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This paper investigations the impact of customers' innovation information discovery in management discussion and analysis (MD&A) on the innovation of suppliers. We find that the more innovation information disclosed in MD&A, the higher innovation level of the supplier, and the higher the similarity between the supplier's patent and the customer's patent. Further analysis shows that when the degree of information asymmetry between suppliers and customers is higher, innovation is more important to suppliers, suppliers are more dependent on customers, and customers discovery more forward-looking information, the role of customer innovation information discovery on supplier innovation investment is more obvious. The economic sequences test finds that the impact of customer innovation information discovery on supplier innovation significantly import the investment efficiency and enterprise value of enterprises. Our findings provide evidence on the influence of public textual information on the real economy from the perspective of supply chain and theoretical basis for the importance to intensify information discovery in the capital market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the barriers that impact operational excellence plans, when considering continuous improvement and Industry 4.0 practices. The paper is pioneering and transversal, considering organizations with different expertise, in 10 different countries. The study makes a joint quantitative and qualitative analysis and proposes a framework to show the impact on human resources and operations management. For this, it carries out a quali-quantitative study, carried out with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire, sent to 91 organizations. The quantitative study was performed using interdependent multivariate analysis, resulting in an exploratory factorial study and exploration of principal components. The qualitative study evaluated propositions that impact operations management. The results show the variables that impact the operations management and human resources, in terms of quality, technologies and processes, when considering the implementation of an operational excellence plan and Industry 4.0 practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overview: Innovation is critical to the growth and survival of companies across industries and geographies. Over time, however, sources of innovation have become much more diverse, and a systematic understanding of the complex and dynamic innovation landscape is challenging. This paper describes the value and impact of using a data-driven, visual analytic approach for innovation and R&D intelligence. I outline a methodology with which to approach visual analytic innovation and R&D intelligence, present illustrative mini-case studies, and frame the findings into key considerations and elements of the intelligence decision space. The paper contributes to practical and theoretical understanding of how emerging computational and analytical approaches can support innovation and R&D activities. It concludes with practical implications and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the influence of subcontracting on innovation and its impact on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Onitsha, Nigeria. The paper adopted a number of methods comprising of field observations, reference to relevant literature, and a questionnaire survey of 113 SMEs. Regression, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. In line with the literature, this paper identified seven (7) dimensions of subcontracting assistance from large scale industries to small business firms. The paper found that subcontracting relationship between large scale industries and SMEs is inclined to production and product-related cooperation where the contractors are concerned with meeting fluctuation in demand and shortening long delivery times. This paper concluded by suggesting that subcontracting relationship between SMEs and large scale industries should not be restricted to production, purchase, finance and marketing assistance. It should also be extended to human resource development and organisational-know-how. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In line with internationally defined goals of sustainable development, European agricultural policies today have a far-sighted vision for rural areas. Using a case study approach, this paper explores how receptive rural farms in Sicily are to a long-term vision of development. The study focuses on three key factors of a long-term vision, that is, digitalisation, innovation and sustainability, to examine not only whether farms have invested in these areas but also how they perceive their role in the post-pandemic era. Empirical results provide insights into the concentration of farms in the central inland areas of Sicily without any real long-term vision of development. Nevertheless, the analysis also shows that some of them do have a positive attitude to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to research the driving forces of wages across the countries of the European Union (EU-28) during the period 2006-2018. We apply structural equation modelling to analyse relationships between observed variables and latent variables, focusing on factors explaining wages. Based on the literature review, we hypothesized that innovation, budgetary deficit and the rate of unemployment predict wages across EU-28 countries. Our results suggest that innovation is a significant factor in explaining wages. The budgetary deficit has a significant negative impact on wages, while the effect of rate of unemployment is insignificant. The findings of our research underline the importance of policies that accelerate the growth in labour productivity, particularly those which boost innovation and ensure macroeconomic stability, efficient markets, and an adaptable and skilled workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike many Western countries, the Chinese state has a much more active role in innovation that includes direct involvement with actors in innovation processes and the use of state capacity, money, and power to attain certain goals. With the rise of China, innovation processes that critically depend on state action, often labeled state‐led innovation, have thus received growing scholarly attention. However, only few contributions study the specific sector of new energy vehicles (NEV) and policy measures applied at the city level. This paper examines policy and planning tools used in Shenzhen, China, to assert innovation in the NEV industry, using an evaluation of documents and interviews. The paper finds that a city can play a decisive role in the implementation of innovation policy, and Chinese cities in particular make use of a broad set of innovation support measures ranging from binding quotas, public procurement, and incentives to bans and orders. The findings underline the importance of strong regulatory instruments that do not conform to the Western notion of market‐compliant policy, but nevertheless work effectively in the Chinese context. Moreover, the results highlight how successful policy support for innovation in the NEV can