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Book part
Publication date: 27 November 2018

Esther Biehl, Kerstin Fehre and Marco Tietze

This study updates the discussion on demand-pull attention as a source of radical product innovation. Demand-pull attention shows an ex ante alignment with market characteristics…

Abstract

This study updates the discussion on demand-pull attention as a source of radical product innovation. Demand-pull attention shows an ex ante alignment with market characteristics and needs as opposed to pushing resources toward markets. The authors suggest a holistic framework and specify three dimensions of demand-pull attention: anticipated or revealed market demand, market environment, and external economic environment. Based on a large German longitudinal panel consisting of 941 firm-year observations from 2003 to 2013, the authors conceptualized the measurement of demand-pull dimensions’ attention and radical product innovation using computer-aided text analysis of annual reports. The authors analyzed the relationship between the attention that a firm pays to different demand-pull dimensions and the firm’s strategic intention to radically innovate; thus, the authors actually focused on the cognitive sources of radical product innovations. This chapter suggests that radical product innovation activities are positively driven by attention toward the market environment and market demand orientation. However, the hypothesis, which assumed a negative relationship between attention toward the external economic environment and radical innovation, could not be significantly confirmed. This demands a closer look into the underlying decision processes of firms when deciding on radical product innovations. With the theoretical grounding on the attention-based view of the firm, the authors contribute to a better understanding of the role that organizational cognition plays in innovation processes.

Book part
Publication date: 28 March 2006

Örn B. Bodvarsson and Hendrik Van den Berg

Numerous studies have concluded that immigration has very small effects on wages or unemployment, even when the immigration flow is very large. Three reasons suggested for this…

Abstract

Numerous studies have concluded that immigration has very small effects on wages or unemployment, even when the immigration flow is very large. Three reasons suggested for this are that immigration: (1) is not supply-push, but may instead be driven by demand-pull factors; (2) is likely to cause some out-migration; and (3) may induce flows of other factors across the economy. Surprisingly, few studies consider another obvious explanation: immigrant workers also consume locally, which means immigration stimulates the local demand for labor. Previous researchers have generally ignored the measurement of immigration's effects on labor demand, perhaps because when immigration, out-migration, and immigrant consumption occur simultaneously in the same labor market, it is very difficult to isolate immigration's effect on labor demand. This paper measures the labor demand-augmenting effects of immigration using a two-sector model of a very special case in which the receiving economy consists of: (a) an export industry employing both immigrants and natives; and (b) a retail industry employing native labor that is driven by local demand. The model can incorporate both supply-push and demand-pull immigration as well as out-migration. The model's important implication is that since immigration is exogenous to the retail sector, an unbiased estimate of the demand effect of immigration can be obtained without having to use instrumental variables estimation or other statistical procedures that may introduce new sources of bias. Fortunately, the economy in our model matches a very convenient test case: Dawson County, Nebraska. Dawson County recently experienced a surge in demand-pull immigration due to the location of a large export-driven meatpacking plant. This exogenous capital shock pulled in many Hispanic immigrant workers, who did not immediately seek work in the retail sector because of social and language barriers. This immigration led to higher retail wages and housing prices, confirming that immigration is capable of exerting significant effects on local labor demand.

Details

The Economics of Immigration and Social Diversity
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-390-7

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2009

Kai‐Wen Zheng, Chih‐Hung Tsai, Rong‐Kwei Li, Ching‐Piao Chen and Shih‐Chieh Tsai

As the flourish of today’s supply chain, the traditional model of replenishment will cause accumulation of excessive inventory to the retailers and customers, or cause shortages…

Abstract

As the flourish of today’s supply chain, the traditional model of replenishment will cause accumulation of excessive inventory to the retailers and customers, or cause shortages and inability to meet the demands. To solve this problem, Theory of Constraints (TOC) proposed the replenishment model of demand‐pull, combined with the establishment of factory‐warehouse to achieve performance improvement. In the absence of empirical research, this study applied the Bean Game developed by Dr. Goldratt to design a supply chain system for different scenarios, in order to allow players and managers better understanding and supporting the TOC replenishment method through the operations of the game.

