Showing papers in "Innovation-management Policy & Practice in 2013"
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper explored the major factors and constraints to innovation for SMEs in China based on a survey to 188 Chinese manufacturing SMEs, the relationship of 10 major factors affecting innovation performance has been explored.
Abstract: Innovation has been one of the key drivers of sustainable competitive advantage for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, many SMEs have difficulties in achieving successful innovation. This article attempts to explore the major factors and constraints to innovation for SMEs in China. Based on a survey to 188 Chinese manufacturing SMEs, the relationship of 10 major factors affecting innovation performance has been explored. The findings indicate that there is a positive relationship between some factors (e.g., financial capital, technically qualified staff, and technology information and so on) and the innovation performance of SMEs. Also, this paper finds that the current policy environment, such as intellectual property protection and government policies, are not conducive to innovation performance of Chinese SMEs.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed a sample of 176 people in the Spanish mobile telecommunications sector and found that this new approach to client portfolio management boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty, leading to a commitment to spreading positive word-of-mouth.
Abstract: Economic globalization and growing competitive pressure require companies to invest more and more time and resources in innovation. Innovation may be technical in nature or linked to non-technical processes such as new approaches to channel linking, relationship building and customer portfolio management.This article takes a closer look at customer engagement as non-technical innovation linked to marketing capabilities and commercial processes. We analyzed a sample of 176 people in the Spanish mobile telecommunications sector. Our findings suggest that this new approach to client portfolio management boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty, leading to a commitment to spreading positive word-of-mouth. Such manifestations of engagement appear to significantly enhance performance for companies which foster non-transactional behaviors among their customers. Implications for management are discussed in the final section of the study.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors draw on upper echelon theory to suggest that a top management team's R&D experience, marketing experience, and background diversity affect firm innovativeness and consider the potential moderating effect of industry contextual factors and the firm's strategic context.
Abstract: This research draws on upper echelon theory to suggest that a top management team’s R&D experience, marketing experience, and background diversity affect firm innovativeness and considers the potential moderating effect of industry contextual factors and the firm’s strategic context. Data from different archival sources pertaining to 108 firms suggest that these TMT characteristics influences firm innovativeness both directly and through the firm’s R&D investment intensity. Additionally, industry growth and advertising intensity, as well as a firm’s related diversification strategy, significantly enhance the above effects of TMT characteristics on R&D investment intensity and firm innovativeness. Thus, we identify specific types of TMT experience that affect firm innovativeness and outline a process through which this occurs. The implication was presented especially regarding the synergic effect of marketing and R&D experience to enhance firm innovativeness, along with limitations and some future ...
38 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper argue that diverse teams have a dual nature that simultaneously facilitates and hinders organizational ambidexterity. And they suggest that establishing a governance mechanism to manage the dual impact of team diversity is crucial.
Abstract: Combining the upper echelons theory and intra-group confl ict view, this paper argues that diverse teams have a dual nature that simultaneously facilitates and hinders organizational ambidexterity. This study suggests that establishing a governance mechanism to manage the dual impact of team diversity is crucial. This study is based on a questionnaire survey and analysis using a sample of 196 fi rms in China. The fi ndings show that team diversity not only positively infl uences organizational ambidexterity through strategic planning processes but impedes ambidexterity through intra-group confl icts. The results also show that senior team integration mechanisms increase the ability of top executives to manage the ambiguous effect of diversity to facilitate organizational ambidexterity.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors seek to understand how transformational leadership affects RD (i) teamwork/group diversity; ii) tolerance of mistakes/celebrating success; iii) knowledge sharing; iv) autonomy; v) employee participation; vi) open communication; viii) social networks.
Abstract: This study seeks to understand how transformational leadership affects RD (ii) teamwork/group diversity; (iii) tolerance of mistakes/celebrating success; (iv) knowledge sharing; (v) autonomy; (vi) employee participation; (vii) open communication; (viii) social networks. The response rate was low (about 5%) and hence the result is difficult to be generalized. Furthermore, six measures that are suggested to have negative effect on R&D culture have to be discarded due to reliability issue. Despite these limitations, R&D managers in universities are recommended to focus on the proposed eight cultural variables in order to promote a cond...
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a new theory to explain the iceberg phenomenon that has emerged in recent years, in which some small firms prosper while large firms decline, and provided implications for managers of both large and small firms and suggestions for future research.
