Open Access

Over the past decade, the popularity of cobots (collaborative robots) has grown, largely due to their operator-friendly usage. When selecting a cobot or robot for a specific application, it is essential to consider which model best aligns with the desired process. The objective of this work is to introduce a method for evaluating the three-dimensional position performance of a given process to identify the optimal technical solution.

Additive manufacturing has increasingly found its way into business practice and is a relevant subject of research. In this context, AM using pellets or granulates is a relatively new process that still needs to be explored. This process is sustainable because it supports the elimination of energy-intensive process steps such as filament production. It also opens up new design possibilities because it can process much larger amounts of material per time than many conventional additive manufacturing processes. The aim of this paper is to compare this Fused Granulate Fabrication process with the filament-based Fused Filament Fabrication process and to discuss potential applications on the basis of specific advantages and disadvantages. Both filament-based and pellet-based additive processes are compared and evaluated on the basis of technical criteria, sustainability and cost. The evaluation has shown that pellet-based processes have some advantages in terms of sustainability and material selection. These advantages are offset by disadvantages in terms of processing. This analysis therefore provides a basis for the selection of a suitable process based on various criteria.

Newsletter sind ein zentrales Instrument im digitalen Dialogmarketing und spielen eine wesentliche Rolle bei der Kundenbindung in Online-Shops. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Erfolgsfaktoren für eine nutzergerechte Gestaltung von Newslettern in Online-Shops für Hobbygärtner, mit besonderem Fokus auf die Mein schöner Garten Shop GmbH. Das Ziel der Untersuchung war es, praxisnahe Handlungsempfehlungen zur Optimierung der Newsletter-Gestaltung für die Mein schöner Garten Shop GmbH abzuleiten. Die Arbeit enthält eine empirische Untersuchung, bei der zwei unterschiedlich gestaltete Newsletter mithilfe von Eye-Tracking, Think Aloud, Interviews und Fragebögen, anhand von zehn Probanden evaluiert wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine Kombination aus informativen und emotional ansprechenden Elementen die Nutzeransprache von Newslettern verbessert. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse sind dabei die folgenden. Eine emotional ansprechende Betreffzeile, mit klarem Mehrwert, steigert die Öffnungsrate. Der Header sollte alle relevanten Informationen enthalten, wobei die wichtigsten Punkte links platziert werden sollten. Eine emotionale Bildansprache, sowie eine strukturierte Anordnung von Produktbildern, Produktinformationen und Call-to-Actions fördern eine effektive Nutzerführung. Durch die gezielte Platzierung von Informationen in Bildern kann die Aufmerksamkeit auf diese Informationen gelenkt und die Wahrnehmung dieser Inhalte optimiert werden. Basierend auf diesen Erkenntnissen wurden konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen, zur optimierten Newsletter-Gestaltung, für die Mein schöner Garten Shop GmbH entwickelt. Zukünftige Forschungen könnten sich mit der Validierung dieser Empfehlungen durch A/B-Tests und Kennzahlenanalysen befassen sowie die Übertragbarkeit der Ergebnisse auf weitere Zielgruppen untersuchen.

This thesis investigates knowledge generation and transfer mechanisms within university-industry collaboration through a single case study of a robotics-focused partnership involv-ing 14 firms, a foundation association, and a university. Applying the knowledge-based dy-namic capabilities framework of Zheng et al. (2011), the study examines how firms acquire, generate, and combine knowledge in collaborative settings. Through qualitative analysis of six semi-structured interviews and document review, the research identifies specific mani-festations of Knowledge Acquisition Capabilities, Knowledge Generation Capabilities and Knowledge Combination Capabilities in UIC contexts. Findings reveal that knowledge dy-namics in UIC operate as an interconnected process: external impulses are acquired through collaborative research, conversations, and demonstrations - these impulses are then refined internally. Finally, knowledge is embedded in firms through finalization pro-cesses and transferred via observation, co-working, and seminars. The study also maps knowledge flow pathways between UIC participants. This research extends existing KBDC literature by providing concrete mechanisms specific to UIC contexts and demonstrates how theoretical insights translate into practical applications. The findings contribute to both the-oretical understanding of knowledge dynamics in collaborative settings and practical imple-mentation of effective knowledge management strategies in university-industry partner-ships.

This thesis examines the impact of corporate culture on the success of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and the cultural challenges faced by leaders during the post- merger integration process. Through a review of relevant literature and a survey of professionals involved in M&A, the study aims to provide insights into the role of corporate culture in M&A success and to identify key cultural challenges that may arise during the integration process. The findings suggest that the integration of corporate culture plays a crucial role in the success of M&A, and that cultural compatibility between the merging firms is a critical factor in achieving a successful integration. The study also identifies several cultural challenges faced by leaders during the post-merger integration process, including differences in communication styles, management practices, and values and beliefs.