Barriers to smart services for manufacturing companies – an exploratory study in the capital goods industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Michael Klein ◽  
Sebastian Simon Biehl ◽  
Thomas Friedli
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Capital Goods ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Service Businesses

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate non-technical barriers for smart services in the capital goods industry. Design/methodology/approach A multiple methodology approach is adopted. First, qualitative workshops and interviews were conducted with 14 experts from five companies. The findings generated subsequently provided a basis for a large-scale quantitative survey of manufacturing company service representatives in the capital goods industry, the data from which were analyzed using explorative factor analysis. Findings In total, 25 items that represent barriers to smart service businesses were identified, using qualitative research. Large-scale quantitative research revealed 24 items structured into four factors. Additionally, the respondents’ assessment of the individual barriers’ impact on their smart service businesses is presented. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on manufacturing companies in the capital goods industry, mainly, in the European countries. Caution should be exercised in seeking to generalize the results to other industries. The findings should be confirmed with subsequent confirmatory analyses using additional data. Practical implications The authors’ findings provide a comprehensive list and classification of barriers, as well as an assessment of their severity, serving as a practical guideline for managers. Originality/value This paper explores the barriers to smart services from a provider’s perspective. Its holistic approach and use of large-scale quantitative data qualify it as one of the first studies of this kind.

A qualitative exploration of young people and prison officers’ experiences of empathy within a young offenders’ institution

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Anne Tarrant ◽  
Alison Torn
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Institutional Investment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Relationship Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to explore the ways in which young people and prison staff (Prison Officers) within a youth custodial establishment experience empathy. Previous research tends to view empathy as a stable trait and one which people can develop through individual-centred therapy. There has been little consideration of the impact of relationship factors and context in relation to empathy experience and expression. The current study aims to address this by exploring the role of the custodial context in shaping empathy, including the potential impact of relationships, environmental factors and culture. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used to enable breadth and depth in the exploration of this area. Individual, semi-structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample of three young people and three Prison Officers. Data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis informed by the guidelines of Braun and Clarke (2006) and King and Horrocks (2010). Findings Constructed themes included “constructions of empathy”, “recipe for empathy”, “institutional investment”, “the value of empathy” and “doing empathy”. Together, they provide detailed insight into the interplay of personal and wider contextual factors influencing the experience of empathy in a custodial setting. The findings suggest that the way in which young people and staff experience empathy in the custodial environment is unique. The findings suggest that empathy takes place within the context of relationships and is influenced by the nature of those relationships, along with the wider social context within which it occurs. Practical implications The findings of the current study support a move away from understanding empathy as an individual personality trait and instead viewing it as a dynamic experience that is changeable based upon the relationship and the context within which it occurs. The findings suggest that interventions aiming to develop empathy should look beyond the level of the individual and the relationship and focus upon developing environments that are supportive of empathy. Originality/value This study provides unique insights into the subjective experience of empathy in a custodial setting, presenting as one of the first to take a more holistic approach to understand this phenomenon.

scholarly journals Implementing Industry 4.0: assessing the current state

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-836
Author(s):  
Roland Ortt ◽  
Claire Stolwijk ◽  
Matthijs Punter
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The State ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Implementation Status

