News

Table of contents

1. 1. 1. October/November 2024: Visit to the GIZ Consultation Forum in Sreemangal, Bangladesh
      2. May – September 2024: Presentation of interim results from the Dhaka Innovation Study at conferences
      3. February/ March 2024: Business trip to Dhaka brings new milestones
      4. October 2023: Visit of the GIZ Consultation Forum in Bhawal & conduction of trainings simulations & evaluations in Dhaka
      5. September 2023: Presentation of first research findings at conferences
      6. August 2023: Final workshop of CIEOSH Study & training presentations in Dhaka
      7. February 2023: Conduction of interviews with stakeholders of the Bangladesh textile industry completed
      8. December 2022: Christmas Networking Meeting
      9. November & December 2022: Visit in Bangladesh
      10. November 2022: Project Kick-Off in Dhaka, Bangladesh Kick-off meeting of the TU Dresden project team together with GIZ and BGMEA in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

October/November 2024: Visit to the GIZ Consultation Forum in Sreemangal, Bangladesh

From 28.10.2024 - 04.11.2024 Prof. Dr. Jürgen Wegge, Prof. Dr. Petra Kemter-Hofmann, and Theresa Falter traveled to Bangladesh to participate in the last HELD Consultation Forum and to conduct another Reflection Workshop together with CIEOSH.

In addition to presenting the results of the first round of the Dhaka Innovation Study, they looked back on the results of the last few years together with all 20 other cooperation partners. The successful implementation of all projects was recognized by the GIZ with awards. The Consultation Forum was a very successful conclusion to the complex joint project HELD (Higher Education and Leadership Development for Sustainable Textiles in Bangladesh).

The project team also visited the BGMEA headquarters in Dhaka for the last time. Another reflection workshop was held there with the Centre for Innovation, Efficacy and Occupational Safety and Health (CIEOSH), in which the organizational development since the last workshop in March was discussed.

We are all glad that this trip was possible and safe even in turbulent times!

May – September 2024: Presentation of interim results from the Dhaka Innovation Study at conferences

Between May and September 2024, our project team presented interim results from the first round of the Dhaka Innovation Study at the following conferences:

• Cooperation meeting between TU Dresden and the Institute for Work and Health (IAG) in Dresden on May 31st, 2024
• Central Saxon Colloquium for Work and Organizational Psychology in Mittweida on June 14th, 2024
• Congress of the German Psychological Society in Vienna on September 19th, 2024.

February/ March 2024: Business trip to Dhaka brings new milestones

From February 24^th to March 3^rd, 2024, our project staff Tanja Strukelj and Theresa Falter were once again on a business trip to Dhaka.

During their stay, two pilot trainings were conducted: a training on "Resilience" with 16 participants and a training on "Metacompetencies" with 14 participants from the RMG industry. The training courses were subsequently evaluated and feedback was obtained. This feedback from the participants will be incorporated into the training courses over the next few weeks so that they can be finalized and officially handed over to CIEOSH in Q2. This business trip therefore marks an important milestone, as a total of four out of five training courses have now been conducted and evaluated on site.

In addition to the training sessions, a reflection workshop was also held with CIEOSH to reflect on the organizational development in recent months and to discuss the implementation of the recommendations proposed at the Vision Workshop in August 2023.

Furthermore, a webinar to promote the Dhaka Innovation Study was held with Prof. Dr. Jürgen Wegge, Prof. Dr. Dominika Wach & Theresa Falter, who presented the objectives of the study and provided a space for questions.

Moreover, further meetings were held with GIZ and CIEOSH to report on the current status of the project and discuss the next steps.

In the coming weeks, the focus of the project will primarily be to carry out the Dhaka Innovation Study. The next and final business trip to Bangladesh is expected to take place in October/November 2024, where the project team will visit the GIZ Consultation Forum and hold final meetings with CIEOSH.

