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The reduced research and development (R&D) efficiency, strong competition from generics, increased cost pressure from payers, and an increased biological complexity of new target indications have resulted in a rethinking and a change from a traditional and more closed R&D model in the pharmaceutical industry toward the new paradigm of open innovation. In the past years, pharmaceutical companies have broadened their external networks toward research collaborations with academic institutes, technology providers, or codevelopment partners. To fulfill the demand to reduce timelines and costs, research-based pharmaceutical companies started to outsource R&D activities. In addition, internal R&D processes were adjusted to the more open R&D model and new processes such as alliance management were established. The corporate frontier of pharmaceutical companies became permeable and more open. As a result, the focus of pharmaceutical R&D expanded from a purely internal toward a mixed internal and external model. Today, the U.S. pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly may have established the most open model toward external innovation, as it has integrated its innovation processes with its business model. Other companies are following this more open R&D model with newer concepts such as new frontier sciences, drug discovery alliances, private public partnerships, innovation incubators, virtual R&D, crowdsourcing, open source innovation, and innovation camps.
Clinical development is historically the phase in which a potential new medicine is being tested in phase 2 and phase 3 patient trials to demonstrate the new molecules' efficacy and safety to support the regulatory approval of drugs by health authorities. This relatively focused approach has been considerably expanded by a number of forces from within the pharmaceutical industry and equally important by changes in the healthcare systems. The need to identify the optimal patient population, showstoppers leading to discontinuation of clinical programs, the silent but constant removal of surrogate endpoints for registration, and the increased demand for real-life data which are used to demonstrate the patients' benefit and which have an ever-increasing role for pricing and reimbursement negotiations are today an integral part of this phase.
This chapter will review both the nuts and bolts of clinical development but also recent developments in this area which shape the environment and how the different players have reacted and what options might need to be explored in the future.
It is known that the costs related with drug research and development (R&D) and the timelines to develop a new drug increased over the past years. In parallel, the success rates of drug projects along the pharmaceutical R&D phases are still very low, and the outcome of all R&D efforts is stagnating. In consequence, the R&D efficiency defined as the financial investment per drug has been steadily decreasing. As innovation is the major growth driver of the pharmaceutical industry, reliable data on R&D efficiency and new concepts to overcome these challenges are of great interest for R&D managers and the sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry as a whole. This book chapter reviews publications on R&D performance indicators of the past years, such as the success rates and timelines per phase. Additionally, it illustrates the factors influencing the success rates, timelines, and costs of pharmaceutical R&D most and, thus, the denominators of the R&D efficiency.
This practical guide for advanced students and decision-makers in the pharma and biotech industry presents key success factors in R&D along with value creators in pharmaceutical innovation. A team of editors and authors with extensive experience in academia and industry and at some of the most prestigious business schools in Europe discusses in detail the innovation process in pharma as well as common and new research and innovation strategies. In doing so, they cover collaboration and partnerships, open innovation, biopharmaceuticals, translational medicine, good manufacturing practice, regulatory affairs, and portfolio management. Each chapter covers controversial aspects of recent developments in the pharmaceutical industry, with the aim of stimulating productive debates on the most effective and efficient innovation processes. A must-have for young professionals and MBA students preparing to enter R&D in pharma or biotech as well as for students on a combined BA/biomedical and natural sciences program.
Im Fokus der Arbeit steht die Unterstützung der Stentgraftauswahl bei endovaskulärer Versorgung eines infrarenalen Aortenaneurysmas. Im Rahmen der Arbeit wurde eine Methode zur Auswertung von Ergebnissen einer Finite Elemente-Analyse zum Stentgraftverhalten konzipiert, implementiert und im Rahmen einer deutschlandweiten Benutzerstudie mit 16 Chirurgen diskutiert. Die entwickelte Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstelle ermöglicht dem Gefäßmediziner eine interaktive Analyse berechneter Fixierungskräfte und Kontaktzustände mehrerer Stentgrafts im Kontext mit dem zu behandelnden Aortenabschnitt. Die entwickelte Methode ermöglicht eine tiefergehende Auseinandersetzung der Mediziner mit numerischen Simulationen und Stentgraftbewertungsgrößen. Hierdurch konnte im Rahmen der Benutzerstudie das Einsatzpotenzial numerischer Simulationen zur Unterstützung der Stentgraftauswahl ermittelt und eine Anforderungsspezifikation an ein System zur simulationsbasierten Stentgraftplanung definiert werden. Im Ergebnis wurde als wesentliches Einsatzpotenzial die Festlegung eines Mindestmaßes an Überdimensionierung, die Optimierung der Schenkellänge von bifurkativen Stentgrafts sowie der Vergleich unterschiedlicher Stentgraftdesigns ermittelt. Zu den wesentlichen Funktionen eines Systems zur simulationsbasierten Stentgraftauswahl gehören eine Übersichtskarte zu farbkodiertem Migrationsrisiko pro Stentgraft und Landungszone, die Visualisierung des Abdichtungszustandes der Stentkomponenten sowie die Darstellung von Stentgraft- und Gefäßdeformationen im 3D-Modell.
Die steigende Personalisierbarkeit von Produkten fuhrt zu einem wachsenden Variantenspektrum in der Fertigung. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund der damit einhergehenden Produktionskomplexität und den hohen Wandlungsanforderungen an die Montage werden viele komplexe Stückgüter weiterhin überwiegend manuell montiert. Visuelle Assistenzsysteme geben den Mitarbeitern die nötige Handlungsunterstützung, wenn kein Produkt dem anderen gleicht und damit das Fehlerpotenzial steigt.
War Anfang des Jahrtausends der Wertbeitrag der IT zum Unternehmenserfolg noch umstritten, so negieren diesen heute nur noch die wenigsten Geschäftsführer. Wie Wertschöpfung durch Alignment von Unternehmens- und IT-Strategie mittels passender IT-Architekturen erzeugt wird, scheint für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) verschiedenster Branchen noch immer mysteriös. Besonders fatal ist diese Lücke in den KMU der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft, die klassischen Industriesektoren als Innovationslieferanten dienen. An dieser Stelle setzt der vorliegende Bericht an. Er baut auf den Ergebnissen des Forschungsprojekts KonfIT-SSC auf, das in den vergangenen Jahren die Möglichkeit erforschte, mit Produktkonfiguratoren den „strategical fit“ zwischen Business und IT-Strukturen zu bewerkstelligen. Die zentrale Herausforderung bei diesem Vorhaben war es, Daten über Informationssystemstrukturen und die sie bestimmenden Ökosysteme so zu erheben, dass sie einer formalen Modellierung von Regelwerken und der Konfiguration von Geschäftsarchitekturen zugänglich werden. Der vorliegende Bericht liefert Antworten auf die Fragen, wie sich passende IT-Service Strategien für Unternehmen der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft erreichen lassen, welchen Beitrag Produktkonfiguratoren dabei liefern können und mit welchen Methoden sich Daten gewinnen lassen, um generische IT-Architekturen für KMU der Kreativbranche definieren zu können. Dabei werden im Verlauf neben den Antworten auf die wissenschaftlichen Fragestellungen auch die Ergebnisse der einzelnen Schritte zur Lösung der Aufgabenstellung in Form eines handelsüblichen Konfigurators dokumentiert. Als Methoden im Rahmen des Vorgehens kommen dabei zur Datengewinnung ein klassischer Literature Review, eine Online-Befragung sowie fünf Fallstudien in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen der Werbebranche, aber auch Interviews mit Experten zum Einsatz. Bei der Analyse der Daten werden die Modellierung von Wertschöpfungsnetzen (e3value und i*), aber auch die Referenzmodellierung von Unternehmensarchitekturen verwendet. Abschließend wird das Vorgehen bei der Entwicklung der Konfigurationsmodelle (Regelwerke) und der Implementierung erläutert.
Die DGCH registriert vermehrt Klagen aus der klinischen Praxis hinsichtlich der nicht vollständigen Vernetzung bzw. Integration von Gerätesystemen im Chirurgischen OP. Die Anzahl, der Funktionsumfang und der Komplexitätsgrad der verwendeten Geräte nehmen ständig zu und machen die Bedienung immer aufwendiger und damit schwieriger und fehleranfälliger, sodass eine Verbesserung bei der Unterstützung im Ablauf wünschenswert ist. Die Sektion Computer- und telematikassistierte Chirurgie (CTAC) der DGCH hat es auf Veranlassung des Generalsekretärs deshalb übernommen, eine aktuelle Bestandsaufnahme vorzunehmen und mögliche Ansätze zur Verbesserung des derzeitigen Status zu bewerten.
This thesis studies concurrency control and composition of transactions in computing environments with long living transactions where local data autonomy of transactions is indispensable. This kind of computing architecture is referred to as a Disconnected System where reads are segregated -disconnected- from writes enabling local data autonomy. Disconnecting reads from writes is inspired by Bertrand Meyer's "Command Query Separation" pattern. This thesis provides a simple yet precise definition for a Disconnected System with a focus on transaction management. Concerning concurrency control, transaction management frameworks implement a'one concurrency control mechanism fits all needs strategy'. This strategy, however, does not consider specific characteristics of data access. The thesis shows the limitations of this strategy if transaction load increases, transactions are long lived, local data autonomy is required, and serializability is aimed at isolation level. For example, in optimistic mechanisms the number of aborts suddenly increases if load increases. In pessimistic mechanisms locking causes long blocking times and is prone to deadlocks. These findings are not new and a common solution used by database vendors is to reduce the isolation. This thesis proposes the usage of a novel approach. It suggests choosing the concurrency control mechanism according to the semantics of data access of a certain data item. As a result a transaction may execute under several concurrency control mechanisms. The idea is to introduce lanes similar to a motorway where each lane is dedicated to a certain class of vehicle with the same characteristics. Whereas disconnecting reads and writes sets the traffic's direction, the semantics of data access defines the lanes. This thesis introduces four concurrency control classes capturing the semantics of data access and each of them has an associated tailored concurrency control mechanism. Class O (the optimistic class) implements a first-committer-wins strategy, class R (the reconciliation class) implements a first-n-committers-win strategy, class P (the pessimistic class) implements a first-reader-wins strategy, and class E (the escrow class) implements a first-n-readers-win strategy. In contrast to solutions that adapt the concurrency control mechanism during runtime, the idea is to classify data during the design phase of the application and adapt the classification only in certain cases at runtime. The result of the thesis is a transaction management framework called O|R|P|E. A performance study based on the TPC-C benchmark shows that O|R|P|E has a better performance and a considerably higher commit rate than other solutions. Moreover, the thesis shows that in O|R|P|E aborts are due to application specific limitations, i.e., constraint violations and not due to serialization conflicts. This is a result of considering the semantics.
