Search

PurposeThe article discusses the current relevance of artificial intelligence (AI) in research and how AI improves various research methods. This article focuses on the practical case study of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) to provide a guideline for employing AI in the process.Design/methodology/approachResearchers no longer require technical skills to use AI in their research. The recent discussion about using Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), a chatbot by OpenAI, has reached the academic world and fueled heated debates about the future of academic research. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, AI will not replace our job; a human being using AI will. This editorial aims to provide an overview of the current state of using AI in research, highlighting recent trends and developments in the field.FindingsThe main result is guidelines for the use of AI in the scientific research process. The guidelines were developed for the literature review case but the authors believe the instructions provided can be adjusted to many fields of research, including but not limited to quantitative research, data qualification, research on unstructured data, qualitative data and even on many support functions and repetitive tasks.Originality/valueAI already has the potential to make researchers’ work faster, more reliable and more convenient. The authors highlight the advantages and limitations of AI in the current time, which should be present in any research utilizing AI. Advantages include objectivity and repeatability in research processes that currently are subject to human error. The most substantial disadvantages lie in the architecture of current general-purpose models, which understanding is essential for using them in research. The authors will describe the most critical shortcomings without going into technical detail and suggest how to work with the shortcomings daily.

[EN] Review articles or literature reviews are a critical part of scientific research. While numerous guides on literature reviews exist, these are often limited to the philosophy of review procedures, protocols, and nomenclatures, triggering non-parsimonious reporting and confusion due to overlapping similarities. To address the aforementioned limitations, we adopt a pragmatic approach to demystify and shape the academic practice of conducting literature reviews. We concentrate on the types, focuses, considerations, methods, and contributions of literature reviews as independent, standalone studies. As such, our article serves as an overview that scholars can rely upon to navigate the fundamental elements of literature reviews as standalone and independent studies, without getting entangled in the complexities of review procedures, protocols, and nomenclatures., Open access funding provided by Libera Universita di Bolzano within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.

While after a crisis, organizational robustness and resilience are associated with the return to pre-shock conditions, antifragility is characterized by the tendency to take advantage of the shock to improve the organization’s position. Understanding how to create antifragility is important to ensure rapid recovery from a crisis. This is especially true for innovative start-ups, which if they are particularly fragile also have the opportunity to improve their unstable situation by adapting to the new context. However, studies on the subject are rare. To fill this gap, a survey was carried out with 181 Italian innovative start-ups to investigate the relationship between antifragility and intangible resources, tangible surplus resources, and absorptive capacity. The results show that antifragility is supported by a combination of tangible and intangible resources that can help innovative start-ups thrive when other organizations succumb.

This article presents a multi-start heuristic approach to a design problem motivated by a real-world application in the Italian transport system. Specifically, it focuses on the problem of designing optimal lots in the public transport organization. In defining lots (in terms of number, size, and boundaries) both cost and service level have to be considered. Under certain assumptions, we model the problem as a graph partitioning problem and consider the same performance measure indicated by the relevant decree-law enacted by the Italian Ministry of Transport. The multi-start algorithm proposed for individuating high-quality solutions for the problem uses adaptive large neighbourhood search. The results of a computational study based on real data from a region in Southern Italy are reported.

Entrepreneurial firms are central actors in the process of the generation and diffusion of digital innovation which, on the other hand, provides a wide range of opportunities for entrepreneurs. Although existing research has produced several contributions on both topics, the knowledge generated in the field appears fragmented and the findings are sometimes ambiguous. The reason for this fragmentation can be traced back to the lack of reference frameworks that clarify the most used concepts, thus providing a shared language. This study aims to consolidate the state-of-art of scholarly research published over the past 20 years at the intersection of the innovation and entrepreneurship fields of study. To this aim, we carried out a systematic literature review by analyzing a set of 185 papers in order to find what are the relevant topics in the investigated research domain. This activity was performed using MySLR software. Besides a descriptive picture of the scientific activity, a map of the literature published to date that simultaneously addresses the two themes, is provided. In particular, we characterized the six relevant topics in the investigated research domain: start-ups’ collaboration networks, business-model innovation, digital platforms, digital ventures, the digital entrepreneur’s profile, and digital-innovation ecosystems. Based on these results the article proposes three main research directions for future research: multi-level analysis of Digital Innovation in Entrepreneurial Ventures; interdisciplinary approaches; development of specific theories for igital Innovation. Overall, the value of research is to provide a framework for analyzing the phenomenon of innovation in and with entrepreneurial firms that can be used as a reference model for both entrepreneurship and innovation management researchers.

