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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]

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]

In CME/CPD, a significant part of research is about effectiveness. Attention to the development process can be vital to understand how it impacts progress and results. This study aims to explore an innovative process of applying a combined approach using design-based research, collaborative innovation, and program theory to develop CPD about type 2 diabetes for GPs and clinic nurses with a group of interprofessional stakeholders. In particular, the development process of the combined approach and how it impacts the progress and the activities. We applied two qualitative methods. First, we analysed 159 documents from the development process, and second, eight semi-structured key informant interviews. Data were deductively analysed using 15 predefined elements derived from the combined approach combined with open coding analyses. The analysis showed how the combined approach structured the process. And the interviews broadened our understanding of the relationship between the process and the activities. Four additional themes were constructed from the open coding, including surrender to the process. Surrendering was a central part of the interviewees' participation in the process. The combined approach facilitated this unfamiliar experience of surrender. By supporting participants to surrender, the combined approach enabled an expansion of interprofessional collaboration and the development of innovative activities and learning methods in CPD on type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze how intra-group culture diversity affect group affiliated firm's innovation. Our findings suggest that the more inconsistency on risk preference among affiliated firms in one group, the less impact of affiliated firm's own risk culture on innovation. Specifically, we document that intra-group culture diversity impedes individual affiliated firm's innovation through managerial and controlling agency problems. The heterogeneity test shows that size, executives, headquarter connected, location, state ownership and information quality of affiliated firms can affect intra-group culture diversity on innovation. We prove that intra-group culture diversity impedes innovation on group affiliated firms, which means a dark side of business group affiliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chief executive officers (C.E.O.s) play a dominant role in firm decision-makings and operations, and their characteristics will affect firm sustainable growth. This study investigates whether C.E.O. academic experience affects firm sustainable growth. Using a sample from China, we find that C.E.O. academic experience is positively related to firm sustainable growth, and the effect is pronounced for high-tech firms. Further analyses demonstrate that the results are robust to alternative measures and controlling for endogeneity problems. Finally, the channel analysis shows that the effect is partially driven by firm innovation and internal control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze how intra-group culture diversity affect group affiliated firm's innovation. Our findings suggest that the more inconsistency on risk preference among affiliated firms in one group, the less impact of affiliated firm's own risk culture on innovation. Specifically, we document that intra-group culture diversity impedes individual affiliated firm's innovation through managerial and controlling agency problems. The heterogeneity test shows that size, executives, headquarter connected, location, state ownership and information quality of affiliated firms can affect intra-group culture diversity on innovation. We prove that intra-group culture diversity impedes innovation on group affiliated firms, which means a dark side of business group affiliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to investigate firm-level innovation, exploring whether social relationships located in knowledge networks influence the transfer of university knowledge to Ghanaian firms. Firms' informal relationships with universities have been under-researched in developing economies. The extant literature suggests that informal relationships in the context of economies with advanced regional and national innovation systems have a positive association with firm level innovation performance. The research project employs a cross-sectional survey of 245 firms in Ghana. The aim of the project is to explore the influence of informal mechanisms of university knowledge transfer on firm level innovation performance in Ghana. The study adopts a structural model with partial least squares as an analytical technique. The findings reveal that to deliver positive results in a firm's innovation performance by informal means, a well-coordinated social system to attract research knowledge from all aspects of the university system is required. The research project's implications for Ghana's innovation system include a need to be aware of the impact of corruption and lack of intellectual property rights on the efficacy informal knowledge transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main concerns regarding innovation lies in knowing and understanding how this phenomenon occurs. Many countries are basing their aspirations for progress on innovation, placing it at the heart of their growth strategies. In response to this need, this study proposes to analyse the combined effects of five conditions that can lead to a country's innovation. Using a sample of 51 countries and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study aims to find out whether a country's long-term orientation, its public expenditure on education, its democracy level, the inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI), and its entrepreneurial activity can lead independently or in combination to the presence of innovation. The results show that the democracy level and the long-term orientation of a country are key conditions to lead to a country's innovation. Conversely, the inflows of FDI and the public expenditure on education seem to play a secondary