A case study on inter-organisational technology transfer in the defence industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saija Bezuidenhout ◽  
Wilna L. Bean
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Single Case ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Operational Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Defence Industry ◽  
Main Factors

Purpose This paper aims to establish a systematically constructed defence offset technology transfer (TT) process description and to identify the process pain points and critical success factors from the supplier perspective. Design/methodology/approach A novel integrated case study and Straussian grounded theory approach under the interpretative assumptions and purposive sampling in a global defence industry organisation are presented. Findings The TT is approached from the process modelling point of view, and a detailed operations description covering the end-to-end TT process across a defence industrial participation project is presented. The findings suggest that local recipient’s management, financial resources and planning, supply chain management and local production planning are the main factors of an efficient process. Research limitations/implications This is a single case study, only reflecting the supplier view. Future research could explore the other dimensions of the process to confirm the identified factors playing a role over time. Originality/value To date, the body of TT research has focused on the factors influencing the technology absorption and the identification of meta mechanisms between the supplier and recipient organisations in a context of a multinational corporation and as an intra-firm activity, providing little insight to the actual practical operational level TT process. This study seeks to fill this gap by advancing a more profound understanding of the process activities and the main factors through which the local recipient organisation can best influence the project’s success and manage the inter-organisational TT operations more effectively in a highly technologically complex operational environment.

scholarly journals Innovation and cross-functional teams

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 84-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Marasquini Stipp ◽  
Márcio Lopes Pimenta ◽  
Daniel Jugend
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Incremental Innovation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Tax Management ◽  
Functional Teams ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The aim of this paper is to characterize how innovation may happen through cross-functional teams (CFT) in an organization of the public sector. Design/methodology/approach A case study helped to characterize several behavior patterns, team structures and respective links with generating innovation in internal processes and public answering contexts. Findings The results highlight that formal-temporary teams present a higher capacity to generate incremental innovation in products, whereas permanent-informal teams have a higher capacity to generate innovation in the internal processes and public answering contexts. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this research relate to the fact that this is a single case study, and although it is an important case to examine innovation and CFTs, by its very nature, it is not possible to extend and generalize the obtained data to other organizations. The evaluation of its propositions was merely qualitative, and future research is needed to validate its characteristics. Practical implications Several settings of CFTs are presented, as well as their ability to generate different types of innovation, such as the computerization of documents, petitions and papers, which decreases the time to answer the taxpayer. Moreover, CFTs can help to create products, such as computer programs that can be used not only locally but also in several public organizations related to tax management. Originality/value The field research provides the perceptions of the respondents regarding CFT characteristics that can lead to specific types of innovation, as well as the types of products or services that can be generated by these processes.

scholarly journals Patents valuation in core innovation: case study of a Brazilian public university

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Basile Tukoff-Guimarães ◽  
Claudia Terezinha Kniess ◽  
Renato Penha ◽  
Mauro Silva Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Public University ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
The State ◽  
Future Research ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Valuation Methods

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess how technology transfer offices (TTOs) of a public university of the state of São Paulo use patent valuation methods in the process of using developed technology value and transferring technology to industry. Design/methodology/approach This study is an exploratory qualitative investigation based on a case study conducted in a public university in the state of São Paulo. The university has a TTO and an internal structure for technology transfer. In-depth interviews were conducted with the TTO manager about patent valuation and the answers given were analysed. Findings The results on how TTOs use patent valuation methods in the process of assigning value to technology indicate which factors facilitate and which factors hinder the valuation of patents in technologies developed at universities. Research limitations/implications The possible lack of data disclosure due to confidentiality regarding royalties and trading fees makes further comparisons between Brazilian public universities difficult. Therefore, this study recommends that further studies on patent valuation and technology transfer process at private universities, research institutes and public and private companies should be performed. Practical implications In the practice, this study contributes to companies and TTOs by increasing their synergies in licensing negotiations, as well as by reducing the gap of information, between the business parties for assignment and transfer of technologies. With regard to theoretical contribution, this study can cite advances in the methods to measure the financial benefits arising from the valuation of technologies embedded in the patents. Originality/value Owing to the lack of research on the methods of valuation used by TTOs of Brazilian universities, the present study can be useful in serving as a theoretical source for future research and in supporting future TTO negotiations in the process of transferring technologies to productive industry.

