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Article
Publication date: 15 November 2011

George K. Stylios

Examines the sixteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects…

Abstract

Examines the sixteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 23 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 November 2019

Noel James Pearse and Judita Peterlin

From the perspective of role identity theory, the purpose of this paper is to explain how an artistic creative entrepreneur has set up and operates a business that incorporates a…

Abstract

Purpose

From the perspective of role identity theory, the purpose of this paper is to explain how an artistic creative entrepreneur has set up and operates a business that incorporates a component of social responsibility into the business model.

Design/methodology/approach

An explanatory case study approach was followed in analysing the case of Alenka Repic, the founder and creative director of the company Kaaita, which operates from Slovenia. Data were collected through documentation and interviews and content analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Kaaita has adopted an innovative and socially responsible business model as an artistic creative enterprise. The case study firstly introduces Kaaita and its innovative business model. Thereafter, it describes and discusses the defining roles of Alenka Repic as an entrepreneur and how these roles have shaped what Kaaita does and how it operates.

Research limitations/implications

This explanatory case study has presented the unique case of an artistic creative social entrepreneur, and the innovative business model that has been adopted. However, because only one case has been presented here, it is recommended that additional case studies be conducted. It is also recommended that additional research be conducted in the area of sustainable business model innovation.

Practical implications

The case illustrates how a more deliberate consideration of their role identity could assist entrepreneurs in aligning their personal values and beliefs with how they create, operate and develop their enterprise. It also serves as a reminder to both scholars and aspiring entrepreneurs that the essence of entrepreneurship is to have the passion and courage to be innovative and disruptive and that educators should focus on cultivating skills that are related to identifying and exploiting opportunities for innovative disruption.

Originality/value

The study draws on role identity theory to gain insight into the roles that are exercised in developing an innovative business model that combines diverse types of entrepreneurship.

Details

Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 May 2017

Alenka Temeljotov Salaj and Anita Ceric

Abstract

Details

Facilities, vol. 35 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Abstract

Details

Strategy & Leadership, vol. 50 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1087-8572

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2023

Esra Keskin, Harun Tanrıvermiş and Alenka Temeljotov Salaj

Facility management (FM) is picking up steam in Turkey. However, delays in creating standards and adopting FM as a profession by corporate and public institutions led to an…

Abstract

Purpose

Facility management (FM) is picking up steam in Turkey. However, delays in creating standards and adopting FM as a profession by corporate and public institutions led to an unusual predicament, unlike in Europe and the USA. The purpose of this study is to take an inductive and constructivist approach to explore the extent of maturity in the FM industry within Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative understanding of the complexity of the Turkish FM sector drives the design used in the study. All data has been collected through an in-depth interview and semi-structured questionnaire with FM stakeholders.

Findings

The findings revealed the perceptions of stakeholders working in various businesses and research institutions in Turkey, including FM organizations, supply markets and educational institutions, regarding the key challenges and opportunities in the business environment.

Practical implications

The trend on Turkish FM revealed a slow growth in FM professionalization, which needs the authority’s attention as the professionalization reduces the unemployment rate, reduces cost and enhances the life cycle of the physical property.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, on Turkish FM that provides comprehensive studies on Turkish FM professionalization trends to draw the attention of policymakers to the need to enact policies that would improve FM professionalism.

Details

Facilities , vol. 41 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 April 2018

Alenka Slavec Gomezel and Kaja Rangus

The purpose of this paper is to connect open innovation and entrepreneurship literature by focusing on the influence of entrepreneurs’ open innovation mindset and alertness on a…

1542

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to connect open innovation and entrepreneurship literature by focusing on the influence of entrepreneurs’ open innovation mindset and alertness on a firm’s financial performance in a country that has recently transitioned from socialism into capitalism.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample of 188 entrepreneurs who answered a survey about their personality characteristics in Time 1. In time 2, the authors collected firm-related data from a national database on firms’ financial statements.

Findings

The results show that an individual’s level of open innovation mindset has a positive impact on entrepreneurial alertness. The results also show an important and previously under-investigated relationship between entrepreneurial alertness and firm financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study spurs research in the field of open innovation on the individual level of the entrepreneurs who have considerable influence on small firms’ results, and draws attention into the under-investigated innovation and entrepreneurship agenda in a small and transitioning country.

Practical implications

Open innovation starts with an open innovation mindset of entrepreneurs, so entrepreneurs are those who set the open innovation path of firms.

