• 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

Approach & method:

• Desk research based on industry reports, trade and production data, scientific literature.
• If applicable, supplementary expert interviews (e.g., from pharmaceutical companies, authorities, associations).

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

• Analysis of the current global structure of pharmaceutical supply chains with a focus on generics, APIs, and critical raw materials.
• Investigation of specific product and/or drug categories (e.g., antibiotics, painkillers, oncology drugs, mRNA vaccines) with regard to geographical production and procurement dependencies.
• Application of theoretical models to explain the siting and structural decisions of global pharmaceutical supply chains. For example:
  • Comparative Advantage Theory (cost and specialization logic)
  • Global Value Chain (GVC) Theory (fragmentation and value chain architecture)
  • Institutional Theory (regulation, quality standards, certifications, political framework conditions)
• Derivation of current systemic risks (e.g., export restrictions, geopolitical dependence, supplier failures, single-sourcing risks).
• Analysis of future trends such as reshoring, friend-shoring, EU resilience strategies, advanced therapies, platform technologies, regulation (e.g., EU Pharma Package 2023).
• Evaluation of possible future scenarios (status quo, geopolitical fragmentation, regional production clusters, increased regulatory stockpiling).
• If applicable, derivation of recommendations for action for politics and industry (e.g., diversification, strategic raw material partnerships, regulatory incentives).

Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner

Approach & method:

• Desk research based on scientific literature, industry reports, regulatory documents (FDA, EMA, GMP/GDP).
• Supplementary interviews with experts from the pharmaceutical industry (e.g., supply chain, quality, regulatory, production).

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

• Illustration of the regulatory framework governing the design of pharmaceutical supply chains (including FDA, EMA, GMP, GDP, ICH, EU pharmaceutical guidelines).
• Selection and explanation of an exemplary product or product group (e.g., vaccines, antibiotics, oncology products, biologics, generics, ATMPs) .
• Description of the end-to-end supply chain for the selected product, including raw material, API, formulation, filling, packaging, and distribution stages.
• Detailed analysis of production and production planning processes along the supply chain – based on the supply chain planning matrix according to Rohde et al. (strategic/tactical/operational + functional planning areas).
• Identification of pharmaceutical specifics (e.g., GDP, GMP, batch traceability, validation, sterilization processes, cold chain, shelf life management, security stock).
• Derivation of specific risk types (e.g., quality and compliance risks, single sourcing, regulatory supply interruptions, long lead times, capacity restrictions, temperature chain risks, raw material dependencies).
• If necessary, derivation of recommendations for action to minimize risks (e.g., dual sourcing, redesign of production networks, regulatory strategies, digital transparency solutions).

Contact: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berbner