Search results

1 – 10 of over 48000
Article
Publication date: 4 September 2009

Anahita Baregheh, Jennifer Rowley and Sally Sambrook

This paper aims to undertake a content analysis of extant definitions of “innovation” as a basis for proposing an integrative definition of organizational “innovation”.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to undertake a content analysis of extant definitions of “innovation” as a basis for proposing an integrative definition of organizational “innovation”.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was used to generate a representative pool of definitions of organizational innovation, including definitions from the different disciplinary literatures of economics, innovation and entrepreneurship, business and management, and technology, science and engineering. A content analysis of these definitions was conducted in order to surface the key attributes mentioned in the definitions, and to profile the descriptors used in relation to each attribute.

Findings

The key attributes in the paper present in definitions were identified as: nature of innovation; type of innovation; stages of innovation, social context; means of innovation; and aim of innovation. These attributes are defined, descriptors assigned to them, and both a diagrammatic definition and a textual definition of organizational innovation are proposed.

Originality/value

As a concept that is owned and discussed by many business disciplines, “innovation” has many different definitions that align with the dominant paradigm of the respective disciplines. Building on these diverse definitions, this paper proposes a general and integrative definition of organizational “innovation” that encompasses the different perspectives on, and aspects of, innovation, and captures its essence.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 47 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2015

Cassidy R. Sugimoto and Scott Weingart

– The purpose of this paper is to identify criteria for and definitions of disciplinarity, and how they differ between different types of literature.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify criteria for and definitions of disciplinarity, and how they differ between different types of literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This synthesis is achieved through a purposive review of three types of literature: explicit conceptualizations of disciplinarity; narrative histories of disciplines; and operationalizations of disciplinarity.

Findings

Each angle of discussing disciplinarity presents distinct criteria. However, there are a few common axes upon which conceptualizations, disciplinary narratives, and measurements revolve: communication, social features, topical coherence, and institutions.

Originality/value

There is considerable ambiguity in the concept of a discipline. This is of particular concern in a heightened assessment culture, where decisions about funding and resource allocation are often discipline-dependent (or focussed exclusively on interdisciplinary endeavors). This work explores the varied nature of disciplinarity and, through synthesis of the literature, presents a framework of criteria that can be used to guide science policy makers, scientometricians, administrators, and others interested in defining, constructing, and evaluating disciplines.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 71 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 8 November 2010

Philip MacKinnon, William D. Rifkin, Damian Hine and Ross Barnard

Success in research – or ‘mastery’ as we call it – can lead to interdisciplinarity arising among the increasingly fragmented disciplines of science: researchers in molecular…

Abstract

Success in research – or ‘mastery’ as we call it – can lead to interdisciplinarity arising among the increasingly fragmented disciplines of science: researchers in molecular biology can be assisted by advances in the physics of atomic imaging, when they become aware of a development's potential and feel motivated to take advantage of it. The unpredictability of advances in scientific research makes the location and nature of interdisciplinarity largely unpredictable. This unpredictability means that organisational structures in which scientific research takes place – and in which our students are trained – are likely to lag behind interdisciplinary synergies developing in the laboratory. The lag time suggested by our model explains the challenges faced by leaders of interdisciplinary programmes in higher education. One can conclude that opportunities for interdisciplinarity in science are held back by discipline-bound institutions.

Details

Interdisciplinary Higher Education: Perspectives and Practicalities
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-371-3

Article
Publication date: 2 August 2021

Aimee Riedel, Dana Messenger, David Fleischman and Rory Mulcahy

The purpose of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review of research on consumers experiencing vulnerability to describe the current situation of the consumers…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review of research on consumers experiencing vulnerability to describe the current situation of the consumers experiencing vulnerability literature and develop an up-to-date synthesised definition of consumers experiencing vulnerability.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic review, guided by the PRISMA framework, takes a multi-disciplinary approach to identify 310 articles published between 2010 and 2019 examining consumers experiencing vulnerability. Descriptive analysis of the data is undertaken in combination with a thematic and text mining approach using Leximancer software.

