Small Firms, Institutions and Interactions: Low-Technology Innovations from the Perspective of Critical Realism

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nouman ◽  
Mohammad Sohail Yunis ◽  
Owais Mufti
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
North West ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Main Barrier

Sectors or industries characterized by limited or no use of technology to innovate are called lowtechnology (LT) sectors. They are usually dominated by small firms. Identifying a dearth of academicand practitioner work, this paper helps explain how institutions within a small-firm sector and interactions of these firms with institutions influence the occurrence or non-occurrence of LT innovation. Marble sector firms primarily located in north-west Pakistan have been selected for this purpose. Advocating the need for critical realism that has been an often ignored paradigm in management research, this paper offers a unique perspective on the paradigm's fundamental tenets which are events, objects, mechanisms and causal powers through an extensive and robustqualitative analysis using case study methodology. Findings reveal strong normative and cognitive institutions but weak regulative institutions with varying levels of consistencies or otherwise in terms of small firms' interactions with these institutions. Interestingly, cognitive institutions emerge as the main barrier to LT innovation which is a key contribution of this paper along with a hard tofind critical realist perspective. Keywords: Low-technology innovation, LT innovation, institutions, interactions, critical realism

scholarly journals Fostering Commercialization of Innovation and Student Entrepreneurship in Innovation Ecosystems: the Case of the Business Center of North Savo in Finland

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarkko Pellikka ◽  
Joonas Ruuskanen1 ◽  
Paola Rosales Suazo de Kontro
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Student Entrepreneurship ◽  
The North ◽  
Quality Of Delivery ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Innovation Support

The capability to plan and execute commercialization processes of innovation is crucial for entrepreneurs, SMEs and large companies in a dynamic business environment. Enterprising students particularly need Innovation Support Services (ISS) that focus on their needs, type of service and quality of delivery. Using the case study methodology, this research presents the initiative of the Business Center of the North Savo Program in Finland. Results indicate that entrepreneurs and small firms typically conduct similar steps and, therefore, it is essential to create a comprehensive blueprint of innovation services based on the needs and tailored to the respective phase of commercialization processes.

scholarly journals Atributos de innovación en el desarrollo de competencias digitales en educación básica usando recursos educativos abiertos en una comunidad rural de Colombia

2016 ◽  
pp. 52-73
Author(s):  
Mtra. Hella Milena Hidalgo Calderón ◽  
Mtra. Gloria Concepción Tenorio Sepúlveda ◽  
Dra. María Soledad Ramírez Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Open Educational Resources ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Recursos Educativos Abiertos ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Willingness To Change ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Competencias Digitales ◽  
Competencia Digital

El propósito de esta investigación fue analizar cómo se desarrollan los atributos de innovación —la idea de lo nuevo, el fenómeno de cambio, la acción final y el proceso— cuando se integran recursos educativos abiertos en un blog, para el desarrollo de la competencia digital usando tecnologías de información y comunicación en el aprendizaje en los estudiantes de 10° y 11º de educación media, de la Sede La Jagua, perteneciente a la institución educativa Barrios Unidos en Colombia. Se utilizó un enfoque cualitativo con metodología de estudio de casos. Los resultados indican que los atributos de la innovación se desarrollan de manera práctica y objetiva al colocar variedad de recursos educativos abiertos en un blog educativo, al llegar a acuerdos con los estudiantes sobre la correcta utilización de las herramientas tecnológicas y manteniendo una constante actitud investigativa y disposición de cambio.AbstractThe purpose of this research was to analyze how the attributes of innovation —the idea of the new, the phenomenon of change, the final action and process— when open educational resources (OER) are integrated in a blog to develop the digital use of ICT (information and technology communication) in the learning process in tenth and eleventh grade students of secondary education of an rural school called Barrios Unidos - headquarters La Jagua in Colombia, a qualitative approach with case study methodology was used, the results indicate that the attributes of innovation and practical strategies are developed with objectively inserted variety of OER in education blog, to reach agreements with students on proper use of technology and maintaining an investigative attitude and willingness to change tools.Recibido: 19 de noviembre de 2014Aceptado: 01 de julio de 2015

Merger regulation in Central and Eastern Europe: Evidence from Hungary, Romania and Slovenia

2002 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kravtseniouk
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Merger Control ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Economic Competition ◽  
Close Link ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Domestic Markets ◽  
Study Methodology

This paper shows the principal features of merger control in selected transition economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), namely Hungary, Romania and Slovenia, by applying case study methodology. The presented findings are based on the analysis of Hungarian, Romanian and Slovenian competition law and merger rulings reached by the Competition Offices of these countries. A substantial part of the conclusions is drawn from a sample of 42 merger applications processed by the Office of Economic Competition of Hungary between 1994 and 2000. The results of empirical analysis demonstrate the considerable flexibility of merger control in the studied countries, its orientation towards the future of domestic markets and a close link with industrial policy. The paper also highlights the areas of interdependence of competition policy and transition and argues that merger control in the studied CEE countries may be regarded as currently adequate to the requirements imposed by transition.