Details

Asian Journal on Quality, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1598-2688

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2017

Richard A. Hunt

One of the crucial questions confronting strategy and entrepreneurship scholars continues to be: where do new industry sectors come from? Extant literature suffers from a…

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Abstract

Purpose

One of the crucial questions confronting strategy and entrepreneurship scholars continues to be: where do new industry sectors come from? Extant literature suffers from a supply-side “skew” that focuses unduly on the role of heroic figures and celebrity CEOs, at the expense of demand-side considerations. In response, the purpose of this paper is to examine societal demand for entrepreneurial innovations. Employing historical data spanning nearly a century, the author assess more completely the role of latent demand-side signaling in driving the quantity and diversity of entrepreneurial innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the methods of historical econometrics, this study employs historical artifacts and cliometric models to analyze textual data in drawn from three distinctive sources: Popular Science Monthly magazine, from its founding in 1872 to 1969; periodicals, newsletters, club minutes, films and radio transcripts from the Science Society, from 1921 to 1969; and programs and news accounts from the US National High School Science Fair, from 1950 to 1969. In total, 2,084 documents containing 33,720 articles and advertisements were coded for content related to pure science, applied science and commercialized science.

Findings

Three key findings are revealed: vast opportunity spaces often exist prior to being occupied by individuals and firms; societal preferences play a vital role in determining the quantity and diversity of entrepreneurial activity; and entrepreneurs who are responsive to latent demand-side signals are likely to experience greater commercial success.

Research limitations/implications

This study intentionally draws data from three markedly different textual sources. The painstaking process of triangulation reveals heretofore unobserved latencies that invite fresh perspectives on innovation discovery and diffusion.

Originality/value

This paper constitutes the most panoramic investigation to-date of the influence wielded by latent demand-side forces in the discovery and commercialization of innovation.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 October 2020

Pei-Chun Lee

The purpose of this study was to identify technological innovation in libraries and further examine the knowledge source and their effects during the technology life cycle (TLC).

2010

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify technological innovation in libraries and further examine the knowledge source and their effects during the technology life cycle (TLC).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the technological innovation taking place in libraries. Patent citation analysis was used to capture the trend of technological innovation associated with libraries.

Findings

The findings are as follows: (1) library technologies are now in the ascent phase of their life cycles; (2) private companies from the United States, Germany, France, Japan and the United Kingdom are the top-five owners of intellectual property rights associated with library technology and (3) patent data along with knowledge and technology indicators can be interpreted in the light of library development. The knowledge source with the highest degree of scientific and technological orientation was identified as basic material chemistry. The major technological categories that have received the greatest knowledge effect from library-associated technological innovation are chemistry, electrical engineering, instruments, mechanical engineering, with other fields (civil engineering and furniture, games) being subject to less effect.

Research limitations/implications

There are two research limitations in this study. First, the results use single informants, patents retrieved from United States Patent and Trademark Office, as the source of data. Second, this study uses patent citation measures for exploring the knowledge source and effect of technological innovation, these measures are only subjective for those new invention highly based technological advances. This study concludes that technological innovation for libraries will be characterized by an increasing role for science-intensive and interdisciplinary areas. This study also suggests that organizational learning facilitates innovation. Therefore, a library hoping to co-evolve with dynamic environment through technological innovation should improve its organizational learning processes.

Practical implications

Theories of technology-push and demand-pull were examined in relation to technological innovation taking place in libraries. The TLC analysis indicated that library technology is mainly in the ascent stage, suggesting that libraries have not achieved the strongest technological transformation. The findings suggest that the importance of demand-pull and technology-push vary over the TLC of libraries.

Social implications

To survive in a dynamic environment library must be able to cope with increasing complexity and high-speed technological change. It is pivotal to integrate the views of users (as customers), software houses or design companies (as suppliers) as well as other libraries (as communities) into the sustainable development strategy of a library. In these contexts, libraries with the capacity to innovate will be able to respond to new demands faster and to invent and provide new services better than noninnovative libraries.