Findings

A definition of consumers experiencing vulnerability is developed- “unique and subjective experiences where characteristics such as states, conditions and/or external factors lead to a consumer experiencing a sense of powerlessness in consumption settings”. The findings reveal consumers experiencing vulnerability have often been classified using a uni-dimensional approach (opposed to a multi-dimensional), focussing on one factor of vulnerability, the most prevalent of these being economic and age factors. A lack of research has examined consumers experiencing vulnerability based upon geographical remoteness, gender and sexual exploitation.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to examine consumers experiencing vulnerability using a systematic approach and text mining analysis to synthesise a large set of articles, which subsequently reduces the potential for researchers’ interpretative bias. Further, it is the first to generate a data-driven definition of consumers experiencing vulnerability. It provides targeted recommendations to allow further scholarly, policy and practical contributions to this area.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2019

Hana Krskova, Yvonne Breyer, Chris Baumann and Leigh Norma Wood

The role of discipline in achieving higher academic and workplace performance is receiving increasing attention; however, research into student discipline has historically centred…

Abstract

Purpose

The role of discipline in achieving higher academic and workplace performance is receiving increasing attention; however, research into student discipline has historically centred on schools. The purpose of this paper is to explore how university students from multiple faculties and at different stages of academic progression understand discipline in higher education, with the aim to investigate how graduates could become more disciplined and more work ready.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative exploratory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with university students and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The students viewed discipline as internally driven as opposed to being enforced externally, which is often the case in schools. Five main themes were identified as discipline dimensions: “focus”, “intention”, “responsibility”, “structure” and “time” (F.I.R.S.T.).

Originality/value

A new concept of discipline is presented, underpinned by a conceptual framework comprised of self-determination, goal-setting, self-efficacy, self-regulation and time management principles. A “Threshold Concept of Discipline”, a hierarchical four-layered concept that develops over time for every individual with the ultimate level being “Creative Discipline”, is proposed. These findings illuminate learning strategies that higher education institutions can use to further enhance learning and increase the work readiness of their graduates. Such strategies can empower students who aspire to perform at a higher level and to become true professionals.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 27 January 2022

Colin Harris, Andrew Myers, Christienne Briol and Sam Carlen

A discipline is bound by some combination of a shared subject matter, shared theory, and shared technique. Yet modern economics is seemingly without limit to its domain. As a…

Abstract

A discipline is bound by some combination of a shared subject matter, shared theory, and shared technique. Yet modern economics is seemingly without limit to its domain. As a discipline without a shared subject matter, what is the binding force of economics today? The authors combine topic modeling and text analysis to analyze different approaches to inquiry within the discipline of economics. The authors find that the importance of theory has declined as economics has increasingly become defined by its empirical techniques. The authors question whether this trajectory is stable in the long run as the binding force of the discipline.

Details

Contemporary Methods and Austrian Economics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-287-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1989

Leonard Pluta

Introduction The objectives of this paper are twofold. Firstly, we will define economic paradigm by identifying its structure and functions. Secondly, we will apply this concept…

Abstract

Introduction The objectives of this paper are twofold. Firstly, we will define economic paradigm by identifying its structure and functions. Secondly, we will apply this concept to social economics and human economics.

Details

Humanomics, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0828-8666

Article
Publication date: 22 May 2009

Serhiy Y. Ponomarov and Mary C. Holcomb

In the emerging disciplines of risk management and supply chain management, resilience is a relatively undefined concept. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated…

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Abstract

Purpose

In the emerging disciplines of risk management and supply chain management, resilience is a relatively undefined concept. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated perspective on resilience through an extensive review of the literature in a number of disciplines including developmental psychology and ecosystems. In addition, the paper identifies and addresses some of the current theoretical gaps in the existing research.

Design/methodology/approach

Supply chain resilience has been defined by a number of disciplines. An integrative literature review is conducted in an attempt to integrate existing perspectives. This review also serves as the basis for the development of a conceptual model.

Findings

The key elements of supply chain resilience and the relationships among them, the links between risks and implications for supply chain management, and the methodologies for managing these key issues are poorly understood. Implications for future research advocate testing the proposed model empirically.

Practical implications

Supply chain disruptions have adverse effect on both revenue and costs. Resilient supply chains incorporate event readiness, are capable of providing an efficient response, and often are capable of recovering to their original state or even better post the disruptive event.

