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Life Cycle Assessment for Urban Planning: A Modular Approach to Integrating Buildings and Infrastructure
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Life cycle assessments (LCAs) in the construction sector often analyse buildings or their individual components. Applying LCA to determine the environmental impact of entire settlements is less established and the structural infrastructure is often not taken into account. The research project ‘ Q-LCA—Analysis of the ecological impacts of different settlement types in new urban development projects over their life cycle ’ follows the objective of determining and comparing the material flows, energy consumption including grey energy and the associated emissions of urban settlement components with a focus on global warming potential (GWP). Based on a modular approach, the GWP for 972 different settlement scenarios was determined through an LCA-based model in which six key parameters—building type, settlement density, road layout, building construction method, energy efficiency level and heating system—were systematically combined. The study demonstrates how modularity enables the assessment of large-scale systems such as urban settlements, contributing to an enhanced reflection of their inherent heterogeneity. Besides quantifying the infrastructure share of settlements’ GWP, further results indicate a high influence of operational energy consumption as well as choice of construction method on the area-based GWP. Underground garages are moreover responsible for high GWPs in densified settlements with large building types. This research fills a critical gap in existing literature by emphasising the potential of modular LCA approaches to assess urban development and additionally provides valuable insights for urban planners as well as policy makers seeking to lower environmental impact, identify circularity potentials and mitigate climate change effects in settlements
Arbeitsmodelle im Wandel – Eine theoretische und empirische Untersuchung zyklussensitiver Arbeitsgestaltung
No full textZusammenfassung
Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht, wie zyklussensitive Arbeitsgestaltung zur Förderung von Gesundheit, Wohlbefinden und Leistungsfähigkeit menstruierender Mitarbeitender beitragen kann. Ausgangspunkt ist die Erkenntnis, dass hormonelle Schwankungen im Menstruationszyklus körperliche und kognitive Prozesse beeinflussen – Aspekte, die in klassischen Arbeitsmodellen bisher kaum berücksichtigt werden. Ziel der Arbeit ist es herauszufinden, unter welchen organisatorischen, technologischen und kulturellen Voraussetzungen zyklussensitive Modelle wirksam, fair und datenschutzkonform in bestehende Unternehmensstrukturen integriert werden können. Basierend auf einer systematischen Literaturanalyse sowie qualitativen Interviews mit Expert*innen wurden praxisrelevante Anforderungen identifiziert und in einem Modell verdichtet. Die Arbeit liefert damit Impulse für die Gestaltung gesünderer, inklusiver und zukunftsfähiger Arbeitswelten. Zentrale Voraussetzung für zyklusorientierte Arbeitsgestaltung ist ein hohes Maß an zeitlicher, räumlicher und aufgabenbezogener Flexibilität. Nur durch adaptive Arbeitszeitmodelle, mobile Arbeitsformen und individuelle Aufgabenplanung lassen sich Leistungshochs nutzen und belastende Phasen ausgleichen. Digitale Tools wie Zyklustracking-Apps können die Selbstorganisation zusätzlich unterstützen. Ein zentrales Ergebnis der Arbeit ist die Feststellung, dass nicht technische oder rechtliche Aspekte die größte Herausforderung darstellen, sondern die gesellschaftliche Tabuisierung der Menstruation. Solange das Thema als unangemessen oder privat gilt, bleibt die strukturelle Verankerung zyklussensitiver Ansätze schwierig. Es braucht daher nicht nur organisatorische Maßnahmen, sondern auch einen kulturellen Wandel hin zu mehr Sichtbarkeit, Offenheit und Sensibilität. @This paper examines how cycle-sensitive work design can promote the health, well-being, and performance of menstruating employees. The starting point is the recognition that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle affect physical and cognitive processes—factors that have so far been largely overlooked in traditional work models. The aim of the study is to determine under what organizational, technological, and cultural conditions cycle-sensitive models can be effectively, fairly, and in compliance with data protection regulations integrated into existing corporate structures. Based on a systematic literature review and qualitative interviews with experts, practice-relevant requirements were identified and condensed into a model. This work thus provides impulses for designing healthier, more inclusive, and future-ready work environments. A key prerequisite is a high degree of temporal, spatial, and task-related flexibility. Only through adaptive working time models, mobile forms of work, and individualized task planning can performance peaks be harnessed, and challenging phases be balanced out. Digital tools such as cycle-tracking apps can further support self-organization. One central finding of the study is that the greatest challenge is not technical or legal in nature, but rather the societal taboo surrounding menstruation. As long as the topic is considered inappropriate or private, structurally anchoring cycle-sensitive approaches remains difficult. Therefore, not only organizational measures are needed, but also a cultural shift toward greater visibility, openness, and sensitivity
