Intrapreneurship: outside the project box and into the unknown

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 45-55
Author(s):  
Anna Feldmann ◽  
Frank Teuteberg

Purpose This study aims to illustrate the current understanding of the concept of intrapreneurship by comparing it with that of a traditional project. Design/methodology/approach A meta-model was used to demonstrate how the two concepts overlap and what differences exist. Furthermore, a case study was conducted with an IT service provider from the banking sector in which 12 qualitative interviews with intrapreneurs were held and used to summarize the differences between projects and intrapreneurship initiatives from the intrapreneurs’ point of view. Findings This study identified two major differences: First, unlike in projects, the client has no clear objective in intrapreneurship; rather, only the sponsors maintain a general goal. Second, intrapreneurship allows for circumventing constraints and thus for working with more freedom and the possibility of failure. Originality/value This study used an explanatory model to summarize differences and clarify the concept of intrapreneurship.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Feldmann ◽  
Frank Teuteberg

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the banking industry and its hackathon formats, which have been created by various banking groups. Other industries can learn from these findings and adopt best practice solutions. Design/methodology/approach A multi-case study was conducted with three hackathon formats (Collabothon, GENOhackathon and Symbioticon) from the banking sector in which qualitative interviews with members of the organization team were held and used to summarize the differences and similarities of hackathon formats in the banking industry. Findings A model was developed to demonstrate how the different hackathon formats in banking overlap and what differences exist. Originality/value This study used a cross-case analysis to summarize differences and similarities of hackathon formats in the banking industry in Germany.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thi Hieu Hanh Truong

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look into the mechanism in which customers involve themselves in omni-channel retail setting and use its advantages.Design/methodology/approachVia an empirical analysis through surveying customers, this paper assesses and confirms the drivers of omni-channel shopping intention within the context of fashion retailing sector in Danang.FindingsThe findings highlight the significance of customer perception of research shopping (including showrooming and webrooming) behaviours, compatibility and risk to their intention towards omni-channel shopping, implying profound understanding of designing effective omni-channel retailing strategy.Originality/valueFrom a theoretical perspective, comprehending customer perception of the omni-channel concept has emerged as an important theme in recent literature as well as in practitioners' reports. Hence, the meaningful contribution of this study is the involvement in the attractive steam of study. From a managerial perspective, this study could offer guidance to retailers or managers about developing a successful omni-channel strategy from a customer point of view.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1221-1231
Author(s):  
Bianca Bergande ◽  
Erica Weilemann ◽  
Philipp Brune

PurposeThe perception of the learning-by-teaching method has been investigated in an Information Systems Engineering course to explore the critical factors for its perception and acceptance by students.Design/methodology/approachThe students' perception of the learning-by-teaching method in a course on Web Engineering is analyzed by qualitative interviews in this research paper.FindingsThe results indicate that it is considered beneficial as long as the students are motivated to participate in the setting, understand why they have to work out their own solution and feel enabled to meet the requirements.Practical implicationThis study provides valuable information what is critical for the success of this didactic method, including practical implications.Originality/valueThis study provides an in-depth case study and shows that a clear structure and additional sources through professionals and peers are vital for project-oriented group work in higher education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1145-1159
Author(s):  
Tore Strandvik ◽  
Kristina Heinonen ◽  
Sanna Vollmer

