Human Resource Management im Wandel der Digitalisierung. Perspektiven cloudbasierter Human Resource Shared Services für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen

In Zeiten der Digitalisierung sind die Unternehmen gezwungen, sich mit der Thematik übergreifend und funktionsbezogen auseinanderzusetzen. Große Unternehmen gelten durch ihre starke Ressourcenbasis als Vorreiter der Digitalisierung, während KMU hier tendenziell einen weniger weiten Entwicklungsstand haben. Auch das Human Resource Management (HRM) wird stark durch die Digitalisierung und die mit ihr verbundenen digitalen Transformation geprägt und muss seine Rolle im Unternehmen neu definieren. Die administrativen HR-Prozesse, die heute häufig noch von HR-Mitarbeitenden durchgeführt werden, werden zukünftig voraussichtlich durch die Mitarbeitenden selber oder durch voll automatisierte intelligenzbasierte und vernetzte HR-Systeme und Roboter abgewickelt. Auf Grundlage einer theoretischen Analyse wird ein für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) einsetzbares mehrwertgenerierendes Modell für cloudbasierte HR Shared Services entwickelt, das im Rahmen einer qualitativen empirischen Untersuchung bei 13 Schweizer KMU und Großunternehmen gestaltungsbezogen validiert und optimiert wird

Demyelination in canine distemper virus infection: a review

Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes severe immunosuppression and neurological disease in dogs, associated with demyelination, and is a model for multiple sclerosis in man. In the early stage of the infection, demyelination is associated with viral replication in the white matter. In acute demyelinating lesions there is massive down-regulation of myelin transcription and metabolic impairment of the myelin-producing cells, but there is no evidence that these cells are undergoing apoptosis or necrosis. Oligodendroglial change is related to restricted infection of these cells (transcription but no translation) and marked activation of microglial cells in acute lesions. Concomitant with immunological recovery during the further course of the disease, inflammation occurs in the demyelinating plaques with progression of the lesions in some animals. A series of experiments in vitro suggests that chronic inflammatory demyelination is due to a bystander mechanism resulting from interactions between macrophages and antiviral antibodies. Autoimmune reactions are also observed, but do not correlate with the course of the disease. The progressive or relapsing course of the disease is associated with viral persistence in the nervous system. Persistence of CDV in the brain appears to be favored by non-cytolytic selective spread of the virus and restricted infection, in this way escaping immune surveillance in the CNS. The CDV Fusion protein appears to play an important role in CDV persistence. Similarities between canine distemper and rodent models of virus-induced demyelination are discusse

Sprachkurse für Mitarbeitende der Bundesverwaltung. Evaluation und Analyse des Angebotes und dessen Nutzung: Executive Summary

Das Ziel dieses Forschungsprojekts ist eine Bestandesaufnahme des gesetzlich verankerten Angebots an Sprachkursen für das Bundespersonal sowie die Analyse des diesbezüglichen institutionellen Bedarfs und der individuellen Bedürfnisse der Bundesangestellten. Im Zentrum stehen folgende Forschungsfragen: 1. Welches Sprachkursangebot ist für das Bundespersonal vorhanden? 2. Wie wird dieses Angebot genutzt und bewertet? 3. Welche Rahmenbedingungen und Faktoren begünstigen oder beeinträchtigen den Besuch von Kursen zur sprachlichen Aus- und Weiterbildung? 4. Wie sehen der institutionelle Bedarf und die individuellen Bedürfnisse bzgl. der sprachlichen Aus- und Weiterbildung aus

Farmers Markets: Consumer Trends, Preferences, and Characteristics

This study provides an overview of attitudes, preferences and characteristics of consumers who shop at farmers’ markets. Besides demographics, the characteristics examined in this report include consumption trends of fresh fruits and vegetables in terms of quantity and variety, preferences for organic produce, amount spent per visit, frequency of visits, number of farmers’ markets patronized, retail outlets visited by consumers during 1996, factors affecting where to purchase produce and consumers intentions to visit farmers’ markets in 1998. In addition, consumers’ expectations of quality, variety and the prices of farmers’ market produce compared to other retail facilities and a rating of farmers’ market characteristics are also presented. The results, based on a consumer survey of 336 patrons of New Jersey farmers’ markets, revealed that absence in customers’ vicinity, lack of knowledge about market existence and inconvenience in terms of time and location were the main reasons for not patronizing these outlets in 1996. The majority of respondents indicated that they had increased the amount and variety of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed compared to five years ago. On average, consumers spent $16 per visit and the majority had attended between 2 to 4 different farmers’ markets in 1996. The majority visited these facilities either once a week, once every two weeks or once a month. Compared to other retail facilities, consumers generally expected the quality of the produce sold at farmers’ markets to be higher. Additionally, they expected to find a wider variety of produce and lower prices. The majority of respondents indicated that quality and freshness were the most important factors affecting their food purchasing decisions. Survey results showed that peaches, apples, melons and blueberries were the fruits that consumers bought most frequently at New Jersey farmers’ markets, while sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers and snap beans were the most popular vegetables. In addition, baked goods, flowers, jams, jellies and preserves were the most demanded value-added items. Participants used fruits and vegetables for fresh consumption, v canning, freezing and preserving. With regard to methods of recognition, roadside signs, newspapers, passing by, word-of-mouth and flyers were mentioned the most. Consumers who are most likely to patronize farmers’ markets tend to be female, Caucasian, from higher income groups, at least 51 years old and well educated. Almost all respondents reported that they intend to visit farmers’ markets in 1998. On average, survey respondents ranked the quality of products and employee attitude as very good, while appearance of facility, convenience of location, variety of products, cleanliness of facility, parking and prices received a mean score between good and very good. In general, consumers tend to agree that freshness and direct contact with farmers are the main factors that drive people to farmers’ markets; that these facilities help support local agriculture and that by attracting customers to downtown areas, farmers’ markets boost local economies. The insights provided by this project are expected to help producers and managers of farmers’ markets allocate their resources more efficiently to better meet consumers’ needs. Moreover, patrons’ demographic and socio-economic characteristics could aid marketers in the identification of potential target markets.Agribusiness, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing,