Showing papers in "Journal of Engineering and Technology in 2015"

Co-creation and user innovation

Abstract: The aim of this article is to investigate the changes brought about by online 3D printing platforms in co-creation and user innovation. As doing so requires a thorough understanding of the level of user involvement in productive processes and a clear view of the nature of co-creative processes, this article provides a 'prosumption' framework and a typology of co-creation activities. Then, based on case studies of 22 online 3D printing platforms, a service-based taxonomy of these platforms is constructed. The taxonomy and typology are then matched to investigate the role played by online 3D platforms in regard to the various types of co-creation activities and, consequently, how this impacts user innovation.

University-industry cooperation

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the interface between researchers' motivations and interaction channels concerning university-industry cooperation. For this purpose, we conducted a case study in a medium-sized higher education institution in Portugal. Interviews with university management and documentary analysis served for data-collection. We found that the traditional service and bi-directional channels play an important role in interaction with industry. Use of these channels depends on researchers' motivations and disciplinary affiliation. Moreover, we make an argument for the relevance of intermediators in the interaction. Several implications are presented.

The search for innovative partners in co-creation

Abstract: Despite the extensive literature on the benefits of netnography and crowdsourcing for insight and idea generation, little research has been conducted on their practical relevance and application for identifying lead users. We address this gap through an analysis of 24 lead user projects investigating the viability, underlying processes, and main differences of these new search strategies. We argue that both methods justify the significant investments by additionally providing a user-centric basis for subsequent ideation sessions with lead users. Our findings contribute to user innovation literature by demonstrating new ways of identifying these highly valuable users in the social media age.

Organizational applications of IT innovation and firm's competitive performance

Abstract: The resource-based view (RBV) argues for IT innovation capabilities as being valuable resources for competitive performance. It is characterized by three types for its applications, IT unit, intra-organization, and inter-organization. The three types are an evolutionary concept across time. Innovation diffusion theory (IDT) is an approach to explain a diffusion structure and its drivers. Grounding on these theories, this study proposes a model for the links between the drivers, diffusion process, and IT-enabled performance. Previous studies have lacked a consideration to the concept of dynamic diffusion. The empirical findings indicate the importance of a diffusion structure in realizing competitive performance.

From the Triple Helix model to the Global Open Innovation model

Abstract: Applying of the Triple Helix Model and the Open Innovation Models to the design of a RDI strategy.Design of a RDI strategy based on international cooperation.University-Industry-Government relations for the innovation transfer.International cooperation as the accelerator of the process of knowledge transfer from university to industry. This study presents a case study research that sets out the process of designing the Dominican Republic's RDI strategy during the period 2001-2007 and the role played by international cooperation in that process. We discussed the Triple Helix model as framework, and the use of a new approach that can be transferred to other countries. The results have validated some of the model's assumptions, but they have also confirmed the existence of certain explanatory limitations in it. In order to rectify them, a new model - the Global Open Innovation model - has been proposed as alternative approach to the innovation transfer.

External environment, the innovating organization, and its individuals

Abstract: Minimizing factors (barriers) disrupting innovation is a key to success. Drawing on stakeholder theory and dynamic capabilities, we propose the EOI barrier model for identifying barriers at multiple levels of analysis: the external environment (external stakeholders), the organization (managerial levers based on dynamic capabilities) and the individual (employees' attitudes and abilities, management commitment). By applying this model to the German biotechnology industry, we examine how barriers manifest themselves in specific settings and demonstrate the context specificity of barriers. Using interview data, we identify 39 barriers across the three levels of analysis. The findings highlight the importance of secondary stakeholders.

A typology of creative consumers in living labs

Abstract: This study explores user innovation in living labs that build on the co-creation of value with users in real-life environments It focuses on the link between the role mechanisms of user innovators and the innovation outcome The study introduces a framework based on four types of creative consumers to analyze user roles in 26 living labs in Finland, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden It contributes to the literature on user innovation by revealing how the role mechanisms affect innovation in living labs Although users adopt given roles, resulting in incremental innovation, proactive user innovators foster the birth of radical innovation

A Review of Head Injury and Finite Element Head Models

Abstract: Head injury, being one of the main causes of death or permanent disability in everyday life, continues to remain as a major health problem with significant socioeconomic costs. Therefore, there is a need for biomechanical studies of head injury, its mechanisms and its tolerance to external loading. Throughout the decades, finite element head models (FEHMs) have been used to assess the biomechanics of head injury mechanism. Given the fact that some of the internal biomechanical responses of the brain can neither be measured easily nor in-vivo by experimental techniques, FEHM offers a cost-effective alternative to experimental method in estimating the internal biomechanical responses of human head. This review paper aims to provide researchers in this field with some background information about head injury. A thorough literature review has been done to summarize the essential details in terms of modeling, material properties and boundary conditions of various FEHMs. The outline of this review is divided into two main sections. The first section consists of definitions, epidemiology, mechanism and classifications of head injury as well as some basic anatomy of human head. Beginning with the history of FEHMs and their revolution in geometry and complexity, the second section would be focusing on the various mechanical aspects of the FEHMs. Various boundary conditions and validations used by the FEHMs are also included in the review article. In addition, important findings and head injury criteria from these FEHMs are summarized.

