Exploring Social Aspects Influence on Change in Network Relationships

Author(s):  
Jesper Svensson ◽  
Carina Ihlström Eriksson

Digital innovation processes are becoming more and more networked, and actors are growing dependent on each other’s competences, resources and knowledge. In networks developing digital innovation actors need to identify, mobilize, and integrate diverse and heterogeneous knowledge resources to be able to innovate successfully. Social aspects are important where heterogeneous actors connect, negotiate, and adjust to each other’s perspectives. The aim of this paper is to explain how social aspects such as trust, commitment and power, influence changes in relationships in digital innovation networks. A case study approach was selected to study events involving multiple actors in an innovation and development project aimed at introducing technology that aids elderly, home care personnel and next of kin by improving the management of home care visits. Based on the authors’ findings they present a model for how social aspects influence changes in relationships and conclude by making six propositions.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Rizk ◽  
Anna Ståhlbröst ◽  
Ahmed Elragal

PurposeWithin digital innovation, there are two significant consequences of the pervasiveness of digital technology: (1) the increasing connectivity is enabling a wider reach and scope of innovation structures, such as innovation networks and (2) the unprecedented availability of digital data is creating new opportunities for innovation. Accordingly, there is a growing domain for studying data-driven innovation (DDI), especially in contemporary contexts of innovation networks. The purpose of this study is to explore how DDI processes take form in a specific type of innovation networks, namely federated networks.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study design is applied in this paper. We draw our analysis from data collected over six months from four cases of DDI. The within-analysis is aimed at constructing the DDI process instance in each case, while the crosscase analysis focuses on pattern matching and cross-case synthesis of common and unique characteristics in the constructed processes.FindingsEvidence from the crosscase analysis suggests that the widely accepted four-phase digital innovation process (including discovery, development, diffusion and post-diffusion) does not account for the explorative nature of data analytics and DDI. We propose an extended process comprising an explicit exploration phase before development, where refinement of the innovation concept and exploring social relationships are essential. Our analysis also suggests two modes of DDI: (1) asynchronous, i.e. data acquired before development and (2) synchronous, i.e. data acquired after (or during) development. We discuss the implications of these modes on the DDI process and the participants in the innovation network.Originality/valueThe paper proposes an extended version of the digital innovation process that is more specifically suited for DDI. We also provide an early explanation to the variation in DDI process complexities by highlighting the different modes of DDI processes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical investigation of DDI following the process from early stages of discovery till postdiffusion.


Author(s):  
Jesper Lund

This paper focuses on challenges that arise because of the heterogeneous nature of digital innovation. These challenges are studied through a case study involving a two year long research and development project concerning the development of the e-newspaper concept and a demonstrator based on e-paper technology. To enable the exploration of these challenges, a multi-method approach was chosen. The paper is built using a two-step process; first, presenting a framework based on a review of related literature identifying characteristics and aspects of heterogeneity in digital innovation, and secondly, applying this framework into the analysis of the e-newspaper case. Based on the empirical findings, the paper presents a discussion which elaborates on how digital innovation can be organized in order to address the identified challenges with heterogeneity in digital innovation. Furthermore, it is suggested that digital technology targeted towards everyday use is inherently leading to innovation networks of heterogeneous actors as well as heterogeneous users of digital innovation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yusuf Arayici ◽  
Zafer Ozturk

Regeneration is deemed as the enabler for societies and nations to transform them from industrial age to knowledge. In this regard, knowledge intensive regeneration is one of the latest models, called as New Century Cities (NCC) to make progress and ultimately achieve the transformation towards knowledge societies, which have the features and characteristics of sustainable communities. However, meeting the key features or characteristics of sustainable communities can be challenging due to its complex and interrelated features such as socio-economic requirement, environmental and physical requirements, which are all correlated to each other. This paper aims to discuss the knowledge intensive regeneration model in relation to the sustainable communities in order to highlight the level of match and conformance between them in order to justify the suitability of knowledge intensive regeneration for the sustainable communities' vision. Research methodology adopted in the paper is the case study approach, which is the Mediacity project, and used literature review, observation and interviews for data collection, while concept mapping was utilised for data analysis. Research findings reflect that the level of conformance is relatively high, social aspects is still weakly addressed in comparison to other dimensions. Therefore, paper proposes the stronger attention and strategic planning at the visioning and masterplanning stages of such projects in order to address this most challenging dimension of regeneration projects.


