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1 – 10 of 393Qian Chen, Mats Magnusson and Jennie Björk
Firms increasingly rely on both external and internal crowdsourcing to capture ideas more broadly and enhance innovative problem-solving. Especially in internal crowdsourcing…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms increasingly rely on both external and internal crowdsourcing to capture ideas more broadly and enhance innovative problem-solving. Especially in internal crowdsourcing, knowledge sharing that contributes to develop or further the understanding of the problem the idea is focused on solving can take place between critical employees, and in that way improve ideas generated by others. This far, most crowdsourcing practices have focused on identifying solutions to proposed problems, whereas much less is known about how crowds can be used to share problem-related knowledge. There is thus an untapped potential in leveraging crowds not just to generate solution-oriented ideas but also to share knowledge to improve ideas and even to reframe problems. This paper aims to explore the effect of problem- and solution-related knowledge sharing in internal crowdsourcing for idea development.
Design/methodology/approach
Data on ideas and comments were collected from an idea management system in a Swedish multinational company. The investigation captures the influences of the problem- and solution-related knowledge sharing on ideas based on content analysis and logistic regression analysis.
Findings
The results from this study show that sharing knowledge related to solutions in idea development impacts idea acceptance positively, whereas sharing knowledge related to problems in idea development has a negative effect on the likelihood of idea acceptance and these effects of knowledge sharing are moderated by the active author responses.
Practical implications
This research provides managerial implications for firms to deliberately manage knowledge sharing in peer communities in internal crowdsourcing, especially by providing suggestions on problem reframing and solution refining for ideas.
Originality/value
The results contribute to existing theory in terms of extending the view of crowdsourcing in ideation to include how crowds contribute to the development of the problem and the solution during the development of ideas and providing new insights on knowledge sharing in internal crowdsourcing based on problem-solving theory.
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Linus Dahlander, Lars Bo Jeppesen and Henning Piezunka
Crowdsourcing – a form of collaboration across organizational boundaries – provides access to knowledge beyond an organization’s local knowledge base. Integrating work on…
Abstract
Crowdsourcing – a form of collaboration across organizational boundaries – provides access to knowledge beyond an organization’s local knowledge base. Integrating work on organization theory and innovation, the authors first develop a framework that characterizes crowdsourcing into a main sequential process, through which organizations (1) define the task they wish to have completed; (2) broadcast to a pool of potential contributors; (3) attract a crowd of contributors; and (4) select among the inputs they receive. For each of these phases, the authors identify the key decisions organizations make, provide a basic explanation for each decision, discuss the trade-offs organizations face when choosing among decision alternatives, and explore how organizations may resolve these trade-offs. Using this decision-centric approach, the authors continue by showing that there are fundamental interdependencies in the process that makes the coordination of crowdsourcing challenging.
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Yen-Chun Chen, Todd Arnold and Hsien-Tung Tsai
This study aims to test the role of a firm’s marketing and technological capabilities in mediating the relationship between customer involvement in information provision (CIP) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to test the role of a firm’s marketing and technological capabilities in mediating the relationship between customer involvement in information provision (CIP) and customer involvement in coproduction (CIC) and new product performance, while also investigating the impact of the interactive effect of such capabilities. This investigation is at the firm rather than the project level.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey-based questionnaire was distributed to senior managers from 101 Taiwanese electronics firms. The research model and hypotheses were evaluated using partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS 3.
Findings
CIP and CIC improve new product performance indirectly through the development of marketing and technological capabilities. CIP has a stronger positive effect on marketing capabilities than CIC. In addition, the interactive effect of marketing and technological capabilities on new product performance is positive and significant.
Research limitations/implications
The data came from a single respondent in each firm, which may lead to common method bias. In addition, the data were cross-sectional in nature, having been collected at a single point in time. This limits the ability to draw causal inferences, as would be possible with longitudinal data. Finally, the data came from a single industry in only one country.
