https://hdl.handle.net/10419/216776 2026-10-23T01:14:54Z 2026-10-23T01:14:54Z Plüghan, Oliver Rehfeld, Katharina-Maria https://hdl.handle.net/10419/340172 2026-04-25T03:05:29Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessing wage inequality with machine learning: Approaches for measuring the adjusted gender pay gap Authors: Plüghan, Oliver; Rehfeld, Katharina-Maria Abstract: This paper investigates the methodological performance of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and Random Forest machine learning algorithms in measuring adjusted gender pay gaps. The research is motivated by the European Union's Pay Transparency Directive (2023/970), which mandates that employers report adjusted gender pay gaps. While Oaxaca-Blinder Decomposition and the underlying OLS regression have served as the industry standard for gap estimation, this paper examines whether machine learning approaches can better capture complex, nonlinear compensation relationships. Using synthetic datasets with controlled discrimination parameters, the study compares both methods across two sample sizes and multiple discrimination scenarios. Key findings demonstrate that both methods successfully distinguish between occupational segregation and direct wage discrimination at large sample sizes. However, at smaller sample sizes, Random Forest exhibits substantial instability whereas OLS remains slightly more stable. A methodological adjustment, training Random Forest on the larger population before applying predictions to subsets substantially improves small-sample performance. The paper concludes that OLS regression remains preferable for formal regulatory compliance due to its interpretability and stability, while Random Forest can serve as a complementary validation tool for largescale analysis.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Schmidt, Leonie Sophie Martensen, Malte https://hdl.handle.net/10419/338116 2026-03-21T04:24:09Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The potential of highly sensitive persons in leadership roles: Strengths, challenges, and implications for organizational behavior and leadership practice Authors: Schmidt, Leonie Sophie; Martensen, Malte Abstract: Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) describes individual differences in how strongly people respond to sensory and emotional information in their environment. Individuals high in SPS are often referred to as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) and tend to be more susceptible to both supportive and unsupportive environments. SPS is associated with greater depth of processing, emotional reactivity, sensitivity to subtle stimuli, and susceptibility to overstimulation. To examine how this trait relates to leadership, this study explored the experiences of seven HSPs through qualitative semi-structured interviews and interpreted the data with reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were constructed: (1) SPS as a leadership resource, (2) navigating misaligned leadership norms, and (3) experience, understanding, and regulating SPS in leadership. The findings provide insights into how HSPs perceive and manage sensitivity in leadership roles and suggest that SPS may function as a leadership resource when supported by favorable environmental conditions, self-acceptance, and effective coping strategies. This research contributes to the emerging literature on SPS in leadership and highlights the need for greater awareness and organizational support for highly sensitive leaders.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Schubart, Constantin Dulgeridis, Marcel Meyer, Anne https://hdl.handle.net/10419/338109 2026-03-21T04:24:06Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Die Psychologie der Karriereentwicklung: Wie beeinflussen psychologische Konstrukte beruflichen Erfolg und Misserfolg? Eine empirische Untersuchung zu Selbstzweifeln, Perfektionismus, Zielorientierung und Selbstwirksamkeit bei Berufstätigen Authors: Schubart, Constantin; Dulgeridis, Marcel; Meyer, Anne

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Masch, Rebecca Störmer, Maja https://hdl.handle.net/10419/339608 2026-04-04T03:01:48Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Bürohunde als Ressource im Betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagement: Strategien zur Förderung des psychischen und physischen Wohlbefindens von Mitarbeitenden Authors: Masch, Rebecca; Störmer, Maja Abstract: In the context of a shifting paradigm within the contemporary world of work, there is an increasing recognition of the necessity for holistic strategies that promote employee health and well-being. This discussion paper examines the potential role of office dogs as a component of occupational health management (OHM) in German organizations. The paper is grounded in a theoretical framework concerning the human-dog relationship and informed by empirical research on animal-assisted interventions. Its primary objective is to analyze the opportunities and risks associated with the implementation of office dogs, particularly in relation to employees' physical and psychological well-being. To this end, a two-stage Delphi process was employed, incorporating the expertise of specialists from the fields of occupational health management, facility management, canine behavior, and veterinary medicine. This methodological approach facilitated the identification of practical requirements, suitability criteria, and measures necessary for the effective integration and sustainable management of office dogs in organizational settings. The findings of this investigation culminated in the development of an evidence-based and adaptable catalogue of measures that addresses health promotion, protective regulations, and organizational considerations, while also considering legal and animal-ethical dimensions. Overall, this work contributes to the systematic implementation of office dog initiatives and delineates the framework conditions under which their presence may foster employee satisfaction, reduce stress, and strengthen organizational culture.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z