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Lab x machina - a novel super resolution microscopy venture. Business plan: sales, operations and marketing
No full textLab X Machina is a novel venture, embarking on a mission to introduce a ground breaking 3D printed super-resolution microscope. In the Field Lab, Building Companies
Based on Science, the team, in collaboration with Dr. Simao Coelho, explored this technology
to create a comprehensive business plan. Lab X Machina identified key challenges and
developed a strategic solution, novel business model, and robust financial model. This
business plan serves as a compelling pitch to attract and convince potential investors by
showcasing the company's approach, addressing current industry obstacles. It encompasses all
necessary elements to demonstrate Lab X Machina's potential for success
Business in practice: a personal, qualitative and quantitative reflection on the sustainability transformation of the automobile manufacturer zeno
No full textThis analysis is based on the results and the experiences of the author during a three week
business simulation. It highlights the interdependencies between the business divisions of
finance, marketing, operations, innovation and human resource during the strategy and
management process of a transformation period of a company. Furthermore, it shows that
within a team several tensions can arise due to personality traits and dysfunctional behavior.
The author adds on how these tensions are being addressed and what that means for his own
personal development. Personal self-reflection turns out to be one important aspect of
overcoming dysfunctionalities of a team
Exploring the impact of intrapreneurship on organizational innovation for business development and competitiveness
No full textThe main objective of this work is to determine whether using organizational innovation
concepts to nudge an intrapreneurial spirit within a company affects its development and
competitiveness. Therefore, a preliminary literature analysis is conducted, the findings of which
are subsequently compared and discussed through the use of expert interviews as qualitative
primary data. This analysis demonstrates the beneficial effects of both areas on the business
development and competitiveness. However, other requirements are crucial in addition to
appropriate innovation approaches. It is essential to establish an environment that fosters
intrapreneurship, encompassing procedural, structural, personal, and strategic factors
Varian medical systems´ acquisition by Siemens healthineers - an analysis of acquisition price, form of payment and financing methods
No full textIn an era marked by high-value mergers and acquisitions in the MedTech industry, Siemens
Healthineers (SH) contemplated the strategic acquisition of Varian Medical Systems (VMS), a
pivotal event in the medical technology industry, particularly in oncology. The group part
provides a comprehensive overview of both companies, their historical backgrounds, market
positions, and the pre-acquisition synergy that developed from their collaboration. It further
explores the intricacies of the medical device industry, the competitive landscape, and the
significance of cancer care. Subsequently, the individual section explores the question of how
much SH should offer to acquire Varian Medical Systems, alongside an analysis of various
payment and financing options, highlighting their respective benefits and challenges
Aker Bp equity research - a pure-play oil & gas contender in a transitioning energy sector
No full textThis master's thesis provides an in-depth evaluation of Aker BP ASA in the
context of the shifting dynamics of the energy sector. It delivers a holistic
review of the company's historical financial performance, operational strategies,
and its position within the evolving landscape of the oil and gas industry. The
thesis encompasses a detailed overview of the company, an analysis of its
business model, and a discussion of the contemporary developments and trends
that are shaping Aker BP's future trajectory. Further, this study delves into the
broader industry environment, Aker BP's competitive stance, and a meticulous
assessment of the risks factored into our valuation approach. The ultimate goal
of his thesis is to ascertain the intrinsic value of Aker BP ASA, considering the
current economic uncertainties and the industry's gradual pivot towards
renewable energy sources and sustainable practices. Through rigorous financial
analysis and strategic evaluation, I aim to provide a grounded forecast and a fair
valuation of Aker BP in a period marked by transformation and resilience
Analysis of Player and Company Engagement with Gaming Ecosystem: Insights into Brand Health, Players, and Behavioral Patterns
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Knowledge Management and Business IntelligenceThe gaming industry has become a significant cultural and economic force, with customer
engagement playing a critical role in the success of gaming companies. Understanding the
patterns and drivers of this engagement is essential for companies looking to maintain and
enhance their market position. To address these questions, a comprehensive dashboard was
developed using data provided by a gaming company. The dashboard integrates various data
sources to provide insights into customer engagement and company performance. The
analytical approach combines descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and visualization
techniques to deliver a clear and actionable understanding of the gaming ecosystem. The
dashboard offers a powerful tool for gaming companies to monitor and analyze customer
engagement, key findings reveal the significant impact of consumer behavior on brand health,
