University libraries provide intellectual property information service in China: theoretical framework and system development

PurposeThere is no proposed solution to address the unresolved issues of constructing the Chinese university intellectual property information service system (IPISS) to promote the whole process service efficiency of IP creation, utilization, protection and management. The purpose of this paper is to propose a complete system, including theoretical framework and system development which addresses the existing difficulties to IP create, protect and transfer for researchers in universities. The paper shares the practice of utilizing the system developed by Wuhan University IP research team known as Wuhan University Intellectual Property Information Service System (WHU-IPISS).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the IPISS of 23 universities in China was investigated on the internet. Aiming at the deficiencies of the system, such as single service type, lack of patent display window, low management efficiency. This paper constructs the theoretical framework, proposes the IP ecological chain model, divides it into four sub-chains and carries on the functional design. Further, under the theoretical framework, the IPISS was developed, including the resource supply management system, user demand matching system, resource assessment system and expert support system. Finally, the system was applied to Wuhan University to provide IP services in the whole process for university researchers.FindingsWHU-IPISS realizes the functions of IP resource supply, demand matching, value evaluation and expert support. It solves the IP needs of university researchers and provides a guarantee for their technology research, patent portfolio, patent transfer and patent rights protection. It also improves the efficiency of IP service and can construct the IP ecosphere in universities.Originality/valueThe WHU-IPISS solution resolves issues of “How to develop the university IP whole process service model, fulfilling the IP service needs for universities' researchers”. The software will be released as open-source for other universities' use. The publishing model is also useful for those universities that intend to implement the IPISS.

Knowledge and use of accounting software: evidence from Oman

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to determine the influence of knowledge and use of accounting software among small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis study has used qualitative approach. Further, the paper elucidated the significance of knowledge of accounting software and evaluated the relationship between knowledge and its adoption or use of accounting software among SMEs in Oman. Purposive sampling method was used to choose the target interviewees required for the survey (semi-structured interview). This method has been applied by selected accountants who work in SMEs in Oman. Based on practical experience and basic knowledge in the field of accounting, a total of six members are selected as the sample size for the study.FindingsThe findings revealed that the knowledge of accounting software has a significant effect on the use of accounting software, meaning that there is significant and positive relationship among the knowledge of generalized accounting software and the use of such generalized or customized accounting software by SMEs in Oman. In addition, this research shows the empirical evidence of knowledge of accounting software effects on the adoption or use of accounting software among SMEs in OmanPractical implicationsThe study has brought about a new discussion on the importance of information communication technology (ICT) knowledge and use or adoption of accounting software by SMEs for accounting literature. Further, this study emphasizes the usage and benefits of accounting software by accountants in various SMEs. Further, it would be useful to suggest that SMEs and such other types of organizations adopt customized or generalized accounting software that will enhance the practice among accounting professionals.Originality/valueThis paper contributes both theoretical and practical knowledge of accounting in accountants using generalized or customized accounting software and its relationship with accountant in various SMEs or such other organizations; it is an approach that is not widely discussed in the previous studies. Besides, conducting such study in the field of SMEs gives novelty in the literature between SMEs and developing economies. This has discussed the weakness of accountant in implementing accounting software in the organization.

Does open access to academic research help small, science-based companies?

PurposeThis study investigates the extent to which a company's usage of open access (OA) literature for R&D activities depends on its size. The authors’ assumption is that smaller pharmaceutical companies have less access to (usually expensive) journal subscriptions.Design/methodology/approachA fixed-effect Poisson model was used to study a panel dataset of USPTO pharmaceutical company patents. The dependent variable is the count of citations to OA resources in a given company patent.FindingsResults support current anecdotal evidence that many SMEs suffer from high journal prices.Originality/valueThis result justifies the assumption made by policymakers about the potentially positive impact OA mandates have on national innovation activity. It was also shown that collaborating with universities can be a potential coping mechanism for companies that struggle to gain access to the journals they need. In addition to the novelty of its findings, this study introduces a new way to study the impact of OA in nonacademic contexts.