Neue Modelle für digitale Unternehmensarchitekturen mit Big Data, Services & Cloud Computing, mobilen Systemen, Internet of Things sowie Industrie 4.0 Ökosystemen machen eine enge Kooperation verschiedener Partner aus Wissenschaft, Anwendungsunternehmen, öffentlichen Organisationen, Softwarehersteller und IT- Dienstleister notwendig. Ziel dieser Zusammenarbeit ist die Zusammenführung neuer Konzepte und Möglichkeiten der Informationstechnologie zur bestmöglichen Unterstützung sich verändernder Unternehmensziele und -strategien. Software- und Unternehmensarchitekturen spielen hierbei eine zentrale Rolle. So werden Anforderungen bezüglich Flexibilität und Agilität in digitalen Unternehmen wesentlich durch serviceorientierte Ansätze unterstützt. Der Ordnungsgrad und die kosteneffiziente Gestaltung komplexer IT-Landschaften soll durch Digital Enterprise Architecture Management deutlich verbessert werden – passend zu neuen Möglichkeiten von Services & Cloud Computing, Big Data, sowie kollaborativen Geschäftsprozessen.
Excellence in IT is a key enabler for the digital transformation of enterprises. To realize the vision of digital enterprises it is necessary to cope with changing business requirements and to align business and IT. In order to evaluate the contribution of enterprise architecture management to these goals, our paper explores the impact of various factors to the perceived benefit of EAM in enterprises. Based on literature, we build an empirical research model. It is tested with empirical data of European EAM experts using a structural equation modelling approach. It is shown that changing business requirements, IT business alignment, the complexity of information technology infrastructure as well as enterprise architecture knowledge of information technology employees are crucial impact factors to the perceived benefit of EAM in enterprises.
Excellence in IT is both a driver and a key enabler of the digital transformation. The digital transformation changes the way we live, work, learn, communicate, and collaborate. The Internet of Things (IoT) fundamentally influences today’s digital strategies with disruptive business operating models and fast changing markets. New business information systems are integrating emerging Internet of Things infrastructures and components. With the huge diversity of Internet of Things technologies and products organizations have to leverage and extend previous Enterprise Architecture efforts to enable business value by integrating Internet of Things architectures. Both architecture engineering and management of current information systems and business models are complex and currently integrating beside the Internet of Things synergistic subjects, like Enterprise Architecture in context with services & cloud computing, semantic-based decision support through ontologies and knowledge-based systems, big data management, as well as mobility and collaboration networks. To provide adequate decision support for complex business/IT environments, we have to make transparent the impact of business and IT changes over the integral landscape of affected architectural capabilities, like directly and transitively impacted IoT-objects, business categories, processes, applications, services, platforms and infrastructures. The paper describes a new metamodel-based approach for integrating Internet of Things architectural objects, which are semi-automatically federated into a holistic Digital Enterprise Architecture environment.
Anhaltend hohe Mitarbeitermotivation ist die zentrale Voraussetzung für erfolgreichen Vertrieb. Doch viel zu häufig versuchen Unternehmen, ihre Vertriebsmitarbeiter allein durch Einzelimpulse und durchsichtige Anreizsysteme zu motivieren. Dies kann nicht gelingen. Stattdessen sind eine langfristige Perspektive und ein intelligenter Mix verschiedener Instrumente nötig.
The digitization of our society changes the way we live, work, learn, communicate, and collaborate. This disruptive change interacts with all information processes and systems that are important business enablers for the context of digitization since years. Our aim is to support flexibility and agile transformations for both business domains and related information technology and enterprise systems through adaptation and evolution of digital enterprise architectures. The present research paper investigates collaborative decision mechanisms for adaptive digital enterprise architectures by extending original architecture reference models with state of art elements for agile architectural engineering for the digitization and collaborative architectural decision support.
Leveraging textual information for improving decision making in the business process lifecycle
(2015)
Business process implementations fail, because requirements are elicited incompletely. At the same time, a huge amount of unstructured data is not used for decision-making during the business process lifecycle. Data from questionnaires and interviews is collected but not exploited because the effort doing so is too high. Therefore, this paper shows how to leverage textual information for improving decision making in the business process lifecycle. To do so, text mining is used for analyzing questionnaires and interviews.
Der Begriff Value-Based-Selling kam erstmals in Europa zur Jahrtausendwende in Mode. Doch so neu ist das wertorientierte Verkaufen nun auch wieder nicht. So wird doch jeder gute Verkäufer dem Kunden stets die Kundenvorteile ausreichend transparent machen. Das war doch schon immer so, auch wenn das früher niemand mit Value Based-Selling bezeichnet hatte. Doch eine kundennutzenorientierte Formulierung im Verkaufsgespräch ist nur eine Seite der Medaille. Der Ansatz des Value-Based Selling geht weit darüber hinaus. Er hat mehr Substanz, als weitläufig bekannt ist.
Guerilla Marketing im Sport
(2016)
Aufgrund der zunehmenden Informationsüberlastung der Konsumenten und der daraus resultierenden, steigenden Reaktanz der Rezipienten, sehen sich klassische Werbeformate einer sinkenden Werbeeffizienz ausgesetzt. Mit Hilfe von emotionsbeladenen Botschaften, die auf innovative, spektakuläre und teilweise provokante Art und Weise vermittelt werden, differenziert sich der Guerilla Marketer im Kommunikationswettbewerb und ergänzt den herkömmlichen Marketing-Mix um unkonventionelle Instrumente. Der vorliegende Beitrag behandelt das Thema Guerilla Marketing im Sport. Die Analyse und Einordnung praktischer Beispiele aus dem Sportmarketing in den marketingpolitischen Gesamtkontext zeigt, dass der Sport eine hochemotionale und äußerst medienwirksame Plattform für überraschende Guerilla Marketing Aktionen bietet, mit der sich Unternehmen aus nahezu allen Branchen profilieren und von einem Imagetransfer vom Sport hin zur Marke profitieren möchten.
Modern enterprises reshape and transform continuously by a multitude of management processes with different perspectives. They range from business process management to IT service management and the management of the information systems. Enterprise Architecture (EA) management seeks to provide such a perspective and to align the diverse management perspectives. Therefore, EA management cannot rely on hierarchic - in a tayloristic manner designed - management processes to achieve and promote this alignment. It, conversely, has to apply bottom-up, information-centered coordination mechanisms to ensure that different management processes are aligned with each other and enterprise strategy. Social software provides such a bottom-up mechanism for providing support within EAM-processes. Consequently, challenges of EA management processes are investigated, and contributions of social software presented. A cockpit provides interactive functions and visualization methods to cope with this complexity and enable the practical use of social software in enterprise architecture management processes.
Globale Beschaffungsstrukturen, Konsumgüterproduktion in Entwicklungsländern, Unternehmensethik und Sozialstandards - Sachverhalte, die im Zeitalter der Globalisierung an Bedeutung gewinnen und darauf hinweisen, dass Länder der Dritten Welt eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle in weltweiten Wertschöpfungsketten westlicher Unternehmen einnehmen. Dieser wachsende Anteil vieler Entwicklungsländer am Welthandel ist entwicklungspolitisch als großer Fortschritt zu sehen, weil diese stärker als in der Vergangenheit an Wachstum und Wohlstand teilhaben können. Leider verläuft dieser Aufholprozess aber nicht störungsfrei, da der damit einhergehende Verlagerungsprozess arbeitsintensiver Produktion oftmals zur Folge hat, dass westliche Konsumgüter in diesen Ländern unter menschenrechtlich untragbaren Bedingungen hergestellt werden, um Arbeits- und Herstellungskosten auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren sowie arbeitsrechtlichen Regelungen auf globaler Ebene zu entgehen. In einer übergeordneten Sichtweise geht es also um das Spannungsfeld von Ökonomie und Ethik, was seit langem Leitthema der Wirtschaftsethik ist. Dabei stellt sich die Frage, inwieweit diese einen Beitrag zu einer Globalisierung mit menschlichem Antlitz leisten kann. Zu diesem Zweck untersucht das vorliegende Buch, ob das Managementkonzept der Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) zu einer Lösung und schrittweisen Annäherung von Ökonomie und Ethik im Globalisierungskontext führen kann. Angesichts der mangelnden Durchsetzbarkeit staatlich dirigistischer Strukturen auf internationaler Ebene wird daher die Frage nach dem Ort der Verantwortung neu gestellt und damit beantwortet, dass es vor allem Unternehmen und deren weltweiten Netzwerke sind, die durch ihr ethisch reflektiertes Handeln zu einer sozialeren Globalisierung beitragen können. Um diese jedoch verstärkt dazu zu motivieren, dieser Verantwortung nachzukommen, liegt ein besonderer Schwerpunkt dieses Buches auf der Entwicklung des CSR Business Case und der Frage, welche Faktoren entscheidend sind, wenn es um den betriebswirtschaftlichen Erfolg ethischen Engagements geht. Dafür ist es neben einer prozessorientierten Umsetzung in Produktion und Beschaffung ebenso wichtig, dieses Engagement mit Hilfe CSR-relevanter Marketinginstrumente an die Verbraucher zu kommunizieren und damit in ihr Bewusstsein sowie auf ihren Konsum- und Kaufradar zu bringen. In diesem Sinne werden die jeweils erforderlichen Implementierungsschritte und -instrumente so detailliert ausgearbeitet, dass sie unmittelbare Praxisrelevanz bekommen und zeigen, wie man von der hohen Abstraktionsebene der Globalisierung auf die Umsetzungsebene der Unternehmen gelangt und wie mit der anfänglichen Polarität zwischen Ethik und Ökonomie umgegangen werden kann. Somit soll das, was kurzfristig als Dilemma und Zielkonflikt erscheint, langfristig in ein produktives Handlungsfeld übersetzt werden, indem v.a. mittelständischen Unternehmen konkrete CSR-Handlungskompetenz an die Hand gegeben wird, weil diese aufgrund ihres enormen Stellenwerts in der deutschen Wirtschaft eine wichtige Rolle einnehmen können, CSR auf breiter Ebene durchzusetzen.
New business concepts such as Enterprise 2.0 foster the use of social software in enterprises. Especially social production significantly increases the amount of data in the context of business processes. Unfortunately, these data are still an unearthed treasure in many enterprises. Due to advances in data processing such as Big Data, the exploitation of context data becomes feasible. To provide a foundation for the methodical exploitation of context data, this paper introduces a classification, based on two classes, intrinsic and extrinsic data.
The proposed approach applies current unsupervised clustering approaches in a different dynamic manner. Instead of taking all the data as input and finding clusters among them, the given approach clusters Holter ECG data (longterm electrocardiography data from a holter monitor) on a given interval which enables a dynamic clustering approach (DCA). Therefore advanced clustering techniques based on the well known Dynamic TimeWarping algorithm are used. Having clusters e.g. on a daily basis, clusters can be compared by defining cluster shape properties. Doing this gives a measure for variation in unsupervised cluster shapes and may reveal unknown changes in healthiness. Embedding this approach into wearable devices offers advantages over the current techniques. On the one hand users get feedback if their ECG data characteristic changes unforeseeable over time which makes early detection possible. On the other hand cluster properties like biggest or smallest cluster may help a doctor in making diagnoses or observing several patients. Further, on found clusters known processing techniques like stress detection or arrhythmia classification may be applied.
Ambush marketing in sports
(2014)
A sports event organizer sells exclusive marketing rights for his event to official sponsors, who, in return, acquire exclusive options to utilize the event for their own advertising purposes. Ambush marketing is the practice by companies of using their own marketing, particularly marketing communications activities, to create an impression of an association with the event to the event audience, although the companies in question have no legal or only underprivileged or non-exclusive marketing rights for this event sponsored by third parties. So, the objective of ambush marketing is to benefit from the success of sports sponsorship without having the duties of an official sponsor.
