Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
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The PompeQoL questionnaire: Development and validation of a new measure for children and adolescents with Pompe disease
Get PDFThe balancing act: organizational agility in fast-growing international ventures
No full textOrganizational agility (OA) is a prominent strategic goal considered to be a key to success, especially in conditions of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. In this paper, we flip the dominant research focus, that is, how to build or how to transform towards OA, to the under-investigated topic of how to maintain and weave it into the fabric of an organization. We draw on data from eight fast-growing B2B ventures that operate internationally. These companies may be considered revelatory for the study of OA, given that they outperform despite the inherent uncertainty and the liabilities of their new business, the complexity arising from a volatile international environment, and the internal turbulence resulting from their fast growth.
We build on a paradoxical lens to understand whether and how OA assists in engaging with alternative strategic demands – e.g. stability and change, local and global demand, short- and longer-term horizons, and respective resource allocation- that arise from their external and internal environment.
Theoretical contributions lie in a reconceptualization of OA that is ‘future-fit’ and supports fast growth over the long term, in a better understanding of growth drivers in entrepreneurial ventures, and with the identification
and resolution of paradox in a new – fast-growth - context. For management practice, we offer advice regarding where and how to develop agility to continuously benefit from the ability to respond to internal and external change and avoid tensions in the future
Optimierung der Warmwasserbereitung der Mittelschule Frastanz
Get PDFIn Zeiten zunehmenden Umweltbewusstseins und steigender Energiekosten gewinnt die Optimierung der Energieeffizienz von Anlagen und Gebäudetechnik zunehmend an Bedeutung. Insbesondere im Kontext nachhaltiger und ressourcenschonender Heizungs- und Warmwassersysteme haben sich Wärmepumpen als maßgebliche Technologien etabliert. Die effiziente Bereitstellung von Warmwasser nimmt dabei eine essenzielle Position ein, da sie einen erheblichen Anteil am Gesamtenergieverbrauch eines Gebäudes ausmacht. Die vorliegende Masterarbeit widmet sich der Fragestellung, welchen Einfluss Zirkulationsleitungen auf die Effizienz von Wärmepumpen haben und wie sich alternative dezentrale Warmwasserbereitungssysteme auf diese auswirken. Konkret wird diese Fragestellung am Beispiel einer Mittelschule in Frastanz untersucht. Die Untersuchung erfolgt mithilfe von Simulationen mit der Software GeoT*Sol, wodurch verschiedene Szenarien der Warmwasserbereitung und deren Auswirkungen auf die Jahresarbeitszahl (JAZ) der Wärmepumpe simuliert werden. Es werden sechs Varianten verglichen, darunter der Ist-Stand mit Zirkulationsleitung, eine zeitlich angepasste Zirkulation, eine Variante ohne Zirkulation sowie dezentrale Warmwasserbereitung mit und ohne Photovoltaik-Einbindung. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Zirkulationsleitung einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die JAZ einer Wärmepumpe hat, da permanent Wärmeverluste entstehen, selbst ohne Warmwasserbedarf. Die dezentrale Warmwasserbereitung mit PV-Einbindung erweist sich als vielversprechend, sowohl in Bezug auf energetische Einsparungen als auch auf finanzielle Rentabilität. Die Masterarbeit bietet somit wichtige Erkenntnisse und Handlungsempfehlungen für die Mittelschule Frastanz, um ihre Energieeffizienz zu steigern und Kosten einzusparen. Die Empfehlungen zur Beibehaltung der Bestandswärmepumpe, der Installation dezentraler Warmwasserbereitungsanlagen und der PV-Anlage können als Grundlage für zukünftige Investitionsentscheidungen dienen und einen Beitrag zum nachhaltigen Energiemanagement der Schule leisten
CMOS optoelectronic spectrometer based on photonic integrated circuit for in vivo 3D optical coherence tomography
Get PDFPhotonic integrated circuits (PICs) represent a promising technology for the muchneeded medical devices of today. Their primary advantage lies in their ability to integrate multiple functions onto a single chip, thereby reducing the complexity, size, maintenance requirements, and costs. When applied to optical coherence tomography (OCT), the leading tool for state-of-the-art ophthalmic diagnosis, PICs have the potential to increase accessibility, especially in scenarios, where size, weight, or costs are limiting factors. In this paper, we present a PIC-based CMOS-compatible spectrometer for spectral domain OCT with an unprecedented level of integration. To achieve this, we co-integrated a 512-channel arrayed waveguide grating with electronics. We successfully addressed the challenge of establishing a connection from the optical waveguides to the photodiodes monolithically co-integrated on the chip with minimal losses achieving a coupling efciency of 70%. With this fully integrated PIC-based spectrometer interfaced to a spectral domain OCT system, we reached a sensitivity of 92dB at an imaging speed of 55kHz, with a 6dB signal roll-of occurring at 2mm. We successfully applied this innovative technology to obtain 3D in vivo tomograms of zebrafsh larvae and human skin. This ground-breaking fully integrated spectrometer represents a signifcant step towards a miniaturised, cost-efective, and maintenance-free OCT system
Primus inter pares – The role of a formal leader in a shared leadership team
Get PDFThe role of leaders in the age of digital transformation is characterized by complexity and ambiguity. Consequently, leadership finds itself at a crossroads where hierarchy no longer seems to be the path to success. On the one hand, employees desire more autonomy and participation. On the other hand, leaders are compelled to relinquish and distribute power. Therefore, new directions and contemporary concepts are necessary, ones that enable non-hierarchical organizational and leadership models that go beyond the traditional Great Man Theory, which focuses on a single leader. In this vein, shared leadership emerges as an alternative to hierarchical leadership, emphasizing not the individual leader but the skills and expertise of all team members. Therefore, this approach relieves the formal leader and allows for the distribution of responsibilities. Indeed, this raises the question of the relevance of the formal leader in a team with shared leadership. Which role does the formal leader play in a shared leadership team? Drawing on a qualitative study this paper identifies personality, leadership mindset, and leadership tasks as main leadership categories, and uncovers the four leadership types enabler, connector, ambassador, and organizer. Adding to the leadership-as-practice literature (Alvehus, 2019; Raelin, 2018), our findings contribute to the development of shared leadership programs