be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to provide an analysis of the determinants of economic efficiency and to assess the prerequisites for the energy security of smart cities. The main methods of the paper include an economic analysis of the infrastructure improvements that result in reducing the energy demand of the smart cities represented by the intelligent light-emitting diode (LED) street lighting system. Smart LED streetlights are getting increasingly popular in the world's major metropolises as one of the leading components of the "smart" city. We compare the efficiency of LED street lighting used in smart cities with a commonly used lighting system based on sodium lamps. Our results demonstrate that LED street lighting system can significantly reduce the energy demand of any modern city. Moreover, we show that smart grids might help distribution systems within smart cities to better integrate intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The main research novelty of our study compared to previous studies from the literature is the estimation of net profit (NP), Net Discounted Savings (NDS), as well as the total savings (TS) using the example of an average European metropolis. Our findings show that there is a need for better management including strong networks of leaders to drive smart city policies and investments and to cover wider city areas with economically sustainable projects and plans. In addition, our findings yield that smart city projects should aim at finding solution for smart connected local energy storage systems to support more renewable energy sources on the power grids. Our results might be of a special interest for city planners, local government stakeholders, as well as urban policy makers dealing with planning and managing smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia aspires to develop regenerative medicine through stem-cell technology. It needs a regulatory system that could facilitate development and prevent unethical practices. A comparative legal analysis on the regulation of stem-cell technology, with a focus on stem-cell research in Malaysia and selected Commonwealth countries that are experienced in regulating this complex technology, demonstrates that the selected Commonwealth countries have adopted a hybrid of different regulatory mechanisms. This paper argues that Malaysia should consider adopting a similar approach to equip relevant authorities with different regulatory mechanisms that are able to promote innovation in stem-cell research activities and cultivate a successful and profitable regenerative medicine industry in the future. Such a strategic action can produce an optimal regulatory outcome and help Malaysia to realize its aspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two thirds of hydrological observation networks in developing countries are reported to be in poor or declining condition. At the same time innovation in sensor technologies and data processing are presenting opportunities for enhancing observation networks that are not being realized. The World Meteorological Organization's Global Hydrometry Support Facility, or WMO HydroHub, was launched in 2016 to transform assistance to operational water monitoring agencies around the world. If successful, the initiative will increase the amount of hydrometric data available to researchers, catchment managers and water policy makers. To those unfamiliar with UN organizations, however, the nature of such initiatives, the reasoning behind the decisions taken to establish them and the mechanisms by which they try to deliver benefits for society, can be opaque. This paper adopts a novel dialogue-style format to explore the set-up of the WMO HydroHub and build awareness amongst those who ultimately may benefit from its approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the radicalness of industry path transformation in different geographical contexts by analysing the introduction of new technological trajectories within established industry paths. We use an analytical framework based on path dependence theory to conduct a comparative case study of the introduction of offshore farming technology in the salmon farming industry in both coastal Norway and Tasmania, Australia. We show that similar points of departure can lead to different path transformation radicalness. In each case, the transformation outcome will depend on the unique interplay between agency and regional structural components during windows of opportunity. The empirical analysis supports the importance of considering agency, regional structural components and global technology trends when investigating path transformation radicalness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contingency management (i.e. rewarding people, often with money, for achieving their recovery goals) is backed by decades of empirical support yet remains highly underutilized. Rewards are rarely used in real-world clinical practice due to a number of concerns, including most notably, the apparent lack of innovation, as well as moral, philosophical, ethical, and economic concerns, and even federal rules meant to prevent illegal inducements in health care. Still, other opponents argue that some patients will try to "game" the system by simply doing whatever it takes to earn monetary rewards. This paper provides a succinct, up-to-date overview of the current evidence base for contingency management for opioid use disorder. Common barriers and solutions to implementation, as well as implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed. Although important, greater uptake of contingency management interventions is about more than legislation and regulations; it's about recognizing stigma, shaping attitudes, and increasing awareness. Provider involvement in advocacy efforts at all levels and collaboration involving academic–industry partnerships is necessary to advance the burgeoning digital health care space and improve outcomes for people with opioid use disorder. Contingency management is highly effective but highly underutilized. Low uptake is largely attributed to a lack of innovation and moral, ethical, and economic concerns, among other barriers. Technology-enabled solutions and academic–industry partnerships are critical to advance opioid use disorder care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the interaction between innovation and financial structure under monopoly. We characterise the effects of debt levels on innovative investment by considering a limited liability effect. On one hand, higher debt levels promote both innovative investment and the outputs. On the other hand, shareholders’ net benefits are reduced by higher debt levels and net profit per debt is correspondingly reduced by higher debt level under positive net profit. More importantly, this study captures the interaction between financial structure and industrial organisation without restriction of the interior point. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

