Search results
1 – 10 of over 10000Britain's brewers use more than 700,000 tons of barley malt annually and to produce this quantity 900,000 tons of premium quality barley need to be grown. Hopfields covering…
Abstract
Britain's brewers use more than 700,000 tons of barley malt annually and to produce this quantity 900,000 tons of premium quality barley need to be grown. Hopfields covering nearly 6,000 hectares in South East England and the West Midlands provide most of the hops used in the brewing of British beer
Looks at some essential issues of a joint venture – whetherit is of a trading or investment nature and the capital gainsimplications. Discusses the main joint venture vehicles…
Abstract
Looks at some essential issues of a joint venture – whether it is of a trading or investment nature and the capital gains implications. Discusses the main joint venture vehicles, including the joint company, corporate partnership, funded developments and others. Examines the involvement of foreign participants.
Details
Keywords
María Pemartín, Joaquín Monreal-Pérez and Gregorio Sánchez Marín
Based on the resource orchestration perspective, this paper aims to examine whether family firms are more efficient in their collaboration for innovation process than non-family…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the resource orchestration perspective, this paper aims to examine whether family firms are more efficient in their collaboration for innovation process than non-family firms, considering different types of collaboration for innovation depending on the kind of partner.
Design/methodology/approach
This study empirically develops and tests the hypotheses based on a panel data sample of 14,937 firm-year observations from 1,867 Spanish manufacturing firms over the period 2007–2014, performing a Propensity Score Matching (Propensity score matching)-based analysis.
Findings
Results reveal that family firms outperform non-family firms, despite less collaboration and innovation inputs, thereby extending the ongoing debate surrounding the innovation efficiency of family firms. Family firms obtained better results through vertical collaborations for innovation, both in terms of product and process innovations. For horizontal collaborations, family firms only outperform their non-family counterparts in process innovation. When collaborating with universities and other research centers, there are no significant differences in the innovation outcomes between the two groups.
Originality/value
Recent literature points out that more research is needed to know when, how and under what circumstances family firms show superior innovative efficiency. This work empirically proves that family firms outperform non-family firms in collaboration for innovation. However, not all collaboration partners help family firms to reach this superior innovative efficiency. Family firms obtained better results just through vertical and horizontal collaborations.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of governments in resolving collective action dilemmas arising in R&D collaboration between university-research institutes (URI…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of governments in resolving collective action dilemmas arising in R&D collaboration between university-research institutes (URI) and small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). The paper focusses on R&D collaboration in South Korea in light of its major industrial reforms since the 1980s in strengthening the national science and technology innovation system.
Design/methodology/approach
To examine factors explaining the likelihood of SMEs to collaborate with URIs in R&D activities, the authors used data that were collected in the Seoul Metropolitan Area by the Seoul Institute in 2010. A logistic regression analysis was performed with data from the Open Innovation System survey, which consists of 336 SMEs; and supplemented by firm-level data retrieved from the government official statistics on structural characteristics of SMEs. The Mann-Whitney Test of Difference was employed to test the perceived importance of R&D activities in various stages of product development.
Findings
This research found that SMEs having government certified R&D facilities and higher investments in R&D activities explain their likelihood in engaging in R&D collaboration with URIs. SMEs in the chemical sector also are more likely to establish R&D collaboration with URIs compared to those in the information technology (IT) sector. In terms of the importance of R&D activities, there are marked differences between SMEs collaborating with URIs and those that do not. The differences are found in R&D’s needs related to acquisition of information, basic research, pilot testing of products, and product manufacturing. Most SMEs in the sample reported several barriers to R&D activities, particularly in securing human resources and the operation of R&D; and that, they believe the government can assist them in research and development activities and human resource training.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides new insights into the way in which R&D facilities of SMEs may facilitate R&D collaboration with URIs. The results broaden the understanding on the scope of R&D collaboration adopted by SMEs and strategies that can be adopted and implemented by government agencies to attract and retain firms that are innovative. While the findings also provide insights on the scope of management decisions adopted by SMEs, the sample was limited to 336 SMEs in the Seoul Metropolitan area, making generalization to other regions of the country limited.
