Ana R. del Águila, Antonio Padilla, Christian Serarols and José M. Veciana
The digital economy is an economic sector that includes goods and services, whose development, manufacturing, merchandising or supply depend on critical digital technologies. The…
Abstract
The digital economy is an economic sector that includes goods and services, whose development, manufacturing, merchandising or supply depend on critical digital technologies. The digital economy can be conceptualized into four different subsectors; on the one hand, it consists of infrastructure and applications and, on the other, electronic commerce and new intermediaries. This natural structure can be directly traced to how business generates revenues. The aim of this paper is to explain what is understood today by digital economy and to identify its dimensions and impact on the firm. For this purpose, it is necessary to develop its theoretical basis. In the second part of this paper, we refer to the results of an empirical research in the Spanish context.
Details
Keywords
Ana R. Del Aguila‐Obra and Antonio Padilla‐Meléndez
To explore the factors that affect the implementation of Internet technologies and to what extent the size of the company, as an organizational factor, influences that process.
Abstract
Purpose
To explore the factors that affect the implementation of Internet technologies and to what extent the size of the company, as an organizational factor, influences that process.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the innovation adoption theory, it was found that Internet adoption in firms is a process with different stages where a company is in one of a number of development stages depending on some variables related to organizational factors, such as the availability of technology resources, organizational structure, and managerial capabilities. The paper identified empirically different stages in the Internet adoption process and linked them with those factors. It analyzed questionnaire‐based data from 280 companies, applying factor and clustering analysis.
Findings
Four main groups of companies were found according to their stage in the adoption of Internet technologies. The paper established that, contrary to the literature suggestions, the size of the company does not have any effect on the availability of these Internet technologies but it does for managerial capabilities. The smaller the size of the firm, the greater the possibilities of using external advice in adopting Internet technologies, because small firms usually have fewer managerial capabilities. In the mean time, a more sophisticated technology development was identified in larger firms.
Research limitations/implications
As in all empirical research, the characteristics of this study limit the applicability of the findings. First, the study concentrated in businesses that already were using Internet technologies, because they have registered their domain name. Consequently, the study firms that did not have a Spanish domain name were omitted; however, firms could have a “.com” or “.org” domain name and still be Spanish firms. Also, other companies without any domain name on the Internet were not included in the study. Second, the study applied a classification analysis with exploratory purposes about the characteristics of the business according to the cluster of pertinence. Nevertheless, a longitudinal study could be more useful explaining whether or not these companies follow the process described. Third, a more detailed questionnaire with more specific questions could be more helpful to gain a better description of the phases of a more sophisticated technology adoption (i.e. the acceptance/routinization and infusion stages).
Practical implications
This paper has some relatively important managerial implications. First, the fact of having a domain name does not mean that the companies are in the acceptance/routinization phase and even less in the infusion phase. From this, the paper identified how the majority of firms were in the so‐called initial stages of the Internet technologies adoption process. Second, it is possible that managers who do not perceive the strategic value of these technologies are managing the majority of these firms. Third, as more businesses implement these technologies in their processes, presumably more competitive pressure will exist to adopt Internet technologies.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the research into the organizational factors that affect Internet adoption.
Details
Keywords
Ana Rosa del Aguila Obra, Sebastián Bruque Cámara and Antonio Padilla Meléndez
Since the beginnings of the computing era it has been suggested that firm performance could be enhanced by the use of information technology which would help firms to score better…
Abstract
Since the beginnings of the computing era it has been suggested that firm performance could be enhanced by the use of information technology which would help firms to score better on such indicators as productivity, profitability and market share. TCP/IP or the Internet are examples of the technology that is now available to help firms pursue their strategic aims. So far, however, their effects remain uncertain. In this paper we attempt to provide some evidence regarding the impact of the Internet on competitive advantage in a non “dot.com” industry in Spain. We also offer some ideas that may help to explain the role of the Internet as a competitive tool in modern firms.
Details
Keywords
Ana Rosa del Águila Obra, Sebastián Bruque Cámara and Antonio Padilla Meléndez
In this paper, we present the concept of telecentres as an aid to socio‐economic development in deprived rural and urban areas, and analyse the use of information technology in…
Abstract
In this paper, we present the concept of telecentres as an aid to socio‐economic development in deprived rural and urban areas, and analyse the use of information technology in these workplaces. Numerous public and not‐for‐profit organisations are subsidising these initiatives as pilot development aid projects on a international scale. We have undertaken an empirical study on a Spanish scale with the following objectives: to know how many telecentres exist in Spain; to identify their state, category and organizational characteristics; to discover what services they offer; to determine the marketing strategies they employ; and to identify the principal factors that determine their success.