Open Innovation (OI) allows companies to develop innovative solutions more effectively, with lower costs and risks. The economic benefits of OI have been thoroughly investigated in prior research. More recent literature suggests that OI can help companies also improve their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance. Contributions on how open innovation can help companies improve their CSR performance, however, are fragmented and lack strong theoretical foundations. In this study, we perform a systematic literature review to synthesize the main findings and provide a theoretical framework to explain how companies can simultaneously improve OI and CSR through the management of relationships with stakeholders. The framework is then used to investigate how OI projects favour the achievement of CSR objectives, by referencing the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results show that the stakeholders' theory can be used to explain the connection between OI and CSR performance. We also find that companies can collaborate with different stakeholders' categories to achieve a variety of CSR goals. We suggest that companies adopt a long-term perspective and explicitly include sustainability objectives in their open innovation strategy to enhance their position as reliable partners and elicit favourable responses from the environment. Results also allow us to provide some suggestions for future research. First, we point out that literature currently lacks conceptual studies to help formalize the connection between OI and CSR. Secondly, we observe that the influence of some stakeholders' categories, such as governments and research organizations, on companies' OI and CSR efforts remains under-investigated.

PurposeThis paper explores digital transformation's impact on the work of owners in entrepreneurial firms. The interplay between working practices and technology is analyzed, taking into account the organizations' specific contexts.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study design was applied. Eight cases of entrepreneurial firms, defined as companies that bring new products and services to the market by creating and seizing opportunities, were selected, with the goal to maximize the diversity of cases. The sample includes both small- and medium-sized firms, as well as high- tech and low- tech companies in equal number. Interviews have been used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, which was analyzed in a structured way.FindingsThe digital transformation of entrepreneurial work, that is the daily work of entrepreneurs, is an evolutionary, practice-based phenomenon, rather than the result of rational design. The use of different digital tools is interrelated and depends on the characteristics, and dynamics of the surrounding environment.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study are relevant to entrepreneurs interested in understanding the dynamics of their working practice, to software development firms interested in entrepreneurs as customers and to institutions interested in the education of entrepreneurs.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first study which considers the interplay between digital technology and the daily activities of entrepreneurs, considered as a whole. It provides insights on how these interconnected dimensions evolve, thus contributing to understanding the work of entrepreneurs, and as a consequence the dynamics of entrepreneurial firms in the context of digital transformation of organizations.

PurposeThis work aims at investigating the variables that foster antifragility in the context of small and medium-sized service companies (service SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis work adopts an exploratory approach in order to deepen five examples of service SMEs that were able to change their own business models and to reinforce their strategic position while facing the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThe ingredients of antifragility ability include: entrepreneurial orientation, context insightfulness and operational dexterity. This article singles out the resources and capacities backing the blossoming of antifragility abilities in service SMEs. Slack financial resources, many and diverse research-and-innovation partners, operational dexterity, fastness and creativity are included among such resources and capabilities.Practical implicationsCrises may occur frequently in many ways; thus, this work provides some guidance geared to services SMEs in order to increase their level of preparedness for future crises and to nurture their ability to transform them into opportunities.Originality/valueDespite many concepts associated with antifragility have been dealt with in literature such as resilience or agility, antifragility is hitherto underexplored. This article is among the first ones to explore factors fostering antifragility in service SMEs.

The crisis triggered by the COVID-19 emergency is changing the competitive landscape by pushing companies to adapt to sudden change. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to survive must innovate their business. Antifragility represents the capability of a system to absorb shocks and get better, allowing it to overcome a crisis and improve its performance. The use of digital technologies by enterprises is expected to play an important role in building antifragility. The aim of this paper is to study how digital technologies can contribute to the development of antifragility in SMEs. This study analyzed the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis of six small and medium-sized enterprises located in Calabria, South of Italy. All the six enterprises have turned the crisis into a business opportunity developing new products, investing in marketing and communication, or starting new collaborations. The research identifies the factors leveraged by the investigated organizations that enabled this anti fragile behavior. They include slack financial resources, strategic agility, and relations with research institutions. The study highlights the positive impact of digital technologies in developing antifragility. Results were summarized into research propositions to be tested in future confirmatory studies. The findings of the study are useful for researchers interested in antifragility and digital technologies in SMEs. The results are also important for entrepreneurs and managers of SMEs, since they can support their decisions in terms of survival and transformation of their companies.

