scholarly journals Product Innovation, Product Diversification, and Firm Growth: Evidence from Japan’s Early Industrialization

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 3795-3826
Author(s):  
Serguey Braguinsky ◽  
Atsushi Ohyama ◽  
Tetsuji Okazaki ◽  
Chad Syverson

We explore how firms grow by adding products. We leverage detailed data from Japan’s cotton spinning industry at the turn of the last century to do so. This setting allows us to fully characterize the type of differentiation (vertical or horizontal) of new product introductions as well as whether the product is within or outside of the firm’s prior technological capabilities. We find that trying to introduce innovative products beyond the firm’s previous technologically feasible set, even if such trials fail, is a key to firm growth. Indeed, it mostly facilitates growth through the firm’s later success in horizontal product diversification. In long-term outcomes, the right tail of the firm size distribution becomes dominated by firms that first moved into technologically challenging products and then later applied their newly acquired technical competence to horizontal expansion of their product portfolios. Two mechanisms through which this knowledge transfer occurs are greater production system flexibility and higher product appeal to downstream buyers. (JEL D22, L11,L67, N65, N85, O31, O33)

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e239297
Author(s):  
H Ravi Ramamurthy ◽  
Onkar Auti ◽  
Vimal Raj ◽  
Kiran Viralam

A 16-month-old, healthy, asymptomatic male child presented with a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular examination and chest radiograph were normal. ECG revealed sinus rhythm, and the augmented vector left lead showed raised ST segment, T wave inversion and q waves. Echocardiography showed a globular left ventricle with notched cardiac apex, abnormal echogenicity in the left ventricular apical myocardium, single papillary muscle and normal biventricular function. Cardiac MRI scan revealed a globular left ventricle with fibrofatty changes and retraction of the apex, the papillary muscles closely approximated, and the right ventricle wrapping around the apex of the left ventricle. This is described as isolated left ventricular apical hypoplasia. Diagnosis of this rare entity can be made by MRI, and it has been diagnosed largely in adults. The pathophysiology and long-term outcomes are unknown. We characterise the echocardiography findings of this rare anomaly in a child for the first time in the literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Shiva Ilkhanizadeh ◽  
Mahmoud Golabi ◽  
Siamand Hesami ◽  
Husam Rjoub

Considering the recent lockdowns and travel bans due to COVID-19, novel tourism strategies are necessary to face the increasing need for innovative products and services and to ensure long-term sustainable growth. This study looks into the potential use of drones in providing online virtual tours of open-space tourist attractions. To do so, a novel mixed-integer linear mathematical model is developed to optimally determine the number and location of required facilities and the number of drones assigned to each center. The model is applied to a case study of Rome by selecting six historic sites as the tourist attractions and considering several candidate locations for establishing the facilities. The results of different potential scenarios imply that the project is profitable, even if the demand for virtual tours is low.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 6151-6154
Author(s):  
Adistra Imam Satjakoesoemah ◽  
Prahara Yuri ◽  
Yonas Hutasoit

Hypospadia is one of the most common congenital anomalies of male external genitalia and the only proper management for most cases is repair surgery. Nevertheless, initial hypospadia repair could end up failed, followed by subsequent various complications. BMG has gain popularity due to its good long-term outcomes and favourable complication rates, especially for residual hypospadia. A 24-year-old male came to our outpatient department complaining his urethral orificium was located on the penile shaft since birth. He had a previous hypospadia repair surgery conducted by non-urologist surgeon at the age of seven. Several months after the repair surgery, his penis slightly rotated to the right side and urine remain came out through the hole on his ventral penile shaft. We performed first-stage inlay BMG urethroplasty using a long (6×1 cm) and short (2×1 cm) graft patch. The graft patches were quilted in proximal-distally fashion rather than side-by-side. No scarring or contracture on the neourethral plate was noted during two months of follow-up. We have successfully performed our initial experience on first-stage inlay BMG urethroplasty using a long and short graft patch. Within two months, the graft were completely take without any complications. The second-stage urethroplasty, consisting of tubularization and glansplasty will be performed 6 months after the first procedure.