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce, summarize and combine the results of 11 articles in a special issue on the implementation of Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 emerged as a phenomenon about a decade ago. That is why, it is interesting now to explore the implementation of the concept. In doing so, four research questions are addressed: (1) What is Industry 4.0? (2) How to implement Industry 4.0? (3) How to assess the implementation status of Industry 4.0? (4) What is the current implementation status of Industry 4.0?Design/methodology/approachSubgroups of articles are formed, around one or more research questions involving the implementation of Industry 4.0. The articles are carefully analyzed to provide comprehensive answers.FindingsBy comparing definitions systematically, the authors show important aspects for defining Industry 4.0. The articles in the special issue explore several cases of manufacturing companies that implemented Industry 4.0. In addition, systematic approaches to aid implementation are described: an approach to combine case-study results to solve new implementation problems, approaches to assess readiness or maturity of companies regarding Industry 4.0 and surveys showing the status of implementation in larger samples of companies as well as showing relationships between company characteristics and type of implementation. Small and large firms differ considerably in their process of implementing Industry 4.0, for example.Research limitations/implicationsThis special issue discusses implementation of Industry 4.0. The issue is limited to 11 articles, each of which with its own strengths and limitations.Practical implicationsThe practical relevance of the issue is that it focuses on the implementation of Industry 4.0. Cases showing successful implementation, measurement instruments to assess degree of implementation and advice how to build a database with cases together with large-scale studies on the state of implementation do provide a wealth of information with a large managerial relevance.Originality/valueThe paper introduces an original take on Industry 4.0 by focusing on implementation. The special issue contains both literature reviews, articles describing case studies of implementation, articles developing systematic measurement instruments to assess degree of implementation and some articles reporting large-scale studies on the state of implementation of Industry 4.0 and thereby combine several perspectives on implementation of Industry 4.0.

scholarly journals Sustainability of digital humanities projects as a publication and documentation challenge

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 1019-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Edmond ◽  
Francesca Morselli
Keyword(s):  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Planning ◽  
Project Sustainability ◽  
New Perspective

PurposeThis paper proposes a new perspective on the enormous and unresolved challenge to existing practices of publication and documentation posed by the outputs of digital research projects in the humanities, where much good work is being lost due to resource or technical challenges.Design/methodology/approachThe paper documents and analyses both the existing literature on promoting sustainability for the outputs of digital humanities projects and the innovative approach of a single large-scale project.FindingsThe findings of the research presented show that sustainability planning for large-scale research projects needs to consider data and technology but also community, communications and process knowledge simultaneously. In addition, it should focus not only on a project as a collection of tangible and intangible assets, but also on the potential user base for these assets and what these users consider valuable about them.Research limitations/implicationsThe conclusions of the paper have been formulated in the context of one specific project. As such, it may amplify the specificities of this project in its results.Practical implicationsAn approach to project sustainability following the recommendations outlined in this paper would include a number of uncommon features, such as a longer development horizon, wider perspective on project results, and an audit of tacit and explicit knowledge.Social ImplicationsThese results can ultimately preserve public investment in projects.Originality/valueThis paper supplements more reductive models for project sustainability with a more holistic approach that others may learn from in mapping and sustaining user value for their projects for the medium to long terms.

User-opinion mining for mobile library apps in China: exploring user improvement needs

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haichen Zhou ◽  
Dejun Zheng ◽  
Yongming Li ◽  
Junwei Shen
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Latent Dirichlet Allocation ◽  
Opinion Mining ◽  
Visual Presentation ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Purpose To further provide some insight into mobile library (m-library) applications (apps) user needs and help libraries or app providers improve the service quality, the purpose of this paper is to explore all the types of user improvement needs and to discover which need is the most important based on user results. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from more than 27,000 m-library app users from 16 provinces and autonomous regions in China. Text analysis using latent Dirichlet allocation and Word2Vec was carried out by text preprocessing. Furthermore, a visual presentation was conducted through pyLDAvis and word cloud. Finally, combined with expert opinions, the results were summarized to find the different types of needs. Findings There are three different types of needs for improvement: needs of function, needs of technology and needs of experience. These types can be further divided into six subtypes: richness of function, feasibility of function, easiness of technology, stableness of technology, optimization of experience and customization of experience. Besides the richness of function, the feasibility of function has received the most attention from users. Originality/value Most studies on m-library user needs have only focused on a method of quantitative research based on questionnaire surveys. This study, however, is the first to apply text mining methods for large-scale user opinion texts, which place more focus on user needs and inspire libraries and app providers to further improve their services.

scholarly journals Detection and Differentiation of Two Koala Gammaherpesviruses by Use of High-Resolution Melt (HRM) Analysis Reveals Differences in Viral Prevalence and Clinical Associations in a Large Study of Free-Ranging Koalas

