Perspectives on the evolution of a fabrication laboratory in an emerging country: a comparative lexicometric study of European FabLabs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmi Ben Rejeb ◽  
Benoit Roussel

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help in the establishment of the first fabrication laboratory (FabLab) in Tunisia. The FabLab movement offers many interesting opportunities through value creation, innovation, training and access to digital manufacturing technologies. A newly created FabLab should be well-positioned in terms of business model, purpose and management. The aim of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of FabLabs in developed countries (mainly in France and Luxembourg) and to provide recommendations on the possible development of a FabLab in Tunisia (FabLabENIT).Design/methodology/approachTwelve FabLabs were visited and experts from the makers movement were interviewed. Data from the visits and interviews were analysed using lexicometric tools. This methodology is based on three main steps: first, the identification and selection of panel of studied FabLabs interviews; second transcribing and coding for IRaMuTeQ software; and third, correspondence analysis.FindingsThe correspondence analysis determined five main factors of analysis that were interpreted using the most correlated words. The analysis of the correlation of the FabLabs and these five factors showed that FabLabENIT was strongly correlated with the third factor (interpreted as the organisation and structure factor). Recommendations for the purpose, local impact and methods were derived using the position of FabLabENIT in relation to the other factors.Practical implicationsThis study highlighted five main topics that characterise FabLabs in developing countries before and after their creation. A second practical contribution of this paper is that it provides a framework for FabLab managers and founders to anticipate possible trajectories of evolution for their organisations, especially in an emerging country. Another contribution, both practical and methodological, is the demonstration of the use of textual interview analysis tools (mainly correspondence analysis) to determine the main practices and characteristics of a creative organisation, such as a FabLab.Originality/valueOne original feature of this paper is the topic of the study, especially in the current context of the COVID-19 outbreak, in which the FabLab movement provided interesting solutions that were designed and manufactured using digital manufacturing technologies. A second originality resides in the use of lexicometric techniques to analyse the information that was discussed during the interviews.

Author(s):  
Justin Paul ◽  
Archana Shrivastava

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare entrepreneurial attributes of MBA students, the next generation business people, from two important Asian countries, India from South Asia and Japan from East Asia (India, being an emerging country and Japan, a developed country). Design/methodology/approach – Survey responses from MBA students in India and Japan were measured on an entrepreneurial personality index. Bateman and Crant’s scale consisting of 17 traits is used to identify if entrepreneurial traits are a learned cultural behaviour or intrinsic personality factors. Findings – Although the findings indicate that India has benefitted from entrepreneurship in the information technology and information technology-enabled service ventures during the past two decades, the country still has a long way to go when compared to developed countries like Japan, where entrepreneurship is widespread. Research limitations/implications – The results are based on a single survey, using cross-sectional data. Originality/value – The level of entrepreneurship differs considerably across countries and periods. The authors put forward a theoretical framework to denote the linkage between entrepreneurial attitude, pro-active personality and culture, besides highlighting the three pillars of entrepreneurship.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeyi Miao

PurposeUnder the guidance of the concept of openness and development, the paper grasps the mechanism of technology spillover in developed countries and analyzes how to better absorb advanced manufacturing technology based on empirical analysis so as to point out the path for the transformation and development of China’s digital manufacturing industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper constructs the panel data model and further analyzes the impact of international technology spillovers on the transformation and development of the digital manufacturing industry.FindingsThis paper measures the level of technology spillover in the Yangtze River Delta region and finds that foreign direct investment (FDI) technology spillover and import trade technology spillover among four provinces and cities show a growth trend from 2010 to 2017. But after 2017, there is a certain degree of decline.Originality/valueWith the advent of industry 4.0, the digital manufacturing industry of all countries in the world is developing with a new attitude, the global technology spillover methods are diverse and the spillover channels have changed greatly, which will affect the transformation and upgrading of China's digital manufacturing industry.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1617-1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia Regina Santiago Scarpin ◽  
Luiz Artur Ledur Brito

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the operational capabilities in an emerging country, and to analyze the trade-off effect between the quality capability and the cost capability. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data were drawn from 160 firms in Brazil. Scales were validated using the Q-sort method and confirmatory factor analysis. Different techniques were adopted to reduce common method variance. Data were analyzed using multiple line regression. Findings The results showed that quality has a positive relationship with delivery, flexibility, innovation and sustainability capabilities. However, it was not possible to observe a positive relationship between quality and cost that confirmed the presence of a trade-off between these two capabilities. Practical implications An important practical contribution of this study is that it brings a new perspective to the relationship between quality and cost. Although quality is an important capability for the firm, emerging country managers need to understand that its implementation will take time and money; quality does not indicate an immediate reduction in cost. Originality/value This study helps expand research into operational capabilities in lesser-developed countries, such as Brazil. Most of the research on operational capabilities is conducted in industrialized countries. The paper also discusses the trade-off between the quality capability and cost capability. The results show that quality does not always lead to a reduction in cost.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selma Izadi ◽  
Mamunur Rashid ◽  
Parviz Izadi