October 2023: Visit of the GIZ Consultation Forum in Bhawal & conduction of trainings simulations & evaluations in Dhaka

From October 5^th-7^th, 2023, Tanja Strukelj and Theresa Falter participated in the GIZ Consultation Forum 2023 in Bhawal. During this event, they had the opportunity to establish new connections and exchange insights with other projects funded by GIZ.

In addition, they conducted a simulation & evaluation of two trainings at the CIEOSH in Dhaka. In the 'Innovation training at the organizational level: InnoKenn 4.0,' they introduced participants to a software that measures and assesses innovation within a company. In the training on 'Leadership for innovation', participants learned how to lead their teams innovatively and how to measure their success. Following these training simulations, a comprehensive reflection and evaluation was conducted, allowing for further adjustments and improvements based on the feedback received. In the next months, these two workshops will be finalized and, subsequently, transferred to CIEOSH for their independent use.

September 2023: Presentation of first research findings at conferences

In September 2023, our project team participated in two conferences to present the results of the CIEOSH Study and engage in discussions:

• On September 6, 2023, Tanja Strukelj and Theresa Falter presented findings of the CIEOSH Study at the Textile Symposium organized by UNU Flores. Following the presentation, both took part in a panel discussion on the significance of social innovations and sustainability for the textile industry.
• From September 12 to 15, 2023, the “13. Fachgruppentagung der Fachgruppe Arbeits-, Organisations-, und Wirtschaftspsychologie“ took place in Kassel. Here, the results of the CIEOSH Study were presented and discussed with conference participants, especially regarding the challenges of field research in Bangladesh.

We appreciate the stimulating discussions and look forward to incorporating the insights gained into our ongoing projects.

August 2023: Final workshop of CIEOSH Study & training presentations in Dhaka

In August 2023, the project team from TU Dresden – consisting of Prof. Dr. Wegge, Prof. Dr. Kemter-Hofmann, Prof. Dr. Fritzsche, Theresa Falter, and Tanja Strukelj – travelled to Bangladesh to conclude the CIEOSH Study and advance the Training Study and Dhaka Innovation Study.

To support CIEOSH in its organizational development, the project team presented their findings from the Interview Study and the Delphi Study. Thereof, they derived recommendations to establish CIEOSH as a successful RMG innovation center in Bangladesh. These recommendations garnered substantial interest and were discussed. In the next months, the project team will accompany and reflect on the implementation of these suggestions on organizational development.

Furthermore, the initial sessions of two trainings were introduced: 'Innovation training at the organizational level: InnoKenn 4.0' and 'Industry 4.0 & Digital OSH.' In these training sessions, participants expanded their understanding of 'Innovation' and 'Industry 4.0.' The active engagement of participants and their subsequent feedback were particularly valuable to the project team, as they will contribute to further improving the training and tailoring it to the needs of Bangladesh's RMG industry. The Bangladesh Post & Amader Mili also reported on these training sessions:
https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/tud-giz-bgmea-to-work-together-to-foster-innovation-119558
https://amadermili.org/tud-giz-bgmea-to-work-together-to-foster-innovation/

In a workshop, the results of the pilot study for the Dhaka Innovation Study were presented, in which approximately 30 participants from the RMG industry took part. These results illustrate the comprehensive examination of innovativeness and well-being amongst participants, and the potential benefits these insights can offer to the industry. Following the workshop, Prof. Dr. Wegge introduced the study to a broad audience during a dinner event with prominent industry representatives and encouraged their participation.

The stay in Bangladesh concluded with a visit to BUTEX, where discussions regarding potential collaborations were held.

