Search results

The objective of the presented pilot study was to test the applicability of a metric to specifically measure performance improvement via a hands-on workshop about collaborative robotics.

Candidates interested in acquiring basic practical skills in working with a collaborative robot completed a distance learning exercise in preparation for a hands-on training workshop. The candidates executed a test before and after the workshop for recording the parameters compiled in the tested performance index (PI).

The results reflected the potential of the tested PI for applications in detecting improvement in practical skill acquisition and revealed potential opportunities for integrating additional performance factors.

The low number of candidates available limited in-depth analyses of the learning outcomes.

The study outcomes provide the basis for follow-up projects with larger cohorts of candidates and control groups in order to expedite the development of technology-assisted performance measurements.

The study contributes to research on performance improvement and prediction of learning outcomes, which is imperative to this emerging field in learning analytics.

The development of the presented PI addresses a scientific gap in learning analytics, i.e. the objective measurement of performance improvement and prediction along skill-intensive training courses. This paper presents an improved version of the PI, which was published at the 12th Conference on Learning Factories, Singapore, April 2022.

Diversity of people, knowledge and resources has been identified as a determinant of firms' growth. This paper focusses on innovation propensity as a critical dimension of firm's growth path, aiming to analyse the effects of the firm's horizontal educational diversity (HED) on the propensity to conduct different technological innovation activities (TIAs). In addition, considering the evidence showing that these effects are neither direct nor linear, the authors analyse the moderating role of the firm's organizational practices oriented to knowledge sharing (KS) on the association between HED and the adoption of TIAs.

Following the theoretical arguments of the resource-based view (RBV), the evolutionary economics and the dynamic capabilities approach and related empirical evidences, the authors proposed four hypotheses regarding the effect of HED on TIAs and the moderating role of work organization practices oriented to promote KS. Empirically, the authors calculated different HED diversity indexes capturing two basic dimensions: variety and balance. Hence, using instrumental variables and panel data techniques to control endogeneity biases, the authors tested the proposed hypotheses using a data set of Uruguayan manufacturing firms between 2004 and 2015.

In line with previous evidence, results showed idiosyncratic context effects. The authors found a robust, linear, positive and significant relationship between HED and TIAs, but the effect can only be consistently associated with the adoption of internal or external research and development (R&D) activities. Moreover, the moderating role of work organization practices oriented to promote KS is positive and significant when firms engage in TIAs. For technological innovations that only involve the acquisiton of technology (AT), a positive effect is also observed but always associated to organizational practices oriented to promote KS.

This paper revisits the analysis of workforce diversity for a relatively less explored context. This research contributes to the field by linking HED and work organization practices to understand firm's innovation propensity in a developing context. Moreover, while other studies have focussed only on top management or R&D team diversity, the authors have analysed the whole professional's workforce. It allows the authors to discuss the effects of diversity on innovation propensity in the light of the ongoing debate on the effects of innovation in employment.

The past two decades have been characterized as a time of merger mania. Unprecedented numbers of consolidations have occurred. Paradoxically these mergers have typically failed to achieve the targeted results. From a general point of view, the financial track record of recent mergers is, in fact, abysmal. It appears that the proposed efficiencies of scale often do not materialize. Yet, the merger frenzy continues. Globalization is a contributing factor. However, the cultural, political, psychological and geographical hurdles of cross‐cultural integration are enormous. This article explores the challenge of global integration by examining the much‐publicized DaimlerChrysler merger. The authors discuss innovative integration strategies and present a set of quantum skills that can be used to neutralize cross‐cultural barriers, thus enabling global leaders to create high performance organizations.

There is no doubt that the application of microelectronic devices in processes and products can result in significant increases in labour productivity. There is considerably less agreement, however, on the implications of this for future employment prospects. The predictions which have been made concerning the impact of the microprocessor and its related technology on the economy and employment cover the entire range, from economic expansion and job creation at one extreme, to recession and large‐scale persistent unemployment at the other. A large number of these forecasts, however, are based on a limited analysis of the technological, economic, demographic and social factors involved and exhibit a general lack of awareness of certain basic historical trends in the labour market.

Despite the existence of accounting standards, there still remains a degree of flexibility in their interpretation and gaps between rules. It is alleged that management practises “creative compliance” to influence the picture of financial performance portrayed in the annual report. This practice is not necessarily “illegal” because it need not violate the letter of any rules, but may challenge their spirit. Since accounting is an integral part of the regulation and governance of the corporation, the practice of creative compliance makes accounting regulation appear weak and ineffective. Traces and analyses the objectives underlying the design and implementation of one major creative accounting scheme through a case study of financial innovation in convertible securities. The evidence highlights the pressures on management to perform on specific accounting ratios, and the extent to which companies were willing to go (with assistance from bankers and lawyers) to practise creative accounting. Shows that the conventional restraints on these practices, such as auditors, analysts and the media, have not been effective. What emerges is an unbalanced conflict between the regulators and the regulated corporations, where the latter, having access to significant financial and professional resources, appear to have a consistent upper hand.

During the last decades the socio‐political status of children in Western societies has become a focus of interest for researchers from various disciplines. As part of the more general trend of struggles for the human rights of specific sectors of society (e.g. African Americans, women, homosexuals) proponents established the “Children's Rights Movement” which has fought on behalf of the younger members of society, trying to secure them certain social rights and legal protection (e.g. Forer, 1973). Concern for children and their social status has been gradually institutionalised until gaining recognition also by major world organisations such as the United Nations which adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and established UNICEF, whose sole aim was to promote the welfare of children around the world. During the past decade extensive political as well as scholarly attention has been concentrated on problems of child abuse and neglect.

On April 2, 1987, IBM unveiled a series of long‐awaited new hardware and software products. The new computer line, dubbed the Personal Systems 30, 50, 60, and 80, seems destined to replace the XT and AT models that are the mainstay of the firm's current personal computer offerings. The numerous changes in hardware and software, while representing improvements on previous IBM technology, will require users purchasing additional computers to make difficult choices as to which of the two IBM architectures to adopt.

The article on European Wine Industy provides an analysis of the wine industry with particular focus on Europe, although more global trends are indicated. The focus is on the business aspect of the wine industry and how various segments of the market are addressed by different sectors of activities. Readers of this article may want to think about how the industry is going to evolve over the next decade and how the major players are going to defend their position. It also highlights how the power in the industry has moved from the producers to the retailers and when the brandholders are key players.