Purpose This paper aims to identify how, in contrast to a provider-oriented stance where customer value is conceptualised as being controlled by the provider, customer value is formed for business customers beyond what is visible to the provider. Design/methodology/approach This paper builds on the primacy of the customer. Customer-dominant logic (CDL) is used as the conceptual underpinning, meaning that the customer, rather than the service provider or the service system, is at the centre. A case study was conducted with seven key users from three customer companies of an information and communications technology (ICT) provider of in-house services. The study used a micro-social level focus by capturing customers’ experiences of those activities where value in use is formed. Findings The findings indicate that value formation is not related only to direct service interactions and furthermore substantially takes place beyond a service provider’s visibility line. Hence, value formation is in large part hidden for the service provider because it is embedded in customers’ activities and experiences. Research limitations/implications Although the study is limited to one case concerning ICT services, these findings may apply to other service businesses, in particular to knowledge-intensive outsourcing businesses. Practical implications Understanding a customer’s value formation from the customer’s point of view is the key to service development for any business service provider. Originality/value Applying a CDL approach, the authors deepen the understanding of customer value formation as it emerges in customer activities. The study provides detailed insight into business customers’ value formation processes. The study’s findings challenge the current emphasis on interactions and co-creation and instead demonstrate the importance of understanding customer logics and contexts.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pall Rikhardsson ◽  
Carsten Rohde ◽  
Leif Christensen ◽  
Catherine E. Batt

PurposeThis paper investigates the use of management controls when environmental uncertainty and hostility increase abruptly. Specifically, it explores this in the context of the 2008 financial crisis in six banks located in two countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on 26 qualitative interviews with selected managers employed by the six banks. Eight interview guides were developed based on the typology of controls in Malmi and Brown (2008). Respondents explained which changes in management controls occurred after the crisis.FindingsBoth organic and mechanistic management controls were mobilized at the same time to deal with the change. The use of controls played three main roles: (1) guide and control behavior, (2) change internal and external perceptions and (3) discharge accountability. Finally, control use during a crisis evolves as individual managers design and implement controls. There is no “grand design” rationally guiding the design of the overall system of controls.Originality/valueThe use of management controls in dealing with an increase in uncertainty and hostility cannot be labeled either organic or mechanistic, but will depend on the specific type of change in environmental characteristics. Management controls evolve by interaction with outside actors, as well as internal techniques.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katiuscia Vaccarini ◽  
Christoph Lattemann ◽  
Francesca Spigarelli ◽  
Ernesto Tavoletti

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, to analyze the impact of Chinese managers’ psychic distance (PD) with Germany on their businesses; and second, to investigate whether managers’ previous experiences affect their PD. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study research design is adopted. It is based on six Chinese companies that have recently entered Germany through FDI. Findings PD influences the decision making of Chinese FDI to Germany, it has an impact on Chinese businesses in Germany on 4 out of 12 dimensions, namely, legal, political, cultural aspects as well as language. Managers with no international experience (study, work, foreign investment practice) perceive a higher impact of PD dimensions on business with the host country, whereas the opposite is true for experienced ones. Originality/value While extensive research has been conducted on the PD construct under the point of view of the differences between the home and host country’s characteristics, this paper sheds lights on the impact of pre- and post- periods of investment, as well as over international experiences of managers investing abroad. It examines the environmental industry for Chinese FDI to Germany.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-428
Author(s):  
Somia Kherbouche ◽  
Abdelkader Djedid

