What Leadership Pattern can be Observed in IPS2 Work Systems when Compared with Production and Service?

AbstractResearch in the field of industrial product service systems (IPS2) gives emphasis to the importance of leadership behavior in order to propel new business models. Nevertheless, there is only a little knowledge of what leadership pattern is crucial and makes a difference in comparison to production and service. In our paper we address leadership behaviors and empowerment in IPS2, trying to shed light on qualitative structural differences compared to product- and service-oriented work systems. We present data from an empirical survey among 172 engineers in Germany. The participants evaluated psychological and structural empowerment and perceived interactive leadership behaviors. These aspects built the basis for explorative factor analyses conducted for each work system separately. Comparative qualitative interpretations of the results show that there are three different patterns of leadership. In an IPS2 work system, leadership shows a contextualized configuration in which specific behaviors and empowerment components fuse within factors. The resulting pattern is compared to product- and service-oriented work systems. Detailed analyses display a pattern in IPS2-oriented work systems in which a combination of leadership behaviors and empowerment elements supporting strategic goal-orientation, transparency and positive sensemaking makes up the difference in comparison to both other work systems

Coping with the Challenges of a Heterogeneous Working Context – A Configuration of Individual Competencies for PSS Workers

AbstractWhile new organizational offerings, such as product-service systems (PSS), are evolving from adapted strategic decisions, the actors involved in the dynamic implementation of the product-service work system (PSWS) originate from different organizational backgrounds, contribute from various fields of expertise and are familiarized with different working cultures. This built-in heterogeneity is rooted in three distinct compositional sources of the PSWS and it can be classified into a separation, a variety and a disparity type. It gives floor to the successful co-creation of value but also contains numerous challenges as it demands the integration of product and service dominated logics within a heterogeneous, yet collaborative problem-solving working context. This paper aims at eliciting a set of individual competencies that helps workers cope with the demands of PSWS with specific interest in positive and negative effects of different types of built-in heterogeneity.Data presented result from a survey among PSS engineers across branches and organizational entities that were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire in 2012-2013 about competencies as behavioral ad-hoc regulations for unstandardized problem-solving environments. An explorative factor analysis results in a three-dimensional configuration: a) a set of coordinative practices is bundled for improved problem-solving mainly based on positive variety utilization,b) a set of optimistic information filtering activities is bundled to reduce complexity and to benefit from separation and variety, c) a set of reflective in-depth-learning practices supports a high aim at improving and builds on the utilization of variety and separation effects. Based on this configuration positive effects of PSWS built-in heterogeneity can be maximized while negative effects are minimized

Understanding the Conditions of Separation for an Integrated Organizational Setup – PSS Divisional Boundaries in the Light of Heterogeneity and Duality Theories

AbstractDetermined by an integrated value proposition PSS constitute a unique organizational setup that is pivotally grounded in the co-existence of integrated but yet separate product-, service- and customer sub-systems. In order to benefit from the variety of available skills, competences and knowledge resources, PSS try to arrange sub-system boundaries most permeable, thus striving for the highest possible level of integration. At the same time, PSS decrease the level of divisional separation towards a minimum. However, the relation of integration and separation needs further analysis in the light of organizational theory. While recognizing the need for increasing integration towards product&service co-designed, customer integrated solutions, research also claims that a separation-typed setup determines the crucial resource configuration that is needed for novel problem-solving approaches in PSS. More precisely, it is said that the upholding of a minimal threshold between separated organizational elements secures sufficient tension between established organizational thought-worlds which again may initiate processes of organizational learning and renewal. The contradictory nature of decreasing while also pertaining separation under the umbrella of an integrated organizational setup raises the need for a nuanced understanding of how boundaries within PSS form an important area of operation for the dynamic balancing of divisional knowledge transfer versus identity-shaping. With reference to the organizational development process towards a fully integrated PSS this paper presents suggestions about how PSS can design minimal threshold for a mutual but fluid co-existence of product-, service- and customer sub-systems

Effects of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Global crises caused by the pandemic of COVID-19, since early 2020, can compromise the world commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This study discusses critical aspects of the global pandemic for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More precisely, we analyze how the new circumstances created by the pandemic have affected the interdependencies between SDGs. Following a synopsis of the current literature, we focus on effects regarding SDG3 (Health & Well-Being), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG12 (Consumption & Production) and SDG13 (Climate Action). Following a qualitative research approach, we based our analysis on moderated focus group discussions (FGD). Our observations reveal a unique pattern of interconnectedness between SDGs that can be related to COVID-19 consequences. Qualitative interpretations of focus group discussions also depict, that additional spillover effects can be obstacles for achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 9 (Infrastructure & Innovation) and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities), SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals), SDG 11 (sustainable cities). Therefore, we consider the interdependent implications and recent trends in international development related to sustainability as a useful framework in the post-pandemic recovery period

Implementation of Trusted Manufacturing & AI-based process optimization into microelectronic manufacturing research environments

Becker K-F, Voges S, Fruehauf P, et al. Implementation of Trusted Manufacturing & AI-based process optimization into microelectronic manufacturing research environments. In: Proceedings of the 54th IMAPS International Symposium on Microelectronics. 2021