It is fine line between creative marketing communication and infringing on sponsorship rights. From the perspective of the event organizers and sports sponsors ambush marketing represents an understandable threat, while from the perspective of the ambushers it offers the opportunity to reach the target audience in an attractive environment and at affordable cost. The paper defines and structures the phenomenon of ambush marketing and analyses the impacts of ambush marketing in sports. The results of an empirical study on the effects of ambush marketing in the frame of the FIFA Soccer World cup are presented and discussed.
"Learning by doing" in Higher Education in technical disciplines is mostly realized by hands-on labs. It challenges the exploratory aptitude and curiosity of a person. But, exploratory learning is hindered by technical situations that are not easy to establish and to verify. Technical skills are, however, mandatory for employees in this area. On the other side, theoretical concepts are often compromised by commercial products. The challenge is to contrast and reconcile theory with practice. Another challenge is to implement a self-assessment and grading scheme that keeps up with the scalability of e-learning courses. In addition, it should allow the use of different commercial products in the labs and still grade the assignment results automatically in a uniform way. In two European Union funded projects we designed, implemented, and evaluated a unique e-learning reference model, which realizes a modularized teaching concept that provides easily reproducible virtual hands-on labs. The novelty of the approach is to use software products of industrial relevance to compare with theory and to contrast different implementations. In a sample case study, we demonstrate the automated assessment for the creative database modeling and design task. Pilot applications in several European countries demonstrated that the participants gained highly sustainable competences that improved their attractiveness for employment.
Purpose: This paper aims to conceptualize and empirically test the determinants of service interaction quality (SIQ) as attitude, behavior and expertise of a service provider (SP). Further, the individual and simultaneous effects of SIQ and its dimensions on important marketing outcomes are tested. Design/methodology/approach – The narrative review of extant research helps formulate a conceptual model of SIQ, which is investigated using the univariate and multivariate meta-analysis.
Findings: There are interdependencies between drivers of SIQ that underlines the need to conceptualize service interaction as a dyadic phenomenon; use contemporary multilevel models, dyadic models, non-linear structural equation modeling and process studies; and study new and diverse services contexts. Meta-analysis illustrates the relative importance of the three drivers of SIQ and, in turn, their impact on consumer satisfaction and loyalty.
Research limitations/implications – The meta-analysis is based on existing research, which, unfortunately, has not examined critical services or exigency situations where SIQ is of paramount importance. Future research will be tasked with diversifying to several important domains where SIQ is a critical aspect of perceived service quality.
Practical implications: This study emphasizes that, although the expertise of an SP is important, firms would be surprised to learn that the attitude and behavior of their employees are equally important antecedents. In fact, there is a delicate balance that needs to be found; otherwise, attitudinal factors can have an overall counterproductive effect on consumer satisfaction.
Originality/value: This paper provides an empirical synthesis of SIQ and opens up interesting areas for further research.
For area reasons, NMOS transistors are preferred over PMOS for the pull-up path in gate drivers. Bootstrapping has to ensure sufficient NMOS gate overdrive. Especially in high-current gate drivers with large transistors, the bootstrap capacitor is too large for integration. This paper proposes three options of fully integrated bootstrap circuits. The key idea is that the main bootstrap capacitor is supported by a second bootstrap capacitor, which is charged to a higher voltage and ensures high charge allocation when the driver turns on. A capacitor sizing guideline and the overall driver implementation including a suitable charge pump for permanent driver activation is provided. A linear regulator is used for bootstrap supply and it also compensates the voltage drop of the bootstrap diode. Measurements from a testchip in 180 nm high-voltage BiCMOS confirm the benefit of high-voltage charge storing. The fully integrated bootstrap circuit with two stacked 75.8 pF and 18.9 pF capacitors results in an expected voltage dip of lower than 1 V. Both bootstrap capacitors require 70% less area compared to a conventional bootstrap circuit. Besides drivers, the proposed bootstrap can also be directly applied to power stages to achieve fully integrated switched mode power supplies or class-D output stages.
The paper illustrates the status quo of a research project for the development of a control system enabling CHP units for a demand-oriented electricity production by an intelligent management of the heat storage tank. Thereby the focus of the project is twofold. One is the compensation of the fluctuating power production by the renewable energies solar and wind. Secondly, a reduction of the load on the power grid is intended by a better match of local electricity demand and production. In detail, the general control strategy is outlined, the method utilized for forecasting heat and electricity demand is illustrated as well as a correlation method for the temperature distribution in the heat storage tank based on a Sigmoid function is proposed. Moreover, the simulation model for verification and optimization of the control system and the two field test sites for implementing and testing the system are introduced.
Der Zusammenbruch des Systems der Arbeiterselbstverwaltung und der sich daran anschließende Transformationsprozess zogen einen sektoralen Strukturwandel der kroatischen Volkswirtschaft nach sich. Die forcierte Deindustrialisierung und Tertiarisierung führte allerdings zu massiven Fehlentwicklungen, die bis eute die wirtschaftliche Lage des Landes bestimmen.
In der Untersuchung wird daher der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit ein Tertiarisierungsprozess für ein Transformationsland wie Kroatien als Option für eine erfolgreiche wirtschaftliche Entwicklung zu bewerten ist. Dafür müssen zunächst grundlegende theoretische Ansätze zu den Themengebieten Wachstum und Strukturwandel beschrieben, beurteilt und systematisiert werden. Hierbei zeigt sich, dass neuere modelltheoretische Untersuchungen weiterhin an der demand bias- und productivity bias-Hypothese gemäß Fourastié (1949) und Baumol (1967) ansetzen, um die Triebkräfte der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung hin zu einer Dienstleistungsgesellschaft zu erklären. Die Autorin identifiziert dabei zwei Theoriestränge: Einerseits wird in der Literatur versucht, die Überlegungen zum strukturellen Wandel mit der Wachstumstheorie "zu versöhnen", d. h. zu verbinden. Andererseits werden "Heilungschancen" der Baumolschen Kostenkrankheit auf Basis der Determinanten der Endogenen Wachstumstheorie und der Innovationsmerkmale von Dienstleistungen formuliert. Empirische Untersuchungen zum sektoralen Strukturwandel in ausgewählten europäischen Wohlfahrtsstaatssystemen zeigen weiterhin auf, dass die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung eines Landes zudem von gesellschaftlichen und politischen Faktoren bestimmt wird.
Im zweiten Teil der Studie werden mithilfe des theoretischen Instrumentariums die drei Entwicklungsstufen der kroatischen Volkswirtschaft seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg nachgezeichnet. Dabei zeigt sich, dass in der ersten Phase die Mängel der Arbeiterselbstverwaltung einen strukturellen Wandel und Produktivitätswachstum behinderten, während in den 1990er Jahren insbesondere die verfehlte Wirtschafts- und Sozialpolitik zu negativen volkswirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Folgen führte. Während des forcierten Integrationsprozesses in die EU wirkte sich die in der zweiten Hälfte der 2000er-Jahre einsetzende Wirtschaftskrise negativ auf den kroatischen Arbeitsmarkt aus. Die Analyse der Innovationsfähigkeit der kroatischen Wirtschaft sowie die Zusammenfassung der zentralen Erkenntnisse im letzten Teil der Studie zeigen auf, dass Wachstum und Beschäftigung zukünftig gefördert werden können, wenn in Kroatien der strukturelle und gesellschaftliche Wandel weiter fortgesetzt wird.
Beschleunigung und Reorientierung des technischen Fortschritts überfordern selbst große Unternehmen im Spannungsfeld zwischen Spezialisierung und interdisziplinärer Konvergenz. So wird die Kombination interner Forschung und Entwicklung mit externem Wissen, vor allem in Hochtechnologien, zur zentralen Voraussetzung langfristigen Unternehmenserfolgs. In diesem Kontext untersucht die vorliegende Dissertation das Potenzial kooperativen Verhaltens zwischen Unternehmen zur Bewältigung technologischer Diskontinuitäten am Beispiel des bevorstehenden Paradigmenwechsels im automobilen Antrieb. Dabei wird Kooperation als superiore Strategie zur Stimulation des explorativen Innovationsmodus identifiziert und in eine übergreifende Dynamik der Koordinationseignung im Verlauf technologischen Fortschritts integriert. Bezogen auf den automobilen Antrieb ist eine nachhaltigkeitsinduzierte Destabilisierung des technologischen Paradigmas des Verbrennungsmotors festzustellen, während sich seine intensiven Möglichkeiten erschöpfen. Konsequenz dessen ist zunehmender Innovationsdruck, der konsistenzorientiert eine systemische Transformation von Kraftwerkstechnik und Energienetz sowie einen Paradigmenwechsel zu elektrischen Antrieben erzwingt. Aufgrund der bisher geringen technologischen Reife und hohen Kosten elektrischer Antriebssysteme zeichnet sich allerdings ein Übergang in Form einer graduellen Rekonfiguration über eine Hybridphase ab, deren Dynamik maßgeblich von der Entwicklung der technoökonomischen Schlüsselmodule Batterie und Brennstoffzelle abhängt. Die dazu erforderliche technologische Transformation birgt existenzielle Gefährdungen für die etablierten Unternehmen der Automobilindustrie, die sich gegenüber ihren Herausforderern explorationsbezogen in einer inferioren Ausgangssituation befinden. Eben hier bieten sich umfangreiche Potenziale kooperativer Exploration elektrischer Antriebe auf Verhaltens-, Innovationsprozess und Wissensebene. In Relation zu diesen erscheint das reale Kooperationsniveau jedoch als gering, volatil und, vor allem in Deutschland, übermäßig intrasektoral fokussiert.
Aus diesen Erkenntnissen ergeben sich Implikationen für Unternehmensführung, Innovationspolitik und Forschung. Managementseitig besteht die zentrale Herausforderung in der Befähigung der Organisation zu Dynamisierung von Wissen und Fähigkeiten durch simultan-heterogene Koordination explorativer und exploitativer Innovationsströme. Insbesondere die Erschließung kooperativer Potenziale setzt allerdings die Bereitschaft zur Einschränkung der eigenen Unabhängigkeit sowie zur Abweichung von bewährten Verhaltensmustern voraus. Innovationspolitisch steht die Überwindung von Beharrungskräften durch Anpassung des sozio-institutionellen Rahmens sowie die Förderung langfristiger Kooperation bei potenzialgeleiteter Intersektorialität im Vordergrund. Forschungsbezogen eröffnet speziell die Kombination von Innovations- Nachhaltigkeits- und Koordinationstheorie ein besseres Verständnis von Triebfedern und Dynamik technischen Fortschritts, das weiter vertieft werden sollte.
