Paderborn University participates in the new "KONVOY" research project
Whether energy, mobility, production or municipal services: More and more industries are relying on functioning systems to exchange data in a secure and standardised way. Until now, however, there has been a lack of methods for designing complex cooperation structures or planning their development in advance. In the new research project "Configuration and co-evolution of data ecosystems and work systems" ("KONVOY"), scientists at the Heinz Nixdorf Institute at Paderborn University are working together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO and the University of Stuttgart to develop models, scenarios and simulations that help to shape cooperation in data ecosystems in a sustainable and public-interest-oriented manner. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is funding the project with around 2.2 million euros.
Forward-looking and systematic design of data-driven collaborations
"Data ecosystems enable companies and organisations to share data and use it to create value. They represent the operating systems of the future global data-driven economy and currently offer great opportunities for innovation," explains Bernhard Teller from the Advanced Systems Engineering department at the Heinz Nixdorf Institute. To date, however, there have been no systematic methods for specifically organising and managing complex collaborations within data-driven value creation networks. "As a result, resources are used inefficiently, partnerships fail and potential remains unutilised. In particular, there is a lack of approaches that take equal account of technical, organisational and social aspects and their interactions," says Teller. The project partners are therefore working together on a set of methods that will make it possible to configure constellations and the organisation of work with foresight and responsibly tap into potential through the co-evolution of the actors involved.
"Value creation in data ecosystems only works if everyone involved thinks about technical and organisational decisions together and takes their interactions into account. With 'KONVOY', we are providing methods to plan systems collaboratively and simulate the effects of decisions - for reliable cooperation," says Dr. Jens Neuhüttler, Head of Research at Fraunhofer IAO.
Simulations show development paths for future value creation
In the research project, the scientists are initially focussing on developing an integrative framework concept and the tools required for this. Scenario-based visions of the future for data ecosystems and work systems are then developed. The project team then models value creation networks and develops simulations that show how different configurations could have an impact in the future. This creates a basis for decision-making for business, science, administration and politics.
The project team will also analyse other funded projects until the end of 2028 as part of the "Future of Value Creation" specialist programme. In this way, they will gain cross-industry insights into the targeted design and success factors of value creation in data ecosystems and prepare the results for transfer.
This text was translated automatically.
