scholarly journals An affordance lens on the influence of incubators on firms’ strategy development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jenny Patricia Douché
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Entrepreneurial Firms ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
Development Literature

<p>Business incubators provide resources to help create successful new ventures (Hackett & Dilts, 2004b). However little is known about how the strategies of the incubated firms develop and the specific role of incubators in this process. While incubators have received increased attention in academic literature in recent years, most of this research has focused on the economic benefits of incubators, the firms’ survival rates, and on the incubators’ provisions to firms. There has been minimal attention on how incubators influence what firms actually do and about strategy development in new entrepreneurial firms.  This thesis explores how incubators influence firms’ strategy developments. The theory of affordances (TOA) recognises that objects allow for varying opportunities for action (Gibson, 1977) and provides the theoretical lens for this study. This lens was chosen due to its inherent acknowledgement of the complexity of relationships between objects, actors and the environment.  First the TOA, incubator, and strategy development literature are examined. This examination concludes with the development of a conceptual model to operationalise incubators’ provisions and firms’ strategy developments. The conceptual model highlights that the relationship between incubators’ provisions and firms’ strategy developments may not simply be one of cause and effect; it takes into account how the affordances of the provisions are perceived and realised, and how this is related to the incubators’ influence on the firms’ strategy development. The conceptual model also identifies contextual factors that could impact this process.  A mixed methodology approach was employed which involved in-depth interviews and a survey. The participants were from all six incubators that were in the New Zealand Government’s incubator support programme and included both the incubators and their firms, enabling a triangulated analysis of this primarily qualitative data.  The application of the TOA aided the contribution to incubator knowledge. It was found that firms’ judged the value of provisions differently depending on use, and the affordances arising from the provisions varied in scope and changed over time. The firm’s product type, governance structure, duration-factors and the breadth of focus of the incubators, may be associated with how the firms perceived and realised affordances from the incubators’ provisions and, in turn, how their strategies were influenced. In the process of applying the TOA in organisational studies three underlying themes emerged regarding its application; the specificity of affordances, the substitutability of objects and path dependency. Based on these three themes, contributions to the TOA are also proposed.  Knowledge gained from this study could inspire further use of the TOA to gain a greater understanding of its application, particularly in organisational settings. From a practice standpoint, knowledge gained should lead to enhancements and greater efficiencies in the incubation sector.</p>

scholarly journals An affordance lens on the influence of incubators on firms’ strategy development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jenny Patricia Douché
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Entrepreneurial Firms ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
Development Literature

<p>Business incubators provide resources to help create successful new ventures (Hackett & Dilts, 2004b). However little is known about how the strategies of the incubated firms develop and the specific role of incubators in this process. While incubators have received increased attention in academic literature in recent years, most of this research has focused on the economic benefits of incubators, the firms’ survival rates, and on the incubators’ provisions to firms. There has been minimal attention on how incubators influence what firms actually do and about strategy development in new entrepreneurial firms.  This thesis explores how incubators influence firms’ strategy developments. The theory of affordances (TOA) recognises that objects allow for varying opportunities for action (Gibson, 1977) and provides the theoretical lens for this study. This lens was chosen due to its inherent acknowledgement of the complexity of relationships between objects, actors and the environment.  First the TOA, incubator, and strategy development literature are examined. This examination concludes with the development of a conceptual model to operationalise incubators’ provisions and firms’ strategy developments. The conceptual model highlights that the relationship between incubators’ provisions and firms’ strategy developments may not simply be one of cause and effect; it takes into account how the affordances of the provisions are perceived and realised, and how this is related to the incubators’ influence on the firms’ strategy development. The conceptual model also identifies contextual factors that could impact this process.  A mixed methodology approach was employed which involved in-depth interviews and a survey. The participants were from all six incubators that were in the New Zealand Government’s incubator support programme and included both the incubators and their firms, enabling a triangulated analysis of this primarily qualitative data.  The application of the TOA aided the contribution to incubator knowledge. It was found that firms’ judged the value of provisions differently depending on use, and the affordances arising from the provisions varied in scope and changed over time. The firm’s product type, governance structure, duration-factors and the breadth of focus of the incubators, may be associated with how the firms perceived and realised affordances from the incubators’ provisions and, in turn, how their strategies were influenced. In the process of applying the TOA in organisational studies three underlying themes emerged regarding its application; the specificity of affordances, the substitutability of objects and path dependency. Based on these three themes, contributions to the TOA are also proposed.  Knowledge gained from this study could inspire further use of the TOA to gain a greater understanding of its application, particularly in organisational settings. From a practice standpoint, knowledge gained should lead to enhancements and greater efficiencies in the incubation sector.</p>

The Role of Organizational Learning in the Opportunity–Recognition Process

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.T. Lumpkin ◽  
Benyamin Bergmann Lichtenstein
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Opportunity Recognition ◽  
New Venture ◽  
Entrepreneurial Firms ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Venture Creation ◽  
Strategic Renewal ◽  
Two Phases