Abstract: The current paper aims to develop a new theory to explain the iceberg phenomenon that has emerged in recent years, in which some small firms prosper while large firms decline. In this paper, the construction of a theoretical framework involves the consideration of several concepts and theories, including resource-based theory, resource dependency theory, theories of the diffusion of innovation, dynamic capability theory, and business ecosystem theory. An experimental design is developed to verify four hypotheses. The results support a theory of innovation resource synergy that provides insight into the phenomenon mentioned above. This article provides implications for managers of both large and small firms and suggestions for future research.
21 citations
TL;DR: The BADIR Program for Technology Incubators (BADIR) as discussed by the authors aims to encourage non-oil based industry economic growth and foster knowledge growth and innovation-based startups.
Abstract: Saudi Arabia embarks the transition from conventional economy into a knowledge-based economy. This implies improving the national innovation capacity and developing an ecosystem for techno-entrepreneurs. In this regard, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology has established a national technology business incubation program; BADIR Program for Technology Incubators. BADIR aims to encourage non-oil based industry economic growth and foster knowledge growth and innovation-based startups. BADIR helps cultivate innovative ideas contributed by Saudi technoentrepreneurs as incubator members and enables them to scale their technology for industrialization and commercialization, and to benefit from the economic growth. This program to date has successfully assisted many technological incubators in a structured way.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors refer to the intentionality of the agents interacting within a System of Innovation to find out the relationship between agents - goals, and the SI's performance, and explore how agents - intentionality and capabilities shape the structure, evolution and performance of an SI.
Abstract: The performances of different Systems of Innovation (SI) vary substantially due to the fact that, apart from the differences in the underlying technologies, institutions, etc., there are specific causes at work. In particular, we refer to the intentionality of the agents interacting within a System of Innovation to find out the relationship between agents - goals, and the SI's performance. The underlying thesis is that agent intentionality is a necessary condition for a substantive explanation of the dynamism of any socio-economic system. This paper departs from an abstract definition of a system as a set of constitutive elements and the connections among them serving a common purpose. It also explores how agents - intentionality and capabilities shape the structure, evolution and performance of an SI. In this context an evolutionary efficiency criterion is proposed.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined whether corporate governance influences a firm's innovative success and if so, how this association is moderated by the life cycle stage of the firm, and found that higher levels of corporate governance have a significant effect on two components of innovative success, namely, patent productivity and a fir m's value but not on commercial success as measured by sales growth.
Abstract: In this study we examine whether corporate governance influences a firm’s innovative success and if so, how this association is moderated by the life cycle stage of the firm. Innovative success is a broad term and is difficult to measure. Based on Mansfield (1981) we trichotomize ‘innovative success’ into three components, namely, technical (measured by number of patents received), commercial (measured by sales growth) and economic success (measured by Tobin’s Q as based on Mansfield (1981)). We use a sample of electronic firms in Taiwan which invested in research and development covering the years 2001–2009. We find that higher levels of corporate governance have a significant effect on two components of innovative success, namely, patent productivity and a fir m’s value but not on commercial success as measured by sales growth. We also find that the influence of corporate governance on the three components of innovative activity is most pronounced when the firm is in the stagnant stage of its re...
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the relationship between innovation expenditure and its economic performance in Slovenian companies and found that companies should increase their expenditure on extramural R&D, acquisition of external knowledge (concept of open innovation model) and market introduction of innovations.
Abstract: This research investigates the relationship between innovation expenditure and its economic performance in 2503 companies. The findings show higher innovation expenditure productivity in the group of Leaders; each euro invested in innovation yields EUR 13.90, but just EUR 7.70 in the group of Followers. ROE is 40% higher in Leaders.Recommendations are provided as to the improvement of business processes and results: financial investments in innovation should be increased in Followers, while simultaneously a substantial improvement in the efficiency of exploiting existing assets is essential. Companies should increase their expenditure on extramural R&D, acquisition of external knowledge (concept of open innovation model) and market introduction of innovations. Further on, we compared some financial data on Slovenian companies with EU average data. The results clearly indicate that Slovenian innovation expenditures are relatively high but not being applied optimally to achieve economic results that compare to the EU average.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a systematic review of applied policy tools and the industrial cluster evolution of Hsinchu Science Park (HSP) over four stages and recommend the HSP 2.0 strategy for policymakers to improve the added value and sustainable competitiveness of HSP.
