Are winemaker consultants just another source of knowledge for innovation?

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1523-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Doloreux ◽  
Ekaterina Turkina
Keyword(s):  
Positive Influence ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
External Sources Of Knowledge

Purpose This paper aims to explore the effects of multiple external sources of knowledge and of the use of winemaker consultants on innovation in the Canadian wine industry. Design/methodology/approach The data for the study are taken from an original survey of wine firms in Canada covering the 2007-2009 period. The survey was carried out by computer-assisted telephone interviews, and it was addressed to winery firms that are engaged in growing grapes and producing wine. Findings The results show that the use of winemaker consultants positively affects all forms of innovation. At the same, as far as external knowledge sources are concerned, marketing sources positively affect all types of innovation, while research sources and general sources have a positive influence on particular forms of innovation. The results also show that winemaker consultants interact with other knowledge sources. Nevertheless, there are important nuances with regard to which type of knowledge sources is more compatible with the use of winemaker consultants for which type of innovation. Originality/value To date, there is no empirical evidence of the extent to which the use of external winemaker consultants and external knowledge sources interact together and what are their impacts on the introduction of different forms of innovation.

The interaction between external and internal knowledge sources: an open innovation view

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 430-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nieves L. Díaz-Díaz ◽  
Petra de Saá Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Internal Sources ◽  
External Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
Internal Knowledge

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the external sources of knowledge that better exploit internal knowledge in order to innovate. Design/methodology/approach – A balanced panel of 1,266 firms that respond to the Survey of Business Strategies for a five-year period was used, which represents a total of 6,330 observations. Findings – The influence of the absorptive capacity on new products is significant, with an inverted U-shaped relationship. The interaction between external sources of knowledge and firm ' s absorptive capacity has a negative effect on innovation up to a certain level (substitution effect), after which that interaction improves the innovation of firms, displaying a complementary effect. Practical implications – Firms with excess of internal sources of knowledge do not obtain better innovative results because overtime firms tend to inertia and need external sources of knowledge to obtain new knowledge. Firms must be conscious that the effect on innovation of using a strategy of external knowledge acquisition could be different depending on their internal knowledge base level. Thus, those firms that select their strategies to combine knowledge appropriately will have better results. Originality/value – This paper reveals that the positive effect of internal sources of knowledge on innovation decline after it reaches a high level because those firms with strong absorptive capacity may enter a state of organizational inertia that reduces their innovation. This research enhances the importance of identifying each of the external knowledge sources likely to be used, since their influence on innovation differs depending on the level of internal knowledge. Finally, this study is based on panel data models, which allows us to control unobservable heterogeneity improving earlier studies that had to rely on cross-sectional data.

INFLUENCE OF RISK-TAKING AND PROACTIVITY BEHAVIOURS ON FRUGAL PRODUCT INNOVATION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF EXTERNAL SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIR DOST ◽  
MOHAMMAD SAUD KHAN
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Market Growth ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
External Sources ◽  
External Sources Of Knowledge

Growing changes in the present global environment is compelling firms to seek and exploit opportunities for market growth. Among others, an innovation that is cost-effective, functional, and sustainable (frugal) is one of the important factors for such growth. To validate this link empirically, we investigate the influence of risk-taking and proactivity behaviours (dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO)) on frugal innovation (FI), and moderation of external knowledge. We nested the data from Small and Medium Entreprises that were engaged in frugal product innovation in Pakistan. The findings reveal that the behaviours of taking the risk and being ahead of competitors (proactiveness) have a significantly positive influence on FI. However, moderation of external knowledge strengthens the influence of risk-taking behaviour while weakens the influence of proactivity behaviour on FI. The authors also discuss some important theoretical and managerial contributions of this research.

The role of internal and external sources of knowledge on frugal innovation: moderating role of innovation capabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Fahad AlMulhim
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Frugal Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
External Sources ◽  
External Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose This study aims to analyze the effect of external and internal sources of knowledge on frugal innovation. Moreover, it investigated how this relationship is weakened/strengthened by the moderation of innovation capabilities. Design/methodology/approach This empirical study’s data were taken from 288 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by using a questionnaire survey. To analyze this data, analysis of a moment structures software (AMOS) was used. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypothesis and the slope test investigated moderation. Findings The study results showed the significant effect of internal and external sources of knowledge on frugal innovation. Moreover, the results highlighted that the moderating role of innovation capabilities strengthens this relationship. Research limitations/implications The SMEs of “Saudi Arabia” were considered for this study. Among these, this paper only focused on enterprises owned by Saudi citizens. Moreover, the data were collected from 288 SMEs. Therefore, future studies can be conducted from any other country with larger sample size. This study has used moderation of innovation capabilities and future studies can use information credibility as a moderating variable. Originality/value Previously, many studies have highlighted the importance of knowledge for innovation, but the effects of knowledge sources from the perspective of SMEs and emerging markets remain unexplained. Very limited studies have explored the relation of knowledge sources with frugal innovation. This study first examines the moderating role of innovation capabilities between “internal and external knowledge sources” and frugal innovation. Moreover, this research reveals the SMEs of Saudi Arabia and its sector of frugal products.