Purpose Corporate-startup collaboration is an opportunity for inter-organizational learning. This paper aims to develop an empirically grounded typology to guide researchers and managers in choosing a model that is coherent with the underlying learning processes. Design/methodology/approach The empirical research consisted of three phases. First, 30 large companies were interviewed to identify different models of interaction. Second, eight different models and cases were selected, and a list of key characteristics of each model was drawn based on the empirical data, obtaining a first typology. Third, the typology was tested, improved and validated on nine corporations. Findings The main result of the study is an empirically grounded typology of models for corporate-startup interaction and inter-organizational learning. Six dimensions distinguish each model from the others. Research limitations/implications The paper contributes to extend the literature on inter-organizational learning through different models of corporate-startups interaction. It also contributes to organizational ambidexterity theory, showing how collaboration with startups can improve exploitation and exploration. Practical implications The typology provides an instrument for analyzing and selecting operational models for corporate-startup collaboration and learning. The models can be modified or broadened, creating new hybrids. Originality/value The paper presents a novel way of looking at corporate-startup relations by studying them through the lens of organizational learning theory. It explains the existence of different inter-organizational arrangements and provides guidance in selecting the correct model.

Organizational agility, that is the ability to anticipate or respond quickly to external changes, is essential to survive and compete in today's turbulent landscape, characterized by technological advancements and digitalization. Research on capabilities that enable firms to be agile in the so called VUCA environments, is still nascent. Hence, it is important to explore the antecedents of firm agility and to identify the factors enabling them to better compete. Even more so in the case of SMEs, as they are more vulnerable in hypercompetitive business environments and, at the same time, agility has been less studied in this context. Focusing on SMEs, the study investigates three antecedents of agility, namely digital technologies capability, relational capability and innovation capability, and the effects of agility on three outcomes, namely financial performance, product, and process innovation. Our findings indicate that these capabilities contribute to build organizational agility in SMEs and that, in turn, agility has a positive impact on performance, thus confirming that agility contributes to the success of SMEs and that digital technologies play a central role in this process. Thus, it is of strategic importance for SMEs to increase their efforts to develop these capabilities to build enduring businesses. They should nurture a relational and innovative culture, as well as transform their business culture starting from digital technologies.

The emergence of high-speed internet (5G) services and the demonetization of the Indian currency by the Government of India in the year 2016 served as catalysts for the growth of banking services, such as internet/mobile banking. The main objective of the study was to investigate the role of perceived financial cost, perceived risk, and trust in the adoption of mobile banking services by users. The study extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to explain the adoption of mobile banking services by young Indian customers. The data from 253 users of age between 18–30 years were collected through a survey questionnaire and were analyzed using structural equation modeling with Amos 22.0. The results revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and perceived financial cost exhibited a significant positive influence on behavioral intentions. However, the facilitating conditions were found to exert no effect on actual use. In addition, the results demonstrate that both perceived risk and perceived trust moderate the relationship between behavioral intention and the actual use of mobile banking. The results of the study provide some novel insights into how perceived risk and perceived trust shape the interplay between behavioral intention and the actual use of mobile banking services. The inferences drawn from the study may enhance the understanding of the transformation of behavioral intention into the adoption and actual use of mobile banking services.

Partnership with startups offers large firms knowledge about, and access to new technologies. Incumbents’ emphasis on corporate-startup collaboration has therefore reached a new level and various models for corporate-startup collaboration can now be found among large enterprises. “Co-creation” between large firms and technology startups, is one of these models that increases in traction. The model is, however, under-researched and research on frameworks and metrics for evaluating the business effects from corporate-startup co-creation is scarce. The purpose of this paper is therefore to extend the existing body of knowledge by investigating frameworks and metrics for evaluating corporate-startup “co-creation” and to suggest a framework for evaluation of corporate-startup co-creation programs. A literature review on identified frameworks and metrics is presented, covering research findings on evaluation models for corporate-startup collaboration. The main finding in this paper is a “multi-stakeholder framework” for evaluating the collaboration’s results in corporate-startup co-creation models.

