• Definitions and summary of literature on immersive technologies in operations and supply chain management literature and general management literature
• Overview of current application areas or selection of one particular application area
• Desk research on provider landscape and search for business press articles/whitepapers mentioning companies applying such technologies OR own primary data collection with tool providers and/or companies
• Generating insights on barriers and enablers on immersive technology adoption OR focus on new competences required by buyers for successful technology use

• Outlook on future research refinements and training requirements

   

Kontakt: Prof. Dr. Lydia Bals

The DFH Group, one of Germany's leading manufacturers of prefabricated houses, is facing the challenge of bringing its logistics planning up to date.In future, the planning variable “running meter of wall” (instead of "houses per calendar week) is to be used as planning input. In addition, the planning process is to be digitized, including through greater use of AI. 

Objective:

Development of a new planning model for optimized tactical and operational logistics planning.
 

Approach/work instructions:

• Sharpening the project objectives
• Documentation and analysis/evaluation of the existing planning process
• Recording of framework conditions and requirements for a new planning process, including process inputs and outputs
• Design and coordination of a planning model

• Derivation of requirements for implementation (employees, technology/interfaces, process, organization) and design of an implementation plan

   

Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner

This bachelor's thesis aims to explore the possible applications of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in production planning and to evaluate its advantages, challenges, and limitations based on the current state of knowledge. The thesis is based on a systematic literature review and aims to develop a conceptual framework for classifying GenAI applications in planning processes.

Contact: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Müller

Approach & method:

• Literature research, possibly accompanying a course in the summer term 2026 and surveying students + evaluation

Possible content/examples (not all content needs to be included in the thesis):

• Analysis of the current state of research on AI avatars in education, training, and virtual learning environments
• Technological basics: generative AI, language models, emotion recognition, 3D animation, and interaction design
• Description of possible application scenarios in virtual learning factories (e.g., tutor avatar, coach avatar, production manager avatar)
• Accompanying a course using AI avatars and surveying students
• Investigating didactic added value: personalization, adaptive learning paths, feedback quality, and learner motivation
• Comparing conventional learning settings with AI avatar-based formats in terms of engagement, learning success, and acceptance
• Formulating recommendations for the implementation of AI-supported teaching

Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner

Approach & method:

• Literature research, possibly accompanying a course in the summer term 2026 and surveying students + evaluation

Possible content/examples (not all content needs to be included in the thesis):

• Analysis of the current state of research on VR/virtual learning factories in education and training
• Technological basics: modeling, simulation, VR, AR
• Supporting a course using VR/a virtual learning factory and surveying students
• Investigating didactic added value and learner motivation
• Comparing conventional learning settings with virtual learning factories in terms of engagement, learning success, and acceptance
• Formulating recommendations for the implementation of AI-supported teaching

Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner

Approach & method:

• Literature research, survey of supply chain experts + evaluation

Possible content/examples (not all content needs to be included in the thesis):

• Literature review and definition and development of a conceptual reference model for a digital supply chain twin
• Identification of key use cases (e.g., inventory optimization, bottleneck forecasting, CO₂ monitoring, scenario simulation)
• Evaluation of benefits in terms of transparency, resilience, efficiency, and decision support
• Investigation of technical, organizational, and cultural challenges in implementing a supply chain twin

Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner