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1 – 10 of over 13000Wen Pan Fagerlin and Yueqi Wang
The purpose of this study is to map different kinds of tensions in product innovation and investigate how top managers use communication to shape subordinates' attention and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to map different kinds of tensions in product innovation and investigate how top managers use communication to shape subordinates' attention and thereby respond to these tensions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an embedded case study of four innovation centers within a Nordic multinational firm.
Findings
This study identifies three kinds of tensions that reside in product innovation, namely dilemma, paradox and trade-off. Further, this study reveals how joint attention (among top managers and subordinates) as a response to tensions can be achieved through different aggregates of top managers' communication efforts.
Originality/value
In opening the black box of tensions in product innovation and identifying multiple tensions, this study contributes to advancing the understanding of the attention-based view. Different from previous studies that simply consider communication as channels for information processing, the findings indicate that the contents and practices of communication can help top managers to shape subordinates' attention and thereby respond to tensions. This study also extends the research focus of attention from top managers to the whole organization, by revealing the importance of building a joint pattern of attention among top managers and subordinates.
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Siavash Javadi, Jessica Bruch and Monica Bellgran
The purpose of this paper is to understand how the characteristics of low-volume manufacturing industries influence the product introduction process and factors which can…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how the characteristics of low-volume manufacturing industries influence the product introduction process and factors which can facilitate that process in low-volume manufacturing industries.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and a multiple-case study were used to achieve the purpose of the paper. The multiple-case study was based on two product development projects in a low-volume manufacturing company.
Findings
The main identified characteristics of the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries were a low number of prototypes, absence of conventional production ramp-up, reduced complexity of the process, failure to consider the manufacturability of the products due to an extensive focus on their functionality and increased complexity of resource allocation. It was determined that prior production of similar products could serve as a facilitator of the manufacturing process.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of this study is that the identified characteristics and facilitating factors are confined to the internal variables of the studied company. A study of the role of external variables during the product introduction process such as suppliers and customers could be the subject of future studies.
Practical implications
This research will provide practitioners in low-volume manufacturing industries with general insight about the characteristics of the product introduction process and the aspects that should be considered during the process.
Originality/value
Whereas there is a significant body of work about product introduction process in high-volume manufacturing industries, the research on characteristics of the product introduction process in low-volume manufacturing industries is limited.
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Augusto Bargoni, Fauzia Jabeen, Gabriele Santoro and Alberto Ferraris
Few studies have conceptualized how companies can build and nurture international dynamic marketing capabilities (IDMCs) by implementing growth hacking strategies. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Few studies have conceptualized how companies can build and nurture international dynamic marketing capabilities (IDMCs) by implementing growth hacking strategies. This paper conceptualizes growth hacking, a managerial-born process to embed a data-driven mind-set in marketing decision-making that combines big-data analysis and continuous learning, allowing companies to adapt their dynamic capabilities to the ever-shifting international competitive arenas.
Design/methodology/approach
Given the scarcity of studies on growth hacking, this paper conceptualizes this managerial-born concept through the double theoretical lenses of IDMCs and information technology (IT) literature.
Findings
The authors put forward research propositions concerning the four phases of growth hacking and the related capabilities and routines developed by companies to deal with international markets. Additional novel propositions are also developed based on the three critical dimensions of growth hacking: big data analytics, digital marketing and coding and automation.
Research limitations/implications
Lack of prior conceptualization as well as the scant literature makes this study liable to some limitations. However, the propositions developed should encourage researchers to develop both empirical and theoretical studies on this managerial-born concept.
Practical implications
This study develops a detailed compendium for managers who want to implement growth hacking within their companies but have failed to identify the necessary capabilities and resources.
Originality/value
The study presents a theoretical approach and develops a set of propositions on a novel phenomenon, observed mainly in managerial practice. Hence, this study could stimulate researchers to deepen the phenomenon and empirically validate the propositions.