Purpose Extending on the resource-seeking foreign direct investment (FDI) hypothesis, this paper aims to uncover the potential relationship between financial and non-financial channels and inward FDI before and after the global financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach The sample includes 561 year-country observations on 33 developed and developing countries during 2001 and 2017. This study investigates several determinants such as inflation, gross domestic product growth, exchange rate, trade openness, financial openness, Sharpe ratio and country market capitalization, using ordinary least squares, fixed effects and system generalized method of moments. Findings The results indicate a negative relationship between inflation and financial openness with FDI inflow while market capitalization and exchange rate were positively connected to FDI inflow. All three financial channels of FDI inflow: financial market size, financial openness and Sharpe ratio significantly influenced FDI inflow. Moreover, inflation, financial openness and Sharpe ratio imply a meaningful impact on the FDI inflow of developed and developing countries, with a relatively stronger influence during the post-crisis periods. Asymmetric impact tests also revealed similar results. Research limitations/implications These findings offer an impression that financial market development channels may significantly boost FDIs in developing and, as well as developed countries. With special reference to the developing countries, a disciplined financial market and financial openness may help attract more FDIs. Originality/value Impact of the financial crisis on FDI inflows while observing the impact of the financing channels in developing and developed countries is rare in the academic domain. This study forwards that a structured and open financial market may help in recovering from the financial crisis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Dámari Melían Díaz ◽  
Carlos Carbonell Carrera ◽  
José Luis Saorín Pérez ◽  
Jorge De la Torre Cantero ◽  
Norena Martín Dorta

ResumenEn educación superior, para las titulaciones de ingeniería y arquitectura es precisa la adquisición y desarrollo de competencias como la creatividad y la visión espacial. La competencia espacial se puede desarrollar mediante la realización de ejercicios y la creatividad mejora, si el diseño de los ejercicios permite múltiples soluciones. La comprensión del relieve topográfico es necesaria para la integración de proyectos de arquitectura e ingeniería en el entorno. Sin embargo, en la formación universitaria se han detectado carencias para la interpretación de las formas del relieve. Las maquetas de terreno, pueden ayudar a suplir esta carencia. La aparición de tecnologías de fabricación digital de bajo coste permiten la creación de maquetas de terreno y su incorporación en la docencia reglada. En este artículo se presentan los resultados de dos experiencias. En la primera, llevada a cabo durante el curso 2015-16 con 33 alumnos universitarios, se realizan maquetas topográficas utilizando secciones apiladas, con el objetivo de mejorar la interpretación tridimensional de las formas del terreno. La segunda parte de la experiencia, llevada a cabo durante el curso 2016-17 se realiza con alumnos de Máster. Se trata de una validación preliminar, con pocos alumnos, en la que se pretende incorporar aspectos creativos a la realización de maquetas de terrenos. Para medir la variación de la competencia creativa en los alumnos se utiliza el Test de Abreacción de la Creatividad (TAEC), antes y después de la experiencia.AbstractIn higher education, engineering and architecture degrees require the acquisition and development of skills such as creativity and spatial ability. Space competence can be developed by performing exercises and the creativity improves, if the design of the exercises allows multiple solutions. The understanding of topographic relief is necessary for the integration of architectural and engineering projects in the environment. However, in the university context deficiencies have been detected for the interpretation of the relief forms. Land models can help to fill this gap. The emergence of low cost digital manufacturing technologies allows the creation of terrain models and their incorporation for teaching. This article presents the results of two experiences. In the first one, carried out during the 2015-16 academic year with 33 university students, topographic models are made using stacked sections, with the aim of improving the three-dimensional interpretation of the terrain forms. The second part of the experience, performed during the 2016-17 course is carried out with Master's students. This is a preliminary validation, with few students, which seeks to incorporate creative aspects to the realization of land models. To measure the variation of creative competence in students, the Creativity Abreaction Test (TAEC) is used, before and after the experience.