Government authorities are seeking new, cost-effective ways to stimulate growth and job creation by increasingly favoring the development of innovation ecosystems. Corporate-startup collaboration as a phenomenon has therefore progressively been supported by government authorities as a way of simultaneously helping startups to scale and providing opportunities for incumbents to renew themselves. However, evaluating the results of such collaborations is complex, which means that it can be a challenge for any government agency to evaluate its related interventions. This paper is explorative and based on empirical data from a study of the Swedish innovation agency, Vinnova. The purpose is to improve our understanding on how governments today evaluate government funded corporate-startup collaboration initiatives and how evaluations can be improved by utilizing methods based on theory-driven and realist approaches. An evaluation framework for policy makers based on a theory-driven and learning cycle approach is presented in this paper.

Despite the growing interest, Open Innovation (OI) in Intangible Assets (IAs) research is still fragmented and displays a limited contextual focus. This paper aims to provide a clearer view of these issues and represents a first step toward filling such research gap. A systematic literature review and a synthesis of high-quality contributions with a focus on a general overview of research on OI and IAs in OI processes have been carried out. By critically evaluating the current body of literature and definitions, we have moved a step further toward comprehending the multiple facets of existing research and highlight several promising areas for future development. In particular, we have analyzed the role of IAs in OI practices by selecting a synthesis and a critical review of their different exploitations. We have combined multiple algorithms to produce a clear topical taxonomy of the multiple strands of research lying at the interface of OI and IAs.

Purpose Startup companies represent a powerful engine of open innovation (OI) processes. The purpose of this paper is to represent a first step in building a map of the state-of-the-art knowledge of the “startups in an OI context” phenomenon. Through the selection and analysis of relevant literature, this study aims at deepening our understanding of the theme and at providing directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach By using an explicit method for the review (Pittaway et al., 2004) the authors selected a set of papers, which cover the knowledge domain object of this study. In total, 41 articles about “startups and OI” have been selected and the full papers have been analysed. Findings The analysed literature has been synthesized in seven sub-topics, which have been evaluated as the most relevant in explaining the phenomenon of startups in relation to OI. Implications for research, for managers and for policy makers conclude the paper. Practical implications The review produced valuable knowledge for both managers and policy decision-makers. The paper allows a better understanding of the role of startups in OI processes. This improved understanding can help managers of large firms as well as policy makers involved in OI in making their decisions. Besides, implications of OI strategies for startup managers have been singled-out. Originality/value Startup companies are intrinsically open organizations, necessarily engaged in innovation processes. Research at the intersection between the themes of OI and startups is gaining momentum. This review of the literature represents the first attempt to organize the scientific knowledge related to the intersection between the startups and OI phenomena systematically.

Scientific social networking sites like ResearchGate or Academia.edu have become part of the work practice of academic researchers. These digital platforms have been designed precisely to encourage the exchange of knowledge between scholars and to help the expansion of collaborative networks among them. Even if studies on this topic have multiplied in recent years, there is a dearth of research on the actual impact of these platforms on scientific production. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between the attitude of researchers towards scientific social networks and the use of knowledge in their scientific work. Data from users of the scientific social networking site ResearchGate were collected. A total of 143 valid responses were received and structural equation modeling was applied for data analysis. Findings of this study confirmed that researchers use knowledge obtained from scientific social networking sites both incorporating it within their research products and to acquire new competences. In particular approaching the platform as a scientific community with a shared language and a shared vision was found to have a positive impact on knowledge use. To the best knowledge of the authors this is the first study investigating the actual use of knowledge from scientific social networking sites by academic researchers. Results help us to understand the impact of these platforms on the work practice of a strategic sector like scientific research.

Smart grid technologies have the potential to overcome several environmental, social, and technical problems associated with the current electricity production and consumption modes. However, the adoption of smart grids requires a change in users’ behavior. This study investigates the individual-level motivational factors that affect the intention to adopt “smart consumption and production behaviors”. Understanding these factors is important for implementing effective behavioral change initiatives that would facilitate the diffusion of smart grids. Ajzen's theory of planned behavior is applied to explain the formation of such an adoption intention. With a questionnaire survey distributed to a random sample of consumers, an elicitation study is conducted to obtain salient modal beliefs. Data collected from the main survey are analyzed using structural equation modeling. Consistent with the theory, the results of the structural equation analysis reveals that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control positively affect the adoption intention. Specifically, the study finds that the variable with the highest estimated loading factor perceived behavioral control, and the most important belief linked with attitude is energy savings. Further investigation indicates that the added exogenous variable, resistance to change, has a negative influence on intention. Results confirm the explanatory power of the theoretical model and provide valuable knowledge for individuals and institutions interested in facilitating the diffusion of smart grids via the implementation of behavioral change initiatives.