Failure signals in sustainable crowdfunding: distinct reactions driven by crowd investors’ experience
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A significant number of crowdfunding campaigns, including sustainable campaigns, fail after securing successful funding. Although failure implies investment losses for crowd investors and potentially impacts investors’ future investment behavior, our understanding of how crowd investors respond to failures remains limited. This study proposes that prior crowdfunding experience explains important differences in how crowd investors react to failure signals. Drawing on signaling theory, we argue that prior crowdfunding experience results in less adverse reactions to failure signals. Moreover, we propose that crowdfunding experiences explain differences in the reactions to failure signals of sustainable campaigns. Two vignette-based experiments (studies 1 and 2) reveal that experienced investors react less negatively to investment failures than those without this experience. Further, our studies show a reverse effect for sustainable campaigns, suggesting that experienced crowd investors tend to be less forgiving of failures in environmental campaigns than commercial ones, compared to inexperienced crowd investors. An additional empirical survey indicates that a possible explanation for the differences between crowd investors’ reactions may be found in the specific personal values of crowd investors. We contribute to entrepreneurial finance and crowdfunding literature by showing how experienced crowd investors interpret conflicting signals—failure and sustainability—emphasizing the role of investor characteristics in shaping signal effectiveness.L26;A13;G23;M13;Q0
Potentiale der Inklusion in der Schule mithilfe von KI
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Diese Studie untersucht, wie KI-gestützte Anwendungen zur Förderung inklusiver Lernprozesse für Schüler:innen mit sonderpädagogischem Förderbedarf gestaltet werden können. Auf Basis des Design-Science-Research-Ansatzes werden theoretische Modelle mit praxisorientiertem Designwissen und qualitativen Expert:inneninterviews verknüpft. Daraus entstehen Gestaltungsprinzipien für sieben Förderschwerpunkte, die in einem exemplarischen Unterrichtsszenario veranschaulicht werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass KI Lehrkräfte insbesondere bei der Strukturierung, Differenzierung und beim Feedback unterstützen kann, pädagogische Beziehungen jedoch unersetzlich bleiben. Wirksamkeit zeigt sich vor allem in homogenen Gruppen mit kognitiven oder motorischen Bedarfen, während in heterogenen Klassen persönliche Interaktionen zentral bleiben. Übergreifend fördern Struktur, Stabilität, Individualisierung und soziale Integration den Erfolg KI-gestützter Lernumgebungen. Das Szenario verdeutlicht das Potential von KI unter idealen Bedingungen, macht zugleich aber deutlich, dass eine vollständige Umsetzung in der schulischen Praxis derzeit kaum realistisch ist. Der Beitrag liefert damit einen theoretisch fundierten und praxisorientierten Rahmen zur Entwicklung inklusiver KI-Lösungen im schulischen Kontext. @This paper explores how AI-supported applications can foster inclusive learning for students with special educational needs. Following a Design Science Research approach, it combines theoretical frameworks with conceptual design work and qualitative expert insights. The study develops design principles for seven areas of special educational support, illustrated through an exemplary classroom scenario. Findings indicate that AI can effectively assist teachers in structuring, differentiating, and providing feedback, yet cannot replace pedagogical relationships. The approach proves particularly beneficial in more homogeneous groups with cognitive or motor needs, while heterogeneous settings still rely on strong personal interaction. Structure, stability, individualization, and social integration emerge as key success factors for inclusive learning environments. The scenario illustrates the potential of AI under ideal conditions but also highlights that full implementation in everyday school practice remains difficult to achieve. The paper thus provides a theoretically grounded and practice-oriented framework for developing inclusive AI solutions in education
Roles of digitalization in the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on innovation in startups: mediator, moderator, capability?
