@masterthesis{Erkan, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Erkan, Meri}, title = {The Role of Marketing Automation in Customer Buying Behavior during the Covid-19 Pandemic}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-17237}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {125}, abstract = {The aim of this thesis is to explore the importance of marketing automation in the customers' buying behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic has forced companies to reach out to their customers through digital platforms, the marketing strategies had to be adapted. A mixed method approach is used in this thesis, combining primary sources and data from a empirical study from an online survey, to answer the research question and test four hypothesis that are related to the impact of marketing automation on the customer behavior. The study found out that while there was an increase in personalized advertisements on social media, it is unclear how much customers were influenced. However, the thesis shows that marketing automation can be an effective to for improving the relationship between customers and companies. Furthermore, social media has become very importance for the customers' purchasing decisions. The findings help to understand the role of marketing automation in the pandemic and provides insights for companies to help adapting their marketing strategies in the future. Future research could explore insights from companies and suggest improved marketing strategies to reach out to potential customers more effectively.}, language = {en} } @misc{Shrestha, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Shrestha, Natasha}, title = {Consumer view on social media brand communication during the pandemic}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-17255}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {88}, abstract = {Brand communication through social media has grown significantly in recent years specifically during the covid-19 pandemic, becoming one of the most popular and effective forms of online communication for businesses and consumers. Due to the tremendous increase in social media brand communication during the COVID pandemic, businesses need to study the views or the response of consumers to it and understand how to fully leverage it. With the objective to understand the consumer's views toward social media brand communication during the pandemic, influencing factors of social media brand communication were first examined, and then consumers' responses towards those factors were studied. Two research questions were developed to execute the study. The thesis first relies on a literature review to assess the influencing factors of social media brand communication during Covid-19. Then the thesis, in the empirical part, applies the qualitative research method by conducting semi-structured interviews with 10 participants grouped by aged 25-34 and users of both Facebook and Instagram. The interview was conducted via ZOOM, audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using MAXQDA. The result showed that the influencing factors of social media brand communication were informativeness, entertainment, credibility, interactivity, and electronic word of mouth. In general situation, the brand's product information and value-related information were the central focus of the consumers but during the covid pandemic covid related information, CSR, health-related messages in entertaining form, source expertise, high level of brand interaction and word of mouth from the trusted sources were the influencing factors of social media brand communication. Consumers responded favorably to those brands that were able to incorporate all these factors in social media brand communication. The study is limited to Facebook and Instagram users in Germany who are between the ages of 25 and 34.}, language = {en} } @techreport{Starcevic, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Starcevic, David}, title = {Der Schutz der Privatsph{\"a}re im Grundgesetz und in der Rechtsprechung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-16683}, pages = {6}, abstract = {In diesem Arbeitspapier, welches im Zuge des Moduls Grundlagen Recht an der Fakult{\"a}t f{\"u}r Kommunikation und Umwelt an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal entstand, wird die Privatsph{\"a}re im Sinne des Grundgesetzes und im Lichte der Rechtsprechungen des BVerfG, vor allem am Beispiel des in dem darin verankerten allgemeinen Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsrechts (Art. 2 Abs. 1 GG i.V.m. Art.1 Abs. 1 GG) erl{\"a}utert.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Karsten, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Karsten, Can}, title = {Using machine learning to create dynamic customer journeys in digital environments.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, abstract = {This research aims at analysing how machine learning can be used to create individualised customer journeys to improve customer experience. This work develops the new model of machine learning keters inaided dynamic customer journeys , which should help marimproving customer journey design to address customers' needs. Additionally, the model could be a comprehensible tool for marketing strategy formulation. In an empirical study consisting of a survey with 168 participants and a trained machine learning mod el with a dataset size of 1000 cases, this model is validated. Results show that a machine learning model can be used commercially to cluster users into personas and that a recommendation system can be built to dynamically adapt the customer journey to give each persona an individualised experience. Future research should aim at further practical validation of the correlation between user experience improvement and persona based customer journey design.