This chapter aims to present an empirical model aimed to explore relationships among the elements within the process of employee creativity as driver for organizational performance improvement. The analysis employs a multiple case study research design, focusing on four organizations. The results derive approaches to improving organizational performance. Those approaches' characteristics are: an emphasis on openness to experience in developing novel ideas; the prevalence of creative self-efficacy on the creative behavior. A mutual combination of these characteristics leads to four possible outcomes, pictured in a 2 × 2 matrix as approaches to improving organizational performance. The proposed research design can be used to analyse how changing the form of skill and ability facilitates improvements of organizational performance. The chapter concludes with discussions and limitations, proposing a future research agenda.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the contribution of professional social networking websites (PSNWs) to entrepreneurial learning in high-tech startups. In addition, in the present paper, the relationships between intellectual capital (IC) and PSNW-supported entrepreneurial learning have been investigated. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on data collected through a questionnaire distributed to entrepreneurs and managers of high-tech startups. In order to understand the behavior of startuppers in PSNWs two theoretical constructs have been devised, which could put into evidence knowledge sharing and knowledge seeking occurrences. In these constructs, entrepreneurial learning represents the dependent variable, while IC components are considered as moderators. The obtained results have been analyzed through hierarchical regression. Findings Results have indicated that PSNWs support the learning processes of startuppers and that the social capital, one of the components of IC acts as an important mediator in the hypothesized relationships between knowledge seeking activities and entrepreneurial learning. Research limitations/implications This study has taken a sample of middle-sized entrepreneurships into consideration. Future research could be focused on larger entrepreneurships, in order to validate the obtained results. In addition, it could be interesting to examine further factors affecting the improvement of entrepreneurial learning practices in startuppers and larger organizations. Originality/value PSNWs are often used by entrepreneurs to create relations and to exchange knowledge. This fact notwithstanding, there is a dearth of studies that analyze how entrepreneurial learning can be facilitated by online social networking. The paper provides a clearer view of these issues and represents a first step in filling this research gap.

Advanced technologies are able to influence tourists' decisions. They can be exploited for attracting touristic flows towards cultural destinations. In particular, virtual tours are new tools based on advanced 3D graphics that can be useful for promoting arts and culture. In this paper, we test users' acceptance of virtual tours as a tool supporting their decision to visit a touristic destination. A new virtual tour has been developed for promoting a site with a high archaeological value in the south of Italy. Acceptance of this system has been tested on a sample of 100 interviewees. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). All the hypotheses were supported indicating the robustness of TAM model for explaining the intention to use virtual tours while deciding on touristic destinations. Results also showed the importance of enjoyment while using the tool to explain acceptance.

Owing to the increasing adoption of social networks among consumers and the effect of their online negative reviews on firms’ profitability, this paper explains research into possible strategies for replying to negative word-of-mouth (nWOM). On the basis of a study involving 237 firms, we examine how companies can react to nWOM communication and how their actions are influenced by experience with the social network. The results show the eight most frequent strategies adopted: discount coupon, post removal, request for post removal by consumer, sending another free product, product substitution, acceptance of consumer's request and providing excuses/explanation, plus ‘no reaction’. The results also correlate the number of fans and presence on Facebook to the type of reaction, with a significant difference among highly experienced firms and a significantly higher level of ‘no reaction’ among less experienced companies.

In the present competitive environment, excellence in each phase of the productive process and flexibility are critical requirements in every business. Virtual enterprises have been proposed as an inter-organizational model characterized by both strong incentives to suppliers’ performance and high flexibility. Nonetheless, virtual enterprises are not ubiquitous as some suggest they should be. This paper compares virtual enterprises with other models for the organization of production: Markets, vertically integrated firms and networks. We formulate hypotheses that virtual enterprises are suitable for firms producing complex, modular products, with frequent changes in components, but low knowledge specificity. Virtual enterprises are suitable for a group of industries that is limited, but of growing importance.

The paper's purpose is to study whether small and medium construction enterprises (SMCEs), which routinely plan, monitor and control project scope, perform significantly better than SMCEs which have not developed project scope management (PSM) routines. A questionnaire-based survey was developed and distributed to SMCEs. Responses were analysed using regression analysis. The relation between routine PSM processes and project performance is statistically significant, that is, systematic use of PSM processes has been found to significantly and positively impact SMCEs' performance. This study suggests that managers of SMCEs should implement systematic PSM systems in their organisations to improve performance. This is one of the few papers focusing on PSM in SMCEs. Given the critical role of SMCEs in this industry, results are particularly relevant.