Impact of brand and country image on the perception of sustainability in the fashion business
(2015)
The fashion and textile industry is presently confronted to participate in the sustainability movement and society demands corporate social responsibility. Today, it is crucial for fashion companies to be able to measure, monitor and improve environmental and social performance, due to the fact that there is a heightened awareness of sustainable practices by stakeholders. The purpose of this study is to investigate fashion consumers on their sustainable perception of a fashion company. More specifically, the objective of this study is to highlight the fashion consumer`s awareness in regards to the sustainable practices of a fashion company by considering the brand and country image factors. An experimental research design was utilized for the study and the researcher surveyed 120 fashion students. The basis of the surveys within the experiment is the present sustainable practice of the fashion brand H&M. This research aims to understand, if and how fashion consumers are influenced by a fashion brand image or its souring practices, when it comes to evaluate the sustainable performance of a fashion company. Results show that participants have significantly different perceptions when considering the fashion brand image of H&M on the one hand and the sourcing countries of H&M on the other. The result of this research provides useful information about the actual state of affairs in sustainable knowledge of the consumer and the related power of a brand's image and its sourcing strategies.
The stimulation of user engagement has received significant attention in extant research. However, the theory of antecedents for user engagement with an initial electronic word-of-mouth (eWoM) communication is relatively less developed. In an investigation of 576 unique user postings across independent Facebook (FB) communities for two German firms, we contribute to the extant knowledge on user engagement in two different ways. First, we explicate senders’ prior usage experience and the extent of their acquaintance with other community members as the two key drivers of user engagement across a product and a service community. Second, we reveal that these main effects differ according to the type of community. In service communities, experience has a stronger impact on user engagement; whereas, in product communities, acquaintance is more important.
Modern power DMOS transistors greatly benefit from the continuous advances of the technology, which yield devices with very low area-specific RDS,on figures of merit and therefore allow for significantly reduced active areas. However, in many applications, where the devices must dissipate high amounts of energy and thus are subjected to significant self-heating, the active area is not dictated by RDS,on requirements, but by the energy constraints. In this paper, a simple method of improving the energy capability and reliability of power DMOS transistors operating in pulsed conditions is proposed and experimentally verified. The method consists in redistributing the power density from the hotter to the cooler device regions, hence achieving a more homogeneous temperature distribution and a reduced peak temperature. To demonstrate the principle, a simple gate offset circuit is used to redistribute the current density to the cooler DMOS parts. No technology changes are needed for the implementation, only minor changes to the driver circuit are necessary, with a minimal impact on the additional required active area. Improvements in the energy capability from 9.2% up to 39% have been measured. Furthermore, measurements have shown that the method remains effective also if the operating conditions change significantly. The simplicity and the effectiveness of the implementation makes the proposed method suitable to be used in a wide range of applications.
Workshop Java EE 7 : ein praktischer Einstieg in die Java Enterprise Edition mit dem Web Profile
(2015)
Dieses Arbeitsbuch bietet Ihnen eine praktische Einführung in die Entwicklung von Business- Anwendungen mit Java EE 7. Schrittweise erstellen Sie eine einfach nachvollziehbare Beispielanwendung auf Grundlage des Web Profile. Dabei lernen Sie alle wichtigen Technologien und Konzepte von Java EE 7 kennen, u.a.: Grafische Oberflächen mit JavaServer Faces und HTML5; Business-Logik mit CDI und EJB; Persistenz mit JPA; Kommunikation mit REST, SOAP und WebSockets; Erweiterte Konzepte wie Resource Library Contracts, Interceptors, Transaktionen, Timer und Security. Über Java EE 7 hinaus wird auch auf weitere praxisrelevante Themen wie Build Management und Testing eingegangen. Das Deployment wird auf den Applikationsservern WildFly 8 und Glassfish 4 sowie über das Cloud-Angebot OpenShift durchgeführt. Am Ende einer jeden Entwicklungsphase finden Sie Übungen und Fragen zur Lernkontrolle.Nach der erfolgreichen Lektüre sind Sie in der Lage, Java-EE-7-Anwendungen selbständig aufzusetzen, zu entwickeln und auf einem Anwendungsserver zu verteilen. Kenntnisse in der Entwicklung mit Java werden vorausgesetzt. Grundlagen von HTML und der Architektur von Webanwendungen sind hilfreich. In der 2. Auflage wird nun auch die Internationalisierung sowie die Erstellung funktionaler Tests mit Graphene behandelt.
Creating an image transfer through event marketing : principles, requirements and consequences
(2015)
Event marketing is primarily implemented to emotionalize the target group. So, the most important objective of marketing events is to improve the image of a brand or a company. In this paper an image transfer model for event marketing is introduced. As a basis, the principles of event marketing are presented. After that, the state of the art in attitude and image research is discussed. Based on current research, an image transfer model for event marketing is developed and the conditions required for an image transfer to take place from an event to a brand or a company are explained. Depending on which conditions are met, there are different consequences with regard to the image transfer from the event to the brand or company that are structured and characterized in detail.
An ongoing challenge in our days is to lower the impact on the quality of life caused by dysfunctionality through individual support. With the background of an aging society and continuous increases in costs for care, a holistic solution is needed. This solution must integrate individual needs and preferences, locally available possibilities, regional conditions, professional and informal caregivers and provide the flexibility to implement future requirements. The proposed model is a result of a common initiative to overcome the major obstacles and to center a solution on individual needs caused by dysfunctionality.
Stress is recognized as a factor of predominant disease and in the future the costs for treatment will increase. The presented approach tries to detect stress in a very basic and easy to implement way, so that the cost for the device and effort to wear it remain low. The user should benefit from the fact that the system offers an easy interface reporting the status of his body in real time. In parallel, the system provides interfaces to pass the obtained data forward for further processing and (professional) analyses, in case the user agrees. The system is designed to be used in every day’s activities and it is not restricted to laboratory use or environments. The implementation of the enhanced prototype shows that the detection of stress and the reporting can be managed using correlation plots and automatic pattern recognition even on a very light weighted microcontroller platform.
Context: Companies increasingly strive to adapt to market and ecosystem changes in real time. Gauging and understanding team performance in such changing environments present a major challenge.
Objective: This paper aims to understand how software developers experience the continuous adaptation of performance in a modern, highly volatile environment using Lean and Agile software development methodology. This understanding can be used as a basis for guiding formation and maintenance of high-performing teams, to inform performance improvement initiatives, and to improve working conditions for software developers.
Method: A qualitative multiple-case study using thematic interviews was conducted with 16 experienced practitioners in five organisations.
Results: We generated a grounded theory, Performance Alignment Work, showing how software developers experience performance. We found 33 major categories of performance factors and relationships between the factors. A cross-case comparison revealed similarities and differences between different kinds and different sizes of organisations.
Conclusions: Based on our study, software teams are engaged in a constant cycle of interpreting their own performance and negotiating its alignment with other stakeholders. While differences across organisational sizes exist, a common set of performance experiences is present despite differences in context variables. Enhancing performance experiences requires integration of soft factors, such as communication, team spirit, team identity, and values, into the overall development process. Our findings suggest a view of software development and software team performance that centres around behavioural and social sciences.
Das Provisioning Tool automaIT wurde prototypisch um die Möglichkeit eines Data Discovery erweitert, mit dem Ziel, nicht durch automaIT verwaltete Systeme anbinden und steuern zu können. Daten aus dem Data Discovery werden mittels dem Tool Facter gesammelt und können dynamisch in ausführbare Modelle von automaIT integriert und ausgewertet werden. Dadurch kann der Verlauf weiterer Provisionierungsschritte gesteuert werden, ohne dass es eines manuellen Eingriffs bedarf.
A sequence of transactions represents a complex and multi dimensional type of data. Feature construction can be used to reduce the data´s dimensionality to find behavioural patterns within such sequences. The patterns can be expressed using the blue prints of the constructed relevant features. These blue prints can then be used for real time classification on other sequences.
In a world with rapidly changing customer requirements and the increased role of technology, companies need more flexible systems to adapt their processes and react dynamically to changes. Adaptive Case Management (ACM) comes into consideration by providing a concept to adapt to changing business conditions. Within our research project we did a first foundational evaluation of the potential of ACM in supporting unpredictable sales processes. Based on a set of criteria we tested the concept of ACM with the open source tool Cognoscenti. The evaluation gave us the possibility to experience the concept of ACM. Hence we were able to provide a statement about the potential of ACM within the context of an unpredictable sales process, setting the path to further research and discussion of ACM in the area of sales processes.
The character of knowledge-intense processes is that participants decide the next process activities on base of the present information and their expert knowledge. The decisions of these knowledge workers are in general non-deterministic. It is not possible to model these processes in advance and to automate them using a process engine of a BPM system. Hence, in this context a process instance is called a case, because there is no predefined model that could be instantiated. Domain-specific or general case management systems are used to support the knowledge workers. These systems provide all case information and enable users to define the next activities, but they have no or only limited activity recommendation capabilities. In the following paper, we present a general concept for a self-learning system based on process mining that suggests the next best activity on quantitative and qualitative data for a given case. As a proof of concept, it was applied to the area of insurance claims settlement.
Business processes are important knowledge resources of a company. The knowledge contained in business processes impart procedures used to create products and services. However, modelling and application of business processes are affected by problems connected to knowledge transfer. This paper presents and implements a layered model to improve the knowledge transfer. Thus modelling and understanding of business process models is supported. An evaluation of the approach is presented and results and other areas of application are discussed.
EAM ist ein holistischer Ansatz, um komplexe IT- und Unternehmensstrukturen darzustellen. Dabei ist es von zentraler Bedeutung, diese Strukturen möglichst komplett und übersichtlich zu visualisieren. Ein Ansatz, dies zu erreichen, ist eine multiperspektivische Darstellung von mehreren Views in einem Architekturcockpit. Dabei können mehrere Views simultan betrachtet und analysiert werden. Dadurch ist es möglich, die Auswirkungen einer Analyse des Views eines Stakeholders simultan aus den Views anderer Stakeholder betrachten zu können, um eventuelle Wechselwirkungen zu erkennen und einen allgemeinen Überblick über die Unternehmensarchitektur zu behalten. In dieser Arbeit zeigen wir, von der Konzeption über die Umsetzung bis zu einem Anwendungsbeispiel, wie ein solches Architekturcockpit realisiert werden kann.
The digital transformation of our society changes the way we live, work, learn, communicate, and collaborate. This disruptive change interacts with all information processes and systems that are important business enablers for the digital transformation since years. The Internet of Things, social collaboration systems for adaptive case management, mobility systems and services for Big Data in cloud services environments are emerging to support intelligent user-centered and social community systems. They will shape future trends of business innovation and the next wave of information and communication technology. Biological metaphors of living and adaptable ecosystems provide the logical foundation for self-optimizing and resilient run-time environments for intelligent business services and related distributed information systems with service-oriented enterprise architectures. The present research investigates mechanisms for flexible adaptation and evolution of digital enterprise architectures in the context of integrated synergistic disciplines like distributed service-oriented architectures and information systems, EAM - Enterprise Architecture and Management, metamodeling, semantic echnologies, web services, cloud computing and Big Data technology. Our aim is to support flexibility and agile transformations for both business domains and related enterprise systems through adaptation and evolution of digital enterprise architectures. The present research paper investigates digital transformations of business and IT and integrates fundamental mappings between adaptable digital enterprise architectures and service-oriented information systems.
Decision-making in the field of Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a complex task. Many organizations establish a set of complex processes and hierarchical structures to enable strategy-driven development of their EA. This leads to slow and inefficient decision-making entailing bad time-to-market and discontented stakeholders. Collaborative EA delineates a lightweight approach to enable EA decisions but often neglects strategic alignment. In this paper, we present an approach to integrate the concept of collaborative EA and goal-driven decision-making through collaborative modeling of goal-oriented information demands based on ArchiMate’s motivation extension to reach a goal-oriented EA decision support in a collaborative EA environment.