Details
Keywords
Antonio Padilla-Meléndez, Ana Rosa Del Aguila-Obra and Nigel Lockett
Several studies have investigated the factors affecting innovation in medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at different levels. However, research into the characteristics of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Several studies have investigated the factors affecting innovation in medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at different levels. However, research into the characteristics of the entrepreneur (individual level) in social economy enterprises (SEE), and the relationship to innovation is scarce. The purpose of this paper is to build upon previous innovation literature to analyse SEE innovativeness.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper empirically analyses data from 193 face-to-face interviews with the founder/owner/managing director of small (zero to nine employees) SEE in Andalucía, Spain. A semi-structured questionnaire was produced using the literature review. To ensure the reliability of the data collection and the consistency of the results, several researchers reviewed the codification and analysis of the answers. Quantitative analyses were performed on the data, including descriptive statistical analysis and multivariate analysis (factorial for innovativeness construct validation, multiple regression, cluster, and discriminant). The software SPSS IBM PASSW Statistics 18 was used.
Findings
Considering the individual factors, it was determined that a proactive attitude towards innovation and a degree-level education were positively related to SEE innovativeness and that these were the most significant factors considered. The identification of attitude towards innovation was perhaps not surprising; one might expect a relationship between proactiveness and innovativeness. Furthermore, this result is consistent with the positive impact exerted by entrepreneurial characteristics, such as entrepreneurial confidence and adaptability, or SME entrepreneurs’ proactive personality and prospector strategy orientation towards their firms’ innovation.
Research limitations/implications
This study has a number of limitations. First, the study is an exploratory study of innovativeness in SEE in a limited geographical area. Second, the fact that the interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire limited the opportunities for obtaining more detailed information regarding the factors affecting innovativeness in SEE. Third, other variables may have been used as control variables, such as firm age. Sector was used as control variable and it was found as not significant. Fourth, other statistical analyses, such as hierarchical linear modelling, would benefit the results, as different levels of analysis would be considered simultaneously. Fifth, other components of entrepreneurial orientation would render the results more complete.
Practical implications
The research findings suggest that SEE would benefit from degree-level people with proactive attitudes towards innovation. Clearly, attitude and education are important aspects of the individual's mindset. This study demonstrates that the mind sets of the owners of SEE, in terms of both education and attitude, positively impact innovativeness. At least in SEE, degree-level entrepreneurs with positive attitudes towards innovation run more innovative firms. The challenge for regional policy makers is to look beyond the formal education system to promote innovation skills programmes for social and economic impact.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the entrepreneurship and innovation literature by identifying the importance of developing individual-level skills as well as formal education in order to foster innovation in SEEs.
Details
Keywords
Javier Couretot, Graciela Ottmann and Antonio Lattuca
This chapter presents the historical process of the Urban Agriculture (UA) at Rosario, in search of a socio-productive model with a high component of social inclusivity. It…
Abstract
This chapter presents the historical process of the Urban Agriculture (UA) at Rosario, in search of a socio-productive model with a high component of social inclusivity. It considers the first glimpses in 1987 through the conformation of the first Urban Group Farm until the present day where UA has become a public policy. This process has created its own dynamics under the different organisational structures of the municipality, by successfully integrating the production, the circulation and the consumerism of healthy products through fairs and community-based organisations; also incorporating the different suburbs of the city. Agroecology is presented as the conceptual and methodological framework. The systematisation of this experience aims to make visible the course pursued by the UA in Rosario offering a description which allows to understand its processes and to obtain more specific details of the bases and principles of Agroecology. The main results that are highlighted from this process are (1) Consolidation of a municipal public policy of urban agriculture, which guarantees democratisation and access to means of production for agroecological food cultivation, its commercialisation and distribution in the different districts of the city; (2) Social transformation of neighbours who found in the horticultural identity a personal and collective life project, consolidated as reference in the city, the country and the region; (3) Presence of a critical citizenship that is identified as a protagonist, through different roles on sustainability of the Urban Agriculture Programme.
Details
Keywords
Indika Fernando, Jiangang Fei, Roger Stanley, Hossein Enshaei and Alieta Eyles
Quality deterioration in bananas along the supply chain (SC) due to cosmetic damage has been a persistent challenge in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Quality deterioration in bananas along the supply chain (SC) due to cosmetic damage has been a persistent challenge in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the incidence of cosmetic defects in bananas across the post-harvest SC and determining the causes of the diminished fruit quality at the retail stores.
Design/methodology/approach
The study quantified the level of cosmetic damage in 243 cartons of Cavendish bananas across three post-harvest SCs in Australia from pack houses to retail stores and identified the risk factors for cosmetic defects.
Findings
The level of cosmetic damage progressively increased from pack house (1.3 per cent) to distribution centre (DC) (9.0 per cent) and retail (13.3 per cent) and was significantly influenced by package height and pallet positioning during transit. Abrasion damage in ripened bananas was influenced by the travel distance between DC and retail store. The study also revealed a range of risk factors contributing to the observed damage including weakened paperboard cartons due to high moisture absorption during the ripening process.
Research limitations/implications
This study only investigated damage incidence in three post-harvest banana SCs in Australia and the damage assessments were confined to packaged bananas.
Originality/value
This study assessed the quality of bananas along the entire post-harvest SC from farm gate to retail store. The study provided knowledge of the extent of the quality defects, when and where the damage occurred and demonstrated the underlying factors for damage along the SC. This will enable the development of practical interventions to improve the quality and minimize wastage of bananas in the retail markets.