33 research outputs found
Methods and Models for Industrial Internet of Things-based Business Process Improvement
Over the last three decades, the Internet of Things (IoT) has gained significant importance and has been implemented in many private, public, and business contexts. Leveraging and combining the IoT's capabilities enables far-reaching transformations and disruptive innovations that are increasingly recognized, especially by industrial organizations. In this regard, the Industrial IoT (IIoT) paradigm has emerged, describing the use of IIoT technology in the industrial domain.
One key use of the IIoT is the incremental or radical improvement of business processes. This goal-oriented change of business processes with IIoT technology to accomplish organizational goals more effectively is called IIoT-based Business Process Improvement (BPI). Many use cases demonstrate the benefits of IIoT-based BPI for all types of industrial organizations. However, the interconnection between IIoT and BPI lacks theoretical knowledge and applicable artifacts that support practitioners. Moreover, a significant number of related projects fail or do not achieve the anticipated benefits. This issue has drawn attention in recent scholarly literature, which calls for further research.
The dissertation at hand approaches this research gap by extending and advancing existing knowledge and providing valuable contributions to managerial practice. Three critical challenges for conducting IIoT-based BPI projects are addressed in particular: First, the essential characteristics of IIoT-based BPI applications are explored. This enables their classification and a foundational comprehension of the research field. Second, the required capabilities to leverage IIoT for BPI are identified. On this basis, industrial organizations can assess their maturity and readiness for implementing corresponding applications. Third, the identification, specification, and selection of appropriate applications are addressed. These activities enable the successful practical execution of IIoT projects with BPI potential
Methods and Models for Industrial Internet of Things-based Business Process Improvement
Over the last three decades, the Internet of Things (IoT) has gained significant importance and has been implemented in many private, public, and business contexts. Leveraging and combining the IoT's capabilities enables far-reaching transformations and disruptive innovations that are increasingly recognized, especially by industrial organizations. In this regard, the Industrial IoT (IIoT) paradigm has emerged, describing the use of IIoT technology in the industrial domain.
One key use of the IIoT is the incremental or radical improvement of business processes. This goal-oriented change of business processes with IIoT technology to accomplish organizational goals more effectively is called IIoT-based Business Process Improvement (BPI). Many use cases demonstrate the benefits of IIoT-based BPI for all types of industrial organizations. However, the interconnection between IIoT and BPI lacks theoretical knowledge and applicable artifacts that support practitioners. Moreover, a significant number of related projects fail or do not achieve the anticipated benefits. This issue has drawn attention in recent scholarly literature, which calls for further research.
The dissertation at hand approaches this research gap by extending and advancing existing knowledge and providing valuable contributions to managerial practice. Three critical challenges for conducting IIoT-based BPI projects are addressed in particular: First, the essential characteristics of IIoT-based BPI applications are explored. This enables their classification and a foundational comprehension of the research field. Second, the required capabilities to leverage IIoT for BPI are identified. On this basis, industrial organizations can assess their maturity and readiness for implementing corresponding applications. Third, the identification, specification, and selection of appropriate applications are addressed. These activities enable the successful practical execution of IIoT projects with BPI potential
Improving Business Processes with the Internet of Things - A Taxonomy of IIoT Applications
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) paradigm constitutes the connection of uniquely identifiable things to the internet in an industrial context. It provides disruptive capabilities and value propositions, especially for the management and improvement of business processes. To exploit these, many companies have already implemented manifold IIoT applications along their value chain activities aiming at beneficial Business Process Improvements (BPI). However, research on IIoT-based BPI is low on theoretical insights. To add to the descriptive knowledge of the IIoT, a structured synoptic view and classification scheme are required. The work at hand addresses this need by providing a taxonomy of IIoT-based BPI applications. Based on the combination of an inductive and deductive research methodology, the created taxonomy consists of six dimensions, seven subdimensions, and 40 characteristics. The taxonomy is evaluated on a sample of 30 IIoT applications from the literature and 10 real-life applications from a market-leading company
Team-related factors influencing intra-team knowledge sharing in knowledge-intensive businesses
In today’s knowledge-driven economy, knowledge is regarded as possibly the most important factor of production next to labour, land and capital. Knowledge is the lifeblood of a business and therefore crucial for its survival in today’s constantly changing and competitive economic environment. In fact, effective knowledge management holds many benefits for an organisation, such as increased productivity and enhanced business performance. Knowledge management is therefore key to ensure business success. In the knowledge management process, knowledge-sharing is typically recognised as the most important activity. Knowledge that is not shared, in particular tacit knowledge residing in the minds of individuals and accrued over time, loses its value. Notably, team knowledge-sharing is of utmost importance in that it enables a team to resolve practical issues more successfully, given that knowledge is shared among team members that hold various kinds of specialised and unique expertise. Organisations increasingly organise their specialised knowledge-intensive work around projects that consist of allocated members who cooperate on a regular basis to accomplish specific goals before a set deadline. However, without knowledge-sharing among team members, the diverse knowledge of various members cannot be optimally utilised to