Knowledge sources and innovation in the hotel industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 2537-2561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Nieves ◽  
Gonzalo Diaz-Meneses
Keyword(s):  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Radical Innovations ◽  
External Agents ◽  
Non Local ◽  
Organizational Collaboration

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the role played by external knowledge sources and intra-organizational collaboration as determinants of innovation in hotel firms. It proposes that local knowledge sources and intra-organizational collaboration determine the probability of producing incremental innovations, and that non-local knowledge sources determine the introduction of radical innovations.Design/methodology/approachDescriptive statistics made it possible to evaluate the importance of each of the external sources as the origin of ideas for innovation. Principal component analysis was used to find homogeneous groups based on the different knowledge sources contemplated. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which variables predict a hotel’s capacity to introduce innovations.FindingsThe findings suggest a dissociation between innovations adopted by directly incorporating the specific knowledge provided by external agents and innovations that require the mediation of intra-organizational collaboration for their development.Research limitations/implicationsFuture qualitative studies can provide data that would considerably improve the understanding of how innovation processes are produced in hotel companies based on the use of external knowledge and how hotel firms develop spaces to exchange and combine internal knowledge.Practical implicationsHotel firms can adopt innovations by incorporating specific knowledge from external companies or by developing their own innovations based on information gathered from external agents or events (e.g. customers, attending trade fairs and professional conferences). The transformation of this information into innovations requires the establishment of internal communication channels that foment employees’ collaboration and exchange of information.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical evidence for the relevant role played by both external agents and intra-organizational relationships as sources of knowledge to foster innovation in hotel firms. External agents are classified as local and non-local sources, and their effect on innovation is analyzed, distinguishing between incremental and radical innovations.

Developing process and product innovation through internal and external knowledge sources in manufacturing Malaysian firms: the role of absorptive capacity

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1021-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ramayah ◽  
Pedro Soto-Acosta ◽  
Khoo Kah Kheng ◽  
Imran Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Organizational Capability ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge

PurposeFirms' knowledge-processing capabilities have a central role in achieving innovation performance and competitive advantage. Absorptive capacity capabilities and innovation are viewed as essential for enterprise success. Absorptive capacity is deemed as a highly important organizational capability to recognize value and assimilate both external and internal knowledge in order to enhance firm innovation. The aim of this study is to determine if innovation performance can be improved through absorptive capacity (knowledge acquisition, dissemination and utilization), when it is supported by internal (firm experience) and external knowledge sources (R&D cooperation and contracted R&D).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative methodology based on employing a structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The proposed research model and its associated hypotheses are tested by using Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM) on a data set of 248 manufacturing companies located in the Northern Region of Malaysia.FindingsResults showed that firms' experience is significantly related to absorptive capacity, while for R&D cooperation and contracted R&D findings were mixed. In addition, absorptive capacity was found as a strong predictor of innovation performance.Originality/valueOne of the defining features of competition in many industries has been the extremely rapid pace of technological change, marked by a continuous stream of innovations. Manufacturing firms, therefore, face the challenge of nurturing existing knowledge and developing novel knowledge in order to create new business opportunities. This study makes valuable contributions with regard to understanding the behavioural of manufacturing firms towards process and product innovation.

META-RELQUAL construct validation: a South African study

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy Mpinganjira ◽  
Göran Svensson ◽  
Tore Mysen
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Nomological Validity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test a measurement model of a META-RELQUAL construct based upon South African business-supplier relationships. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using computer-assisted telephone interviews. The sampling frame consisted of the top 500 South African companies based on revenue. A total of 232 fully completed questionnaires were obtained representing a response rate of 46.4 per cent. Findings – The findings show satisfactory goodness-of-fit measures for the model tested. All the requirements for convergent, discriminant and nomological validity as well as construct reliability were achieved satisfactorily. Practical implications – The study provides a framework of constructs that South African business managers need to take into consideration in order to establish and maintain good relations with their suppliers. Originality/value – This study contributes to theory on relationship marketing and presents the first tested measurement model of the META-RELQUAL construct in Africa.

