In the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the concept of digital platforms has received significant attention. Although IIoT platforms revolve around similar business objectives, they address a variety of use cases and, thus, differ considerably in their architectural setup. While research has already investigated IIoT platforms from a business or design perspective, little is known about their underlying technology stack and its implications.

To unveil different IIoT platform configurations and better understand their architectural design, we systematically developed and validated a taxonomy of IIoT platforms’ architectural features based on related literature, real-world cases, and expert interviews. On this foundation, we identified and discussed four IIoT platform archetypes.

Our findings contribute to the descriptive knowledge in this ambiguous research field, while also elucidating the interplay of IIoT platforms’ architectural setup and their purpose. From a managerial viewpoint, our results may guide practitioners in comparing and selecting a suitable IIoT platform.

Our paper “A Taxonomy of Industrial IoT Platforms’ Architectural Features” co-authored by Laurin Arnold, Jan Jöhnk, Florian Vogt and myself hat been accepted for presentation at the 16th International Conference on Wirtschaftsinformatik (WI 2021).

Algorithms that create previously unseen, yet realistic images and melodic music? Machine learning models that literally read human minds? Peter Hofmann, Timon Rückel and I shed light on the capabilities of Deep Generative Learning and are happy to present our paper "Innovating with Artificial Intelligence: Capturing the Constructive Functional Capabilities of Deep Generative Learning" at the 54th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS-54).

Our article "Digitalisierung in der Justiz – Vertrauen in digitale Dokumente durch Blockchain-Technologie" (Digitalization in justice – Trust in digital documents through blockchain technology) has been published in Wirtschaftsinformatik & Management and is available online (Open Access).

Our paper "A contingency lens on cloud provider management processes" co-authored by Severin Oesterle, Jan Jöhnk, Robert Keller, Xin Yu and me has been accepted for publication in Business Research and has already been published online (Open Access).

The discussion paper "Software-defined Business – Implications for IT Management" which I co-authored together with Rainer Alt, Jan Marco Leimeister, Thomas Priemuth, Stephan Sachse and Nico Wunderlich has been pubslished in  Business & Information Systems Engineering (BISE) (online first).

I received the Best Paper Award 2019 from transfer – Zeitschrift für Werbung, Kommunikation und Markenführung for my article "Die Digitalisierung des Marketings – Wie innovative Technologien die Marktkommunikation verändern" (The digitalization of marketing – How innovative technologies change market communication).

In the context of our research project InDEED, we held a blockchain webinar covering fundamentals, applications, and advancements of the technology (in German).

The whitepaper "The Advance of the Machines – Vision and Implications of a Machine Economy" (so far only available in German) elucidates the opportunities offered by the combination of the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain technology. The convergence of these technologies enables machines to act autonomously in economic processes. The whitepaper analyzes the vision of such a machine economy, explicates its implications for companies, and makes it tangible by means of three use cases.

As of October 1st, 2020, I will take over a new responsibility at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences where I will hold the professorship of Information Systems, especially Digital Business & Mobility. After more than seven memorable and fantastic years at the University of Bayreuth, I have decided to stop commuting several hours per week and to work in Frankfurt where I live with my family since several years.

At the same time, I am pleased to remain in the management team of the Project Group Business and Information Systems Engineering of Fraunhofer FIT as well as the FIM Research Center. Together with my team in Bayreuth, I will continue my work in the research fields of strategic IT management, digital transformation, managing AI, and blockchain. Further, I will maintain my close collaboration with the University of Bayreuth in several initiatives and research projects.

Leaving the Faculty of Law, Business and Economics at the University of Bayreuth with its fantastic colleagues was quite a tough decision. Thanks to its president, Stefan Leible, the University of Bayreuth with its increasing focus on entrepreneurship and digitalization topics has developed into a very vibrant and innovative place with fantastic opportunities especially for young researchers. Furthermore, developing the information systems group in Bayreuth together with Torsten Eymann, Max Röglinger and Gilbert Fridgen into one of Germany’s IS hotspots was quite a rewarding journey.

Now, I am very much looking forward to the new challenges and experiences in Frankfurt as well as the continued cooperation with my existing partners!

This week, I gave the opening keynote talk on DLT in mobility and logistics at Blockchain 2020 organized by the Finanz & Wirtschafts Forum. The event took place at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institut in Rütschlikon/Zurich, Switzerland.