Über welche ökonomischen Kompetenzen verfügen Maturandinnen und Maturanden? Hintergrund, Fragestellungen, Design und Methode des Schweizer Forschungsprojekts OEKOMA im Überblick

Die Auswirkungen der aktuellen Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise haben besonders deutlich gemacht, dass fundierte ökonomische Kompetenzen angesichts der wachsenden Bedeutung und zunehmenden Komplexität wirtschaftlicher Prozesse in modernen Gesellschaften eine Grundvoraussetzung zu deren Verständnis und damit auch zur Bewältigung privater, beruflicher und gesellschaftlich-politischer Lebenssituationen sind. Ökonomische Kompetenzen markieren damit eine der wesentlichen Voraussetzungen für soziale Teilhabe. [...] In der öffentlichen Diskussion wird immer wieder auf entsprechende Kompetenzdefizite von Schülerinnen und Schülern hingewiesen. Allerdings kann sich der Diskurs in vielen Ländern, u.a. in der Schweiz, zu wenig auf verlässliche empirische Daten stützen. Mit dem hier vorgestellten SNF-Projekt "Ökonomische Kompetenzen von Maturandinnen und Maturanden (OEKOMA)" wird mehr Licht auf diesen Gegenstand geworfen. OEKOMA verfolgt dabei das Ziel, die ökonomischen Kompetenzen von Lernenden an Gymnasien und Berufsmaturitätsschulen in der Deutschschweiz zu beschreiben und Einflussfaktoren auf ihren Erwerb zu identifizieren. Im Beitrag wird zunächst der Forschungsstand zum Thema umrissen. Im Anschluss werden der theoretische Hintergrund, die forschungsleitenden Fragestellungen sowie Design und Methode von OEKOMA beschrieben. Ein besonderes Augenmerk liegt dabei auf der Konstruktion eines Leistungstests zur Erfassung ökonomischen Wissens und Könnens. (DIPF/Orig.

Automation of NLO QCD and EW corrections with Sherpa and Recola

This publication presents the combination of the one-loop matrix-element generator Recola with the multipurpose Monte Carlo program Sherpa. Since both programs are highly automated, the resulting Sherpa+Recola framework allows for the computation of -in principle- any Standard Model process at both NLO QCD and EW accuracy. To illustrate this, three representative LHC processes have been computed at NLO QCD and EW: vector-boson production in association with jets, off-shell Z-boson pair production, and the production of a top-quark pair in association with a Higgs boson. In addition to fixed-order computations, when considering QCD corrections, all functionalities of Sherpa, i.e. particle decays, QCD parton showers, hadronisation, underlying events, etc. can be used in combination with Recola. This is demonstrated by the merging and matching of one-loop QCD matrix elements for Drell-Yan production in association with jets to the parton shower. The implementation is fully automatised, thus making it a perfect tool for both experimentalists and theorists who want to use state-of-the-art predictions at NLO accuracy.Comment: 38 pages, 29 figures. Matches the published version (few typos corrected

Development, predictors, and effects of trainees’ organizational identification during their first year of vocational education and training

The vocational identity of trainees is one component of their professional competence and is considered to be a central goal of vocational education and training (VET) programs. From the numerous identity constructs and conceptualizations, this study focuses on the organizational identification of trainees, that is, the extent to which trainees internalize the values and goals of their training company and perceive themselves as part of this company. We are specifically interested in the development, predictors, and effects of trainees’ organizational identification, as well as the interrelations between organizational identification and social integration. We use longitudinal data of n = 250 trainees in dual VET programs in Germany at the very beginning of their VET program (t1), after 3 months (t2), and after 9 months (t3). A structural equation model was used to analyze the development, predictors, and effects of organizational identification for the first 9 months of training and the cross-lagged effects between organizational identification and social integration. The results showed a high stability of trainees’ organizational identification over the first 9 months. Regarding the predictors, the results indicated positive direct and indirect effects of the formal socialization tactics implemented by the training company, as well as of support by the trainer at the beginning of the training. However, collegial support at the beginning of the training did not seem to play a significant role in organizational identification. Moreover, organizational identification positively affected trainees’ emotional engagement and self-perceived competence while negatively predicting dropout intentions after 9 months of training. Finally, the cross-lagged effects between organizational identification and social integration were not significant, and only at t3 were these constructs positively correlated. However, regarding the development, predictors, and effects, very similar results were found for organizational identification and social integration. The results underline the positive significance of organizational identification for the individual, the company, and society, even at this early stage of training. The results are discussed regarding both their scientific and practical implications

Improved resource efficiency and cascading utilisation of renewable materials

In light of various environmental problems and challenges concerning resource allocation, the utilisation of renewable resources is increasingly important for the efficient use of raw materials. Therefore, cascading utilisation (i.e., the multiple material utilisations of renewable resources prior to their conversion into energy) and approaches that aim to further increase resource efficiency (e.g., the utilisation of by-products) can be considered guiding principles. This paper therefore introduces the Special Volume “Improved Resource Efficiency and Cascading Utilisation of Renewable Materials”. Because both research aspects, resource efficiency and cascading utilisation, belong to several disciplines, the Special Volume adopts an interdisciplinary perspective and presents 16 articles, which can be divided into four subjects: Innovative Materials based on Renewable Resources and their Impact on Sustainability and Resource Efficiency, Quantitative Models for the Integrated Optimisation of Production and Distribution in Networks for Renewable Resources, Information Technology-based Collaboration in Value Generating Networks for Renewable Resources, and Consumer Behaviour towards Eco-friendly Products. The interdisciplinary perspective allows a comprehensive overview of current research on resource efficiency, which is supplemented with 15 book reviews showing the extent to which textbooks of selected disciplines already refer to resource efficiency. This introductory article highlights the relevance of the four subjects, presents summaries of all papers, and discusses future research directions. The overall contribution of the Special Volume is that it bridges the resource efficiency research of selected disciplines and that it presents several approaches for more environmentally sound production and consumption

