Showing papers in "International Journal of Technology Management in 2012"
TL;DR: The literature on innovation highlights the interactive nature of the innovation process in which non-technological activities are essential, but few works have taken into account the role of other innovative strategies such as marketing and organisational innovations.
Abstract: The literature on innovation highlights the interactive nature of the innovation process in which non-technological activities are essential. However, few works have taken into account the role of other innovative strategies such as marketing and organisational innovations. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to fill this gap. For the empirical work, we used firm-level data drawn from the Community Innovation Survey 2006 for Luxembourg. We find that the effects of non-technological innovations differ depending on the phase of the innovation process. Marketing and organisational innovations significantly increase the likelihood of innovation, but not the commercial success of innovation. The study also shows the differentiated effects of the two types of non-technological innovation in manufacturing and service firms.
71 citations
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that VSC appears to provide a bridge between operational views and financial views of lean, which enhances the transfer of information from shop level to management level.
Abstract: Lean principles and practices have been widely adopted by many companies since the early 1990s. These companies are now beginning to realise that traditional costing and accounting methods may hinder the lean initiatives that they are implementing. This raises an important question: “Which cost management and accounting approaches best support the newly implemented lean principles and practices?” This paper examines the relative impact of three different management accounting systems on lean manufacturing implementation through simulation modelling with a single performance metric – net income. Three management accounting alternatives included in this study: traditional management accounting (TMA), activity-based costing (ABC), and value stream costing (VSC). This study compares these three management accounting alternatives using process simulation and statistically designed experimental methods. The results demonstrate that VSC appears to provide a bridge between operational views and financial views of lean, which enhances the transfer of information from shop level to management level.
49 citations
TL;DR: This paper demonstrates how a major aircraft manufacturing company located in West Michigan successfully incorporated the LLS concept into its operations and provides suggestions for managers who are considering implementing this improvement strategy.
Abstract: Over the past decade, companies of all sizes have faced tremendous pressure to improve their manufacturing operations, productivity, and customer service in order to successfully compete in the global business arena As a result, companies have experimented with different strategies and techniques. The techniques that look the most promising appear to be Lean and Six Sigma. There are very limited studies that empirically document how these two techniques can be integrated into one strategy and how they can be leveraged to achieve world-class results. In this paper, by means of a detailed case analysis, we demonstrate how a major aircraft manufacturing company located in West Michigan successfully incorporated the LLS concept into its operations. We discuss the factors that facilitated the success of LLS and provide suggestions for managers who are considering implementing this improvement strategy.
44 citations
TL;DR: The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 91 native Chinese firms in high-tech industries and indicates that Chinese firms improve their innovative performance.
Abstract: China became the second-largest economy behind the USA in 2010. While there is quite some macroeconomic research documenting the technological catching-up of China as a nation, there is only little research studying how individual Chinese firms are catching up. This paper draws on the open innovation perspective to explore how Chinese firms improve their innovative performance. Our empirical analysis is based on a sample of 91 native Chinese firms in high-tech industries. The results indicate that Chinese
43 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that it can get better action and behavioural commitments to sustainability by using the arts, art-based methods, and aesthetics to develop passion and emotional connection for sustainable organising and living.
Abstract: The sustainability discourse has largely played out in the domains of natural sciences and technology, with recent contributions from the social and political sciences. These contributions have been significant and our understanding of sustainability challenges has improved greatly over the past three decades. However, our individual, organisational and collective actions have lagged behind and the actual problems of sustainability have become worse in the same period. In this paper we argue that we can get better action and behavioural commitments to sustainability by using the arts, art-based methods, and aesthetics to develop passion and emotional connection for sustainable organising and living.
41 citations
TL;DR: The results show that only in some cases there is a connection between eco innovation and competitiveness, and the most eco-efficient districts at the national level are not among them.
Abstract: The article aims to investigate the presence of a correlation between eco-innovation and competitiveness within districts. The case analysed in this article is based on a study concerning a sample of 54 Italian industrial clusters entitled ‘eco-districts’ that has compiled a list of the most eco-efficient districts at the national level. After selecting two districts operating in the same productive field, this study assesses the economic performance of the last three years through the analysis of trends in four indicators: number of enterprises, employment, production and export.