Abstract: In 1980, Taiwan established the Hsinchu Science Park (HSP). The HSP accounted for the creation of 1.43 million jobs and extraordinary contributions to the economic growth of the nation. This development also placed Taiwan on top of the innovation index. This study provides a systematic review of the applied policy tools and the industrial cluster evolution of HSP over four stages. The Boston Consulting Group framework is used to delineate the strategic position and movement of industries in each stage. After 30 years, HSP has become oversaturated, with two Cash Cow and four Dog industries left. Facing such a bottleneck, this paper recommends the HSP 2.0 strategy for policymakers to improve the added-value and sustainable competitiveness of HSP.
TL;DR: In this article, an overview of entrepreneurial activity and attitude in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the purpose of facilitating stakeholders to create new knowledge-based activities is presented.
Abstract: The paper provides an overview of entrepreneurial activity and attitude in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the purpose of facilitating stakeholders to create new knowledge-based activities. The...
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of innovations in shielding companies from the global financial crisis is analyzed, using public financial data for Polish companies, along with a series of interviews with stock market practitio...
Abstract: The current financial crisis sparked debate about the ability of companies to resist negative effects of the global recession. This debate continued among investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs who could not reach unanimous conclusions whether innovations protected companies from the adverse effects of the global recession. Furthermore, policymakers argued whether or not innovative industries should be supported by serious restructuring and government help. Equity investors began to tailor their trading strategies to the crisis-induced conditions by targeting companies of certain properties – especially those representing innovative industries. Given the above, we analyze the role of innovations in shielding companies from the global financial crisis. We investigate whether equity investments targeting innovative companies were an effective strategy during the global financial crisis. Using public financial data for Polish companies, along with a series of interviews with stock market practitio...
TL;DR: The authors compare the development of two small, contrasting innovation systems in Finland and Alberta, Canada in their historical, economic, and social contexts and reveal some implications for the notion of path dependence in innovation systems.
Abstract: Innovation enhances human prosperity and well-being and is considered a major driver of economic growth. Yet, the innovation process varies in different countries and regions. Understanding the ‘how’ can help both policy makers and practitioners to facilitate innovation. We contribute to such understanding by comparing the development of two small, contrasting innovation systems in Finland and Alberta, Canada in their historical, economic, and social contexts – a type of research that has been called for but is rare in the systemic innovation research. Instead of describing components and outcomes only but change over time in innovation systems, we capture how they work. This and the comparison of systems with different rates of innovation and change offer a more grounded basis for policy and practice recommendations than comparisons to an abstract ideal, and also reveal some implications for the notion of path dependence in innovation systems.
TL;DR: In this article, two critical factors (physicians' creative traits and authoritarian personality) are related to innovation readiness within the medical care system in Taiwan, and the moderating effects of hospital types (teaching versus non-teaching hospitals) on these relationships were examined.
Abstract: This paper examines innovation in the healthcare industry in Taiwan. Specifically, we looked at how two critical factors (physicians' creative traits and authoritarian personality) are related to innovation readiness within the medical care system in Taiwan. We argue that innovation readiness is the cognitive precursor to the behaviors supporting innovation. Additionally, we also examine the moderating effects of hospital types (teaching versus non-teaching hospitals) on these relationships. Data from 417 physicians belonging to 26 hospitals is used to test our hypotheses. Results show that the degree of innovation readiness a physician perceives is associated with both creative traits and authoritarian personality. With regard to the organizational variable, the evidence shows that of the specific kind of hospital is far less important than the people who work there when it comes to innovation readiness.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors construct a correlation model between international connections and national innovation capacity and find that international connections consist of foreign image, attitude toward globalization, international experience, foreign high-skilled employes and foreign investors.
Abstract: National innovation capacity plays a significant role in national technology development, and national development can be triggered by continuous innovation. Currently, as a result of globalization, countries are able to frequently interact with one other. Given this situation, it is necessary to measure the formation and effect of national innovation capacity from the perspective of international connections. In a study of 58 countries, it was found that international connections consist of foreign image, attitude toward globalization, international experience, foreign high-skilled employes and foreign investors. The capacity for international connections significantly and positively influences national innovation capacity, such as scientific research and the export of high-tech products. Studies have demonstrated the necessity of enhancing technology development by upgrading international connections. This study attempts to construct a correlation model between international connections and nati...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors draw on the dynamic capability framework in a healthcare context and identify an organisational paradox that puts undue pressure on units to be dually flexible and consistent, thus pushing separation of content from process.