Originality/value

While open innovation triggered interest among business practitioners and management innovation scholars, it remained focused on management topics connected to a broad strategic setting of a firm. However, research related to entrepreneurial companies which benefit significantly from external sources of innovation has received scarce attention, and open innovation on the entrepreneur’s individual level even less so.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 56 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 October 2023

Tamara Besednjak Valič, Janez Kolar, Urša Lamut and Alenka Pandiloska Jurak

This paper aims to explore the key anchors of the National Innovation System shaping the nature of collaboration between academic high-performance computing centres (academic HPC…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the key anchors of the National Innovation System shaping the nature of collaboration between academic high-performance computing centres (academic HPC centres) and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in the automotive and electronics sectors of the Danube region. With two main research questions, it discusses the importance of knowledge transfer and technology transfer for collaboration between University and Industry (U-I collaboration) in three groups of developmentally distinct countries: competitively advanced, competitively intermediate and competitively lagging. As main anchors of the innovation system, stable legal environment, exciting innovation policies and strong R&D funding are recognised.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative empirical study in 14 Danube region countries included 92 focus group participants, expert representatives of academic HPC centres and SMEs. The data were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed.

Findings

The findings show the main prerequisites of the framework conditions for efficient U-I collaboration evolve through a goal-oriented National Innovation Policy and developed and functioning legal environment supporting labour market and intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement. Additionally, skilled people are needed to be able to operate with HPC, where it seems all the countries lack such skilled workforce. In competitively lagging countries, the high levels of brain drain exhibit strong impact to U-I collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

Research into relationships between academic HPC centres and SMEs conducted was qualitative; therefore, limitations in terms of generalisation arise from it. On the other hand, the research is promising in terms of offering the guidance for policy makers who can use the findings when delivering innovation policy mix, adjusted to developmental level of own innovation ecosystem.

Originality/value

The study is among the pioneering work in U-I collaboration between academic HPC centres and SMEs from automotive and electronics industries in the Danube region. The research addresses the dynamics of collaboration and offers policy implications to strengthen the particular U-I collaboration.

研究目的

本文旨在探究國家創新系統的主要支柱; 這些支柱決定了學術性的高速網路與計算中心 (註: 此為直譯) (以下簡稱學術高網算中心) 與於多瑙河地區的汽車製造業和電子產品行業內營運的中小型企業之間的合作性質。本文透過兩條主要的研究問題、去探討知識轉移和技術轉讓對大學與產業界之間的合作的重要性而這些產業是屬於在發展階段上三個明顯不同的國家組別裏的這三個組別是 競爭先進的、競爭性中級的和競爭落後的。穩定的法律環境、令人興奮的創新政策和強大的研究與開發資金被認為是創新系統的三個主要支柱。

研究設計

研究人員在14個位於多瑙河地區的國家裏進行一個質性觀察研究研究涵蓋92個焦點小組參與者、來自學術高網算中心和中小型企業的專家代表。有關的數據被錄音繼而被轉寫下來最後被分析。

研究結果

研究結果顯示效率高的大學產業界合作的框架條件的主要先決條件是透過一個以目標為導向的國家創新政策而逐漸形成繼而發展起來; 另外所需的條件是一個支援勞工市場、保障知識產權、並執行有關的法律的正常運作的法律環境。其次若想與學術高網算中心一起工作技術人才是必須的因學術高網算中心內的所有國家似乎欠缺技術勞動力。在落後於競爭對手的國家裏高度的人才外流對大學與產業界之間的合作會產生重大的影響。

研究的局限/啟示

由於研究採用的研究方法為質性研究法故研究結果、就普遍化的歸納而言是有其局限的。唯研究結果在實務方面有其作用因政策制定者在推行與科技進步與對策有關的策略時他們可把研究結果作為指引就其自身創新生態系統的發展水準而作出適當的調整。

研究的原創性/價值

本研究探討涉及學術高網算中心與於多瑙河地區的汽車製造業和電子產品行業內營運的中小型企業之間合作的大學產業界合作就此而言可說是開創性研究之一。本研究探究有關的大學產業界合作的變革動力並為政策制定者提供啟示以能強化有關的合作。

Article
Publication date: 20 January 2023

Svein Bjørberg and Alenka Temeljotov Salaj

Increasing focus on sustainability, in general, climate change impact, circular economy and a substantial need for CO2 footprint reduction within the construction industry…

Abstract

Purpose

Increasing focus on sustainability, in general, climate change impact, circular economy and a substantial need for CO2 footprint reduction within the construction industry, requires new knowledge and processes regarding the existing buildings. To satisfy new laws and regulations for new buildings is an easier challenge in comparison with possibilities in existing building stock which has the biggest contribution to sustainability within the construction industry. The purpose of the study is to develop and present a standardized process for sustainable refurbishment which, in addition to technical aspects, has a goal to create “well-being” for stakeholders, people organizations in private and public businesses and society itself.

Design/methodology/approach

The latest state of the art in the mentioned field has been assessed, and the developments along with potential future research focus have been identified. The process is presented in this paper, from the starting point of establishing the Norwegian standards in 1995 (NS 3454) until now, the development of the new CEN standard (prEN 17860:2022). The basic methodology designed for NS 3454 was improved through Nordic tools for indicator requirements SURE 1 (2011) and SURE 2 (2015). Further development of the tool was adopted by CEN TC 350 Sustainable Construction in 2017 with the aim to extend the good Nordic practices to the European level. In the paper, the design of the new standard prEN 17860:2022 is presented, from the process and content perspective, following the Nordic approach of standardized methodology and enhancing it with new dimensions and evaluation tools. Throughout the years, the standardized methodology, based on NS 3424, has been implemented in practical use for facility management in the Norwegian public sector. Positive experiences and feedback from this practical implementation have been taken into consideration in prEN 17680:2022.