Enterprise Architecture (EA) management is an activity that seeks to foster the alignment of business and IT, and pursues various goals further operationalizing this alignment. Key to effective EA management is a framework that defines the roles, activities, and viewpoints used for EA management in accordance to the concerns that the stakeholders aim to address. Consensus holds that such frameworks are organization-specific and hence they are designed in governance activities for EA management. As of today, top-down approaches for governance are used to derive organization-specific frameworks. These usually lack systematic mechanisms for improving the framework based on the feedback of the responsible stakeholders. We outline a bottom-up approach for EA management governance that systematically observes the behavior of the actors to learn user concerns and recommend appropriate viewpoints. With this approach, we complement traditional top-down governance activities.
Location-based services in buildings represent a great advantage for people to search places, products or people. In our paper we examine the feasibility of Bluetooth iBeacons for indoor localization. In the first part we define and evaluate the iBeacon technology through different experiments. In the second part our solution application is described. Our system is able to estimate the position of the user’s smartphone based on RSSI measurements. Therefore we used the built-in smartphone sensor and a building map with required sender information. Trilateration is used as positioning technique in contrast to fingerprinting to minimize beforehand effort. Results are promising but cannot reach the same accuracy level as sensor-fusion or fingerprinting approaches.
Enterprise architecture management (EAM) is a holistic approach to tackle the complex Business and IT architecture. The transformation of an organization’s EA towards a strategy-oriented system is a continuous task. Many stakeholders have to elaborate on various parts of the EA to reach the best decisions to shape the EA towards an optimized support of the organizations’ capabilities. Since the real world is too complex, analyzing techniques are needed to detect optimization potentials and to get all information needed about an issue. In practice visualizations are commonly used to analyze EAs. However these visualizations are mostly static and do not provide analyses. In this article we combine analyzing techniques from literature and interactive visualizations to support stakeholders in EA decision-making.
Das digitale Unternehmen erfordert neue Konzepte des Digital Enterprise Computing. Dieses umfasst eine interdisziplinäre Verbindung von Vorgehensweisen aus der Informatik, der Ökonomie und weiteren relevanten Wissenschaftsdisziplinen. Neue Architekturen mit integrierten Mobility-Systemen, kollaborativen Geschäftsprozessen, Big Data und Cloud-Ökosystemen beflügeln aktuelle und künftige Geschäftsstrategien und machen die digitale Transformation zu neuen Geschäftsfeldern erst möglich. Dafür ist eine enge Kooperation verschiedener Partner aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft notwendig. Die Jahreskonferenz Digital Enterprise Computing positioniert die Gesellschaft für Informatik als wissenschaftlichen Mitveranstalter und vertieft Erfahrungen aus dem Arbeitskreis Enterprise Architecture Management der Fachgruppe Architekturen im Fachbereich Softwaretechnik der Gesellschaft für Informatik.
The Internet of Things (IoT) fundamentally influences today’s digital strategies with disruptive business operating models and fast changing markets. New business information systems are integrating emerging Internet of Things infrastructures and components. With the huge diversity of Internet of Things technologies and products organizations have to leverage and extend previous enterprise architecture efforts to enable business value by integrating the Internet of Things into their evolving Enterprise Architecture Management environments. Both architecture engineering and management of current enterprise architectures is complex and has to integrate beside the Internet of Things synergistic disciplines like EAM - Enterprise Architecture and Management with disciplines like: services & cloud computing, semantic-based decision support through ontologies and knowledge-based systems, big data management, as well as mobility and collaboration networks. To provide adequate decision support for complex business/IT environments, it is necessary to identify affected changes of Internet of Things environments and their related fast adapting architecture. We have to make transparent the impact of these changes over the integral landscape of affected EAM-capabilities, like directly and transitively impacted IoT-objects, business categories, processes, applications, services, platforms and infrastructures. The paper describes a new metamodel-based approach for integrating partial Internet of Things objects, which are semi-automatically federated into a holistic Enterprise Architecture Management environment.
Customer services in the digital transformation: social media versus hotline channel performance
(2015)
Due to the digital transformation online service strategies have gained prominence in practice as well as in the theory of service management. This study examines the efficacy of different types of service channels in customer complaint handling. The theoretical framework, developed using complaint handling and social media literature, is tested against data collected from two different channels (hotline and social media) of a German telecommunication service provider. We contribute to the understanding of firm’s multichannel distribution strategy in two ways: a) by conceptualizing and evaluating complaint handling quality across traditional and social media channels, and b) by testing the impact of complaint handling quality on key performance outcomes like customer loyalty, positive word-of-mouth, and cross purchase intentions.
Die Energiewende bietet reichlich Fragen für verschiedenste Wissenschaftsdisziplinen einschließlich der Informatik und Wirtschaftsinformatik (WI). Bedauerlicherweise wurde bisher der Bereich der regionalen Energiegenossenschaften und kleinerer Energieversorgungsunternehmen weitgehend von der WI-Forschung vernachlässigt. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die aktuelle Situation dieser Organisationen dar und konzentriert sich auf die bestehende Wissenslücke von Geschäftsmodellen (GM) für Energiegenossenschaften (EG) als Zusammenschluss aus Privatpersonen oder kleinen Unternehmen, welche primär regionale, erneuerbare Energie produzieren. Die Modell- und Theorieentwicklung basiert auf der klassischen Literaturrecherche, Fallstudien in der Energiewirtschaft (EW), sowie grafischer Modellierung. Als Ergebnis wird das Referenzgeschäftsmodell einer EG als morphologischer Business Model Canvas vorgestellt. Dieses singuläre GM wird um die Darstellung des Wertschöpfungsnetzwerks, welches die strukturelle Einbindung der Akteure in das digitale Ökosystem der EG berücksichtigt, erweitert. Das aus der Forschung resultierende Referenzmodell dient der kritischen Überprüfung empirisch vorfindbarer GM und zur weiteren Entwicklung von Unternehmensarchitekturen digitaler Unternehmensverbünde.
Unter der Zielsetzung der multimodalen, ortsaufgelösten optischen Spektroskopie für die markierungsfreie Charakterisierung biologischer Materialien nach Morphologie und Chemie werden vier Themenschwerpunkte behandelt.
1. Theorie der elastischen / inelastischen Lichtstreuung und laterale Auflösung in der Mikroskopie
2. Erweiterung eines Raman Mikroskops zu einem multimodalen spektralen Imaging System (MSIS) mit Photonenmigrations-Technologie
3. Erweiterung des MSIS zu Super-Resolution Raman Mikroskopie mit einer Festkörper-Immersionslinse
4. Anwendung des entwickelten MSIS auf biologische Materialien
Block-copolyesters of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) were synthesized via reactive extrusion. The influence of processing parameters on the material properties on a molecular scale like degree of trans-esterification, block length, and degree of randomness were investigated. The varied process factors were extrusion temperature and rotational speed. The effects of process parameter variation were investigated by 1H-NMR-spectroscopy. The experimental results show a clear dependence of the molecular properties on the processing conditions. By using statistical experimental design (DoE), it was possible to prepare defined copolyesters from PET and PEN without addition of further chemicals. With a degree of randomness between 0.05 and 0.5, the presence of an actual copolyester was confirmed when appropriate extrusion conditions were applied. The reactive extrusion process was confirmed to be suitable to produce defined block-copolyesters in a predictable and reproducible way. It was possible to produce designed sequence lengths, which could be adjusted within a range of 11–136 repeating units in the case of PET and, in the case of PEN, of 2.5–26. The produced materials can be used as barrier materials or barrier coatings to protect substrates against molecular oxygen and water vapour, e.g., in organic photovoltaic applications or food packaging. The described method is a one-pot alternative method to the previously described chemical recycling pathway.
Reflectometry is known since long as an interferometric method which can be used to characterize surfaces and thin films regarding their structure and,to a certain degree,composition as well.Properties like layer structures,layer thickness,density,and interface roughness can be determined by fitting the obtained reflectivity data with an appropriate model using a recursive fitting routine. However,one major drawback of the reflectometric method is its restriction to planar surfaces.In this article we demonstrate an approach to apply X-ray and neutron reflectometry to curved surfaces by means of the example of bent bare and coated glass slides.We prove the possibility to observe all features like Fresnel decay,Kiessig fringes,Bragg peaks and off-specular scattering and are able to interpret the data using common fitting software and to derive quantitative results about roughness,layer thickness and internal structure. The proposed method has become practical due to the availability of high quality 2D-detectors. It opens up the option to explore many kinds and shapes of samples,which,due to their geometry,have not been in the focus of reflectometry techniques until now.
Success in human resource management (HRM) depends on the question of whether applied practices of HRM meet specific contingency factors and are appropriately configured. Using this argument, the present article examines HRM in professional service firms (PSFs) in pursuit of three objectives. First, we introduce a conceptual framework that illustrates how the constitutive characteristics of PSFs, as contingency factors, influence HRM practices and research. Second, based on this framework, we summarize key findings of research on HRM in PSFs and open up potential avenues for further research. Third, we reflect on the argument that HRM in PSFs can contribute to an understanding of HRM practices in other organizational settings, leading to the question of the mutual transferability of HRM practices. Aside from these three primary objectives, we also introduce the contents of the special issue.
Thin radio-frequency magnetron sputter deposited nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) films were prepared on the surface of a Fe-tricalcium phosphate (Fe-TCP) bioceramic composite, which was obtained using a conventional powder injection moulding technique. The obtained nano-hydroxyapatite coated Fe-TCP biocomposites (nano HA-Fe-TCP) were studied with respect to their chemical and phase composition, surface morphology, water contact angle, surface free energy and hysteresis. The deposition process resulted in a homogeneous, single-phase HA coating. The ability of the surface to support adhesion and the proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was studied using biological short-term tests in vitro. The surface of the uncoated Fe-TCP bioceramic composite showed an initial cell attachment after 24 h of seeding, but adhesion, proliferation and growth did not persist during 14 days of culture.However, the HA-Fe-TCP surfaces allowed cell adhesion, and proliferation during 14 days. The deposition of the nano-HA films on the Fe-TCP surface resulted in higher surface energy, improved hydrophilicity and biocompatibility compared with the surface of the uncoated Fe-TCP. Furthermore, it is suggested that an increase in the polar component of the surface energy was responsible for the enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation in the case of the nano-HA Fe-TCP biocomposites.
In the current study the in vitro outcome of a degradable magnesium alloy (AZ91D) and standard titanium modified by nanostructured-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) coatings concerning cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation was investigated by direct cell culture. The n-HA modification was prepared via radio-frequency magnetron sputtering deposition and proven by field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction patterns revealing a homogenous surface coating. Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) adhesion was examined after one and 14 days displaying an enhanced initial cell adhesion on the n-HA modified samples. The osteogenic lineage commitment of the cells was determined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) quantification. On day one n-HA coated AZ91D exhibited a comparable ALP expression to standard tissue culture polystyrene samples. However, after 14 days solely little DNA and ALP amounts were measurable on n-HA coated AZ91D due to the lack of adherent cells. Titanium displayed excellent cell adhesion properties and ALP was detectable after 14 days. An increased pH of the culture was measured for AZ91D as well as for n-HA coated AZ91D. We conclude that n-HA modification improves initial cell attachment on AZ91D within the first 24 h. However, the effect does not ersist for 14 days in in vitro conditions.
