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Changes are constantly accelerating. A major issue that companies are dealing with is how to communicate those changes in a way that is efficient and effective and therefore successful. Traditional models such as the ones by Lewin, Bridges or Kotter are reaching their limits due to the orientation on fixed vision, goals and processes. The time has come to change the way change is managed. New organizational structures are therefore required. An example of a new model to deal with the speed of change is agile management. Agility provides a platform for better communication, including the quantity and quality aspect. IMS Gear, an automotive supplier located in South Germany, is currently in the stage of a transition. Agile mindsets are anchored in their vision and strategy, yet the implementation of agile frameworks is still improvable. The PEP project is a first step into the direction of ensuring the future of the company despite all external and internal changes. Therefore, based on a model by Audi AG consultant Gergs, improvement approaches are developed.
This Bachelor Thesis aims to review previous studies in the broad field of M&A. It assesses whether M&A activities are beneficial for shareholders in terms of their returns. Effects on shareholder wealth, both in the short- and long-run, will be evaluated within this thesis. For this purpose, a large data set covering a time horizon of 64 years starting in 1950 until 2014 is used in the short-run. The long-run period involves 81 years lasting from 1929 to 2010. After an overall comparison, taking into account all takeover deals, a more detailed analysis of the announcement effects of M&As considering several different takeover characteristics will be executed. In the short-run, returns for bidder, target and combined firms’ shareholders are considered. For long-run shareholders’ wealth, data only for bidder firms will be evaluated.
The results show that shareholders of target, bidder and combined firms earn significantly positive returns upon the announcement of M&As. Most gains however accrue to target firms’ shareholders. Long-run returns to bidder firms’ shareholders seem to be negative across all three event windows. The longer the event windows, the more negative returns to shareholders. The results also demonstrate that takeover characteristics can significantly influence shareholder wealth.
Furthermore, this thesis aims to address following research questions: (1) what drives M&A activity and what are the individual motives for M&A decisions? And (2) how do several takeover characteristics impact the outcome of M&As?
Nicht zuletzt durch die vorherrschende Digitalisierung steigt die Masse generierter Daten, sowohl im privaten Bereich, als auch innerhalb von Unternehmen stetig an. Als Folge daraus nimmt der Wert von Themen wie dem Internet der Dinge und auch Big Data innerhalb der Unternehmen konstant zu. Experten die sich mit diesen Themen beschäftigen, sehen in der Nutzung der Daten ein enormes Potential, die Arbeit in Unternehmen nachhaltig zu verändern. Man denkt hierbei über ein rein datengestütztes Management sowie über datenbasierte und rationale Entscheidungsfindung nach.
Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich in diesem Kontext mit Big Data, der dadurch ebenfalls aufkommenden smarten Nutzung der Daten sowie der Anwendungsmöglichkeiten im Bereich des HR. Dafür wird zunächst der eigentliche Begriff der Big Data detaillierter betrachtet bevor auf das Data Mining eingegangen wird. Aufgrund der steigenden Notwendigkeit sich konstant an ein dynamisches Marktumfeld anzupassen, werden in dieser Arbeit zusätzlich die Big Data Anwendungsmöglichkeiten innerhalb agiler Unternehmen veranschaulicht. Diese Unternehmen weisen vor allem in Anbetracht ihrer Struktur Differenzen zu traditionellen, hierarchischen Unternehmen auf. Aufgrund dieser Tatsache werden im Kontext agiler Unternehmen, das Potenzial sowie die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten von Big Data erneut betrachtet.
Analysis of the evolution of banking sector stability in Europe since the global financial crisis
(2017)
The period of the global financial crisis followed by the sovereign debt crisis represents the strongest period of recession in Europe since the Great Depression in 1929. The response by regulators and politics were extensive regulatory reforms that influence the banking sector massively. This thesis has the purpose to describe how banking sector stability can be defined, why regulation is necessary in the banking sector and to shed light on the complicated system of the resulting regulatory institutions in Europe by means of a qualitative literature research. In addition, this thesis evaluates the effectiveness of the current regulatory reforms and the current state of banking sector stability on the basis of a quantitative analysis of risk indicators with respect to the newly introduced regulations. It can be concluded that the regulatory reforms are an improvement in stability enhancement with potential for more improvement, however. Individual banks’ stability has also improved, whereas stability in the whole banking sector cannot be considered as much greater.