The results show that only in some cases there is a connection between eco innovation and competitiveness.
41 citations
TL;DR: A model of four reverse logistics concepts that enables an analysis of waste management practices in industry and is applied in one-single specific industry and country is developed.
Abstract: The theoretical contribution of this paper is that it identifies, explores and explains the stimulating impact of four reverse logistics concepts - which are: drivers and barriers, product types and characteristics, process and recovery options, and actors - on firms' waste reduction practices. The paper builds upon a theoretical framework of reverse logistics and an empirical study of firms in the Dutch metal industry. Its aim is to develop a model of four reverse logistics concepts that enables an analysis of waste management practices in industry. Although the model is based on a young and emerging field in the literature, and is applied in one-single specific industry and country, the model provides a useful analytical frame of reference for further research in the same and in different empirical settings. This paper's contribution to good practice is that it provides various avenues for practitioners to develop and employ a waste management strategy.
38 citations
TL;DR: The results of the study show how companies need to augment the degree of use of internal or intra-organisational IT in order to increase the level of implementation of lean production and therefore improve efficiency.
Abstract: In this paper we analyse the existing interrelationships between information technology (IT) and the adoption of lean production. More specifically, the level of adoption of lean production is studied in accordance with the degree of use and the kind of IT used (internal and external IT). The results of the study show how companies need to augment the degree of use of internal or intra-organisational IT in order to increase the level of implementation of lean production and therefore improve efficiency. Results also show that external or inter-organisational IT only has a significant negative influence on the level of adoption of lean production when internal IT is controlled. These findings provide managers with empirical evidence and a theoretical framework on the balance between internal and external IT in order to increase lean production adoption, thus offering practical guidance on how to manage IT and lean production adoption.
38 citations
TL;DR: The authors focus in particular on the impact of publicly accessible spatial environmental information on small and medium enterprises, presenting some research questions and proposing a research strategy to address them.
Abstract: The causal link between accessibility to resources and economic development is frequently claimed, but not always supported by evidence-based studies. This is also the case for increased access to public sector information which is believed to offer major opportunities to boost innovation and growth, and contribute to reducing current economic difficulties. Recognising that little is present in the literature to support conclusively this belief, this paper discusses the main issues that arise when trying to assess the impact of open public sector data on innovation and growth in the private sector. The authors focus in particular on the impact of publicly accessible spatial environmental information on small and medium enterprises, presenting some research questions and proposing a research strategy to address them.
37 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that businesses engaged in base of the pyramid activities with the ostensible goal of benefitting the poor may paradoxically harm the poor by degrading the natural environments on which they are dependent.
Abstract: Base of the pyramid (BoP) business strategies focus on the delivery of goods and services to the world's poor. Proponents argue that previously unrecognised opportunities for profit are available to companies that target this underserved population. This strategy is commonly presented as an example of social responsibility, or social sustainability, since it targets consumers that have not traditionally had access to consumer goods and services. However, business activities can have a disproportionately harmful impact on the natural environments in which the BoP live and work. We argue that businesses engaged in BoP activities with the ostensible goal of benefitting the BoP may paradoxically harm the BoP by degrading the natural environments on which they are dependent. We provide a conceptual framework for understanding the environmental impacts that firm products, services, and operations can have on the BoP, and we provide a pragmatic solution aimed at resolving this apparent paradox.
35 citations
TL;DR: The research aim of this work starts to look at the relationship among CSR and innovation as a value-creating process which occur in a networks and relational context and to obtain insights about the role of network.
Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a dominant theme in business and literature. Many studies speak about corporate social innovation and considered companies facing with additional goals that are innovation and CSR. The research aim of this work starts to look at the relationship among CSR and innovation as a value-creating process which occur in a networks and relational context. Based on this we want to obtain insights about the role of network and the way in which stakeholders can be involved in corporate responsible innovation of products and processes.
