Exploring open innovation : an analysis of the influence of external search strategy on innovation performance and its effect on employee loyalty in the German automotive industry

External knowledge sources are nowadays commonly accepted to be an important element for firm’s innovative performance. Therefore, this research helps to get new insights into the level of firm’s openness behavior referring to its search strategy and innovation performance. Beyond, it tries to find evidence for employee loyalty between high performing and other firms. In detail, the subject here is to explore open innovation by analyzing what dimensions of firm’s external search channels are affecting innovation outcomes and whether higher innovation performance could be related to employee loyalty and satisfaction in the R&D department of the German automotive industry. In this study three dimensions of external search strategies that affect firm’s innovation performance are investigated. The two concepts of external search breadth and depth that both look into the subject of “how” firm’s access external knowledge are introduced. The third concept shows the relevance of interacting with a wide range of external sources during the innovation process emphasizing “with whom to interact with" (Arruda et al., 2013). Quantitative research within a mail survey was used for data collection purposes. Based on the survey, I found that searching intense and deeply present a curvilinear relation (taking an inverted U-­‐curve) between the search strategy and firm’s innovation performance, and discovered the presence of a point of “over-­‐search”. Regarding external search breadth this study indicates that the diversity of different external partners possesses a positive effect on innovation performance of German automotive firms. Next, I found that the level of openness within the innovation process is an important dimension as well. Therefore, this thesis provides evidence that firm’s innovation performance depends on different external actors. In particular, customers, other companies in the holding and suppliers possess a significant impact. Finally, the results indicate that open innovation positively affects innovation performance among German automotive firms and that high-­‐innovators tend to have more satisfied and consequently loyal R&D employees than other firms

The burden of vitamin D deficiency in household members of children presenting with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiencies are common among household/family members due to shared lifestyle and dietary habits. The extent of biochemical abnormalities in household members of children presenting with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency remains unknown. AIM: Investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and biochemical osteomalacia in the mothers and siblings of children presenting with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: All mothers and sibling of children referred to a single tertiary endocrine centre between January 2018 and December 2021, with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency were investigated prospectively for vitamin D deficiency [defined as 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) < 30nmol/L] and biochemical osteomalacia [vitamin D deficiency and elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and/or parathormone (PTH)] as per clinical guidelines. REULTS: Ninety-seven family members (68 siblings and 29 mothers) of 29 index cases (median age 1.7 years, 55.5% male) were investigated. The majority (65.5%, n=19) were of Asian ethnic background. The mean (SD) 25OHD levels of the index, maternal and sibling cohorts were 15 (10), 15 (7) and 20 (10) nmol/L respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was noted in 93% of the maternal and 79% of the sibling cohorts. Biochemical osteomalacia was present in 72% of the maternal and 79% of the sibling cohorts. Mothers of infants had significantly lower mean 25OHD levels compared to mothers of older children [11 (n=12) vs 18 nmol/L (n=17) respectively, p=0.006)], most of whom were symptomatic (66.6%, n=8/12). None of the mothers had hypocalcaemia. Among the 10% (n=7) of the siblings with hypocalcaemia, 86% (n=6/7) had concurrent dietary calcium deficiency and 71.4% (n= 5/7) reported symptoms in retrospect. Hypocalcaemic siblings had significantly lower 25OHD (7 vs 15 nmol/L, p<0.001), higher PTH (175 vs 58 ng/L, p<0.001) and ALP (846 vs 318 IU/L, p<0.001), respectively compared to normocalcaemic siblings. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the substantial morbidity uncovered in household/family members of children diagnosed with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency, we recommend universal supplementation of all risk groups. Biochemical testing and treatment is indicated to replenish stores only in those at highest risk such as mothers of infants, individuals with concurrent dietary calcium deficiency and those with clinical symptoms

On the validation of the initial step of an upfront system implementation evaluation framework::The firebrigade case

This technical report describes "validation of the 'Target system definition

Identification of Success Factors for Mobile Systems Deployment: A Method

The present work determines how to identify (critical) success factors for mobile systems and shows why they are important for deployment of these systems. In comparison to stationary systems mobile systems have a bundle of singularities calling for success factors that have to be taken into account. In order to get a clear view especially on critical success factors for a (defined) mobile system, not only the interdependencies between the single (mobile) system components and tasks but also between the success factors themselves have to be examined. The present work depicts a procedure how critical success factors can be identified and weighted. The assumptions of this work are supported by application in practice

Determining the Target System for Mobile Systems as Part of an Integrative Approach for the Economic Impact of ICS: Validation at an SME

Mobile technologies are reshaping the global economic landscape, enhancing speed and comfort of communication and information exchange. Existing studies on the economic impact of mobile technologies taking a socio-technical system perspective are scarce. Our study shortly describes an integrative approach for such systems, which is in detail described in Högler et al. (2015), and specifically constructs the first activity in the integrative approach, i.e. defining the target objectives of the mobile system; it provides a case study at an SME to show this step\u27s applicability and validity. In defining the target system the Analytical Hierarchy Processing technique is extended. It encompasses a) the identification of objectives, and b) the determination of the hierarchy of objectives, c) the determination of the dependencies between objectives, d) the identification of strengths of the dependencies, and e) their likeliness of appearance, a f) prioritisation and g) a consolidation of all previous sub-steps. The case study confirms the validity and applicability and provides reasons for generalisation

On the validation of an Evaluation Framework::Assessment by Experts

This report describes "a framework that delivers insight into the tangible and intangible effects of a mobile (IT) system, before it is being implemented"

Oral iron for prevention and treatment of rickets and osteomalacia in autosomal dominant hypophosphatemia

Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemia (ADH) causes rickets, osteomalacia, and taurodontism due to heterozygous mutations in FGF23, which inhibit the inactivation (cleavage) of the encoded protein, the hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Iron deficiency increases FGF23 mRNA expression and recent evidence suggests that the recurrent, lateonset, or waxingwaning hypophosphatemic phenotype may be linked to synchronous variations in iron status. The fact that most adult symptomatic ADH patients are females during reproductive age supports the notion of a geneenvironmental interaction. Practically all symptomatic hypophosphatemic patients described in the recent literature were also iron deficient (with/without anemia) at presentation, when measured. Given its interaction with FGF23, correcting iron deficiency should therefore also correct FGF23 excess. Following the original report of successful phenotype reversal in an irondeficient ADH child using oral iron supplementation in 2015, more evidence has emerged that supports the use of the element iron to restore homoeostasis of the element phosphorus (in addition to its own). We put into perspective the recent evidence and add 14 years observational data on the original case that demonstrates the correlation of serum phosphorus and renal tubular phosphate reabsorption in mass per unit volume of glomerular filtrate (TmP/GFR) with serum ferritin. Presentation and relapse of ADH, 12 years apart, occurred during iron deficiency, and the onset of menstrual periods was associated with relapse. Here we propose management guidance for patients affected by ADH throughout the lifespan based on iron stores. Because ferritin correlates best with hypophosphatemia historically, and in longterm observation of the originally treated case, it should be used as the monitoring tool and kept in the normal range. Women with ADH who are of reproductive age and other risk groups require supplementation with oral iron using WHO guidelines. Treatment of this form of FGF23 excess may not require phosphate and active vitamin D, or burosumab.(VLID)4844491Version of recor