Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
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Quality 4.0 Implementierung in kleine und mittlere Unternehmen
Get PDFDie vorliegende Masterarbeit widmet sich der praxisorientierten Frage, auf welche Weise kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) Quality 4.0 erfolgreich implementieren können. Im Rahmen der digitalen Transformation industrieller Prozesse werden technologische, organisationale und strukturelle Erfolgsfaktoren untersucht, die eine wirksame Umsetzung unterstützen. Die Methodik basiert auf einem systematischen Literaturreview und einer qualitativen Fallstudienanalyse, die unter Anwendung der konzeptionellen Triangulation durchgeführt wurde. Es wurde festgestellt, dass konventionelle Qualitätsmanagementsysteme in dynamischen, datengetriebenen Produktionsumfeldern ihre Limitationen erreichen. Die Quality 4.0 stellt keinen radikalen Bruch mit den bisherigen Qualitätsmanagement-Prinzipien dar, sondern ist vielmehr als eine technologisch gestützte Weiterentwicklung zu betrachten. Der Fokus liegt auf der Integration digitaler Technologien, wie beispielsweise Künstliche Intelligenz, Big Data und cyber-physische Systeme, in bestehende Qualitätsmanagement-Strukturen. Für eine erfolgreiche Implementierung sind jedoch mehr als technologische Anpassungen erforderlich. Es bedarf eines erweiterten Rollenverständnisses, digitaler Kompetenzen sowie einer strategisch verankerten Veränderungskultur. Diese Thesis schließt mit konkreten Handlungsempfehlungen, die insbesondere auf die Bedarfe produzierender KMU zugeschnitten sind. Damit leistet sie einen substanziellen Beitrag zur theoriebasierten und zugleich praxisnahen Auseinandersetzung mit Quality 4.0 und deren Umsetzung in einem KMU-spezifischen Kontext.This master's thesis addresses the practical question of how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can successfully implement Quality 4.0. In the context of the digital transformation of industrial processes, technological, organizational, and structural success factors that support effective implementation are examined. The methodology is based on a systematic literature review and a qualitative case study analysis conducted using conceptual triangulation. It was found that conventional quality management systems reach their limits in dynamic, data-driven production environments. Quality 4.0 does not represent a radical break with previous quality management principles but should rather be seen as technologically supported further development. The focus is on the integration of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cyber-physical systems, into existing quality management structures. However, successful implementation requires more than just technological adjustments. It requires an expanded understanding of roles, digital skills, and a strategically anchored culture of change. This paper concludes with specific recommendations for action that are tailored to the needs of manufacturing SMEs. It thus makes a substantial contribution to the theory-based and practical examination of Quality 4.0 and its implementation in an SMEspecific context
Optimization of an electromagnetic actuator for induced modal energy transfer
Get PDFThe trend towards ever more compact and resource-saving products requires the use of lightweight and thin-walled structures in many technical applications. Flexible cantilever beams are also used in precision measurement technology - for example, in atomic force microscopes. Although low damping and, therefore, a high-quality factor improve measurement sensitivity, they are associated with a long settling time, making it more difficult to control the system. A way to shorten the response time without compromising the structural integrity is, therefore, of great interest. In this paper, an approach for targeted, semi-active damping control based on induced modal energy transfer is presented. The underlying model describes a continuous cantilever beam with an electromagnetic actuator and was investigated using Floquet theory and transient simulations. This allowed the decay time of the oscillation to be significantly shortened in both the simulation and the experiment. Numerical optimisation enabled an increase in the damping factor greater than 10. A real test setup was used for validation, in which periodic stiffness modulation was implemented in the actuator. Overall, there was excellent agreement between the simulated and measured results. The real structure already has a higher damping, which led to a smaller increase in damping. The presented approach is particularly suitable for thin-walled structures with low structural damping and offers promising application possibilities, for example, in adaptive measurement technology, structural dynamics, or lightweight construction. This work contributes to the targeted control of vibration properties without requiring intervention in the basic system architecture
Desing of athermal cyclic AWG for super PON
No full textWe present design and simulation of an athermal 20-channel, 100-GHz cyclic Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) with 2.2THz Free Space Range (FSR) within 4 periods of FSR at C and L telecom bands for super PON. The athermal cyclic AWG is designed on athermal waveguide structure of silicon oxynitride waveguide layer, polymethyl methacrylate cover layer on a silicon substrate with a thermal silicon dioxide buffer layer. The used athermal waveguide structure effectively reduces temperature-induced central wavelength shift of AWG to value 0.866 pm/°C. The athermal cyclic AWG is designed for a central wavelength of 1555.35 nm by two commercial photonics design tools: the PHASAR tool from Optiwave and Synopsys BeamPROP AWG Utility. The simulated transmission characteristics from both photonics design tools are compared and studied with focus on insertion loss and insertion loss non-uniformity