Bone homeostasis is maintained by osteoblasts (bone formation) and osteoclasts (bone resorption). While there have been numerous studies investigating mesenchymal stem cells and their potential to differentiate into osteoblasts as well as their interaction with different bone substitute materials, there is only limited knowledge concerning in vitro generated osteoclasts. Due to the increasing development of degradable bone-grafting materials and the need of sophisticated in vitro test methods, it is essential to gain deeper insight into the process of osteoclastogenesis and the resorption functionality of human osteoclasts. Therefore, we focused on the comparison of osteoclastogenesis and resorption activity on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) and bovine extracellular bone matrices (BMs). Cortical bone slices were used as two-dimensional (2D) substrates, whereas a thermally treated cancellous bone matrix was used for three-dimensional (3D) experiments. We isolated primary human monocytes and induced osteoclastogenesis by medium supplementation. Subsequently, the expression of the vitronectin receptor (αVβ3) and cathepsin K as well as the characteristic actin formation on TCPS and the two BMs were examined. The cell area of human osteoclasts was analyzed on TCPS and on BMs, whereas significantly larger osteoclasts could be detected on BMs. Additionally, we compared the diameter of the sealing zones with the measured diameter of the resorption pits on the BMs and revealed similar diameters of the sealing zones and the resorption pits. We conclude that using TCPS as culture substrate does not affect the expression of osteoclast-specific markers. The analysis of resorption activity can successfully be conducted on cortical as well as on cancellous bone matrices. For new in vitro test systems concerning bone resorption, we suggest the establishment of a 2D assay for high throughput screening of new degradable bone substitute materials with osteoclasts.
Critical size bone defects and non-union fractions are still challenging to treat. Cell-loaded bone substitutes have shown improved bone ingrowth and bone formation. However, a lack of methods for homogenously colonizing scaffolds limits the maximum volume of bone grafts. Additionally, therapy robustness is impaired by heterogeneous cell populations after graft generation. Our aim was to establish a technology for generating grafts with a size of 10.5 mm in diameter and 25 mm of height, and thus for grafts suited for treatment of critical size bone defects. Therefore, a novel tailor-made bioreactor system was developed, allowing standardized flow conditions in a porous poly(L-lactide co-caprolactone) material. Scaffolds were seeded with primary human mesenchymal stem cells derived from four different donors. In contrast to static experimental conditions, homogenous cell distributions were accomplished under dynamic culture. Additionally, culture in the bioreactor system allowed the induction of osteogenic lineage commitment after one week of culture without addition of soluble factors. This was demonstrated by quantitative analysis of calcification and gene expression markers related to osteogenic lineage. In conclusion, the novel bioreactor technology allows efficient and standardized conditions for generating bone substitutes that are suitable for the treatment of critical size defects in humans.
Perivascular cells are multilineage cells located around the vessel wall and important for wall stabilization. In this study, we evaluated a stem cell media and a perivascular cell-specific media for the culture of primary perivascular cells regarding their cell morphology, doubling time, stem cell properties, and expression of cell type-specific markers. When the two cell culture media were compared to each other, perivascular cells cultured in the stem cell medium had a more elongated morphology and a faster doubling rate and cells cultured in the pericyte medium had a more typical morphology, with several filopodia, and a slower doubling rate. To evaluate stem cell properties, perivascular cells, CD146 cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. It was seen that perivascular cells, as well as CD146 cells and MSCs, cultured in stem cell medium showed greater differentiation than cells cultured in pericyte-specific medium. The expression of pericyte-specific markers CD146, neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), myosin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) could be found in both pericyte cultures, as well as to varying amounts in CD146 cells, MSCs, and endothelial cells. The here presented work shows that perivascular cells can adapt to their in vitro environment and cell culture conditions influence cell functionality, such as doubling rate or differentiation behavior. Pericyte-specific markers were shown to be expressed also from cells other than perivascular cells. We can further conclude that CD146⁺ perivascular cells are inhomogeneous cell population probably containing stem cell subpopulations, which are located perivascular around capillaries.
Engineering of large vascularized adipose tissue constructs is still a challenge for the treatment of extensive high-graded burns or the replacement of tissue after tumor removal. Communication between mature adipocytes and endothelial cells is important for homeostasis and the maintenance of adipose tissue mass but, to date, is mainly neglected in tissue engineering strategies. Thus, new coculture strategies are needed to integrate adipocytes and endothelial cells successfully into a functional construct. This review focuses on the cross-talk of mature adipocytes and endothelial cells and considers their influence on fatty acid metabolism and vascular tone. In addition, the properties and challenges with regard to these two cell types for vascularized tissue engineering are highlighted.
The establishment of adipose tissue test systems is still a major challenge in the investigation of cellular and molecular interactions responsible for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases involving adipose tissue. Mature adipocytes are mainly involved in these pathologies, but rarely used in vitro, due to the lack of an appropriate culture medium which inhibits dedifferentiation and maintains adipocyte functionality. In our study, we showed that Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/Ham's F-12 with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) reported for the culture of mature adipocytes favors dedifferentiation, which was accompanied by a high glycerol release, a decreasing release of leptin, and a low expression of the adipocyte marker perilipin A, but high expression of CD73 after 21 days. Optimized media containing FCS, biotin, pantothenate, insulin, and dexamethasone decelerated the dedifferentiation process. These cells showed a lower lipolysis rate, a high level of leptin release, as well as a high expression of perilipin A. CD73-positive dedifferentiated fat cells were only found in low quantity. In this work, we showed that mature adipocytes when cultured under optimized conditions could be highly valuable for adipose tissue engineering in vitro.
Methacrylated gelatin and mature adipocytes are promising components for adipose tissue engineering
(2016)
In vitro engineering of autologous fatty tissue constructs is still a major challenge for the treatment of congenital deformities, tumor resections or high-graded burns. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of photo-crosslinkable methacrylated gelatin (GM) and mature adipocytes as components for the composition of three-dimensional fatty tissue constructs. Cytocompatibility evaluations of the GM and the photoinitiator Lithium phenyl-2,4,6 trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP) showed no cytotoxicity in the relevant range of concentrations. Matrix stiffness of cell-laden hydrogels was adjusted to native fatty tissue by tuning the degree of crosslinking and was shown to be comparable to that of native fatty tissue. Mature adipocytes were then cultured for 14 days within the GM resulting in a fatty tissue construct loaded with viable cells expressing cell markers perilipin A and laminin. This work demonstrates that mature adipocytes are a highly valuable cell source for the composition of fatty tissue equivalents in vitro. Photo-crosslinkable methacrylated gelatin is an excellent tissue scaffold and a promising bioink for new printing techniques due to its biocompatibility and tunable properties.
The physiology of vascular cells depends on stimulating mechanical forces caused by pulsatile flow. Thus, mechano-transduction processes and responses of primary human endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have been studied to reveal cell-type specific differences which may contribute to vascular tissue integrity. Here, we investigate the dynamic reorientation response of ECs and SMCs cultured on elastic membranes over a range of stretch frequencies from 0.01 to 1 Hz. ECs and SMCs show different cell shape adaptation responses (reorientation) dependent on the frequency. ECs reveal a specific threshold frequency (0.01 Hz) below which no responses is detectable while the threshold frequency for SMCs could not be determined and is speculated to be above 1 Hz. Interestingly, the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions system, as well as changes in the focal adhesion area, can be observed for both cell types and is dependent on the frequency. RhoA and Rac1 activities are increased for ECs but not for SMCs upon application of a uniaxial cyclic tensile strain. Analysis of membrane protrusions revealed that the spatial protrusion activity of ECs and SMCs is independent of the application of a uniaxial cyclic tensile strain of 1 Hz while the total number of protrusions is increased for ECs only. Our study indicates differences in the reorientation response and the reaction times of the two cell types in dependence of the stretching frequency, with matching data for actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion realignment, RhoA/Rac1 activities, and membrane protrusion activity. These are promising results which may allow cell-type specific activation of vascular cells by frequency selective mechanical stretching. This specific activation of different vascular cell types might be helpful in improving strategies in regenerative medicine.
Die Ticketpreise im Spitzenfußball werden immer höher. In den vergangenen Tagen haben Proteste von Fußball-Fans gegen zu hohe Ticketpreise von Vereinen international für Aufsehen gesorgt. Zuletzt protestierten Fans des FC Liverpool und von Borussia Dortmund gegen den Wucher. Dabei gehen die Vereine ein großes Risiko ein - denn Fans, die im Stadion ihre Mannschaft anfeuern und für eine entsprechende Stimmung sorgen, sind für die Vereine sehr wichtig. Was es mit den jüngsten Vorkommnissen auf sich hat und welche sportökonomischen Zusammenhänge dahinterstecken, wird im vorliegenden Beitrag erläutert.
Sportmarketing ist die spezifische Anwendung der Marketing-Prinzipien und -Prozesse auf Sportprodukte und Sportdienstleistungen im Sinne der marktorientierten Unternehmensführung. Die Prinzipien des allgemeinen Marketing können allerdings nicht ohne weiteres auf den Sport übertragen werden. Vielmehr wird ein eigenständiger Ansatz benötigt, wenn anstelle von klassischen Produkten oder Dienstleistungen der Sport ins Zentrum der Betrachtung rückt. Ein zentrales Unterscheidungsmerkmal zwischen Sportmarketing und klassischem Marketing ist der Kunde. Sportfans unterscheiden sich in vielerlei Hinsicht fundamental von Konsumenten normaler Produkte, worauf im vorliegenden Beitrag eingegangen wird.
Dieses Lehrbuch bietet eine verständliche Darstellung eines zentralen Teilgebiets der Ökonomik. Da Inhalt und Aussagewert der Mikroökonomik häufig dadurch unklar bleiben, dass die Studenten zu viel rechnen müssen und dabei nicht mehr genügend zum Denken kommen, wird die Algebra in nur sparsamer Dosierung eingesetzt. Dafür stellt das Buch die grundlegenden Fragestellungen und Modelle umso klarer und lesefreundlicher dar und unterstützt das Lernen mit zahlreichen Kontrollfragen.
The interfacial compatibility between polymers and nanoclay fillers as well as the thermostability of both components are important characteristics for processing them into polymer composites. While the polymer component is often grafted using common polymerization reactions, the nanoclay component is usually surface modified by surfactant treatment to improve compatibility. In the present study, the polymer ethylene vinyl alcohol and a nanoclay filler based on natural bentonite are both surface modified by different silanes, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and methacryloxymethyltrimethoxysilane and their interfacial properties are investigated by inverse gas chromatography. The silane-modified samples had improved interfacial properties as reflected by a significant increase in dispersive and specific surface energies. Lewis acidities were determined using chloroform and 1,4-dioxane as polar probes and showed a good match between polymer and nanofiller interfaces. Lewis acidity was generally lower after silane-modification. Silanization yielded increased thermal stability of the treated samples. Thus, silanization led to improved compatibility and enhanced thermal stability which facilitates further processing.