Firms engage in entrepreneurship to increase performance through both strategic renewal and the creation of new venture opportunities. Organizational learning (OL) has become an effective avenue for strategic renewal. But what of creating venture opportunities—can OL enhance the process of recognizing and pursuing new ventures? This article argues that OL can strengthen a firm's ability to recognize opportunities and help equip them to effectively pursue new ventures. First, we identify three approaches to OL—behavioral, cognitive, and action. Then, we introduce a creativity–based model of opportunity recognition (OpR) that includes two phases—discovery and formation. Next, we show how each of the three types of learning is linked to the two phases of OpR. We suggest propositions that support our claim that OL enhances OpR and offer examples of firms that have used these organizational–learning approaches to more effectively recognize and pursue venture opportunities. These insights have important implications for entrepreneurial firms seeking to advance the venture–creation process.

Thoughts on the Long-Term Strategy, Science and Democracy

2006 ◽  
pp. 4-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Abalkin
Keyword(s):  
Strategy Development ◽  
Russian Science ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
The World ◽  
World Development ◽  
Crucial Condition

The article covers unified issues of the long-term strategy development, the role of science as well as democracy development in present-day Russia. The problems of budget proficit, the Stabilization Fund issues, implementation of the adopted national projects, an increasing role of regions in strengthening the integrity and prosperity of the country are analyzed. The author reveals that the protection of businessmen and citizens from the all-embracing power of bureaucrats is the crucial condition of democratization of the society. Global trends of the world development and expert functions of the Russian science are presented as well.

Conclusion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Tir ◽  
Johannes Karreth
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
Conflict Management ◽  
Political Violence ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Intergovernmental Organizations ◽  
State Fragility ◽  
International Environment

After summarizing the theoretical arguments and findings of this book, we discuss key lessons learned from our study. The international environment has a significant influence on civil war development and prevention. Amplifying their conflict-preventing influence on member-states, highly structured intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) often coordinate their activities, especially in the area of political violence and state fragility. We then identify a number of tangible, economic incentives as the main pathways of this influence. Overall, this book suggests that the economic benefits of peace provide a potent temptation—for both governments and rebels—to settle low-level armed conflict before it can escalate to full-scale civil war. With these lessons learned, we also identify suggestions for both the research into and practice of conflict management. The chapter closes by pointing to opportunities for making use of our findings to further capitalize on the role of highly structured IGOs in civil war prevention.

Governance in Online Stolen Data Markets

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meltem Odaba¸ ◽  
Thomas J. Holt ◽  
Ronald L. Breiger
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Communication Networks ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Economic Organization ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Underground Economies ◽  
Two Sided Markets

We analyze the governance structure of online stolen data markets. As cybercriminal underground economies, stolen data markets are beyond the reach of state intervention, and yet they need form and regulation in order to function. While the illicit nature of the business brings risks to its participants, the online characteristics of these markets enable the participants to communicate easily, which is a crucial means of generating trust. We first identify stolen data markets in terms of their economic organization as two-sided markets, economic platforms with two distinct user groups that provide each other with network synergies. This characterization enables us to understand the role of the forum administrator as that of an intermediary, market creator, and market regulator. Then we clarify the role of communication networks and social structure in creating trust among buyers and sellers.

scholarly journals Ecosystem dynamics: exploring the interplay within fintech entrepreneurial ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Alaassar ◽  
Anne-Laure Mention ◽  
Tor Helge Aas
Keyword(s):  
New Ventures ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Opportunity Identification ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Regulatory Dynamics ◽  
Financial Technology

AbstractScholars and practitioners continue to recognize the crucial role of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) in creating a conducive environment for productive entrepreneurship. Although EEs are fundamentally interaction systems of hierarchically independent yet mutually dependent actors, few studies have investigated how interactions among ecosystem actors drive the entrepreneurial process. Seeking to address this gap, this paper explores how ecosystem actor interactions influence new ventures in the financial technology (fintech) EE of Singapore. Guided by an EE framework and the use of an exploratory-abductive approach, empirical data from semi-structured interviews is collected and analyzed. The findings reveal four categories representing both the relational perspective, which features interaction and intermediation dynamics, and the cultural perspective, which encompasses ecosystem development and regulatory dynamics. These categories help explain how and why opportunity identification and resource exploitation are accelerated or inhibited for entrepreneurs in fintech EEs. The present study provides valuable contributions to scholars and practitioners interested in EEs and contributes to the academic understanding of the emerging fintech phenomenon.

scholarly journals Human Enhancements and Voting: Towards a Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Beings

Philosophies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
S. J. Blodgett-Ford
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
The Other ◽  
First Person ◽  
Person Perspective ◽  
First Person Perspective ◽  
To Come ◽  
Additional Option