Originality/value
From the institutional collective action framework, this research provides a critical lens to build R&D collaboration between the URI and SMEs, highlighting the role of government with considerable efforts to facilitate SMEs to enter into arrangements with URIs by focussing on the importance of R&D facility and stages of product development.
Details
Keywords
Ana Ma Serrano‐Bedia, Ma Concepción López‐Fernández and Gema García‐Piqueres
The paper aims to examine the differences between manufacturing and service sector firms regarding the determining factors for the decision to cooperate with research institutions…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to examine the differences between manufacturing and service sector firms regarding the determining factors for the decision to cooperate with research institutions to perform R&D activities. The second key contribution provided is the identification of institutional cooperation profiles, based on the determining variables of institutional cooperation.
Design/methodology/approach
On the one hand, drawing on the Community Innovation Survey for Spain, a Logit Regression Model is used to study the determining factors for institutional cooperation decision. On the other hand, in order to identify institutional cooperation profiles a confirmatory analysis was carried out applying the cluster methodology.
Findings
The empirical study confirms that the differences are fundamentally related to transaction cost theory and resource‐based view with respect to the costs. Specifically, these theories' proposal dealing with the variable cost is not empirically confirmed for firms in the service sector.
Research limitations/implications
The principal limitation of this paper derives from the data available, which made it impossible to extend the research to cover a longer time period and affected the manner in which some variables were constructed.
Practical implications
The main implication of the paper can be understood in terms of managerial implications due to the importance of the institutional cooperation on R&D as an innovation management decision. Along this line, the results of the study indicate the existence of various options associated with the active posture on institutional cooperation.
Originality/value
The contribution of the paper is the identification of institutional cooperation profiles, based on the determining variables of cooperation with institutions on R&D activities as well as the identification of the differences between manufacturers and services related to them.
Details
Keywords
Erika Raquel Badillo, Francisco Llorente Galera and Rosina Moreno Serrano
The purpose of this paper is to analyse cooperation in R&D in the automobile industry in Spain. It first examines to what extent firms cooperate with external actors in the field…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse cooperation in R&D in the automobile industry in Spain. It first examines to what extent firms cooperate with external actors in the field of technological innovation, and if so, with what type of cooperation partner, paying special attention to the differentiation according to the size of the firms. Second, it aims to study how the firm’s size may affect not only the decision of cooperating but also with which type of partner.
Design/methodology/approach
The data in this study came from the surveys done in 2010 and 2013 by the Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) for firms in the automotive industry. The paper estimates a bivariate probit model that takes into account the two types of cooperation mostly present in such an industry, vertical and institutional, explicitly considering the interdependencies that may arise in their simultaneous choice.
Findings
The empirical study confirms that small firms cooperate less frequently than big firms and that giving more importance to information publicly available and having public financial support from local and national governments are important determinants of collaboration agreements, mainly in the case of customers and suppliers.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the understanding of the motivations of the automotive industry for engaging in R&D cooperation agreements. The authors study how the firm’s size may affect not only the decision of cooperating but also with which type of partner.
Details
Keywords
Dimitrios Kafetzopoulos, Fotios Vouzas and Dimitrios Skalkos
The purpose of this paper is to develop an instrument that measures a set of dynamic drivers for managing innovation capability; and to validate this instrument in the agri-food…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an instrument that measures a set of dynamic drivers for managing innovation capability; and to validate this instrument in the agri-food sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the innovation drivers identified after an extensive literature review, a measurement instrument was developed and then empirically validated through collecting preliminary data from 434 Greek agri-food companies. Exploratory factor analysis was applied, while their validity was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The analysis of the data confirms a valid measurement instrument of innovation drivers which consists of five drivers, namely, collaboration, environmental dynamism, knowledge orientation, quality orientation, and process management. The level of the five innovation drivers by the sample companies is deemed high, though not, however, excellent.
Research limitations/implications
A research challenge is to understand how the five innovation drivers are associated with agri-food business performance taking into consideration the role of environmental uncertainty. Moreover, it is worth validating this measurement instrument using multiple indicators for innovation drivers.
Practical implications
The main contribution of this paper is that it develops a valid measurement instrument that can be used by agri-food companies as a self-assessment tool and a benchmarking tool. In doing so, suitable strategies can be selected in order for an agri-food to improve its innovation capability.