Applications of business governance and the Unified BPM Cycle in public credit recovery activities

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 312-330
Author(s):  
Abimael Rondon Do Nascimento ◽  
Roquemar de Lima Baldam ◽  
Lourenço Costa ◽  
Thalmo de Paiva Coelho Junior
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Credit Recovery ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Corporate Governance Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Credit ◽  
Operational Activities

Purpose The performance of the state machine has been the subject of research and innovative practices, which seek to explore its sources of knowledge and improve its internal processes. Business governance and business process management (BPM) occupy a prominent position in these studies. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the full implementation of the Unified BPM Cycle in operational activities to recover federal public credit, from the implementation of the corporate governance structure to the audit of the processes implemented. Design/methodology/approach The case was developed in a federal public advocacy body and used a predominantly qualitative multi-method approach. The phases were organized using the research project matrix, and the predominant research procedure was action research. The information was obtained through questionnaires, observation and focus groups. Findings A corporate governance structure was designed for the activities surveyed. Papers and responsibilities were defined. Processes were prioritized, improved and documented, and as a result of the implemented control, personal and organizational results gained greater visibility. Research limitations/implications Because this is a single case study, it would be advisable to apply the method used in similar organizations to enrich the analysis presented in this study and compare the results. Practical implications This paper contributes to the consolidation of the knowledge about the practical application of the researched subjects and foments the applied research to the public management. Originality/value This paper describes an empirical case study about the integrated application of activity governance and the Unified BPM Cycle in operational activities and studies all phases of implementation, providing a broader perspective of their impact on these activities. The road map used can serve as a reference for future research in the area of public credit recovery.

Blended learning adoption: a case study of one of the oldest universities in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 990-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Previtali ◽  
Danila Scarozza
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Faculty Satisfaction ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clinical Interviews ◽  
Main Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the determinants of blended learning adoption in universities by focusing on faculty’s satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology is based on a case study of one of the most ancient University in Europe. The authors administered a questionnaire to the professors that used blended technologies, and the authors conducted clinical interviews with some of the key people involved in the implementation process. Findings The paper allows to identify the main factors that impact on faculty’s satisfaction. Student-related issues seem to be the most important factors influencing faculty satisfaction, while instructor-related issues and especially institution-related issues definitely seem to be less important. Research limitations/implications The study is focused just on a single case study. Further researches could explore a wider application of this research approach to several universities and different countries. Originality/value This study is one of the first that analyzed blended learning adoption in historic universities.

Knowledge co-creation in Open Innovation Digital Platforms: processes, tools and services

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1434-1447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tindara Abbate ◽  
Anna Paola Codini ◽  
Barbara Aquilani
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Innovation Intermediaries ◽  
Innovation Platform

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how Open Innovation Digital Platforms (OIDPs) can facilitate and support knowledge co-creation in Open Innovation (OI) processes. Specifically, it intends to investigate the contribution of OIDPs-oriented to successfully implement all the phases of interactive coupled OI processes. Design/methodology/approach The paper carries out an exploratory qualitative analysis, adopting the single case study method. The case here investigated is Open Innovation Platform Regione Lombardia (OIPRL). Findings The case study sheds light on how OIPRL supports knowledge co-creation through its processes, tools and services as a co-creator intermediary. In its launch stage, the platform simply aimed at giving firms a tool to “find partners” and financial resources to achieve innovative projects. Now, however, the platform has developed into an engagement platform for knowledge co-creation. Research limitations/implications One limitation lies in the particular perspective used to perform the case study: the perspective of the digital platform itself. Future research should focus on the individuals engaged in the platform to better investigate the processes, tools and services used to implement the OI approach. Practical implications The paper suggests ways in which OIDPs could be used by firms for effective exploration, acquisition, integration and development of valuable knowledge. Originality/value The study conceptualizes the role of OIDPs in shaping knowledge co-creation, assuming that the platforms act as Open Innovation Intermediaries (OIIs). Specifically, OIDPs can be observed to function as “co-creator intermediaries” that define, develop and implement dedicated processes, specific tools and appropriate services for supporting knowledge co-creation activities.