Practical implications
CIC is useful in terms of product idea generation and screening, as well as in helping to effectively learn and combine market knowledge from customers, whereas CIP takes on a more active role in strengthening marketing capabilities. Managers should understand these direct effects of CIP and CIC, as well as their indirect effects on new product performance.
Originality/value
Previous empirical research is largely limited to project-level implications such as innovativeness, advantages and the financial performance of a specific new product; a clear understanding of the strategic, firm-level implications of CIP and CIC in the context of new product development is lacking. The findings highlight the importance of treating CIP and CIC as continuous processes in a firm rather than viewing each in isolation to a specific project.
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Sonica Rautela, Sarika Sharma and Shreya Virani
The business environment is changing and so are the rules of doing business. Constant innovation is the key to win in this dynamic marketplace, so that the new ideas get converted…
Abstract
Purpose
The business environment is changing and so are the rules of doing business. Constant innovation is the key to win in this dynamic marketplace, so that the new ideas get converted into new marketable products quickly with the least possible mistake. One way to inculcate innovation is by the participation of customers in the new product development (NPD) process. Platforms like social media has provided an opportunity for firms to communicate, co-create and collaborate with customers. The present study aims to understand the customers' participation in three phases, namely idea generation, development and commercialization of the NPD process for its effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
With the help of review of existing literature, a theoretical model is proposed. This model is then empirically evaluated with data of 213 respondents using structural equation modelling (SEM). The respondents are majorly young social media users in India.
Findings
The results highlight that customer involvement is important in idea generation and commercialization phase of NPD process for its effectiveness. Also, the effectiveness of NPD process affects the financial performance of the firm. The use of social media is considered for its mediating role in NPD process effectiveness during the three phases. The results show that it has an effective role to play during the idea generation phase.
Originality/value
Consumers’ perspective concerning usage of social media for their participation in NPD is an unexplored area in general and in the Indian context in particular. To fill this research gap the present study is carried out.
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Arnon Sturm, Daniel Gross, Jian Wang and Eric Yu
The purpose of this paper is to report on research that aims to make knowledge, and in particular know-how, more easily accessible to both academic and industrial communities, as…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on research that aims to make knowledge, and in particular know-how, more easily accessible to both academic and industrial communities, as well as to the general public. The paper proposes a novel approach to map out know-how information, so all knowledge stakeholders are able to contribute to the knowledge and expertise accumulation, as well as using that knowledge for research and applying expertise to address problems.
Design/methodology/approach
This research followed a design science approach in which mapping of the know-how information was done by the research team and then tested with graduate students. During this research, the mapping approach was continuously evaluated and refined, and mapping guidelines and a prototype tool were developed.
Findings
Following an evaluation with graduate students, it was found that the know-how maps produced were easy to follow, allowed continuous evolution, facilitated easy modification through provided modularity capabilities, further supported reasoning about know-how and overall provided adequate expressiveness. Furthermore, we applied the approach with various domains and found that it was a good fit for its purpose across different knowledge domains.
Practical implications
This paper argues that mapping out know-how within research and industry communities can further improve resource (knowledge) utilization, reduce the phenomena of “re-inventing the wheel” and further create linkage across communities.
Originality/value
With the qualities mentioned above, know-how maps can both ease and support the increase of access to expert knowledge to various communities, and thus, promote re-use and expansion of knowledge for various purposes. Having an explicit representation of know-how further encourages innovation, as knowledge from various domains can be mapped, searched and reasoned, and gaps can be identified and filled.
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Claudia Costa and Rita Coelho do Vale
This paper aims to analyze the implications of communicating customer involvement in the ideation and concept stage of new product development (NPD). This paper assesses the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the implications of communicating customer involvement in the ideation and concept stage of new product development (NPD). This paper assesses the extent to which the awareness that a product was co-created jointly by company professional designers and consumers affects observer consumers’ attitudes toward the product and the company. While earlier research has mainly emphasized the positive and desirable consequences of consumer participation in NPD, the present set of studies shows that labeling products as having been co-created is not always valuable; rather, it is dependent on the level of perceived complexity of the products.
