Towards a maturity model for the industrial metaverse

The Metaverse is designated no less as the “next internet”. With futuristic visions in sight and fragmented use cases realized, scarce guidance is available on how to systematically implement the Industrial Metaverse. The aim of this paper is to develop a maturity model for the Industrial Metaverse. The developed model comprises 8 maturity dimensions [(1) Mirroring of physical and digital, (2) Interaction by Human-Machine-Interface, (3) Simulation and decision support, (4) Technology convergence, (5) Immersion (realism and user experience), (6) Real-time capability, (7) Ecosystem and interoperability and (8) Persistence)] across 4 maturity levels [(1) Elementary, (2) Emerging, (3) Extensive and (4) Exhaustive]. Being aware of restrictions resulting from general modeling, inherent maturity model weaknesses and operational limitations, for practice, the model helps to navigate, particularly assess the current status and provide guidance, while for academia, the model adds to the emerging knowledge base, representing the first of its kind

Overtourism

Overtourism has become a critical issue in global tourism. Defined as the excessive influx of tourists overwhelming a destination, overtourism results in detrimental environmental, cultural, and social impacts. This chapter investigates the origins, implications, and management strategies of overtourism, with a focus on European case studies. Key factors contributing to overtourism include technological advancements, globalization, economic growth, and the influence of marketing and media. The consequences of overtourism encompass environmental degradation, cultural commodification, social tensions, and economic dependency. Various strategies to mitigate overtourism, such as regulatory measures, sustainable tourism practices, and community involvement, are discussed. The chapter concludes that a holistic approach involving technological innovations, policy development, and global collaboration is essential for managing overtourism and promoting sustainable tourism development

Non-medical support services in healthcare organizations

Healthcare organizations can be hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation clinics, psychiatric clinics and institutions devoted to the care of infirm or aged persons. The core processes of healthcare organizations focus on medical, therapeutic and/or care services. Non-medical support services ensure that the core services can be delivered and that the needs of the service users can be fulfilled. Non-medical support services comprise services in the context of infrastructure, hygiene, safety & security, logistics and hospitality & hotel services. These services are done visibly or in the background. The provision of non-medical support services should always be a contribution to a positive service user experience. When designing and providing non-medical support services, a service user focus should always be predominant

Facility and real estate management

The convergence facility and real estate management is propelled by macroeconomic trends, emphasizing cost savings and strategic use of facility management to reduce operating costs, financing, and investments. Legal requirements and sustainability regulations, particularly in the European Union, further drive the merging of these disciplines, addressing the significant environmental impact of the real estate and construction sector. Traditional distinctions between institutional real estate management, corporate real estate management, and facility management blur as sustainability and macroeconomic shifts reshape these fields. Property owners now require understanding in architecture, workplace management, facility management, and civil engineering, particularly in industries like life sciences. Facility management׳s multidisciplinary approach, influenced by urbanization and economic understanding, plays a pivotal role in the efficiency, productivity, and well-being of societies. Overcoming disagreements in literature regarding the relationship between facility and real estate management is crucial. Professionals in real estate and facility management face challenges necessitating a holistic infrastructure management approach, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Future specialists must possess transdisciplinary knowledge in real estate, workplace and facility management, financing, economics, digital transformation, sustainability, and leadership to address complex tasks, including the sustainability transformation of existing buildings

Grundlagenstudie mit Praxishinweisen zur Verankerung guter Betreuung in Altersinstitutionen

Im Rahmen eines Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekts ist ein Projektteam des Instituts Vielfalt und gesellschaftliche Teilhabe am Departement Soziale Arbeit der Züricher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW), der Paul Schiller Stiftung (PSS) und ARTISET der Frage nachgegangen, wie gute Betreuung in Alterseinrichtungen, ausgehend von bestehenden Beispielen guter Praxis, gefördert werden kann. Ziel des Projektes war es, eine Sammlung guter Beispiele aus und für Institutionen zu erstellen, welche erlaubt, psychosoziale und agogische Handlungsfelder guter Betreuung gezielt weiterzuentwickeln und in Institutionen der Altersarbeit zu verankern. Basierend auf den Grundlagenarbeiten der PSS wurden bestehende, bedürfnisorientierte Betreuungskonzepte in den verschiedenen Bereichen der intermediären und stationären Betreuung älterer Menschen ausgewertet und im Rahmen von drei Workshops mit Institutionsleitenden und Fachmitarbeitenden aus der Deutschschweiz und der Romandie für die Erarbeitung dieser Sammlung aufbereitet. Der vorliegende Grundlagenstudie möchte damit als Anregung und Inspirationsquelle dienen, um bestehende Ansätze guter Betreuung in Institutionen für ältere Menschen zu fördern und weiterzuentwickeln