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Vaz ◽  
A. R. Legione ◽  
C. A. Hartley ◽  
J. M. Devlin
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
High Resolution Melt ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Chlamydia Pecorum ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACTThe iconic koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is host to two divergent gammaherpesviruses, phascolarctid gammaherpesviruses 1 and 2 (PhaHV-1 and -2), but the clinical significance of the individual viruses is unknown and current diagnostic methods are unsuitable for differentiating between the viruses in large-scale studies. To address this, we modified a pan-herpesvirus nested PCR to incorporate high-resolution melt analysis. We applied this assay in a molecular epidemiological study of 810 koalas from disparate populations across Victoria, Australia, including isolated island populations. Animal and clinical data recorded at sampling were analyzed and compared to infection status. Between populations, the prevalence of PhaHV-1 and -2 varied significantly, ranging from 1% to 55%. Adult and older animals were 5 to 13 times more likely to be positive for PhaHV-1 than juveniles (P< 0.001), whereas PhaHV-2 detection did not change with age, suggesting differences in how these two viruses are acquired over the life of the animal. PhaHV-1 detection was uniquely associated with the detection of koala retrovirus, particularly in females (P= 0.008). Both viruses were significantly associated (P< 0.05) with the presence of genital tract abnormalities (uterine/ovarian cysts and testicular malformation), reduced fertility in females, urinary incontinence, and detection ofChlamydia pecorum, although the strength of these associations varied by sex and virus. Understanding the clinical significance of these viruses and how they interact with other pathogens will inform future management of threatened koala populations.

Managerial training and development in telecommunication organizations in Palestine

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 685-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Robert Sabella ◽  
Farhad Analoui
Keyword(s):  
Current System ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Management Development ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Training Development ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and extent of management development and training in Palestinian telecommunication organizations using a basic trichotomous (three-stage) model: needs assessment, training development, and evaluation. Design/methodology/approach – A survey questionnaires supported by semi-structured interviews was conducted to capture and corroborate the issues raised by middle and senior managers. Subsequently, the valid data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and was tabulated for the purpose of interpretation and comparison with the findings available from literature. Findings – Despite the systematic approach to training and development, the findings revealed inadequacy deriving from heavy emphasis on conventional methods throughout the three stages particularly the formal in-house training; the current system does not offer a holistic approach to meet the challenging needs for management development. Research limitations/implications – The study adopts an exploratory in depth empirical investigation in Palestinian telecommunication organizations, it provides insight into management training and development in the private sector in Palestine. It has profound theoretical and practical implications for the increased effectiveness of management in the region and beyond. Practical implications – The use of trichotomous approach explores the entire process, rather than implementation alone, thus the findings will have practical implications for the researcher and practitioners to design, implement, and systematically appraise the effectiveness of training development initiatives. Originality/value – This paper offers both professionals and academics a fresh perspective on training and development in Palestinian telecommunication organizations; it highlights the importance of such activity, and stresses on the need for the design of programmes that can adequately incorporate the individual and corporate needs for development.

Capability, environment and internationalization fit, and financial and marketing performance of MNEs’ foreign subsidiaries

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dessislava Dikova ◽  
Arjen van Witteloostuijn ◽  
Simon Parker
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Multinational Enterprise ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Performance ◽  
Mne Subsidiary ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Extant work in international business (IB) involves a partial contingency-theoretic perspective: a holistic view of the impact of bundles of contingencies on an outcome variable is missing. The purpose of this paper is to adopt a contingency approach to study multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiary performance in the appropriate context of European transition economies at the beginning of the current millennium. Design/methodology/approach Methodologically, the authors introduce abduction as a line of inquiry into IB and management to develop new theoretical insights, and apply the novel empirical general interaction method to estimate bundle effects. In so doing, the authors contribute to the further development of a theoretical and empirical toolkit to revitalize holistic, or configurational, quantitative research in IB and management. Findings The authors find that capability fit is a necessary condition for high MNE subsidiary marketing performance, whilst environment fit is particularly critical for high MNE subsidiary financial performance. Research limitations/implications A key limitation is that this is a cross-section study. Practical implications This study offers insights as to subsidiary fit into Eastern Europe, indicating fitting entry and establishment modes. Originality/value This paper offers a novel holistic approach to IB, both in terms of theoretical and empirical methodology.

