Bachelor-Seminar
SM 452 für Bachelorstudierende (Wirtschaftsinformatik)
Allgemeines
| Verantwortlicher Dozent | Prof. Dr. Armin Heinzl |
|---|---|
| Veranstaltungsart | Seminar |
| Leistungspunkte | 5 ECTS (WI ab HWS 2013), 4 ECTS (WI bis HWS 2013) |
| Sprache | Englisch |
| Prüfungsform und -umfang | Seminarpapier (70%), Presentation (20%), Diskussionsbeitrag (10%) |
| Prüfungstermin | Siehe Infos zur Veranstaltung |
| Infos für Studierende | Registrierung: Bitte beachten Sie unten stehende Informationen! |
Désirée Zercher, M.Sc.
Ansprechpartner Bachelor-Seminar
Bei Fragen wenden Sie sich bitte an Désirée Zercher.
Infos zur Veranstaltung
New Frontiers in Digital Transformation
Kurzbeschreibung
Digitale Technologien und die ständig wachsende Datenmenge verändern unser tägliches Leben und die Wirtschaft radikal. Digitale Technologien, die in den Kern der Produkte, Abläufe und Strategien vieler Unternehmen eingebettet sind, führen in allen Branchen zu einer raschen Umgestaltung bestehender Unternehmen. Rund um die Nutzung dieser digitalen Technologien entstehen neue Marktangebote, Geschäftsprozesse und Geschäftsmodelle, die zu digitalen Innovationen führen1. Die Allgegenwärtigkeit digitaler Technologien verändert unser Verständnis von Informationssystemen (IS) grundlegend, insbesondere im Hinblick auf ihre Entwicklung, Koordination, Nutzung und die Art und Weise, wie wir mit ihnen interagieren. An unserem Lehrstuhl bieten wir ein breites Spektrum an Forschungsthemen im Bereich der Informationssysteme an, wobei wir uns auf neue digitale Technologien wie künstliche Intelligenz (KI) und maschinelles Lernen (ML) konzentrieren. In unserer Forschung nehmen wir die Perspektiven der Mensch-Computer-Interaktion, des Systemdesigns, der Wertschöpfung oder der Organisation ein.
In unserem Seminar werden wir die Gestaltung digitaler Technologien sowie deren Auswirkungen auf Individuen und Organisationen untersuchen. Dabei verknüpfen wir die angebotenen Themen mit unserer laufenden Forschung, die in führenden internationalen Zeitschriften veröffentlicht wurde und wird.
1. Nambisan, S., Lyytinen, K. & Yoo, Y. Handbook of Digital Innovation. 2–12 (2020) doi:10.4337/9781788119986.00008.
Möchten Sie mehr über digitale Innovation erfahren? Werfen Sie einen Blick auf unseren Masterkurs IS 607 (https://www.bwl.uni-mannheim.de/en/heinzl/teaching/digital-innovation/) und/
oder sehen Sie Nambisan, S., Lyytinen, K. & Yoo, Y. Handbook of Digital Innovation, (2020), doi:10.4337/9781788119986. Ziel des Seminars
In diesem Seminar erwerben Sie die Fähigkeit, vorhandene Forschung zu identifizieren, einzuordnen und zu bewerten. Sie lernen, ein eigenes Forschungsprogramm zu entwickeln sowie dieses zu präsentieren und mit den Seminarteilnehmern zu diskutieren. Sie werden in verschiedenen Techniken des wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens und Schreibens unterrichtet, so dass Sie optimal auf die Konzeption und das Verfassen Ihrer Masterarbeit vorbereitet werden. Wir bieten verschiedene Themenbereiche an, die hoffentlich Ihr Interesse wecken.
FSS 2025
Registrierung
Die Registrierung erfolgt ausschließlich über das Online-Registrierungsportal (erreichbar innerhalb des Uni-Netzwerkes oder über VPN). Während des Registrierungszeitraums können Sie das Seminar im Anmeldeformular auswählen.
Registrierungszeitraum: siehe Termine
Anforderungen:
- Kurzes formloses Motivationsschreiben (maximal 1 Seite):
Bitte wählen Sie ein Thema und begründen Sie Ihre Wahl, z. B. was Sie besonders interessiert und was Sie lernen möchten. Bitte geben Sie auch zwei alternative Themen an.