Nudging in hospitality and tourism

A nudge is a deliberate intervention in the design of a choice environment that influences people’s behavior predictably without prohibiting any options or relying on substantial economic incentives. Nudging is rooted in the finding that people have limited cognition, are prone to biases, and sometimes lack self-control (i.e., they have bounded rationality). Based on these circumstances, nudging aims to improve decision-making for the welfare of people and society. In the context of hospitality and tourism, nudges have been shown to be effective in guiding people to eat healthier and behave more sustainably. For example, displaying the social norm that most other guests reuse their towels has been shown to increase towel reuse. Such interventions can thus reduce energy use without reducing people’s freedom of choice. To avoid pitfalls and account for specific contexts, behavioral scientists have developed procedures to design, test, and implement nudges, enabling the use of these valuable tools

The evolution of tourism, hospitality, and service management

Tourism, hospitality, and service management are dynamic industries shaped by globalization, technology, evolving consumer expectations, and sustainability. As key drivers of economic growth and cultural exchange, they continuously adapt to broader societal shifts. This section examines contemporary challenges, trends, and innovations in these industries through interdisciplinary perspectives, including business studies, psychology, sustainability, marketing, and economics. It offers theoretical insights and practical implications, bridging academic inquiry with industry practice

Bacterial leaf spot of Hydrangea : on a “new old” disease and the importance of diagnostic specificity to reduce cross-reactivity and improve surveillance

The causal organism of bacterial leaf spot of Hydrangea L., Xanthomonas hydrangeae, was the subject of a disease report and a new bacterial species description in 2021. These publications, along with the development of a specific isothermal diagnostic assay for X. hydrangeae, and the recent awareness of this pathogenic bacterium, combined with the wet weather conditions during the summer of 2021 in Europe, have revealed a broader historical and current prevalence of this disease. Global trade of plants appeared to play an important role in the dissemination of this pathogen. Furthermore, scouring the literature revealed multiple instances, mainly in the USA, of bacterial leaf spot of Hydrangea, previously attributed to other Xanthomonas species (e.g., Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas hortorum). The first known indication of bacterial leaf spot of Hydrangea dates to 1995 in Georgia (USA). However, these 1995 isolates are no longer available and their identity as X. hydrangeae cannot be confirmed. This mini-review outlines the challenges encountered when studying X. hydrangeae, as related to 1) the development of a diagnostics assay targeting X. hydrangeae, especially given its phylogenetic similarity to X. hortorum, and 2) the information discontinuity regarding historical and current incidence of bacterial leaf spot of Hydrangea

Transforming teaching practice into blended learning : a case study on the role of values and influence

This chapter explores the impact of values and influence on the success of designing and implementing a new blended learning concept for the module Cleaning Services Management in the bachelor’s programme in Facility Management at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. This new concept focuses on the potential to improve blended learning concepts within higher education. This chapter will discuss a case study that is based on a learning sequence of eight units, where students were tasked with developing a cleaning concept using project-based learning and is characterised by an intuitive writing narrative based on experiences, as well as on critical peer feedback. The findings reveal that personal values and traditional power-play in higher education impact effectiveness in both positive and negative ways because they influence underlying driving principles which one cannot easily change. Therefore, the approach to a change intervention should involve more than only the tangible concept. This chapter sheds light on the practical implications of values and influence and therefore also student-focused learning in Hospitality Management. The insights gained will assist stakeholders in designing and implementing new learning concepts in a more successful way

Andri Puorger : Microsofts Beitrag zur digitalen Transformation im Gesundheitswesen

Wie beeinflusst Microsoft die Digitalisierung im Gesundheitswesen? In einer Branche, die vor Herausforderungen wie Fachkräftemangel und komplexer Einsatzplanung steht, trägt Microsoft dazu bei, dass innovative Technologien echte Lösungen schaffen können. In dieser Folge werfen wir einen Blick auf zwei spannende Case Studies: Personal- und Einsatzplanung: Starke Erleichterung des Arbeitsalltags – von der Berücksichtigung der Mitarbeiterwünsche bis hin zu einem unkomplizierten, digitalen Diensttauschsystem. Clever Colleague: Die smarte Hilfe für Pflegekräfte, die Fragen zu Richtlinien und Best Practices einfach per KI-Chatbot beantwortet. Wir diskutieren die zentralen Fragen: Warum stockt die digitale Transformation? Wo liegen die Hürden – und welche Rolle spielt gutes Management? Lass uns gemeinsam den Wandel gestalten