TL;DR: This paper develops and test hypotheses pertaining to the elimination of waste, which is one of the major objectives of lean management, and identifies 1 employee training 2 coaching 3 constructive failure treatment as effective means.
Abstract: Lean development is a promising approach in new product development (NPD). However, despite the successful application of lean thinking and its principles to manufacturing, the adoption of the lean approach to product development is a quite novel undertaking. In this paper, we develop and test hypotheses pertaining to the elimination of waste, which is one of the major objectives of lean management. In particular, our study focuses on the question: What management factors are enablers for the elimination of waste in the context of NPD? We identified: 1 employee training 2 coaching 3 constructive failure treatment as effective means.
Furthermore, implications for management practice are considered. Testing our hypotheses, we refer to data from 108 firms in the automotive supplier industry in German-speaking countries, i.e., Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
TL;DR: This paper tries to investigate the relationship between the CSR and the corporate social performance (CSP) of the corporations using an empirical approach based on direct interviews to the CEOs of Italian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) which developed successful CSR strategies.
Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is both a core and emerging issue in management. Recently, many contributions were developed by scholars and practitioners to better understand the phenomenon and its practical relevance for the corporations. However, defining the phenomenon and the specific characteristics it assumes particular to individual corporations is challenging. Moreover, it is directly linked to the perceptions and values of managerial personal, the specific characteristics of the business, and the size of the corporations. Many contributions have been developed to investigate the relationship between the CSR and the corporate social performance (CSP) of the corporations but inconsistent results were found and very little is known about the phenomenon inside the small and medium sized firms (Spence, 1999, 2007; Thompson and Smith, 1991). This paper tries to investigate this research problem following an empirical approach based on direct interviews to the CEOs of Italian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) which developed successful CSR strategies.
TL;DR: The paper summarises the major trends emerging from the literature review and provides recommendations for further research on CSR behaviour and competitiveness.
Abstract: The importance of SMEs to the economy and society and their special characteristics relevant to the adoption of CSR principles, the implementation of CSR activities, and the study of the relationship between SME, CSR behaviour and competitiveness, have stimulated the interest of both practitioners and academicians. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature addressing SME CSR behaviour and competitiveness. The paper summarises the major trends emerging from the literature review and provides recommendations for further research.
TL;DR: It is found that that lean will be useful in certain types of settings but it is not a universal tool that may be applied to all aspects of healthcare.
Abstract: The principles of lean production originating from the Toyota production system has spread from manufacturing to healthcare. Needless to say, this raises concern whether such principles are actually applicable where the product are humans in need of medical care and what are the consequences for the medical staff.
The literature on lean does not suggest that lean should not be applicable in healthcare. Still this paper begins by discussing if the principles of lean from a theoretical perspective can be expected to work in healthcare. It is found that that it will be useful in certain types of settings but it is not a universal tool that may be applied to all aspects of healthcare.
A case of lean in a surgical ward is presented and it is observed that patients have been split in to two flows, which can be described as a lean and a normal flow.
TL;DR: This paper focuses on large companies in specific sectors that operate in supply chains where they do not exert control over their suppliers and that are already promoting several collaborative initiatives among competitors to facilitate the identification of common standards across their supply chains.
Abstract: In the context of a globalised economy, many companies have adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies in their vertical relationships with suppliers whom they have asked to comply with their own codes of conduct. Thus, suppliers that enter into contractual relationships with such large companies may be confronted with multiple codes of conduct that incorporate different standards that they are expected to meet. This entails additional costs with consequential limited benefits. This paper focuses on large companies in specific sectors that operate in supply chains where they do not exert control over their suppliers and that are already promoting several collaborative initiatives among competitors to facilitate the identification of common standards across their supply chains. The descriptive and exploratory research includes a qualitative analysis of four cases, each of which explains an intra-sector collaborative approach to implementing CSR in international supply chains.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a survey data on 398 Finnish manufacturing firms for the years 2002 and 2005 to empirically explore whether and which organisational factors explain why certain firms produce larger innovative research output than others, and whether the incentives to innovate that certain organisational practices generate differ between small and large firms.