Abstract: This paper draws on the dynamic capability framework in a healthcare context. It offers empirical experience of the sensing, seizing, and transforming capabilities acting in unbalanced configuration, potentially hindering organisational efficiency. Recent research is complemented by connecting three management roles to the dynamic capability framework. Lack of top management vision and co-ordination could lead to excessive autonomy of subunits, hindering knowledge and information transfer within the organisation. The findings also identify an organisational paradox that puts undue pressure on units to be dually flexible and consistent, thus pushing separation of content from process.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate how entrepreneurs mobilize their human and social capital under industry contexts to pursue entrepreneurship and how entrepreneurs' social capital can bring resources to transform the opportunity into successful new ventures.
Abstract: Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a critical enabling driver to the business enterprises and the economic growth of nations. Accordingly, how to promote entrepreneurship has become a critical concern among academic scholars and business practitioners. The purpose of this study is to investigate how entrepreneurs mobilize their human and social capital under industry contexts to pursue entrepreneurship. Two prominent cases, Trend Micro (an anti-virus company) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (a semiconductor foundry company), are used to illustrate how entrepreneurs' human capital and social capital fit with industry environment to identify opportunity and how entrepreneurs' social capital can bring resources to transform the opportunity into successful new ventures. Managerial implications and future research directions are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, a new approach is proposed to measure innovation efficiency with the consideration of the complexity and uncertainty of innovation indicators, and the results show that the industry can save 28.7% of inputs by improving its innovation efficiency.
Abstract: The evaluation and management of the efficiency of innovation activities is essential for the improvement of innovation performance. However, only a few studies on the quantitative evaluation of innovation efficiency have been conducted to date due to the complexity and uncertainty of innovation indicators. Therefore, a new approach is proposed to measure innovation efficiency with the consideration of the complexity and uncertainty of innovation indicators. This study applies the fuzzy data envelopment analysis (DEA) which is useful for dealing with imprecise data or language variables to measure innovation efficiency quantitatively and then evaluates the innovation efficiencies of the Korean electronic equipment industry. The results show that the industry can save 28.7% of inputs by improving its innovation efficiency. In order to do this, the industry is recommended to downsize the production scale since decreasing returns to scale (DRS) was found in its production technology.
TL;DR: Based on institutional theory, the authors examines the moderating effects of firms institutional environments on the relationships between firms transferred knowledge and their product innovation, and the empirical results supported the proposed research hypotheses including the proposition that firms macro-institutional environment positively moderates relationships between the transferred knowledge, and firms product innovation.
Abstract: Firms use of the interorganizational and intraorganizational transferred knowledge is critical for product innovation in emerging economies. Based on institutional theory, this research examines the moderating effects of firms institutional environments on the relationships between firms transferred knowledge and their product innovation. The empirical results supported the proposed research hypotheses including the proposition that firms macro-institutional environment positively moderates relationships between the transferred knowledge and firms product innovation. Comparing privately owned enterprises and state-owned enterprises, foreign-invested enterprises would benefit more from intraorganizational transferred knowledge and benefit less from interorganizational transferred knowledge.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the role of institutions in facilitating rapid broadband Internet diffusion in emerging economies, focusing on the interplay between State influence (including educational programs and promotion policies) and market influence (supply and demand conditions) and use the cases of Korea and China as empirical context.
Abstract: We explore the role of institutions in facilitating rapid broadband Internet diffusion in emerging economies. We focus on the interplay between State influence (including educational programs and promotion policies) and market influence (supply and demand conditions) and use the cases of Korea and China as our empirical context. The cases suggest that the configuration of institutional arrangements has an important role to play in facilitating broadband Internet diffusion in emerging economies, above and beyond overall levels of institutional quality and the presence of technological infrastructure. The case data suggests that configuration and coordination between country-level institutional arrangements determine differences in the paths and outcomes of broadband Internet development in emerging economies.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the interaction among product innovation, web technology and vertical integration, and their effects on firm efficiency in the fashion industry, and found that product innovation has a monotonic and positive effect on efficiency, while web technology, as a process innovation, does not always positively affect firm efficiency.
