Autor: Dominik T. Matt

We are currently experiencing rapid transformation in technologies and society. Due to the convergence of various megatrends, these changes have considerable impacts on everyday life. Our study aims to identify relevant strategies for the digital future of a macro-region (Tyrol, South Tyrol and Veneto). The study conducts semi-structured interviews with representatives of companies, universities and local governments, using the approach of a triple helix model. Based on the empirical analysis, we develop an action plan for the digital transformation of the macro-region.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has changed profoundly the entrepreneurial environment. In particular, smaller companies have difficulties putting 4.0 paradigms into practice. If one considers that small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the European economy, then it becomes all the more obvious which leverage effect suitable implementation concepts for SMEs can have. The following article therefore presents an evaluation model for the definition and prioritization of Industry 4.0 implementation measures, which is based on the requirements for SMEs.

In the context of this article, a methodology for an efficient transfer of knowledge from research into industrial practice regarding cyber-physical production systems is presented. The methodology serves above all to sensitize small and medium-sized (SME) enterprises to the possible potentials of the so-called Industry 4.0. The starting point for this is the need-oriented and individual specification of knowledge required for a practical knowledge transfer and the development of tailor-made competence profiles of future employees in smart SMEs

Die zukünftige Verstädterung führt zu einem Wachstum der urbanen Strukturen und gleichzeitig zu einer Konzentration von potenziellen Konsumenten von Gütern sowie von potenziellen Arbeitskräften der Fabriken von morgen. Dem Trend von Industrie 4.0 sowie einer Urbanisierung folgend sind daher auch die Fabriken mit ihren Arbeitsmodellen einem Wandel unterworfen. Mit dem Beginn der vierten industriellen Revolution spielt der Mensch als Produktionsfaktor weiterhin eine zentrale Rolle, allerdings ändert sich seine Rolle im Wertschöpfungsprozess. Dabei zeichnet sich immer stärker ein künftiger Mangel an qualifizierten Fachkräften ab. Der vorliegende Beitrag geht daher auf verschiedene arbeitsorganisatorische Ansätze zur Steigerung der Attraktivität urbaner Fabriken ein, welche zur Bewältigung des Fachkräftemangels einen Beitrag leisten sollen.

This paper describes the successful combination of the two methods Axiomatic Design and TRIZ based on the practical use case in a product development project at a small enterprise. The task included the design and prototypical implementation of a small tractor for viticulture. The major challenge in developing the concept was the requirement that the tractor must move in the narrow streets between closely lying pergolas as well as in steep terrain. The application example underpins the performance of the combined application of Axiomatic Design and TRIZ for the identification and resolution of technical and physical contradictions and shows how even small businesses can bring innovative and sophisticated product ideas targeted for implementation in close cooperation with research institutions.

According to current social and economic trends, businesses underlie considerable organizational challenges which imply a long term strategy development in order to maintain productivity and competitiveness. Development processes such as the globalization and internationalization, the demographic change, the increasing importance of knowledge, the technological change as well as the trend of individualization and flexibilization are significant. Businesses are challenged with its implications on the labour conditions and therefore on their productivity, quality and innovativeness. This article discusses the concept of Workplace Health Promotion as an efficient tool to support companies at mastering these essential challenges.

The rising demand and availability of knowledge contributes to the change away from an industrial society towards a more knowledge oriented society. This article focuses on knowledge work in small enterprises. The article describes the importance and the potential of know-ledge work in small enterprises and demonstrates the difficulties in the implementation. The small structured building industry with its change towards a more and more knowledge intensive branch of business over the last years was chosen as an example to explain this approach. In a systems-theoretical model the authors describe an approach to make the application of knowledge work in small enterprises of the building sector possible.

Against the background of today’s highly competitive and dynamic market environment, the concept of changeability of producing gets increasingly important for producing companies in order to maintain or even enhance their survivability. The necessity for change in a production system is determined by the time-dependent complexity of the production tasks which change dynamically with the system’s environment. Most research in this area focuses on the approach to achieve a better changeability by the production system’s design. This paper puts another viewpoint on changeability: best way to achieve an enhanced and sustainable survivability of a production system can be achieved by an early and focused determination of the right time and amplitude of change.