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1076 research outputs found
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"Failed Innovations - What can we learn from failures?"
No full textIn today’s fast-changing world, innovation is essential for staying competitive and makes it very important to understand what leads to the success or failure of innovations. This thesis examines the question: “How can lessons from failed innovations be used to improve organizational strategies and boost future innovation success?”. With the help of a comprehensive analysis of case studies involving mainly failed innovations, this study identifies the key lessons that companies learn from past failures. Using a solid theoretical framework, including the innovation matrix and innovation management success factors, the study highlights the importance of organizational learning, the importance of corporate identity, adaptability and strategic alignment. The results of this paper show that companies can improve their innovation strategies by analyzing failures in a systematic way, embracing a culture of
defensibility and implementing structured processes for regular improvement. The results also show that a company’s own corporate identity, combined with the loyalty of its customers, can sometimes be of great value. The study contributes to innovation management by providing actionable recommendations for innovators trying to manage the complexity of innovation in a fast-changing environment. Finally, the insights gained from this study emphasize the value of learning from mistakes as a path to sustainable innovation success
Development of an arduino-controlled smart storage rack for component reels using MQTT and RS485 communication protocols
No full textThis thesis represents the development of an innovative storage rack system designed to manage electronic component reels in the manufacturing environment efficiently. The system integrates multiple custom-designed PCBs equipped with many LEDs and sensors, each assigned to individual storage slots. Each storage slot is equipped with an LED and an infrared (IR) sensor. The sensors detect the presence of reels, while the LEDs provide visual guidance for storing or locating specific reels. To manage multiple sensors efficiently, a multiplexing method is used, allowing each Arduino Pro Mini to control up to 16 sensors with fewer pins. Multiple Arduino Pro Mini microcontrollers are deployed across different rack sections and communicate with a central master controller using the RS485 protocol. The master controller, based on an ESP32, connects to an MQTT broker to send and receive data from a storage management system. Users interact with the system through a web interface. When storing a reel, the user scans it into the online system, which then activates an LED to indicate the appropriate storage slot. When retrieving a reel, the system highlights its location via the corresponding LED. Sensors are used to confirm the presence or absence of reels within the slots ensuring accurate tracking of stored items in real time. The system is modular and scalable. In this thesis, the prototype demonstrates two levels of storage racks, each independently controlled and networked, validating the communication between multiple slave units and a master. Additionally, because of the different sizes of the reel, the design includes removable metal dividers between slots. When storing larger reels, dividers can be removed, and this change is also updated via MQTT to the online system. Power is supplied through a 5V, 30A power supply, ensuring stable operation of all electronic components. Overall, the results confirm that the system achieves reliable performance in both hardware and communication aspects, offering a practical and scalable solution for modern electronic component inventory management
Development of a Key Performance Indicator Based Method for the Evaluation of Scan Strategies
No full textIn the Laser powder bed fusion of metal, the laser beam melts and fuse the powder material to produce the part layer by layer. The scan strategy, which defines the pattern in which the laser moves on the powder bed, affects the mechanical properties, residual stress and quality of the parts. There are many scanning strategies and it is difficult to select the appropriate scanning strategy based on the required quality of the parts. In this thesis, key performance indicators related to scanning strategy are developed, based upon the literature, which can influence the quality of the parts like high density and low surface roughness. The developed KPI is used to evaluate the scanning strategy of printed parts and their results on surface roughness and density. The developed KPIs are integrated into custom software to collect the data for evaluation of scanning strategy. The correlation analysis is also performed to understand the relation between developed KPI and quality of the parts (surface roughness and density). The results shows that developed method can be used for evaluation of the scanning strategy but it needs to be further improved to get more accurate results
Appendix Files of the Master’s Thesis “Experimental Determination of Microbial Preservation in Cosmetic Formulations Using Modified ISO 11930 Methods”
No full textThis dataset contains the appendix files of the Master’s Thesis “Experimental Determination of Microbial Preservation in Cosmetic Formulations Using Modified ISO 11930 Methods.”
