Effect of TRIZ on enhancing employees’ creativity and innovation

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 853-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Jafari ◽  
Hamid Reza Zarghami
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Engineering Problem ◽  
Sign Test ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Training Workshop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Creativity And Innovation

Purpose Regarding the important roles of creativity and innovation for accomplishing innovative missions in aerospace industries, this study aims to explore the impact of a three-month TRIZ (an engineering problem-solving toolkit) training workshop on enhancing three important creativity- and innovation-related characteristics of employees in Iran aerospace industries. Design/methodology/approach A three-month TRIZ educational program was run. Three standard questionnaires were used for assessing creative thinking (CT), need for cognition (NFC) and interest in work innovation (IWI). From different scientific sectors of aerospace industries, 290 participants took part in completing pre- and post-test questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by the related statistical methods (the sign test, correlation analysis and descriptive statistics). Findings The results indicate that the TRIZ training workshop directly enhanced CT, NFC and IWI scores, and that there is a statistically significant positive correlation between these characteristics. Also, the results of the correlation analysis of these variables and the demographic features of the participants shed light on interesting facts that can be used for decision makers and researchers of aerospace industries. Research limitations/implications This study opens a new way for further research in the analysis of the impact of problem-solving techniques on improving creativity and innovation in aerospace and other high-tech industries. Originality/value This paper may be of high value to researchers in creativity and innovation fields in the high-tech industries, including the aerospace industry. This study further facilitates decision-making by enhancing inventive problem solving in these industries. It gives valuable information and guidelines that hopefully will help managers to consider the important issues during TRIZ toolkit establishment in their organizations.

Does supplier involvement enhance financial performance? The encapsulation effects of product modularity and smartness

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Tao Jia ◽  
Jinliang Chen ◽  
Qiujun Chen
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Product Development ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
New Product ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Modularity ◽  
Supplier Involvement ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to explore the conditional relationships between supplier involvement and financial performance. From a problem-solving perspective, this study takes the focal firm as a problem-solving system. It is postulated that supplier involvement enhances financial performance by helping solve complex problems of new product development. Furthermore, product modularity and smartness are considered contingent factors to clarify the boundary conditions. Design/methodology/approach The ordinary least squares regression was conducted to test the hypotheses based on survey data from 136 high-tech firms in China. Findings Supplier involvement is positively related to financial performance. Product modularity weakens the impact of supplier involvement on financial performance. Furthermore, product smartness strengthens the negative influence of product modularity on the relationship between supplier involvement and financial performance. Originality/value This study combines supplier involvement with product attributes. It takes a problem-solving perspective to rethink suppliers’ roles in new product development as problem-solvers rather than resource holders. Furthermore, this study advances the encapsulation effects of product modularity and smartness to influence the supplier involvement–financial performance link.

What stops creative employees to implement ideas? Individual culture value orientation perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 872-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongli Wang
Keyword(s):  
Power Distance ◽  
Value Orientation ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Culture ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Value ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Creativity itself does not necessarily lead to idea implementation. The purpose of this paper is to deeply understand the impact of the individual culture value orientation on employees’ motivation on whether they want to push creative ideas into implementation. Design/methodology/approach In this study, drawing on socially desirable responding (SDR) theory, the author reasons that individual value on power distance and superficial harmony and that these two factors interact to influence employees transform their creativity into implementation. The author argues that prevalence of the failure where creativity cannot be transformed into implementation results from the lack of understanding for two elusive individual culture value orientations: individual superficial harmony orientations (ISHO) and individual power distance orientations (IPDO). Data from 66 middle managers and 301 members of five high-tech firms provide a considerable support for the hypothesized model. Findings The results showed that individuals were able to improve the possibility of putting their creative ideas into practice when they are both lower in IPDO and ISHO. Originality/value Such findings help the author to understand how individual cultural value orientation complements each other to generate joint impact on the relationship between their creative ideas to idea implementation.

scholarly journals High tech meets high touch in upscale hotels

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Brochado ◽  
Paulo Rita ◽  
Ana Margarido
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Technological Innovations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hotel Websites ◽  
Hotel Managers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Qualitative Phase ◽  
Business Travellers

