Dynamische Fähigkeiten und Unternehmenserfolg: Untersuchung des Mediationseffekts der Unternehmensinnovativität

Veränderung ist eine Konstante im heutigen unternehmerischen Wettbewerb - sei es eine Veränderung der Kundenbedürfnisse, eine Veränderung im Sinne des technologischen Fortschritts oder eine Veränderung des Wettbewerberumfelds. Dadurch werden Unternehmen kontinuierlich vor die Herausforderung gestellt, ihre unternehmerische Wertschöpfung regelmässig an die jeweilige Veränderung anzupassen. Nur wenn diese Anpassung gelingt, können Unternehmen einen nachhaltigen Unternehmenserfolg erzielen. Für die Anpassung der unternehmerischen Wertschöpfung ist ein abgestimmtes Set an Fähigkeiten erforderlich. So müssen Unternehmen zunächst in der Lage sein, Veränderung in den verschiedenen Dimensionen – Kunden, Technologie, Wettbewerber – zu erkennen. Anschliessend müssen Unternehmen aus der erkannten Veränderung angemessene Handlungskonzepte ableiten können, anhand derer die unternehmerische Wertschöpfung angepasst werden kann. Schliesslich müssen Unternehmen über Fähigkeiten verfügen, die Handlungskonzepte realisieren zu können. Diese drei Arten von Fähigkeiten bilden das Grundgerüst des Konzepts dynamischer Fähigkeiten („Dynamic Capabilities“) nach David J. Teece. Mit dem Konzept der Rekonfiguration unternehmerischer Wertschöpfung anhand dynamischer Fähigkeiten hat Teece eine Möglichkeit geschaffen, nachhaltigen Unternehmenserfolg in veränderlichen Märkten zu erklären. Durch das Konzept wird allerdings noch nicht die Frage beantwortet, wie sich die Rekonfiguration konkret manifestiert und zum Unternehmenserfolg beiträgt. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wird eine Antwort auf diese Frage entwickelt. Es wird die These aufgestellt und überprüft, nach der die dynamischen Fähigkeiten positiv auf die Unternehmensinnovativität wirken. Als Resultat der verbesserten Unternehmensinnovativität sollten Unternehmen dann einen nachhaltigen Erfolg erzielen können. Dazu werden im ersten Teil der Untersuchung (Kapitel 1-4) die Forschungsfragen aus der Literatur abgeleitet, und es werden die zu überprüfenden Hypothesen entwickelt. Im zweiten Teil (Kapitel 5-9) werden zunächst die Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Vorstudie vorgestellt. Danach folgen die Erläuterungen der Operationalisierungen sowie der Untersuchungsmethodik. Im Anschluss werden die Ergebnisse der quantitativen Untersuchung präsentiert und erläutert. Abschliessend werden die Ergebnisse kritisch diskutiert und Schlussfolgerungen für die Forschung sowie die unternehmerische Praxis abgeleitet.

The role of glucosinolates and the jasmonic acid pathway in resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana against molluscan herbivores

Although slugs and snails play important roles in terrestrial ecosystems and cause considerable damage on a variety of crop plants, knowledge about the mechanisms of plant immunity to molluscs is limited. We found slugs to be natural herbivores of Arabidopsis thaliana and therefore investigated possible resistance mechanisms of this species against several molluscan herbivores. Treating wounded leaves with the mucus residue (‘slime trail’) of the Spanish slug Arion lusitanicus increased wound-induced jasmonate levels, suggesting the presence of defence elicitors in the mucus. Plants deficient in jasmonate biosynthesis and signalling suffered more damage by molluscan herbivores in the laboratory and in the field, demonstrating that JA-mediated defences protect A. thaliana against slugs and snails. Furthermore, experiments using A. thaliana mutants with altered levels of specific glucosinolate classes revealed the importance of aliphatic glucosinolates in defending leaves and reproductive structures against molluscs. The presence in mollusc faeces of known and novel metabolites arising from glutathione conjugation with glucosinolate hydrolysis products suggests that molluscan herbivores actively detoxify glucosinolates. Higher levels of aliphatic glucosinolates were found in plants during the night compared to the day, which correlated well with the nocturnal activity rhythms of slugs and snails. Our data highlight the function of well-known antiherbivore defence pathways in resistance against slugs and snails and suggest an important role for the diurnal regulation of defence metabolites against nocturnal molluscan herbivores.