By mobilizing the socio-technical approach to innovation and semi-directive survey of 31 stakeholders, this paper analyzes the value chains that ensure the valorization of apricot pit by-products and the dynamics of their actors. Beyond the technical knowledge on the recovery of apricot by-products and their potential uses, this paper shows a multitude of strategies but also challenges that are barriers to this innovative sector development. It also highlights some of the drivers that these value chains can rely on for their further development. The results of this work show real economic opportunities that are available to operators in these sectors depending on the nature of the by-product but also the market targeted by them. It also shows that the diffusion of these innovations must be better coordinated on the market. To do so, the socio-economic and environmental interests related to the valorization of apricot pit by-products must be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine relationships among organizational learning, imitating capability, innovation and competitiveness advantage in the small and medium enterprise (SME). Furthermore, the paper also examines the mediation effect of innovation in the relationship between organizational learning and imitating capability to competitiveness advantage. Using empirical data drawn from 200 SMEs managers in Indonesia, the data were analyzed using partial least squares variance-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicate that that organizational learning and imitating capability were an important determinant of organizational innovation and competitive advantage. Innovation had a positive relationship with competitiveness and has a mediating role in the relationship between organizational learning and imitating capability to competitiveness advantage. The implication of this study is that SMEs can increase their competitiveness through learning and imitating strategies that are applied simultaneously. This research is original in that it deliberately focuses on learning and imitating capability in low-technology SMEs, especially in the Indonesian context. Through learning, imitating capability, and innovation, SMEs in Indonesia can maintain a competitive position in the ASEAN free market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the relationship between the European Union's innovation strategy and the Polish science policy. The research problem is unintended consequences of innovation policy in the field of science, in short, labelled as the science-innovation paradox. This phenomenon is divided into academic entrepreneurship paradox, human resources, financial and absorptive capacity paradox. The theoretical frame for the study is the perspective of new institutionalism and the triple helix concept. The analysis is based on desk research of secondary qualitative and quantitative data included in OECD, UE and national research institutions reports. The author claims that in Poland the academic institutions' subjection to the rigor of innovation policy does not generate the expected diffusion of scientific knowledge to the business sector. In addition, it weakens the research and financial position of these institutions. It is shown that there are some new public institutions, such as science and technology parks, whose activities are actually a facade. Their functioning involves the state in the international process of building innovative economies but has a negligible impact on developing the scientific potential of the state and barely stimulates Poland's innovation. This science-innovation paradox is determined by the lack of coherence between the rules of the EU innovation policy and the standards of Polish culture and economy. The paper contributes to the debate about the influence of diversified cultural factors on maintaining international organizations' economic goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the main forces driving economic integration in cross-border regions (CBRs). Drawing on the proximity framework, it contends that all four forms of proximity need to be stressed in cross-border regional economic integration discourses. The paper is based on a comparison of two cross-border regional contexts in North America, which have been investigated using a survey and semi-structured interviews. Based upon the data collected, the two case studies shed a light on cognitive proximity as an underestimated driver in CBRs. Moreover, the cross-border regional identity as well as the access to a talented workforce emerge as remarkable assets to leverage through appropriate cross-border regional policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores intangible cultural product transformation in the context of Balinese Dance, under the influence of tourism growth as a case study. Tourism has transformed part of Balinese culture's orientation from religion to economy. This trend is mostly prominent in Balinese cultural product, particularly Balinese arts. Whereas in the days before tourism came to the island arts develop following religious demand, current development takes place in the garb of tourism and evolves in a more complex and secular setting. The current study investigates the development process in the Balinese dance within the framework of Special Interest Tourism (SIT). In particular, it looks closer at the orientation of Balinese dance innovation in Ubud, a Bali's tourist spot that is praised as the Bali's art center. The recent study employed a qualitative approach, which included observations, documentation and interviews. The data were collected during fieldwork conducted in 2010 and 2018. Results of the study show that Balinese dances are growing as a mean to promote tourism industry in the island, maximizing tourist experience, as well as showing the Balinese identity as a "cultured society." This implies that Balinese is still evolving "traditional arts" innovatively as part of their everyday lives, showing a living culture of their society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an extended three-step CDM model, this paper addresses the impacts of research and development (R&D) and information and communication technology (ICT) on firm productivity for the World Bank innovation survey data of China. The study includes ICT investment and R&D as the two main inputs into innovation and productivity. We find that R&D and ICT investments positively affect product innovation and process innovation, with R&D being more important for innovation and productivity, and ICT being more important for innovation and no direct effect on productivity. We conclude that R&D and ICT investments increase the probability of product innovation and process innovation, which increase firm's productivity, suggesting that R&D and ICT investments indirectly affect productivity through innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite indicators are a remarkably useful tool in policy analysis and public communication for assessing phenomena, such as Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE), that cannot be expressed by means of a simple indicator. The objective of this study is to propose and compare three MCA-DEA models from a "Benefit of Doubt" (BoD) approach in order to build KBE Composite Indicators. To show the effectiveness of the models, this paper proposes a case study of 36 European countries to assess the degree of development of KBE. The results revealed