Innovation and growth of engineering SMEs in Bangalore

Abstract: This paper probes two research questions by ascertaining the factors which distinguish (i) innovative SMEs from those which are not, and (ii) SMEs which experienced a higher sales growth from those which experienced a lower sales growth, with reference to 197 engineering industry SMEs in Bangalore city. The differentiating factors between innovative and non-innovative SMEs brought out that SMEs must have "own resources and capabilities" in the form of internal strength and definite internal strategy if they have to innovate successfully. Younger and smaller firms which are "entrepreneurial" in nature and which are innovative contributed to higher sales growth of SMEs compared to older and larger firms which are "salary-substitute firms" in nature and which are not innovative.

Bridging firm-internal boundaries for innovation

Abstract: Knowledge flowing across firm-internal (unit) boundaries is an essential contribution to an organization's innovative performance. Knowledge, unfortunately, does not cross firm-internal boundaries as a matter of course. The different contacts an individual maintains in a firm's instrumental-formal and expressive-informal networks defines their personal communication profile - a profile that may or may not match their formal position within the firm. Through the contacts individuals maintain, they can entertain five different communication roles as they transfer knowledge within their firm; either internal to their own unit or brokering to other units. From among the five different roles, two are (unit) internally oriented and three are oriented toward others outside the unit, crossing firm-internal boundaries. We find that individuals who in their formal (but not in their informal) contacts are predominantly externally oriented will particularly contribute to innovative activity within the firm. Detailed case analysis of knowledge flows at a large European electronics and engineering multinational, provides evidence that certain combination of roles are more likely than others to be successful at bridging firm-internal boundaries as basis for innovative knowledge transfer, allowing individuals who combine these roles to play a special role in stimulating innovation.

What drives technology convergence? Exploring the influence of technological and resource allocation contexts

Abstract: Although many studies emphasize the importance of technology convergence, comparatively few ask, "What drives technology convergence?". This study empirically demonstrates how technological and resource allocation contexts nourish technology convergence. We use the data from government-supported R&D projects in Korea and measure convergent patents as ones with multi-assigned R&D domains. The results show that earlier stage of technology life cycle, lower technology readiness level, longer R&D timespan, or smaller R&D budget lead to the creation of technology convergence. The results justify the policy supports for technology convergence and highlight the paradoxical relationship between the affluence of R&D resources and technology convergence.

On the use of directional and incremental prototyping in the development of high novelty products

Abstract: Physical prototypes have always been important in engineering design. However, little is known about the role that prototypes play in the development of complex physical products. This paper investigates the role of prototypes and prototyping in the development of two novel product innovations recently launched by an automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Through an exploratory case study, prototypes are found to provide the capability to aid learning and communication both within the development teams and across the organization. Actual prototype usage was found to encompass activities beyond merely the verification and validation purposes covered in traditional engineering design literature.

A real options framework for R&D planning in technology-based firms

Abstract: The increasing uncertainty in technology and market trends makes it difficult for technology firms to capture emerging opportunities. This paper develops an R&D planning framework based on the real options analysis to identify, develop and evaluate technological opportunities. The developed methodology can encourage R&D organizations to proactively explore uncertainties and to identify managerial options to capture emerging opportunities. Furthermore, the developed real options model integrated with the Bass diffusion model can help R&D managers evaluate and select optimal investment decisions to maximize market payoff under different demand structures. The case of a biochip R&D project is studied.

The Extended Map methodology

Abstract: We propose a technology roadmapping methodology customized for SMEs.The proposal (Extended Map) adds an ecosystem view to the methodology.The collaborative process is used for common activities that focus on "pre-competitive" information for the same sector or area.The individual process is used for specific activities for the specific company.A collaborative action seems to reduce the global needed resources and seem to favor learning and networking processes. For small medium enterprises, customization of roadmapping is required. Although the phases of its process are solid and shared in the literature, the sub-phases and specific activities to be undertaken are only mentioned and do not provide sufficient guidance for implementation. The paper proposes a new methodology for the implementation of technology roadmapping.The research strategy is based on action research with two cycles of action. The first cycle (Opportunity profile) simplifies the traditional methodology. The second cycle (Extended Map) relies on collaboration of small medium enterprises coordinated by an intermediary and adds an ecosystem view to the methodology.

