Autor: Gergana Vladova

Assistance systems are being used increasingly in the context of digital transformation. They can support employees in industrial production processes both in the learning phase and in the active work phase. In this way, competencies can be built up in a way that is close to the workplace and the process as well as demand-oriented. This paper discusses the current state of research on the possible applications of these assistance systems and illustrates them with examples. Among other things, the current challenges are also highlighted. At the end of the paper, focal points for the future development of AI in industrial learning processes and research on this are identified.

The digital cross-linking of production environments is proceeding. Within this, the qualification requirements for the employees increase. Companies and employees can cope with this by creating and applying customized vocational training concepts. Goal of this article is to introduce an approach and a corresponding procedure model to capture framework conditions as well to configure and design context-sensitive qualification measures within a company.

Innovation is a central determinant of the competitiveness of a company. The discovery, development and realization of innovative ideas are, however, bound up with challenges and risks. Against this backdrop, new paths and resources must be demonstrated, particularly for small and mid-sized enterprises (SME). This article is concerned with the open-innovation approach in the pharmaceutical industry and describes the interaction between research and practice to open the existing innovation processes in three SME.

The research project “Open Innovation in Life Sciences” (project duration May 2008-April 2011) aims at the development and implementation of new innovation strategies and concepts for SMEs in the life sciences segment. In particular inside-out and outside-in processes in joint innovation projects beyond firm boundaries are analyzed. The life sciences segment is known as being highly research intense and interdisciplinary. As a result of the growing complexity of innovation processes, the development of cooperative, i.e. open innovation strategies for SMEs has become more important. SMEs can gain the capability to tap crucial innovation potentials by bundling distributed complementary knowledge. The article describes the development of a method which might help to evaluate opportunities and risks of different innovation concepts. This may serve as basis for decision-making regarding the implementation of a predefined innovation process. Project outcomes are expected to be an ...