2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (25) ◽  
pp. 967-972
Author(s):  
Roland Csorba

Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized gynecological interventions over the past 30 years. The introduction of the da Vinci robotic surgery in 2005 has resulted in large changes in surgical management. The robotic platform allows less experienced laparoscopic surgeons to perform more complex procedures. It can be utilized mainly in general gynecology and reproductive gynecology. The robot is being increasingly used for procedures such as hysterectomy, myomectomy, adnexal surgery, and tubal anastomosis. In urogynecology, the robot is being utilized for sacrocolopexy as well. In the field of gynecologic oncology, the robot is being increasingly used for hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy in oncologic diseases. Despite the rapid and widespread adaption of robotic surgery in gynecology, there are no randomized trials comparing its efficacy and safety to other traditional surgical approaches. This article presents the development, technical aspects and indications of robotic surgery in gynecology, based on the previously published reviews. Robotic surgery can be highly advantageous with the right amount of training, along with appropriate patient selection. Patients will have less blood loss, less post-operative pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications compared to open surgery and laparoscopy. However, until larger randomized control trials are completed which report long-term outcomes, robotic surgery cannot be stated to have priority over other surgical methods. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 967–972.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1731-1741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruddy Faure ◽  
Francesca Righetti ◽  
Magdalena Seibel ◽  
Wilhelm Hofmann

Growing evidence suggests that the seeds of relationship decay can be detected via implicit partner evaluations even when explicit evaluations fail to do so. However, little is known about the concrete daily relational processes that explain why these gut feelings are such important determinants of relationships’ long-term outcomes. The present integrative multimethod research yielded a novel finding: that participants with more positive implicit partner evaluations exhibited more constructive nonverbal (but not verbal) behavior toward their partner in a videotaped dyadic interaction. In turn, this behavior was associated with greater satisfaction with the conversation and with the relationship in the following 8-day diary portion of the study. These findings represent a significant step forward in understanding the crucial role of automatic processes in romantic relationships. Together, they provide novel evidence that relationship success appears to be highly dependent on how people spontaneously behave in their relationship, which may be ultimately rooted in their implicit partner evaluations.


2001 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.H. Bala Subrahmanya

In the north-east of England technological innovations by small firms follow a broad pattern in terms of dimensions, causal factors and sources of innovation. Product innovators owe their innovations largely to management motivation and growth ambition. They perceive the need for a particular product in the market and work towards its development in-house. Internal technical capability is decisive. Thus, product innovations emerge due to internal factors. The innovative products are patented and exhibited in national and international exhibitions and advertised in professional journals. As a result, the firms export a considerable share of their output and grow larger. Such firms are ‘offensive’ or ‘proactive’ innovators. They are innovation leaders. Incremental innovators either substitute a raw material to produce an existing product, or change the product shape/dimension/design on their own initiative or in response to their customers. Some upgrade their existing machinery or acquire new machinery for expansion or product diversification. Others introduce existing products due to customer demand or to enable further growth. They are decisive in their incremental innovations. The companies upgrade their technology or skills and change product shape, dimension or design with external support. In-house R&D is largely absent. Thus, incremental innovators emerge due to external factors. These firms are ‘defensive’ or ‘reactive’ innovators. They are innovation followers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Vendil Pallin

Abstract Events in Ukraine have made many re-evaluate their view of Russia and suggest new approaches. While there are good reasons to do so, there is also every reason to revisit some old lessons and draw the right conclusions from events further back in time than the annexation of Crimea. First, Russian domestic politics will continue to play a prominent role in deciding Russia’s room for manoeuvre in its security policy. Second, change can only come from within Russia - the West (mainly the US and Europe) will be able to influence events only on the margins and perhaps not always receiving the intended response. Finally, and perhaps at first a bit paradoxically taking the first two points in view, what the West does will matter. It will matter because it will influence developments inside Russia in a long-term perspective if there is an alternative model. But even more importantly, what the West does will decide what position it finds itself in when Russia does change.


Author(s):  
Omar Mohamed Raouf Mohamed Ahmed Elsaka ◽  
Omar Elsaka

Background: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty is a procedure used to dilate the mitral valve in cases of rheumatic mitral stenosis. The catheter is inserted into the female vein to the right atrium and atrial septum. The mitral valve is then passed through the inflated balloon to facilitate effective integration of mitral adhesions, which increases the area of the mitral valve and decreases the rate of mitral stenosis. Mitral regurgitation is a potential problem, and thus balloon percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is prevented in moderate to severe relapse. The Wilkins score studies mitral valve morphology and evaluation by echocardiography to assess the viability of PBMVs based on specific echocardiographic conditions. Conclusion: There are many factors in the immediate and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing PMV. Echo-Sc can be used in combination with other clinical and morphological predictions of PMV effects to identify patients who experience the best effects on PMV.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-533
Author(s):  
Sameh M. Said ◽  
Gamal Marey ◽  
Nicholas M. Brown ◽  
Massimo Griselli ◽  
Nathan Rodgers ◽  
...  

Anomalous aortic origin of the pulmonary artery is rare. It can affect either of the main branches and can be an important cause of neonatal respiratory distress. Early diagnosis and surgical repair is associated with improved survival and long-term outcomes.


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