Originality/value

Supply chain resilience has yet to be researched from the logistics perspective. Even in well‐developed disciplines the unified theory of resilience is still under development. This research leverages existing knowledge and advances an interdisciplinary understanding of the concept.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Andrzej Iwaniuk, Witold Wiśniowski and Jerzy Żółtak

The purpose of this paper is to present application of multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) in redesign of a small composite aircraft. The redesign process was integration…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present application of multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) in redesign of a small composite aircraft. The redesign process was integration of the turboprop engine in a small composite aircraft. The process requires cooperation of specialists from many disciplines and definition of their tasks. For selected tasks, the authors present results of the calculation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used collaborative optimisation (CO) algorithm to solve the problem. They decomposed this complex process into a set of tasks in different engineering/research disciplines and used techniques and methods specific for each task (research/engineering discipline) to find a proper solution. The computer-aided design (CAD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational structural mechanics (CSM) commercial software were used as common tools as well as intentionally developed computer programmes were used as basic tools in some tasks, in particular, for aerodynamic optimisation, calculation of load and stability of aircraft. The exchange of data between separate tasks allowed achieving the main goal of complex design process.

Findings

Selected optimisation algorithm, CO, proved efficient for the authors’ purposes. The effectiveness of multidisciplinary optimisation depends as much on organisational parameters as it does on technical and technology parameters.

Practical implications

Multidisciplinary optimisation needs to be an integral part of analysis and design process. The successful optimisation results allowed to meet the requirements and to proceed to the next phase of work – preparing technical documentation for manufacturing the components necessary for integration of the airplane with the new engine.

Originality/value

Presented results of design process are a valuable example of how to achieve the final goal in an ongoing project.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 88 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 December 2022

Rob Glew, Carl-Magnus von Behr, Kaya Dreesbeimdiek, Emma Houiellebecq, Roman Schumacher, Sudhir Rama Murthy and Mukesh Kumar

This paper is motivated by the gap between the extensive academic discussion of industrial resilience and the limited resilience observed in response to large disruptions. Its…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper is motivated by the gap between the extensive academic discussion of industrial resilience and the limited resilience observed in response to large disruptions. Its purpose is to investigate the relationship between the industrial resilience of manufacturing and service operations and the resilience of the supporting financial, legal and political systems. This research identifies the impact of high or low levels of resilience in these supporting systems on the ability of industrial operations to perform as required in disrupted environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors combine a multi-disciplinary literature review with empirical data from four exploratory case studies. First, the authors review the literature on resilience in the fields of operations management, finance, law and political science to bring the terminology and concepts of these fields closer together. This review also defines the independent variables of the study: financial, legal and political resilience. Second, the authors use the framework from the literature to analyse data from four case studies of operations in difference contexts and sectors.

Findings

Industrial resilience is interdisciplinary, nuanced and complex. High levels of industrial resilience require high levels of financial, legal and political resilience. However, the activities required to improve the resilience of these supporting systems are often outside the locus of control of operations managers. Multiple perspectives on resilience must be coordinated to strengthen the response of industrial operations to large disruptions.

Research limitations/implications

As a conceptual and exploratory study, this paper does not utilise quantitative data or in-depth case studies. The authors demonstrate the importance of an interdisciplinary perspective on industrial resilience and provide a theoretical framework that can serve as a foundation to further studies of resilience. The review of the literature provides a glossary of definitions of resilience that improves clarity in this disparate field.

Practical implications

Managers can apply the findings of this work to start cross-functional discussions in their firms that recognise the multiple dimensions of industrial resilience and improve the resilience of the supporting systems. The exploratory case studies provide concrete guidance for how managers in the fields of humanitarian and development operations, healthcare and manufacturing can improve industrial resilience by considering the interaction with the supporting financial, legal and political systems.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide detailed conceptual discussion and empirical evidence for the interdisciplinary nature of industrial resilience in the context of public sector and non-governmental organisations. Combining evidence from different contexts and sectors demonstrates the broad industrial value of this work.

Details

Continuity & Resilience Review, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-7502

Keywords

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