pressure: demographic change and a shortage of skilled workers demand new solutions that go beyond purely medical treatment. More than ever, the focus today is on how we organize everyday support, the role nonprofit organizations play in this, and how we can ensure quality of life even under challenging conditions.
The Competence Center for Nonprofit Organizations and Social Impact researches these developments at the intersection of social policy, organizational practice, and societal value.

Key Research Focus Areas
One focus of our work is the analysis and optimization of support services to secure the long-term quality of life for vulnerable groups. This includes in particular:

• Linking Medicine and Social Services: Investigating innovative care models (such as social prescribing) that connect primary medical care with psychosocial services to promote holistic health.

• Care Security and Barriers: Analyzing legal and organizational frameworks for access to specialized services, especially in palliative and hospice care.

• Work Environment and Digitalization: Researching the effects of digital transformation on working conditions in care and the attractiveness of the profession amid staffing shortages.

• Resilience to Environmental Factors: Examining the impacts of climate change (e.g., heatwaves) on mobile care and developing adaptation strategies for organizations and those affected.

• Governance and Management: Analyzing financing and management models of health and care services, which are largely provided by nonprofit organizations on behalf of the public sector.

Methodological Approach and Impact
Our research follows an interdisciplinary and empirically grounded approach. We combine quantitative analyses (e.g., needs assessments) with qualitative methods to capture the perspectives of care recipients, relatives, and professionals.
Through close collaboration with practice partners and policymakers, our findings help identify gaps in care and provide evidence-based foundations for the further development of the Austrian health and social care system.

Reference Projects:

• Palliative Emergency Medications – Evaluation: https://www.wu.ac.at/npocompetence/forschung/projekte/2026/palliative-notfallmedikamente-evaluierung

• Social Prescribing: https://www.wu.ac.at/npocompetence/forschung/projekte/2024/social-prescribing

• Social and Health Impacts of Climate Change Adaptation Efforts on Long-Term Care (SHINE): https://www.wu.ac.at/npocompetence/forschung/projekte/2026/social-and-health-impacts-of-climate-change-adaptation-efforts-on-long-term-care-shine

• Work 4.0 Care: https://www.wu.ac.at/npocompetence/forschung/projekte/2025/work-40-care

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