Corporate accelerators: fostering innovation while bringing together startups and large firms

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 47-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Kupp ◽  
Moyra Marval ◽  
Peter Borchers
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Large Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Potential Success ◽  
And Performance ◽  
External Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
The Right

Purpose This paper aims to examine the experience of hub:raum, the accelerator program of Deutsche Telekom, to deduce potential success factors. In today’s fast-paced world, large companies strive to keep up with the disruptive changes in their markets brought by innovative startups. In face of these challenges, the paradigm of open innovation encourages firms to use internal ideas and external sources of knowledge to advance their innovation output (Chesbrough, 2003). Yet, in practice, this is much easier said than done, particularly when large firms engage in partnerships with startups. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on interviews and academic collaboration with hub:raum. Findings From the five years of experience since the foundation of hub:raum, one of the first German corporate accelerators, the authors have seen five key success factors: transparent and aligned goals, an independent team of startup advocates, a large and committed external network, top-management backing, long-term objectives and performance indicators. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on the case study of hub:raum. There are several limitations to this approach. Hub:raum has a clear industry focus in the information and communications technology industry and also acting international has a strong German and European focus. Practical implications Based on the identified five success factors, executives working with or designing accelerator programs can significantly increase the chances of success of these kind of programs. Constantly working on the right alignment of these factors with the overall objective of the incubator program is the key task of the management. Social implications Designing and running corporate accelerator programs more successfully will also help to enable more startups to join forces with corporates, creating more jobs and developing successful product innovation. Originality/value The paper is based on working for five years closely with the hub:raum management, a series of interviews and longitudinal study of this specific accelerator program.

Engaging Europe’s employees: a complex problem with a simple solution

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pa Sinyan ◽  
Marco Nink
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
The State ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Workplace Cultures

Purpose This paper aims to establish the state of employee engagement levels in Europe and offer insights into the reasons behind the current state of affairs. It proposes that management matters most out of all the factors influencing employee engagement, and that European organisations should therefore invest in equipping their leadership teams to provide employees with a positive experience of the workplace. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses data from the Gallup World Poll, which Gallup has used to conduct surveys of the world’s adult population, using randomly selected samples, since 2005. Covering more than 160 countries since its inception, the survey was conducted via computer-assisted telephone interviews in 2020 to account for COVID-compliant safety measures. Findings This paper provides insights into the engagement levels of European employees, which remained dismally low in 2020 as it has for the last decade. By far, the biggest influence on the state of employee engagement is leadership, which will require improvement if European organisations are to improve their employee engagement levels. Originality/value This paper fulfils the need for organisations to gain a better understanding of how to improve their employee engagement levels in the wake of a significant global crisis. Inspiring workplace cultures that maximise the well-being of every employee can help to reverse the decline of economic dynamism across the globe.

Benefiting from external knowledge? A study of telecommunications industry cluster in Shenzhen, China

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 622-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Han AI ◽  
Hung-Che Wu
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Telecommunications Industry ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Exploitation And Exploration ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – External knowledge should not be limited in one zone or level. Researchers have paid more attention to the perspective of multilevel cluster networks. However, little research has empirically studied the various dimensions of external knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to study different levels of external knowledge, their relation with trade and non-trade interdependence and their relation with different kinds of innovations, namely, exploitation and exploration. Design/methodology/approach – Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were adopted in this study. In terms of the quantitative research method, data were collected from 168 companies in the Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park of China using convenience sampling. As for the qualitative research method, a total of 35 interviews were carried out in this study. Findings – The quantitative results indicate that different levels of external knowledge in the Shenzhen Hi-Tech Park have different effects. First of all, the results indicate that cross-national connections have a positive influence on trade interdependence, which helps firms to produce exploration. Second, cross-regional connections have a positive influence on both trade and non-trade interdependence, which further help firms to create innovative exploitation and exploration. Third, inter-regional connections have a positive influence on non-trade interdependence, which helps firms to increase innovative exploitation. The qualitative result makes a plausible explanation for the quantitative results. The interview results indicate that as the telecommunications industry has so much to do with China’s national security, there are several initiatives of market protection strategies and political interventions, which help firms to form different levels of knowledge flow in Shenzhen. Research limitations/implications – There are several limitations of this study which primarily relate to the case study method. The results can be contextually generalized to the domestic-oriented cluster in developing countries. Practical implications – This study has several managerial implications. First, this research ensures that it is important to consider the multilevel nature of external knowledge before starting with the decision-making process of a firm in a cluster. Second, all levels of administrators and managers in a company should investigate what kinds of involvement and innovation are needed and most highly valued for organizational development. Third, the research framework of this study can be applied to understand which level of external knowledge influences organizational performance. Originality/value – This study is an initial attempt to provide an examination of external knowledge, organizational involvement and innovation performance of an industrial cluster via a mixed method.

Sourcing External Knowledge

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Tallman ◽  
Anupama Phene
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Industry Clusters ◽  
Know How ◽  
Treasure Trove ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
New Directions ◽  
External Sources ◽  
External Sources Of Knowledge

External sources of knowledge have become more important to firms as they have dispersed their value-adding operations around the globe and outsourced them to suppliers. The global network firm has access to a rich store of external knowledge-but what do we know about accessing this treasure trove? We review work on industry clusters, alliances, and acquisitions as some of the most popular mechanisms for bringing external knowledge into the firm or providing access to needed know-how on a temporary basis. We also propose new directions for research by simultaneously examining these sources and considering the antecedents that drive the choice of one particular mechanism in contrast to the others, the co-evolution of the different mechanisms, and finally the implications of their joint use for firm performance.

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