Purpose This paper presents an analysis of the impact of current technologies on customer experiences in upscale hotels and assesses the potential of the latest technologies for enhancing customers’ stay. Design/methodology/approach A two-step approach was applied in this study. The qualitative phase included an examination of upscale hotel websites, interviews with hotel managers and an internet search regarding the latest technological innovations in hotels. In the quantitative stage, a questionnaire was developed for hotel guests, generating a sample of 310 valid completed questionnaires. Findings The results reveal that hotel guests value digital involvement in their hotel experience. Moreover, business travellers and younger generations give greater importance to latest technologies. Originality/value This study analyses the most innovative technologies, providing guidance for hoteliers wishing to upgrade or implement new technologies. Based on the findings, hoteliers can achieve greater differentiation by offering the most important and latest technology to guests, enhancing their experience and attracting new customers, which can potentially lead to increased revenues. The study’s results are also important because they include the perceptions of both managers and customers.

Measuring the impact of relational capital on customer performance in the SME B2B sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1144-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Agostini ◽  
Anna Nosella ◽  
Benedetta Soranzo
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Relational Capital ◽  
Marketing Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Practices ◽  
External Actors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence that different components of relational capital (marketing capability, open innovation with business and scientific partners, technological reputation, brand) have on customer performance (CP). Moreover, the moderating effect of absorptive capacity on such relationships is tested. Design/methodology/approach First, the direct relationship between the different components of relational capital and CP is analyzed through a linear regression model. Then, to test the moderating effect, two distinct regression analyses are conducted into two sub-samples, defined according to the level of absorptive capacity. The authors carried out these analyses on a sample of 150 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the medium- and high-tech B2B context. Findings Results of this study prove that CP is enhanced through firm marketing capability, open innovation with business partners and technological reputation, while brand and open innovation with scientific partner do not have an association with CP. In particular, the impact of marketing capability and open innovation with business actors on CP is greater for firms with higher absorptive capacity. Research limitations/implications This paper, highlighting the relevance of relational capital and absorptive capacity in improving CP, enhances our knowledge about the factors that help to strengthen the relationships with customers, which is an under-investigated issue especially for SMEs competing in B2B industries, and extends our knowledge on open innovation practices. Practical implications Findings of this paper suggest that, to achieve better CP, managers should pay special attention to nurturing their marketing capability and high-quality relationships with external actors and invest in absorptive capacity to enhance the positive effect of such linkages. Originality/value This work, combining the external perspective of relational capital and the internal organizational dimension of absorptive capacity, provides valuable insights about the knowledge and resource mix that firms might rely on to achieve better customer satisfaction and loyalty.

China prioritises food security amid COVID-19 outbreak

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Poultry Farms ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Farm Inputs ◽  
Spring Planting

Subject The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on food and agriculture in China. Significance Transport bottlenecks and restrictions have interrupted supplies of feed to pig and poultry farmers. As spring planting approaches, crop farmers depend on the delivery of farm inputs to maintain yields and guarantee future supplies of rice, wheat, corn and other grains. Impacts Bankruptcies among small and medium-sized poultry farms may hasten efficiency-enhancing consolidation of the industry. Social distancing requirements will boost mechanised and high-tech farming, supported by government subsidies. Tight meat supplies are likely to persist, at least in the short term.

Conclusion

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Costa ◽  
João Gomes ◽  
Mónica Montenegro
Keyword(s):  
Economic Recession ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourist Destinations ◽  
Industry Performance ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Creativity And Innovation

Purpose – This paper aims to critically review the contributions made by the authors of the articles selected for this theme issue and to present the main lessons learnt, recommendations and key points for action by tourist destinations. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis of the papers presented in this theme issue was performed so as to review the most relevant contributions made by authors. Findings – From the analysis of the different articles and proposals by their authors, it becomes clear that Portugal has managed to face the context of financial crisis in a positive manner, thus avoiding negative impacts on the image of Portugal as a tourist destination. By stimulating creativity and innovation among industry operators, new products and services have been developed and offered to the market. This outcome contrasts with the situation at the start of the economic recession when it was not possible to attract new tourists, improve the rate of repeaters or achieve strong industry performance. Originality/value – A summary of the key ideas in the articles comprising this theme issue is presented, allowing for the identification of good practices and lessons to be learned from a very tough economic and social context. Despite the unpopular measures taken by political decision-makers, the impact in the tourism industry, was positive, resulting in improved results in the main tourism indicators.