The industry engagement ladder

PurposeThis paper is a response to a frequently asked question from prospective industry partners searching for opportunities to collaborate with the Computer Science Department of Swansea University, UK. This paper seeks to provide structured guidance in the form of what is titled the Industry Engagement Ladder.Design/methodology/approachThe Industry Engagement Ladder presents a selection of collaboration opportunities, outlining the possible cooperation mechanisms between an industry partner and the academic institution.FindingsOpportunities are described and ranked according to the amount of investment required by the industrial partner, and therefore risk, from low to high.Originality/valueThis concise paper provides a quick reference for perspective industry academia collaboration opportunities, the risks involved with each, the possible funding available to help foster these partnerships and the benefits to industry. These collaborative activities (and variations thereof) can be incorporated by any university department. The manuscript offers an ideal starting point for industry–university collaboration.

Learning huddles: absorptive capacity and sustainable growth of Chinese incubatees

PurposeThis study explores the different learning practices of Chinese incubators in Chongqing and Chengdu and delves into how these “learning huddles” influence incubatees' absorptive capacity (the ability to apply knowledge) to improve their chance of success (sustainable growth).Design/methodology/approachThis explorative study uses a qualitative case study approach by means of semi-structured interviews with business incubation managers and incubatees across three business incubators in Chengdu and Chongqing. The data are transcribed, coded and analyzed using an analytic map for the explanation of building and reflecting on the theoretical propositions, leading to a further understanding of the “learning huddle” mechanism.FindingsThe study finds that incubatees perceive that their absorptive capacity is increased through vicarious informal learning practices that promote access to networks and thereby builds social capital to improve their likelihood of success.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has limitations in sample size and design. The explorative case study approach uses a nonrandom case selection of three incubators in Chongqing and Chengdu and has a limited number of interviewees, which may lack representation of the general Chinese business incubation population and may not sufficiently be generalized beyond the sample itself.Practical implicationsThese findings have important implications for business incubation programs. Business incubators that build learning huddles (networks) create a nurturing shared learning environment, which is suitable for incubatees to collectively absorb knowledge at the early stage of their life cycle and improve their likelihood of sustainable growth.Social implicationsSince this study is limited to a Chinese context, it is also hoped that future researchers use the typology of business incubator learning practices to explore cross-culture variables, as these may influence the business incubation operations and performance.Originality/valueThis study adds to the discussion on how collective learning practices facilitate absorptive capacity and build social capital, which in turn improves incubatees' chance of sustainable growth and as such the authors hope that the learning practice's typology and how incubatees determine their success stimulates further research for measuring the likelihood of incubatees sustainable growth.

A readiness framework to evaluate local economy for an entrepreneurial university

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for the transformation from a second-generation university to an entrepreneurial university. The work is practical and innovative, which provides the foundation for further work in this field.Design/methodology/approachBased on a systematic review of relevant studies on entrepreneurial universities, this paper proposed an evaluation framework with clear logic and practicability. This paper also provided a basis for further research. The restrictions of each factor were defined by the readiness framework, and the consequences of entrepreneurial activities on local economic development were analyzed by using the proposed model. The proposed conceptual framework aided policymakers in completing a much-needed assessment of the impact of organizational policies, practices and structures on the entrepreneurial activities and transformation from second-generation universities to third-generation organizations.FindingsThe proposed readiness framework led to the development of organizational interventions that facilitated successful entrepreneurial activities. The quantitative indicators of different university types were demonstrated in this study. The quantitative validation of the integrated framework suggested that university heads and policymakers can encourage and develop academic entrepreneurship by using a comprehensive systems approach for the identification, protection and commercialization of university’s intellectual property.Originality/valueThis paper provides a framework for policymakers or decision makers to better understand whether a local university is ready for entrepreneurship. This framework also provides a direction for future quantitative research.

Analysis on the operation mechanism of the ecosystem of crowd innovation space based on grounded theory

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the operation mechanism of the ecosystem of crowd innovation space. Though the crowd innovation space is a new product of China's innovation-driven strategy, there are some barriers in operation. So, this problem is worthy of study.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, data were obtained through four-month field investigation and semistructured interview, then classified and analyzed through grounded theory, because grounded theory is conducive to the exploration and discovery of new theories.FindingsThis study finds that the relationship between makerspace and entrepreneurs is strong social relational embeddedness. The relationship between crowd innovation space and governments and investment institutions is economic relational embeddedness. Under these social network ties, entrepreneurs, crowd innovation space, social investment institutions and so on can interact directly with each other to different degrees, carry out value cocreation activities and improve the benefits of all elements in the ecosystem and the ecosystem itself.Originality/valueThis study researches the operation mechanism of crowd innovation space ecosystem and identifies the ties between various elements in the ecosystem on the perspective of social network, which is conducive to improve the self-generating capacity of crowd innovation space and enhance the success rate of entrepreneurship.

