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Makerspaces foster creativity, collaborative work and craftsmanship. Anyone interested can use tools, machines and technologies to realize their own projects and develop their technical skills in the process. They also provide an inspiring environment where people with different backgrounds and expertise come together to learn, experiment and support each other. The following article discusses the importance, features and equipment of makerspaces, in particular the Innovation Laboratory Digitalization, which promotes interdisciplinary work at the Trier University of Applied Sciences and serves as an interface to the specialized labs. In addition, the process of prototyping is described using several application examples.

In order to realize future improvements in circular product properties such as lifespan extension, continued use or high-quality recycling, industrial product development and design processes must take the entire ecological and economic life cycle of products into account. This article uses a company example to explain how such processes can be captured and analyzed using the Makigami method to support a comprehensive “Design for Circularity” concept. The chosen approach facilitates the identification of the application points of circular design decisions and the implementation of validated circular economy principles.

Companies with traditional working and manufacturing structures face the challenge of progressive digitalization and internationalization. In order to adapt, many companies aim to develop digital and agile working skills and competences. This paper describes the conception of a digital platform to promote agility in innovation of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in structurally weak regions and to contribute to their innovativeness and future viability.

Digital transformation is a crucial factor for the competitiveness of companies. This article explores obstacles and their interrelationships in establishing digital business models in medium-sized family businesses as well as initial approaches to overcoming these obstacles.

The topic of Openness is of growing importance for industry, especially in Europe. However, the term Openness is used very differently. Openness includes several concepts, including Open Source Hardware, Open Source Software, Open Data, Open Standards, Open Innovation, Open Science and Open Education. The concepts address different dimensions of Openness, all based on some kind of participation and with the goal to create more transparency and accessibility. This article defines the concepts and provides a basic understanding of their importance for industry and for greater sustainability.