Abstract: This paper examines the interaction among product innovation, web technology and vertical integration, and their effects on firm efficiency in the fashion industry. One contribution of this work is that we do not assume the effect of these variables on firm efficiency to be monotonic. Additionally, rather than using standard financial ratios, we use the Data Envelopment Analysis methodology to measure efficiency. Our results indicate that product innovation has a monotonic and positive effect on efficiency. On the contrary, web technology, as a process innovation, does not always positively affect firm efficiency: it exerts a negative effect during the first stages of the technology implementation, and then it becomes positive when the implementation is more advanced. On the other hand, web technology moderates positively the effect that vertical integration has on efficiency.
TL;DR: Hu et al. as discussed by the authors published a special issue on innovation in Taiwan for several reasons, such as the fact that Taiwan now appears to be mature, small firms have been able to take advantage of innovation networks in order to overcome disadvantages caused by their size, and the state has played an important role in fueling or deepening the net working process through resource aggregation, mobilization, and acquisition.
Abstract: The growth of Taiwan, Singapore, and other Asian economies over the past 50 years is one of the major development success stories. The case of Taiwan is particularly interesting, as GDP per capita has increased more than 20-fold since 1960 (International Monetary Fund [IMF], 2012). While these economic transformations have often been attributed to cheap labor, innovation has in fact played a central role in this growth (Dodgson, Mathews, & Kastelle, 2006). Kim (1997) describes the shift from imitation to innovation in South Korea over this period, and this pattern has been repeated through all of the advanced North-East Asian economies, including Taiwan.We decided to publish this special issue on innovation in Taiwan for several reasons. The first is that innovation in Taiwan now appears to be mature. Over the past 2 years in particular, this journal has received a large number of papers studying innovation in Taiwan - there is clearly a great deal of research on innovation taking place there. The striking thing about this work is that when you compare this research to that taking place in other parts of the world, the topics seem 'normal.' Researchers are looking at things such as RD Cohen & Klepper, 1996). Second, small firms have been able to take advantage of innovation networks in order to overcome disadvantages caused by their size (Kleinknecht & Reijnen, 1992; Sigurdson, 1986/1998). Finally, the state has been played an important role in fueling or deepening the net- working process through resource aggregation, mobilization, and acquisition (Hu & Mathews, 2005; Lee & Hung, 2011).Targeted RD Furman, Porter, & Stern, 2002; Hu & Mathews, 2005; Neely & Hii, 1999; Yusuf, 2008). The work of Hu and Mathews extends and modifies Furman et al.'s (2002) approach in advanced countries by applying it to five 'latecomer' countries from East Asia, and in particular to Taiwan, from 1975 to 2000. While the results are in broad agreement with the findings of Furman, Porter and Stern, Hu and Mathews document some important dif- ferences for latecomer East Asian economies: A smaller number of national factors matter, and, in particular, public R&D funding exerts significant influence on the building of national innovative capacity in these countries. …
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Sveiby and Segercrants as discussed by the authors, Challenging the innovation paradigm, 2013, p. 272 pages; Routledge, New York and Oxon; 2012; 272 pages
Abstract: Review(s) of: Challenging the innovation paradigm, Karl-Erik Sveiby, Pernilla Gripenberg and Beata Segercrants (eds.) ISBN13: 978-0-415-52275-5 (hbk) ISBN13: 978-0-203-12097-2 (ebk); Routledge, New York and Oxon; 2012; 272 pages
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored international alliance in a Chinese context to understand the relationships and decision-making processes between Chinese and foreign pharmaceutical firms, and they adopted static and dynamic Game Theory approaches to create models and use mathematic methods to deduct and explain the events under the various situations.
Abstract: This research explores international alliance in a Chinese context to understand the relationships and decision-making processes between Chinese and foreign pharmaceutical firms. We adopt static and dynamic Game Theory approaches to create models and use mathematic methods to deduct and explain the events under the various situations. Our results suggest that foreign pharmaceutical firms should mainly engage in research and development with higher profit, and the Chinese pharmaceutical firms should mainly engage in manufacturing with lower profit. The repeatedly unlimited game (long-term) is better than the two-stage game (short-term). Furthermore, it is suggested that the government to guide the industry to build and develop an appropriate direction according to the relative advantage of the country, and it should consistently welcome foreign investment and encouraged the integration of local industry with international companies, as well.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors categorise dynamic capability in technology innovation implementation from various management role perspectives, and identify an organisational paradox that puts undue pressure on sub-units to be high in flexibility and consistency, which draws managerial attention to distinguish content from process of daily activities.