A Profile of Wine Tourism Entrepreneurs: Study in Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-39
Author(s):  
Adriana Backx Noronha Viana ◽  
Luísa Cagica Carvalho ◽  
Inna Sousa Paiva
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Wine Tourism ◽  
Learning Capacity ◽  
Study Methodology

Background: Wine tourism is one of the tourism components adopted as part of Portugal’s strategy due to its eminence as a wine producer. Such strategy has received great prominence in recent years and aims to promote regional development from an economic, social, cultural and environmental perspective. The aim of this study was to understand the entrepreneur profile in this sector. Methods: The study uses a qualitative, case study methodology with data analysis and triangulation. In this study, a literature review of scientific studies was carried out on the scientific knowledge in the area of study from a critical perspective and an interview was conducted where qualitative data were collected. Results and Discussion: The entrepreneurs have shown the following characteristics: initiative, innovation capability, optimism, creativity, creative energy, tenacity, selfconfidence, capability for long term involvement with the project, and learning capacity. Conclusion: The study shows that most entrepreneurs state that they have established partnerships with other companies, particularly with restaurants, catering businesses, hotel units, tourism companies and companies that organize tours. This is one of the factors of economic importance recognized by another study which enables increased prominence of the company and widens the value of wine tourism.

scholarly journals Roles, relationships and emotions: Student teachers’ understanding of feedback as interpersonal

2021 ◽  
pp. 003452372198937
Author(s):  
Caroline Elbra-Ramsay
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
First Year ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Undergraduate Programme ◽  
Phenomenological Case Study ◽  
International Teacher

This paper reports the findings of a small-scale study seeking to investigate how student teachers, within a three-year undergraduate programme, understand feedback. Feedback has been central to debates and discussion in the assessment literature in recent years. Hence, in this paper, feedback is positioned within the often-contradictory discourses of assessment, including perspectives on student and teacher feedback. The study focused on two first year undergraduate student teachers at a small university in England and considered the relationships between their understanding of feedback as a student, their understanding of feedback as an emerging teacher, and the key influences shaping these understandings. A phenomenological case study methodology was employed with interviews as the prime method of data collection. Themes emerged as part of an Nvivo analysis, including emotional responses, relationships and dialogue, all of which appear to have impacted on the students’ conceptual understanding of feedback as indelibly shaped by its interpersonal and affective, rather than purely cognitive or ideational, dimensions. The paper therefore seeks to contribute to the wider feedback discourse by offering an analysis of empirical data. Although situated within English teacher education, there are tentative conclusions that are applicable to international teacher education and as well as higher education more generally.

scholarly journals Packaging Innovations to Reduce Food Loss and Waste: Are Italian Manufacturers Willing to Invest?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1963
Author(s):  
Antonella Cammarelle ◽  
Mariarosaria Lombardi ◽  
Rosaria Viscecchia
Keyword(s):  
Technological Opportunity ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Food Loss ◽  
Latent Demand ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Global Food

The target 12.3 of the 2030 Agenda by the United Nations (UN) calls for halving per capita global food loss and waste. In this regard, the Food & Drink industry (F&D) could play a crucial role in reducing food waste and improving food safety by adopting healthy and eco-innovation packaging. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the F&D manufacturers’ willingness to invest in packaging innovations, such as active, intelligent, and compostable ones to achieve the UN target. In order to reach the stated objective, a multiple case study methodology was developed and administered to a sample of Italian micro and small-medium entrepreneurs located in the Apulia region. Results show that many firms were aware of their need for packaging innovation and of the available technological opportunity. However, only the F&D manufacturers who showed a Real demand, according to a taxonomy approach which also considers the Potential and Latent demand for the innovation, were effectively prompt to invest. Finally, most of the interviewed manufacturers were willing to invest in at least one packaging innovation, choosing mainly between the active packaging and the compostable one.

scholarly journals Manufacturing Pre-Decisions: A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Reviews in Brazil and Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Fan Rocha ◽  
Tomás B. Ramos ◽  
Alberto Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Environmental Impact Statements ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Environment Agency ◽  
Review Reports

The review of environmental impact statements (EIS), despite its relevance to impact assessment effectiveness, has received scarce scholarly attention. Few studies have gone beyond the realm of regulatory evaluations to understand the managerial meanders of the review process. This study evaluated the responsibilities, procedures, information inputs, and scope of EIS reviews within two environmental authorities: APA (Portuguese Environment Agency), in Portugal, and SEMAD (State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainable Development), in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Based on a qualitative multiple-case study methodology informed by participant observation, unstructured interviews, and content analysis of 12 EIS review reports, the study provided what is arguably one of the most detailed characterizations of EIS review to date. While following similar institutional arrangements and broad procedural steps, the EIS review has important differences in APA and SEMAD. Overall, the Portuguese agency was found to have a more structured, participative, interdisciplinary, detailed, and grounded review, thus meeting some of the good practices often cited in the literature. The EIS review reports prepared by APA reviewers were also found to provide a profoundly more complete and transparent account of the review process. The details of the review process revealed in the article can affect perceptions around the legitimacy and reliability of reviewers’ recommendations.

Cooperative behaviour and place branding: a longitudinal case study in Italy

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Rinaldi ◽  
Alessio Cavicchi
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Area ◽  
Place Branding ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
As Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to understand the motivations driving cooperative behaviour between heterogeneous stakeholders in place-branding activities, focusing on contract-based and relation-based cooperation constructs. Design/methodology/approach The longitudinal case study method is used to help understanding how the investigated network has evolved over four years from an attempt to build a regional umbrella-brand to a network contract between 13 enterprises. Findings The findings suggest that the relationships of trust and shared values among stakeholders are essential to foster cooperation, but also that contract-based governance complements a relation-based governance, enhancing the performance of the alliance. Research limitations/implications The main limitation is related to the case study methodology, as results are strongly dependent on the specific characteristics of the stakeholders and the geographical area analysed. Social implications The role of stakeholders in building a place brand is increasingly important. When analysing cooperative behaviour drivers, more attention should be paid to such intangible assets as social, human, relational and organisational capital. Originality/value This longitudinal case study emphasises that for success in place-branding activities, contract-based cooperation can be particularly useful at the beginning of a network alliance, while relation-based cooperation ensures the strength and continuity of the partnership but it takes time to develop. Responsible leaders, working as relationship facilitators/enablers, are important to keep network members engaged, by creating trust and favouring mutual beneficial relationships between stakeholders.

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