scholarly journals Designing virtual team projects with accessibility in mind: an illustrative example of cross‐cultural student collaboration

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 SI:IVEC 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Sushil K. Oswal ◽  
Zsuzsanna B. Palmer ◽  
Rita Koris
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Business English ◽  
Student Interactions ◽  
Communication Course ◽  
Student Collaboration ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Team Projects ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Accessibility Issues

We report on the results of the second-year study of an interdisciplinary, international collaboration among students and instructors at one European and two US universities. The purpose of the study was to examine whether our changing four pedagogical elements from Year 1 to Year 2 affected the students’ perceptions of learning. The primary purpose of the pedagogical collaboration itself was to involve students in authentic collaborative learning activities intended to support them in developing an understanding of disability and accessibility concepts in a business context. Students in a business English course proposed start-up companies and created business plans for their ventures. Students in an introductory professional writing course designed websites for the planned businesses, while students in a gateway technical communication course served as advisors to the other two classes regarding how to make the proposed businesses and websites accessible to people with disabilities. We collected quantitative and qualitative data through pre- and post-project surveys. These data were supplemented with qualitative data from student interactions, student submissions (work products), video conference meeting minutes, and instructors’ notes. The analysis revealed that students reported increased awareness of disability and openness to finding solutions for accessibility issues.

Reimagining Business Planning, Accessibility, and Web Design Instruction: A Stacked Interdisciplinary Collaboration Across National Boundaries

2020 ◽  
pp. 004728162096699
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna B. Palmer ◽  
Sushil K. Oswal ◽  
Rita Koris
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Web Design ◽  
Social Model ◽  
Business Planning ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Social Model Of Disability ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Accessibility Issues ◽  
National Boundaries ◽  
Collaboration Project

The authors present the results of a study of a three-way international collaboration project among one Hungarian class and two classes from Michigan and Washington, respectively. This multifaceted study focused on business planning, web design, and accessibility with the aim of investigating the effect of accessibility instruction on the production of business plans and websites. The distinguishing feature of this study was its emphasis to orient the three student groups on disability and accessibility issues from the perspective of the critical social model of disability advanced by disability studies theorists. The researchers collected quantitative and qualitative pre/postproject survey data from their three classes. They combined this data with the text of student emails sent among the project teams and instructor notes about their teaching to arrive at conclusions about the effectiveness of the collaboration using a mixed-methods approach. The results from the data analyses revealed significant benefit of the client–provider relationships among the three classes and the accessibility instruction provided by the Washington class to the other two classes on the business plans and websites.

scholarly journals Suppliers’ software development project start-up practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 880-896
Author(s):  
Helena Merikoski ◽  
Paula Savolainen ◽  
Jarmo J. Ahonen
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Software Development ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Software Development Project ◽  
Business Goals ◽  
Start Up

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a life cycle phase of a software development project which is substantial for the success of the project. This paper visualizes the project start-up phase from suppliers’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach The method is a theory building from case studies. The data were collected from three software supplier firms by conducting process modeling separately in each firm. Findings The study resulted in a model of a supplier’s software project start-up which includes start-up practices and involved roles. The results indicate that project start-up is an integral and structured phase of project life cycle, which influences the execution of a software development project, especially from the supplier’s perspective in the project business context. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on the start-up phase of software development projects delivered to external customers. Therefore, developed project start-up model is applicable as such in software supplier firms. Practical implications The project start-up model presented in this paper indicates that project start-up is a complex and multi-dimensional activity in a supplier firm. This study suggests that if the project start-up phase is clearly defined, planned and followed in a supplier firm, it reduces confusion and miscommunication among the people involved in the project and helps to achieve the business goals of a project. Originality/value This study emphasizes that it is necessary to make a distinction between the perspectives of the customer and the supplier when studying projects in the project business context. The findings contribute the new knowledge for managing outsourced software development projects.

