scholarly journals UNDERSTANDING VIRTUAL KNOWLEDGE BROKERS AND THEIR DIFFERENCES WITH TRADITIONAL ONES

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 1650015
Author(s):  
GABRIELE COLOMBO ◽  
CLAUDIO DELL’ERA ◽  
FEDERICO FRATTINI ◽  
PAOLO LANDONI

Virtual knowledge brokers help their clients solve challenging innovation problems by leveraging the diverse knowledge basis of vast communities of solvers. Despite the increasing diffusion of virtual knowledge brokers, no efforts have been done so far to investigate the anatomy of the brokering process they follow to deliver a service to their clients. This paper analyses how virtual knowledge brokers go through the four macro-phases of the brokering process (i.e., access, learning, linking, and implementation) and points out the main differences with traditional brokers. The research is based on a multiple case study involving two Italian virtual knowledge brokers. The analysis suggests that virtual knowledge brokers are characterised by a stronger ability to access different knowledge domains in comparison with traditional knowledge brokers. However, virtual knowledge brokers are less effective in the learning and linking phases of the process, due to the distance that separates solvers and clients and the lack of communication and interaction between solvers. Starting from these insights, the ability of virtual and traditional knowledge brokers to solve different types of innovation problems is analysed. The paper contains also a discussion of the managerial implications of this study, especially for those firms that has to select the best knowledge brokers with which to collaborate.

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rena Haftlmeier-Seiffert ◽  
Sven Cravotta

Zusammenfassung Offensichtlich sind es die Unternehmerfamilien, die ihrem Familienunternehmen eine besondere wirtschaftliche Stabilität verleihen. Dies ist allerdings nur möglich, wenn sie sicherstellen, dass sie stets handlungs- und entscheidungsfähig sind. Die hier verfolgte Forschungsfrage lautet deshalb: Wie organisieren Unternehmerfamilien ihre Entscheidungsfähigkeit? Das Chamäleon-Modell zeigt, dass bei Unternehmerfamilien verschiedene Organisationsformen latent vorhanden sind. Diese werden flexibel eingesetzt, je nachdem, was zielführend ist, um schnell zu tragfähigen Entscheidungen zu gelangen. D.h. die Unternehmerfamilienorganisation wechselt also ihre explizite Organisationsform wie ein Chamäleon die Farbe. Das Chamäleon-Modell wurde aus einer multiplen Fallstudie entwickelt, bei der vier traditionsreiche Unternehmerfamilien intensiv untersucht wurden. Abstract Apparently, it is the family that grants outstanding economic stability to the family business. However, this is only possible, if the family ensures to be always capable of acting and of making decisions. This leads us to the following research question: How do entrepreneurial families organize their decision-making ability? The Chameleon Model shows, that there are different types of organization latent available for entrepreneurial families. These are used flexibly, depending on what is leading to quick and stable decisions. That is to say, the entrepreneurial family organization changes the explicit organization form like a chameleon the colour. The Chameleon Model was developed from a multiple case study, analyzing four traditional entrepreneurial families in depth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 556-572
Author(s):  
Xiuxia Sun ◽  
Fangwei Zhu ◽  
Mouxuan Sun ◽  
Ralf Müller ◽  
Miao Yu

Through an exploratory multiple-case study in the context of project-based organizations in China, this study aims to identify the antecedents that facilitate three prevalent types of ambidexterity, namely, structural, sequential, and contextual ambidexterity. To understand and theorize on this phenomenon, seven case studies with 76 qualitative interviews were held. The results show that unpredictable and changing environments set the enabling context for ambidexterity, whereas design choices involving dimensions of structure, processes, empowerment, rewards, and human resource policies serve as structural antecedents. The managers and employees who respectively behave in supportive and initiative ways ultimately trigger different types of ambidexterity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 240-247
Author(s):  
Magdalena Marczewska

Challenges arising from global warming and climate change has realized the need to ensure wide development and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies. The aim of this study is to obtain new knowledge about sources contributing to the development of eco-innovations by companies that are suppliers of environmentally sound technologies in Poland. The objective is to show the importance of knowledge for the development of these novelties. Moreover, the paper aims to present and characterize the origin of the knowledge accumulated within the studied companies. The research uses qualitative methods and it is based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and a multiple case-study. It presents the sources contributing to the development of eco-innovations, which are specific to the companies-suppliers of environmentally sound technologies in Poland. The results confirm that, among others, knowledge accumulated within the company, including experience and skills of innovators, is essential for developing new ecological solutions. The results also demonstrate that companies-suppliers of own, innovative environmentally sound technologies devote considerable attention to knowledge management. Thus, the knowledge these companies acquire is fully and widely used in the eco-innovations development process. Moreover, this paper reveals ways in which such companies acquire different types of knowledge.


Pflege ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Carola Maurer ◽  
Heidrun Gattinger ◽  
Hanna Mayer

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Einrichtungen der stationären Langzeitpflege investieren seit Jahren Ressourcen in die Entwicklung der Kinästhetikkompetenz der Pflegenden. Aus aktuellen Studien geht hervor, dass die Implementierung, bzw. die nachhaltige Förderung der Kinästhetikkompetenz problematisch ist, vertiefte Erkenntnisse zu den Ursachen fehlen jedoch. Fragestellung: Welche Hemmnisse verhindern eine nachhaltige Implementierung von Kinästhetik in Einrichtungen der stationären Langzeitpflege? Methode: Es wurde eine Multiple Case-Study in drei Einrichtungen der deutschsprachigen Schweiz durchgeführt. Aus leitfadengestützten Interviews und (fallbezogener) Literatur zum externen Kontext wurden in den Within-Case-Analysen die Daten induktiv verdichtet und diese Ergebnisse in der Cross-Case-Synthese miteinander verglichen und abstrahierend zusammengeführt. Ergebnisse: Die Synthese zeigt, dass die Implementierung von Kinästhetik innerhalb der Einrichtung auf drei verschiedenen Ebenen – der Leitungs-, Pflegeteam- und Pflegeperson-Ebene – als auch durch externe Faktoren negativ beeinflusst werden kann. Schlussfolgerungen: In der Pflegepraxis und -wissenschaft sowie im Gesundheitswesen benötigt es ein grundlegendes Verständnis von Kinästhetik und wie dieses im Kontext des professionellen Pflegehandelns einzuordnen ist. Insbesondere Leitungs- und implementierungsverantwortliche Personen müssen mögliche Hemmnisse kennen, um entsprechende Strategien entwickeln zu können.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-132
Author(s):  
Rungamirai Matiure ◽  
Erick Nyoni

This study explored the utility of the learner autonomy concept in the Zimbabwean O Level English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom focusing on three Gweru urban high schools of the Midlands Province. The researchers intended to establish whether learner autonomy was a reality or just a myth in Zimbabwean classrooms. A qualitative multiple case study design was applied focusing on teaching strategies, availability of resources, challenges faced and ways of optimising it. Questionnaires and document analysis were used for data collection. The findings revealed that the concept did not manifest in explicit terms, the learners did not participate in decision making, and the teachers were not adequately prepared to administer autonomous processes with students. For it to be a reality, the Education Ministry is recommended to establish a comprehensive framework of how autonomous learning should be implemented. Teacher training should explicitly focus on how to develop autonomous learners. Teachers ought to be flexible enough to accommodate learners' contributions towards their learning.


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