Search results

Describes a research project using a qualitative research methodology investigating innovation processes in two NHS hospitals. Employs a multi‐perspective approach to examine the perception of innovation processes by actors at different organizational levels, whereas past innovation research has predominantly adopted a management perspective of innovation by concentrating upon the views and opinions of senior managers exclusively. Data collection methods include semi‐structured interviews, participant observation over a two‐month period, and document analysis; 26 interviews were conducted, transcribed and their content analysed. Shows that the perception of the innovation process differs very much across individuals. Illustrates two different types of innovation – imposed and emergent – each displaying substantively different developmental processes. Discusses the implications of these findings from the perspective of the practising manager and the applied psychologist conducting research into organizational innovation and change processes.

In contrast to the behavioural paradigm of IS research, design science seeks to develop a body of practically‐oriented knowledge which will directly aid the design, implementation, and use of information technologies and systems. Design science, however, remains a minority practice. The purpose of this paper is to argue the case for its more widespread adoption, especially so in research on innovation.

To this end, the authors report an example of design science in action. Two experiments are reported, both concerning the design of the user interface for domestic heating systems. Of note is the use of a medium‐fidelity laboratory simulation (“microworld”) in this work.

Two specific substantive findings results. First that ecologically designed feedback, embodying a strong mapping between task goals and system status, produces superior task performance. Second, that predictive decision aids provide clear benefits over other forms of user support, such as advisory systems.

Whilst arguing the general case for design science, the study shows that there are formidable barriers to its wider promulgation. These include the challenges of constructing realistic meta‐artefacts, compounded by the complex, modal and uncertain nature of design theory itself. The practical value of the microworld paradigm is also confirmed.

Although research in this field has largely addressed the workplace, here the paper addresses the domestic realm. Further novelty derives from the use of the microworld approach. The argument that design science should draw more on the proven methods of “good design” (e.g. prototyping, user participation) in terms of its own praxis is also noteworthy.

We continued our brief visit to Germany with an easy day's drive through the Black Forest to Eastern Bavaria. From a good vantage point one could see the distant Alps with their air of peace and serenity. However, they seemed to represent a different world for we were in the centre of München (I wonder why we call it Munich?) with its complex motorway rings and busy traffic. Close to the inner ring is the Munich Technology Centre, a modern building housing a variety of high tech companies including Munich Laser Systems.

While the branding of individuals has attracted increasing attention from practitioners in recent decades, understanding of personal branding still remains limited, especially with regard to the branding of celebrity CEOs. To contribute to this debate, this paper aims to explore the co-branding of celebrity CEOs and corporate brands, integrating endorsement theory and the concept of meaning transfer at a level of brand attributes.

A between-subjects true experimental design was chosen for each of the two empirical studies with a total of 268 participants, using mock newspaper articles about a succession scenario at the CEO level of different companies. The study is designed to analyse the meaning transfer from celebrity CEO to corporate brand and vice versa using 16 personality attributes.

This study gives empirical support for meaning transfer effects at the brand attribute level in both the celebrity-CEO-to-corporate-brand and corporate-brand-to-celebrity-CEO direction, which confirms the applicability of the concept of brand endorsement to celebrity CEOs and the mutuality in co-branding models. Furthermore, a more detailed and expansive perspective on the definition of endorsement is provided as well as managerial guidance for building celebrity CEOs and corporate brands in consideration of meaning transfer effects.

This study is one of only few analysing the phenomenon of meaning transfer between brands that focus on non-evaluative associations (i.e. personality attributes). It is unique in its scope, insofar as the partnering relationship between celebrity CEOs and corporate brands have not been analysed empirically from this perspective yet. It bridges the gap between application in practice and the academic foundations, and it contributes to a broader understanding and definition of celebrity endorsement.

Reviews the contribution to “rapid tooling” of QuickCast 1.0 and QuickCast 1.1. Explains the genesis and development of QuickCast 1.0, illustrating both its technical ability, and its capacity for saving time and money, and also outlining its industrial shortcomings. Gives a thorough elucidation to the more recently introduced QuickCast 1.1 at both theoretical and practical levels – its range of potential applications being documented through case studies – and presents it in terms of its capacity to solve those problems that its predecessor could not. Discusses in detail the characteristics of solutions to these problem areas and provides test results obtained at various foundries.