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The objective of this study is to create a new e-learning artefact for SAP S/4 Hana training purposes. Based on Design Science Research, a new prototype of an e-learning artefact has been developed. The prototype is grounded on didactic and information systems theories, as well as models. The aim of this new prototype is to transfer knowledge of business processes with the new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) SAP S/4 HANA in an effective and efficient way. The study is validated through an experiment with a treatment and a control group. While the treatment group learns with the new e-learning artefact, the control group keeps with the existing conventional training. Results show that the treatment group have significantly less dropouts than the control group, and that the treatment group could also finalize the SAP S/4 Hana exercises in less time. This study shows also how companies can benefit significantly using the same approach through a set of guidelines.

The world of digitalisation is changing the way how people and business companies communicate with each other. Electronic negotiations represent one of the most important forms of business communication and can influence the successes and failures of companies in a significant way, whether in interorganisational or intraorganisational processes. Analysing negotiation interactions to determine pattern-based peculiarities in the communication offers new value-adding information concerning the management of optimised communication processes, even though the machine-based processing of communication data bears a series of challenges. The present book develops a new approach to analyse the automated pattern recognition potential of Machine Learning methods in unstructured negotiation communication. It presents holistic research frameworks for the effective detection of structural patterns and reveals the pattern labelling potential in high-dimensional communication data by analytically implementing a series of Machine Learning methods.

The book addresses the problem of a time-varying unconditional variance of return processes utilizing a spline function. The knots of the spline functions are estimated as free parameters within a joined estimation process together with the parameters of the mean, the conditional variance and the spline function. With the help of this method, the knots are placed in regions where the unconditional variance is not smooth. The results are tested within an extensive simulation study and an empirical study employing the S&P500 index.

Organisations are involved in various types of negotiation. As digitalisation advances, such business negotiations are to a large extent electronic negotiations. Consequently, dedicated training for such electronic negotiations is important for mastering negotiation skills. The present book develops a new approach for a motivating and improved e-negotiation training by applying gamification, i.e. using game design elements in a non-game context, in order to improve participants' motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes. A negotiation support system used within an e-negotiation training is enhanced with game design elements. The book describes the design process, its theoretical foundations, and the evaluation of the gamified negotiation support system. The final quantitative evaluation shows higher motivation, engagement and better learning outcomes for participants in the gamified training compared to a conventional training. Organisations can employ the designed artefact for fundamental and effective e-negotiation training. Additionally, the book provides insights in how to design a gamified system for a particular application context.

Multinational companies transfer managerial practices such as quality management globally. Studies from different perspectives have examined cultural, institutional, and organizational challenges in practice transfer, however, little is known about the micro-processes of intercultural transfer, especially in complex cultural settings as Brazil. Integrating the recontextualization perspective and Scandinavian institutionalist transfer-as-translation approach, this book explores micro-processes of transfer from German MNC to Brazilian subsidiaries from a multiple cultures perspective. Findings show the complementary nature of micro-processes of translation and recontextualization, embedding them into a process model of four stages: Preparation, translation, recontextualization, and institutionalization. Intercultural transfer can be considered an iterative and multi-level process in which practices diffuse from individuals, to teams, to the organization. The book contributes to international management by cross-fertilizing the two approaches, by highlighting cultural and institutional particularities of the Brazilian context using a culturally sensitive methodology, and by showing the transformative power of managerial practices on organizations and ecosystems.

In this book, the planning of assembly lines for uncertain demand is tackled and optimization algorithms are offered for the balancing of such lines. Building an assembly line is a commitment of several months or even years, it is understandable that the demand will fluctuate during the lifetime of an assembly line.

This book appeals to higher education scholars from various disciplines and practitioners looking for an overview and in-depth insight into cooperative study programs (CSPs). Higher education scholars identified CSPs a challenge to higher education governance despite the simultaneous lack of empirical data.

The overall goal of this book is the identification of design features and prerequisites for a CRM-system, which contribute to an increase in sales and the overall development of corporations in the packaging industry.

The exploration of inspiration from a scientific perspective is not easy. Marketing scholars have also become interested in the topic and started to uncover customers' inspiration in the marketing domain. First, customer inspiration is defined and conceptualized within the marketing domain.