Originality/value

Analysis based on the technological innovation perspective to identify the future development of libraries is still lacking. This paper seeks to identify the technological innovation employed in libraries to accommodate the 21st century model of information-seeking behavior. This study identifies a variety of factors that have influenced the transformation of library services, and these include technology developments and new demands from library users. To illustrate the driving forces of technology-push in libraries, this paper examines holistic-patented technologies invented for libraries.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2008

Chih‐Yao Huang, Ching‐Piao Chen, Rong‐Kwei Li and Chih‐Hung Tsai

The steel bars account for a high percentage of material costs for the current construction projects. At the present time, most of the construction projects for the factories of…

Abstract

The steel bars account for a high percentage of material costs for the current construction projects. At the present time, most of the construction projects for the factories of thin‐film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT‐LCD) complete the transactions of steel bars when the suppliers ship the steel bars to the temporary storage/processing sites. This paper applies the buy‐in concept in the Theory of Constraint (TOC) on the supply chain of steel bars. In this study, suppliers are required to establish warehouses at the construction sites and complete the transactions when the formed and processed steel bars are shipped into the factory sites. The aim is to find a win‐win solution to meet with the expectations from constructors as they hope that there is no need to build up inventories but supply is ready at any time. Also, this paper compares and analyzes the traditional supply/inventory model of steel bars and the Demand‐Pull (D‐P) model under the TOC framework. It is proved that Vendor Management Inventory (VMI) in the D‐P model is able to more effectively manage steel bars as a material.

Details

Asian Journal on Quality, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1598-2688

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 October 2008

Franklin G. Mixon and Ernest W. King

In a relatively new and interesting study, a new theory was offered to explain events surrounding the Salem witch trials of 1692. According to the author of that study (Carlson)…

572

Abstract

Purpose

In a relatively new and interesting study, a new theory was offered to explain events surrounding the Salem witch trials of 1692. According to the author of that study (Carlson), the behavior of the accusers can be explained by an outbreak of encephalitis. The purpose of this paper is to offer evidence that contradicts that hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

To these ends, this paper examines life expectancy data from the Wigglesworth 1789 life expectancy tables to reject the Carlson thesis. The current study also provides a graphical exposition of the Salem witch trials as a demand‐pull phenomenon.

Findings

According to the data, the age at‐death minus the Wigglesworth life expectancy of 28.15 years for the witch trials accusers averages between 26.4 years, a figure that is statistically significant. This result contradicts Carlson's view that the accusers encountered encephalitis. Finally, the stylized graphical model presented here provides an additional way of viewing the witchcraft episode in 1692 Salem as a demand‐pull phenomenon. Originality/value In refuting previous hypotheses about witchcraft episodes, and by offering a graphical model of witchcraft hysteria as a demand‐pull phenomenon, this study re‐focuses attention on the ethico‐economic aspects of the Salem witchcraft episode.

Details

Humanomics, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0828-8666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2018

Anuj Singla, Inderpreet Singh Ahuja and Amanpreet Singh Sethi

The purpose of this paper is to investigate as well as select various significant demand pull (DP) strategies affecting sustainable development (SD) in manufacturing…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate as well as select various significant demand pull (DP) strategies affecting sustainable development (SD) in manufacturing organizations. The study deploys the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique to empirically validate the interrelationships between significant DP strategies and SD indicators in an SEM-DP Model.

Design/methodology/approach

Confirmatory factor analysis approach is applied to generate an effective SEM-DP model using the AMOS 21 (Analysis of Moment Structures) software. The data have been collected from different manufacturing organizations practicing DP strategies, using a well-framed DP questionnaire for the evolution of the SEM-DP model.

Findings

SEM of various DP strategies like stringent implementation of government regulations (SIGR), transforming capabilities, unionized labor (UL), and customer attributes (CA) toward achieving SD in manufacturing industries has been performed. The SEM-DP model has been planned and reports obtained before and after modification indices of the model are correlated, which further establishes improvements in the model’s effectiveness. The research concludes that significant DP strategies, namely, SIGR, UL, and CA support the manufacturing industries in accomplishing SD in terms of competitiveness, business performance enhancements, flexibility, customer satisfaction, and technological development.

