University satellite institutes as exogenous facilitators of technology transfer ecosystem development

Universities can contribute to knowledge-based regional development not only in their home region but also in other regions. In a number of countries, universities have established university satellite institutes in additional (host) regions to promote research and technology transfer there. We investigate the role of university satellite institutes in the industrial development of regions, which, albeit not economically marginal, suffer from a weak knowledge infrastructure, limited absorptive capacities for external knowledge in the business sector and hence a low degree of attractiveness for non-local knowledge actors. Despite policy recommendations in favor of establishing satellite institutes, there has only been limited empirical research on this phenomenon, particularly concerning technology transfer ecosystem development. To fill this gap, we provide an exploratory case study of university satellite institutes in the Pearl River Delta of China’s Guangdong province. We show how such institutes can be successful in facilitating the development of their host region’s technology transfer ecosystems and demonstrate why they should be conceptually included in our existing understanding of third mission activities. Our research centers on the interplay of geographical proximity and non-spatial, organized proximity in the development of interregional knowledge bridges and entrepreneurial opportunities. We argue that the university’s geographical proximity is only successful if the satellite institute, by facilitating organized proximity, promotes the geographical proximity of further knowledge actors, hereby propelling ecosystem development.

Foreign Financial Flows, Human Capital and Economic Growth in North African Countries

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between foreign financial flows (i.e., FDI inflows and remittances), human capital, and its effects on economic growth in 4 North African countries. Annual panel data from 2000 to 2018 are examined using the system GMM. First, we found strong evidence of a positive link between FDI and economic growth. Moreover, the results indicate that the complementarity between FDI and human capital positively influences economic growth. Second, the remittances are found to be positive factors for economic growth. In fact, higher human capital accumulation of receiving countries increases these positive impacts. Overall, the results indicate that foreign financial flows are positively correlated with human capital in influencing economic growth in the North African countries. Therefore, it becomes pertinent for policymakers to pursue a human capital policy to improve their absorptive capacities to exploit full benefits of foreign financial flows.

The Effects of Organizational Absorptive Capacity, Professional Experience and Training over the Use of Sales Force Automation

This research brings out the impact of training and professional experience on organizational absorptive capacity and the use of Sales Force Automation (SFA). A quantitative study was conducted on a sample of 186 medical sales representatives who work in the pharmaceutical industry. The method of structural equations based on the PLS approach and linear regression have been deployed for data analysis. The results reveal a positive impact of the training over organizational absorptive capacity (potential absorptive capacity and realized absorptive capacity) and the use of SFA as well as a positive impact of professional experience on organizational absorptive capacity. Furthermore, the organizational absorptive capacity has a positive influence on the use of the SFA. This study contributes to the literature on SFA use by examining the role of training, professional experience, realized and potential absorptive capacities in the SFA use. This research is appropriate for managers of pharmaceutical companies who constantly seek to improve the use of SFA technologies. Thus, the staff of these companies is more likely to perform their duties in a way that promotes their realized and potential absorptive capacities and the best use of SFA through continuous training for inexperienced and experienced salespeople.

From Knowledge-Pools to Activated Networks: A Conceptual Approach to Absorptive-Capacities in a Rural Destination of Azerbaijan

The conception of tourist destinations as knowledge-creating systems still shows substantial gaps, especially when it comes to destinations in Developing Countries. Building upon a theoretical enhancement of the concept of absorptive-capacity and backed by empirical findings from a rural destination of Azerbaijan, this paper presents a conceptual approach to model the activation of inter-organisational linkages as an ability of individual companies to recognise and valorise product-potentials in their destinations’ ecosystem. Using a triangulated methodology to analyse procedural, cultural and structural determinants for the absorption of innovation-knowledge, potentials for the creation of knowledge-networks are presented from the perspective of the Azerbaijani accommodation business.

Innovation in using IT: understanding the impact of knowledge absorptive capacity on academic librarians