Lamb Temporal Bone as a Surgical Training Model of Round Window Cochlear Implant Electrode Insertion

OBJECTIVE The preservation of residual hearing in cochlear implantation opens the door for optimal functional results. This atraumatic surgical technique requires training; however, the traditional human cadaveric temporal bones have become less available or unattainable in some institutions. This study investigates the suitability of an alternative model, using cadaveric lamb temporal bone, for surgical training of atraumatic round window electrode insertion. INTERVENTION A total of 14 lamb temporal bones were dissected for cochlear implantation by four surgeons. After mastoidectomy, visualization, and drilling of the round window niche, an atraumatic round window insertion of a Medel Flex24 electrode was performed. Electrode insertion depth and position were verified by computed tomography scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE All cochleas were successfully implanted using the atraumatic round window approach; however, surgical access through the mastoid was substantially different when compared human anatomy. The mean number of intracochlear electrode contacts was 6.5 (range, 4-11) and the mean insertion depth 10.4 mm (range, 4-20 mm), which corresponds to a mean angular perimodiolar insertion depth of 229 degrees (range 67-540°). Full insertion of the electrode was not possible because of the smaller size of the lamb cochlea in comparison to that of the human. CONCLUSION The lamb temporal bone model is well suited as a training model for atraumatic cochlear implantation at the level of the round window. The minimally pneumatized mastoid as well as the smaller cochlea can help prepare a surgeon for difficult cochlear implantations. Because of substantial differences to human anatomy, it is not an adequate training model for other surgical techniques such as mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy as well as full electrode insertion.

Antifactor Xa Activity for the Management of Anticoagulation during Cardiac Surgery

Background In patients with autoimmune diseases associated with antiphospholipid antibodies, precise management of anticoagulation during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is complicated. It was the aim of the present study to determine whether antifactor Xa (aXa) activity is useful in guiding heparin therapy during ECC. Methods In 15 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) and its reversal with protamine were guided using activated clotting time (ACT) (>400 second during ECC; ≤100 second for UFH reversal). For each ACT, the corresponding aXa activity levels were measured. Results A total of 144 blood samples were obtained. ACT and aXa activity were significantly correlated (r = 0.771, p< 0.0001, Spearman rank-order correlation). Using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses, the cutoffvalues for aXa activity were 1.14 IU/mL (area under the ROC curve [AUC]: 0.89; inaccuracy rate: 9.4%) to predict ACT > 400 seconds and 0.55 IU/mL (AUC: 0.85; inaccuracy rate: 13.3%) for ACT ≤ 100 seconds. Conclusion AXa activity is strongly correlated with ACT, and therefore may be feasible for managing anticoagulation with UFH during ECC.

Scientific drilling projects in ancient lakes: Integrating geological and biological histories