Findings

The authors present the guidance, developed as a process, leading facility managers and other stakeholders through sustainable refurbishment standards and rules to make a clear decision about their concrete investment. The tool enables decisions about all three sustainability pillars and better decisions for health, well-being and quality of life. All the characteristics of the standardized methodology from the Nordic approach were supplemented (technical aspects; adaptability; usability; social aspects; energy, water and operational impacts and quality of indoor environment including health aspects) and some new were added (economic, feasibility, climate resilience and embodied environmental impacts). The tool also presents a building performance profile for further service life.

Social implications

Sustainable cities have been a focus for many years now from various perspectives such as SURE 1 or 2 and CEN TC 350. What these studies neglect is a clear and helpful guideline, supporting the FM, users and investors while deciding the operating and maintaining infrastructure in an urban environment. Better standardized forms give the possibility to make better climate-neutral choices and keep the well-being focus by choosing buildings with a potential for a long lifetime.

Originality/value

The new focus of addressing all stakeholders, including people, promoting sustainable refurbishment by informing, engaging and empowering them to take the decisions.

Details

Facilities , vol. 41 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2020

Carmel Lindkvist, Alenka Temeljotov Salaj, Dave Collins, Svein Bjørberg and Tore Brandstveit Haugen

The purpose of this study is to explore how the discipline facilities management (FM) can be developed in a smart city perspective through considering the current and new FM…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how the discipline facilities management (FM) can be developed in a smart city perspective through considering the current and new FM services under the role of Urban FM, as well as governance structures that limit and enable it.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is primarily theoretical by examining current literature around the ideas of Urban FM and Smart Cities linking them to observations in one city aiming to be a Smart City. This specific paper focusses on maintenance management, workspace management and energy management services in a Smart City perspective.

Findings

The results outline how Urban FM can fill the gaps that are apparent in city planning through connectivity to communities and neighbourhoods using the Smart City not only approaches of optimising data but also considers prominent governance structures of FM, Urban FM, City Planning and Smart Cities. The study addresses the limitations of what can be done when cities are not organisations, which make identifying the “core business” obscure and intangible but attempts to overcome this limitation by considering social value in communities and wider linkages to the city environment.

Research limitations/implications

The paper sets out the potential of Urban FM in Smart Cities, but the findings are limited to primarily theoretical research and need further empirical examination.

Practical implications

The results indicate how facilities management can improve services in cities through the digitalisation of cities and the role of Urban FM. The study will be useful for municipalities in examining how to improve facilities, particularly in cities that aspire to be a Smart City and it is also important for policymakers in considering governance structures to meet sustainable development goals.

Originality/value

The study positions the discipline of facilities management in Smart Cities which has the potential to improve facilities in cities and the development of Urban FM.

Details

Facilities, vol. 39 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 December 2018

Knut Boge, Alenka Temeljorov Salaj, Ida Bakken, Magnus Granli and Silje Mandrup

The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence effective workplace designs for knowledge workers.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence effective workplace designs for knowledge workers.

Design/methodology/approach

During spring 2016, the employees in a large institution for research and higher education, a large consultancy company and a medium-sized consultancy company (in total 4367 employees) in Norway received invitations to participate in an anonymous online survey about workplaces and facilities. In all, 1,670 employees answered the survey (38.2 per cent response rate). The data have been analyzed with IBM SPSS version 23, among others through use of exploratory factor analysis and two-way ANOVA.

Findings

Most respondents at the institution for research and higher education have cell offices. Most respondents in the two consultancy companies have open and flexible offices. This paper indicate the respondents’ preferences or perception of their workstation and the workplace’s fit for their tasks is affected both by the respondents’ type of office and how much time they spend at their workstation during the week. There are also possible age or generation effects.

Research limitations/implications

One methodical weakness in the present paper is that two-way ANOVA has been applied on survey data. Experiments are usually arranged to provide almost equal numbers of observations in each category. This is usually not possible with survey data. However, despite this weakness, the present paper provides several findings that challenge some of the workplace research’s taken for givens.

Practical implications

The present paper indicates that facility managers and others responsible for office and workplace design are advised to take the employees’ tasks and work patterns into consideration when designing workplaces and providing offices and workstations to their end-users. The present paper also indicates that employees require different kinds of support facilities and services depending on what kind of offices and workplaces they have.

Originality/value

This is a large N empirical study among knowledge workers in three organizations, one public administration and two private enterprises. The present paper indicate that provision of offices and workstations with supporting facilities should be differentiated according to the end-users’ work tasks and work patterns.

Details

Facilities, vol. 37 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

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