Mümin Ahmedoğlu

Mümin Ahmedoğlu

Mümin Ahmedoğlu is a master's student at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), specializing in Management and Technology. His research is at the intersection of defense innovation, arms control, and disarmament, with a strong commitment to advancing global security. Mümin is passionate about contributing to the field through cutting-edge research and fostering international collaboration, aiming to address the complex challenges in defense and security policy.

Researcher in Defense Innovation, Economics of Defense, & Defense Policy

I am Mümin Ahmedoğlu, studying for my Master’s in Management and Technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). My academic interest lies at the junction of Economics, Policy, and Innovation, with a technological specialization in Computer Engineering. On that note, my studies have equipped me with a robust understanding of the economics and politics of defense innovation, current issues related to technology management, and public policy.

My key areas of research interest lie at the intersection of defense innovation, arms control, disarmament, and how they relate more broadly to global security and technology policy. In particular, I focus on how changes in technologies influence the dynamics of international security and policy development. Finally, I am also interested in the economic and political factors that drive innovation in the defense sector, the role of the industrial base and technological infrastructure in fostering innovation, and how innovation links back into defense exports.

My current research projects include an empirical comparative study of the defense policies of Turkey and Germany, re-purposing military UAVs for civilian uses, and the global dynamics of defense spending. These projects use advanced regression models and impulse response functions applied to multi-country data to further advance the present understanding of defense innovation’s economic, political, and technological drivers.

I mastered Arabic, English, and Turkish, and I am currently learning German, which helps me to enhance my ability to collaborate internationally. My goal is to be able soon to contribute to defense and security with cutting-edge research and, therefore, share it with the broader academic and policy-making communities.

Feel free to explore my work and reach out for possible collaborations or discussions on topics related to defense innovation and technology management.

Current Research Projects

  • Defense Innovation and Policy Dynamics: In collaboration with Dr. David Angenendt from TU Munich - School of Management - Chair of Economics of Innovation and Dr. Alexander Wentland from TU Munich - School of Social Sciences and Technology - Department of Science, Technology Society, I am currently developing an empirical model that investigates the dynamics of defense innovation at both country and company levels. This project aims to conceptualize, measure, and understand the economic, political, and technological drivers of innovation in the defense sector, with particular focus on how these factors interact to influence global security policies.

  • From the Periphery to the Centre? Czech and Turkish Ambition in NATO’s Airspace Industry: In collaboration with Dr. Bohuslav Pernica, this comparative study assesses the ambitions of Czechia and Turkey within NATO’s airspace industry, particularly focusing on their respective military training jets—the L-39 NG and TAI Hürjet. The research explores how each country leverages its industrial base and government support to develop, produce, and export these advanced pilot training jets designed for the 4th–5th generation supersonic Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). The study includes a detailed analysis of the involvement and strategic support by both governments in these projects, providing insights into how smaller NATO members can influence and integrate into the broader alliance’s defense capabilities.

Research Interests

My research interests encompass a broad range of topics within the fields of innovation in defense, arms control, and disarmament, including:

  • Defense Innovation: Investigating how technological advancements such as UAVs, AI, and cyber warfare reshape military capabilities and influence global security policies.

  • Economics of Defense Innovation: Exploring the economic factors that drive technological advancements in the defense sector, including the funding, cost structures, and market dynamics that influence innovation and its adoption within military and defense frameworks.

  • Defense Export as a Driver of Innovation: Examining how successful defense exports contribute to further innovation within the defense sector by creating feedback loops that stimulate R&D and the adoption of new technologies, ultimately enhancing national security and global competitiveness.

  • Arms Control: Examining international treaties, policies, and mechanisms designed to regulate the proliferation and development of conventional and unconventional weapons, including nuclear, biological, chemical, and traditional arms, to enhance global security and stability.

  • Disarmament: Exploring strategies and frameworks for the systematic reduction and abolition of armed forces and weapons, aiming to create conditions for peace and stability.

  • Dynamics of Global Security: Analyzing the interplay of geopolitical and economic factors underlying defense policies and military spending in various countries, focusing on comparative analysis.