Enterprise Architectures (EA) consist of a multitude of architecture elements, which relate in manifold ways to each other. As the change of a single element hence impacts various other elements, mechanisms for architecture analysis are important to stakeholders. The high number of relationships aggravates architecture analysis and makes it a complex yet important task. In practice EAs are often analyzed using visualizations. This article contributes to the field of visual analytics in enterprise architecture management (EAM) by reviewing how state-of-the-art software platforms in EAM support stakeholders with respect to providing and visualizing the “right” information for decision-making tasks. We investigate the collaborative decision-making process in an experiment with master students using professional EAM tools by developing a research study. We evaluate the students’ findings by comparing them with the experience of an enterprise architect.
In academia and industry learning factories are established as close-to-reality learning environments for education and training in the manufacturing domain. Although the approach and concept of existing learning factories is often similar, orientation and design of individual facilities are diverse. So far, there is no structured framework to describe learning factory approaches. In the paper a multidimensional description model is presented in form of a morphology which can be used as a starting point for the structuring and classification of existing learning factory application scenarios as well as a support for the development and improvement of learning factory approaches.
Shorter product life cycles and emerging technologies in the field of industrial equipment are changing the prerequisites and circumstances under which the design of assembly and logistics systems take place. Planners have to adapt the production in accordance with the underlying product at a higher pace, oversee a more complex system and - most importantly - find the ideal solution for functional as well as social interaction between humans and machines in a cyber-physical system. Such collaborative work systems consider the individual capabilities and potentials of humans and machines to combine them in a manner that assists the operator during his daily work routine towards more productive, less burdening work. To be able to design work systems which act on that maxim, specific competences such as the ability of integrated process and product planning as well as systems and interface competence are required. The ESB Logistics Learning Factory trains students as well as professionals to gain such qualification by providing a close-to-reality learning environment based on a didactical concept which covers all relevant methods for ergonomic work system design and a state-of-the-art infrastructure composed of a manual assembly system, service robots, visual assistance systems, sensor-based work load monitoring and logistical resources. Group-based, activity oriented scenarios enable the participants to put the learnings into practice within their professional environments. By this, learning factories have an indirect impact on the transfer of proven best practices to the industry and thereby on the diffusion of the idea of human-centric working environment.
By integrating its previously separate insurance, banking and investment products around customer life events (e.g., buying a car, getting married or buying a house), USAA is able to deliver a superior customer experience. To achieve the integration, USAA had to re-architect its business by redesigning structures, roles, incentives, processes and IT systems. The USAA case provides four principles for architecting a business to provide superior customer experience, which will become increasingly important in the digital economy.
In the last decade, numerous learning factories for education, training, and research have been built up in industry and academia. In recent years learning factory initiatives were elevated from a local to a European and then to a worldwide level. In 2014 the CIRP Collaborative Working Group (CWG) on Learning Factories enables a lively exchange on the topic "Learning Factories for future oriented research and education in manufacturing". In this paper results of discussions inside the CWG are presented. First, what is meant by the term Learning Factory is outlined. Second, based on the definition a description model (morphology) for learning factories is presented. The morphology covers the most relevant characteristics and features of learning factories in seven dimensions. Third, following the morphology the actual variance of learning factory manifestations is shown in six learning factory application scenarios from industrial training over education to research. Finally, future prospects of the learning factory concept are presented.
We investigate public debt sustainability in Europe and leading industrialised countries. The recent debate about the debt ceiling in the US and the sovereign debt crisis in Europe demonstrate the urgency of the topic. We measure debt sustainability of public finance with a standard and alternative methodology and compare both results. We use panel data of 205 OECD countries from 1970 to 2014. The paper finds unsustainable public debt levels for almost all countries in the past decades. Furthermore, given the low economic growth and demographic challenge ahead, debt levels may upsurge even more. There is a huge looming ‘debt meltdown’ on the horizon if countries do not change public policy soon.
Decorative laminates are the most important class of surface-finished engineered wood products. However, while there are numerous scientific publications published dealing with the technology of wood, wood-based products and also liquid coating systems, there is practically no scientific research work available in the field of paper-based laminates. In view of an ever increasing global competition it is time to systematically apply and pursue scientific approaches in this field. The present work is based on a knowledge-based manufacturing paradigm. The application of scientific methodology (e.g. instrumental analysis, process analytics, design of experiments, chemometrics, process modeling) to the preparation of decorative laminates covering the whole process chain from resin synthesis to paper impregnation and to final laminate should enable a targeted design of material functionality.
Das dynamische Verhalten von Werkzeugmaschinen ist für die Stabilität während der Bearbeitung sowie die Qualität der erzeugten Werkstücke von besonderer Bedeutung. Ein Einflussfaktor darauf ist die Dämpfung. Im Bereich der Maschinengestelle kommen seit langer Zeit unterschiedliche Materialien zum Einsatz. In diesem Fachbeitrag werden die Dämpfungskennwerte unterschiedlicher Gestellwerkstoffe an geometrisch gleichen Proben vergleichend gegenübergestellt. Als weitere Kenngröße wurde die Lage der (1. Biege-) Eigenfrequenz als Maß für die massebezogene dynamische Steifigkeit verwendet. Die Effekte beim Übergang von einfachen Bauteilen zu komplexen Strukturen runden den Fachartikel ab.
This paper examines the determinants of Google search in the banking area. The weekly Google data from 2004 to 2013 used for this study consists of the 30 largest banks, the Federal Reserve, and the European Central Bank. To my knowledge, this is the first study on the determinants of Google data. Firstly the paper shows that Google searches are correlated with several performance variables and market data, such as asset prices and trading volume. Secondly it demonstrates that banks´ internal performance data has a major influence whereas market data is rather insignificant. Moreover it is shown that Google search for central banks is largely determined by the level of interest rates as well as the inflation and output gap. This is evidence that central bank attention is primarily driven by the policy targets. Accordingly Google data can be applied to analyze the timely impact of monetary policy.
Venture capital and the innovative power of a state : econometric study including Google data
(2015)
This article focuses on venture capital investments and the innovative power of a state defined by its public infrastructure. The economic implications are evaluated by estimating several panel regression models. The novelty is twofold: on the one hand the research approach and on the other hand the new data set. The data ranges from 1995 to 2014 and consists of 10 European countries plus the US and Canada. For the first time we include Google search data on Venture Capital. The results show a significant increase in Venture Capital is mainly determined by economic conditions such as real GDP growth. The impact of the innovative power of a state is not significant. We find that Google data is positively related and significant in respect to Venture Capital investments too. Consequently, we confirm that private business investments cannot be created by government policy alone rather via solid macroeconomic conditions.
This paper is a review about the book "Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises" by Timothy Geithner. The book mainly discusses the policy decisions and implications of T. Geithner during his job as New York FED president and US-Treasury secretary under president Obama. The book reveals some hidden information about the decision-making process in both institutions. But it lacks a scientific foundation in order to explain the financial crisis in more detail. Hence, I think the book is less convincing than recognized in public. No doubt, Geithner crisis response deserves appreciation especially the "Stress Test". However, the overall book does not demonstrate that the response is sustainable in the long run and scientifically sound. Consequently, it is more a book on public policy and governance than economics.
Marketing channels are among the most important elements of any value chain. This is because the bulk of a nation´s manufacturing output flows through them. The intermediaries (e.g., distributors, wholesalers, retailers) constituting marketing channels perform specific distribution functions,such as transportation, storage, sales, financing, and relationship building, better than most manufacturers. Over his distinguished career, Louis P. Bucklin investigated many questions about the structuring and functioning of marketing channels using conceptual, empirical, and microeconomics model-based methodologies. Today, the academic marketing literature contains hundreds of articles that have employed these three broad classes of methodologies to investigate issues of channel intermediaries´ interorganizational relationships, for example, power-dependence, relational outcomes, conflict and negotiations, and manufacturing firms´ channel strategy, for example, channel structure, selection, coordination and control. So far, however, there has been no review of how the three different methodologies have contributed to advancing knowledge across this set of channels research domains.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the consumers’ perception of sustainability and the application of a QR-code in stores with the focus on the information searching behavior regarding sustainable aspects. An online questionnaire was conducted with fashion students at Reutlingen University: in total, 65 students participated in the survey. Paired samples t-test and other statistical analyses were applied to test research questions. Apart from this, the research paper is based on a literature review. Furthermore, the decision was taken to use a projective method in the form of a dummy fashion fTRACE website. Key findings of the survey are that participants give sustainable aspects a higher importance with a QR-code than without one. Participants who prefer a product with detailed information experience a “positive shopping feeling” when provided with transparency via a QR-code. “Origin”, “production” and “quality” were rated of higher importance by those participants. These findings suggest that, transparency provided through the application of a QR-Code in stores influences the consumers’ perception of sustainability. Due to the small sample size of participants (65) in the study, findings of this research not generalizable to a larger population. This paper focused on the consumers’ information searching behavior regarding sustainable aspects, limiting its findings to impacts on perception of sustainability. Further research is therefore recommended.
This booklet will give you an overview of the development of CSR from a (brief) historic point of view and will examine the underlying concepts and research. Furthermore, examples of contemporary CSR management will be explored to show how companies Interpret the issue and how they face the challenges of managing the new demands placed upon them. Business, in the end, comes down to figures and numbers which give management, shareholders and stakeholders a chance to measure a company’s success. Therefore, modern methods and approaches for measuring, rating and ranking a company’s CSR management will be presented. Finally, an attempt will be made to evaluate CSR as a tool for increasing global welfare and as a business and management strategy for companies and entrepreneurs.
Proceedings of the International Workshop on Mobile Networks for Biometric Data Analysis (mBiDA)
(2014)
Prevention and treatment of common and widesprea (chronic) diseases is a challenge in any modern Society and vitally important for health maintenance in aging societies. Capturing biometric data is a cornerstone for any analysis and Treatment strategy. Latest advances in sensor technology allow accurate data measurement in a non-intrusive way. In many cases, it is necessary to provide online monitoring and real-time data capturing to support patients´ prevention plans or to allow medical professionals to access the current status. Different communication standards are required to push sensor data and to store and analyze them on different (mobile) platforms. The objective of the workshop is to show new and innovative approaches dedicated to biometric data capture and analysis in a non-intrusive way maintaining mobility. Examples can be found in human centered ambient intelligence attributed with sensors or even in methodologies applied in automotive real-time conform mobile system design. The workshop´s main challenge is to focus on approaches promoting non-intrusiveness, reliable prediction algorithms and high user-acceptance. The workshop will provide overview presentations, Young researcher poster tracks, doctoral tracks and classical peer-review full paper tracks. Especially, would like to encourage students and young researchers to participate and to contribute to the workshop. Scientific contributions to the event are peer-reviewed by a suited program committee.
A major lesson of the recent financial crisis is that money market freezes have major macroeconomic implications. This paper develops a tractable model in which we analyze the microeconomic and macroeconomic implications of a systemic banking crisis. In particular, we consider how the systemic crisis affects the optimal allocation of funding for businesses. We show that a central bank should reduce the interest rate to manage a systemic shock and hence smooth the macroeconomic consequences. Moreover, the analysis offers insight on the rational of bank behavior and the role of markets in a systemic crisis. We find that the failure to adopt the optimal policy can lead to economic fragility.