The phenomenon and ethics of “voting” will be explored in the context of human enhancements. “Voting” will be examined for enhanced humans with moderate and extreme enhancements. Existing patterns of discrimination in voting around the globe could continue substantially “as is” for those with moderate enhancements. For extreme enhancements, voting rights could be challenged if the very humanity of the enhanced was in doubt. Humans who were not enhanced could also be disenfranchised if certain enhancements become prevalent. Voting will be examined using a theory of engagement articulated by Professor Sophie Loidolt that emphasizes the importance of legitimization and justification by “facing the appeal of the other” to determine what is “right” from a phenomenological first-person perspective. Seeking inspiration from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948, voting rights and responsibilities will be re-framed from a foundational working hypothesis that all enhanced and non-enhanced humans should have a right to vote directly. Representative voting will be considered as an admittedly imperfect alternative or additional option. The framework in which voting occurs, as well as the processes, temporal cadence, and role of voting, requires the participation from as diverse a group of humans as possible. Voting rights delivered by fiat to enhanced or non-enhanced humans who were excluded from participation in the design and ratification of the governance structure is not legitimate. Applying and extending Loidolt’s framework, we must recognize the urgency that demands the impossible, with openness to that universality in progress (or universality to come) that keeps being constituted from the outside.

scholarly journals Prognostic and Clinicopathological Significance of MiR-155 in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5834
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Grimaldi ◽  
Silvia Nuzzo ◽  
Gerolama Condorelli ◽  
Marco Salvatore ◽  
Mariarosaria Incoronato
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Prognostic Biomarker ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Clinicopathological Significance ◽  
Present Systematic Review

There is an unmet need for novel non-invasive prognostic molecular tumour markers for breast cancer (BC). Accumulating evidence shows that miR-155 plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis. Generally, miR-155 is considered an oncogenic miRNA promoting tumour growth, angiogenesis and aggressiveness of BC. Therefore, many researchers have focused on its use as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. However, its prognostic value for BC patients remains controversial. To address this issue, the present systematic review aims to summarize the available evidence and give a picture of a prognostic significance of miR-155 in BC pathology. All eligible studies were searched on PubMed and EMBASE databases through various search strategies. Starting from 289 potential eligible records, data were examined from 28 studies, comparing tissue and circulating miR-155 expression levels with clinicopathological features and survival rates in BC patients. We discuss the pitfalls and challenges that need to be assessed to understand the power of miR-155 to respond to real clinical needs, highlighting the consistency, robustness or lack of results obtained to sate in translating this molecule to clinical practice. Our paper suggests that the prognostic role of miR-155 in the management of BC needs to be further verified.

scholarly journals Glioma Revisited: From Neurogenesis and Cancer Stem Cells to the Epigenetic Regulation of the Niche

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe de Almeida Sassi ◽  
Algemir Lunardi Brunetto ◽  
Gilberto Schwartsmann ◽  
Rafael Roesler ◽  
Ana Lucia Abujamra
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Heterogeneous Population ◽  
Aggressive Tumor ◽  
Epigenetic Modulation ◽  
The Brain

Gliomas are the most incident brain tumor in adults. This malignancy has very low survival rates, even when combining radio- and chemotherapy. Among the gliomas, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type, and patients frequently relapse or become refractory to conventional therapies. The fact that such an aggressive tumor can arise in such a carefully orchestrated organ, where cellular proliferation is barely needed to maintain its function, is a question that has intrigued scientists until very recently, when the discovery of the existence of proliferative cells in the brain overcame such challenges. Even so, the precise origin of gliomas still remains elusive. Thanks to new advents in molecular biology, researchers have been able to depict the first steps of glioma formation and to accumulate knowledge about how neural stem cells and its progenitors become gliomas. Indeed, GBM are composed of a very heterogeneous population of cells, which exhibit a plethora of tumorigenic properties, supporting the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in these tumors. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of how gliomas initiate and progress, taking into account the role of epigenetic modulation in the crosstalk of cancer cells with their environment.

The Entrepreneurial University: Evidence of the Changing Role of Universities in Modern Russia

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Williams ◽  
Alexey Kluev
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial University ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Innovation Development ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Managerial Competencies ◽  
New Type ◽  
Changing Role

This paper examines the evolution of the entrepreneurial function of Russia's leading universities: the study is based on a conceptualization of a university's entrepreneurial development pathway developed by the OECD in 2009. The data on entrepreneurship development were collected in 2012 through a survey of technology transfer and innovation development managers of 18 National Research Universities. The primary data were complemented by desktop analysis of the strategy development documents of the universities surveyed. The results suggest that in the period studied, 2008–2012, a new type of university, the entrepreneurial university, has emerged in Russia. However, these entrepreneurial universities are facing serious challenges in the implementation of an entrepreneurial, innovation-oriented mission due to the lack of managerial competencies and inadequate infrastructure development. The paper has significant theoretical and practical implications in shedding light on the development of the entrepreneurial university in Russia, where the process is still in its infancy. The authors depict a trajectory of entrepreneurial transformation in and barriers to this process that, it is argued, university executives and policy makers should take into consideration.

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