Abstract: The purpose with this paper is to categorise dynamic capability in technology innovation implementation from various management role perspectives. The findings contribute to existing research of strategic change and healthcare management from an empirical case study based on interviews and archival documents. Three organisational management roles (top, local, and ad hoc ) are linked to the dynamic capability framework. Identifies an organisational paradox that puts undue pressure on sub-units to be high in both flexibility and consistency, which draws managerial attention to distinguish content from process of the daily activities. The analysis brings previously unexploited “common ground” to the three managerial roles, enhancing the potentials of mutual understanding and cooperation. Visualises the importance of management guidance and coordination of employee drive and enthusiasm.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a model for evaluating the economic benefits of emerging energy technology commercialization, based on the experience of establishing previous industries such as the semiconductor and display industries.
Abstract: This study aims to construct a model for evaluating the economic benefits of emerging energy technology commercialization. Technology commercialization is a key factor affecting the development of Taiwanese industry based on the experience of establishing previous industries such as the semiconductor and display industries. Previously used evaluation methods based on cost-benefit analysis for the target products of technology commercialization are unsuitable for emerging energy technology. This paper proposes extending the evaluation of emerging energy technology commercialization from target products to the various valuable products generated in the process of producing the target products. The case study of Taiwan’s fermentative hydrogen production technology is analyzed using this model. The results show that the commercialization of this technology would bring economic benefits and should attract investors to develop this emerging energy technology industry.
TL;DR: A strategy for American innovation: Driving towards sustainable growth and quality jobs, designed to help guide US technology and innovation policy, was unveiled by the new Obama administration, with a follow-up, Strategy for American Innovation released in February 2011 as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In September 2009, 'A strategy for American innovation: Driving towards sustainable growth and quality jobs', designed to help guide US technology and innovation policy, was unveiled by the new Obama administration, with a follow-up, Strategy for American innovation released in February 2011 First, this paper initially identifies and reviews the policy components and initiatives of the 'Obama innovation strategy' relevant to improving the nation's corporate innovation and R&D performance Second, the Obama innovation strategy, specifically those four generic policies and initiatives identified as directly relevant to firm innovation and R&D management, ie, innovation and R&D funding initiatives, taxation policy, patent policy, and antitrust policy, are evaluated on how they complement (and harmonize with) the existing US national innovation system Last, a summary and conclusions are presented
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the inter-industry linkage effect generated by technology imports under an inter- industry linkage structure, and evaluate the diffusion effect of technology imports in Taiwan's manufacturing industry.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is mainly to discuss the relationship between technology imports and trade vertical specialization. Traditional technology indices provide limited information and pay no attention to inter-industry linkages. As a result, they usually underestimate the effect of technology imports. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to assess the inter-industry linkage effect generated by technology imports under an inter-industry linkage structure, and evaluate the diffusion effect. Another objective of this paper is to measure trade vertical specialization levels and trends in manufacturing industry, and to examine the relationship between international trade in vertical specialization and the diffusion effect of technology imports. Using longitudinal data and input-output tables from 1994 to 2002 in Taiwan's manufacturing industry, the empirical results reveal that the degree of the trade vertical specialization of the Taiwanese manufacturing industries has been climbing gradually from 1994 through 2002. Meanwhile, the level of diffusion of technology imports has also been on the rise. Besides, there exists a significant correlation between the diffusion of technology imports and the level of trade vertical specialization of the subsequent periods, as well as between the level of trade vertical specialization and the diffusion of technology imports of the subsequent periods.
TL;DR: The successful story of the ORC will be presented emphasizing its role in the implementation of an efficient health plan to combat obesity and its related diseases in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which would provide a practical model for the foundation of similar centers in developing countries.
Abstract: Obesity is a fast growing health problem that is reaching epidemic proportions in many countries, including Saudi Arabia. In accordance with the recommendations of the Science and Technology National Policy in Saudi Arabia and based on the huge impact of obesity on the Saudi society, we established a comprehensive research center, the Obesity Research Center (ORC), to study the complex problem of obesity. The strategic objectives of the ORC are to execute a multidisciplinary research program on obesity syndrome, to support state-of-the art education and training on research for Saudis and to increase public awareness for obesity. We will present here the successful story of the ORC emphasizing its role in the implementation of an efficient health plan to combat obesity and its related diseases in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. This would also provide a practical model for the foundation of similar centers in developing countries.