Paderborn University and Weidmüller: Successful research insights for corporate transformation by management students
In the course of the mobility transition, e-mobility is becoming increasingly important in order to achieve sustainability goals in the transport sector. Funding programmes are intended to create incentives for drivers to switch to e-mobility. In addition to support for the purchase of electric vehicles, this also includes funding for charging stations. This results in great potential for companies in the e-mobility sector. The social and entrepreneurial relevance of digitalisation is also increasing. Companies must adapt their working methods in order to remain competitive and meet the increasing demands on technology and efficiency. These two topics are accompanied by exciting challenges and opportunities for the marketing of charging stations and change management in companies. This winter semester, students on the Capstone Course got to the bottom of this together with Weidmüller.
In two projects - one with a marketing focus and one with a personnel and organisational focus - the Paderborn University students developed answers to research questions from business practice. The "Marketing" project team, for example, employed the question of how market access in e-mobility can be designed to maximise the use of local/European funding guidelines. The "Personnel/Organisation" project team analysed how employees are currently positioned with regard to digitalisation in the company and where further potential can be exploited.
Research-based recommendations for practical action
Under the expert guidance of Prof Dr Lena Steinhoff and Michelle Mertens, the Master's students carried out a comprehensive analysis of Weidmüller's potential. Following an in-depth conceptual analysis, qualitative and quantitative studies were carried out in order to develop well-founded recommendations for action for the company based on the findings of the various project phases. By using scientific concepts and methods acquired during their Master's degree programme, the students generated exciting insights for corporate practice.
Katja Köster from Weidmüller draws a positive conclusion from the collaboration: "With their project work, the students have not only competently developed practical recommendations for action, but their achievements can also be compared with those of a professional consulting company. The results exceeded our expectations and revealed significant potential for the marketing of wallboxes and our internal digitalisation at Weidmüller." Lena Steinhoff is also delighted as head of the department: "This is great and well-deserved feedback for our Master's students, who showed great commitment throughout the semester and put their heart and soul into the project."
The successful collaboration between Paderborn University and Weidmüller as part of the Capstone Course once again emphasises the importance of cooperation projects between business and science in university teaching.
Practical orientation firmly anchored in management studies
The Capstone Course is an integral part of the Master's degree programme in Management at Paderborn University. This module enables students to deal with practice-relevant questions from a cooperation partner and to deepen their application and transfer skills. Students contribute their diverse perspectives and specialist knowledge from the three main areas of the degree programme (Human Resource Management, Marketing, Organisational Development) to the project teams.
The Capstone Course is offered once a year in the winter semester in collaboration with changing cooperation partners. The team at the chair led by Prof. Dr. Lena Steinhoff is looking forward to the next round in the winter semester 2024/2025. Michelle Mertens, research assistant and co-supervisor of the module, brings extensive experience from corporate practice to the table and emphasises: "The Capstone Course equips students with crucial skills for everyday working life. The module is a great preparation for future career entry."
