Henry Quesada‐Pineda and Rado Gazo
This study aims to examine the relationship between top‐performing US furniture manufacturers and industry's best manufacturing practices.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between top‐performing US furniture manufacturers and industry's best manufacturing practices.
Design/methodology/approach
In the past studies, best manufacturing practices were mostly determined using qualitative methods. In this paper, a quantitative evaluating method to determine best manufacturing practices was designed by taking into consideration qualitative criterions. A sample of 122 manufacturing practices was observed in six US furniture companies, two of them considered world‐class performers and the other four considered average. A logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between best manufacturing practices and top‐performing companies.
Findings
Statistical analyses showed a positive relationship between top‐performing companies and use of best manufacturing practices by these companies. A database of best manufacturing practices was created and shared with the participant companies.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation of this study is that the causal relationship between performance and best practices was not considered. Future studies could employ statistical methods such as structural equation model to better understand this causality. Other methods could possibly be developed to audit and classify manufacturing practices.
Originality/value
It is believed that the database of best manufacturing practices will help average or below‐average performing companies to identify and adopt best manufacturing practices. It will also help top‐performing companies in the cycle of continuous improvement.
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Johanna Madrigal‐Sánchez and Henry Quesada‐Pineda
The purpose of this paper is to develop a best innovation practices framework analyzing the innovation process in firms from the most innovative and the less innovative sectors.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a best innovation practices framework analyzing the innovation process in firms from the most innovative and the less innovative sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
This case study uses an intense review of literature in the field of innovation practices inside organizations. The field work is based in direct observation of innovation practices intended to identify and select those practices that lead to successful implementation of the innovation process in the participating firms.
Findings
The study recognizes the need of innovation as a tool for sustainable growth for firms. The article also describes the current process used by US government and organizations to measure innovation and presents a list of innovation best practices that have been recognized by each participating firm as key practices to develop innovation.
Research limitations/implications
The framework allows a combination of practices from different industries however it has been studied in specific firms and a larger exploratory/explanatory process should be conducted to generalize the findings.
Practical implications
This paper offers practical insights about practices associated with the innovation process inside firms.
Originality/value
The study aims to develop a best innovation practices framework to be used by the less innovative sectors in order to become successful in the innovation development. These best innovation practices are identified from the most innovative sectors in the country.
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Daniela Bolzani and Elena Luppi
While the number of entrepreneurship education programmes offered around the world is on the rise, research into the assessment of entrepreneurship education programmes is still…
Abstract
Purpose
While the number of entrepreneurship education programmes offered around the world is on the rise, research into the assessment of entrepreneurship education programmes is still lacking. The purpose of this paper is to take the stance that entrepreneurship education has to focus on a set of transversal competences aimed at teaching individuals to become more enterprising, and develop a framework and practical proposal for the teaching and assessment of entrepreneurial competences.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors followed a three-pronged research design. First, the authors reviewed the literature and practices on the definition of entrepreneurial competences and measures for their assessment and identified a rubric of competences and a set of assessment tools. Second, the authors tested the identified tools to assess entrepreneurial competences through the development of an intensive extra-curricular initiative on entrepreneurship based on a business model challenge. Third, the authors evaluated the outcomes of this experience based on 72 student pre-test and post-test survey responses.
Findings
The authors assessed the impact of participation in a business model challenge with regard to five competence areas: positive attitude and initiative; communication and interaction; team-work and collaboration; critical and analytical thinking or problem solving, including risk assessment; creativity and innovation. The authors found no relevant changes across these dimensions, concluding that the mere exposure to the business challenge was not a sufficient condition for stimulating the development of entrepreneurial competences in our sample.
Originality/value
This work provides a relevant contribution to researchers, educators and policymakers by taking an interdisciplinary approach to reviewing previous literature and proposing ways of assessing transversal competences in the context of entrepreneurship education.
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Kong Lingfu, Safia Bano, Ummi Naiemah Saraih, Naimatullah Shah and Bahadur Ali Soomro
In today’s era, a country’s economy and society are continuously improved by entrepreneurship that utilizes digital technology. The current study, conducted among university…
Abstract
Purpose
In today’s era, a country’s economy and society are continuously improved by entrepreneurship that utilizes digital technology. The current study, conducted among university students in Pakistan, examines the roles of digital aspects in moving toward digital innovation (DI) and digital entrepreneurship (DE).
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on quantitative and cross-sectional data. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain responses from respondents recruited through the convenience sampling technique.
Findings
The results from structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis suggest significant effects of technology orientation (TO), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and DI on DE. The impact of DI on DE is also significant. On the other hand, digital technology self-efficacy (DTSE) is not found to be a significant predictor of DI and DE. Moreover, DI is found to be a significant mediator, which mediates the relationships of TO and EO with DE. On the contrary, DI did not mediate the significant relationship between DTSE and DE.
Practical implications
The study’s findings would benefit policymakers and planners in developing policies to encourage the usage of digital technologies to provide solutions in entrepreneurship. The findings also support promoting DE to tackle business challenges and achieve organizational and academic goals.
Originality/value
The study emphasizes the roles of digital technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in a developing context.