Due to the nature of MSC Training Networks activities and results covered different areas:
Early Stage Researchers (ESRs): All 15 open positions could be successfully filled and ESRs were enrolled in PhD programmes. To align the project’s training and research activities with the aspired career paths of ESRs, Personal Career Development Plans were developed.
Research of ESRs: The 15 Individual Research Projects of ESRs were conducted in the 4 work packages (i) Digitalisation of Business Models, (ii) Digital Retail Customer Exerpience, (iii) Digital Retail Technologies and (iv) Digital Retail Operations and Analytics. With the extension of the project all 15 projects could be finished and led to novel models, methods, systems or tools. The results of this research documented in the deliverables of the project and published in scientific papers. To ensure all planned research activities meet the requirements and regulations regarding ethical behaviour, data protection and privacy, ESRs developed Data Management Plans and had to obtain ethics approvals from their organizations.
Training: After an initial training week with focus on project initalisation, 6 regular training weeks were organised to provide training in the main topics of Digital Retail (Business Models, User Experience, Technology, Operations), research skills and transferable skills. Apart from these training weeks further network-wide training activities were organized based on the needs of ESRs. Furthermore ESRs received training organized by their beneficiary on topics related to their individual research topic.
Secondments: Secondments were an important part of the intersectoral and interdisciplinary training. ESRs at academic organizations were primarily hosted at non-academic beneficiaries and partner organizations for secondments, ESRs at organizations not providing PhD programs were are also hosted at the corresponding academic beneficiaries. The COVID-19 travel and working restrictions led to a lot of changes compared to the initial secondment plan. In the end we managed to provide every ESR at least one secondment.
Outreach and Public Engagement: Engaging with the public has been done on a large scale. All ESRs and supervisors were involved and have conducted 337 communication activities linked to the project in various categories to different stakeholders and the general public. Outreach activities were focused on communicating research results and training activities. Apart from a focus on online channels, members participated in a number of conferences and events, however these activities were strongly limited by the COVID-19 restrictions through much of the project.
Management: Management activities were based on a close coordination of the central management team, the Supervisory Board, committees and local coordinators. With the extension of the project all deliverables could be produced and milestones could be met.