PurposeThe aim of this study is to examine the effect of organizational levers and information technology (IT) absorptive capacity on librarians' innovation.Design/methodology/approachThis survey-analytic study investigated the librarians who were working in the libraries of the medical sciences universities in Iran. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire distributed randomly among the members of the sample. The SEM and the LISREL software for data analysis were used.FindingsIt was found that the librarians' job autonomy and fairness of rewards had an effect on acquiring new knowledge and applying transformed knowledge. Although the results did not confirm the effect of the librarians' job autonomy on knowledge assimilation and transformation, they showed a direct and positive effect of fairness of rewards on knowledge assimilation and transformation. Furthermore, this study confirmed the effect of acquiring and applying new knowledge about the library IT on enhancing the librarians' innovation. The effect of knowledge assimilation and transformation, from the application of IT in libraries, on the librarians' innovation was not confirmed.Practical implicationsLearning about the effect of organizational levers on librarians' knowledge absorptive capacities, in terms of applying technologies, to create innovation is an important issue. This will elucidate the gaps of disregarding the effect of organizational levers and librarians' knowledge absorptive capacities on librarians' innovation, and will pave the way for better planning to achieve the libraries' innovative goals.Originality/valueThis is among the few articles that have helped to fill the existing theoretical and research gap in knowledge absorptive capacity in Library and Information Science (LIS). In addition, this article has made a valuable contribution to understanding the role of IT knowledge absorptive capacity as a mediator variable between the organizational levers and librarians' innovation.

6. The widening mainstream

A persistent theme in responding to mass immigration has been fears about immigrants’ perceived unwillingness to become Americans. Much of this anxiety has been a consequence of misperceptions of the meanings for immigrants of their ethnic group life and identity. Such anxieties have led to Americanization programs, sometimes beneficial and well-meaning and sometimes coercive and nativist. It also is a consequence of not understanding how the dynamic historical growth and development of the United States have continually worked to expand its societal mainstream to accommodate constant economic and technological change as well as the growing diversity of the population. American social forms and processes, as the examples of both the labor movement and electoral politics suggest, have consistently demonstrated considerable absorptive capacities, and they continue to do so. While Americans have not always welcomed immigrants enthusiastically, these homogenizing processes work, though not necessarily rapidly or evenly, toward civil and cultural unity.

The Contribution of Absorptive Capacities to New Innovative Product Development Performance: A Conceptual Framework

The wave of Covid-19 has forced the industry to transform so that the products produced can remain competitive in the market. Old products in the period before Covid-19 certainly no longer have the same competitive performance as today, so the industry is required to be able to develop new product innovations that can excel in the market. To be able to produce innovative new products, the industry requires sufficient knowledge. The ability of industries to be able to acquire and implement knowledge is called absorptive capacity. In various previous studies, absorptive capacity has four aspects including acquisition capacity, assimilation capacity, transformation capacity and exploitation capacity. In this article the conceptual framework for the relationship between aspects of absorptive capacity and the performance of new products is presented. We hypothesize that there are interesting correlations between aspects of absorptive capacity and new product development performance.

Big data analytics and competitive advantage: the strategic role of firm-specific knowledge

PurposeWhile advances in big data analytics (BDA) provide valuable business insights and immense business value, many firms find it difficult to gain advantage from their BDA initiatives. Noting the strategic role of firm-specific knowledge, we develop a framework examining the relation between firm specificity of BDA knowledge and competitive advantage. We also examine the dynamic evolution of BDA capabilities and the associated knowledge management strategies.Design/methodology/approachWe review the resource-based view (RBV), capabilities life cycles and absorptive capacity perspectives along with the literature on BDA competitive advantage. Identifying two key BDA factors, application customization and data proprietorship, we develop a BDA competitive advantage framework. We also investigate the absorptive capacities employed by firms to advance their BDA capabilities. We use anecdotal cases to support our theoretical arguments.FindingsWe propose that BDA solutions with vendor-based applications (noncustomized) and public data will not generate firm-specific knowledge and therefore not provide competitive advantage. In contrast, BDA solutions with custom applications and proprietary data will provide high-level firm-specific knowledge and potentially result in sustained competitive advantage. We further suggest the relevant absorptive capacities and the knowledge management strategies for BDA capability development.Practical implicationsOur framework provides managers with insights into how to develop and enhance firm-specific knowledge from their BDA solutions to gain competitive advantage.Originality/valueOur study offers a new BDA firm-specific knowledge framework for competitive advantage.

Exploring Institutional Behavioural Elements Needed to Support Knowledge Management in Higher Education Partnerships

As market competitiveness in the higher education sector continues to grow, higher education executives and managers are exploring alternatives of maintaining and growing market share by forming partnerships with other higher education institutions. Collaborative initiatives amongst higher education institutions are driven by key stakeholders, higher education executives, managers, academics, and administrators, who are involved in a significant amount of knowledge exchange processes at institutional and departmental levels. Entering into a partnership and managing knowledge at intra-institutional levels becomes a very important, challenging, and complex task. This chapter argues that in order to develop effective higher education partnerships, executives and managers will need to channel their efforts and resources on four institutional, behavioural elements, which include institutional culture, trust, absorptive capacities and communication channels.