2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Nätti ◽  
Pia Hurmelinna-Laukkanen ◽  
Wesley J. Johnston

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of service innovation in networks. Especially the most loosely coupled forms of innovation networks, innovation communities, can be valuable in service innovation, but may not be manageable in the traditional sense. Rather, they may require orchestration characterized by discreet guidance that also accommodates the specific nature of services. Through informed orchestration, it is possible to deal with several contingencies, and influence the absorptive capacity at the network level to generate new service innovations. Design/methodology/approach – These issues are examined through literature review and a case study. Findings – The findings suggest that individual orchestration mechanisms may be more closely connected to certain contingencies than others, and that both orchestration mechanisms and contingency factors have a role in absorptive capacity development within service innovation networks. Research limitations/implications – While the case study approach limits the possibility to make wide generalizations, the in-depth insights provide valuable knowledge. Practical implications – There has been a shift from inter-firm competition towards competition between networks of organizations, increasing relevance of absorptive capacity at the network level. Originality/value – Despite the recent increase in service innovation literature, research on service innovation taking place in networks is scant. Knowledge on some aspects can be derived from more traditional notions on technological innovation, but both the distinctive features of services and central characteristics of innovation networks make it necessary to reconsider some of the established views. In particular, managing – or rather orchestrating – service innovation is still a challenging area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Christian Zhelev

Two of the pillars of contemporary corporate governance are examined in this article – disclosure and transparency. Though an interdisciplinary approach, knowledge from different fields of the economic science are brought together in order better clarify the interdependence and the level of interaction between these. Knowledge traditionally considered to be part of the Corporate Governance (disclosure and transparency and what is most modern nowadays - ESG) is examined form the perspective of the governance bodies and other stakeholders, taking into account tools from the fields of sustainable development, project management and marketing. The processes of digitalization also find their reflection in the current article. The case study approach is used to illustrate the interdisciplinary interaction.


2018 ◽  
Vol 184 ◽  
pp. 04011
Author(s):  
Elena Galateanu (Avram) ◽  
Silvia Avasilcai

The increasing attention for open innovation processes within organizational development context is materialized through new product and/or services development. The main approach into this direction is to enhance the crowdsourcing features within internal innovation processes, especially value co–creation. The emerging industries, such as creative ones, are using this approach in order to innovate and to enhance collaborative power of creative co–producers. By shifting the co–creation from customers only to multiple stakeholders’ engagement there can be observed the actors’ evolution within the innovation ecosystems. Thus, in this paper there will be assessed the key features of crowdsourcing processes in terms of the most relevant transitions in value co–creation theory. The use of case study approach will reveal relevant insights from the Squadhelp competition platform in terms of innovation, crowdsourcing activities and creative co–producers.


Author(s):  
Marc Egloffstein ◽  
Dirk Ifenthaler

AbstractThis chapter describes the quantitative approaches for assessing various aspects of digital transformation from the joint research and development project #ko.vernetzt. In an application-oriented case study approach, the operationalization of a maturity model of digital transformation for educational organizations (MMEO) and the design and implementation of a multi-perspective evaluation concept are outlined. While the MMEO provides a state perspective on the digital transformation of an educational organization and its employees, the evaluation concept aims at tracing developments of media-related professional competencies. MMEO has been implemented in a study with N = 222 participants, while N = 59 learners were subject to the evaluation polls. The results provide the necessary evidence for implementing and continuously improving a qualification program in the regarded research context. However, the methodology can also be transferred to other organizations in the education sector and beyond.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joann S. Olson ◽  
Sneha Nayar-Bhalerao

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to explore the perceptions of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) faculty members toward mentoring undergraduates.Design/methodology/approachWithin the context of a student scholarship and faculty development project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), STEM faculty members were interviewed at a small teaching-focused university in South Texas, United States. This research study utilized a qualitative case study approach based on semi-structured interviews with nine Mathematics and Computer Science faculty members. Transcripts were coded thematically, beginning with open coding and continuing with repeated rounds of comparison leading to the identification of four themes.FindingsFour themes were identified in the data: describing settings where mentoring occurs, identifying the tasks of mentoring, developing skills for mentoring others and inhabiting the identity of a mentor. These findings suggest that increasing faculty engagement and effectiveness in mentoring STEM students may be a matter of broadening the definition of mentoring and helping faculty members develop the identity of a mentor.Practical implicationsIn an effort to promote retention of students, specifically within STEM fields, many initiatives highlight the importance of faculty mentoring for undergraduate students. This research suggests that faculty members' perceptions of the role and structure of a mentoring relationship will shape this relationship and have an impact on student persistence and success.Originality/valueWhile most studies of faculty–student mentoring focus on the experiences of students, this study explored faculty members' perceptions of that relationship.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia E. Henninger ◽  
Panayiota J. Alevizou ◽  
Caroline J. Oates

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine what the term sustainable fashion means from the perspective of micro-organisations, experts, and consumers. Design/methodology/approach This research is qualitative in nature, utilising a multi-methods case study approach (semi-structured interviews, semiotics, questionnaires). Grounded analysis was applied to analyse the data. Findings Findings indicate that interpretation of sustainable fashion is context and person dependent. A matrix of key criteria provides the opportunity to find common elements. Research limitations/implications Due to the nature of this research the sample size is limited and may not be generalised. Data were collected in the UK and are limited to a geographical region. Practical implications An important implication is that defining sustainable fashion is vital in order to avoid challenges, such as greenwashing, which were faced in other industries that have a longer history in sustainable practices. Micro-organisations should take advantage of identifying key sustainable fashion criteria, which will enable them to promote their fashion collections more effectively. Social implications The criteria identified provide assurance for consumers that sustainable fashion is produced with social aspects in mind (fair wages, good working conditions). Originality/value The paper proposes a matrix that allows micro-organisations to clearly identify their collections as sustainable.


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