Guest speech of the CEO of Infineon, Ms. Mag. Monika Kircher-Kohl

The “ASEAN Export Experts” series has made a successful continuation with Mag. Dr. h.c. Monika Kircher-Kohl, CEO of Infineon Technologies Austria AG on 8th April 2011. Chairperson for International Law Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic kindly organized this event and welcomed our guest together with Rector Ms. Eva Werner, Export Program Director Prof. Schwand, fellow program professors and large audience of students.

Before the presentation started Prof. Bajrektarevic described the company Infineon as one of the most vibrant Austrian Export-oriented companies, well known in Asia (as the company profit is over 40% originating from Asian theater). By stating: Asian ruling mantra is opposite from the Western mantra: let’s make a business and eventually become friends. Asians say: let firstly become friends and then we can do any business together, prof. Bajrektarevic gave the floor to the charismatic and impressive speaker Ms. Kircher-Kohl.

The Infineon CEO gave the comprehensive insight into the world of the important semiconducting industry (marked as one of the essential industries by the EU Commission). To give us an idea it was mentioned that 10% of European GDP is generated by Infineon and its customers taken together. Infineon is a fast growing business which closely moves with the macroeconomic cycles. Then the students learned more about the 3 areas Infineon focuses: energy efficiency, mobility and security.

Secondly Mag. Dr. Kircher-Kohl spoke about the employee policy. Here the key message was innovation and culture. She mentioned several examples and challenges Infineon faced in the past, is currently facing and will face in the future (e.g. the integration of foreign employees and their families, dealing with the crisis). In her opinion the key factors for success are openness, innovation, openness for failure and sometimes risk taking.

Afterwards students embraced the opportunity to informally ask specific questions and exchange experience about working in the ASEAN region. Ms. Kircher-Kohl answered questions thoroughly, turning also to Spanish language when asked by the exchange students from Mexico. The Infineon CEO was impressed by the number of our students who traveled to, studied and worked in the ASEAN countries in general, especially to Malaysia, as this is the country were the mayor Infineon overseas plants are located. The weather allowed the family picture to be taken in the beautiful garden. This Guest Lecture was the 86th event organized under the auspices of the International Law Chair Prof. Bajrektarevic.

Links:
Introduction of Infineon
Homepage of Infineon

Text: Theresa Z. (rev. A.B.)
Photos: Katrin F.