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Digitalization is imperative for a startup to be competitive, management consultants assert. Accordingly, many entrepreneurs found startups on the basis of digital technology. Many others, however, are not digitalizing. This raises a question for research, what are the roles of digitalization, specifically for turning an entrepreneur’s entrepreneurial orientation into innovation performance in the startup? A globally representative sample of 22,508 entrepreneurs was surveyed by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, reporting on digitalization and likely sources and consequences. The effect of an entrepreneur’s entrepreneurial orientation upon innovation performance in the startup is found to be moderated but not mediated by digitalization. As a distinct and separate capability, digitalization, alongside entrepreneurial orientation, is promoting innovation performance. Findings contribute to accounting for the roles of digitalization in startups
Auf der Suche nach der digitalen Bordsteinabsenkung
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Der Beitrag untersucht die wachsende Bedeutung der digitalen Inklusion als Voraussetzung für die Teilhabe am gesellschaftlichen Leben in einer zunehmend digitalisierten Welt. Anhand der Metapher der „digitalen Bordsteinabsenkung“ – inspiriert von den abgesenkten physischen Bordsteinkanten, die die Barrierefreiheit im städtischen Raum ermöglichen – wird die Frage gestellt, wie Unternehmen dazu beitragen können, auch unsichtbare Barrieren zu beseitigen, die eine gleichberechtigte Teilhabe im digitalen Bereich verhindern. Digitale Barrieren wie unzugängliche Websites, komplexe Anwendungen oder begrenzte digitale Kompetenz schließen nach wie vor viele Gruppen aus, insbesondere Menschen mit Behinderungen, ältere Erwachsene und Menschen aus sozial benachteiligten Verhältnissen. Trotz gesetzlicher Rahmenbedingungen wie dem deutschen Barrierefreiheitsförderungsgesetz (BFSG) bleibt die Umsetzung fragmentiert und häufig uninspiriert. Der Beitrag argumentiert, dass Unternehmen eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Förderung der digitalen Inklusion spielen – nicht allein vor dem Hintergrund einer rechtlichen oder ethischen Verantwortung, sondern insbesondere auch als Quelle für Innovation und Wettbewerbsvorteile. Inklusives Design kann, wenn es strategisch verankert wird, Innovationen fördern, neue Märkte erschließen und messbare soziale Auswirkungen erzielen. Digitale Inklusion sollte daher nachhaltige und regenerative Wirtschafts- und Geschäftsmodelle ergänzen, die wirtschaftliche, soziale und ökologische Verantwortung miteinander verbinden. Um dies zu erreichen, sind Kopf (Wissen und Reflexion), Herz (Empathie und Denkweise) und Hand (praktisches Handeln) vonnöten. Es handelt sich nicht allein um eine technische Aufgabe, sondern um eine Zukunftsfähigkeit, die Wirtschaft, Politik und Gesellschaft gemeinsam gestalten müssen, um digitale Teilhabe für alle zu ermöglichen. @ The article examines the growing importance of digital inclusion as a prerequisite for participation in social life in an increasingly digitized world. Using the metaphor of the “digital curb-cut”—inspired by the physical curb-cuts that enable accessibility in urban spaces—it asks how companies can help remove invisible barriers that prevent equal participation in the digital sphere. Digital barriers such as inaccessible websites, complex applications, or limited digital literacy continue to exclude many groups, especially people with disabilities, older adults, and people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite legal frameworks such as the German Accessibility Promotion Act (BFSG), implementation remains fragmented and often uninspired. The article argues that companies play a key role in promoting digital inclusion—not only in terms of legal or ethical responsibility, but also as a source of innovation and competitive advantage. When strategically anchored, inclusive design can promote innovation, open up new markets, and achieve measurable social impact. Digital inclusion should therefore complement sustainable and regenerative economic and business models that combine economic, social, and environmental responsibility. Achieving this requires the head (knowledge and reflection), the heart (empathy and mindset), and the hand (practical action). This is not just a technical task, but a future-proofing effort that business, politics, and society must shape together to enable digital participation for all