Analyse und Identifikation von Indikatoren zur Bewertung der Förderung nachhaltiger Entwicklung im Kontext der Third Mission von Hochschuleinrichtungen der DACH-Region
Get PDFDiese wissenschaftliche Arbeit geht der Frage nach, welche Indikatoren sich eignen, um den Beitrag von Hochschuleinrichtungen zur Förderung nachhaltiger Entwicklung im Rahmen der Third Mission zu bewerten. Dabei wird das Ziel verfolgt, den Hochschulsektor bei der Förderung nachhaltiger Entwicklung in der Gesellschaft und der aktiven Gestaltung der hierfür notwendigen Veränderungen zu unterstützen. Neben Lehre und Forschung haben Hochschuleinrichtungen einen zusätzlichen Verantwortungsbereich übernommen, der als „Third Mission“ bezeichnet wird und den Transfer bzw. Austausch mit der Gesellschaft impliziert. In diesem Zusammenhang gewinnt die Förderung nachhaltiger Entwicklung an Bedeutung, da der Beitrag von Hochschuleinrichtungen entscheidend für die Schaffung einer nachhaltigeren Gesellschaft, einer lebenswerten Zukunft für kommende Generationen und die Bewältigung globaler Herausforderungen ist. Dabei wird zunehmend die Bewertung und Dokumentation diesbezüglicher Maßnahmen und Aktivitäten notwendig. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit werden bereits existierende Instrumente und Indikatoren zur Bewertung von Third Mission-Aktivitäten zur Förderung nachhaltiger Entwicklung analysiert und hinsichtlich dessen eine praxisorientierte Perspektive entwickelt. Abschließend erfolgt basierend auf den identifizierten Indikatoren sowie den Ergebnissen einer Umfrage mit Verantwortlichen von Universitäten und Fachhochschulen der DACH-Region die Bestimmung und Beschreibung von Indikatoren zur Bewertung dieser Aktivitäten. Das Ergebnis dieser Masterarbeit stellen zehn praxistaugliche Indikatoren dar, um den Beitrag von Hochschuleinrichtungen zur Förderung nachhaltiger Entwicklung im Rahmen der Third Mission zu bewerten.This master thesis examines the question of which indicators are suitable for assessing the contribution of Higher Education Institutions to the promotion of sustainable development within the context of the Third Mission. The aim is to support the higher education sector in promoting sustainable development in society and actively shaping therequired changes. In addition to education and research, Higher Education Institutions have taken on an additional area of responsibility, known as the “Third Mission”, which involves transfer to and interaction with society. The promotion of sustainable development is becoming increasingly important, as the contribution of Higher Education Institutions is crucial to creating a more sustainable society, a future worth living for the next generations and overcoming global challenges. In this respect, the evaluation and documentation of relevant aspects is becoming increasingly necessary. Within this paper, existing instruments and indicators for the evaluation of third mission activities to promote sustainable development are analyzed and a practice-oriented perspective is developed. Finally, based on the existing indicators identified and the results of a survey of those responsible at Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, indicators for evaluating these activities are determined and described. The outcome of this thesis are ten practical indicators for assessing the contribution of higher education institutions to promoting sustainable development within the context of the Third Mission
A look at the continuum between purely conventional and purely digital school systems
Get PDFThe digitalization of schools not only affects students but also teachers, parents and school authorities. This raises various questions. Central question is the extent to which digitization is to be implemented. However, it is also important to understand what problems occur and what priorities need to be set for digitalization. A continuum between reality and virtuality, as Milgram described it, could be a helpful approach.
But it is not enough to just look at one perspective. Opinions and wishes of students, teachers and parents must be taken into account. In addition, decision-makers who have a direct influence on organizational and political decisions must also be included. The interests of these groups are embedded in strategies and laws that represent the political basis of digitalization.
The results of surveys, interviews and research show that the idea of a continuum between pure presence learning and pure e-learning is a good approach, but does not cover all aspects of school digitalization. The real problem is the different priorities of those involved and not the levels of digitalization. The purpose of digitalization often fades into the background. Content and pedagogical effectiveness and efficiency must be taken into account alongside technical best practice. The two-dimensional continuum must therefore be expanded into a “cube of school digitalization” whose edges describe the parameters of digitalization
Experiments of time-periodic control during run-up of a flexible rotor
Get PDFFlexible rotors must pass through at least one critical speed before reaching its nominal or working speed. During passage through this resonance, transient vibrations are introduced in the rotor. For a better performance of the machinery, these vibrations must be kept below a certain threshold to keep a small clearance between the rotor and the stator. Modal coupling by periodic control is a modern approach which is capable of transferring kinetic energy between two selected modes. By introducing a time-periodic variation of the bearing characteristics, a modal energy transfer is induced in a flexible rotor during run-up and run-down. This concept reduces the main resonance peak during passage through resonance compared to the nominal run-up. By the application of this technique, we were able to reduce the maximum amplitude response during the run-up to 25.4 percent and during the run-down to 27.1 percent
