In the Data Mining and Value Creation project, four master theses are currently being written dealing with the influence of digitization on industry.
Transformation effects of digitization for the low-skilled – Using the example of low-skilled employees in the logistics industry in Saxony (working title)
The Master's thesis deals with the transformation effect of digitization on low-skilled employees in the logistics industry in Saxony. The central question is whether digitization will act as a precarization or emancipation instrument for the low-skilled in the future. In concrete terms, it is to be investigated whether the digitization of work organization for the low-skilled will lead to improved working conditions and employment prospects or whether it will lead to a worse position because simple human labor will become less important. To answer this question, interviews with various actors from the political, academic, economic and trade union sphere are conducted. In addition, a literature search compares central studies on the topics of substitution potentials and competency requirements.
Tim Borsum, Digital Work (Master of Science), Chemnitz University of Technology
Digital Lead Factory concept using Saxon production sites as an example
In the course of digitization, it is of great importance for companies to remain internationally competitive through the development and implementation of new technologies, structures and processes and to expand company locations in the production network. The classic concept of the Lead Factory has existed for several years and describes a location role as a “Center of Excellence”. An interdisciplinary team develops and tests new products, production processes and structural innovations at the production site in conjunction with research and development, which are then transferred to other locations. Some Saxon company locations have potential in this context and could develop into a digital pioneer in the network.
Philipp Ebert, Economic and Social Geography (Master of Science), University of Leipzig
Cross-industry comparison to analyze the functioning of digital industrial platforms
This thesis deals with the analysis of how digital industrial platforms are functioning. Using a “cross-industry comparison”, the functionalities of current B2B platforms are to be examined and compared across industries. Digital pioneers from the fields of aviation and mechanical and plant engineering will take part in this study. They were selected because of the common challenge to successfully establish their platform on the market. From the combination of practical experience and theoretical comparative models, it is necessary to produce sustainable platform functionalities and to analyze their areas of application. These findings can then be used to formulate case-related recommendations for the strategic development and positioning of the respective platform.
Philipp Kögler, Business Administration – Marketing, Distribution, Service (Master of Science), University of Leipzig
IoT-platforms in German manufacturing companies
In recent years, the new phenomenon of platforms has attracted a great deal of attention in both business and science. Especially companies from the business-to-consumer (B2C) context such as Amazon, Facebook or Google have focused their business on this new phenomenon. Although platforms are so important in the B2C context, little is known about their use in the business-to-business (B2B) context. Nevertheless, manufacturing companies have recognized the possibilities of connecting their machines (“Internet of Things”) and using the generated data. The aim of this master thesis is to show how IoT platforms are used in German manufacturing companies, which characteristics can be observed and how they function as business models.
Lino Markfort, Business Administration – Marketing, Distribution, Service (Master of Science), University of Leipzig