Abstract: This article examines how the automation technology Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can be used to optimize and automate a law firm's internal client acceptance process. Business-related service providers are intrinsically predestined for particularly intensive use of information and communication technologies (Jorgenson & Timmer, 2011, p. 25). The service sector depends on a constant flow of communication between all parties; accordingly, it can be assumed that the industry participants benefit particularly from innovations and optimizations in information and communication technologies (ICT). In addition, certain parts of the service sector are pioneers in using ICT (Jorgenson & Timmer, 2011, p. 25). While the automation of the production sector already began with the Industrial Revolution, the automation of cognitive work steps has only been possible since the widespread introduction of ICT. Despite many parallels, there are fundamental differences between this and the automation of the production sector. However, the literature shows that the increasing digitization of these sectors does not necessarily have a positive effect on their labor productivity (Flegler & Krämer, 2021, p. 38f; Sorbe et al., 2018, p. 8f). Increasingly complex IT structures are becoming a bigger problem and inhibit a positive development of the service sector (Bygstad, 2017, p. 181). This paper addresses this discrepancy and uses a case study considering automation technology to describe how the advancing digitalization of the service sector affects it. While this case study, an RPA bot was set up using UiPath to realize a proof-of-concept model for automated file creation. The bot was connected to the LegalTech software timeSensor for this purpose. In addition, the open-source document creation tool Docassemble complemented the mandate acceptance process and acted as an information interface for transfer to timeSensor. From the result evaluation, a direct comparison between automation and the human employee shows a significant improvement in the required working time, mainly be- cause manual input requires a high level of attention to detail to avoid incorrect input. The direct comparison shows significant timesaving. Thus, automation matches the quality of the initial process or even surpasses it in terms of speed. The process quality can thus be maintained or increased.

Abstract: Den Lebensmittel-Einkauf innerhalb von Minuten erledigen – und das, ohne die Wohnung zu verlassen. Mit diesem Versprechen werben seit dem Jahr 2020 Lieferdienste wie Gorillas, Flink und Getir die Verbraucher auch in vielen deutschen Städten. Inzwischen gelingt es den sogenannten Quick Commerce-Anbietern zunehmend, dem stationären Lebensmitteleinzelhandel Umsätze streitig zu machen. Während Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce) stark im Fokus der betriebswirtschaftlichen Praxis – insbesondere von Unternehmensberatungen – steht, zeigt die Analyse der in diesem Kontext verfügbaren (wissenschaftlichen) Literatur jedoch, dass das Thema Q-Commerce bislang nur rudimentär Eingang in die wissenschaftliche Forschung gefunden hat. Im Fokus dieses Beitrags steht die (ökologische) Nachhaltigkeit von Q-Commerce-Unternehmen. Es wird dabei der Forschungsmethodik „Forschung im Gegenstrom“ gefolgt. Zunächst soll der aktuelle Stand der Literatur zur Nachhaltigkeit des Q-Commerce analysiert werden. Zur Überprüfung der abgeleiteten Ergebnisse erfolgt eine empirische Untersuchung der Nachhaltigkeit des Q-Commerce durch semistrukturierte Interviews. Hierbei wird die Untersuchung auf benachbarte Formen des Lebensmitteleinzelhandels ausgeweitet – da das Thema Q-Commerce bislang nur rudimentär Eingang in die wissenschaftliche Forschung gefunden hat. Hierdurch wird die Möglichkeit zu induktiven Rückschlüssen auf den Q-Commerce eröffnet.

Abstract: In container management, the reuse of small load carriers is a business alternative to disposal carriers. Reusable container management is furthermore a solution to improve the environmental impact of the logistic industry. The sorting and stock management of small load carriers are today primarily manual work and have consequently a low level of automation. In order to increase the automation of returnable containers, it is crucial to establish a computer vision system that (i) classifies the containers and (ii) detects potential defects or stains. This paper provides an overview and a discussion of the applications that are already in use. Object detection is necessary for many actions in the container management business processes, such as inventory and stock management. Detection of defects on the small load carrier is required for scrapping the carriers to ensure a smooth process in any business process involving the carrier and to decide whether additional process steps, e.g., cleaning, are required. The literature review in this paper establishes the demand for computer vision detection and shows the project setup necessary to conduct research in this area. The comparison with other applications of defect and anomaly detection supports the applicability and shows the need for further research in this specific academic field. This leads to a project outline and the research provides the technical implementation of the detections in container management. Accordingly, the research provides a work- flow guide from data acquisition to a high-quality dataset of labeled anomalies of small load carriers.