Creating successful teams after an M&A is challenging enough when employees share the same location and the same cultural background, but when the team consists of people coming from different cultures and is working in different locations, social distance can cause misunderstandings, distrust and miscommunication which makes successful M&As even more challenging. After the acquisition of Letrika in Slovenia and Kokusan Denki in Japan, the workforce within MAHLEs mechatronic division became highly diverse. On the one hand, this diversification is regarded as added value, but on the other hand it bears numerous challenges in day-to day business.
This thesis aims to outline cultural differences between Japan, Slovenia and Germany that affect collaboration within this division. Using literature research and an online questionnaire, the author intends to compare theoretical concepts with actual data collected at MAHLE Mechatronics. The questionnaire also includes multiple open questions that allow examining the current situation and supports the findings with real-life examples.
The first part focuses on the theoretical framework for this thesis. In chapter two an understanding for the concept of culture is given. Different models and explanations provide fundamental knowledge to grasp the construct of culture. Chapter 2.1. depicts the Lewis model, a model developed in 1996 categorizing cultures into three groups. In chapter 2.2., the paper continues with the GLOBE model which forms the basis of the empirical research conducted at MAHLE. Afterwards, culture specific characteristics of Japan, Germany and Slovenia are portrayed and compared in order to predict possible clashes that might emerge in work-related encounters (chapter 3). The illustration of the concept of intercultural competence, a skill to manage, understand, decode and interpret behaviors and mindsets of people from different cultures, will conclude the first part of this thesis (chapter 4).
Chapter five describes the methodology used in this paper. The findings of this study are presented in chapter six and are followed by the discussion and reflection (chapter 7). The paper concludes with an analysis and interpretation (chapter 7.1.), recommendations for future action (chapter 7.2.) and limitations of the study (chapter 7.3.) highlighting the main findings of the study and emphasizing the development of intercultural competence at MAHLEs mechatronic division.
In 2008 a white paper called “Bitcoin: A Peer-To-Peer Electronic Cash System” was published by Satoshi Nakamoto. This paper describes an electronic payment system that succeeds where many have failed before. The system is called Bitcoin and it deals with the double spending problem. Also, it is a peer-to-peer decentralized system meaning that it works separately from any government or any financial institution. Bitcoin relies on cryptographic proof-of-work blocks any chance of protocol disruption. Satoshi Nakamoto called Bitcoin an electronic payment system but the public now calls it a cryptocurrency because of its similarities to a currency.
Many pessimists thought that Bitcoin could never be successful and that this technology will not have any value in the future. Despite that, a considerable amount of people believe in the possibilities of cryptocurrencies and in the possible developments that this futuristic technology could inspire, especially in the financial service sector.
This purpose of this thesis is to investigate cryptocurrencies and the financial service industry in order to examine the challenges and opportunities that cryptocurrencies deliver. Section I of the paper will look into cryptocurrencies and their mechanism. Afterwards, an analysis of whether cryptocurrencies are actual currency will be given. The next section of the thesis will cover government regulations on cryptocurrencies. Then, the paper will analyze public perception and why it is important. Section II of this thesis evaluates the current financial service system and the potential benefits of the blockchain. Central banks and moral hazards in the finance sector are examined afterwards. Then, analysis on inflation and wealth is provided. After that, a summary of the advantages and drawbacks of both the cryptocurrency system and the traditional finance service system are given, followed by a section that estimates the utilities and effects of cryptocurrencies in the future. Finally, a conclusion is derived.
Managing employee engagement in high-growth companies: The case of Red Hat in high-growth companies
(2017)
Purpose
This thesis aims to analyze employee engagement in high growth companies with the case of Red Hat.
Methodology
Primary research involved the gathering of a mix of qualitative data in the open- source IT company Red Hat in the United Kingdom. Both an interview and a focus group methodology was applied. Literature from the research fields of employee engagement was reviewed and integrated into the primary research design.
Findings
The findings showed that fast-growing companies encounter many challenges in the fields of employee impact and purpose, recruiting and retaining, career development, leadership and management, and organizational culture. Best practices on how to scale culture were worked out. The findings concluded that actionable solutions such as modifying the recruiting process for cultural fit and giving more autonomy to regional leaders and teams, can help cope with the challenges of employee engagement in a fast-paced environment.