Abstract: In this study, we use a survey data on 398 Finnish manufacturing firms for the years 2002 and 2005 to empirically explore whether and which organisational factors explain why certain firms produce larger innovative research output than others, and whether the incentives to innovate that certain organisational practices generate differ between small and large firms, and between those firms that are operating in low-tech and high-tech industries. Our study indicates that there are vast differences in the organisational practices leading to more innovation both between small and large firms, and between the firms that operate in high- and low-tech industries. While innovation in small firms benefits from the practices that enhance employee participation in decision-making, large firms that have more decentralised decision-making patterns do not seem to innovate more than those with a more bureaucratic decision-making structure. The most efficient incentive for innovation among the sampled companies seems to be the ownership of a firm’s stocks by employees and/or managers. Performance-based wages also relates positively to innovation, but only when it is combined with a systematic monitoring of the firm’s performance.
TL;DR: Through this conceptual model, business firms achieve the systemic integration of lean product development concepts with their downstream operations and demonstrate how businesses can improve their profitability through the utilisation of leanProduct development concepts.
Abstract: This paper draws on extensive theoretical research and literature reviews, from two cases, and presents one case to illustrate practical application. It seeks to define and understand how lean product development integrates with current lean manufacturing strategies, and how the principles of the lean product development process can successfully be applied to improve the operations of a high variable-low volume product mix business. This work aims at delivering a unique conceptual model that demonstrates how businesses can improve their profitability through the utilisation of lean product development concepts. Through our conceptual model, business firms achieve the systemic integration of lean product development concepts with their downstream operations. The case presented of a high variable-low volume business organisation offers useful insights into how to implement this in practice.
TL;DR: This study better defines the role played by the connections existing among local actors involved in an industrial cluster (in order to stimulate and promote CSR) and evaluates the types of correlations existing between the adoption of CSR initiatives and economic performance.
Abstract: This paper shows the results of a survey carried out in two Tuscan industrial clusters and aims at analysing the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives by local small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in favour of employees, suppliers and consumers. In particular, we have analysed both the role of local stakeholders in stimulating the different initiatives and the issues that SMEs consider relevant for their business strategies. This study represents an innovative contribution to the research concerning the relationship between SMEs and CSR, and better defines the role played by the connections existing among local actors involved in an industrial cluster (in order to stimulate and promote CSR). Finally, the paper evaluates the types of correlations existing between the adoption of CSR initiatives and economic performance.
TL;DR: It is found that regionally-based network resources are more strongly associated with superior innovation performance and that spatial proximity is significant for establishing effective knowledge alliances.
Abstract: This paper draws on the notion of network resources to examine the association between such resources, in the form of knowledge alliances, and the innovation performance of firms, as well as the extent to which the geographic location of network partners influences this performance. We find that innovation performance is associated with a combination of both network resources and the internal characteristics of firms. In particular, we find that regionally-based network resources are more strongly associated with superior innovation performance. Knowledge alliances with local rival firms and knowledge-intensive business service providers (KIBS) are most strongly associated with superior innovation performance. Our findings suggest that spatial proximity is significant for establishing effective knowledge alliances.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the implications of outsourcing and the increasingly distributed nature of research and innovative activities using primary survey data collected from the UK pharmaceutical industry and conclude the implications for this for firm strategy and the open innovation agenda and for future research in this field.
Abstract: The outsourcing of research and development (R&D) activities has grown rapidly in recent years. Outsourcing has major implications for how knowledge and R&D activities are organised and coordinated in a wider open innovation environment and creates major challenges for firms and their managers. This paper explores the implications of outsourcing and the increasingly distributed nature of research and innovative activities using primary survey data collected from the UK pharmaceutical industry. These issues are uniquely examined at both firm and activity level. This paper then seeks to set the findings of the study within the context of the wider debate and conceptual frameworks surrounding R&D outsourcing and offshoring in terms of the increasingly open and distributed nature of research operations. This paper concludes by exploring the implications for this for firm strategy and the open innovation agenda and for future research in this field.
