scholarly journals Eco-Innovation Activities in the Czech Economy 2008–2014: Impact of the Eco-Innovative Approach to the Profit Stream and Differences in Urban and Rural Enterprises

Economies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Marek Vokoun ◽  
Jiřina Jílková
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Innovative Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Innovation Activities

The environmental benefits from the eco-innovation activities of enterprises have the nature of reduced material or water use per unit of output, less pollution and waste, better CO2 ‘footprint’ in production and subsequent business processes. The socioeconomic impacts are associated with circular economy benefits like reduced energy use, decreased pollution and waste, and well-organized recycling possibilities of the product after use. The goal of this paper is to evaluate this innovative approach in the Czech economy. The hypotheses are aimed at the localization of enterprises, appropriability, and characteristics of enterprises that introduce eco-innovations to markets. The dataset is provided by the Czech Statistical Office and contains observations about the innovation activities of firms. Eco-innovation was surveyed in 2008 and 2014. This paper utilizes the estimation principles of CDM (Crépon, Duguet, and Mairesse) method at the firm level. The results suggest that rural–urban separation has no impact on the financial R&D intensity but urban enterprises have a higher probability to engage in innovation activities. The probability to introduce new-to-the-market innovations and eco-innovations is not dependent on localization. High-tech and knowledge-intensive industries have a lower probability to introduce eco-innovations to the market. The change in localization of enterprises to rural areas contributed to the higher sales form innovated goods and services. Higher appropriability was also observed in product eco-innovators. This paper offers a synthesis of factors that stimulate eco-innovation and shows that eco-innovation is a viable and sustainable innovative approach for rural and urban enterprises and identifies directions for future research.

scholarly journals Projecting at the project level: MMC supply chain integration roadmap for small housebuilders

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Dowsett ◽  
Martin Green ◽  
Martin Sexton ◽  
Chris Harty
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Timber Frame ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Key Aspects

Purpose This paper aims to provide insights into how supply chain integration may occur for small housebuilders adopting modern methods of construction (MMCs). The process of creating an empirically informed road map is described, whereby the practical day-to-day challenges of adopting a timber-frame solution on a small housing development in Southeast England were fed into a road map of future supply chain integration scenarios. The intention is to better position small housebuilders to contribute in addressing the shortfall in housing that continues to face the UK. Design/methodology/approach Interviews with supply chain members along with on-site observations captured key aspects of integration. Findings were used within two collaborative forums to guide discussion in a dual approach; discussing the challenges of timber-frame on the project and what would be needed on future projects for the firms analysed. Findings Empirically informed malleable roadmaps, of the kind developed within this study, provide feasible options for small housebuilders and suppliers of MMCs to collectively collaborate when transitioning towards fully integrated supply chains. Practically, the roadmapping approach, and the roadmap itself, would help small housebuilders and suppliers of MMCs transition towards full integration. Opening up avenues of integration that are spread across yet connected through numerous phases, firms and technologies helps construction professionals use more sophisticated modular and volumetric off-site solutions. Research limitations/implications Data collection took place over the course of a year. Future research could expand this relatively short duration to analyse the potential for construction professionals within the supply chain to integrate further over a longer period of time. Originality/value The novelty and contribution of this paper lie in the development and application of an alternative approach to roadmapping that departs from the normative linear examples of roadmaps found within the technology-roadmapping literature. The authors present a structured yet flexible approach to roadmapping that is both representative of the strategic planning and innovation activities that occur within small housebuilding firms and open to adaption to account for firm-level characteristics and contingencies. Positioned alongside firm-level dynamics (e.g. business cases and approaches to design), the roadmapping approach also reinforces the potential of incremental rather than whole-scale transitions.

scholarly journals Distributed Recycling of Post-Consumer Plastic Waste in Rural Areas

2013 ◽  
Vol 1492 ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kreiger ◽  
G. C. Anzalone ◽  
M. L. Mulder ◽  
A. Glover ◽  
J. M Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Plastic Recycling ◽  
Polymer Recycling

ABSTRACTAlthough the environmental benefits of recycling plastics are well established and most geographic locations within the U.S. offer some plastic recycling, recycling rates are often low. Low recycling rates are often observed in conventional centralized recycling plants due to the challenge of collection and transportation for high-volume low-weight polymers. The recycling rates decline further when low population density, rural and relatively isolated communities are investigated because of the distance to recycling centers makes recycling difficult and both economically and energetically inefficient. The recent development of a class of open source hardware tools (e.g. RecycleBots) able to convert post-consumer plastic waste to polymer filament for 3-D printing offer a means to increase recycling rates by enabling distributed recycling. In addition, to reducing the amount of plastic disposed of in landfills, distributed recycling may also provide low-income families a means to supplement their income with domestic production of small plastic goods. This study investigates the environmental impacts of polymer recycling. A life-cycle analysis (LCA) for centralized plastic recycling is compared to the implementation of distributed recycling in rural areas. Environmental impact of both recycling scenarios is quantified in terms of energy use per unit mass of recycled plastic. A sensitivity analysis is used to determine the environmental impacts of both systems as a function of distance to recycling centers. The results of this LCA study indicate that distributed recycling of HDPE for rural regions is energetically favorable to either using virgin resin or conventional recycling processes. This study indicates that the technical progress in solar photovoltaic devices, open-source 3-D printing and polymer filament extrusion have made distributed polymer recycling and upcycling technically viable.