the competitive dynamics among companies, and the factors influencing customer loyalty and
seasonal engagement. The insights derived from this analysis can guide strategic decisions,
enhance customer retention, and improve overall business performance
Migrating a BI Solution To The Cloud: A Comparison of On-Premises Vs Cloud On Data Management, Analysis, And Reporting
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Knowledge Management and Business IntelligenceThe selection of an optimal data framework is a critical consideration for modern businesses. In this
research, an in-depth comparative analysisis conducted to evaluate the capabilities of both traditional
on-premises and emerging cloud solutions. Focusing on a business process involving orders data from
ALFA, an organization from the electronics consumer retail industry, two distinct data flows were
designed to facilitate this comparison. Throughout this process, data underwent various quality tests
within each data framework, interviews with BI experts within the organization to gather valuable
insights and know-how were conducted, and the most critical KPIs were identified from the literature
to evaluate both solutions. Although the cloud environment offers significant benefits in terms of
performance, scalability, and process consistency, results demonstrate that traditional solutions still
play a crucial role in certain scenarios. The decision between on-premises and cloud solutions
ultimately depends on the specific needs and priorities of the organization. For businesses with modest
data processing requirements and a stable operational environment, an on-premises solution may be
sufficient. However, in dynamic environments where fast and consistent processing, and access to
cutting-edge tools are essential, a cloud-based solution presents a more suitable option. This study
contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a detailed comparative framework and
empirical analysis of on-premises versus cloud solutions in the context of data management and
analysis. It highlights the importance of understanding organizational requirements and the evolving
technological landscape to make informed decisions that enhance analytical capabilities and
operational efficiency
Development of Generic Topical Corticosteroid Formulation using the Quality by Design Approach
No full textSemi-solids are the most frequently used topical pharmaceutical dosage forms. Among the diverse formulations, creams continue to be the most extensively researched and developed as viable systems for delivering drugs to the skin. The primary goals of this study were the pharmaceutical development and characterization of a generic topical formulation containing betamethasone dipropionate (0.064 wt.%), with qualitative (Q1), quantitative (Q2), microstructure (Q3) and performance (Q4) equivalence with Diprosone cream, the reference-listed drug.
To meet the quality objectives of the generic product, the Quality by Design (QbD) approach was implemented. The critical material and process parameters are directly related to the critical quality attributes of the product. By developing a comprehensive understanding of both the product and the process, it is possible to significantly reduce the inherent variability, thereby improving quality, reducing risk and enhancing productivity.
Following a risk assessment of the main factors that affect the critical quality attributes of the cream, a central composite design (CCD) was implemented with 17 experimental runs with triplicate centre points, to assess the influence of the emulsifier, emollient A and emollient B on the quality of the final product.
The Design of Experiments (DoE) formulations were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties (droplet size, pH and rheology) and product performance (drug release) regarding the reference batches. The experimental data were analysed using Design-Expert v13 software, which assessed the influence of the factors on the responses and generated three-dimensional response surface plots for all the interactions. Four optimal formulations were achieved using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach to determine the content of the independent variables (liquid paraffin, petrolatum and cetomacrogol 1000) and equally analysed against the reference product batches. The In Vitro Release Test (IVRT) revealed a similarity factor of 92.4 between the drug release profiles of the reference formulation (RF) and formulation FIII (liquid paraffin (5.0 wt.%), petrolatum (19.81 wt.%), and cetomacrogol 1000 (1.0 wt.%)), resulting in a bioequivalent formulation. Moreover, formulation FIII demonstrated an apparent viscosity of 11.4 Pa.s (at 2.3 s⁻¹), a hysteresis area of 14068 Pa/s, a droplet size of 30.09 μm, and exhibited solid-like behaviour (G’ > G’’).
A generic formulation with equivalent properties to the reference formulation (RF), based on betamethasone dipropionate, was successfully obtained according to the rheological and stability evaluation. Additionally, the formulation demonstrated bioequivalence in in vitro studies.Os semi-sólidos são as formas farmacêuticas tópicas mais comummente utilizadas. Entre as diversas formulações, os cremes continuam a ser os mais extensivamente investigados e desenvolvidos como sistemas viáveis para a administração de fármacos na pele. Os principais objetivos deste estudo foram o desenvolvimento farmacêutico e a caracterização de uma formulação tópica genérica à base de dipropionato de betametasona (0.064% (m/m)), com equivalência qualitativa (Q1), quantitativa (Q2), microestrutura (Q3) e desempenho (Q4) em relação ao creme Diprosone – medicamento de referência.