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Avimanyu Datta, Richard Reed and Len Jessup
The commercialization of innovation, which is key to entrepreneurial success, is a combination of several entrepreneurial activities. Building on research from fields of…
Abstract
Purpose
The commercialization of innovation, which is key to entrepreneurial success, is a combination of several entrepreneurial activities. Building on research from fields of management, strategy, entrepreneurship, economics, and marketing, the paper summarized the extant literature to develop a framework of commercialization and an agenda for future research. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Extensive review of literature, which was comprised of 194 articles across 62 journals in the fields of management, strategy, entrepreneurship, economics, and marketing.
Findings
The literature was categorized into six broad themes of entrepreneurial activities: sources of innovations, types of innovation, market entry (capabilities and feasibility), protection, development, and deployment. Most of the research papers that were reviewed were concentrated on single theme.
Practical implications
Given the identification of six key themes of entrepreneurial activity leading to the commercialization of innovations, research questions were posed as a means to move the research forward by integrating the themes.
Originality/value
This is the first paper in its kind to integrate 194 papers from 62 journals to provide a comprehensive framework of commercialization of innovations.
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This paper updates previous papers which surveyed the large library system marketplace in the UK. The present study based on the results of questionnaires distributed in 1991 to…
Abstract
This paper updates previous papers which surveyed the large library system marketplace in the UK. The present study based on the results of questionnaires distributed in 1991 to library automation system vendors considers market growth, vendor share analysis, new installations, small library systems, and an overview of the vendor's activity in continental Europe. Pie charts provide breakdowns by vendor for installations in various sectors of the market.
Prisana Suwannaporn and Mark Speece
New product development (NPD) in food‐processing industries is often one element which determines whether companies are able to remain competitive in rapidly changing consumer…
Abstract
New product development (NPD) in food‐processing industries is often one element which determines whether companies are able to remain competitive in rapidly changing consumer markets. Current research suggests that well‐managed NPD should be organized as a continuous learning process. It should have strong information linkage across functions and outside the company to suppliers and customers. We examine NPD in Thailand’s food‐processing industry to determine how much it conforms (or not) to current thinking. Generally, only some multinationals and a few larger Thai companies make some attempt to integrate information from a wide knowledge base into their NPD. Even the ones that do it well by Thai standards still have some problems. Existing models of NPD are not very explicit on how information flows should be structured. From our examination of NPD in Thailand, we propose a model based on the continuous learning process in NPD. It suggests how to accumulate and integrate learning (about customers, technology, and NPD itself) across key internal functions (marketing, R&D and manufacturing).
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Swati Bhauso Patil and Sujata Jena
This study aims to create a systematic knowledge base on importance and utilization patterns of underrated pseudo-cereals prevalent in the northeastern hilly (NEH) region of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to create a systematic knowledge base on importance and utilization patterns of underrated pseudo-cereals prevalent in the northeastern hilly (NEH) region of India, namely, buckwheat, Job’s tears, chenopod and amaranth, enabling their diversified use to develop innovative food products from them. The information presented in the paper would facilitate scientists, trainers and young entrepreneurs in developing many novel food products from these underrated pseudo-cereals.
Design/methodology/approach
Major scientific information has been collected from Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Several keywords such as underrated crop, pseudo-cereals, buckwheat, chenopod, Job’s tears, amaranth, value addition and utilization were used to find the data. Relevant information was collected by using about 60 recent research and review articles.
Findings
The main findings of this comprehensive study include compiled record of utilization of underrated pseudo-cereals found in the NEH region of India and their scope to innovate smart food products.
Originality/value
The paper presents a comprehensive record of nutritional benefits and utilization status of the underrated pseudo-cereals available in the NEH region of India. This knowledge base would help both the researchers and other professional working in the processing of these crops.
