Browsing by Author "Schneider, Christian"

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Open Access
Entscheidungsmodell für die Bestimmung optimaler Investitionsprogramme von Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen in der Fabrik
(Stuttgart : Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA, 2024) Schneider, Christian; Sauer, Alexander (Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Kfm.)
Im Zuge einer möglichst zügigen Reduzierung der Treibhausgasemissionen kommt der Energieeffizienz in der Industrie eine gewichtige Rolle zu. Autoren sehen begrenzte Fortschritte in der Energieeffizienz eng verknüpft mit dem begrenzt rationalen Verhalten der beteiligten Akteure. Entscheidungen in der Energieeffizienz werden demnach oftmals basierend auf unvollständigen Informationen getroffen, da die Sammlung von Informationen Beschränkungen unterworfen ist und zudem nur eine begrenzte Anzahl an Alternativen geprüft wird. An diesem Punkt zeichnet sich ein Spannungsfeld zwischen Entscheidungstheorie und industrieller Energieeffizienz ab. Die formulierte Zielsetzung des Forschungsvorhabens basiert auf der These, dass Entscheidungsträger in der Fabrik durch ein Entscheidungsmodell in ihrer rationalen Entscheidungsfindung unterstützt werden können. Die entstehenden Herausforderungen sind in ihrer Komplexität von den Entscheidern nicht mehr überblickbar und aufgrund der eingeschränkten Rationalität von menschlichen Entscheidungen nur in seltenen Fällen im mathematischen Sinne optimal. Im Fokus der Arbeit steht die Entwicklung eines Entscheidungsmodells für die Bestimmung optimaler Investitionsprogramme von Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen in der Fabrik. Mithilfe des entwickelten Artefakts kann der optimale Investitionsplan für Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen unter Einbeziehung weiterer Nebenbedingungen ermittelt werden. Zudem können unterschiedliche Gewichtungen der Zieldimensionen durch den Entscheidender berücksichtigt werden und durch eine integrierte Monte-Carlo-Simulation ermittelte Investitionsprogramme umfassend analysiert werden. Im Rahmen von zwei Fallbeispielen wird der Nutzen des entwickelten Entscheidungsmodells validiert. In Summe werden bestehende Hemmnisse in der Energieeffizienz abgebaut und hierdurch ein Beitrag zur weiteren Steigerung der industriellen Energieeffizienz geleistet. Das Entscheidungsmodell ermöglicht es, die optimalen Investitionsprogramme unter Einbeziehung weiterer Nebenbedingungen zu ermitteln.
Open Access
Establishing energy efficiency : drivers for energy efficiency in German manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises
(2020) König, Werner; Löbbe, Sabine; Büttner, Stefan; Schneider, Christian
Despite strong political efforts in Europe, industrial small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seem to neglect adopting practices for energy efficiency. By taking a cultural perspective, this study investigated what drives the establishment of energy efficiency and corresponding practices in SMEs. Based on 10 ethnographic case studies and a quantitative survey among 500 manufacturing SMEs, the results indicate the importance of everyday employee behavior in achieving energy savings. The studied enterprises value behavior-related measures as similarly important as technical measures. Raising awareness for energy issues within the organization, therefore, constitutes an essential leadership task that is oftentimes perceived as challenging and frustrating. It was concluded that the embedding of energy efficiency in corporate strategy, the use of a broad spectrum of different practices, and the empowerment and involvement of employees serve as major drivers in establishing energy efficiency within SMEs. Moreover, the findings reveal institutional influences on shaping the meanings of energy efficiency for the SMEs by raising attention for energy efficiency in the enterprises and making energy efficiency decisions more likely. The main contribution of the paper is to offer an alternative perspective on energy efficiency in SMEs beyond the mere adoption of energy-efficient technology.
Open Access
How do german manufacturers react to the increasing societal pressure for decarbonisation?
(2022) Buettner, Stefan M.; Schneider, Christian; König, Werner; Mac Nulty, Hannes; Piccolroaz, Chiara; Sauer, Alexander
From the perspective of manufacturing companies, the political, media and economic discourse on decarbonisation in the recent years manifests itself as an increasing social expectation of action. In Germany, in particular, this discourse is also being driven forward by powerful companies, respectively sectors, most notably the automotive industry. Against this background, the present paper examines how German manufacturing companies react to rising societal pressure and emerging policies. It examines which measures the companies have taken or plan to take to reduce their carbon footprint, which aspirations are associated with this and the structural characteristics (company size, energy intensity, and sector) by which these are influenced. A mix methods approach is applied, utilising data gathered from approx. 900 companies in context of the Energy Efficiency Index of German Industry (EEI), along with media research focusing on the announced decarbonisation plans and initiatives. We demonstrate that one-size-serves-all approaches are not suitable to decarbonise industry, as the situation and ambitions differ considerably depending on size, energy intensity and sector. Even though the levels of ambition and urgency are high, micro and energy intensive companies, in particular, are challenged. The present research uncovers a series of questions that call for attention to materialise the ambitions and address the challenges outlined.
Open Access
How do German manufacturers react to the increasing societal pressure for decarbonisation?
(2022) Buettner, Stefan M.; Schneider, Christian; König, Werner; Mac Nulty, Hannes; Piccolroaz, Chiara; Sauer, Alexander
From the perspective of manufacturing companies, the political, media and economic discourse on decarbonisation in the recent years manifests itself as an increasing social expectation of action. In Germany, in particular, this discourse is also being driven forward by powerful companies, respectively sectors, most notably the automotive industry. Against this background, the present paper examines how German manufacturing companies react to rising societal pressure and emerging policies. It examines which measures the companies have taken or plan to take to reduce their carbon footprint, which aspirations are associated with this and the structural characteristics (company size, energy intensity, and sector) by which these are influenced. A mix methods approach is applied, utilising data gathered from approx. 900 companies in context of the Energy Efficiency Index of German Industry (EEI), along with media research focusing on the announced decarbonisation plans and initiatives. We demonstrate that one-size-serves-all approaches are not suitable to decarbonise industry, as the situation and ambitions differ considerably depending on size, energy intensity and sector. Even though the levels of ambition and urgency are high, micro and energy intensive companies, in particular, are challenged. The present research uncovers a series of questions that call for attention to materialise the ambitions and address the challenges outlined.