Value co-creation on networked platforms - A service-dominant logic analysis of the Alexa Assistant ecosystem
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This study applies service-dominant logic (SDL) as a theoretical lens to examine value co-creation processes in platform networks, using Amazon Alexa as a representative case. Via assistant platforms like Alexa or OpenAI's ChatGPT, users can access the services of third-party platforms and benefit from a broader service offering that results from this network of platforms. Such new forms of accessing and orchestrating service offerings influence the way value is created on as well as among digital platforms. By systematically analyzing how platform design facilitates resource integration, actor collaboration, and personalized service experiences, this research establishes connections between SDL’s theoretical axioms and the theory’s practical application to digital platforms. The findings validate SDL’s applicability to digital ecosystems while contributing to theory by (1) identifying how platforms operationalize SDL principles, by (2) deriving implications from SDL axioms for designing and managing networked platforms, and by (3) providing a structured methodology for analyzing cross-platform value co-creation.D85;L14;L8;M1
Extending business model development tools with design-integrated assessment: An illustration using service business models
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Assessing the effects of novel business model (BM) ideas affects current and future design decisions for implementing service systems and their ecosystems. While various methods have been proposed to support the creative task of BM design, the continuous assessment of BMs remains challenging. The emerging software class of business model development tools (BMDT) is among the promising ones for overcoming those challenges by enabling the representation, assessment, and improvement of BMs in a digital environment. Despite their great potential to shorten feedback cycles between design and assessment, only a few approaches exist for integrating both activities in BMDTs. Following design science research, we propose “factor refinement” as a mechanism in BMDTs for linking BM designs with assessment information. This allows users, particularly during the explorative stages, to investigate new BM ideas quickly and make more informed decisions in the BM design process. Our solution is instantiated in a software prototype for service business models and evaluated through think-aloud sessions and expert workshops. Based on our findings, we derived guidelines on both the use of factor refinement and its integration into BMDTs.O32;L86;D
Audit Opinion Prediction Using the Decision Tree Algorithm
No full textThis paper presents a data mining approach for Audit opinion pre¬diction in Government-owned enterprises within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina using the Decision tree algorithm. A database was constructed from financial statements covering 2004-2019, incorporating indicators from balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, alongside cor¬responding Audit opinions from the state audit body. The study evaluates three Decision tree algorithms (J48, RandomTree, REPTree) on data from 2020-2023, with REPTree achieving 73% classification accuracy through seven predictive rules. The findings demonstrate the potential of data mining techniques for pattern recognition in audit reports, contributing to transparency in financial reporting and supporting regulatory authorities in detecting irregularities within Government-owned enterprises
Personnel shortages and the provision of long-term care: an empirical analysis of German nursing homes
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Amidst demographic shifts, advanced economies are facing critical nursing shortages. This study analyzes how long-term care in German nursing homes relate to these shortages using administrative data for the period 2007 to 2017. Our analysis reveals that higher nursing shortages correlate with decreased nurse-to-resident ratios, changes in the qualification mix of nurse personnel, and reduced occupancy rates. These findings suggest that nurse shortages might be a threat to the quality of care and the financial sustainability of nursing homes at the margin of being profitable.C90;I10;I11;I18;J0