Development of a patent roadmap through the Generative Topographic Mapping and Bass diffusion model

Abstract: This paper aims to present a novel concept roadmap-the patent roadmap-and suggest an advanced patent roadmapping process, based on the Generative Topographic Mapping (GTM) and Bass diffusion model. The process for patent roadmapping is composed of two modules: Developing the GTM-based patent map and determining the appearance time of the emerging patent through Bass model. The result of this research is meaningful knowledge from analyzing a vast store of patent data with quantitative methods and automated tools. It can serve as an effective patent planning tool, and proposes a strategic Research and Business Development (R&BD) for both firms and governments.

How to innovate with a brand community

Abstract: This study examines how a firm can innovate with a brand community via an inductive, longitudinal study of three brand communities The proposed framework for building an innovative brand community features six mechanisms: animation, openness, structuring, linking, theorization, and integration that support three processes: generation, socialization and adoption of user contributions An innovative brand community can generate valuable innovations for the firm without reducing its own vitality It brings together lead, creative, and other types of users to create ideas and new functions, uses, and contents pertaining to innovation On the one hand, firms that partially open their boundaries by leaving space in the process of innovation for creation and discussion can benefit from the contribution of users without suffering appropriation problems On the other hand, brand communities should receive toolkits for creation and animation, and encourage the development of both communities and innovation

Characterization and determination of catechins in green tea leaves using UV-visible spectrometer

Abstract: In this paper, characterizations of pure major catechins and method for determination of total catechins in green tea leaves have been reported using UV-visible spectrometer. Most research activities have been focused on chromatographic methods, however spectrophotometirc method is preferred because of its rapidity, high accuracy, and reproducibility. The optical transition properties of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and Epicatechin Gallate (ECG) in water, methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile and Epigallocatechin (EGC) and Epicatechin (EC) in water were measured. The results show that, EGCG has highest molar decadic absorption coefficient in methanol than in the other solvents. ECG has the highest absorption cross-section, transitional dipole moment, and oscillator strength of all the catechins in water. On the other hand, EGC has the least optical transition properties of all the catechins in water. Limits of detection (LOD) were comprised in the range 3.1×10-2gmL-1 to and reproducibilities with RSD lower than 2%. After characterization of the electron transition, a method was developed for UV-Visible determination of total catechins. Using the developed method, the content of total catechins in Ethiopian and Sri Lanka green tea leaves at room temperature was determined. The result of the experiment indicates that, Ethiopian green tea leaves has the greater total catechins (17±0.01%) than Sri Lanka green tea leaves (7.17±0.12%). Key words: Tea leaves, catechins, extraction, UV-visible spectrometer, optical transition properties.

Strategic thinking and business innovation

Abstract: Leaders' strategic thinking, or mental processes, are the cognitive foundation of business innovation. Business innovation is a difficult endeavor. For leaders, the path from strategic thinking to effective innovation is complex and full of obstacles. 'Strategic thinking research' investigates cognitive factors that foster innovation, focusing mainly on leaders' deductive or inductive reasoning and their rational choices. However, leaders' rationality is bounded and their strategic thinking is a mix of rationality and insight. Therefore, strategic thinking research should investigate both the rationality and intuition that can support business innovation.Given this, the study proposes a theoretical model describing strategic thinking that draws on Peirce's theory of abduction. Leaders' strategic thinking is shown to be similar to the cognitive process of hypothesis formation, and to follow both logical rules and intuitive insights. The proposed model provides guidelines that allow rationality and intuition to go hand in hand, and thus together support the real-world processes of leaders' strategizing. The proposed model is tested by employing the semi-standardized laddering technique on a sample of strategic leaders of service companies.

Innovativeness, operations priorities and corporate performance

Abstract: The paper analyzes the relations among the manufacturing firm's innovativeness, operations priorities, and corporate performance. As opposed to common practice in the literature in which these relations are analyzed on a dichotomous (high vs. low) classification of innovativeness mostly based on product and/or process innovations, a taxonomy based approach is used here. Our findings demonstrate that leading innovators simultaneously compete effectively on multiple operations priorities and obtain the best corporate performance. This research also demonstrate that incorporating shades of grey via the more elaborate taxonomy based approach reveals hidden relations that were otherwise buried in the data.