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Gooren, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Gooren, Lutz}, title = {K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz in einer Geodateninfrastruktur}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-17005}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {63}, abstract = {K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz in Form von neuronalen Netzen wird in der {\"o}ffentlichen Verwaltung bislang wenig eingesetzt. Im Zuge der Digitalisierung im Bereich der {\"o}ffentlichen Verwaltung m{\"u}ssen bestehende Datens{\"a}tze, welche nicht- oder schwer maschinenlesbar sind, {\"u}ber offene Schnittstellen und Datenstandards bereitgestellt werden. Sch{\"a}tzungsweise 80 \% der erfassten Daten sind in der {\"o}ffentlichen Verwaltung nicht- oder schwer maschinenlesbar. In dieser Arbeit soll gepr{\"u}ft werden, ob ein k{\"u}nstliches neuronales Netz, welches auf der ImageNet Datenbank basiert und durch weitere Beispiele trainiert worden ist, bestehende (nicht-maschinenlesbare) Datens{\"a}tze in Tabellenform aus dem Bereich der Geoinformatik erkennen und in einer passenden Datei mit offenem Datenstandard (teil-)automatisiert speichern kann, um diese f{\"u}r den Einsatz in einer offenen urbanen Datenplattform vorzubereiten. Zudem werden Optimierungsvorschl{\"a}ge f{\"u}r eine Verbesserung des neuronalen Netzes genannt und umgesetzt. Im Laufe der Arbeit ergibt sich, dass das trainierte Modell f{\"u}r den praktischen Einsatz nicht ausreichend genau funktioniert, aber eine gute Basis f{\"u}r weitere Optimierungen liefert, etwa durch eine Vergr{\"o}ßerung des Trainingsdatensatzes, welche die Anforderung einer Steigerung der Rechenleistung voraussetzt.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Sattler, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Sattler, Viviane Ellena}, title = {Narzissmus im organisationalen Kontext - Die Bedeutung von Narzissmus und Emotionsregulation im F{\"u}hrungsprozess}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-16949}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {105}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Bedeutung von Narzissmus und Emotionsregulation im F{\"u}hrungsprozess. Dabei wurden die Hypothesen H1: Personen, welche im privaten Sektor arbeiten, haben eine h{\"o}here Auspr{\"a}gung des Narzissmus als Personen, welche im {\"o}ffentlichen Sektor t{\"a}tig sind, H2: F{\"u}hrungskr{\"a}fte haben eine h{\"o}here narzisstische Auspr{\"a}gung als Mitarbeitende und H3: Je h{\"o}her die Auspr{\"a}gung des Narzissmus von F{\"u}hrungskr{\"a}ften, desto h{\"o}her die Emotionsregulation, {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft. Die Ergebnisse, welche durch eine Stichprobe von 178 Teilnehmenden, davon 138 Mitarbeitende und 40 F{\"u}hrungskr{\"a}fte erreicht wurden, zeigten, dass Personen im privaten Sektor eine h{\"o}here narzisstische Auspr{\"a}gung als Personen im {\"o}ffentlichen Sektor haben und F{\"u}hrungskr{\"a}fte eine durchschnittlich h{\"o}here narzisstische Auspr{\"a}gung als Mitarbeitende aufweisen. Sowohl Hypothese eins als auch Hypothese zwei wurden somit best{\"a}tigt. Die Berechnungen zeigten ebenfalls, dass es keinen signifikanten Zusammenhang zwischen der Emotionsregulation von F{\"u}hrungskr{\"a}ften und der narzisstischen Auspr{\"a}gung gibt, weshalb die dritte Hypothese verworfen wurde.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Wienands2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Wienands, Noa Lilly}, title = {The Motivation behind the International Mobility of German University Graduates and Students: A focus on Economic Perceptions and Aspirations for Cultural and Professional Growth}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22620}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {89}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis examines the motivations behind the international mobility of German university students and graduates focusing on the role of economic conditions, personal motives, the labor market and perceived career opportunities. It evaluates how the assessment of these aspects influences the willingness to pursue a life and career abroad through a review of existing literature and an online survey conducted by the author. The theoretical background draws on Push-Pull Theory to present migration motives, Neoclassical Economics and the New Economics of Labor Migration to highlight economic reasons and the evaluation of cost and benefits, and Expectancy-Value Theory and Self-Determination Theory to examine the connection of expectations and intrinsic motivations and values related to migration intentions. The data of the survey, conducted among German university students and graduates shows that the economic assessment is not a main motivator for a life abroad but a mix of socioeconomic factors can increase the willingness to go abroad. The study highlights the importance of personal reasons, especially personal growth and cultural experience as it increases the willingness among educated Germans to migrate. Professional growth particularly, if evaluated as better abroad as well as a bad assessment of the German labor market increase the willingness for international mobility. The thesis contributes to a better understanding on the dynamics behind the international mobility intentions among highly skilled individuals in Germany.