The files include raw experimental data in Excel format, covering microbial counts, preservative efficacy testing, and neutralizer validation across different formulations and bacterial strains. These supplementary materials provide detailed numerical results that support the analyses and figures presented in the main thesis document. They ensure transparency and reproducibility of the study by granting access to the complete underlying data
The Impact of Increasing Use of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management on Employees
No full textThis study examines the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in human resource management (HRM) and its effects on employees, considering both operational benefits and the ethical, social, and psychological implications. Its analyzes real-world applications of AI in recruiting, performance management, talent development, and HR administration using qualitative secondary data from academic papers, industry publications, and case studies published between 2018 and 2024. To examine employee experiences, organizational issues, and ethical implications, a combined analytical approach is used, which incorporates the Technology Acceptance Model, Job Demand-Control Model, human-centered AI concepts, and the European Commission's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI. While AI can increase effectiveness, reliability, and strategic HR results, the findings highlight concerns about algorithmic bias, reduced human engagement, and risks to employee autonomy and well-being. This paper addresses the significance of organizational planning, transparency, and responsible oversight in AI implementation, highlighting that technology should supplement rather than replace human judgment. The study offers an understanding of the human-centered and ethical aspects of AI in HRM, as well as insights for organizations seeking to use AI responsibly while maintaining employee trust and engagement
Optimising Heat Loss Reduction and Facilitating the Transition to Biogas in Industrial Applications.
No full textThis study has evaluated the heat loss potential and energy consumption at the industrial level. Notably, heat loss on a large scale at the industrial level has been recognized as neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. Moreover, the continued use of fossil fuels (natural gas) has been reviewed as unsustainable due to their adverse effect and limited availability, posing challenges for the present and future. Heat loss is optimized at the continental production site in Villingen-Schwenningen. Heat loss through exhaust fans, which extract heat from inside the building and release it to the environment to maintain the internal temperature, has been analysed. The released heat is lost in the environment. To recover this energy loss, the integration of a plate-to-plate heat exchanger is proposed. This approach recovers the rejected heat to preheat the incoming fresh air supply, replacing the traditional heat coil operated on natural gas. Additionally, the transition of natural gas to biogas has been explored. The district heating twin pipe (DN 80) is considered for the smooth flow of thermal energy. For this project, a financial analysis of return on investment (ROI) for 10 years is conducted, the thermal energy flow rate over 2.1km, and heat loss during the transfer phase are calculated. The results have shown significant importance for the recovered energy by integration of a plate-to-plate heat exchanger; yearly, 1.2 GW of energy can be recovered, reducing the consumption of natural gas and making a complete transition towards biogas, economically and environmentally beneficial
The Impact of Corporate Taxation on Social Inequality: A Case Study of selected OECD Countries
No full textThe relevance of corporate taxation in the context of redistribution has recently been undermined, meanwhile, income and wealth inequality are globally on the rise. Profit shifting, tax avoidance, deductions, and exemptions in current international tax practices have contributed to lower tax revenues worldwide, splitting the consideration of corporate tax rates into two: statutory vs effective. In light of this, this thesis examines the relationship between corporate taxation and social inequality. The effects of statutory and effective tax rates on both income and wealth inequality (measured by their respective Gini-coefficients) are compared. A panel data regression model was carried out using SPSS. The model was applied to a selection of 10 OECD countries, spanning over a 6-year period from 2017 to 2022. The regression model indicates a significant relationship between income inequality (income Gini-coefficient) and the two corporate tax rates (estimates of -0.332 for statutory and -0.311 for effective). However, a significant relationship between wealth inequality (wealth Gini-coefficient) and the two tax rates was not identified. In addition, limitations regarding heteroscedasticity, potential endogeneity issues, and the small data set were addressed in detail but not completely ruled out. Implications include the effectiveness of progressive corporate taxation as a redistributive tool in the case of income inequality and the investigation of alternative taxes for tackling wealth inequality. The need for policies that push for easier attainment of data on wealth inequality is crucial for future research on the matter
Simulation of Satellite Flares and their Impact on Ground-Based Observations
No full textWith a growing number of satellites on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) the problem of light pollution arises, which is caused by the light reflected from satellite modules and directed to the ground-based observatories. This phenomenon is called satellite “flares” or “glints”. The goal of this work is to create a physical simulation model, which can recreate the conditions when the satellite flare is visible. The model is made in Python and uses a simplified geometry of reflection, orbit, solar panel parameters, and real-time TLE data. With the developed model it is possible to evaluate a variety of scenarios: single satellite, constellation and global maps of flare distribution with the given parameters.
The simulation model allows for analysing the distribution of flares of time and space and checking the effectiveness of technical and legal norms. In the flow of the work numerical simulations are performed, heat maps are created, analysis and comparison with real data are made. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of this model as an instrument for planning and scheduling observations, developing less bright satellites and creating policy measures to decrease light pollution of the night sky. The results of this thesis are fundamental for expanding the model and integrating real data of all satellites
Effects of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Growing Media Component and Phosphate Fertiliser on the Cultivation of Potted Ornamental Plants
No full textThere is increasing pressure from the German government on its citizens to reduce dependency on phosphate rock and peat, in agriculture and horticulture. This is due to the phosphate rock oligopoly with associated political instabilities, and the environmental consequences of peat harvesting. Past studies on soilless crop cultivation have shown promising outcomes for the phosphorus (P)-rich sewage sludge biochar (SSB) as an answer to these issues. However, SSB remains as one of the least studied biochar types in soilless ornamental cultivation. The objectives of this study were to investigate the viability of SSB as a P fertiliser and growing media component in pot cultivation of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). The addition of SSB at a 10% (v/v) rate to coco peat (SSB 10) was determined as the best composition. Although it did not outperform the control, SSB 10 plants were not significantly lower than the control plants in height, dry aboveground biomass, and number of poinsettia stems across all three species – except in poinsettia biomass. Other rates (5%, 15%, 20%) had significantly lower values in more than one parameter. Physicochemical characterisation also revealed increased P with increasing SSB rates in the growing media. Contrary to other studies, the pH of all growing media did not exceed ideal growing media pH values (5.3-6.5), further solidifying SSB’s viability as a growing media component. The reliability of our results could be improved by recording water uptake of the media, and selection of species with quantifiable aesthetics
The Dialectic of Enlightenment & Gender Equality : Potentials of Critical Theory for the Re- and Deconstruction of Women's Roles in a Patriarchal Society
No full textThis thesis examines the ambivalent nature of a supposedly enlightened society using the tools of Critical Theory. The work employs the dialectical method, drawing on Horkheimer and Adorno’s 'Dialectic of Enlightenment' to analyze the contradictory development of gender relations within a seemingly rational and emancipated modernity. The central thesis posits that the ideals of the Enlightenment—devoted to liberty, reason, and equality—dialectically reverse into their opposites. The focus lies on the social role of women, who experience societal subjugation as a result.
Through a historical analysis of Early, High, and Late Enlightenment, two structural concepts are identified that emerge from Enlightenment thought: (1) the categorically dichotomized production of knowledge, and the (2) transition from monarchical to physiocratic bourgeois systems. It is shown how a complementarity of the sexes is legitimized on the basis of categorial-dichotomized knowledge production, which is divided into dichotomized social spheres in the sense of an equal society on the basis of their supposedly natural abilities. This creates a dialectical moment that places women in a seemingly natural, but actually ideologically shaped position of subjugation.
The third part of the thesis applies Negative Dialectics to deconstruct prevailing gender relations. It questions the foundations of dichotomous knowledge production and explores the compatibility of feminist theories with Critical Theory. Furthermore, it critically engages with identity politics. The aim is to rethink the concept of “woman” from a dialectical-feminist perspective and to outline possibilities for a more equitable societal order beyond rigid categorical designations