Who's influencing whom? Developing sustainable business partnerships

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Adderley ◽  
Duane Mellor
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Business Partnerships ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Organisation ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Purpose – Recently David Jones in Who Cares Wins proposed sustainability as being essential for businesses success over the coming decades. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the development of a partnership between an environmental non-government organisation (NGO) (world wildlife fund-UK) and a major retailer (Marks and Spencer). The partnership developed three “types”, sponsorship, technical and communication partnerships. Design/methodology/approach – A grounded theory approach was taken; information was gathered using semi-structured interviews. Data from these interviews were then triangulated with corporate materials to allow generalisations to develop. Findings – Through the three “types” of partnership themes of conflict and project drift were identified, although the overarching “Plan A” commitment is seen as a potential exemplar in sustainability. Difficulties were identified with respect to the dissemination of the outputs from the partnership, some of which were too complex, where others appeared to change to be more appealing to the consumer. Social implications – Although a single case study, it highlights the challenges and benefits to both partners. As such, it provides insight into the practical issues of delivering sustainability commitments and projects in partnership. Such approaches are critical not only for the viability of business, but also for the long-term health of our planet. Originality/value – This represents a case study of the development of a sustainable partnership between a large corporate and an NGO, which could represent a template for sustainable business. This paper in responds to the growing demand for such case-study examples.

The contested instruments of a new governance regime

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1568-1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Governance Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Regime ◽  
Biodiversity Offsets ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Political Project ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the processes involved in the creation and eventual demise of a market for biodiversity offsets in the UK. The reasons for the failure of this market to take hold as a governance mechanism are considered, and its subsequent effects examined. Design/methodology/approach The research examines a single case study of the creation of a pilot market for biodiversity offsets in the UK. Data include policy and industry papers, complemented with interviews with biodiversity offset practitioners, regulators and non-government organisations. Findings The case study demonstrates that a market for biodiversity offsets was piloted with the intent to contribute to the reform of the UK planning regime. However, disagreements about this political project, uncertainties in the knowledge base, and continued entanglements with existing biodiversity meant it was impossible to stabilise the assemblages necessary to support the market, leading to its eventual demise. However, the principles and devices of offsetting have proved more resilient, and have started to combine with the existing arrangements for the governance of nature. Practical implications The paper presents a situation where a political project to reform governance arrangements through the creation of a market was not successful, making it of interest to researchers and policymakers alike. Originality/value While biodiversity offsetting has been widely discussed from scientific, legal and political perspectives, this paper addresses it as a market, explicitly designed to become a part of a governance regime. It also advances the understanding of the mechanisms by which similar processes of marketisation can fail, and suggests avenues for future research in those contexts.

scholarly journals Public financial management reform: an ongoing journey towards good governance