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Koch2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Koch, Daniel}, title = {Emotionserkennung {\"u}ber den Einsatz von Messinstrumenten.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Die zuverl{\"a}ssige Erkennung von Emotionen mittels Herzfrequenzvariabilit{\"a}t ist eine große methodische Herausforderung, da Verfahren von der Emotionsinduktion {\"u}ber die Datenbereinigung bis zur Modellierung stark voneinander abweichen. In diesem Method-Paper wurden die verschiedenen methodischen Entscheidungen systematisch dargestellt und anhand eines exemplarischen Studiendesigns verdeutlicht. Die Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass bisher kein einheitliches methodisches Vorgehen definiert wurde. Demnach sollten das Studiendesigns an die gew{\"u}nschten Anwendungssituationen angepasst werden. Untersuchungen im Rahmen der Emotionsforschung sollten demnach mit einer festen Zielsetzung und umfassender Planung erstellt werden.}, language = {de} } @misc{Afzal2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Afzal, Umair}, title = {AI-Driven Comic Generation: Exploring the Creative Potential of Generative AI in Digital Storytelling}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22581}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {111}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Creative sectors have accepted AI into their industry for establishing modern methods of generating digital content. This study introduces a novel AI-based framework based on AI technology, using GANs along with Stable Diffusion models to automate comic development. This study looks at juxtaposing narrative outlining through text with automated visual generation toward an integrated system that produces adaptable comic panels with appropriate visual structure. The research methodology that the project has followed can be built on three cornerstones: advanced GAN schemes for text generation and pre-processing, followed by image synthesis through Stable Diffusion. A specially developed algorithm for speech bubbles determined the optimal placement of that text, so it would function well and maintain a semblance of beauty. By iteratively refining and tuning the model, this system was evaluated. Initial observations regarding visual coherence and narrative alignment were hopeful, but further tests using quantitative metrics-for instance, FID for images and BLEU for text, as well as broader user feedback-would be needed to validate the efficacy of the model entirely. The impediments were, however, GAN mode collapse, irregular speech-bubble layout, and inconsistent artistic styles. Further research would uncover the potential role of AI systems in easing the comic generation process for creators, educators, and designers of digital content to enhance accessibility and efficiency. This method shows promising applicability in various domains like automated narratives, customizable comics, and educational material. Further along the way, the scientists plan to improve panel storytelling, create an intuitive interface, and expand the dataset to include more artistic styles. Such enhancements could maximize the gain from automated comic conception.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Simsek2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Simsek, Seyda}, title = {The Impact of Increasing Use of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management on Employees}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22687}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {58}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This study examines the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in human resource management (HRM) and its effects on employees, considering both operational benefits and the ethical, social, and psychological implications. Its analyzes real-world applications of AI in recruiting, performance management, talent development, and HR administration using qualitative secondary data from academic papers, industry publications, and case studies published between 2018 and 2024. To examine employee experiences, organizational issues, and ethical implications, a combined analytical approach is used, which incorporates the Technology Acceptance Model, Job Demand-Control Model, human-centered AI concepts, and the European Commission's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI. While AI can increase effectiveness, reliability, and strategic HR results, the findings highlight concerns about algorithmic bias, reduced human engagement, and risks to employee autonomy and well-being. This paper addresses the significance of organizational planning, transparency, and responsible oversight in AI implementation, highlighting that technology should supplement rather than replace human judgment. The study offers an understanding of the human-centered and ethical aspects of AI in HRM, as well as insights for organizations seeking to use AI responsibly while maintaining employee trust and engagement.