differences with respect to the optimal weights assigned to the sub-indicators, the discriminating power, the operability, and the participatory nature of the models. Model 1 yielded high scores for every country and low discriminating power. Model 2 favored the most efficient countries in terms of KBE and allows for the incorporation of expert knowledge, thereby giving flexibility to the process. Model 3 made it possible to construct composite indicators from an optimal balance approach and yielded low results overall. These results demonstrate the necessity to analyze the different choices for measuring KBE in order to determine which indicator is more suitable for each context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines factors related to higher regional start-up activity. Two hypotheses are formulated to explain start-ups: the demand-pull hypothesis argues that the amount, growth and density of aggregate demand will stimulate start-ups in any sectors; and the supply-push hypothesis argues that factors including high-tech industry concentrations, patent generation, industrial and university research activities, and government funding will stimulate high-tech start-ups. Both hypotheses support the importance of human capital factors, such as a highly educated or skilled workforce and thick labour markets. The paper incorporates these various measures and employs cross-sectional multivariate analysis of start-up rates in all sectors and in high-tech sectors in 366 metropolitan areas as defined by the US Census Bureau in 2009. Overall, very strong support is found for the demand-pull hypothesis, but only modest support for the supply-push hypothesis, which provide substantial caveats for public policy to promote start-up activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examines the impact of the incompatibility between Chinese firms' learning ability and knowledge-seeking opportunities on their innovation performance following cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Using a sample of 239 firms from 2014 to 2018, a quasi-Poisson model is employed to analyze the direct and indirect relationships among study variables. The findings indicate that firms that aggressively pursue cross-border mergers and acquisitions experience a decline in innovation performance. In contrast, innovation performance is strengthened when the host countries' legal frameworks are strict. The study suggests that firms seeking to enter the global market must strike a balance between their learning abilities and knowledge-seeking opportunities. The study also infers that managers should consider not only firm-level factors but also industry-level and country-level factors that could affect the relationship between cross-border mergers and acquisitions and innovation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I discuss the theoretical and empirical literature on the quantitative and qualitative employment impact of technological change. I also compare the relative explanatory power of competing economic theories, while detailing the macro, sectoral, and micro evidence on the issue with reference to advanced and developing economies. The main purpose of the paper is to offer a critical meta-analysis of both the theory and recent empirical achievements stemming from the relationship of technology and employment. More specifically, I draw some general conclusions about possible consequences of that relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a university-wide pilot designed to encourage academics to creatively explore learner-centred applications for digital audio. Participation in the pilot was diverse in terms of technical competence, confidence and contextual requirements and there was little prior experience of working with digital audio. Many innovative approaches were taken to using audio in a blended context including student-generated vox pops, audio feedback models, audio conversations and task-setting. A podcast was central to the pilot itself, providing a common space for the 25 participants, who were also supported by materials in several other formats. An analysis of podcast interviews involving pilot participants provided the data informing this case study. This paper concludes that audio has the potential to promote academic creativity in engaging students through media intervention. However, institutional scalability is dependent upon the availability of suitable timely support mechanisms that can address the lack of technical confidence evident in many staff. If that is in place, audio can be widely adopted by anyone seeking to add a new layer of presence and connectivity through the use of voice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has attempted to examine the impact of innovation and energy production (i. e., oil, natural gas, and coal) on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e) in the context of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (E.K.C.) hypothesis. Data were analysed for economies in B.R.I.C. (Brazil, India, Russia, and China) and North American Free Trade Agreement (N.A.F.T.A.) (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico) from 1992 to 2016. Based on the Hausman specification test, the panel mean group (P.M.G.) estimation approach was adopted. The empirical results suggested that an upsurge in coal and oil production has increased, while the gas production has disrupted CO2e in the long run. An insignificant yet positive relationship was observed between innovation and CO2e. The positive effect of per capita income and the negative effect of per capita income (square) on CO2e validated the presence of the E.K.C. hypothesis in the sampled economies. With the results showing an acute over-dependency on carbon-intensive energy sources (coal and oil), an imminent need exists for production of natural gas; at the same time, more investments are needed for exploration of low carbon-intensive renewable energy sources for environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores what it takes to develop a common language and shared sense of purpose between Māori and the high-tech science sector. Robotics and automation, 3-D printing, sensors, and digital technologies are shaping New Zealand's economy in fundamental ways. If, as envisioned under New Zealand's Vision Mātauranga policy, Māori contribution to economic growth through distinctive Indigenous innovation is to be recognised and valued, then how this happens in these frontier science domains requires investigation. Findings are presented from the first phase of a longitudinal study of one National Science Challenge: Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) -- Kia Kotahi Mai, Te Ao Pūtaiao me te Ao Hangarau. Collecting a variety of data from science, business and Māori participants, the findings suggest that while there is enabling macro policy, organisational and science team human and relational capacities require recalibrating. The authors outline a model of how this can be done through a focus on mātauranga (knowledge), tikanga (practice) and kaupapa (focus areas) and how SfTI is reshaping its organisational practice to align to this model. The research also identifies the important role of the science