IU Docs Repositorium

IU Docs

Repositorium

Researchers from IU publish their research results in numerous formats. Through this repository, we aim to make as many publications as possible available via Open Access. Gain insights into the dynamic and diverse research being conducted at IU!

Recent Submissions

Gesund führen im Change. Die Pufferwirkung von Health-oriented Leadership auf Unsicherheit und Widerstand
(IU Internationale Hochschule, 2026-09-30) Reinhart, Sophia Valentina; Berghammer, Anja
Organizational change frequently triggers psychological uncertainty among employees which can manifest as destructive resistance. Utilizing the concept of health-oriented leadership (staff-care), this article investigates the extent to which health-oriented leadership behavior can act as a buffer to mitigate the negative effects of uncertainty on active and passive resistance during change processes. Within a quantitative research design, an online survey was conducted, resulting in a finalized net sample of N = 121 employees. The statistical testing of the hypothesized moderation effects was carried out using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (model 1). The regression analyses provided highly consistent results across the three examined dimensions of staff-care (awareness, value, behavior). No significant interaction effects buffering mechanisms could be detected. Consequently, the moderation hypotheses had to be rejected. However, explorative post-hoc analyses revealed a significant mediation effect (PROCESS, model 4). Staff-care directly reduces organizational uncertainty, which in turn leads to a significant decrease in both active and passive resistance. These findings suggest that health-oriented leadership does not operate reactively as a buffer once uncertainty has manifested. Rather, the statistical mediation pattern illustrates the role of health-oriented leadership as a lever that directly reduces the emergence of uncertainty. For business psychology practice, this study highlights the crucial importance of implementing health-oriented leadership early on to actively reduce uncertainties and minimize resistance in change management.
Digitaler Minimalismus und seine Auswirkungen auf die Beziehungsqualität
(IU Internationale Hochschule, 2026-09-30) Thomas, Pia Teresa; Tse, Emily; Fasold, Svenja; Hattula, Cansu
Digitalization has profoundly reshaped our everyday communication, social interaction, and relationship practices. Particularly smartphones have become deeply embedded in daily life, influencing attention, presence, and perceived relationship quality. In this context, the concept of digital minimalism — defined as a conscious, reflective, and value-oriented reduction of digital media usage — has gained increasing relevance. This study explores how digital minimalism relates to perceived relationship quality. Based on a qualitative research design, nine semi-structured interviews with participants aged 13 to 62 were conducted and analyzed using the Gioia methodology in line with grounded theory principles. In vivo coding was applied to remain close to participants’ language and perspectives. The findings reveal an ambivalent relationship to digital media: while participants rely heavily on smartphones for communication, they also experience distraction, emotional strain, and reduced presence in their social interactions. Indeed, face-to-face interactions are consistently perceived as more meaningful, emotionally rich, and relationally satisfying than digital communication. Although most participants express a desire to reduce their media use, they face both social and structural barriers in doing so. Supportive social environments emerge as a key enabling factor. Overall, the study suggests that digital minimalism can enhance relationship quality by fostering presence, attention, and shared time, particularly when it is socially supported and collectively practiced.
Food & Design: Gestaltung an der Schnittstelle von Ernährung, Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation: Studiengang Produktdesign Dokumentation Trimesterthema
(IU Internationale Hochschule, 2026-09-25) Irle, Miriam; Schmitz, Caspar; Brockmann, Daniela; Buggenthin, Stella; Klingmüller, Felix; Irle, Miriam; Schmitz, Caspar
Design und Ernährung berühren sich auf unterschiedliche Weise. So kann bereits das Gericht selbst als ein zu gestaltendes Produkt betrachtet werden. Es ist zugleich eingebettet in ein Ökosystem von Produkten, die seiner Zubereitung und seinem Konsum dienen und schließlich rücken auch die systemischen Zusammenhänge und Auswirkungen der Lebensmittelproduktion in den Mittelpunkt gestalterischer Auseinandersetzung. Grund genug, Food and Design als erstes Trimesterthema im Studiengang Produktdesign der IU Internationale Hochschule zu erkunden. Mit diesem neuen didaktischen Format erhalten über ein Trimester hinweg alle praktischen Entwurfsprojekte ein gemeinsames Projektthema. Ziel ist es, den Austausch und Diskurs zwischen den Studierenden zu fördern, und Öffentlichkeit für ihre Arbeiten zu schaffen. Die Auslegung des ersten Trimesterthemas war dabei so breit wie die didaktischen Schwerpunkte der Kurse selbst und reichte von Produkten aus Lebensmittelresten über Entwürfe für neue Essgewohnheiten bis hin zu vernetzten Lösungen rund um Ernährung und Küche.