Originality/value
The proposed model provides plausible guidelines that advance innovation management research in the agri-food companies.
Details
Keywords
Milind Tiwari and Jamie Ferrill
The purpose of this paper is to interrogate if the legal status of a cannabis affects money laundering activity. The legal status of cannabis continues to evolve globally; at the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to interrogate if the legal status of a cannabis affects money laundering activity. The legal status of cannabis continues to evolve globally; at the same time, its market remains enormous. Much of this market represents dirty money from criminal acts, which often requires laundering. In the context of changing cannabis regulations, legislation, and policies, the authors propose the possible implications such changes may have on the extent of money laundering.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes the implications of the evolution of cannabis regulations on money laundering activities, using the theoretical underpinning of rational choice. Using Australia as a replicable critical case study, the paper, using the Walker gravity model and using United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime-reported prices of cannabis from 2003 to 2017 and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reports empirically validates the effects of cannabis regulations on the proceeds available for laundering.
Findings
This study finds support for the argument that prohibitive measures toward cannabis use contribute to increases in the need to launder generated proceeds.
Research limitations/implications
The findings can be replicated in other countries and may contribute to novel propositions within the debate on the legalization of cannabis use, which has, thus, far primarily focused on the areas of health, crime, taxation and education.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has yet attempted to provide an economic analysis of the effects of cannabis policy changes on money laundering.
Details
Keywords
The study examines the effects of corruption activities on new product development of firms. The roles of senior managers in the relationship between corruption activities and new…
Abstract
Purpose
The study examines the effects of corruption activities on new product development of firms. The roles of senior managers in the relationship between corruption activities and new product development are also studies.
Design/methodology/approach
The data of Indian firms are collected from the Enterprise Survey conducted by World Bank in 2014. Variables on corruption, new product development, and other firm level factors are considered in the study. Logistic regression is used to examine the effect of firm's engagement in corruption activities on new product development.
Findings
Corruption activities of firms is negatively related to new product development. Senior manager's industry experience and engagement in regulatory activities weaken the negative relationship between firm's engagement in corruption activities and new products development.
Practical implications
With the increased focus on innovation, organizational managers have to work on the development of new products, and understanding of the negative relationship between engagement in corruption activities and new product development will help them to achieve the desired organizational goals.
Originality/value
The study contributes in three ways. Firstly, the paper extends the theoretical understanding of the implication of a non-market strategy, corruption on new product development. Secondly, the study contributes to the existing literature on the antecedents of new product development. Finally, the roles of senior managers helps to understand the importance of their industry and regulatory experience in the main relationship.
Details
Keywords
Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Tessa Watts, Caroline Bulsara and Anne-Marie Hill
The purpose of this study was to co-design a falls prevention education programme with aged care home residents and staff and evaluate its feasibility. The intention of providing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to co-design a falls prevention education programme with aged care home residents and staff and evaluate its feasibility. The intention of providing the education programme was to assist residents to stay safe and mobile whilst reducing their risk of falling.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-phase mixed methods participatory design using a resident (n = 6) and care staff (n = 5) consumer engagement panel, pre- and post-programme resident (n = 35) survey and semi-structured care staff interviews (n = 8) was undertaken in two countries.
Findings
A poster, brochure, video and staff education guide featuring 12 safety messages depicting fall prevention behaviours were co-designed. Residents, supported by staff, perceived the falls prevention education programme as enjoyable and informative, but there were no significant differences in capability, opportunity or motivation. However, several residents were observed enacting fall prevention behaviours such as “If I feel unwell, I'll ring the bell” and waiting for staff assistance. Challenges to programme demand, acceptability and implementation which may have impacted residents' exposure and engagement with the programme were identified, along with recommendations to improve feasibility.
Practical implications
When developing falls prevention education programmes partnering with residents and staff, providing choices to meet personal and aesthetic preferences along with frequent, shorter duration learning opportunities are important for translating education messages into actions.
Originality/value
The use of bespoke resources, novel rhymes, positive messages emphasising safety and co-designing with residents themselves was a welcomed point of programme difference.
Details