the benefit of the team and the organisation. Although it is well documented that knowledge-sharing among team members, in particular knowledge-intensive teams, may hold various advantages for teams and organisations in terms of their performance and competitive advantage, researchers also acknowledge that individuals are sometimes reluctant to share their knowledge. Moreover, there is a lack of empirical research on the team-related factors influencing intra-team knowledge-sharing, and a subsequent lack of guidance in terms of encouraging intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. Notably, the lack of current systematic, integrated research, that pay particular attention to the team-related factors influencing the knowledge-sharing behaviour within a team is problematic. This lack of research calls for further empirical research to better understand the teamrelated factors influencing intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour in knowledgeintensive teams. As such, the main research objective of this study was to identify and empirically examine selected team-related factors influencing the intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledgeintensive teams in knowledge-intensive businesses. Based on an extensive literature review, the following team-related factors influencing knowledge-sharing in a team context were identified and hypothesised to have a relationship with the dependent variable Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. These factors, which also served as the independent variables in this study, are: Team development competition, Team hyper-competition, Team psychological safety, Perceived surface-level diversity, Perceived deep-level diversity, Team identification, Metacognitive cultural intelligence, Cognitive cultural intelligence, Motivational cultural intelligence, Behavioural cultural intelligence, Affective team commitment, Continuance team commitment and Normative team commitment. Following the construction of the proposed hypothesised model, the researcher proceeded to develop a research design that would be suitable to address the research questions. For the purpose of this study, a positivist research philosophy and deductive approach to theory building were adopted, which is in line with the quantitative nature of this study. In addition, a survey research strategy was used and the study was cross-sectional in nature. The measuring instrument, which was in the form of a self-administered online questionnaire, was subjected to a pilot study. Minor adjustments were made to the questionnaire before an electronic link to the final version, accompanied by a cover letter, was e-mailed to 8 496 potential respondents. These potential respondents, who were identified using a convenience sampling technique, were likely to participate in knowledge-intensive teams and be representative of the population. A total of 384 usable responses were received. Following the data collection, the data were analysed to examine the proposed relationships as depicted in the hypothesised model. To address possible multicollinearity concerns associated with different variables that belong to a shared category, such variables were first combined into a single hierarchical variable. Thereafter, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on each factor that confirmed the factor structures by using various goodness-of-fit indices. Subsequent to the CFAs, the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument was assessed. The reliability of the measuring instrument was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, while the assessment of validity involved calculations of the average variance extracted (AVE) estimates and squared correlations between constructs. Based on the results of the reliability and validity assessments, the hypothesised model was revised accordingly. The revised model included Team development competition, Team psychological safety, Cultural intelligence, Team commitment and Perceived deep-level diversity as the independent variables influencing Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. Descriptive statistics and correlation results were presented on the constructs in the revised hypothesised model, while a structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was the main statistical technique used to test the significance of the relationships between the dependent and the independent variables. The relationships between selected demographic variables and Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour were assessed by means of general linear modelling (GLM), a subset of SEM. In light of these analyses, it was concluded that Team psychological safety, Team development competition, Cultural intelligence and Age have a significant influence on Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour and could thus be seen as predictors or determinants thereof. Of all the significant relationships identified in this study, Team psychological safety had the strongest effect on Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. One should, however, not lose sight of the impact that competition and cultural intelligence could have on the knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledge-intensive teams. This study contributes to the body of knowledge-sharing research in general, but also to knowledge-sharing behaviour in a team context in particular. Besides the theoretical contributions, this study makes several practical recommendations to knowledgeintensive businesses on how to manage the team-related factors influencing the Intrateam knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledgeintensive teams. These recommendations could possibly enhance the competitive advantage of knowledge-intensive businesses.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 202
Team-related factors influencing intra-team knowledge sharing in knowledge-intensive businesses