Service Logic Business Model Canvas for Lean Development of SMEs and Start-Ups

2020 ◽  
pp. 436-463
Author(s):  
Jukka Ojasalo ◽  
Katri Ojasalo
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Business Model Canvas ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Service Logic ◽  
Start Ups

Business models have made a breakthrough both in the academic and in business community in the area business development. Old fashioned business plans are in many cases considered as a waste of time and resources. Particularly start-ups and SMEs have a great potential to take advantage of business model approach which allows lean and agile product and service development. However, the existing widely used business model frameworks are lacking the new service logic orientation. They mostly see the world in terms of goods logic. Since all sizes of businesses in all industries are increasingly adopting the service logic or service-dominant logic, there was a clear need to develop a new service logic based business model framework. Based on an extensive empirical study with both practitioners and academics, a new Service Logic Business Model Canvas was developed to fill this need. This chapter explains the theoretical foundations of this framework in SME and start-up context, as well as the framework itself and its application.

scholarly journals From Academia to Start-up: A Case Study with Implications for Engineering Education

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Bill Williams ◽  
José Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Mode 2

This study uses the characterization of contrasting modes of knowledge production to follow the activity of a group of engineers who migrated from an academic environment to a successful start-up firm. Qualitative data from interviews of two key members of the team were used to characterize their activities in the two settings. The authors relate the engineering practice described in the interviews to the Gibbons Mode 1 and Mode 2 knowledge production phases and note the importance of a phase change in the transition between the two modes. The resultant case-study contributes material for use in role-play activity with engineering students to help develop interdisciplinary skills. The study also presents a critical analysis to evaluate the merits of the Mode 1 and Mode 2 framework for analysis of engineering practice at the level of the firm.

scholarly journals Generating tensions: A multilevel, process analysis of organizational change

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexia Panayiotou ◽  
Linda L Putnam ◽  
George Kassinis
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Music Industry ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Dialectical Tensions ◽  
Ongoing Process ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Organizational Levels

Working within a Bakhtinian perspective of relational dialectical tensions, this study seeks to elaborate on current organizational change theories through a rich set of qualitative data collected on an Internet start-up that revolutionized the music industry. Following the company for 12 years, we focused on the tensions arising during the company’s development and on the responses to these tensions. Our results indicate that with a process model, tensions and decisions develop in a reflexive relationship, which shows that change happens, not in spite of unintended consequences, but because of the unintended consequences of the decisions enacted. We show that change is not always the result of deliberate intentions, conscious choices, and purposeful actions of individuals, but rather as an ongoing process that evolves through countervailing dynamics at multiple organizational levels. Tensions and responses to them are pivotal to this process of changing and should be analyzed as directional markers for future oppositional struggles. Consistent with the Bakhtinian position, we find that change occurs within the interplay of tensions as actors live out struggles and decisions in the midst of organizing.

scholarly journals Modern mediators: intermediaries’ informational roles in sourcing from China

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Virtanen ◽  
Asta Salmi ◽  
Xiao Qin
Keyword(s):  
Information Asymmetry ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Global Sourcing ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Scientific Debate ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Supply Risks

Purpose Sourcing intermediaries, commonly known as agents or trading companies, represent a useful organisational solution for assisting companies to manage supply risks and to overcome the liability of foreignness. However, the landscape of global business is experiencing rapid and fundamental changes, which leads us to ask whether intermediaries will continue to play a role in global sourcing. This paper aims to understand how sourcing intermediaries ensure a lasting position in the changing setting of global sourcing and information sharing. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates the operations of both Chinese and Nordic (Finnish and Swedish) intermediaries in sourcing from China by analysing qualitative data collected over a period of four years. Findings Through the lens of information asymmetry, this paper identifies four distinct informational roles that are used by intermediaries to reduce information asymmetry between suppliers and buyers located in different countries. The paper also examines intermediaries’ signalling activities under these roles in a cross-border triad. Originality/value The paper contributes to the scientific debate on the usefulness of intermediaries by underlining intermediaries’ informational advantage, which provides a new explanation for the survival of intermediaries in a rapidly changing business context. Additionally, this study contributes to research on intermediation strategies by empirically examining both Chinese and Western intermediaries, highlighting the importance of institutional contexts in affecting intermediaries’ informational roles.

scholarly journals Evaluasi Program Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Kewirausahaan

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 870
Author(s):  
Chyntia Liliana ◽  
Yari Dwi Kurnaningsih
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Training Activities ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive ◽  
And Training ◽  
Reaction Level