Winners, losers, and deniers

Abstract: New product development via crowdsourcing relies on individuals who provide creative ideas to firms. Hence, researchers are interested in understanding the nature of individuals who engage in and win innovation contests. Our study advances this research by drawing on the componential model of creativity and including participants and non-participants of innovation contests in our sample. We find participants to have higher levels of domain-relevant skills, creativity-relevant processes, and intrinsic motivation than non-participants. Furthermore, extrinsic motivation and high levels of domain-relevant skills are found to distinguish successful from unsuccessful participants more so than high levels of creativity-relevant processes and intrinsic motivation.

A Novel Text Steganography Technique to Arabic Language Using Reverse Fat5Th5Ta

Abstract: This paper presents a new technique for information hiding in Arabic language. The technique uses text steganography to hide the information. Considering the existence of Harakat (Fatha, Kasra and Damma) in the languages a new approach of reversing the Fatha has been developed for message hiding. The technique has been also evaluated to ensure its quality. This technique can be applied on other languages like Persian, Sindhi and other Regional languages.

Factors Affecting Material Waste on Construction Sites in Nigeria

Abstract: Ineffective planning and control of materials on sites can degenerate to poor performance and undesirable project outcomes as well poor public image of construction industry This study assesses the level of contribution of several factors to material waste generation Structured questionnaires were administered to two groups of stakeholders in construction industry Relative contribution index, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests are used to analyse the data collected The first three highest contributors to material waste are found to be reworks due to non-conformance to specifications, waste from cutting uneconomical shapes, and design changes and revisions with average relative contribution index of 0801, 0791 and 0773 respectively The findings reveal that there is no significant difference between the perceptions of consultants and contractors; and there is no location effect in the level of contribution of the assessed factors to material waste generation as perceived by the respondents from different locality with a p-value of 0469 With all the factors being scored with relative contribution index greater than 0600; it is concluded that material waste generation is a critical and complex issue in Nigerian construction industry The study recommends that all stakeholders in the construction industry should jointly consider waste minimisation strategies to reduce the level of waste generated on site

Classifying user-innovators - An approach to utilize user-innovator asset

Abstract: Extant research underscored that user-innovators, especially those belonging to communities can be excellent collaborators with firms seeking new ideas. The two characteristics significant for commercial success are community membership and information disclosure. However, recent national surveys in Japan and the U.S. reveal that these characteristics are a part of the minority group of user-innovators. This study aims to investigate the differences in characteristics and motives between such a minority and the majority of user-innovators. We conducted a survey in Japan and classified 579 user-innovators into three groups - social, revealing, and silent innovators. Significant differences were observed in demographic variables, innovation adoption rates, and motives for product development. Based on the results, this study discusses how firms can effectively co-opt and integrate each type of user-innovator into their organizations' innovation processes.

Determinants of firms' patenting or not patenting behaviors

Abstract: We distinguish between two firm patenting behaviors ('never patent' and 'always patent') and present a two-factor (capability and willingness) patenting behavior framework to enrich existing research. We examine innovative activities on 165 Taiwanese information and communication technology firms by using a zero-inflated Poisson regression model. Our results suggest that determinants of increasing probability of patenting are not completely the same as ones of decreasing probability of not patenting. Moreover, while capability factors are positively associated with propensity to patent, willingness factors moderate the relationship between capability factors and propensity to patent.

The Lag-User Method

Abstract: The literature on user innovation has not considered laggards - the last group of users to adopt a product - as a source of new ideas for innovative products and services. In this paper, we develop the Lag-User Method to investigate laggards' role in the process of idea generation and new product development (NPD) and so enable firms to gain access to their insights. We study laggards for 4 years in three countries and apply the Lag-User Method to different technologies, products, and services, thereby generating 62 innovative ideas across a wide range of industries and sectors. These ideas are discussed with executives to obtain managerial insights. Our studies reveal that laggards who generate new ideas (i.e. lag-users) can enrich NPD. Being coached through the systematic Lag-User Method, they can come up with radical, really new, or incremental innovations. Moreover, applying the method increased laggards' perception regarding their (a) understanding of innovation, (b) perception that people can learn to innovate, (c) perception of their ability to develop new products on their own, (d) confidence about their own new ideas, and (e) perception of considering themselves capable of innovating. Thus, we propose that by involving lag-users in idea generation and NPD process, both academia and firms can improve the effectiveness of NPD, overcome barriers to adoption of innovations, cross the chasm, and accelerate the diffusion of their new products or services.