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Tariq2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Tariq, Suleman}, title = {Optimising Heat Loss Reduction and Facilitating the Transition to Biogas in Industrial Applications.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This study has evaluated the heat loss potential and energy consumption at the industrial level. Notably, heat loss on a large scale at the industrial level has been recognized as neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. Moreover, the continued use of fossil fuels (natural gas) has been reviewed as unsustainable due to their adverse effect and limited availability, posing challenges for the present and future. Heat loss is optimized at the continental production site in Villingen-Schwenningen. Heat loss through exhaust fans, which extract heat from inside the building and release it to the environment to maintain the internal temperature, has been analysed. The released heat is lost in the environment. To recover this energy loss, the integration of a plate-to-plate heat exchanger is proposed. This approach recovers the rejected heat to preheat the incoming fresh air supply, replacing the traditional heat coil operated on natural gas. Additionally, the transition of natural gas to biogas has been explored. The district heating twin pipe (DN 80) is considered for the smooth flow of thermal energy. For this project, a financial analysis of return on investment (ROI) for 10 years is conducted, the thermal energy flow rate over 2.1km, and heat loss during the transfer phase are calculated. The results have shown significant importance for the recovered energy by integration of a plate-to-plate heat exchanger; yearly, 1.2 GW of energy can be recovered, reducing the consumption of natural gas and making a complete transition towards biogas, economically and environmentally beneficial.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Kumar2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kumar, Vivek}, title = {Assessing Sustainability Reporting Obligations and Regulatory Compliance for LINEG: An Analysis of EMAS Alignment with Emerging EU Directives.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis assesses the preparedness of LINEG, a German public water utility, for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). It evaluates the extent to which LINEG's EMAS-based environmental disclosures align with CSRD/ESRS and where extensions are required to meet comprehensive ESG obligations. The analysis is grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Valente's Stage Model to connect accountability expectations with organizational sustainability maturity. Methodologically, a qualitative case study and qualitative content analysis are applied to LINEG's EMAS statements and relevant regulatory texts, using deductive categories derived from CSRD/ESRS and SASB, complemented by inductive coding to capture LINEG-specific themes. Peer utilities are referenced to contextualise findings. Findings show a strong environmental foundation— externally validated data on energy, emissions, water, and biodiversity—indicating partial readiness for ESRS E-standards. However, material gaps remain in social and governance areas (e.g., workforce metrics, affordability and service quality indicators, stakeholder engagement processes, and board-level oversight of sustainability). Applying Valente's model positions LINEG between Defensive and Isolated stages: largely compliancedriven, with initiatives not yet embedded across strategy and governance. The thesis proposes a roadmap to consolidate environmental disclosures into ESRS structures, conduct a double-materiality assessment, expand S and G indicators, formalise stakeholder engagement, and assign clear governance responsibilities. Limitations arise from a single-case, document-based approach and the evolving German transposition of CSRD, which may adjust timelines and specific requirements once fully enacted.}, language = {en} } @misc{Aziz2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Aziz, Sk Tarik}, title = {The Impact of Employee Job Satisfaction on Organization's Long-Term Performance}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-23053}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {266}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of employee job satisfaction on organizational long-term performance and focus on the key factors that increase satisfaction among employees. Previous research has mostly focused on short-term organizational outcomes, and there is limited evidence about the factors that enhance job satisfaction and ensure long-term performance of an organization. To fill this gap, qualitative research was conducted, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and the data was analyzed using MAXQDA software. The findings represent some of the factors that significantly increase job satisfaction, such as positive and supportive work environment, flexibility and autonomy at work, career growth and continuous learning opportunities, and fair compensation with meaningful recognition. The participants repeatedly highlighted these factors as a source of enhancing motivation, dedication, commitment, and employee performance. The study suggests that when organizations actively follow and implement these factors, it is more likely to increase employee satisfaction and satisfied employees improve productivity, achieve organizational goals, and increase a higher level of dedication, which ensures organizational long-term performance.