scholarly journals Study of SMEs from electrical engineering industry providing smart services in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 05013
Author(s):  
Lucie Kaňovská ◽  
Veronika Bumberová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Electrical Engineering ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Engineering Industry ◽  
Smart Services ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
And Performance

Research background: A buzzword such as industry 4.0, digitalization and smart services are tracking economic news in recent time. The world has changed over the last decade from a mainly physical to software controlled economy. Many manufacturers provide a lot of accompanying services to their products. However, not all of them supply smart services with the expectation of achieving better performance, portfolio expansion and long-term cooperation with their customers. Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to find out differences between providers and non-providers of smart services and across subcategory of smart service providers in cooperation flexibility, innovation flexibility in product and accompanying services and performance. Methods: A quantitative research was held among 112 electro-technical SMEs in Czech Republic. The analysis is based on descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to compare the differences in electrical industry and across providers of smart services in key areas. Findings & Value added: The findings show that the differences are statistically significant. The results in the field of electrical engineering suggest that the found diversity (patterns of behavior) could also help managers in this field and policies aimed at supporting the development of small businesses in this context.

scholarly journals Innovative real estate development finance – evidence from Europe

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Squires ◽  
Norman Hutchison ◽  
Alastair Adair ◽  
Jim Berry ◽  
Stanley McGreal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Real Estate Development ◽  
Equity Financing ◽  
Private Debt ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Finance ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

Purpose – This research aims to provide an insight into large-scale real estate projects in Europe and how they are using a more innovative blend of finance. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology involved a mix of desk-based study, interviews and case studies. Interviews were held with financiers, policymakers, developers, investors, fund managers and academics. The specific case projects were Battersea Power Station Development in London; Leipziger Platz site in Berlin; and the Lammenschans site in the city of Leiden, The Netherlands. Findings – The research found that there is growth in the blend of financial products used in real estate development within large-scale mixed-use projects. This new blend is set with greater equity financing, often from domestic and foreign consortiums generating institutional funds – alongside private debt financing – that utilise a mix of large-scale multi-bank finance. Practical implications – The scale of the challenge in financing real estate development allied with capital budget constraints has meant that the appetite for innovative finance mechanisms has gained considerable momentum in practice and policy. This research investigates current examples in development finance and provides a discussion of the opinion of key multi-stakeholder participants in the individual cases, and trends more strategically at a broader level. Originality/value – This detailed study of three major development sites and at a more broader strategic level is significant, in that it provides a better understanding of the differing blends of finance that are being used.

Local social value creation by neighborhood-based entrepreneurs

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne de Beer
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Value Creation ◽  
Local Embeddedness

PurposeThis paper aims to explore local social value creation by entrepreneurs located in residential neighborhoods, what drives their behavior and the influence of their local social networks therein, both as a direct effect and through fostering local embeddedness.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews are conducted with 18 neighborhood-based entrepreneurs in the Netherlands to explore whether these entrepreneurs are active in local social value creation and the different drivers of their behavior in that regard (personality, organizational, contextual and issue characteristics) in relation to their local social networks. The research neighborhoods are selected based on social cohesion and collective efficacy scores.FindingsMost interviewees are active in social value creation. Personality characteristics are the main drivers of local social value creation. Local social networks have a direct, indirect and moderating effect, but are not prerequisites for local social value creation to occur. Local embeddedness through emotional attachment to the neighborhood also drives local social value creation.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest that neighborhood-based entrepreneurship is a source of local social value, indicating the need for additional and large-scale quantitative research on this type of entrepreneurial activity.Social implicationsThe findings of this study can motivate policymakers to promote entrepreneurship in neighborhoods as a means of stimulating bottom-up local social value creation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the debate on the social value of entrepreneurship and considers the understudied group of neighborhood-based entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the paper offers a conceptual contribution by focusing on the local social networks as a driver of local social value creation.

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