- Lebenslauf und Studienergebnisse (Notentranskript)
Es werden weder Registrierungen per E-Mail noch unvollständige Formulare im Registrierungstool berücksichtigt.
Themen
Die Studierenden werden gebeten, ein formloses Motivationsschreiben (maximal 1 Seite) zu verfassen, in dem Sie dieThemenauswahl darlegen und kurz begründen.Dieses Motivationsschreiben stellt neben dem Lebenslauf und dem Notentranskript eine wichtige Referenz für die Seminarzulassung dar.
Explainable AI, Counterfactual Reasoning As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly shapes critical decisions across domains, understanding its decisions becomes essential. Counterfactual explanations provide one approach to illuminate AI decisions by revealing how specific input changes would affect outcomes. These explanations can offer insights into causal relationships and provide actionable guidance for users. While counterfactuals are commonly applied structured (tabular) data, their application to unstructured data—text, images, and time series—presents significant challenges. Unstructured data's high dimensionality complicates counterfactual generation: text modifications must preserve grammar and coherence, image changes must maintain visual plausibility, and time series require temporal consistency. These challenges require advanced methods for generating meaningful counterfactuals. This seminar thesis explores algorithms and techniques for generating counterfactual explanations in unstructured data domains. It examines recent advancements, identifies key challenges like plausibility and complexity, and discusses applications in fields such as healthcare. Florian Rüffer Team-AI Collaboration, AI Team Members Generative AI systems, such as Github Copilot, are transforming the day-to-day work of software developers. These systems can assist developers in various tasks. However, software development is often a team-based process where several developers collaborate on a single project. Despite the potential of these AI tools, little is known about how generative AI systems impact collaboration, organizational learning, and knowledge transfer among software developers. This seminar thesis should systematically review the literature to answer the question of how generative AI changes (or does not change) collaboration and knowledge transfer during the software development process. It should also help identify whether AI benefits or harms these processes and their impact on the overall effectiveness of software development. Desiree Zercher Data Network Effects in Software Platforms In the digital economy, software platforms have become pivotal in shaping competitive landscapes. Data network effects are a key driver of competitive advantage, arising when user-generated data enhances platform functionality, attracting more users and creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Unlike traditional network effects, data network effects leverage machine learning and data-driven insights to improve service quality and innovation. This seminar thesis will conduct a literature review of Information Systems research to explore how software platforms utilize data network effects to achieve scalability, sustain competitiveness, and shape market dynamics in the context of GenAI. Students will gain insights into the role of data in platform ecosystems, data-driven business models, and strategic challenges in leveraging data network effects. A good place to start: Gregory et al. 2021: https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/134220/1/WRAP-role-artificial-intelligence-data-network-creating-user-value-Henfridsson-2020.pdf Chen et al. 2024 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Liang-Chen-92/publication/383426140_Algorithm_Envelopment_in_Platform_Markets/links/66cd03d475613475fe7f506e/Algorithm-Envelopment-in-Platform-Markets.pdf Tobias Maier Digital Fashion Artefacts 1 – Automation of Avatar Creation The creation of 3D avatars using AI is transforming digital marketing and online interactions. With advanced AI methods, we can generate 3D avatars for various applications, from virtual reality to social media. This seminar thesis will explore the current state of algorithms used for automating avatar generation. In this thesis, the student will conduct a structured literature review to identify and analyze existing AI algorithms for 3D avatar creation. The aim is to understand the capabilities, limitations, and contexts in which these algorithms are applied. The research can cover methods for both the generation of new avatars (e.g. rigs, textures). Additionally, the thesis will examine how these algorithms have been evaluated and validated, focusing on their realism, quality, and adaptability, and whether they were compared with manually created avatars. The thesis should provide insights into the effectiveness of AI in producing engaging and realistic virtual characters. Applicants should have a background in computer science or a related field, with an interest in AI and/ or digital marketing. Experience with programming and AI frameworks is advantageous. Rosa Holtzwart Digital Fashion Artefacts 2 – Virtual Try on The rise of Virtual Try-On (VTO) technologies has