In today’s knowledge-driven economy, knowledge is regarded as possibly the most important factor of production next to labour, land and capital. Knowledge is the lifeblood of a business and therefore crucial for its survival in today’s constantly changing and competitive economic environment. In fact, effective knowledge management holds many benefits for an organisation, such as increased productivity and enhanced business performance. Knowledge management is therefore key to ensure business success. In the knowledge management process, knowledge-sharing is typically recognised as the most important activity. Knowledge that is not shared, in particular tacit knowledge residing in the minds of individuals and accrued over time, loses its value. Notably, team knowledge-sharing is of utmost importance in that it enables a team to resolve practical issues more successfully, given that knowledge is shared among team members that hold various kinds of specialised and unique expertise. Organisations increasingly organise their specialised knowledge-intensive work around projects that consist of allocated members who cooperate on a regular basis to accomplish specific goals before a set deadline. However, without knowledge-sharing among team members, the diverse knowledge of various members cannot be optimally utilised to the benefit of the team and the organisation. Although it is well documented that knowledge-sharing among team members, in particular knowledge-intensive teams, may hold various advantages for teams and organisations in terms of their performance and competitive advantage, researchers also acknowledge that individuals are sometimes reluctant to share their knowledge. Moreover, there is a lack of empirical research on the team-related factors influencing intra-team knowledge-sharing, and a subsequent lack of guidance in terms of encouraging intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. Notably, the lack of current systematic, integrated research, that pay particular attention to the team-related factors influencing the knowledge-sharing behaviour within a team is problematic. This lack of research calls for further empirical research to better understand the teamrelated factors influencing intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour in knowledgeintensive teams. As such, the main research objective of this study was to identify and empirically examine selected team-related factors influencing the intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledgeintensive teams in knowledge-intensive businesses. Based on an extensive literature review, the following team-related factors influencing knowledge-sharing in a team context were identified and hypothesised to have a relationship with the dependent variable Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. These factors, which also served as the independent variables in this study, are: Team development competition, Team hyper-competition, Team psychological safety, Perceived surface-level diversity, Perceived deep-level diversity, Team identification, Metacognitive cultural intelligence, Cognitive cultural intelligence, Motivational cultural intelligence, Behavioural cultural intelligence, Affective team commitment, Continuance team commitment and Normative team commitment. Following the construction of the proposed hypothesised model, the researcher proceeded to develop a research design that would be suitable to address the research questions. For the purpose of this study, a positivist research philosophy and deductive approach to theory building were adopted, which is in line with the quantitative nature of this study. In addition, a survey research strategy was used and the study was cross-sectional in nature. The measuring instrument, which was in the form of a self-administered online questionnaire, was subjected to a pilot study. Minor adjustments were made to the questionnaire before an electronic link to the final version, accompanied by a cover letter, was e-mailed to 8 496 potential respondents. These potential respondents, who were identified using a convenience sampling technique, were likely to participate in knowledge-intensive teams and be representative of the population. A total of 384 usable responses were received. Following the data collection, the data were analysed to examine the proposed relationships as depicted in the hypothesised model. To address possible multicollinearity concerns associated with different variables that belong to a shared category, such variables were first combined into a single hierarchical variable. Thereafter, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on each factor that confirmed the factor structures by using various goodness-of-fit indices. Subsequent to the CFAs, the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument was assessed. The reliability of the measuring instrument was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, while the assessment of validity involved calculations of the average variance extracted (AVE) estimates and squared correlations between constructs. Based on the results of the reliability and validity assessments, the hypothesised model was revised accordingly. The revised model included Team development competition, Team psychological safety, Cultural intelligence, Team commitment and Perceived deep-level diversity as the independent variables influencing Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. Descriptive statistics and correlation results were presented on the constructs in the revised hypothesised model, while a structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was the main statistical technique used to test the significance of the relationships between the dependent and the independent variables. The relationships between selected demographic variables and Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour were assessed by means of general linear modelling (GLM), a subset of SEM. In light of these analyses, it was concluded that Team psychological safety, Team development competition, Cultural intelligence and Age have a significant influence on Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour and could thus be seen as predictors or determinants thereof. Of all the significant relationships identified in this study, Team psychological safety had the strongest effect on Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. One should, however, not lose sight of the impact that competition and cultural intelligence could have on the knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledge-intensive teams. This study contributes to the body of knowledge-sharing research in general, but also to knowledge-sharing behaviour in a team context in particular. Besides the theoretical contributions, this study makes several practical recommendations to knowledgeintensive businesses on how to manage the team-related factors influencing the Intrateam knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledgeintensive teams. These recommendations could possibly enhance the competitive advantage of knowledge-intensive businesses.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 202
Development and validation of an instrument to measure and manage organizational process variety