scholarly journals Creativity and innovation in science and technology

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yashwantrao Ramma ◽  
Martin Samy ◽  
Ajit Gopee
Keyword(s):  
Technology Education ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Science And Technology Education ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Creativity And Innovation

Purpose – This paper stems from a study which was conducted as a means to first, find out whether there is a gap between the secondary and tertiary education levels, second identify any existing gap in Science and Technology education, and third, examine the impact of the above upon students’ creativity and innovativeness at university level. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – As such, a group of teachers and students at both secondary and tertiary levels were selected as the sample of the study. Questionnaires were administered to trained secondary school teachers and to university students. Interviews were also conducted to triangulate data. These enabled an analysis of the current situation in terms of students’ engagement/creativity/innovativeness in Science and Technology at secondary and tertiary levels. Findings – The findings reveal a problematic situation arising with respect to beliefs and what truly prevails in the education sector at secondary and tertiary levels. This study has revealed a number of salient issues related to the gap existing between the secondary and tertiary levels of education in Mauritius, with special bearing on creativity and innovation in Science and Technology. Research limitations/implications – Only three institutions were involved, with a small sample of students, so that the findings cannot be generalised. Moreover, gender is a variable that has not been taken into consideration. Practical implications – The study has proposed a number of recommendations to enable Mauritian students (at secondary and tertiary levels) to develop creativity and hopefully become innovators. This leads us to believe that the recommendations emerging from this study will be beneficial to various stakeholders who wish to understand the gap existing between secondary and tertiary education in Science and Technology education. Originality/value – This study takes a case study approach adopting a mixture of interviews, surveys and observations to understand the research problems with regards to the younger generations need to be equipped with scientific and technological advances in acquiring knowledge, new sets of skills and values. Therefore, this study endeavours to document the perceptions of learners and faculty staff.

Fighting the fire: improvisational behavior during the production launch of new products

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 722-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Gross
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
New Products ◽  
New Product ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real World Problem ◽  
Problem Solving Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Short-term problem solving during production launch may result in extended lead times and increased overall costs of new product development, thereby reducing the overall profitability of a new product. While the previous literature suggests formalized procedures and systematic problem solving approaches, empirical analyses indicate improvised, non-systematic, and ad hoc responses actually being used in firms’ real world problem solving processes. The purpose of this paper is to explain the role of such non-systematic approaches for the efficiency and effectiveness of problem solving processes during production launch. Design/methodology/approach – The paper empirically explores the impact of improvisational problem-solving behavior on a firm's production launch efficiency and on the success of new products. Moreover, the paper investigates the moderating role of technology familiarity, project complexity, and the number of occurring problems during production launch. Findings – The paper finds evidence for a positive curvilinear effect of improvisational problem-solving behavior on new product success and production launch efficiency. Additionally, the paper finds that improvisation is especially reasonable in complex and familiar projects or in the case of many unplanned changes during production launch. Research limitations/implications – The study provides evidence for the relevance of routinized and improvisational behavior during production launch. Practical implications – Improvisational behavior decreases the performance of the production launch and the financial performance of a new product in the case of frequent product changes or complex projects. Originality/value – For the first time behavioral theory is applied to the phenomenon of production launch and problem solving.

The impact of mentoring and pedagogy on mitigation of library stress of undergraduate students

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 628-654
Author(s):  
Huwayah M. Alazemi ◽  
Awadh Alharbi
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Educational Psychology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Higher Order Learning ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to justify the relevance of student-centred teaching – learning in influencing their motivation to shed library fear, source resources, attain higher-order learning, garner intellectual prowess and invent new theories. Design/methodology/approach To assess the validity of association between guidance, pedagogy, library access and intellectual prowess, a close-ended questionnaire is used. This questionnaire was administered on 350 undergraduate students in Kuwait. The step helped to gather their responses and initiate correlation analysis. Also, correlation analysis was used to review the association between the items selected in the questionnaire, interpret outcomes and draw valid inferences. Findings The outcome highlights that such students show keen interest to learn when faculty members give credence to educational psychology, teaching-learning quality, knowledge transfer and their transformation into knowledge seekers. The realization of such scholastic capabilities makes it possible for them to shed library fear and search disappointments, circumvent procedural complexities and pay least importance to size of library structure. Such mental state heightens their desire to use library services optimally, learn and contribute to new knowledge. Originality/value Few attempts have been made to study the impact of mentoring and pedagogy on mitigation of library stress undergraduate students.

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