  • Industrial Bases and Technological Infrastructure: Studying the role of industrial bases and technological infrastructure in supporting innovation and maintaining a competitive position in defense capabilities.

  • Policy Making: Assessing how defense innovation impacts national and international policy-making and exploring ways to optimize these policies to improve security while fostering technological advancement.

These interests shape my current and future research projects. I apply advanced methodologies, including regression models and impulse response functions, to understand the complex interactions within these areas.

Academic Background

M.Sc. Management and Technology, Technical University of Munich: My major is Economics, Policy, and Innovation, with a technology focus on Computer Engineering.

Thesis Topic: “ Defense Collaborations, Industrial Base, and Military Expenditure: A Network and Econometric Analysis of Economic Growth in the EU”

Research Papers:

  • Politics of Innovation & Technology: “Determinants of Defense Technology Innovation: A Comparative Analysis of Economic, Geopolitical, and Policy Factors Across Leading and Emerging Nations”

  • Economics of Innovation: “Military Innovation vs. Operations: How Arms Trade, Technological Capacity, and Economic Strength Shape PESCO Participation”

  • Innovation, Society, and Public Policy: “Balancing Act: Innovation, Society, and Defense Policy – A Comparative Analysis of Turkey and Germany”

  • Technology Governance and the Regulatory State: “Regulatory Challenges of Eurodrone Under PESCO and EU Strategic Autonomy: A Techno-Securitization Perspective”

  • Economic and Political Spaces of Innovation: “Defense Innovation and Strategic Autonomy in Czechia: Socio-Technical Imaginaries and Security Narratives”

  • Current Issues in Technology Management: “Unlocking Dual-Use Potential: The Case for Military Drone Adaptation in Civilian Sectors”

During my studies, I have taken several relevant courses, including:

Innovation, Technology, and Strategy:

  • Innovation and Technology Management in Practice
  • Value-based Business Strategy & Innovation
  • Applied Strategy and Organization
  • Economic and Political Spaces of Innovation
  • Economics of Innovation
  • Politics of Innovation and Technology
  • Innovation, Society, and Public Policy

Governance, Policy, and Regulation:

  • Technology Governance and the Regulatory State
  • Introduction to Science and Technology Policy

Data, Research, and Quantitative Methods:

  • Empirical Research in Management and Economics
  • Quantitative Research Proposals: Developing an Empirical Research Project
  • Applied Statistics and Econometrics
  • Risk Theory and Modeling

Programming and Visualization:

  • Data Analysis and Visualization in R
  • Introduction to Programming

B.Sc. Industrial Engineering, Middle East Technical University: I specialized in systems design and developed my bachelor’s thesis on improving sales processes through an offline case decision support system design.

During my studies, I have taken several relevant courses, including:

  • Introduction to Probability
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Statistical Linear Models
  • Introduction to Data Mining
  • Linear Programming
  • Network Flows And Integer Programming
  • Stochastic Models in Operations Research
  • Simulation
  • Introduction to Combinatorial Analysis
  • Systems Thinking
  • Decision Analysis
  • Principles Of Economics I
  • Principles Of Economics II
  • Engineering Economy
  • Financial Engineering
  • Scientific Computing for Industrial Engineering

Professional Experience

STM - Ankara: As a Project Engineer, I managed technical projects related to tactical mini UAV systems and R&D projects for defense and military use, including KARGU, BOYGA, ALPAGU, and TOGAN.

TUM Venture Labs - Munich: As a Technology Infrastructure Graduate Working Student, I align technology infrastructure in Munich with startups’ needs, automate and optimize the startup journey with TUM Venture Labs, and facilitate connections between startups and resources.

Siemens Advanta Solutions - Munich: I worked as a Strategy, Digitalization, and Sustainability Working Student, collaborating on sustainability-driven strategic initiatives and supporting regional projects.

TUM School of Management - Munich: As an IT Management and Enterprise Processes Working Student, I was involved in IT process design and integration, process optimization, and agile project management.

Allianz SE - Munich: I served as a Group IT Strategy and Management Working Student, managing the Enterprise Architecture Repository and leading CIO communications and IT transformation initiatives.