Determinants of Firms’ Innovation Activities: A Case Study of German Knowledge-Intensive Industries

2018 ◽  
pp. 85-98
Author(s):  
Petr Hajek ◽  
Jan Stejskal ◽  
Viktor Prokop
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

scholarly journals Digital Transformation of Forest Services in Finland—A Case Study for Improving Business Processes

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Ville Kankaanhuhta ◽  
Tuula Packalen ◽  
Kari Väätäinen
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Single Type ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
Young Stand ◽  
Commercial Viability ◽  
Soil Preparation ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Agile Software

This case study introduces an innovation and development concept for agile software tools for the improvement of the productivity and customer experience of forest services. This need was recognized in the context of the opening of forest data and the development of service platforms for a forest-based bioeconomy in Finland. The forest services that were studied covered a continuum from a single type of work, e.g., soil preparation and young stand management through timber procurement, to comprehensive forest property management services. The study concentrated on the needs of micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which provide either retail- or business to business (B2B) services as sub-contractors. In addition, the challenges and bottlenecks in service processes detected by other stakeholders were considered. The prevailing service processes were conceptually modelled in order to search for opportunities for improvements in business and ecosystem services, i.e., agile software concepts. For example, we examined whether it would be possible to create opportunities for flexible operational models for precision, resilience, and protection of valuable microsites in forests. These software concepts were developed and evaluated in co-operation with the stakeholders in a co-creative workshop. The technological feasibility and commercial viability of the concepts, as well as the desirability for the customer were considered. The results of this business development process—i.e., agile software concepts and their anticipated benefits—were provided for further evaluation. In addition to the practical implications of this kind of innovation process tested, the potential of these kinds of agile tools for the further development of knowledge-intensive service processes was further discussed.

Non-R&D Innovation Patterns in Chinese SMEs: An Empirical Study from Zhejiang Province

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (06) ◽  
pp. 1640014
Author(s):  
Gang Zheng ◽  
Yanting Guo ◽  
Yajuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Zhejiang Province ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Marketing Innovation ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Innovation Patterns ◽  
Policy Incentives

During the last few decades, research and development (R&D) have always been regarded as the most important or even the only factor in the attempt to explain the innovation capability and performance of enterprises, industries and economies, while to a large extent, those heterogeneous innovation activities beyond formal R&D are ignored or underestimated. Some research has shown that non-R&D innovation activities contribute to make full use of resources beyond R&D to promote performance, especially to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with weak R&D capability. However, non-R&D innovators’ behavior is still a black box by far, and especially few empirical research have been conducted in China context. This paper first explores the heterogeneous innovation patterns of non-R&D innovation by survey among Chinese SMEs in Zhejiang Province. It shows that, product and service customization, imitation and design, technology adoption and incremental modification, organizational innovation and marketing innovation are the main patterns of non-R&D innovation in China. Then, a case study is followed to cross-validate the patterns and relationships between non-R&D innovation and growth of SMEs in China. Generally, this study has implications for both academia and policy-makers. As it demonstrates, non-R&D innovation is an effective way for SMEs to quickly grow and sustain competitiveness in competition. On the other hand, this study helps to optimize some of current innovation policies for SMEs in China, where policy incentives are mainly R&D-focused. It also likely sheds light on the SMEs in other emerging economies.

scholarly journals Sustainability-Oriented Innovations in Food Waste Management Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
Carlos Martin-Rios ◽  
Anastasia Hofmann ◽  
Naomi Mackenzie
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Third Party ◽  
World Population ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization

Food is essential to our survival, yet the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that about 820 million people were undernourished in 2018. In this context, food waste generation is a particularly salient issue. Wasting food means missing opportunities to feed the growing world population and consuming scarce resources, such as land, water and energy used in the production, processing, distribution and consumption of food. Firms in HORECA (hospitality, restaurant and catering) represent a considerable share of total food waste and, more importantly, are characterized by an overall low sense of awareness about the sustainability-oriented innovation opportunities and challenges of minimizing food waste. This article draws on an in-depth case study to explore the use of technological advancements in downstream value chain. This case study draws on a tech startup providing services for HORECA companies to address a new way for companies to solve the food waste challenge. Adopting technological innovations to quantify and minimize wastage via collaborations with third-party companies can be a strategic and cost-effective way to supplement a company’s open innovation activities.