revolutionised how consumers interact with products in digital spaces, particularly in fashion and e-commerce. By allowing users to visualise how clothing, accessories, or cosmetics appear on personalised avatars, VTO offers an engaging and immersive shopping experience. However, the implementation of VTO extends beyond technological innovation, raising critical questions about user perception, behavioural responses, and the broader implications for consumer decision-making and business models. Existing research underscores the potential of VTO to enhance purchase intention and satisfaction, particularly through features like self-avatar customisation and real-time interaction. Nonetheless, there is a need to consolidate and deepen understanding of the theories, methodologies, and outcomes related to VTO. This seminar thesis invites students to conduct a structured literature review on VTO, exploring its development, application, and influence on consumer behaviour. The aim is to synthesise existing findings to shed light on: Theoretical frameworks explaining the user-avatar relationship in VTO contexts, such as self-congruity and social presence. Technological considerations, including realism, beautification, and personalization of avatars. User outcomes, such as engagement, trust, purchase intention, and long-term behavioural shifts. By providing a comprehensive overview of the literature on VTO, the thesis will contribute to advancing knowledge in this rapidly evolving field, with implications for both academic research and industry practice. Rosa Holtzwart Manipulation and AI This seminar thesis investigates literature on the use of technology in manipulation and examines how generative AI (genAI) amplifies existing manipulative strategies while enabling new forms of influence. The ability to manipulate human perceptions, decisions, and behaviors is central to a range of societal phenomena, including targeted advertising, political propaganda, and behavioral nudging. This literature review will synthesize studies from disciplines such as psychology, management, information systems, and ethics to understand the mechanisms of technological manipulation. The goal is to integrate insights on traditional manipulation methods with recent advancements in genAI to explore how this technology reshapes the manipulation landscape. Furthermore, the thesis will evaluate mitigation strategies, including technical, regulatory, and ethical frameworks, to address the risks posed by AI-driven manipulation and propose avenues for future research. Deborah Mateja Mobile Health Technologies Topic 1 (Context-Adaptiveness): Mobile health applications (mHealth) are promising tools for promoting healthy behaviors, but their effectiveness depends on sustained user engagement and prolonged use. One way to increase and ensure long-term engagement with mHealth are context-adaptive personalization strategies. In this seminar thesis students are expected to search for, review, and analyze studies on adaptive mHealth technologies designed to promote healthy behaviors, such as regular physical activity. The focus will be on how these technologies leverage contextual information for personalization, feedback adaptation, and enhancing social interaction. Key considerations include the types of contextual data collected, methods of data gathering, and strategies employed to ensure user privacy and data protection. Mechthild Pieper Mobile Health Technologies Topic 2 (Engagement Strategies): Mobile health technologies (mHealth) are promising tools for supporting individuals' behavior change, but their effectiveness depends on sustained user engagement and prolonged use durations – challenges that persist despite extensive research on how to increase engagement over longer use durations. The primary goal of this thesis is to investigate and evaluate the engagement strategies employed in mHealth applications, as reported in major Information Systems and Health journals. The review will also examine which strategies are most effective, how app use has been measured and quantified in existing studies, and whether the identified strategies are universally applicable or context-specific. The findings will provide insights into best practices and guide future research on designing engaging mHealth technologies. Mechthild Pieper IS Affordances Topic 3 (IS Affordances): The concept of technology affordances is a key topic in discussions surrounding Information Systems (IS) use and its outcomes. Originally rooted in ecological psychology, the idea of affordances has become a prominent lens for examining IS use over a decade ago. Since then, extensive research has expanded and refined the understanding of IS affordances. However, this body of research remains dispersed across various studies, papers, and journals, making a comprehensive summary of recent developments and their implications difficult to access. For this seminar thesis, students are expected to conduct a thorough review, analysis, and synthesis of the literature on IS affordances. The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of how this theoretical concept is understood, applied, and utilized in IS research. Good starting points are: ● Chemero, A. (2003). An Outline of a Theory of Affordances. Ecological Psychology, 15(2), 181–195. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15326969ECO1502_5 ● Volkoff, O., & Strong, D. M. (2017). Affordance theory and how to use it in IS research. In R. D. Galliers & M.-K. Stein (Eds.), The Routledge Companion to Management Information Systems (1st ed., pp. 232–245). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315619361-18 ● Markus, M. L., & Silver, M. (2008). A Foundation for the Study of IT Effects: A New Look at DeSanctis and Poole’s Concepts of Structural Features and Spirit. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 9(10), 609–632. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00176 Mechthild Pieper Nudges; User Behavior; IS Use The increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves, driven by climate change, pose significant challenges to public health, infrastructure, and daily life. Information systems (IS) play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by facilitating adaptive behavior and mitigating risks. Developers of IS have an opportunity to nudge individuals to adopt behaviors that reduce heat-related risks, such as staying hydrated, reducing or changing the location of outdoor activity during peak heat, and using cooling measures effectively. IS technologies can leverage dynamic environmental and behavioral data—such as local temperature, user health metrics, and activity patterns—to deliver personalized nudges. However, little is known about how these systems can best encourage behavior change during heat waves. This seminar paper will explore how nudges, tailored messages, and dynamic adaptations can influence behavior to reduce the impacts of extreme heat. Dr. Monica Fallon Platform ecosystems, platform launch, Artificial Intelligence Software platforms have fundamentally transformed global industries, as prominent and successful examples such as Google, Microsoft, or Apple show. These enterprises have demonstrated the immense potential of platforms to drive innovation and foster interactions. Notably, platform business models have flourished in markets in which information technology is a central part of the final product. Despite the success stories of existing platforms, achieving platform ignition and establishing a sustainable competitive position remains a key challenge for platform owners, especially in nascent phases of platform development. In light of the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a core technological driver, the question is whether the principles and strategies of traditional platform business models are applicable to AI-centric platforms, such as OpenAI’s API ecosystem and Hugging Face, which adopt platform strategies. In a seminar thesis within this topic area, students are expected to review extant platform research focusing on the determinants of growth in early phases of platform development and elaborate on their applicability to AI-platform contexts. Dr. André Halckenhäußer Kursüberblick und -termine
Event Zeitraum / Deadline Arbeitsergebnisse Registrierungszeitraum 03.02. – 06.02.2025 (23:59) – Registrierung über das Online-Tool – Fügen Sie Ihren Lebenslauf, das Notentranskript und Ihr Motivations¬schreiben an Versand der Bestätigungen 13.02.2025 (mittags) Deadline zum Rücktritt 14.02.2025 (mittags) Kick-Off Meeting 18.02.2025, 15:00 pm – 15:45 pm Room: A001, L 15, 1–6 – Teilnahme an der Kick-Off-Einführungsveranstaltung
– Kontakt und Treffen mit Ihrem Betreuer1. Meilenstein 04.03.2025 Ersten Entwurf bei Ihrem Betreuer einreichen: – Detaillierte Gliederung – Literatur¬verzeichnis 2. Meilenstein 01.04.2025 Zweiten Entwurf bei Ihrem Betreuer einreichen: – Inhaltsverzeichnis – Einführung: vollständig formuliert – Methodik: vollständig formuliert – Ergebnisse: strukturierter Entwurf – Diskussion: strukturierter Entwurf Abgabe der Arbeit 15.04.2025 (mittags) – Senden Sie Ihre Seminararbeit bis 12:00 Uhr im PDF-Format an Désirée Zercher (zercher@uni-mannheim.de) und fügen Sie die Mailadresse des Sekretariats des Lehr¬stuhls (wifo1@uni-mannheim.de) als CC hinzu. – Reichen Sie zwei Ausdrucke so bald wie möglich nach dem Abgabetermin beim Sekretariat ein. – Senden Sie eine digitale Version der Seminararbeit (im PDF-Format) per E-Mail an Ihren Betreuer Abgabe der Präsentation 29.04.2025 (mittags) – Optional: Bitten Sie Ihren Betreuer vorab um Feedback zur Präsentation – Senden Sie Ihre Präsentation im PDF-Format per E-Mail an Désirée Zercher Präsentation 27.05.2025 & ggf. 28.05.2025 Room: Experience Lab – Besuchen Sie das Seminar und beteiligen Sie sich aktiv an der Diskussion am Seminartag – Präsentieren und diskutieren Sie Ihre Seminararbeit im gemeinsamen Workshop – Diskussion und Feedback für mindestens eine Seminararbeit der anderen Studierenden Literatur
- Webster, J., & Watson, R. (2002). Analyzing the Past to Prepare for the Future: Writing a Literature Review. MIS Quarterly, 26(2), XIII-XXIII.
- Leidner, D. E. (2018). Review and theory symbiosis: An introspective retrospective. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 19(6), 1.
Für den Zugriff auf die Literatur müssen Sie sich im VPN der Universität Mannheim befinden.