Design/methodology/approach
The hypotheses are tested in four experimental studies using several categories of product complexity (low, medium and high). The data have been collected on young adult samples, measuring the participants’ perceptions of a firm’s innovation ability and product purchase intentions.
Findings
The results suggest that there are benefits at the corporate level (higher perceptions of innovation ability) to inform the market about consumer involvement, particularly when consumers and company professionals work together. The findings also indicate that product complexity plays a critical role in translating the perceptions of greater corporate abilities (innovation) in purchase intention, and it is particularly beneficial for low-complexity products.
Originality/value
The previous research has mainly focused on the impact of involving consumers in firms and participating consumers; however, it has neglected the role of observer consumers. This study adds to the innovation literature by showing that the value of learning about other consumers’ involvement in firm NPD is not universally beneficial and that product complexity is a critical boundary condition.
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This paper aims to examine the potentials of using automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology in modular integrated construction (MiC) to realise logistics automation in module…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the potentials of using automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology in modular integrated construction (MiC) to realise logistics automation in module manufacturing and transport.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a scenario approach through three phases (i.e. scenario preparation, development and transfer), with six steps performed iteratively. The scenarios were systematically developed using a six-aspect socio-technical framework. Data were collected through a comprehensive literature review, site visits and interviews with relevant stakeholders and professionals. Implications regarding strength, weakness, opportunities and challenges and future research directions are provided.
Findings
The developed scenarios of “smart manufacturing” and “last-mile delivery” demonstrated how AGVs could be used to enhance efficiency and productivity in module manufacturing and transport. The synergies between AGVs and emerging information technologies should pave a good foundation for realising logistics automation in MiC. Future research should address: how to define the tasks of AGVs, how will the use of AGVs impact MiC practices, how to design AGV-integrated module manufacturing/transport systems and how to integrate people factors into the use of AGVs in MiC.
Practical implications
This paper reveals the socio-technical benefits and challenges of using AGVs in MiC.
Originality/value
This study extends the understanding of using logistics automation in MiC as emerging research directions, with the intention of directing scholars’ and practitioners’ interest into future exploration. It is the first attempt in its kind. Its findings could be extended to constitute a comprehensive development roadmap and prospects of automation in modular construction.
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Ming Lang Tseng, Viqi Ardaniah, Tat-Dat Bui, Jiun-Wei Tseng (Aaron), Ming K. Lim and Mohd Helmi Ali
Sustainable waste management (SWM) leads to human safety by eliminating dangerous substances, increasing cost efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Integrating social…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainable waste management (SWM) leads to human safety by eliminating dangerous substances, increasing cost efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Integrating social, economic and environmental factors is the standard for successfully implementing SWM. However, prior studies have not incorporated the triple bottom line with technological performance and occupational safety in establishing SWM. To drive sustainability in waste management, this study aims to provide a set of SWM attributes and identify a causality model based on the interrelationships among the attributes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used the Delphi method to list the relevant attributes and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) involving 18 experts from the medical and health-care industry to present the interrelationships indicating the group of cause–effect attributes of SWM.
Findings
The study selected 5 aspects and 20 criteria as the relevant attributes of SWM. The cause group consists of environmental impacts and occupational safety, with positive values of 27.031 and 24.499, respectively. The effect group includes technological performance, economic performance and social performance. In particular, the challenges and practices of technological performance are linked to environmental impacts and occupational safety.
Practical implications
The top four criteria for industrial improvement are green practices, government policy and rules, the awareness of workers and waste separation and collection. These results present deeper insights into theoretical and managerial implications.
Originality/value
This study contributes to addressing the challenges and practices of SWM in technological performance leading to environmental impacts and occupational safety. Studies on the technological performance aspect in the causality relationships between environmental impacts and occupational safety are lacking. This study describes SWM using qualitative information and quantitative data.
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