Citation of presentations:

• Wegge, J., Kemter-Hofmann, P., Fritzsche, L., Strukelj, T. & Falter, T (2023). Inno-Lead@Work: Final workshop of the CIEOSH study, Dhaka, CEIOSH of BGMEA, 29.8.
• Wegge, J., Kemter-Hofmann, P., Fritzsche, L., Strukelj, T. & Falter, T (2023). Inno-Lead@Work Report on the Training Study, Dhaka, CEIOSH of BGMEA, 28.8.
• Wegge, J., Kemter-Hofmann, P., Strukelj, T. & Falter, T (2023). Innovation training at the organizational level: Using InnoKenn4.0, Dhaka, CEIOSH of BGMEA, 28.8.
• Wegge, J., Kemter-Hofmann, P., Fritzsche, L., Strukelj, T. & Falter, T (2023). Dhaka study: How are innovation and well-being in the Bangladesh textile industry affected by work characteristics and how can both – innovation and well-being - be promoted? Dhaka, CEIOSH of BGMEA, 30.8.
• Wegge, J. (2023). Dhaka innovation study: How are innovation and well-being in the Bangladesh textile industry affected by work characteristics and how can both – innovation and well-being - be promoted? Dhaka, CEIOSH of BGMEA, 30.8. (evening).

February 2023: Conduction of interviews with stakeholders of the Bangladesh textile industry completed

During our visit in Bangladesh from Feb 4^th to 15^th, the TU Dresden project team conducted 14 interviews with leaders of top and middle management of 12 textile factories in the area of Dhaka. The goal of the investigation is to capture the challenges, opportunities and the status quo of the RMG industry. We thank all the participants for sharing their knowledge with us! During the next weeks, the interviews will be analysed and results prepared. Our study aims to support the development of the vision, mission, operative goals and tools of the newly founded innovation centre CIESOSH.

Furthermore, the progress of the other studies was reviewed during the visit: Together with CIEOSH, BGMEA, and GIZ, trainings’ contents as well as the design and constructs of the Dhaka Study were discussed.

December 2022: Christmas Networking Meeting

Our project team hosted a Christmas networking meeting at TU Dresden on Dec 21^st 2022 with Tanvir Kabir (Counsellor at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Berlin), Dr. Christian Bochmann (GIZ Bangladesh), Prof. Edeltraud Günther and Dr. Christina Frömder (both United Nations University Dresden). The participants introduced their projects and had a promising exchange about possible future cooperations. After enriching discussions, our day ended at the Striezelmarket.

November & December 2022: Visit in Bangladesh

From Nov 28^th to Dec 7^th 2022, our research assistants Tanja Strukelj and Theresa had their first visit in Bangladesh. They were invited to the HELD consultation forum organized by GIZ Bangladesh HELD team and had the chance to meet other project partners and connect in wonderful surroundings of Cox’s Bazar. In Dhaka, they visited BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) as well as textile factories. Together with CIEOSH (Centre for Innovation, Efficiency and Occupational Safety and Health), the interviews of the IC Study were piloted.

November 2022: Project Kick-Off in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Kick-off meeting of the TU Dresden project team together with GIZ and BGMEA in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

In November, Prof. Dr. Wegge, Prof. Dr. Kemter-Hofmann and Prof. Dr. Fritzsche visited project partners of GIZ and BGMEA in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In addition to a successful kick-off workshop with the Centre of Innovation, Efficiency, Occupational Safety and Health (CIEOSH), the team got insights into the work of different textile  factories, such as Snowtex Outerwear Ltd among others. They also visited the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT), where students are trained in subjects related to the textile industry since 2012. Inspired by many new impressions, the team travelled back to Germany with concrete next steps for the cooperation.

Reception of the visit in the press (excerpts):

• https://tu-dresden.de/mn/der-bereich/news/inno-lead-work-arbeitspsychologie-der-tud-untersucht-herausforderungen-der-textilindustrie-in-bangladesch
• https://businesspostbd.com/textile/tud-to-support-bgmeas-centre-of-innovation-efficiency-and-osh
• https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bgmea-german-university-work-technical-garment-production-skills-3162136
• https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/german-universitys-collaboration-bgmea-strengthen-cieosh-527074
• https://www.banginews.com/web-news?id=6b6af7a8238b789ad0cbe33f3707050a9e09fe90
• https://www.businessinsiderbd.com/corporates/news/30716/german-university-to-support-cieosh