Research limitations/implications

In the present study, contributions of DP practices are determined to accomplish SD in Indian manufacturing organizations only. Hence, the results obtained may need some modifications before applying to other countries. Moreover, issue-wise independent modeling can also be performed to assess the importance of DP practices under specific orientations.

Social implications

The results of various interrelationships among DP practices and SD indicators in the SEM-DP model portray the effectiveness of DP practices for achieving organizational goals and social commitments.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the study will help DP practitioners, organizational managers, and HR executives in the manufacturing industries to develop a clear understanding about the significant DP strategies to be followed holistically for accomplishing SD. The manufacturing enterprises will be able to frame and organize their policies, handle their UL issues and CA in a more appropriate way. Hence, the knowledge obtained from present study will help improve the overall performance of manufacturing industries involved in the present context.

Article
Publication date: 23 April 2018

Anuj Singla, APS Sethi and Inderpreet Singh Ahuja

The purpose of this paper is to examine critical barriers in transitions between technology push (TP) and demand pull (DP) strategies in Indian manufacturing industries for…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine critical barriers in transitions between technology push (TP) and demand pull (DP) strategies in Indian manufacturing industries for accomplishing sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The factors that affect the transitions have been extracted and analyzed using factor analysis technique. For the purpose, various critical barriers are grouped together based on their relevance to TP-DP strategies. The responses to critical barriers have been collected from different Indian manufacturing organizations practicing TP-DP strategies, using a well-framed TP-DP questionnaire. Further, the responses are analyzed using factor analysis which improved the data interpretation.

Findings

Four latent factors were extracted from critical barriers and revealed that the manufacturing organizations face these barriers in transitions between TP-DP strategies. The recognition of the outcomes of critical barriers has been perceived to be substantial in the present context.

Originality/value

The research concludes that TP-DP strategies in Indian manufacturing industries encounter relevant critical barriers for accomplishing sustainable development. The outcomes of the study will help TP-DP practitioners, HR executives and organizational managers in manufacturing companies to develop clear understanding about the significant TP-DP strategies to be followed comprehensively for realization of sustainable development. The manufacturing organizations will be able to formulate and express their policies and issues in a more pertinent manner. Hence, the knowledge obtained from the empirical examination of critical barriers in transitions between TP and DP strategies will be helpful in improving the overall performance of manufacturing industries involved in the present study.

Details

World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5945

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2009

Mariacristina Piva and Marco Vivarelli

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of R&D investment at the level of the firm.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of R&D investment at the level of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

A balanced panel of 215 Italian manufacturing firms over the 1995‐2000 period has been used to test the technology‐push, the demand‐pull and the endogenous skill‐bias hypotheses. Econometrically, both the GMM‐SYS estimator and the Least Squares Dummy Variable Corrected (LSDVC) estimator (a recently‐proposed panel data technique particularly suitable for small samples) have been used.

Findings

Results support the well‐established technology‐push and demand‐pull hypotheses and, furthermore, supply evidence for the role of skill endowment in increasing a firm's R&D investments.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the study concerns the measure of skills which is here, as in previous economic literature, simply the ratio between productive (blue‐collar) and non‐productive (white‐collar) workers. Another limitation of this contribution concerns its limited generalisability: data come from relatively large Italian manufacturing firms, i.e. the service sector and SMEs are not considered.

Practical implications

Consistently with the related managerial and economic literature, the basic result is that current skill endowment may significantly and positively influence a firm's current R&D decision; therefore, adequate education and training policies may indirectly induce an increase in corporate R&D investment. In terms of managerial implications, this means that HRM may be seen as an indirect strategy for improving a firm's R&D effort and ultimately for improving its performance through innovation.

Originality/value

While there is a well‐established literature investigating the so‐called Skill Biased Technological Change, few microeconomic empirical studies have been devoted to test the reverse relationship. The paper aims to fill this gap, testing whether higher skills may induce higher R&D expenditures.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 30 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

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