From Mass Tourism to Meaningful Travel: Unlocking the Potential of the German Market for Indigenous Tourism in Mexico
(IU Internationale Hochschule, 2026-09-21) González Jiménez, Paulina J.; Barriga Ortiz, Pablo Andrés; Berrones-Flemmig, Claudia Nelly; Nouri-Fritsche, Neda
This study investigates the potential of the German tourism market to support Sustainable Indigenous Tourism (SIT) in Mexico. Against a backdrop of growing global demand for transformative, values-driven travel, Mexico’s reliance on mass tourism has generated severe environmental degradation and the marginalization of indigenous communities. Sustainable Indigenous Tourism—defined by indigenous ownership, cultural preservation, and community-led economic empowerment—offers a systemic alternative aligned with ethical consumption and sustainability goals. Grounded in an integrative theoretical framework combining the Theory of Planned Behavior, Theory of Consumption Values, and Past Behavior, this mixed-methods research examines German travelers’ interest and willingness to pay (WTP) for SIT experiences. Quantitative findings from a structured survey of 204 respondents, analyzed via multiple regression and exploratory factor analysis, reveal that perceived value (β = 0.525, p < .05) and motivation (β = 0.317, p < .05) are significant positive predictors of WTP. One-way ANOVA confirms that prior experience with sustainable tourism further reinforces payment intentions. Qualitative insights from six in-depth interviews underscore cultural immersion, authenticity, and sustainability as primary motivators, while limited awareness and accessibility emerge as key barriers. The results identify a viable market segment—predominantly well-educated, environmentally conscious women from western Germany—with 68% of respondents willing to pay €250–€600 for a weekend SIT experience. The study concludes that strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, targeted marketing emphasizing social impact, sustainability certifications, and improved digital and physical accessibility are critical to positioning Mexican SIT as a differentiated, equitable alternative within the German tourism market.
The Behavior Change Wheel as a Complementary Implementation Framework for Heat-Health Action Planning
(IU Internationale Hochschule, 2026-09-24) Wienert, Julian
Extreme heat is one of the most significant climate-sensitive public health challenges of the twenty-first century. In response, Heat-Health Action Plans (HHAPs) have become the principal framework for coordinating multisectoral adaptation measures. While the recently updated World Health Organization (WHO) guidance provides a comprehensive strategic framework for HHAP development, translating these strategic objectives into coordinated implementation across sectors remains a persistent challenge. This discussion paper proposes to use the existing Behavior Change Wheel (BCW; Michie et al., 2014) as a complementary implementation framework for Heat-Health Action Planning. Rather than introducing new heat-health interventions, the BCW provides an explicit behavioral implementation logic that systematically links behavioral diagnosis, intervention functions, and policy categories within a common analytical framework. This enables strategic HHAP objectives to be translated into context-specific implementation strategies across individual, organizational, and governance levels. By integrating behavioral diagnosis with intervention design and policy action, the BCW complements the WHO Heat-Health Action Planning guidance and supports the operationalization of existing HHAP core elements. The paper further illustrates how the BCW can facilitate behavioral diagnosis, intervention selection, and coordinated implementation across different implementation contexts. Conceptualizing Heat-Health Action Plans as implementation systems highlights the importance of explicitly addressing the behavioral processes through which heat-health interventions are delivered and coordinated. The proposed integration positions the BCW as a complementary implementation framework that can strengthen the coherence, feasibility, and coordination of HHAP implementation while providing a foundation for future empirical research on behavioral approaches to climate change adaptation.