intermediary as crucial to this alignment within teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationalisation of agro-food chains offers agricultural sectors in developing economies prospects in profitable and competitive international markets. Market access strategies often seem to assume poverty alleviation as one of the outcomes. This paper aims to be more precise about the required conditions for linking smallscale farmers and micro and small enterprises to markets and agri-food chains from a pro-poor perspective. In particular, the increasingly strong emphasis on compliance with strict performance requirements, as a response to visible and outspoken stakeholders with a direct impact on firms—consumers, NGOs, media or public authorities—seems to work against development endeavours recognising (rural) poor as capable players. Also, technology and knowledge is out of reach for smallscale farmers, due to a lack of resources, capacity, knowledge and network linkages. This paper analyses this problematic based on empirical findings in the coffee and flower sector. Next, it builds on the bottom-of-the pyramid (BOP) approach to explore opportunities for re-engineering or reconfiguring private sector-led innovation strategies for development. It looks for socially embedded development of technology and innovative products and services enabling small-scale farmers and micro and small enterprises to comply with the performance requirements governing export-oriented agri-food chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When discussing the relation between rationality and conventions under non-neoclassical uncertainty, almost all economists focus on the ratio-nality of following a convention. This paper contributes to the construction of an alternative approach, which argues that conventions and rationality are com-patible but reasonable behavior may be conventional or (partly) unconven-tional. The paper reviews several arguments for the reasonableness of following a convention. It then stresses the importance of factors such as creativity and an optimistic disposition to face uncertainty (animal spirits) and shows how these factors are crucial for determining whether behavior will be conventional or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the determinants of innovation behavior in European firms that are predominantly small and medium in size. The aim is to assess the absolute as well as the relative impact on innovation behavior of firm-specific (i.e., internal) factors on the one hand and region-specific characteristics on the other. Two hypotheses are advanced and tested. The first is that—contrary in part to some recent literature on regional and national innovation systems—firm-specific determinants of innovation are more important than either region-specific or external factors. The second hypothesis is that in high-tech regions dominated by a small number of very large firms the innovation behavior of the smaller firms is more strongly influenced by regional factors than by factors internal to the firm. Whereas the first hypothesis is confirmed by the empirical results presented here, the second is not. Because firm-level innovation determinants are of great importance in the European regions investigated in this study, we suggest that local innovation policy should focus more on the specific needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular regions than on improving regional conditions for innovation in general. The analysis is mainly based on data from the European Regional Innovation Survey (ERIS) and includes information from more than 8,000 interviews with manufacturing firms, service firms, and research institutions in 11 European regions. The logit analyses reported in this paper used data from some 1,800 manufacturing firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper sets out to report upon the findings of a case study of an 'innovative' school in England. Specifically, the research focusses upon the way in which the school has engaged with the neoliberal policy context in which increased autonomy and diversification of provision is promoted in England as a driver of standards. Using Bourdieu's conceptualisation of symbolic capital, the findings suggest that within this autonomous system, 'innovative' localised policy-making can arguably misrecognise the role such 'innovation' plays in helping to maintain structures, which may contribute to ensuring the field, and its competitive nature, is protected rather than challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the pop-up concept, a world-wide trend which has been employed in various commercial and community settings, with a particular interest in how it has been applied to literary environments, using both physical and digital resources. The report examines six Australian public libraries, investigating why and how they established a pop-up library, and reflecting on their successes, challenges and what they have learnt from the process. The paper provides a definition of pop-up libraries and outlines how to create a pop-up library for a public library service, exploring the risks, benefits and issues to consider when planning for a successful pop-up library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses how and why different forms of social capital are associated with different forms of innovation within the Communities First programme in Wales. Quantitative analysis shows that the Communities First programme partnerships analysed in this research are supportive of building both bonding and bridging social capital. Different types of bonding social capital appear to be positively related with two of the three types of innovative activity; it is bridging social capital which is statistically more strongly related to innovation outcomes, with some types of bonding social capital actually negatively related to hidden innovation. Whilst social capital building should not be considered a panacea for increasing levels of innovative activity within policies such as the Communities First programme. The qualitative analysis reveals multiple ways in which the Communities First programme partnerships evaluated are actively encouraging the simultaneous formation of bonding and bridging social capital, with evidence of hidden innovation and in particular social innovation being simultaneously formed. It can be stated, therefore, that regional policy aiming to develop non-traditional forms of innovation should more closely and explicitly reflect the relevance of building and maintaining particular types of bonding and especially bridging social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assist in a better understanding of the real role of patents by examining how Crossley Brothers – the world's main producer of gas engines before the First World War – and its partners (as well as the German inventor Nikolaus Otto) used the patent system to introduce the gas engine into Spain. The evidence suggests that patents were for them mainly an instrument to protect the market for their imported products. It is probable that the know-how transferred to the local agents and the engines imported could somehow enhance the domestic industrial abilities, but the supposed