Abstract: Despite an increasing number of physicians, the demand for medical care cannot be met in some regions of Germany. Therefore, this paper deals with the question which measures are taken to create incentives for contract physicians to settle in rural regions. The aim is to identify the measures that are being implemented at the level of the 17 associations of statutory health insurance physicians with the potential to counteract a shortage of physicians. The measures were identified using the scoping review method. Measures were included that target medical students, physicians in further training, and physicians in contract medical care and that are implemented in the districts of the 17 associations of panel physicians in order to increase the attractiveness of the medical profession in rural regions. Also, all types of literature were included. The review showed that for medical students and physicians in all regions predominantly financial, but also non-financial measures are offered. Most of the measures were identified in regions with imminent and already existing undersupply. It has also been shown that the measures address almost all of the physicians' wishes. Less attention is paid to the infrastructural wishes of the physicians, as well as childcare offers and job opportunities for the partner. Nevertheless, a shortage of physicians can still be observed and many measures show their effect only very late. Measures to counteract a shortage of physicians are still necessary. Short-term measures should also be planned in order to achieve a more rapid effect. Since infrastructural wishes of physicians are less taken into account in the measures, it makes sense to introduce further measures here as well in order to promote the at- tractiveness of rural regions.

Abstract: The term mobility has different meanings in the following science disciplines. In economics, mobility is the ability of an individual or a group to improve their economic status in relation to income and wealth within their lifetime or between generations. In information systems and computer science, mobility is used for the concept of mobile computing, in which a computer is transported by a person during normal use. Logistics creates by the design of logistics networks the infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods. Electric mobility is one of today’s solutions from an engineering perspective to reduce the need of energy resources and environmental impact. Moreover, for urban planning, mobility is the crunch question about how to optimize the different needs for mobility and how to link different transportation systems. In this publication we collected the ideas of practitioners, researchers, and government officials regarding the different modes of mobility in a globalised world, focusing on both domestic and international issues.

Abstract: Since December 18, 2021, Trenitalia has been serving Lyon and Paris in open access as an extension of the Milan - Turin - Lyon - Paris line. Goodbye monopoly (Laroche, 2022b) in the French high speed market expected for long time. It is the result of the 2011 white paper E.U. (2011) where European transport policy aims at strengthening the dynamics of competition in passenger rail transport in the E.U. For the moment, the offer concerns five relations between Paris and Lyon (and two continuing to Milano). Offices and ticket vending machines have been installed in the Lyon and Paris stations. Our paper will focus on the start-up of this service by attempting to evaluate the first six months of operation.

Abstract: Verschiedene Studien haben in den letzten Monaten darauf hingewiesen, dass der Umstieg auf die Elektromobilität in Deutschland wohl nicht so schnell vonstattengehen wird, wird anfänglich von der Deutschen Bundesregierung erhofft (vgl. u.a. FAZ, 2022; Lucas, 2022; Dataforce, 2021). Das Ziel von 15 Millionen zugelassenen E-Autos auf deutschen Straßen bis 2030 wurde daraufhin im Juli 2022 kurz aufgegeben und auf „sieben bis zehn Millionen Elektrofahrzeuge“ reduziert (vgl. Bundesregierung, 2022a), um dann später im Jahr wieder bestätigt zu werden. Der aktuelle Plan sieht weiterhin 15 Millionen zugelassene Fahrzeuge als Ziel für 2030 vor (vgl. Bundesregierung, 2022b). Doch warnt u.a. der Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) weiter: entscheidend seien nicht nur die theoretischen Modellrechnungen, „sondern auch das Bild, das in den Köpfen der Menschen vorherrsche.“ (vgl. Kartschall, 2022). Diesen Punkt hatte sich der IU Mobility Kompass schon 2019 zum Forschungsziel gesetzt und untersucht seitdem die Entwicklung der Wahrnehmung der Elektromobilität in den Köpfen junger und zukünftiger Kundengruppen. In der aktuellen Studie wird ein Fokus auf die Wahrnehmungen und Bedürfnisse der jungen E- Auto Fahrer und E-Auto Befürworter gelegt und diese in ein Verhältnis zur breiten Marktmeinung gesetzt. Es wird auf die Frage eingegangen, wie sich diese unterscheiden, und an welchen Punkten sich die Kundenansprache ändern muss, um gezielt auch diejenigen anzusprechen, die sich aktuell noch nicht für ein E-Auto entschieden haben.

Abstract: In 2015, the United Nations agreed to work together to achieve sustainable development in the world described by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since then, the issue of sustainability has become increasingly important at the global, national, regional, and local levels. The transformation to a sustainable economy also plays an important role in the fight against the climate crisis, as the latest IPCC report once again confirmed. It also states that a transformation of all economic sectors is necessary to mitigate the climate crisis to a significant extent. Therefore, it is also important to make food production and supply sustainable and create sustainable food supply chains. This paper looks into this aspect with a focus on vegetable supply chains. It especially looks at the length of vegetable supply chains and how sustainability is affected by the geographical extension of production and distribution systems. As we live in a globalized world the global mobility of goods also affects vegetables. E. g. vegetables consumed in Germany may come from all over the world. In terms of sustainability, however, this global mobility may be counterproductive. Therefore, this paper examines the influence of the geographical length of supply chains on their sustainability. For this purpose, local and regional as well as trans-regional and global vegetable supply chains are considered. The study is based on expert interviews with representatives of organizations from different vegetable supply chains. The participants represent food retailers and in- termediaries as well as farmers and community-supported agriculture initiatives. The analysis of the data shows that other factors than the length of supply chains have a high influence on its sustainability. It also shows that most of today’s vegetable supply chains are growth-dependent. However, there are business models that allow vegetable production and distribution in a sufficient oriented approach.