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Kong Seng Lai, Nor’Aini Yusof and Ernawati Mustafa Kamal
Innovation is defined as the creation and adoption of changes that are new to an organisation or industry. The high probability of failure and the lack of innovation in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Innovation is defined as the creation and adoption of changes that are new to an organisation or industry. The high probability of failure and the lack of innovation in the construction industry have highlighted the importance of innovation (both creation and adoption) as a business orientation. Although they are related to the construction industry, architectural firms receive little attention from an innovation perspective despite being perceived as important drivers of innovation. Thus, this paper aims to examine the distinctive characteristics of various innovation orientations and determine the state of innovation among architectural firms.
Design/methodology/approach
A postal survey was sent to 1,004 registered architectural firms in Malaysia. The data were processed using descriptive analysis. A factor analysis was conducted to categorise innovation creation and adoption, and a paired samples t-test was performed to examine the innovation orientations of architectural firms.
Findings
Innovation creation and innovation adoption are two distinct orientations with different characteristics. Architectural firms in Malaysia are oriented towards innovation creation, which intersects with innovation adoption.
Research limitations/implications
This study used a questionnaire survey that generated only statistical results. Future research should conduct interviews or focus group discussions to obtain comprehensive findings.
Practical implications
The innovation concept is expanded in terms of its orientations.
Originality/value
This study illustrates significant differences between innovation creation and innovation adoption in the architectural firms of a developing country, i.e. Malaysia.
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David Freund, Robert Lee, Heinz Tüselmann and Qi Cao
The main purpose of this study is to explain the combined effects of host country weak network ties and absorptive capacity on the innovative foreign knowledge inflows of…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to explain the combined effects of host country weak network ties and absorptive capacity on the innovative foreign knowledge inflows of international high-tech small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Data are drawn from the two largest and most authoritative German Federal Government census-databases of biotech and nanotech SMEs. A structured survey questionnaire was administered and regression analysis adopted.
Findings
This study demonstrates weak network ties in the host country and developing absorptive capacity produce a combined effect that positively influences international high-tech SMEs innovative foreign knowledge inflows. Also, host country weak network ties and absorptive capacity when considered separately, each respectively, positively influence innovative foreign knowledge inflows.
Practical implications
The results help inform key personnel in international high-tech SMEs about the relevance of host country weak network ties and absorptive capacity for foreign knowledge inflows. In addition, the results help policymakers and think-tanks to promote tailored advice and guidance e.g. those policymakers implementing the EU Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan.
Originality/value
There is a recent call in the literature to combine network theory and absorptive capacity theory to better explain knowledge creation in the context of international high-tech SMEs knowledge sourcing. By addressing this call, the study provides a more refined and comprehensive account of international high-tech SMEs innovative foreign knowledge inflows.
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Virginia Fernández‐Pérez, Antonio José Verdú‐Jóver and Jose Benitez‐Amado
This paper aims to examine how the characteristics of CEOs' social networks, such as the size of the network and the strength of the ties, influence strategic flexibility from a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how the characteristics of CEOs' social networks, such as the size of the network and the strength of the ties, influence strategic flexibility from a strategic orientation perspective. External social networks can affect strategic flexibility positively. Different orientations could have repercussions for the relationship between external social networks and strategic flexibility.
Design/methodology/approach
The data came from surveys completed by the managers of 188 Spanish firms. The methodology used was regression analysis.
Findings
The authors observe that external social networks affect strategic flexibility positively, more strongly when the networks are greater in size. The sample was classified into three groups: conservative, intermediate and entrepreneurship firms. The authors find that other effects vary according to the kind of strategic orientation in the organization. Both findings support and extend social capital and network theory and flexibility literature.
Research limitations/implications
The interviews were held with Spanish CEOs, and the character of the research was cross‐sectional. This could have implications for the generalizability of the findings.
Originality/value
The authors' results extend previous research not only by highlighting the importance of CEOs' social networks in driving strategic flexibility but also by indicating how different strategic orientations either enhance or inhibit this relationship.
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