Organizational processes vary. Practitioners have developed simple frameworks to differentiate them. Surprisingly, the academic literature on process management does not–it typically strives for one method to manage all processes. We draw on organizational information-processing theory to systematically develop a new, theoretically motivated classification model for organizational processes. We validate this model using survey data from 141 process practitioners of a global corporation. We derive three distinct types of processes and demonstrate that an understanding of process variety based on process dimensions can differentiate processes better than existing frameworks used in practice. Our findings can enable process managers to make informed decisions and serve as a basis for contingent process management
An approach for the development and implementation of systems in complex business contexts through methodology tailoring
Systems utilised in complex business contexts commonly need to be well integrated within the business in which they operate. There is a risk of poor acceptance, adoption, and sustainment in the business if the system does not take into account key business related considerations. Utilising DePuy Orthopaedics resource management business context as a case study, an assessment of potential System Development Methodologies (SDM) that could be utilised in the development of an IT system was carried out. It was established that no single SDM could provide the level of support that was identified as required. Further investigation of system development within complex businesses ascertained that methodology tailoring is an approach utilised to ensure that methodologies incorporate business specific complexities with a subsequent aim to ensure that developed systems are fit for purpose. However, there is little proven procedural guidance that illustrates an approach towards SDM tailoring in the complex business environment of resource management for New Product Development at DePuy. There was, therefore a gap in research and an identified need for an approach that provides the appropriate level of support for SDM tailoring for the development of systems in this complex business context.Utilising the knowledge gathered within DePuy Orthopaedics, as well as from literature in the field, methods for managing business related complexities in system development were established, developed, and formalised into an approach that addressed the tailoring of SDMs. The approach was influenced by the critical evaluation of DePuy's complex business context which aided in the creating and application of the approach.The approach was validated through its application in a business context, where it was used to develop a tailored methodology for use in developing and implementing a resource management IT system at a portfolio level. The validation proved the approach was legitimate and produced a methodology and subsequent system which were readily adopted and accepted by the company. Furthermore, the tailored methodology was evaluated by industrially based engineers with experience of systems development in a complex business context, resource management and systems engineering. From this evaluation, it was established that the tailored methodology was sound and can be said to be valid in the context that it was developed.Systems utilised in complex business contexts commonly need to be well integrated within the business in which they operate. There is a risk of poor acceptance, adoption, and sustainment in the business if the system does not take into account key business related considerations. Utilising DePuy Orthopaedics resource management business context as a case study, an assessment of potential System Development Methodologies (SDM) that could be utilised in the development of an IT system was carried out. It was established that no single SDM could provide the level of support that was identified as required. Further investigation of system development within complex businesses ascertained that methodology tailoring is an approach utilised to ensure that methodologies incorporate business specific complexities with a subsequent aim to ensure that developed systems are fit for purpose. However, there is little proven procedural guidance that illustrates an approach towards SDM tailoring in the complex business environment of resource management for New Product Development at DePuy. There was, therefore a gap in research and an identified need for an approach that provides the appropriate level of support for SDM tailoring for the development of systems in this complex business context.Utilising the knowledge gathered within DePuy Orthopaedics, as well as from literature in the field, methods for managing business related complexities in system development were established, developed, and formalised into an approach that addressed the tailoring of SDMs. The approach was influenced by the critical evaluation of DePuy's complex business context which aided in the creating and application of the approach.The approach was validated through its application in a business context, where it was used to develop a tailored methodology for use in developing and implementing a resource management IT system at a portfolio level. The validation proved the approach was legitimate and produced a methodology and subsequent system which were readily adopted and accepted by the company. Furthermore, the tailored methodology was evaluated by industrially based engineers with experience of systems development in a complex business context, resource management and systems engineering. From this evaluation, it was established that the tailored methodology was sound and can be said to be valid in the context that it was developed
Stuttgarter Symposium für Produktentwicklung SSP 2017 : Stuttgart, 29. Juni 2017, Wissenschaftliche Konferenz
Veränderte Anforderungen in internationalen Märkten erfordern hohe Anstrengungen, um Prozesse in Innovation und Produktentwicklung zu optimieren. Das Stuttgarter Symposium für Produktentwicklung (SSP) ermöglicht die Diskussion der an Produktgestaltung und -entwicklung beteiligten Disziplinen aus Industrie und Wissenschaft. Das SSP zeigt, wie erfolgreiche Produkte effizient gestaltet und entwickelt werden. Neueste Forschungsergebnisse zu Methoden, Strategien und Werkzeugen werden vorgestellt, um Prozesse zu verbessern und die Digitalisierung zu unterstützen. Mit dem Ziel, nationale und internationale Fachleute unterschiedlicher Disziplinen der Produktentwicklung aus Industrie und Wissenschaft in den Dialog zu bringen, veranstaltet das Fraunhofer IAO gemeinsam mit dem Institut für Konstruktionstechnik und Technisches Design IKTD, dem Institut für Maschinenelemente IMA und dem Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft und Technologiemanagement IAT der Universität Stuttgart das Stuttgarter Symposium für Produktentwicklung SSP.
