The development of mechatronic systems has always been characterized by continuous handling of uncertainties. This challenge, which is associated with dynamic changes in the development context, is increasingly met by companies in the development of physical systems with the implementation of agile approaches in their development processes. However, since established approaches have their origin in software development, they reach various limits in the context of the development of mechatronic systems, e.g. due to the physical properties of the systems. Other features, such as transparent and flexible project management or targeted and early involvement of customers and users in development processes, can also be implemented in mechatronic system development. In order to derive the potentials and limits of existing agile approaches for the context of mechatronic system development, the present paper compares existing approaches with regard to relevant factors from the context of mechatronic system development. The aim is to create a basis for the targeted development, adaptation and use of agile approaches in the field of mechatronic system development.

Digital platform business models are disrupting traditional business processes and reveal a new way of creating value. Current validation processes for business models are designed to assess pipeline business models. They cannot grasp the logic of digital platforms, which increasingly integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure success. This study developed a new validation process for early market validation of digital platform business models by following the Design Science Research methodology. The designed process, the Smart Platform Experiment Cycle (SPEC), is created by combining the Four-Step Iterative Cycle of business experiments, the Customer Development Process, and the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop of the Lean Startup approach and enriching it with the knowledge of digital platforms. It consists of five iterative steps showing the startup how to design their platform business model and corresponding experiments and how to run, measure, analyze, and learn from the outcomes and results. To assess its efficacy, applicability, and validity, SPEC was applied in the German startup GassiAlarm, a service marketplace business model. The application of SPEC revealed shortcomings in the pricing strategy and highlighted to what extent their current business model would be successful. SPEC reduces the risk of building a product or service the market deems redundant and gives insights into its success rate. More applications of the SPEC are needed to validate its robustness further and to extend it to other types of digital platform business models for improved generalization.

With rising need for innovation within a complex and dynamic world, cooperation between complementary partners offers potential to create competitive advantage. Early-stage start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can exploit opportunities by cooperating early and jointly developing new innovation. Despite research into cooperation between established start-ups and SMEs existing, there is no specific concept or support options for cooperation in an early stage. Intermediaries are named as a helpful support option; however specific tasks are not analysed. This research provides insight into various support options in the context of cooperation between early phase start-ups and the German “Mittelstand”. Within the framework of the Design Research Methodology (DRM) the results of a literature research and qualitative interviews are presented in a Reference and Impact Model, which show the need for support in the cooperation of start-ups and SMEs. Based on the findings, a four-phased cooperation process is proposed, which includes support possibilities in each individual phase. A comprehensive evaluation plan in the context of practical application completes this work. Keywords: innovation management, cooperation support, cooperation process, early-stage start-ups, open innovation

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The challenge to handle uncertainties as well as a rapidly changing and challenging environment in product development is increasingly faced by implementing agile approaches and creativity methods into the companies' organization. To foster the goal of agility in product development processes the approach of Innovation Coaching in ASD -Agile Systems Design helps organizations to leverage their innovation potential. This empirical research defines the concept of ASD-Innovation Coaching, which enables product development teams to introduce and deepening their competencies into an agile and structured innovation process with the aim of implementing a degree of agility that is appropriate to the complexity of the task to be accomplished. The necessary activities of an ASD-Innovation Coach are described and located contentwise in order to enable problem-solving teams in agile development projects of ASD. Coaching the team with a deep understanding of the technical system and agile approaches fosters systematic agility and generates increased creativity into development projects.