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Alkaraan
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Reform ◽  
Public Financial Management ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the influence of contextual factors on public financial management reform (PFMR) process. It provides a comprehensive analytical view of PFMR in the UAE over the period (2003-2016). Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a case study approach as a research methodology. It draws on archival data as well as interviews with key staff of the Ministry of Finance (MoF). A contingency model is used as conceptual framework to examine PFMR in the UAE. Findings Finding of this study show that the PFMR process cannot be viewed as an isolated initiative, rather, as part of a set of broader NPM reforms to strengthen public accountability for performance. The transition process creates major organisational changes; strategy, structure (new rules and roles), culture (core values about organisational vision, mission, and objectives). Benchmarks and milestones have been set in the accompanying monitoring matrix, though in practice, delays have typically occurred in the implementation of reforms. Challenges ahead facing the MoF are addressed. Research limitations/implications The findings should be understood in the economic, social and historical contexts of the UAE. Given the narrow scope of this paper, a single case study was conducted. Crucial themes for future research including how public sector executives employ effective independent measures of outcomes. The impact of basic supporting subsystems in translating strategic priorities and integrating them into the federal budget. Practical implications Research on PFMR is inherently practical. Essential factors for successful implantation of PFMR include government strategy, regulatory framework, information communication technology, technical experience, strong leadership, long-term political and administrative commitments, strategic pre-decision control mechanisms and accurate performance measurement. Originality/value This paper contributes to the limited studies on PFMR in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. Lessons of this study may be valid for other countries considering similar developments in their PFMR.

Implementing quality improvement through knowledge brokering: a Dutch case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-68
Author(s):  
Julia Quartz-Topp
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Single Case ◽  
The Body ◽  
Knowledge Brokering ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Knowledge ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Managerial quality improvement (QI) in terms of accountability management has become central to healthcare institutions. Yet, managerial QI is largely considered irrelevant by healthcare professionals. In consequence, the implementation of managerial QI implementation is hampered. Knowledge brokering is discussed as a means to foster the implementation of (QI) knowledge in healthcare. Yet, the benefit of knowledge brokering for managerial QI has so far been neglected. Therefore, this research asks how knowledge brokering can support the implementation of managerial QI. Design/methodology/approach This article builds on a single case study approach as a unit of analysis. Qualitative data collection comprises 21 semi-structured interviews at the managerial and clinical levels, 220 h of participant observation and document analysis. Findings This paper identifies three strategies of how brokers implement managerial QI into a hospital by means of knowledge brokering: prioritizing, obscuring and redefining. The strategies help to transform multiple external QI demands into one managerial QI strategy. Yet the strategies also reduce non-managerial perspectives on QI, which generates frustration among healthcare professionals. Practical implications The paper works out the benefits and costs of managerial knowledge brokering. This allows to spell out practical implications for managers, nurses and clinicians who have to deal with managerial QI in healthcare organizations. Originality/value This paper fulfils an identified need to study managerial knowledge brokering practices as a means to implement managerial QI into healthcare organizations. By doing that, the article adds to the body of research on knowledge translation in healthcare.

Understanding the role of the broker in business non-profit collaboration

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Lee
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Employee Volunteering

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the contribution of brokers to business non-profit collaborations, in the context of employee volunteering. It investigates the roles brokers play and ways they contribute to value creation within social alliances. Design/methodology/approach – This research focusses on a case study of a UK employee volunteering broker programme run by a local volunteer centre. A combined qualitative methodology involved document analysis and interviews, with brokers and business, community and government partners involved in employee volunteering collaborations. Findings – Brokers play three key roles in business non-profit collaboration as connectors, facilitators/co-designers and learning catalysts. These roles help stimulate manifestations of associational value, transferred resource value, interaction value and synergistic value. Research limitations/implications – Results indicate brokers play an important part in nurturing conditions underpinning innovation and value co-creation, key characteristics of transformational forms of business non-profit collaboration. This study was based on a single case study. Future research could explore broker contributions within a variety of business non-profit settings. Practical implications – For managers implementing business non-profit collaborations, this paper provides a framework depicting key broker roles and ways brokers enable collaborative value that may be useful when assessing whether to use the services of a broker. Originality/value – This paper enriches the understanding of business non-profit collaboration and the role of individual actors in affecting value creation, an under-researched area in the social alliance literature. It provides a framework for assessing broker contributions in business non-profit collaborations.

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