Integration von Material Compliance Anforderungen in Prozessen des Lieferkettenmanagements
Get PDFDie Sicherstellung der Material Compliance ist ein Forschungsthema von großer praktischer Bedeutung. Die Implementierung geeinigter organisatorischer und technischer Konzepte stellt dabei eine Herausforderung für Unternehmen dar. Ein hohes Potenzial bietet eine Automatisierung von Compliance. Dabei werden u.a. Business Rule Management und Case Management, aber auch Technologien der Künstlichen Intelligenz (KI) eingesetzt. Das Prozessmanagement spielt dabei eine wichtige Rolle. Compliance-Anforderungen machen die Geschäftsprozesse wissensintensiv, deren Ausführung maßgeblich von Entscheidungsaufgaben abhängt. Die integrierte Prozess-Entscheidungsmodellierung mit dem Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) und Decision Model and Notation (DMN) verringert die Komplexität des Prozessmodells und stellt somit eine Lösung zur Abbildung von Compliance Anforderungen in den Geschäftsprozessen dar. In dieser Arbeit wird die Kombination von BPMN- und DMN-Standards untersucht und als Werkzeug für die Abbildung von Compliance Anforderungen in Geschäftsprozessen des Lieferkettenmanagements dargestellt. Im praktischen Teil der Arbeit wird ein Prozess-Referenzmodell entwickelt und reflektiert.Ensuring material compliance is a research topic of great practical importance. Implementing consistent organizational and technical concepts presents a challenge for companies. Compliance automation offers significant potential in this area. Business Rule Management and Case Management, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, are some of the technologies used for this purpose. Process management plays a key role in this process. Compliance requirements make business processes knowledge-intensive, whose execution depends significantly on decisionmaking tasks. Integrated process decision modeling using the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Decision Model and Notation (DMN) reduces the complexity of the process model and thus represents a solution for integrating compliance requirements into business processes. This paper examines the combination of BPMN and DMN standards and presents them as a tool for integrating compliance requirements into supply chain management business processes. In the practical part of the paper, a process reference model is developed and reflected upon
A practice-oriented guideline for the ethical use of gamification elements in social media networks
Get PDFDer grundlegende Wandel der sozialen Medien hat zu einer Vielzahl neuer Herausforderungen an der Schnittstelle von Technologie, Gesellschaft und Ethik geführt. Insbesondere der gezielte Einsatz von Gamification-Mechanismen wirft dabei zunehmend Fragen hinsichtlich Transparenz, Fairness, Autonomie und des Wohlbefindens der Nutzenden auf. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersucht die vorliegende Arbeit, wie ein praxisorientierter Leitfaden für den ethischen Einsatz von Gamification-Elementen in sozialen Medien entwickelt werden kann, der Entwickler:innen, Designer:innen und Produktverantwortliche unterstützt. Die empirische Basis hierfür bilden sechs Fachinterviews (n=6), die mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring (2022) ausgewertet wurden. Das Octalysis-Framework von Chou (2016) dient als theoretischer Rahmen zur Identifizierung und kritischen Bewertung der Gamification-Mechanismen. Als Ergebnis wird ein Leitfaden vorgestellt, der praxisorientierte Handlungsempfehlungen für die ethische Entwicklung und Gestaltung von Social-Media-Plattformen präsentiert. Die Arbeit leistet somit einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Gestaltung verantwortungsvoller digitaler Umgebungen und unterstützt damit aktuelle regulatorische Bestrebungen auf europäischer Ebene. Gleichzeitig diskutiert die Arbeit kritisch die Limitationen eines solchen Leitfadens und unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit weiterführender, systemischer Lösungsansätze.The fundamental transformation of social media has created a host of new challenges at the intersection of technology, society, and ethics. In particular, the deliberate use of gamification mechanisms increasingly raises questions about transparency, fairness, user autonomy, and well-being. Against this backdrop, the present thesis explores how a practice-oriented guideline for the ethical use of gamification elements in social media can be developed to support developers, designers, and product managers. Empirically, the study is based on six expert interviews (n = 6) analysed using Mayring’s (2022) qualitative content analysis. Chou’s Octalysis Framework (2016) provides the theoretical lens for identifying and critically assessing the gamification mechanisms discussed. The result is a guideline that offers actionable recommendations for the ethical development and design of social media platforms. The thesis thus makes an important contribution to the creation of responsible digital environments and supports current regulatory efforts at the European level. At the same time, the thesis critically discusses the limitations of such a guideline and underscores the need for broader systemic solutions