aim of the patent system – creating a local industry – was not achieved. Although the Spanish patent system was not well implemented, this was not the main explanation of this failure; rather it was the weak domestic technological abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote the advancement of novel observation techniques that may lead to new sources of information to help better understand the hydrological cycle, the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) established the Measurements and Observations in the XXI century (MOXXI) Working Group in July 2013. The group comprises a growing community of tech-enthusiastic hydrologists that design and develop their own sensing systems, adopt a multi-disciplinary perspective in tackling complex observations, often use low-cost equipment intended for other applications to build innovative sensors, or perform opportunistic measurements. This paper states the objectives of the group and reviews major advances carried out by MOXXI members toward the advancement of hydrological sciences. Challenges and opportunities are outlined to provide strategic guidance for advancement of measurement, and thus discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating socio-economic considerations (SECs) into national biosafety regulations regarding genetically modified (GM) crops have opportunity costs. Australia approved the cultivation of GM canola through a science-based risk assessment in 2003, but allowed state moratoria to be instituted based on potential trade impacts over the period 2004 to 2008 and 2010 in the main canola growing states. This analysis constructs a counterfactual assessment using Canadian GM canola adoption data to create an S-Curve of adoption in Australia to measure the environmental and economic opportunity costs of Australia's SEC-based moratoria between 2004 and 2014. The environmental impacts are measured through the amount of chemical active ingredients applied during pest management, the Environmental Impact Quotient indicator, and greenhouse gas emissions. The economic impacts are measured through the variable costs of the weed control programs, yield and the contribution margin. The environmental opportunity costs from delaying the adoption of GM canola in Australia include an additional 6.5 million kilograms of active ingredients applied to canola land; a 14.3% increase in environmental impact to farmers, consumers and the ecology; 8.7 million litres of diesel fuel burned; and an additional 24.2 million kilograms of greenhouse gas (GHG) and compound emissions released. The economic opportunity costs of the SEC-based moratoria resulted in foregone output of 1.1 million metric tonnes of canola and a net economic loss to canola farmers' of AU$485.6 million. The paper provides some of the first quantified, post-adoption evidence on the opportunity cost and environmental impacts of incorporating SECs into GM crop regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing countries often rely on the export-led model of growth. Exposure to (developed) foreign markets increases learning opportunities for firms, enhances their competences and capabilities, and facilitates potentially more innovation. The actual benefit differs among firms depending on internal firm characteristics (genetic material). Using survey data for Slovenia we show that export orientation, firms’ genetic material, competences and capabilities and innovation are related. The paper contributes to the literature in several ways, primarily by extending knowledge on innovation and corporate behaviour in an export-led developing country, using micro level data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Innovation is important for countries in the competitive global economy. It is one of the main criteria for countries to be superior, to remain competitive, and to produce high technology products. Countries allocate different types of incentives to encourage innovation activities in their countries. Innovation is also one of the strategic issues for the European Union (EU). The aim of this study is to compare the innovation performance of four EU candidate countries, Macedonia (FYR), Iceland, Serbia and Turkey. The entropy-based Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach is proposed in this paper. First, the importance of each variable is computed by the entropy method to reflect on the differences among the variables in the calculation process. Subsequently, the TOPSIS method is performed by using the value and importance of variables for prioritisation of the candidate countries with respect to their innovation performance. Four case studies are conducted to show the viability of the proposed approach. Each cases study uses different reports, namely The Global Competitiveness Index, Innovation Union Scoreboard, Knowledge Assessment Methodology (KAM) and Global Innovation Index. The results of this study show that the proposed approach provides the same ranking as Innovation Union Scoreboard and KAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies the impact of productive, unproductive, and destructive entrepreneurship on social value creation. The paper constructs a Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI) that captures the contextual feature of entrepreneurship across countries. We find the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development to be mildly S-shaped. It is seen that the stages of development are more varied at the innovation-driven stage than at either the factor-driven stage or the efficiency-driven stage. Implications for public policy suggest that institutions need to be strengthened before entrepreneurial resource can be fully deployed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that a cartel is not necessarily synonymous with a brake on innovation but that, on the contrary, it may become the site of information transfer and technology exchange. The example chosen is the cable industry. Research was based on the archives of two Swiss cable manufacturers and on those of a Swiss and an international cartel (International Cable Development Corporation) from the beginning of the twentieth century until the 1970s. The cartels studied, which were primarily based on territorial and price protection, fostered various forms of information and technology transfers: exchange of information in order to rationalise production, know-how sharing, transfers or sales of patents or licences, standardisation of products to ensure compatibility between products from various companies. Finally, one of the cartels studied became a key player in Research and Development (R&D) by creating test structures and R&D laboratories and controlling market introduction of innovating products. The historiography of the last 30 years had a tendency to consider cartels as an exception, however, as Jeffrey Fear wrote 'Yet, until the 1980s, the global story of big business must be told in conjunction with cartels rather than without them' (Fear, October 2006). The purpose of this paper is to once again look at one aspect of the cartels' impact on the innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge-intensive services are seen to have an increased importance for learning and