TL;DR: The survey showed that larger companies are more IP aware whilst SMEs and the mass of micro-enterprises are often effectively unaware of the IP system and that promoting IP awareness to smaller companies is vital to the system’s success.
Abstract: Intellectual property (IP) systems depend on awareness of intellectual property yet study and measurement of this has hitherto been neglected. Components of and measures for IP awareness are discussed and studied using a large scale survey of UK industry. This addressed three main issues of: 1
IP knowledge and understanding
2
IP management practises
3
awareness and use of IP information and advice.
IP awareness scales were constructed using both classical measurement theory and Rasch model scales. The survey showed that larger companies are more IP aware whilst SMEs and the mass of micro-enterprises are often effectively unaware of the IP system. The findings showed the importance of promoting IP awareness not just to firms but also within firms and that promoting IP awareness to smaller companies is vital to the system’s success.
TL;DR: The researchers analysed journal articles published from 1999 to 2010 and found that they address the competitive advantages of sustainable business management not only in terms of innovation and economic performance, but also of eco-efficiency.
Abstract: The paper provides a classification for the literature on the relationship between sustainable business management and competitiveness. The researchers analysed journal articles published from 1999 to 2010 and found that they address the competitive advantages of sustainable business management not only in terms of innovation and economic performance (e.g., cost saving and profitability), but also of eco-efficiency. Using the multidimensional scaling approach, the researchers identified three main semantic dimensions: a
the operational dimension
b
the market dimension
c
the environmental dimension.
Based on this representation, the environmental and the operational dimensions are distant from the area including market advantages for the firm. It is arguable that the approach used to analyse sustainable business management and competitiveness will be more and more tri-dimensional and multidisciplinary in the future.
TL;DR: This paper explores nanotechnology collaboration patterns and collaborators’ performance through bibliometric and text mining analyses to draw policy implications for promoting further research.
Abstract: Nanotechnology research has emerged as a monumental scientific endeavour worldwide. Over the past decade, China’s nanotechnology publication activity has grown exponentially at an annual rate of about 20%. International collaboration plays a major role in this Chinese research advance. This paper explores these nanotechnology collaboration patterns and collaborators’ performance through bibliometric and text mining analyses to draw policy implications for promoting further research.
TL;DR: A document-mining framework designed for TI is suggested and guidelines for software selection are proposed, which are expected to support intelligence operatives in finding suitable techniques and software systems for getting value from document- mining and thus facilitate effective knowledge management.
Abstract: This research proposes a method for extracting technology intelligence (TI) systematically from a large set of document data. To do this, the internal and external sources in the form of documents, which might be valuable for TI, are first identified. Then the existing techniques and software systems applicable to document analysis are examined. Finally, based on the reviews, a document-mining framework designed for TI is suggested and guidelines for software selection are proposed. The research output is expected to support intelligence operatives in finding suitable techniques and software systems for getting value from document-mining and thus facilitate effective knowledge management.
TL;DR: The present study describes the effects of product platform changes on lean production systems and illustrates the fundamental impact of changes in the platform on procurement, manufacturing, and maintenance.
Abstract: The present study describes the effects of product platform changes on lean production systems. Current research into product platforms focuses mostly on the development stage. However, although the initial development of platforms is an important issue, product platforms often evolve during later stages due to emerging engineering changes. The research question for this study is: how do firms manage the impact of changes on lean production systems, and what is the role of product platforms in stabilising the resulting variety during production and use? The study illustrates the fundamental impact of changes in the platform on procurement, manufacturing, and maintenance. Based on a case study, several important requirements in the management of platform changes are identified. Firstly, platform change attributes should be clearly defined because they determine the state of the platform during its lifecycle. Further, product platform lifecycle management (PPLM) is required to support impact analysis during a platform's lifecycle. Finally, configuration management of the product base installed in the field is required. Throughout the company, data management concerning versions, variants, and changes of platform attributes has to be organised. Further research should focus on defining the attributes of a platform more precisely and, subsequently, should concentrate on the development of a change or freeze policy based on these attributes.
