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The purpose of this paper is to clarify the definition and several types of obsolescence and to introduce a decision tool in order to choose the appropriate type of obsolescence according to customer expectations. Our research is based on a literature review giving insight into exiting definitions and types of obsolescence. Examples complete the research and show the practical application of obsolescence. The main findings are that although obsolescence is a widely-known concept comprising several definitions and types a decision tool for the selection of the appropriate type of obsolescence is missing. The paper offers an overview of existing definitions, types and examples for obsolescence. Moreover the paper offers an obsolescence matrix with two dimensions that can be applied as a decision tool [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper an approach to measure the innovation capability of companies is developed. Companies often have difficulties in measuring the efficiency of the generation of innovations due to the complexity of the innovation process itself and the variety of potential input and output indicators. Based on a preliminary study among 21 German companies from the ICT-sector an Input-Output-Model has been developed and tested. As a result the main input and output indicators with significant correlation to the innovation efficiency have been identified. The iTOP Innovation Capability Assessment (iTOP ICA) consists of a quantitative measurement based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and enables companies to measure their efficiency and effectiveness in generating innovations in an impartial way. This is primarily important for companies, operating in technology intensive business fields, to benchmark their Return on Innovation with further peer companies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to an ever-faster changing technological environment and the resulting consequences, companies are forced to gain knowledge on future developments more urgently than ever. Though, at the moment the detection of necessary and forward-looking information is becoming increasingly complex due to the immense amount of data which is produced in everyday-life. The detection of weak signals which provide possible developments of the future can help to gain future-oriented information. Based on the definition of the concept of weak signals this paper presents main criteria and additional criteria for tools which could act as detectors for weak signals. Furthermore, the derived criteria are linked to functionalities of social media monitoring tools. Twenty social media monitoring tools are benchmarked to these criteria or functionalities, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "Botanical Hygroscopic Shape Change Mechanisms for Composite Textile Systems," by Veronika Kapsali and Julian V. Vincent is presented.