Sedimentary sequences in ancient or long-lived lakes can reach several thousands of meters in thickness and often provide an unrivalled perspective of the lake's regional climatic, environmental, and biological history. Over the last few years, deep-drilling projects in ancient lakes became increasingly multi- and interdisciplinary, as, among others, seismological, sedimentological, biogeochemical, climatic, environmental, paleontological, and evolutionary information can be obtained from sediment cores. However, these multi- and interdisciplinary projects pose several challenges. The scientists involved typically approach problems from different scientific perspectives and backgrounds, and setting up the program requires clear communication and the alignment of interests. One of the most challenging tasks, besides the actual drilling operation, is to link diverse datasets with varying resolution, data quality, and age uncertainties to answer interdisciplinary questions synthetically and coherently. These problems are especially relevant when secondary data, i.e., datasets obtained independently of the drilling operation, are incorporated in analyses. Nonetheless, the inclusion of secondary information, such as isotopic data from fossils found in outcrops or genetic data from extant species, may help to achieve synthetic answers. Recent technological and methodological advances in paleolimnology are likely to increase the possibilities of integrating secondary information. Some of the new approaches have started to revolutionize scientific drilling in ancient lakes, but at the same time, they also add a new layer of complexity to the generation and analysis of sediment-core data. The enhanced opportunities presented by new scientific approaches to study the paleolimnological history of these lakes, therefore, come at the expense of higher logistic, communication, and analytical efforts. Here we review types of data that can be obtained in ancient lake drilling projects and the analytical approaches that can be applied to empirically and statistically link diverse datasets to create an integrative perspective on geological and biological data. In doing so, we highlight strengths and potential weaknesses of new methods and analyses, and provide recommendations for future interdisciplinary deep-drilling projects.

Early repolarization, left ventricular diastolic function, and left atrial size in professional soccer players

Recent data have suggested a relation among long-term endurance sport practice, left atrial remodeling, and atrial fibrillation. We investigated the influence of an increased vagal tone, represented by the early repolarization (ER) pattern, on diastolic function and left atrial size in professional soccer players. Fifty-four consecutive athletes underwent electrocardiography, echocardiography, and exercise testing as part of their preparticipation screening. Athletes were divided into 2 groups according to presence or absence of an ER pattern, defined as a ST-segment elevation at the J-point (STE) > or =0.1 mm in 2 leads. For linear comparisons average STE was calculated. Mean age was 24 +/- 4 years. Twenty-five athletes (46%) showed an ER pattern. Athletes with an ER pattern had a significant lower heart rate (54 +/- 9 vs 62 +/- 11 beats/min, p = 0.024), an increased E/e' ratio (6.1 +/- 1.2 vs 5.1 +/- 1.0, p = 0.002), and larger volumes of the left atrium (25.6 +/- 7.3 vs 21.8 +/- 5.0 ml/m(2), p = 0.031) compared to athletes without an ER pattern. There were no significant differences concerning maximum workload, left ventricular dimensions, and systolic function. Univariate regression analysis revealed significant correlations among age, STE, and left atrial volume. In a stepwise multivariate regression analysis age, STE and e' contributed independently to left atrial size (r = 0.659, p <0.001). In conclusion, athletes with an ER pattern had an increased E/e' ratio, reflecting a higher left atrial filling pressure, contributing to left atrial remodeling over time.

Nachhaltige Geschichte. Festschrift für Christian Pfister

Nachhaltigkeit, Klimawandel und Umweltschutz sind zu festen Bestandteilen der politischen und medialen Agenda geworden. Als Christian Pfister in den 1960er Jahren mit den Wechselwirkungen zwischen Mensch, Umwelt und Raum in Berührung kam, wurden diese Fragen noch kaum diskutiert. Mit seinen Forschungen zur Geschichte des Klimas, der Naturkatastrophen, der Energie und des Verkehrs bewies er ein feines Gespür für zukunftsweisende Themen. Als einer der ersten Historiker wagte er sich an eine Verknüpfung von klimatischen, wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und demographischen Prozessen, deren Bestandteile er später zu einer Wirtschafts-, Sozial- und Umweltgeschichte zusammenfügte. Seine Forschung ist der nachhaltigen Entwicklung verpflichtet: der ökologischen und sozialen Verträglichkeit sowie der wirtschaftlichen Effizienz. Dieses «magische Dreieck» dient Christian Pfister als Interpretationsrahmen, der seinen Blick auf die Vergangenheit beeinflusst und seinen Forschungen sowohl innerhalb als auch ausserhalb der Geschichtswissenschaft eine nachhaltige Wirkung verschafft hat.