De modo a assegurar o objetivo de qualidade do produto genérico, foi implementada a abordagem Quality by Design (QbD). Os parâmetros críticos do material e do processo estão diretamente relacionados com os atributos críticos de qualidade do produto. Ao desenvolver uma compreensão abrangente do produto e do processo, é possível reduzir significativamente a variabilidade inerente do sistema, melhorando assim a qualidade, reduzindo o risco e aumentando a produtividade.
Após uma avaliação de risco dos principais fatores que afetam os atributos críticos de qualidade do produto, foi implementado um desenho composto central (CCD), com 17 ensaios experimentais com pontos centrais em triplicado, com o intuito de avaliar a influência do emulsionante, do emoliente A e do emoliente B na qualidade do produto final.
As formulações obtidas a partir do Desenho de Experiências (DoE) foram caracterizadas em termos de propriedades físico-químicas (tamanho de gotícula, pH e reologia) e do desempenho do produto (libertação de fármaco) relativamente aos lotes de referência. Os dados obtidos foram analisados através do software Design-Expert v13 que avaliou a influência dos fatores nas respostas e gerou gráficos de superfície de resposta tridimensionais para todas as interações. Foram obtidas quatro formulações ótimas utilizando a Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta (RSM) para determinar a concentração ideal das variáveis independentes (parafina líquida, vaselina e cetomacrogol 1000), que foram igualmente analisadas em comparação com os lotes dos produtos de referências. O teste de libertação in vitro (IVRT) revelou um fator de similaridade de 92.4 entre os perfis de libertação do fármaco da RF (formulação de referência) e da FIII (parafina líquida (5.0% (m/m)), vaselina (19.81% (m/m)) e cetomacrogol 1000 (1.0% (m/m))), resultando numa formulação bioequivalente. Além disso, a formulação FIII demonstrou uma viscosidade aparente de 11.4 Pa.s (a 2.3 s-1), uma área de histerese de 14068 Pa/s, com um tamanho de gota de 30.09 μm e um comportamento viscoelástico (G’ > G’’).
Uma formulação genérica à base de dipropionato de betametasona, com propriedades equivalentes às do produto de referência (PR), foi obtida com sucesso de acordo com a avaliação reológica e de estabilidade. Os resultados in vitro demonstraram a bioequivalência da formulação
Empowering Journalists with Data: Improving online article performance
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Data Science and Advanced Analytics, specialization in Data ScienceThis study aims to empower content creators to adopt a data-driven approach by enabling them to
independently understand the dynamics and improve the performance metrics of article-based
subscriptions/conversions and content views. Focusing on online articles published by Stuttgarter
Zeitung from 2021 to 2023, the study classifies articles into different performance categories to
identify key similarities and differences. Using advanced Machine Learning techniques for feature
extraction such as Named Entity Recognition (NER), Part-of-Speech tagging (POS) and Transformerbased Topic Modelling, the study extracts pre-publication metadata and content information,
emphasizing human-interpretable results. The results provide valuable insights into customers'
content interests and metadata preferences. Despite the overall similarity in the profiles of high and
low performing articles for both target variables, numerous nuanced factors influencing conversions
and content views were identified. These factors are often newspaper section or topic specific and can
differ significantly from global (all articles combined) trends. Consequently, the result notebooks
provide detailed information that is particularly useful for content creators. Based on these insights,
an interactive tool has been developed to help journalists align their efforts with the company's goals
to independently increase conversions and content views, without prescribing specific stories or
formats
Electrifying Sub-Saharan Africa: managing solar energy operations in unstable markets
No full textThe following works financially investigates AGT’s strategy to achieve profitability by
analyzing the financial variations of the company’s diversification efforts. It examines the financial
challenges and opportunities that AGT faces with the expansion to the new business units that are
C&I and Residential. The teaching note aims to provide an insight to solar energy operations in
unstable markets like sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the balance between creating social impact
and financial sustainability