Am 28. und 29. Juni 2017 fand das SSP bereits zum vierten Mal im Zentrum für Virtuelles Engineering des Fraunhofer IAO statt, nachdem die Symposien 2011, 2013 und 2015 mit jeweils über 200 Besuchern aus Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft großen Zuspruch gefunden hatten. Am Forumstag stand wie immer die Industrie im Fokus, am zweiten Tag die wissenschaftliche Konferenz. Die Konferenz bietet Wissenschaftlern eine Plattform zur Präsentation und Diskussion ihrer neuesten Forschungsergebnisse im Bereich der Produktentwicklung und fördert so den interdisziplinären Wissenstransfer.
Aufgerufen waren in der SSP 2017 Beiträge aus folgenden Kategorien:
• Wissensmanagement in der Produktentwicklung
• Nachhaltige Produktentwicklung
• Altersgerechte Produktentwicklung
• Zuverlässige Produktentwicklung
• Industrie 4.0/Cyber-Physical Products
• Konstruktionsmethodiken
• Leichtbau in der Produktentwicklung
• Nutzerzentriertes Design
• Innovations- und Technologiemanagement
• Digital Engineering
• Lean Development. Eingereicht wurden Beiträge zu Methoden, Strategien und Verfahren, die es ermöglichen, Produktentwicklungsprozesse zu vernetzen, digitale Werkzeuge zu integrieren und die Potenziale neuer Technologien und Werkstoffe optimal auszuschöpfen
The method of updating the knowledge-intensive business processes
В работе усовершенствована модель цикла управления бизнес-процессом, которая отличается от существующих включением задачи актуализации, предусматривающей приведение знаний о процессе в соответствие с его текущим поведением, что позволяет откорректировать модель знание-емкого бизнес-процесса во время его выполнения. Предложен метод актуализации знание-емких бизнес-процессов. Метод направлен на приведение в актуальное состояние формализованных знаний о бизнес-процессе. Метод включает в себя фазы выделения ограничений, выделения управляющих правил, а также отбора правил и ограничений с учетом показателей эффективности и результативности. Метод обеспечивает возможность формализации в виде бизнес-правил знаний исполнителей, которые были использованы при управлении ходом выполнения знание-емкого бизнес-процесса.In this paper, improved model of management cycle of business process is proposed. The model differs from the existing ones that it use task of updating to bring into line with its current behavior by providing knowledge about the process. This allows you to adjust the model of knowledge capacious business process during its execution. The method of updating the knowledge-intensive business processes is proposed. The method aims to bring up to date a formal knowledge about the business process. The method includes the phase separation constraints, allocation of control rules, as well as the selection rules and restrictions based on indicators of effectiveness and efficiency. The method enables the formalization of knowledge of
performers in form of the business rules. That knowledge has been used by workers in the management of the knowledge-intensive business process
An Approach to Satisfy Managerial Awareness of Strategic Events in the Field of M-Commerce
Continued success in business relies on the capability to notice changes in the market before others and to access expert experience and knowledge that has been built over many years. Today the increased usage of mobile commerce (M-commerce) in business produces opportunities to access these changes and information anywhere, anytime, and any place. The opportunities that arise from M-Commerce not only support increased engagement through multiple channels, but enable the development of a thriving market sector which is shifting how businesses make strategic decisions. The present study introduces a new approach to create managerial awareness of strategic events in the field of mobile commerce. Specifically, a new method including a tool is presented and validated using expert interviews