StraViMi: Strategic Virtualization – Distance as an Opportunity


The goal

The goal of the project is to optimize, expand and strategically use methods of virtualization. We intend to move from purely technical optimization towards a qualitative optimization of virtual communication. Being limited in resources and staff, SMEs are particularly in need of support to expand their virtualization strategies. One of our major goals is to use virtualization to enable older, disabled or remote people to participate more easily in activities and gain barrier-free access to offerings, products and services. In the long term, we hope that our project will lead to a strong virtual network of SMEs.

The approach

the approach The project will last 18 months and comprises three major phases. During the first phase, we set up a content-related communicative network between SMEs. Their specific needs are identified in initial (virtual) meetings. The second phase focuses on concrete solutions. We compile a set of cost-effective, ideally open-source software and develop adaptable modules with virtualization options which SMEs can test on site. The third phase represents a final evaluation of the developed solutions. Results will show to what extent the new measures improved virtualization.

The team

This project has been initiated by Prof. Dr. Claus-Christian Carbon and Dr. Marius Raab (Department of General Psychology at the University of Bamberg). An interdisciplinary team tackles the complexity of the topic from various perspectives like psychology (Lukas Bauernschubert), art and communication science (Viktoria Sommermann), game design (Jenny Tesch), and educational science (Robin Mithoff). The team is completed by two research assistants (Benjamin Griebel and Heike Kiesewetter).