Purpose Focussing on the event “Tlemcen Capital of Islamic Culture 2011”, the purpose of this paper is to examine the changing perception of the city’s image, assess its durability and determine its relationship with the development of sustainable cultural tourism. Design/methodology/approach This research is tested by an empirical study that combines a qualitative and a quantitative approach. The qualitative study is based on semi-directive interviews, whereas quantitative study is based on statistics from the Wilaya Tourism Department. Findings The results of this study indicate first of all that the perception of the city’s image by the inhabitants is not static and that it follows the same process of evolution of the perception of the image by tourists but in relation to other factors such as awareness and age. The second result shows that the sustainability of the image must be verified both inside and outside to achieve sustainable cultural tourism. Originality/value This study is in line with previous research with another point of view on the city’s image and another case study which is the historical city of Tlemcen. It serves to examine the evolution of the perception of the city’s image produced by the event and to assess its sustainability.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1145-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Chen ◽  
Shirley Ou Yang ◽  
Cheryl Leo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the beginning of value co-creation by uncovering the roles, efforts, and desired outcomes of employees and how they affect employees’ responses to their firm’s co-creation initiatives. Design/methodology/approach This study applies a single case study to explore micro-level processes at the beginning of value co-creation informed by a case about how a Taiwanese firm moved from a conventional to a co-creative business model. Findings The case study findings affirm nine subthemes that underlie three key themes: co-creation dynamics, efforts, and betterment. The authors provide a value co-creation framework that is informed by nine subthemes derived from interview data. Research limitations/implications Current literature on understanding value co-creation processes focuses on formalized co-creation processes which produce diverse and contextually dependent findings. The authors contribute to current value co-creation literature by offering convergent insights into the interplay of dynamics, efforts, and betterment experienced by employees transitioning to a value co-creation process. Practical implications The authors offer a diagnostic value co-creation checklist and propose three benefits of using the checklist, which can help managers mitigate the uncertainty that arises during the transition from a conventional to a co-creation firm. Originality/value The study responds to calls for research to investigate where and when the co-creation of value emerges, value co-creation behavior from employees’ point of view, and employees’ roles in the co-creation of value.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lidija Zentgraf

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the reality of mentoring in higher education from the mentor’s point of view. The goal is to elaborate best practice of mentoring on issues such as advanced training, professionalization, experience exchange, networking, de facto tasks and levels of interaction with mentees. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the gap between theoretical mentoring methods, for example, with regard to timely planning and the reality of being a mentor. Data were generated by qualitative interviews of up to 45 min with mentors with several years of experience. The qualitative findings will help interested people to get a feel for what it means to be a mentor. Findings The findings showed that each mentor found his or her individual way of mentoring and that each was eager to personally improve. The paper shows influencing factors beyond project planning, such as emotional involvement, dealing with student denial and the time it actually takes to be a good mentor beyond office hours. Research limitations/implications As matriculation numbers must not be documented due to German data protection law, the de facto effectiveness of mentoring was close to impossible to measure. Social implications Text. Originality/value This work is original because the Aachener Mentoring Modell entails 35 professional mentors working in all but one faculty of RWTH Aachen University; it is an entire schooling concept, with technical documentation especially implemented for this project.


Author(s):  
Alessandro Pagano ◽  
Elisa Carloni ◽  
Serena Galvani ◽  
Roberta Bocconcelli

Purpose This paper aims to provide a contribution on the diffusion of Industry 4 (I4.0)-related knowledge in industrial districts (IDs). The main goal is to examine the dissemination of I4.0 knowledge, exploring the main mechanisms for its spreading and highlighting the main factors shaping such processes. Focus is on dissemination processes in IDs active in traditional industries, which could represent the “periphery” of I4.0 application context. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is qualitative. Notably, this paper presents a case study of the Pesaro ID specialized in furniture/woodworking machinery sector. A total of 18 in-depth one-to-one interviews have been conducted with relevant informants from a variety of organizations within the cluster: companies, institutions and universities. Findings The complexity of I4.0 requires a combination of traditional mechanisms with innovative ones within IDs characterized by the emergence of new players, activities and resources. These changes led to three main evolving patterns: the horizon of I4.0 upgrading shows blurred boundaries in terms of sectors and geographic location, the I4.0 diffusion appears fragmented in terms of initiatives and projects by both firms and institutions and the dissemination of I4.0 knowledge pushes ID firms and institutions to pursue deliberate initiatives leading to innovative forms of “collective” cooperation. Originality/value This paper contributes to both theory and practice. From the theoretical point of view, this paper contributes to the literature on innovation in IDs and clusters on two interrelated grounds. First, it provides further research on I4.0 and IDs and clusters. Second, it contributes to the stream of research on knowledge creation and diffusion in IDs and clusters, providing empirically based insights over emerging local learning processes in IDs. Moreover, relevant managerial and policy implications stem from the analysis.


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