E-Commerce Capability: An Assessment of the Facilitators by Chinese Firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 902 ◽  
pp. 463-469
Author(s):  
Min Liu
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Diffusion Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Control Variables ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Brick And Mortar ◽  
Process Perspective ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

Drawing upon IT (Information Technology) diffusion theory, this study developed a research model for studying e-commerce capability at firm level, incorporating 6 factors. The model examined the influence of the six factors and two control variables on e-commerce capability measured as aggregation of function-based business processes implemented electronically in value chain from a business process perspective. Data gathered from 236 traditional brick-and-mortar firms in China were employed to validate the model using statistical analysis approach. Hypotheses were designed and tested, and facilitators and their contributions to e-commerce capability were identified. The results suggested that four factors and two control variables tended to be the facilitators shaping e-commerce capability, while production size did not appear to influence e-commerce capability significantly. The results and findings help to facilitate e-commerce deployment, and provide theoretical foundations for future research.

scholarly journals The efficiency of public support of innovation activities of foreign-owned companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 05028
Author(s):  
Marek Vokoun
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Complex Analysis ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Innovation Surveys ◽  
Innovation Output

The analysis aims at the different innovation activities of foreign-owned enterprises in the Czech economy. Data comes from the Czech Community Innovation Surveys of 2010, 2012, and 2014. This paper evaluates new-to-the-market innovation activities at the firm level. The analyzed sample consists of observations about innovators and companies that did not engage in new-to-the-market innovation activities in the last three years. This paper explores the relationship between public support and innovation activities of multinationals. The first results suggest public support (local government funds, national government funds, EU funds, EU Framework, and Horizon funds) is not always statistically significant in terms of R&D expenditures in comparison to unsupported firms. The additional contribution of public support for innovation output is again not always statistically significant. Results suggest that local government funds (grant projects) are beneficial for foreign-owned new-to-the-market innovators. Those local government funds are contributing both to innovation input (R&D expenditures) and innovation output (sales of innovated goods and services). Other public support variables indicate a crowding-out effect of private R&D&I investment. Globalization tendencies are supported by governments and future research should aim at a more complex analysis of multinationals’ behavior in this area.

Comparative Effects of High-Tech Visual Scene Displays and Low-Tech Isolated Picture Symbols on Engagement From Students With Multiple Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Holyfield ◽  
Sydney Brooks ◽  
Allison Schluterman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Difference

Purpose Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an intervention approach that can promote communication and language in children with multiple disabilities who are beginning communicators. While a wide range of AAC technologies are available, little is known about the comparative effects of specific technology options. Given that engagement can be low for beginning communicators with multiple disabilities, the current study provides initial information about the comparative effects of 2 AAC technology options—high-tech visual scene displays (VSDs) and low-tech isolated picture symbols—on engagement. Method Three elementary-age beginning communicators with multiple disabilities participated. The study used a single-subject, alternating treatment design with each technology serving as a condition. Participants interacted with their school speech-language pathologists using each of the 2 technologies across 5 sessions in a block randomized order. Results According to visual analysis and nonoverlap of all pairs calculations, all 3 participants demonstrated more engagement with the high-tech VSDs than the low-tech isolated picture symbols as measured by their seconds of gaze toward each technology option. Despite the difference in engagement observed, there was no clear difference across the 2 conditions in engagement toward the communication partner or use of the AAC. Conclusions Clinicians can consider measuring engagement when evaluating AAC technology options for children with multiple disabilities and should consider evaluating high-tech VSDs as 1 technology option for them. Future research must explore the extent to which differences in engagement to particular AAC technologies result in differences in communication and language learning over time as might be expected.

THE CONCEPT OF COMPETITIVE VALUE CHAINS IN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AS AN INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OPERATING ON NETWORK PRINCIPLES

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-67
Author(s):  
Niyaz Mustjakimovich Abdikeev ◽  
Anton Alekseevich Losev ◽  
Andrey Ivanovich Gaydamaka
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Institutional Structure ◽  
Cognitive Models ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Software Product ◽  
The Creation

The Concept of competitive value chains in production systems, as an institutional structure operating on network principles, was the impetus for the development of a system of models of inter-industry digital platform for the management and optimization of cooperation of high-tech network production systems. The article describes the ways of integration into business processes of production systems of simulation and cognitive models. The practical implementation of the system of these models is a separate software product - an interdisciplinary digital platform for participants in the creation of new high-tech products and their components.