Design and Implementation of a Distributed Ledger Technology Platform to Support Customs Processes within Supply Chains

In international trade, customs clearance fulfills complex and country-specific tasks in the execution of supply chain processes. Importers and exporters have to integrate customs authorities into the information flow, as customs authorities require information, e.g., on the bill of lading and the commercial invoice apart from the customs declaration. In addition, involved sub-service providers increase the problem of information asymmetry and the required coordination effort. Practice and research consider Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) as a potential solution since this technology maintains a mutually agreed and secure database of value-creation partners. However, research has hardly investigated the design of such DLT systems. Therefore, we present a requirements catalogue, a concept, and a prototype of a DLT platform to address the outlined problem of information asymmetry, especially with a focus on customs processes

Portfolio – An Instrument for Self-Regulated Learning in Geography at High Schools?

This article examines the effects of portfolio practice within a problem-oriented learning environment (APU) in the subject Geography. Portfolios are collections of students’ own learning products, such as papers, presentations etc. The use of portfolios was aimed at fostering students’ self-regulated learning competencies, particularly with regard to learning strategies and motivation. The study took place between August 2006 and February 2008 in Swiss high schools (higher secondary education, 10th-11th form) with a total of 102 students. Data were collected with standardized questionnaires at four different measurements within a quasi-experimental design. In line with the expectations, the analyses show moderate to strong effects for several indicators relating to the learning environment itself, as well as a substantial increase of portfolio acceptance during the intervention. However, no significant differences in students’ capacities for self-regulation were observed. We assume that students would need to work with portfolios for a longer period of time to make significant gains in the areas of learning strategies and motivation.Peer Reviewe

New Synthetic Routes for 1-Benzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane and 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1-acetic Acid Ethyl Ester, Important Starting Materials for Metal-coded DOTA-Based Affinity Tags

Two improved routes to synthesize 1-benzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (6) and 1,4,7,10- tetraazacyclododecane-1-acetic acid ethyl ester (11) are described as well as the synthesis of 1-{2-[4-(maleimido-N-propylacetamidobutyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl}-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane- 4,7,10-triacetic acid (17) and its Y, Ho, Tm, and Lu complexes. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the new compounds as well as the single crystal X-ray structure analyses of the intermediates 4-benzyl-1,7-bis(p-toluenesulfonyl)diethylenetriamine (3) and 1,4,7-tris(p-toluenesulfonyl)diethylenetriamine (7) are reported and discussed. The rare earth complexes of 17 have been characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.DFG, SPP 1166, Lanthanoidspezifische Funktionalitäten in Molekül und Materia

Contraception in the German-language Wikipedia: a content and quality analysis

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and adults today often obtain information about contraception from the Internet, especially from the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. This is because Google searches usually return Wikipedia entries as top hits. RESEARCH AIM: Against this background, the aim of the current study is to systematically analyze for the first time the content and quality of Wikipedia articles on contraceptive methods. Five central quality dimensions are examined: the degree of correctness (research question RQ1), completeness (RQ2), neutrality (RQ3), comprehensibility (RQ4), and currency (RQ5) of the contraceptive information – and on this basis the overall quality of the articles (RQ6). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of all German-language Wikipedia articles on all contraceptive methods was formed (N = 25). These articles were analyzed by three independent, trained coders using a codebook that was developed based on the current state of the research and tested for reliability. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. The study is preregistered and all data, materials, and analysis scripts are publicly available. RESULTS: The 25 Wikipedia articles on contraceptive methods were found to vary widely in content quality. While they showed good quality on average in terms of correctness (RQ1) and neutrality (RQ3), they scored mediocre in terms of completeness (RQ2), comprehensibility (RQ4), and currency (RQ5), resulting in moderate overall quality (RQ6). DISCUSSION: More research as well as practice measures are needed to further assess and improve the quality of contraceptive information on Wikipedia and in other social media in a more targeted way

Zukunft der Produktivität von Dienstleistungssystemen

Das Thema 'Produktivität von Dienstleistungssystemen' besitzt eine hohe Relevanz für die Dienstleistungswirtschaft. Die Produktivitätsbetrachtung adressiert einen Bereich der Dienstleistungsdomäne, welcher bislang nur unzureichend betrachtet wurde. Darüber hinaus stellt die zunehmende Komplexität, wie sie in Dienstleistungssystemen zu diagnostizieren ist, besondere Herausforderungen an die Dienstleistungswirtschaft im Allgemeinen und die Produktivitätsbetrachtung im Speziellen. Aus diesem Grund wurde die strategische Partnerschaft „Produktivität von Dienstleistungen“ etabliert, in deren Rahmen verschiedene Arbeitskreise interdisziplinär vielfältige Aspekte von Produktivität bei Dienstleistungen bearbeiten. Innerhalb dieser gliedert sich der Arbeitskreis „Produktivität von Dienstleistungssystemen“ ein, welcher unter der Leitung der Universität Leipzig durchgeführt wurde. Innerhalb des Arbeitskreis „Produktivität von Dienstleistungssystemen“ wurden aktuelle Entwicklungen, zukünftige Herausforderungen, Best Practices sowie Forschungs- und Entwicklungsfragen aus der Sicht von Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft identifiziert und diskutiert. Die Ergebnisse sind in der vorliegenden Broschüre präsentiert