2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1183-1198
Author(s):  
Gaurav S. Chauhan ◽  
Pradip Banerjee

Purpose Recent papers on target capital structure show that debt ratio seems to vary widely in space and time, implying that the functional specifications of target debt ratios are of little empirical use. Further, target behavior cannot be adjudged correctly using debt ratios, as they could revert due to mechanical reasons. The purpose of this paper is to develop an alternative testing strategy to test the target capital structure. Design/methodology/approach The authors make use of a major “shock” to the debt ratios as an event and think of a subsequent reversion as a movement toward a mean or target debt ratio. By doing this, the authors no longer need to identify target debt ratios as a function of firm-specific variables or any other rigid functional form. Findings Similar to the broad empirical evidence in developed economies, there is no perceptible and systematic mean reversion by Indian firms. However, unlike developed countries, proportionate usage of debt to finance firms’ marginal financing deficits is extensive; equity is used rather sparingly. Research limitations/implications The trade-off theory could be convincingly refuted at least for the emerging market of India. The paper here stimulated further research on finding reasons for specific financing behavior of emerging market firms. Practical implications The results show that the firms’ financing choices are not only depending on their own firm’s specific variables but also on the financial markets in which they operate. Originality/value This study attempts to assess mean reversion in debt ratios in a unique but reassuring manner. The results are confirmed by extensive calibration of the testing strategy using simulated data sets.


Author(s):  
Aswini Yadlapalli ◽  
Shams Rahman ◽  
Helen Rogers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritise social responsible mechanisms in apparel supply chains to extend social responsibility from large retailers in developed countries to producers in developing nations. Design/methodology/approach A framework that consists of supplier qualification and supplier relational mechanisms as two socially responsible mechanisms, with five factors and 18 dimensions is proposed. To prioritise the dimensions, analytic hierarchy process is employed by using a case study methodology of a major Australian retailer sourcing from Bangladesh manufacturers. Findings Results indicate that at the mechanism level, both retailer and manufacturers perceive qualification of manufacturer as by far the most critical element compared to the relational mechanism. However, substantial differences exist at the factor level; namely, that the social factor is critical for the retailer, whereas the economic factor is critical for the manufacturer. Within the relational mechanism, evaluation helps retailers to enforce social responsibility, while manufacturers believe collaboration helps. Research limitations/implications The major limitation of this study is the generalisation of the findings. The results obtained by focusing on a particular context in the Australian retail sector importing from Bangladesh, may not be applicable to other nations. Practical implications By highlighting the difference of opinion, this study assists managers in developing guidelines to better understand the socially responsible mechanisms in the retailer-manufacturer dyadic relationship and to propose strategies to address the differences. Originality/value This study advances the literature on inter-organisational relationship to retailer-manufacturer dyad for the implementation of social responsibility by including supplier qualification along with supplier relational mechanism.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 740-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ali Raza Shah ◽  
Khairur Rijal Jamaludin ◽  
Hayati Habibah Abdul Talib ◽  
Sha’ri Mohd Yusof

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of integrated quality environmental management (IQEM) and analyze their impact on operational performance (OP) and environmental performance (EP) in food processing Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on collecting data using a survey questionnaire through snowball sampling technique. A total of 302 food processing SMEs operating in Punjab, Pakistan, responded to the survey. SPSS version-23 and SmartPLS-3 were used for data analysis. Findings The literature review identified leadership (LS), employee management (EM), strategic planning (SP), information management (IM), process management (PM), supplier management (SM) and customer focus (CF) as CSFs of IQEM. The results of this study found a significant relationship of all identified CSFs with operational performance in food processing SMEs whereas EM, IM, PM and SM were insignificant with the EP in the food processing SMEs. Research limitations/implications Although this study has collected data from one province, the Punjab province, it still relevant in identifying the CSFs for IQEM implementation within food processing SMEs to improve performance. Originality/value Despite the wide spread of integrated systems practices in the developed countries, little attention has been placed to implement and assess the IQEM initiatives by organizations in the developing countries. Thus, this study identified CSFs of IQEM based on empirical studies and analyzed their impact on OP and EP of food processing SMEs.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Chen

PurposeBoth foreign and local companies frequently name their brands in foreign language on the market of developing countries, and some of them choose to disclose the brands' country of origin to consumers. The purpose of this research is to investigate the joint effects between the practices of disclosing the actual country of origin of the brands and the language of the brand names on consumers' purchase intention for foreign brands and local brands in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed hypotheses were tested in two studies, namely an experiment and a field experimental survey, with stimuli from two product categories.FindingsThe results of the two empirical studies with Chinese participants consistently demonstrate that revealing the actual country of origin of the brands undermines consumers' purchase intention for local brands that use foreign brand names, but does not impact consumers' purchase intention for foreign brands that use local brand names.Originality/valueThis research first investigates the effects of adapting the brand names into local language of developing countries for brands from developed countries on consumers' purchase intention, which provides new insight into the literature on foreign branding and country of origin effects as well as practical implications for brand managers.


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