Knowledge-oriented leadership and technology standard innovation: a temporary-team perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Kazuyuki Motohashi ◽  
Wentao Liu ◽  
Xu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Technology Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Technology Standard ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relevance of knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) to technology standard innovation (TSI) from a temporary-team perspective. The mediating and moderating effect on knowledge integration (KI) and leader–member exchange (LMX) is emphasized. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual model is built based on an exhaustive literature review and is empirically tested in terms of a sample of 341 Chinese individuals with TSI experience. Quantitative analysis was performed using a questionnaire with the bootstrapping method used to demonstrate the mediating effect of KI. Findings The empirical results of this study prove that KI mediates the relationship between KOL and TSI. The authors deduce that LMX moderates the positive relation between KOL and KI. Originality/value Few studies have investigated the innovation activities of technology standards from a temporary-team perspective. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to look into the underlying mechanism of KOL in TSI. This research deepens the analysis by introducing LMX’s moderating role in the innovation process of technology standards, thereby providing valuable insights for leaders of innovation activities of technology standards and illuminating new aspects of knowledge-intensive temporary-team management.

scholarly journals Operationalization of knowledge management in knowledge-intensive Pakistani banks: a qualitative case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45
Author(s):  
Salman Bashir Memon ◽  
◽  
Wajid Hussain Rizvi ◽  
Syed Sumaiya ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

scholarly journals Regional Entrepreneurship Support Infrastructure: Volgograd Region Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Analysis ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Volgograd Region ◽  
Technological Entrepreneurship ◽  
New Type ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

In the paper, the complex analysis of the regional infrastructure of support of technological entrepreneurship of the Volgograd region, based on the statistical data reflecting the activity of enterprise structures is carried out. The scientific relevance of this research is related to the fact that technological entrepreneurship is a new type of enterprise that meets the requirements of the postindustrial period. The functioning of this type of entrepreneurship is based on a high-tech or knowledge-intensive idea, which contributes to the development of the environment. According to the results of the analysis, the main drawbacks of the regional infrastructure of support of technological entrepreneurship of the Volgograd region, which create barriers in the development of technological entrepreneurship. Based on the identified problems, measures have been developed to overcome them.

scholarly journals Measuring radical innovation project success: typical metrics don’t work

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmi Normann Kristiansen ◽  
Paavo Ritala
Keyword(s):  
Radical Innovation ◽  
Incremental Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Firms ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Innovation Projects ◽  
Innovation Project ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose Firms frequently struggle with measuring the performance of their radical innovation activities. Due to the uncertainty and ambiguity involved, key performance indicators (KPIs) used for incremental innovation projects are often not useful in this context. The purpose of this paper is to explore suitable KPIs particularly useful for radical innovation projects. Design/methodology/approach This study first reviews commonly used measures for innovation projects, which is then followed by case-study evidence from three industry-leading international firms. This study includes 13 in-depth interviews with innovation managers and directors in these firms, providing insights on how they measure the progress and performance of radical innovation projects. Findings KPIs used commonly in incremental innovation showed lackluster results in the case firms and were problematic for radical innovation context. A key finding was that radical innovation project performance should be evaluated based on the process rather than on the expected outcome. Concurrently, based on the literature review and the cases, three sets of KPIs with 13 specific KPIs useful for radical innovation projects are proposed. Originality/value The paper addresses a core challenge in using established KPIs in a radical innovation context. The paper gathers and synthesizes a range of measurement points suitable for radical innovation projects and provides specific suggestions for appropriate metrics that innovation managers can use.

Should knowledge management in organizations be rebranded?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maayan Nakash ◽  
Dan Bouhnik
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Strategic Perspective ◽  
First Time

Purpose This study aims to examine the relevance of the term “knowledge management” (KM) in the organizational context, and deliberates whether there is a need for rebranding of this field. It also enriches the understanding regarding the appropriateness of the term “KM,” which was chosen to represent the discipline. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative research methodology, and a case study approach was followed by conducting 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews with international KM experts working in a global consulting firm. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method based on the grounded theory approach. Findings The findings provide empirical evidence that attempts are being made to move away from the label “KM” in certain knowledge-intensive organizations. This study sheds light on the challenges associated with this term, which leads some to believe that the name of the discipline needs to change. Originality/value The present pioneering research contributes to empirical knowledge through investigation of an unexplored scientific field. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, its uniqueness can be established by the fact that the opinions of KM professionals are being heard regarding the “KM” label, as well as the need for a rebranding of this discipline in the organizational context. From a practical and strategic perspective, this study suggests that the research community and practitioners pay attention to attempts to shift away from the existing title identified in organizational practice.

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