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Ustritski, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Ustritski, Nikita}, title = {Competitiveness of Green vs. Traditional Companies: A Comparative Study in the Automotive, Hospitality, and Fashion Industry}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-23123}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {80}, abstract = {This thesis compares short-term and long-term competitiveness between green and traditional companies in the automotive, hospitality, and fashion industries. Existing research rarely examines multiple industries together or evaluates competitiveness using both time perspectives, creating a clear research gap. The research question asks how green and traditional companies differ in financial performance, innovation, consumer trust, and regulatory responsiveness. The hypothesis proposes that green companies show lower short-term competitiveness, but higher long-term competitiveness than traditional firms. A qualitative comparative case study approach is applied using secondary data, including annual reports, sustainability disclosures, ESG ratings, and international regulatory frameworks. Six companies are analysed: Tesla and Toyota in the automotive sector, Hilton and Wyndham in hospitality, and Kering and H\&M in fashion. Their competitiveness is assessed through a structured framework that distinguishes between immediate business outcomes and long-term strategic development. The findings show that traditional companies perform better in the short term due to efficient cost structures, established operating models, and stable supply chains. Green companies, however, achieve stronger long-term competitiveness by investing in innovation, transparency, and alignment with tightening regulatory and consumer expectations. Tesla, Hilton, and Kering demonstrate superior long-term performance, while Toyota, Wyndham, and H\&M maintain advantages mainly in the short term. The results support the hypothesis and highlight sustainability as an important driver of long-term competitiveness. The study offers cross-industry insights for academics, managers, and policymakers and identifies opportunities for future research on sustainable business models.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Sueyruege2026, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {S{\"u}yr{\"u}ge, Ey{\"u}p}, title = {Vergleich von FPGA und Mikrocontroller f{\"u}r die Echtzeitverarbeitung von Audiosignalen zur Richtungserkennung mittels FFT und TDOA einschließlich LED-basierter Visualisierung}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-23229}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {57}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, ein praxisnahes System zur Echtzeitverarbeitung von Audiosignalen mit dem Fokus auf der Richtungsbestimmung von Schallquellen zu entwickeln. Als Hardwareplattformen werden daf{\"u}r ein Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) und ein Mikrocontroller (MCU) eingesetzt. Dabei konzentriert sich die Arbeit auf die Untersuchung der beiden Plattformen, wobei die Leistungsf{\"a}higkeit, Genauigkeit und Ressourceneffizienz verglichen werden. Zu diesem Zweck werden Algorithmen der Signalverarbeitung, besonders die Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) und die Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), implementiert und ausgewertet.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Ko2026, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Ko, Tin Long}, title = {The advancement of the ball point game}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Lean management concepts are dynamic, yet students often meet them as static definitions. This thesis advances the Ball Point Pen Game into a production simulation that exposes bottlenecks, queues, work-in-process accumulation and defects while keeping the pen-assembly task simple and standardised. Using design-based research, one design-test-reflect cycle was executed: redesign requirements were derived from Lean and lean-game education literature, implemented as roles, control rules and learning objectives, and piloted in class. The revised game increases complexity without adding product difficulty by introducing an explicit order-release rhythm (takt), separated material and information flows, visual control, and progressive pull logic across three rounds. Across rounds, batch size is reduced stepwise, supermarket/Kanban replenishment is introduced, and a simple poka-yoke prevents assembly errors. A pilot execution with seven students evaluated the redesign using a single-group pre-post knowledge test, a post-game perception questionnaire, and in-game KPIs (throughput, lead time, WIP and defects) supported by observation notes. Results are interpreted as exploratory due to the small sample and lack of a control group. Participants reported high engagement and that game discussions helped translate observations into improvement actions, aligning with prior evidence that simulation games can support understanding and transfer in Lean education. However, implementation deviations required by the small group (role merging and ad-hoc facilitation changes) reduced instruction clarity for at least one participant. The thesis delivers a reusable player/instructor manual plus design rationales and measurement procedures to guide the next test and a larger evaluation with stronger internal validity.