innovation activity in a more knowledge-based economy. This paper compares the relevance of two complementary approaches as analytical tools in studying the exchange of knowledge-intensive services in innovation processes. The first approach focuses on the importance of expert knowledge from companies in the KIBS (knowledge-intensive business services) sector as input in innovation processes. The other approach focuses on the role of knowledge-intensive service activities (KISA) in innovation processes. The latter approach regards a wider set of players as potentially important knowledge-intensive service providers than just KIBS firms, it focuses on knowledge exchange beyond market relations, and it emphasizes the mix and match of internal and external knowledge-intensive services. This paper analyses the relevance of the two approaches by studying the use of knowledge-intensive services in two Norwegian industries dominated by different knowledge bases, that is, the aquaculture and the software industry, respectively. Empirical studies in the two industries demonstrate that the KISA approach certainly brings new elements into the investigation of the role of knowledge-intensive services in innovation activity. The approach focuses on how knowledge exchange occurs (in static or dynamic ways), and how it relates to firms' own innovation processes. However, innovation studies can also benefit from differentiating more between different types of firms, for example, firms in different phases of their life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses changes both in environmental education and in the labour market of environmental professionals, within the context of the European Union. Changes in the Netherlands are estimated using statistical data from the 1970s to the present illustrating that the life-cycle of environmental education is related directly to changes within policy-making and thus the labour market. The author contends that strict environmental policy invokes investments in pollution controls, which then trigger demands for technical specialists with environmental expertise. A few years after the investment upswing, the demand for environmental management and administrators grows and the environmental labour market is at the point of maximum expansion. After a few decades, the market becomes saturated and demand takes a downturn. The paper outlines how the education of environmental professionals follows the same cyclical pattern but with a few years of delay. Within a three-decade cycle, the educational strands decay, or they innovate to stay in tune with new issues. Options for such innovations are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of ‘real options’ analysis will radically change the design of public and private systems. It will change the processes of system design, the way planners deal with uncertainly and risk. It will also change the outcomes, the kinds of elements designers build into the system as they develop it. This paper explains this coming evolution, and presents cases documenting the changes in attitude and the results already occurring. To think in terms of options alters the way one deals with uncertainty. Conventionally, good design minimizes risk. It focuses on increasing reliability and making the best decisions in risky situations. In short, it is reactive to risk. The framework of options thinking, however, recognizes that uncertainty adds value to options. In this context, uncertainty is a driver of value and can be viewed as a positive element. Correspondingly, systems design from this perspective is proactive towards risk. It seeks out opportunities to add value and commits to ongoing processes of information gathering to ensure that options can be exploited at the correct time. Thinking in terms of real options leads designers to build much more flexibility into a system than is common in current practice. For example, they may build duplicate combustion facilities that allow a plant to burn both natural gas and oil, or deliberately develop products that they may never launch. These investments that may be unused are ‘options’; they give the system managers the capability to change the design or product mix, without requiring them to do so. The analysis of real options involves a set of procedures that adapt and extend the options analysis that won a Nobel in economics for its developers. Options analysis is now widely used for contracts on all kinds of widely traded financial instruments (stocks and bonds), commodities (oil, grain, and foreign exchange) and services (electric power, communications bandwidth). The analysis of real options applies the same basic principles, but adapts them to the particular circumstances of systems design, which generally deals with unique projects that lack historical statistics on risk. The analysis of real options enables managers and designers to estimate the value of system flexibility. As this has not been practical before, designers have previously not considered the value of flexibility. Incorporating this capability into systems analyses adds two significant dimensions to design. Public and private operators of major systems will come to recognize: • Large classes of projects as much more valuable than they now seem to be - these include all those that enable further development without committing to it prematurely, such as research, product development, system modularity, exploratory mining, etc.; and • New classes of design alternatives, specifically those enabling managers to adjust the system as needed when relevant information becomes available, that is design alternatives that involve deferral, acceleration and closure of facilities. The paper illustrates the wide range of applications of for the analysis of real options, using documented cases in many fields of engineering. It also refers to the extent possible to companies changing their procedures for system design and management to capitalize on the promise of real options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful management of significant organisational change, which may be manifested through innovations in technologies, products, markets, processes and organisational forms, frequently requires facilitation and expertise—not all of which is available to firms in-house. In this paper we test the hypothesis that large firms offering professional services have the competence and legitimacy necessary to assume a significant role in facilitating strategic business responses to the challenge of sustainability and thereby creating competitive advantage for their clients. A number of these firms and their existing and potential clients were surveyed to identify their current and future potential role(s) in this area. With their ability to convene multidisciplinary teams of strategic advisors, such firms appear to have some competitive strengths with respect to sustainability consulting and third-party auditing and verification. However, the scope of services offered by firms with respect to sustainable development does not always appear to be consistent with the main challenges facing their clients. Furthermore, the firms' perceptions of how they are positioned in the value chain differs from that of