This paper provides new evidence on the formation and anchoring of inflation expectations. I conduct a game experiment and analyze the adjustment as well as the impact of credible targets on expectations. In addition, I evaluate the idiosyncratic determinants on the formation of expectations. The analysis reveals six results: First, I find evidence that long-term inflation expectations are firmly anchored to a credible target. Second, a temporary deviation due to unexpected monetary policy might trigger a decline in credibility, and third a de-anchoring of expectations due to uncertainty. Fourth, I find that people change their expectations little if a credible target exists. Fifth, expectations exhibit a large degree of time-variance only in environments without a target. Sixth, the dynamic adjustment to an ‘incomplete’ equilibrium, which is theoretically unstable, is nevertheless rapid and persistent in case of credible targets. All in all, I demonstrate a unique game setup with contributions to both experimental and monetary economics.
Zwar war die Dramapädagogik nicht Konferenzschwerpunkt und eine eigene Sektion zum Thema wurde nicht – wie etwa 2009 – angeboten, dennoch gab es auf dem 26. DGFF Kongress meiner Ansicht nach für am Thema interessierte Lehrende und Forschende gute Impulse und Einblicke in einige derzeit im deutschsprachigen Raum laufende dramapädagogische Forschungsprojekte. Als mögliche Themen für weitere Forschung und/oder dramapädagogische 'Lobbyarbeit' schienen sich jedoch zwei Bereiche besonders herauszukristallieren: Wie können dramapädagogischer Elemente sinnvoll in den regulären Unterrichtsablauf eingebettet werden, so, dass diese Elemente von Lehrkräften und Schülern nicht nur als dekoratives 'nice to have' (etwa für die letzten 10 Minuten der Stunde) empfunden werden? Und sind dramapädagogische Elemente tatsächlich nur etwas für Lehrkräfte und Lernende mit besonderem 'Talent' und/oder 'Neigung', wie es offenbar diverse KongressteilnehmerInnen empfanden, oder können sie von allen Lehrkräften für alle Lernenden angewendet werden? In diesem Zusammenhang wäre eine weitere Etablierung der Vermittlung von dramapädagogischen Methoden als regulärem Bestandteil einer Lehramtsausbildung sicherlich wünschenswert.
This paper develops a linear and tractable model of financial bubbles. I demonstrate the application of the linear model and study the root causes of financial bubbles. Moreover, I derive leading properties of bubbles. This model enables investors and regulators to react to market dynamics in a timely manner. In conclusion, the linear model is helpful for the empirical verification and detection of financial bubbles.
Usually financial crises go along with bubbles in asset prices, such as the housing bubble in the US in 2007. This paper attempts to build a mathematical model of financial bubbles from an econophysics, and thus a new perspective. I find that agents identify bubbles only with a time delay. Furthermore, I demonstrate that the detection of bubbles is different on either the individual or collective point of view. Second, I utilize the findings for a new definition of asset bubbles in finance. Finally, I extend the model to the study of asset price dynamics with news. In conclusion, the model provides unique insights into the properties and developments of financial bubbles.
Besides the optimisation of the car, energy-efficiency and safety can also be increased by optimising the driving behaviour. Based on this fact, a driving system is in development whose goal is to educate the driver in energy-efficient and safe driving. It monitors the driver, the car and the environment and gives energy-efficiency and safety relevant recommendations. However, the driving system tries not to distract or bother the driver by giving recommendations for example during stressful driving situations or when the driver is not interested in that recommendation. Therefore, the driving system monitors the stress level of the driver as well as the reaction of the driver to a given recommendation and decides whether to give a recommendation or not. This allows to suppress recommendations when needed and, thus, to increase the road safety and the user acceptance of the driving system.
Functionally impaired people have problems with choosing and finding the right clothing. So, they need help in their daily life to wash and manage the clothing. The goal of this work is to support the user by giving recommendations to choose the right clothing, to find the clothing and how to wash the clothing. The idea behind eKlarA is to generate a gateway based system that uses sensors to identify the clothing and their state in the clothing cycle. The clothing cycle consists of (one and more) closet, laundry basket and washing machine in one or several places. The gateway uses the information about the clothing, weather and calendar to support the user in the different steps of the clothing cycle. This allows to give more freedom to the functionally impaired people in their daily life.
The impact of stress of every human being has become a serious problem. Reported impact on persons are a higher rate or health disorders like heart problems, obesity, asthma, diabetes, depressions and many others. An individual in a stressful situation has to deal with altered cognition as well as an affected decision making skill and problem solving. This could lead to a higher risk for accidents in dynamic environments such as automotive. Different papers faced the estimation as well as prediction of drivers’ stress level during driving. Another important question is not only the stress level of the driver himself, but also the influence on and of a group of other drivers in the near area. This paper proposes a system, which determines a group of drivers in a near area as clusters and it derives or computes the individual stress level. This information will be analyzed to generate a stress map, which represents a graphical view about road section with a higher stress influence. Aggregated data can be used to generate navigation routes with a lower stress influence as well as recommend driving behavior to decrease stress influenced driving as well as improve road safety.
Ein wirtschaftlicher Betrieb von KWK-Anlagen ist erreichbar, wenn Geräte mit gutem elektrischen Wirkungsgrad und geringen Anschaffungs- und Wartungskosten eingesetzt werden und der im BHKW erzeugte Strom zum größtmöglichen Anteil im Objekt verbraucht wird. Der Pufferspeicher einer KWK-Anlage sollte ausreichend groß bemessen sein (Flexibilität, Eigenstromoptimierung...). Ein größeres BHKW ist nicht automatisch unwirtschaftlicher aufgrund der geringeren Betriebszeit. Es bietet dagegen ein höheres Potenzial für eine bedarfsgerechte Stromeinspeisung in das Netz.
Equations for fast and exact calculation of a simple model for heat transfer from a bond wire to a cylindrical finite mold package including nonideal heat transfer from wire to mold are presented. These allow for a characterization of an arbitrary mold/bond wire combination. The real mold geometry is approximated using the mold model cylinder radius and the thermal contact conductance of the mold/bond wire interface. For changes in bond and mold material, wire length, diameter, and current transient profiles, the resulting temperature transients can then be predicted. As the method is based on numerical integration of differential equations, arbitrary pulse shapes, which are industrially relevant, can be calculated. Very high thermal contact conductance values (above 40 000 W/m2K heat transfer) have been detected in real package/bond systems. The method was validated by successful comparison with finite element method simulations and alternative calculation methods and measurements.
This paper establishes a unique linkage between economic and sociological theories. I study the root causes of the euro crisis from both perspectives. I find that resolving the euro crisis requires economic and sociological insights, particularly in respect to the design of European institutions, rules, and regulations. I develop a new paradigm in attempt to tackle the euro crisis. This paper demonstrates the importance of an interdisciplinary dialogue and how this may safeguard the future of the Economic and Monetary Union.
Um wirtschaftlichen Wohlstand dauerhaft zu sichern, wurde bereits vor einigen Jahren die "Bildungsrepublik Deutschland" ausgerufen. Doch eine Erhöhung der öffentlichen Ausgaben für Bildung ist ohne passendes Konzept keine Lösung. Ein zentraler Faktor darf nicht in Vergessenheit geraten: Die Qualität eines Bildungswesens steht und fällt mit der Qualität der Lehrer. Cathrin Sikor analysiert die bestehende Struktur von Angebot und Nachfrage im Lehrerarbeitsmarkt und beschreibt, welche Auswirkungen dies auf Lehrerqualität hat. Während sich die Rahmenbedingungen für Berufswahl und Karriere in anderen Bereichen deutlich verändert haben, gleicht das Lehramt im Wesentlichen seiner im Zuge der Industrialisierung entstandenen Form. Ist es an der Zeit für einen neuen Lehrerberuf?
This paper analyzes governance mechanisms for different group sizes. The European sovereign debt crisis has demonstrated the need of efficient governance for different group sizes. I find that self-governance only works for sufficiently homogenous and small neighbourhoods. Second, as long as the union expands, the effect of credible self-governance decreases. Third, spill-over effects amplify the size effect. Fourth, I show that sufficiently large monetary unions, are better off with costly but external governance or a free market mechanism. Finally, intermediate-size unions are most difficult to govern efficiently.
The paper designs a quantum model of decision-making (QMDM) that utilizes neuroscientific evidence. The new model provides both normative and positive implications to economics. First, it enhances the study of decision-making which is an extension of the expected utility theory (EUT) in mathematical economics. Second, we demonstrate how the quantum model mitigates drawbacks of the expected utility theory of today.
Die ideale Ergänzung zum Lehrbuch. Anhand von Übungen und Fallstudien lassen sich in diesem Band die zentralen Kapitel und Themen des erfolgreichen Lehrbuchs "Einführung in das Controlling" optimal wiederholen und vertiefen. Der Aufbau des Übungsbuchs orientiert sich an den wichtigsten im Lehrbuch vorgestellten Controlling-Instrumenten. Zu jedem Werkzeug bietet es Aufgaben und Fragestellungen aus der Praxis. Mithilfe der umfangreichen Fallstudie der X-presso AG, die jetzt auch in Englisch dargestellt wird, können die Studierenden sich die englische Terminologie und Fachsprache aneignen. Zusätzlich werden zusammenhängende und anspruchsvollere Aufgabenstellungen auf Prüfungsniveau angeboten. Hier können die Studierenden trainieren, das gesamte Controlling-Instrumentarium sicher zu beherrschen und anzuwenden. Zur Überprüfung gibt es ausführliche Lösungsvorschläge zu jeder Aufgabe.
Der elektrische Wirkungsgrad stellt eines der wichtigsten Bewertungskriterien für BHKW dar, da über diese Größe ausgedrückt wird, wie viel des Wertproduktes „elektrische Energie“ bezogen auf die eingesetzte oder aufzuwendende Brennstoffenergie produziert werden kann. Ein hoher elektrischer Wirkungsgrad ist somit gleichbedeutend mit hohen Erlösen aus dem Verkauf der erzeugten elektrischen Energie und damit eine grundlegende Voraussetzung für einen wirtschaftlichen Betrieb eines BHKWs. Folglich sind die Hersteller von BHKW bestrebt, den elektrischen Wirkungsgrad ihrer Geräte kontinuierlich zu verbessern und nach oben zu treiben. Dieses Bemühen zeigt sich eindrucksvoll an der Entwicklung der mechanischen Effizienz von Gasmotoren der Firma GE Jenbacher. Während mit Motoren der Baureihe 6 im Leistungsbereich 1,8 – 4,4 MWel im Jahr 1988 eine mechanische Effizienz von 34% erreichbar war, liegt dieser Wert mittlerweile bei etwa 47,5%. Diese enorme Steigerung konnte im Wesentlichen durch eine Erhöhung des mittleren effektiven Zylinderarbeitsdrucks von etwa 10 bar im Jahr 1988 auf derzeit 24 bar erzielt werden. Dabei hilft der Magerbetrieb, der gleichzeitig ein Zurückdrängen der NOx-Emissionen bewirkt, die Klopfgrenze zu höheren Drücken hin zu verschieben. Eine sichere Zündung des Gas-Luft-Gemisches wird durch die Vorkammerzündung erreicht.