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Muesch2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {M{\"u}sch, Yannick}, title = {Kolmogorov-Arnold-Transformer: Untersuchung hybrider KAN-Transformer-Architekturen im Hinblick auf Skalierung, Effizienz und Interpretierbarkeit}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-23376}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {85}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Transformers have become the de-facto standard architecture in Machine Learning, particularly in Natural Language Processing. However, they are computationally expensive to train, with approximately two-thirds of non-embedding parameters residing in Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLPs). Liu et al. (2024) revisited the long-disregarded Kolmogorov-Arnold representation theorem and demonstrated promising results in specific domains such as symbolic regression and PDE solving. Whether Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) generalize to other domains, particularly NLP, remains an open research question. This work systematically evaluates five architecture configurations: MLP baseline, MLP with B-Spline activation, KAN with B-Spline, KAN with Mean aggregation, and Group-Rational KAN (GR-KAN) - across three model sizes (15M, 41M, 124M parameters). Experiments are conducted on text classification ("AG News") and language modeling ("FineWeb") tasks. Identical components (attention, embeddings) isolate performance differences to the feed-forward topology. Statistical validity is ensured through multiple random seeds and parameter-matched comparisons. KAN-based architectures achieve performance parity with MLPs on classification tasks (±0.5 percentage points accuracy). However, they consistently underperform on language modeling, with perplexity increases of +7 to +28 points. Training efficiency overhead ranges from 1.5-2.0× for KANs, while GR-KAN approaches baseline speed. Notably, KANs exhibit significantly higher sparsity (≈ 90\% vs. ≈ 40\%), enabling compression factors of 1.4-1.6× with minimal performance degradation. The MLP+B-Spline control condition reveals that performance deficits stem from KAN topology rather than activation functions. KANs present a viable alternative for discriminative NLP tasks but do not outperform MLPs for generative language modeling. The postulated interpretability advantage through learnable activation functions could not be empirically confirmed - learned functions degenerate to quasi-linear transformations. Future research should explore alternative basis functions and selective hybridization strategies.}, language = {de} } @misc{ParayilSivan2026, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Parayil Sivan, Kavya}, title = {Design and Evaluation of a Mobile Application to Support Autistic Passengers in Air Travel. From Identifying User Needs to Assessing its Effectiveness in Reducing Anxiety and Enhancing Travel Preparedness}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-23492}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {88}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Air travel can present significant accessibility barriers for autistic travellers. This study examined the needs, requirements, and challenges experienced by level 1 and level 2 autistic travellers during air travel and evaluated the effectiveness of a user-centred mobile application in reducing anxiety, improving their travel preparedness, and creating a more predictable air travel experience. A mixed-methods approach was employed for the study. In the beginning, an online survey with 35 participants (21 autistic individuals and 14 support persons) was conducted to understand the need, requirement and challenges of the autistic participants. Findings from the survey showed generally low satisfaction among autistic travellers who has prior air travel experience. The major challenges were related to unpredictability, sensory overstimulation, complex airport procedures, difficulty finding sensory-friendly spaces, and in-flight discomforts. Based on the insights from the survey, a high-fidelity mobile application prototype was designed to work across different airlines and airports providing real-time flight updates, airport and airline specific accessibility information, navigation support, communication cards, and travel checklists. The prototype was then evaluated with 5 autistic participants through a moderated remote usability test followed by a post-test interview and questionnaire. The results showed that features such as real-time flight updates, travel checklists, navigation support, and accessibility information were effective and perceived as helpful in reducing anxiety and increasing preparedness but some discoverability issues were identified in the prototype showing the need to iterate it. Overall, the findings suggest that the application is functionally effective and usable but only partially effective in improving overall travel experience as external environmental factors like airport procedures, in-flight discomforts are beyond the scope of the application. The study also highlights that a thoughtfully designed mobile application can partially support autistic travellers by improving the predictability and helping them prepare for the journey. This study contributes to the growing research on accessibility for autistic individuals by examining air travel challenges and evaluating a user-centred mobile application.}, language = {en} }