some of their potential clients. We conclude that this may be linked to a number of factors, not least the firms' perceived credibility and legitimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss if the current educational management practices in Croatian schools are in line with the constructivist prescriptions and what is their relationship with the available principal support tools. Our research is based on previous empirical results, related to the perceived needs of school principals for training and support. Namely, in 2011, the surveyed school principals required additional competencies to be developed in the fields of school marketing and management. At that time, the primary school principals are being surveyed, related to their managerial practices and the obtained results are interpreted in the context of the already announced, comprehensive school reform in Croatia, designed according to the constructivist educational theories. The empirical results demonstrate that the managerial practices of Croatian primary schools are not compatible with the constructivist theory of education. One group of principals (27.6%) have adequate delegation skills and focus on the specific fields of project management and school marketing, while the majority demonstrate one (or several) forms of ineffective practices. There is limited empirical evidence of the statistically significant differences in the usage of principal support tools/approaches, although the specific usage patterns have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Engineering ethics courses aim to improve students' ethical competence by developing skills such as ethical sensitivity, awareness, analysis and judgement. We present a type of virtue engineering ethics that bridges the gap between academic knowledge (in both ethics and engineering) and its application in engineering practice (particularly design). To clarify why learning about virtues can enrich students' ethical thinking and competences, we specifically consider the virtue of practical wisdom, phronesis. At the core of the paper, we put forward a theoretical argument for including phronesis in teaching ethics within innovation courses. Training this virtue will help engineering students in dealing with the various uncertainties that will emerge from their future engineering practices. With regard to implementing our proposal, we suggest to integrate practical wisdom in 'semi-technical' courses that combine theoretical in-class learning and practical design experiences. We discuss the structure, aims and assessment methods of an integrated product development course that we deem preferable to and potentially more effective than stand-alone engineering ethics classes. An engineering virtue ethics can help engineering students develop a personal reflective way of thinking about concrete courses of action in engineering practice, and may have beneficial ripple effects on their lives, society and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research and innovation in healthcare can change existing practices aiming at constant improvement of diagnosis, treatment and prevention. As a new holistic approach Systems Medicine (SM) may revolutionize the healthcare system. This paper analyzes ethical and economic obstacles of SMs development from a niche innovation to a standard solution. We adapt a model of innovation theory to structure the barriers of adopting SM to become standard in the medical system. SM has the potential to change the medical system if barriers to this innovation can be overcome. The article discusses the potential of SM in becoming the future health paradigm considering these barriers and provides an overview of the current situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic research is essential to bring disruptive innovation on medical devices market because the risk-taking is too high for companies and their investors. Performing clinical trials is essential to technical files but no one wants to accept responsibility for implanted off-label devices. The paper explains the academic process for innovation. We see that academic research depends, at the end, on the motivation of companies to develop a product. The key to innovation stands in the early collaboration between the surgeons, the research teams and the companies in a project. Innovation is a good idea supported by the expertise of the right people at the right moment. In orthopaedics, we need, more than ever, to stay focused on the patient benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The point of departure for this study is the understanding of customer relationship management (CRM) as a set of technological solutions key for efficient business management, the benefits of which, highlighted by previous works, are presented and defined here as crucial for entrepreneurial success. Of particular interest for this purpose are the existing studies on sustainability, which provide a viable research model to assess and validate the potential effect of each CRM component (sales, marketing, and services) on the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social). Upon confirmation of our hypotheses, the subsequent validation of such model should bring a better understanding of the way in which CRM-related benefits may increase the positive impact of its components on each dimension of sustainability. CRM can hence be considered a sort of Green IT, oriented toward digital transformation and sustainable business model innovation. Indeed, this research model may be the basis for a more specific methodology to measure the impact and benefits of applying CRM, understood, as we will contend, both in terms of sustainable business models and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact assessment (IA) is under pressure to respond to increasingly complex environmental challenges. This paper reflects on the future of IA and argues for a larger and more deliberate role for strategic assessment in response to the complexity and scale of problems being brought to the IA table. It also posits that the drivers for transformation in IA are likely to emerge from creative governance solutions external to IA, more so than from new IA tools, more data, or 'better' IA legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The ICPerMed, international initiative promoting personalized medicine, has realized a survey among a group of experts, to define a common vision for the deployment of personalized medicine across healthcare systems until 2030. Materials & methods: ICPerMed defined five perspectives (p.4) and addressed an online questionnaire to 97 international experts to collect their views. Results: Seventy (72%) of the 97 experts effectively answered the survey from which 69 answers were exploitable. Respondents from a variety of international profiles approved the five proposed perspectives and reported required actions and best practices. Conclusion: There is a large consensus among experts directly involved in shaping international strategies and policies, calling for voluntarist public policies, new IT platforms enabling data-driven approaches, large-scale educational programs and new financing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]