Organisational politics and its influence on employee engagement
Get PDFThis research investigates the connection that exists between perceived organisational powerplay and employee engagement in Austria and Nigeria. It will as well investigate cultural influences in the relationship. 144 valid responses were gathered from employees in both nations using Hofstede's cultural dimensions as a theoretical foundation, and SPSS was used for analysis. The analysis implemented correlation and regression methods together with moderation analysis and independent samples t-tests. Perceived politics and engagement in the two nations did not directly correlate. However, culture significantly moderated the relationship between the variables. Austrian participants showed higher political perception than their Nigerian counterparts, yet their levels of engagement remained equal. This study builds on previous cross-cultural organisational studies while demonstrating that cultural elements shape the way people perceive workplace politics. This research further imparts to organisational behaviour studies by demonstrating that culture is a moderator in political behaviour outcomes, reinforcing the need for cross-cultural frameworks in global management practices
Impact of German language skills on job satisfaction of skilled immigrants in Austria
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of German language skills on job satisfaction among skilled immigrants in Austria, investigating the mediating role of knowledge sharing and the moderating influence of work interdependence. As skilled immigration continues to grow in importance for Austrian economic competitiveness, understanding the factors that contribute to successful workplace integration becomes increasingly critical. While previous research has established general relationships between language skills and workplace outcomes, the underlying mechanisms and contextual conditions that explain these relationships remain inadequately understood. Drawing on Human Capital Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and the Knowledge-Based View of organizations, this research develops and tests a comprehensive theoretical model examining both direct and indirect pathways through which language skills influence job satisfaction. In addition, impact of knowledge sharing and work interdependence is also part of the study. Data collection from skilled immigrants in Austria was conducted through surveys and quantitative approach was used to guage the link between language skills and job satisfaction along with other variables mentioned prior.Diese Studie untersucht den Einfluss deutscher Sprachkenntnisse auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit qualifizierter Einwanderer in Österreich. Dabei werden die vermittelnde Rolle des Wissensaustauschs sowie der moderierende Einfluss der Arbeitsinterdependenz berücksichtigt. Angesichts der zunehmenden Bedeutung qualifizierter Zuwanderung für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der österreichischen Wirtschaft wird ein besseres Verständnis jener Faktoren immer wichtiger, die eine erfolgreiche Integration am Arbeitsplatz fördern. Während frühere Studien generelle Zusammenhänge zwischen Sprachkompetenz und arbeitsbezogenen Ergebnissen festgestellt haben, bleiben die zugrundeliegenden Wirkmechanismen und kontextuellen Bedingungen bislang unzureichend erforscht. Auf Basis der Humankapitaltheorie, der Theorie des sozialen Austauschs sowie des wissensbasierten Ansatzes von Organisationen entwickelt und testet diese Arbeit ein umfassendes theoretisches Modell. Dieses berücksichtigt sowohl direkte als auch indirekte Wirkpfade, über die Sprachkenntnisse die Arbeitszufriedenheit beeinflussen. Neben der Sprachkompetenz werden auch Wissensaustausch und Arbeitsinterdependenz als zentrale Einflussfaktoren untersucht
The issue of interfamilial succession in family tourism businesses in alpine regions
Get PDFThe transfer of family-run tourism businesses in alpine regions is a complex task that involves emotional and structural challenges. This master's thesis analyzes the central problems of such transfer processes and develops solutions for successful implementation. The study is founded on a systematic literature review of extant research on family businesses, the distinctive characteristics of the tourism industry, and the prevalent impediments to succession. This study was further expanded through the conduction of 20 qualitative interviews with transferors and successors of family-run hotel businesses and 2 interviews with non-successors in Austria. The findings indicate that succession processes are characterized by intricacies stemming from both internal familial factors, including emotional conflicts, communication challenges, and difficulties in relinquishing control, as well as external challenges such as bureaucracy, financial obligations, and a paucity of skilled labor. A thorough analysis of the various elements influencing effective succession in the hotel sector requires careful consideration of both internal and external forms of support. Preliminary strategizing, transparent dialogue, and specialized counsel are instrumental in ensuring the enduring viability of family-run enterprises and, by extension, reinforcing the economic and cultural resilience of alpine tourism locales