Limitations and implications for further research
One of the main limitations of this study is the lack of literature available to link organizational growth and employee engagement. Contrasting more stable environments with change environments or using a larger sample size may potentially add to this field with further reliable and insightful findings. This issue may be re-investigated in the future as well, as the nature of change environments can affect the findings. Red Hat is a very people-focused company with a flat hierarchy. Thus, investigating this issue in more hierarchical companies could lead to different findings with different challenges and would further complete this research field.
Although sustainability reporting in China receives more attention in the past ten years, effective studies and literature of sustainability reporting are still in urgent need. A good sustainability reporting will provide stakeholders with needed information and guidance in the activities, and it also minimises the potential harm while creating economic, social and environmental values (Schaltegger & Wagner, 2006, 5). The main objectives of this research are not only to have an overall view of Chinese sustainability reporting situation but also to look into how Chinese companies will develop or what needs to be changed for a better development. To achieve this goal, sustainability reporting issued by top 10 manufacturing companies will be studied concerning GRI. During the analysis, the GRI Specific Standard Disclosures and Principle of Defining Report will be adopted to view how Chinese companies perform in sustainability reporting both in content and quality. Further, the possible elements of influencing companies development will be illustrated. Then make an attempt of what will future SR focus. The result obtained from the analysis is that Chinese sustainability reporting still have many problems in both quality and content. Most of them share the similar preference on how and what to disclose, such as focusing on resource saving. After making an explanation of what will affect future development of the companies in China, it is concluded that in the future the focus of SR will be concentrated on adoption of new energy, technology innovation, application of greener supply chain and consumption of green products.
In dieser Bachelorarbeit wird das Management der Distributionsorgane thematisiert, mit dem Ziel, das Potenzial im indirekten Absatzkanal auszuschöpfen. Die Arbeit ist hierfür in zwei Teile gegliedert. Im ersten Teil werden die theoretischen Kenntnisse erarbeitet und spezifische Instrumente sowohl für das Management der Distributionsorgane als auch für die Potenzialausschöpfung vorgestellt. Der zweite Teil setzt diese Instrumente konkret am Beispiel von Standex-Meder Electronics in die Praxis um.
Eine Vielzahl der Produkte von Standex-Meder Electronics werden über Zwischenhändler vertrieben. Somit ist ein erfolgreiches Management der Distributionsorgane ausschlaggebend für den Erflog des Unternehmens. Trotz der Wichtigkeit wurde dies bisher vernachlässigt und somit ist das Potenzial im Absatzkanal nicht voll ausgeschöpft. Durch die vorgelegte Bachelorarbeit soll hier eine Verbesserung erzielt werden, um die Leistung der Distributionspartner zu steigern und somit ebenfalls den Umsatz von Standex-Meder Electronics.
The concept of Job Crafting was developed by Amy Wrzesniewski and Jane E. Dutton in 2001. It describes job alterations initiated by employees that can occur in three different ways: Task crafting, relational crafting and cognitive crafting. The aim of Job Crafting is the better alignment of employee needs and preferences to the job demands and rewards.
In this bachelor thesis, the concept of Job Crafting will be explained and will be put into the context of similar concepts. Both, positive and negative outcomes of Job Crafting behaviour will be explained and opposed. The outcomes can have the form of increased motivation, performance and person-job fit which are intended by the Job Crafting behaviour. But misalignments of Job Crafting with organisational goals and negative impacts on colleagues on the negative side can also occur and need to be considered. The bachelor thesis also illustrates important motivators for Job Crafting and the most important aspects that play a role in Job Crafting behaviour. In the end, the thesis provides an outlook of Job Crafting based on the information that was evaluated. The aim of this bachelor thesis is to provide an insight into the concept of Job Crafting and to inform about the recent state of research on the topic.
Job Crafting is considered to be a rather positive employee behaviour that mostly results in better outcomes for employees than before Job Crafting actions. As organisation in the current economic state need to be adaptive in order to stay competitive, Job Crafting offers a solution for organisations to provide their employees with enough freedom to stay flexible. Job Crafting is not to be considered as a substitute for common Job design but rather as a complement to it that can be used by employees to further enhance their behaviour and performance. Managers should be aware of its existence and even foster it into a direction that benefits the organisation.