TL;DR: Using firm-level data from the Community Innovation Survey 2006 (CIS2006) for Luxembourg, the econometric analysis reveals that the number of adopted KM practices is positively related to the probability of introducing product innovation.
Abstract: Taking advantage of the peculiar features of the service-intensive Luxembourgish economy, this work extends to the service sector current empirical research on knowledge management (KM) and innovation. Using firm-level data from the Community Innovation Survey 2006 (CIS2006) for Luxembourg, the econometric analysis reveals that the number of adopted KM practices is positively related to the probability of introducing product innovation. In a comparative perspective, this is aligned with findings from Kremp and Mairesse (2004) for the considerably different context of the French manufacturing sector. The research also shows that implementation of internal KM practices precedes external knowledge acquisition. This indicates a positive association between KM intensity and strategy complexity in terms of knowledge sourcing. KM intensity and complexity appear related to the economic sector: financial companies and knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) implement more articulated KM strategies and manage external knowledge more actively than other sectors.
TL;DR: The paper calls for a 'continuous innovation' in the way CI research is accomplished, and aims at proposing some key building blocks and evaluation criteria of a basic framework able to overcome the pre-paradigmatic stage in which CI research seems to be stuck.
Abstract: Whereas there is a wealth of contributions on the topic of continuous innovation (CI) in firms, there is still a clear need for works addressing how the existing knowledge on combining various types of innovation with operational excellence and strategic flexibility in a fruitful manner. Any attempt to generate actionable knowledge about CI that at the same time lives up to the traditional academic requirements of rigor and relevance poses significant challenges to researchers, calling for a more comprehensive and multi-faceted methodological approach, attending to multiple evaluation criteria and possible revisions of research roles and processes. This paper aims to recommend how to produce CI actionable knowledge and to take the first steps in progressing from this form of knowledge to a universal theory of CI. In doing so, the paper calls for a 'continuous innovation' in the way CI research is accomplished, and aims at proposing some key building blocks and evaluation criteria of a basic framework able to overcome the pre-paradigmatic stage in which CI research seems to be stuck. Moreover, it presents four papers from the International CINet Conference held in 2007 Goteborg (SE) and one from the 2010 Zurich.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined whether the market value reflects the investment in intangible assets predicted by resource-based view (RBV) in a sample of public Japanese firms and industries.
Abstract: In this study, we examined whether the market value reflects the investment in intangible assets predicted by resource-based view (RBV) in a sample of public Japanese firms and industries. In particular, we tested whether the goodness of fit between prevailing industrial setting and firm’s resource endowment is associated with market value. Our findings suggest that while some industries are more valuable than other, intangible assets are not a necessary condition.
The results also indicate that while there exists a strong positive effect of R&D on Tobin’s Q the evidence on the relationship between advertising and Tobin’s Q is mixed. The results also show that firms investing higher levels of intangible assets in low intangible-settings are more valuable.
TL;DR: It is argued that Toyota, Honda and Nissan are capable of not only incremental but also more-than-incremental innovations, as illustrated by their position in the electrification race.
Abstract: This paper discusses Toyota's, Honda's and Nissan's efforts in battery, hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles (BEVs, HEVs and FCVs). Its aim is to increase understanding of the process constituting a paradigmatic shift in technology. In particular, the paper aims to elucidate how automakers managed their early moves. Based on interviews, patent data and previous literature, key aspects relating to the automakers successful early moves into vehicle electrification (as seen in 2010) are outlined. Toyota's (and Honda's) aim of in-house knowledge development in the new technologies is among the aspects emphasised as distinctive compared to other world automakers. Furthermore, spill-over in terms of branding and sales and a deliberate development of the corporate culture are proposed as potential new first-mover objectives and consequences. Finally, this paper argues that Toyota, Honda and Nissan are capable of not only incremental but also more-than-incremental innovations, as illustrated by their position in the electrification race.