Human potential in the system of social and economic development: problems and prospects of Vinnytsia region

2020 ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Olesya Tomchuk
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Social And Economic Development

The article highlights the problems and prospects of human development, which is the basis for the long-term strategies of social and economic growth of different countries and regions at the present stage. Submitting strategies of this type provides an opportunity to focus on individual empowerment and to build a favorable environment for effective management decisions in the field of forming, maintaining, and restoring human potential. The analysis of the Vinnytsia region human potential dynamics in the regional system of social and economic development factors was carried out. Application of generalized assessment of the regional human development index components allowed the identification of the main trends that characterize the formation of human potential of the territory, including the reproduction of the population, social environment, comfort and quality of life, well-being, decent work, and education. The article emphasizes that despite some positive changes in the social and economic situation of the region and in assessing the parameters of its human development level relative to other regions of Ukraine, Vinnytsia region is now losing its human potential due to negative demographic situation and migration to other regions and countries. The main reason for such dynamics is proven to be related to the outdated structure of the region's economy, the predominance of the agricultural sector, the lack of progressive transformations in the development of high-tech fields of the economy. An important factor is the low level of urbanization of the region, which leads to the spread of less attractive working conditions and less comfortable living conditions. The key factors that cause the growth of urbanization in the region have been identified, including the significant positive impact of the transport and social infrastructure expansion, the lack of which in rural areas leads to a decrease in the level and comfort of life. Without progressive structural changes in the economy and the resettlement system, the loss of human potential will continue.

The Consequences of Accounting Failure for Innovation: A Multi-Level Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-124
Author(s):  
Megan F. Hess ◽  
Andrew M. Hess
Keyword(s):  
Firm Level ◽  
Psychological Response ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Threat Rigidity ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Financial Misconduct ◽  
Public Disclosures ◽  
Level Analysis

SYNOPSIS In this study, we investigate the relation between accounting failure and innovation at multiple levels in an organization by developing and testing a model for how top executives and functional managers might change their risk preferences and their innovation investments in response to public disclosures of financial misconduct. At the firm level, we find that accounting failures reduce subsequent investments in R&D, as predicted by a threat rigidity (“play it safe”) psychological response among top executives. At the project level, accounting failures have the opposite effect, resulting in an increase in the number of exploratory projects, as predicted by a failure trap (“swing for the fences”) psychological response among functional managers. Unpacking this relation at multiple levels of analysis helps us to understand the complex ways in which financial misconduct shapes a firm's innovation activities and appreciate the far-reaching consequences of accounting failure.

scholarly journals The COVID Connection: Pandemic Anxiety, COVID-19 Comprehension, and Digital Confidence

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422110031
Author(s):  
Laura Robinson ◽  
Jeremy Schulz ◽  
Øyvind N. Wiborg ◽  
Elisha Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Digital Inequality ◽  
Partner Status ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Nationally Representative

This article presents logistic models examining how pandemic anxiety and COVID-19 comprehension vary with digital confidence among adults in the United States during the first wave of the pandemic. As we demonstrate statistically with a nationally representative data set, the digitally confident have lower probability of experiencing physical manifestations of pandemic anxiety and higher probability of adequately comprehending critical information on COVID-19. The effects of digital confidence on both pandemic anxiety and COVID-19 comprehension persist, even after a broad range of potentially confounding factors are taken into account, including sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, metropolitan status, and partner status. They also remain discernable after the introduction of general anxiety, as well as income and education. These results offer evidence that the digitally disadvantaged experience greater vulnerability to the secondary effects of the pandemic in the form of increased somatized stress and decreased COVID-19 comprehension. Going forward, future research and policy must make an effort to address digital confidence and digital inequality writ large as crucial factors mediating individuals’ responses to the pandemic and future crises.

scholarly journals Translating a Global Emission-Reduction Framework for Subnational Climate Action: A Case Study from the State of Georgia

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-227
Author(s):  
Marilyn A. Brown ◽  
Blair Beasley ◽  
Fikret Atalay ◽  
Kim M. Cobb ◽  
Puneet Dwiveldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Global Solutions ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Global Emission ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Reduction ◽  
Climate Action

AbstractSubnational entities are recognizing the need to systematically examine options for reducing their carbon footprints. However, few robust and comprehensive analyses are available that lay out how US states and regions can most effectively contribute. This paper describes an approach developed for Georgia—a state in the southeastern United States called “Drawdown Georgia”, our research involves (1) understanding Georgia’s baseline carbon footprint and trends, (2) identifying the universe of Georgia-specific carbon-reduction solutions that could be impactful by 2030, (3) estimating the greenhouse gas reduction potential of these high-impact 2030 solutions for Georgia, and (4) estimating associated costs and benefits while also considering how the solutions might impact societal priorities, such as economic development opportunities, public health, environmental benefits, and equity. We began by examining the global solutions identified by Project Drawdown. The resulting 20 high-impact 2030 solutions provide a strategy for reducing Georgia’s carbon footprint in the next decade using market-ready technologies and practices and including negative emission solutions. This paper describes our systematic and replicable process and ends with a discussion of its strengths, weaknesses, and planned future research.

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