Relationship of Cash Conversion Cycle with Firm Size, Working Capital Approaches and Firm’s Profitability: A Case of Pakistani Industries

Abstract: This study is aimed to analyze the comparative performance management of different industrial groups at single time scale from multiple perspectives. The study investigates the relationship between the length of CCC, firm size, firm profitability and aggressive/conservative Working Capital policies of 12 industrial groups. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc test (Least Significant Differences) have been used for empirical investigation. The data is collected from the financial statements of the 157 public limited companies listed in the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) for the year 2009. It is found that significant differences lie among the mean values of CCC across the Industries and more specifically, Oil and Gas industry is significantly different from all the other industries in term of its length of CCC. Findings of the study show that there is a significant and positive relationship between firms’ aggressive investing policies and conservative financing policies. It is concluded that length of CCC has negative relationship with sales revenue, return on equity (ROE) and financing policies of the firms and has positive relationship with total assets, return on assets (ROA) and investing policies of firms. The practical implications of this study are for the management of the firms to consider the importance of the length of CCC in formulating their policies because the length of CCC is closely related to aggressive/conservative Working Capital approaches of firms. This is the first study of its nature conducted in Pakistan so far which has taken into account all these variables simultaneously and tried to investigate their relationship with each other.

Changing importances of professional practice competencies over an engineering career

Abstract: The profession depends on its practitioners developing management and leadership skills to achieve good client outcomes and robust, reliable products or services, delivered by profitable, ethically run engineering businesses. The difficulty is determining what those skills are, and where in the career they are needed. The New Zealand population of professional engineers was surveyed to rate the importance of a list of management and leadership topics. Results show the relative importance of various topics and how their importance is perceived differently with years of experience. The results also help differentiate the roles of teaching institutions and ongoing in-career professional development.

Failure Modes of GFRP After Multiple Impacts Determined by Acoustic Emission and Digital Image Correlation

Abstract: The nature and extent of damage in multiple times impacted E-glass/epoxy laminates subjected to compression loading has been investigated, using a correlation of passive image processing and online acoustic emission techniques. Sixteen-ply unidirectional glass fiber reinforced plastic laminates were fabricated, on which low velocity repeated impact tests were conducted at an energy of 8.67 Joules, followed by post-impact compression tests accompanied with acoustic emission monitoring and online recording of the complete loading using a digital camera. The combination of different methods suggested that damage modes during impact change were depending on whether the laminate had been impacted already or not. This compression after impact loading the accrued importance of fiber microbuckling, as assessed from acoustic emission frequency analysis, for growing number of impacts and for higher compression stress. Moreover, different growing levels of critical stress for the laminates during loading were established, linked to damage initiation (first acoustic emission events detected), to damage propagation, (digital images start detecting an increase of damaged area), and to unstable damage growth (maximum compression after impact stress is reached).

Compaction Characteristics of Oil Contaminated Residual Soil

Abstract: Oil spillage during transportation, leakages of underground tanks in fuel stations as well as indiscriminate spill of spent oil in motor mechanic workshops have increasingly become very prevalent in Nigeria. This study examined the effect of oil contamination on the strength properties of lateritic soil. Crude oil was simulated by rigorously mixing engine oil, diesel, kerosene and gasoline (petrol) together in ratio 1:1:1:1. Lateritic soil samples were artificially contaminated with the simulated crude oil in the range 0 to 8% of the dry weight of soils in a step concentration of 2% and subjected to basic geotechnical laboratory tests using british standard light (BSL) and west African standard (WAS) compactive efforts. The results show a gradual increase in the proportion of gravelly formed particles while sand and silt contents decreases with increase in oil content. The plastic and liquid limits of the soils decreased as the crude oil content increased. The maximum dry densities (MDD) decreased from 1.06 - 1.03 mg/m 3 and 1.12 - 1.04 mg/m 3 , while optimum moisture content (OMC) increased from 13.12 – 14.8% and 11.8 – 13.3% for both BS and WAS compactive efforts respectively as oil content increased. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of samples for both BS and WAS compactive efforts were 239.6 kN/m 2 and 253.8 kN/m 2 respectively and increased with oil content up to 2% and thereafter decreased with further contamination. A significant influence of oil contamination on the engineering properties of soils is evident, and remediation and reuse of contaminated soil is imperative.

Applying social network analysis to validate mass collaboration innovation drivers

Abstract: The authors model the user innovation networks of NASA's International Space Apps Challenges and use social network analysis to empirically investigate the existence and impact of three drivers of innovation. These drivers are competition, social interaction, and network vitality. We empirically prove that competitive intensity exists as a driver of innovation in our networks, and is an indicator of innovation success, while the drivers of social interaction intensity and network vitality do not.