Improving the Process of Gaining Need Knowledge by Applying New Media Within the Bewextra Framework

This master thesis investigates the working steps within the Bewextra framework for gaining need knowledge in terms of suitability for technology adoption. The thesis is introduced by a literature review about needs, gaining knowledge about needs and Nonaka’s and Scharmer’s learning approaches as a theoretic foundation for a better understanding of the Bewextra framework. Afterwards, a set of measured values is defined in order to identify suitable work steps for technology adoption. This set of measured values is based on broadly renown literature about earlier technology adoption as well as experiences from previous projects that were conducted applying Bewextra. Based on a previously completed project with a mid-sized city in Germany, these measured values are then assessed. For the most suitable work step for technology adoption, an online tool is developed as a working prototype. This prototype is then presented and empirically tested with students at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. The results indicate a high potential for improvement for selected work steps within the Bewextra framework.