Packaging strategies: knowledge outlook on consumer buying behaviour

PurposePackaging is a mantra for encountering a period of immense potential. It keeps on being seen as a key component in the buying decision, and also it is exhibited as a brand communication gadget that goes past the products and can interface with customers in both the physical and virtual forms. The research aspiration is to establish that the speculation of packaging approaches will influence on buyers’ purchasing mode. An attempt has been made to examine and present the results. This research facilitates to discern the perception of consumer in the direction of packaging strategies and to spot the power of packaging factors, elements and strategies of product packaging on purchasing mode of buyers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 836 respondents from the four major cities of two states in India through structure questionnaire. Every age of the respondents was targeted in the this study to get their perception and buying mode of them, and the analysis was done by using analysis of variance, correlation and regression analysis by using 23.0 version of SPSS.FindingsThe consequence of research reveals that media exposures, packaging strategies and elements have better influence on the buyers’ buying mode. Business people must produce innovative bundling designs for their items to market. These allow the keeping and catching the new and existed customers, because packaging has superior influence and also helps in acquiring and retaining the new consumers for their new products.Research limitations/implicationsThis study being at micro level considered that the city customers may not be similar to the rural customers. Hence, the perception of rural and urban may not be much different. A sample size is 836 drawn from the four major cities of two states in India; therefore, the sample may not represent the whole population of India. Hence, the limitation of generalization will be there. The elicited opinion of consumers may not be reliable all the times, and study considered only some of FMCG products.Originality/valueThe study theme is to establish the theory as stated earlier, and it's proved consumers are considering the packaging styles and designs while purchasing the products, which promotes to meet the expectations of the present and potential customers.

The construction of science and technology innovation policy design framework—take Shandong Province as an example

PurposeUnder the background of economic and technological globalization, all countries will pay attention to science and technology innovation policies. At this time, the era of innovation policy plays an important role. In order to thoroughly implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, earnestly innovate development concepts and strengthen the key supporting role of scientific and technological innovation for social development.Design/methodology/approachThe research will make an in-depth study on the policy of scientific and technological innovation, take the change trend of the number of laws and regulations and the analysis of the basic content as the entry point, and classify it from five different aspects, such as the policy of scientific and technological system and mechanism, the policy of financial guidance, the policy of technological innovation of enterprises, the policy of scientific and technological talents, and the policy of intellectual property.FindingsThrough the comparison of the development history of science and technology policies at home and abroad, the development history of science and technology innovation policies under the special national conditions of China is obtained. Combining with the relevant basic theories of science and technology innovation system, designing from the publishing department, main content, and implementation subject, constructing a synergistic science and technology innovation system of “government, industry, university and research,” and forming an “integration of supply and demand” technology innovation framework will guide the development of China's science and technology innovation in the future.Originality/valueThe authors construct the policy framework of science and technology collaborative innovation based on the concept of science and technology innovation policies. The framework has realistic significance for its future development.

The study of customer involved service innovation under the crowdsourcing

PurposeService innovation is a key source of competence for service enterprises. Along with the emergence of crowdsourcing platforms, consumers are frequently involved in the process of service innovation. In this paper, the authors describe the crowdsourcing ideation website—MyStarbucksIdea.com—and find the motivations of customer-involved service innovation.Design/methodology/approachUsing a rich data set obtained from the website MyStarbucksIdea.com, a dynamic structural model is proposed to illuminate the learning process of consumers.FindingsThe results indicate that initially individuals tend to underestimate the costs of the firm for implementing their ideas but overestimate the value of their ideas. By observing peer votes and feedbacks, individuals gradually learn about the true value of ideas, as well as the cost structure of the firm. Overall, the authors find that the cumulative feedback rate and the average potential of ideas will first increase and then decline.Originality/valueFirst, the previous researches concerning the crowdsourcing show that the creative implementation rate is low and the number of creative ideas decreases, and few scholars have studied the causes behind the problems. Second, the data used in this paper are true and valid, and it is difficult to obtain now. These data can provide strong empirical support for the model proposed in this paper. Third, it is relatively novel to combine the customer learning mechanism and heterogeneity theory to explain the phenomenon of reduced creativity and low implementation rate in crowdsourcing platform, and the research results can provide a reasonable reference for the construction of this industry.