role to lead to a country's innovation. Besides, the entrepreneurial activity of a country and its innovative activity seem to behave in the opposite direction. The results are intended to help governments, businesses, and investors make decisions capable of generating greater value at all levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the innovation–growth nexus in the European Union (EU) countries over the period 1993–2011. The system generalised method of moments estimator was used to test whether patent activities and different research and development (R&D) outlays affect economic growth in the old (EU-15) and new (EU-13) member states differently. The authors have found no significant impact of R&D on the growth and positive relationship between patent activities and growth in the EU-13. The results suggest that there may be no single recipe for growth for the EU and raise the question of whether setting common numerical targets in the EU innovation policy makes economic sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with innovation performance and its measurement. The objective is to present the measuring of innovation performance as it is implemented in today’s Czech business environment. It begins with a comprehensive theory and the definition of essential terms. The theoretical part is followed by the analysis of the current state of the issue from the perspective of enterprises in the Czech Republic. The analysis consists of four own primary questionnaire surveys. The research outputs reveal weaknesses in current approaches to innovation effectiveness measurement. Our enterprises use all possible means to increase productivity and achieve operational excellence. However, they tend to neglect the important area of research and development. It has been proven, with help of questionnaire surveys, that many enterprises still do not measure innovation performance despite the importance of innovation as an engine of growth. Only a few organisations appear to have an effective system for measuring their overall innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this article is to identify innovation barriers that limit innovation performance of small and medium enterprises (SME) in Croatia. Data are obtained using an online survey. The sample consists of 94 SMEs that have experience in innovation activities. The impact of constraints to innovation is measured on five-point scale. Employing the factor analysis, we reduced number of variables to four factors. Cluster analysis is used to group SMEs according to factors that constrain their innovation activities. SMEs are grouped into three clusters. Results reveal that firms are mostly constrained by external factors. In two out of three clusters, firms report high intensity of financial constraints to their innovation activity. The findings reveal that the least pronounced constraints to innovation in SMEs in Croatia are organisational constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The proponents of inclusive financial growth believe that giving relatively larger loans to the non-poor or near-poor entrepreneurs is the response of the microfinance institutions (MFIs) toward the demand of a existing and potential clients. But opponents are more likely to consider response such as mission drift by the MFIs. Therefore, this study attempts to measure the effectiveness of such microenterprise loans on increasing entrepreneurs' incomes and innovation. Our findings support the proponents of giving loans to entrepreneurs. Findings suggest that larger loans increase income, but less innovative business practice might threaten such income. Therefore, we recommend that microenterprise loans associated with proper business skills, information, and technologies be provided by MFIs with careful screening and monitoring to ensure the effective utilization of loan capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origins of enterprise are often associated with the Industrial Revolution, but this article presents evidence of entrepreneurial activities from a much earlier date – the medieval period. Between 1250 and 1500 the church, merchants and members of the royal court all engaged in activities that demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics of innovation, risk-taking and judgement. The activities of the prior of Tynemouth and the career of the wool merchant William de la Pole illustrate these developments. By focusing on individuals rather than firms, it is possible to push back the study of entrepreneurship beyond the Industrial Revolution and early-modern trade to a period that witnessed the origins of the modern state. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Involving customers in the innovation process entails a host of new concerns, concepts and managerial decisions. Transitioning from older models of no or low customer involvement requires attention to the different types of customer innovation, organizational mission and organizational structure. This article provides a typology for customer innovation, describes how to involve customers in the innovation process, and offers guidelines for shifting organizational structure and emphasis toward customer-driven innovation in order to enable continual, sustainable innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OVERVIEW: In setting R&D budgets, many companies compare their R&D intensity with that of the average intensity for global companies in their sector using an R&D scoreboard. However, it's important to define the sector or subsector for this purpose carefully since unduly broad sector definitions have led to misleading conclusions. Moreover, R&D is only one of the investments that should be compared in this way--both Capex and market development can be as or more important for some sectors. Competitive advantage can also be gained by increasing R&D at the start of a recession or downturn when competitors may be decreasing R&D; a number of companies have shown that this boosts the relative advantage of the company's products and services and hence leads to increased sales and market capitalization in the subsequent upturn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]