<p><strong>Abstract:</strong> This study aims to evaluate the entrepreneurship education and training activities program that uses the Kirkpatrick evaluation model. Data collection using questionnaires, observations, interviews and document studies. Data were analyzed in quantitative descriptive qualitative. Qualitative data analysis was carried out through three stages: The results showed that at the reaction level, 85.20% of participants were satisfied with the organization of entrepreneurship education and training. At the learning level, knowledge aspects did not experience a significant increase. In the aspect of attitudes and skills of training participants considered very good. At the behavioral level, 6 people have done business planning and have successfully run their businesses, 5 people have planned businesses, but have not yet started their businesses, while 14 people have not had business plans.</p><strong>Abstrak:</strong><em> </em>Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi program kegiatan pendidikan dan pelatihan kewirausahaan yang menggunakan model evaluasi Kirkpatrick<em>.</em> Pengumpulan data menggunakan angket, observasi, wawancara, dan studi dokumen. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif kualitatif kuantitatif. Analisis data kualitatif dilakukan melalui tiga tahap, yaitu hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada level <em>reaction, </em>sebesar 85,20% peserta puas terhadap penyelenggaraan pendidikan dan pelatihan kewirausahaan. Pada level <em>learning</em>, untuk aspek pengetahun tidak mengalami peningkatan yang signifikan. Pada aspek sikap dan keterampilan peserta pelatihan dinilai sangat baik. Pada level <em>behavior</em><em>,</em> enam orang telah melakukan perencanaan usaha dan telah berhasil menjalankan usahanya, lima orang sudah merencanakan usaha, namun belum memulai usahanya, sedangkan 14 orang belum memiliki perencanaan usaha.

Service Logic Business Model Canvas for Lean Development of SMEs and Start-Ups

2016 ◽  
pp. 217-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukka Ojasalo ◽  
Katri Ojasalo
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Business Model Canvas ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Service Logic ◽  
Start Ups

Business models have made a breakthrough both in the academic and in business community in the area business development. Old fashioned business plans are in many cases considered as a waste of time and resources. Particularly start-ups and SMEs have a great potential to take advantage of business model approach which allows lean and agile product and service development. However, the existing widely used business model frameworks are lacking the new service logic orientation. They mostly see the world in terms of goods logic. Since all sizes of businesses in all industries are increasingly adopting the service logic or service-dominant logic, there was a clear need to develop a new service logic based business model framework. Based on an extensive empirical study with both practitioners and academics, a new Service Logic Business Model Canvas was developed to fill this need. This chapter explains the theoretical foundations of this framework in SME and start-up context, as well as the framework itself and its application.

EU E-Commerce Policies

2004 ◽  
pp. 156-184
Author(s):  
Anne Wiggins
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Competitive Environment ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
The Impact

This chapter not only presents an overview of the theoretical awareness and understanding of innovation, but also identifies and discusses existing EU innovation policy initiatives for SMEs, deliberating on the impact such policy initiatives have on their specific considerations. This chapter examines the strategic implications of the adoption and implementation of e-commerce by two successful start-up SMEs in the UK presented against a backdrop of relevant EU policy initiatives. SMEs, and start-ups particularly, find themselves having to operate without role models and tested business plans within an increasingly complex and competitive environment.

Venture capital and private equity industry in Hungary

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judit Karsai
Keyword(s):  
Venture Capital ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Private Equity ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Debt Crisis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Government Interventions ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Start Up

Hungary represents the second most developed venture capital and private equity (VC&PE) market in Central and Eastern Europe. This article is based on a detailed survey of the entire VC industry between 1989–2010. It demonstrates that while there was a relatively strong correlation between the allocation of capital to VC&PE funds and the capital flow into the Budapest Stock Exchange, the changes in investment activities were closely related to election years. Investments had been hampered primarily not by the shortage of capital, but by a lack of demand and attractive business plans. The article illustrates the different roles and approaches of global, regional and country VC&PE funds in Hungary. It points out that VC investments hardly satisfied their principal function or mission, namely to support innovative start-up and small businesses. Government interventions in the VC market proved to be ineffective as well. Similarly to the whole region, the Hungarian market profited from a transitory situation in the case of high-value PE transactions between 2007 and 2008, at the beginning of the crisis, when the investment problems in Western Europe had yet not extended to the CEE region. From 2009 onward, however, the crisis has resulted in a drop in investments despite the significant amount of uninvested capital accumulated in recent years. As to the prospects for 2013, the early-stage VC segment in Hungary is expected to flourish owing to the Jeremie funds, while the high-value buyout segment of the market will suffer from both the euro zone debt crisis and the loss of transparency in economic policy.

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