In recent years, many studies are focusing on the best practices which make stores (both physical and virtual) more attractive, interesting and trustworthy for consumers [1]. The use of customized and efficient communication strategies addressed to specific consumers is an important topic of research [2] [3]. Furthermore, a growing interest has been put on the ways producers’ and retailers’ knowledge is used to add value to customers’ experiences [4]. While the use of new technological tools in online shops is often studied in academic research, the application of new technologies to the point of sales is a promising and relatively unexplored field of study. In particular the use of digital content and technologies allowing consumers to interact with products in new ways has been under-investigated by scholars and underestimated practitioners. For instance, many e-retailers already exploit the opportunities offered by interactive technologies, such as 3D virtual models, in order to enhance consumers shopping experience [5]. Their use in stores, however, is still limited. Hence, the development and use of new technologies supporting and influencing consumers during their shopping experience is a promising area of development for both academics and practitioners. Moreover, the study of digital technologies in web-based retail offers opportunities to single out approaches and practices useful also in traditional shops. Among the few existing applications there are shopping assistant systems based on shopping trolleys and handled devices [6]. Most of them use mobile and ubiquitous computing [7] [1]. Adding digital content to these tools can be a powerful means to influence customers’ experience. The aim is to support consumers, through a user-friendly interface, by giving them information related to products, promotions, new arrivals and so on. The main characteristics are the interactivity and the multimodality, which support an efficient, flexible and meaningful feeling of human-computer interaction [8] [9]. As a consequence, this powerful interaction is capable to influence consumer satisfaction, as well as the loyalty to retailers and the consumers’ buying behaviour [10]. In this scenario, it becomes very useful to understand how consumers’ and products/stores’ knowledge has to be managed and digitally represented. The study of online applications offers opportunities to investigate functioning tools based on the digital representation of consumers, products and stores’ knowledge. Besides, it is important to understand how this knowledge is capable to influence customers’ experience once converted into digital content. This special issue of the Journal of Digital Content Technology and its Applications was planned with the aim to publish researches regarding the fields of knowledge management and consumer behaviour in order to deeply understand the applications of new technologies in retailing and their impact on the design, development and modelling of consumers’ and products’ knowledge in order to improve consumers’ shopping experience and, as a consequence, influence their buying behaviour. Indeed, the overall goal was to encourage depth researches on digital contents management capable to support and affect consumer behaviour in different retail environments (both online and offline). A secondary purpose was to encourage consumer researches who might not usually consider the Journal of Digital Content Technology and its Applications as an alternative publication for their studies. The following mix of 6 papers emerged from the review process. We organized these manuscripts into two general categories: (1) consumers’, products’ and shops’ knowledge in online and offline retail and (2) impact of new technologies on consumers’ behaviour in the retail context. We are thankful to the editor of the Journal of Digital Content Technology and its Applications, for his encouragement and the initiation of the Special Issue. In addition, we are most appreciative of the many reviewers who supported in the revision process. Their work helped us to improve the quality of the papers and the development of this issue.

This paper deals with a real-life scenario, an implementation of SAFe3.0 framework in a large enterprise, enriched with metrics of efficiency, effectiveness and productivity, which impact delivery times of product and cost savings. A real and complex case study, in a telecommunication business, is documented and analysed, in a scenario of outsourcing and offshoring, involving many actors. This research is relevant today, given that we continue to witness offshoring for software development. Moreover, the paper provides practical answers to a number of key challenges about the implementation of a scalable agile methodology, in the context of a large enterprise, when the software is developed in partnership with suppliers and internal/external dependencies have to be factored. The results of our case study show an increase of the work efficiency overall 8% cost saving throughout the observation period.

Although the food and drink (F&D) industry is Europe's largest manufacturing sector, few studies have explored its innovation activities so far. Starting from the widespread assumption that F&D manufacturers are supplier dominated 'à la Pavitt', we formulated hypotheses about their innovation activities. These were tested through Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests on data drawn from a sample of 54,088 manufacturing firms (7,301 of which operating in the F&D industry) in 14 European countries, participating in Eurostat's 2008 Community Innovation Survey. The results confirm the supplier dominated nature of F&D firms, although also show that some largely anecdotal assumptions about the F&D industry's pattern of innovation cannot be empirically supported.