Salvatore Garbellano and Maria do Rosário Da Veiga
This paper aims to focus on how Industry 4.0 technology transfer has been implemented by leading Italian innovative small, and medium-size companies (SMEs).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on how Industry 4.0 technology transfer has been implemented by leading Italian innovative small, and medium-size companies (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory-descriptive study uses qualitative methods for collecting primary data (interviews and ethnographic observation) and secondary data (surveys, press news and websites).
Findings
The paper contributes to the understanding of what building dynamic capabilities (DC) is, and to clarify pivotal roles, functions and dynamics of the entrepreneur and the executive team.
Research limitations/implications
The results that emerged from the present research unveil a great potential for further development. The study can be confirmed and/or extended by replicating it within other economic contexts such as the European Union allowing then comparative studies amongst regions and countries.
Practical implications
In Italian leading SMEs an “augmented management” emerged. The study shows that digital technologies are enriching not only “what” and “how” management performs its duties but also its role: “orchestration” – a key term in DC theory – has been enhanced by new meanings.
Social implications
The study points out the relevance of an inclusive approach to Industry 4.0 to leverage the collective intelligence of the company.
Originality/value
Implementing Industry 4.0 has required a renewal of the leadership executive team: new young executives coming from other companies and sons/daughters of the entrepreneurs have provided methodologies and commitment to foster the digital transformation.
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Maria do Rosário Da Veiga and Maria Major
Through a case study on the governance structures of the UN, the purpose of this paper is to develop a critique of Public and Private Bureaucracies Transaction Cost Economics…
Abstract
Purpose
Through a case study on the governance structures of the UN, the purpose of this paper is to develop a critique of Public and Private Bureaucracies Transaction Cost Economics (PPBTCE) (Williamson, 1999) as a theoretical lens to analyze internal oversight structures.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors explore “probity” and “independence” transactions’ attributes through historical narrative case-based research to answer the question – Why did numerous attempts to strengthen the governance of UN internal oversight structures not relieve “probity” hazards?
Findings
The analysis shows that at the UN increasing and strengthening the governance of oversight structures, i.e., incentives, did not relieve probity/ethics hazards as predicted in PPBTCE. Secretaries-General and UN General Assembly, entities charged with oversight powers, systematically trumpeted the UN Charter, breaching probity/ethics and disregarding the supervisory independence prerogative of internal oversight structures, hence failing to contribute to the “common good” and to protect the UN mission.
Originality/value
This paper is the first application of PPBTCE to internal oversight transactions within an International organization context testing probity and independence attributes. The authors find that “independence” outweighs the “asset specificity” attribute whenever decisions on the governance of internal oversight arise. As far as sourcing decisions are concerned, the authority of the sovereign and the independence of the judiciary as well as quasi-judiciary transactions are not transferable attributes and, thus, cannot be contracted along with the actors’ ethics. PPBTCE should be modified to include, e.g. “virtues ethics” behavioral assumption as a transaction costs’ reduction device and explanatory framework for “probity” hazards, abandoning the opportunism behavioral assumption.
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Javier de Esteban Curiel, Arta Antonovica and Maria del Rosario Sánchez Morales
The research paper aims to study dissatisfaction of teleworking employees in Spain during the Covid-19 health pandemic in order to propose three models: sociodemographic profile…
Abstract
Purpose
The research paper aims to study dissatisfaction of teleworking employees in Spain during the Covid-19 health pandemic in order to propose three models: sociodemographic profile of the teleworking dissatisfied employee; advantages and disadvantages for the teleworking dissatisfied employee and advantages for the teleworking dissatisfied employee.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses official open data obtained from the Spanish National Statistical Institute (INE, 2022) through Decision Trees statistical multivariable models implementing Classification and Regression Trees and Recursive Partitioning and Regression Trees techniques to determine the variables that can influence the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the subjects.
Findings
This investigation offers three models with two sociodemographic profiles of dissatisfied teleworking employee, who is a high/middle-level manager/employee around 45 years old, and she/he lives with the partner. Regarding the most important advantage of teleworking, employees consider “use/saving of time” and as disadvantage “worse organization and coordination of work”.
Originality/value
This research provides empirical evidence with inductive reasoning on understanding the challenges of teleworking dissatisfied employees in Spain not only in turbulent times but also in “normalcy” to improve overall teleworker well-being and accomplish company’s and organization’s long-term objectives for better productivity and effectivity. The study has high practical value due to the integral approach incorporating dissatisfaction as a driver that can trigger negative behaviours towards the organizations and that is seldom addressed in the literature. Additionally, this paper could provide some new ideas for accomplishing “Spain Digital 2025” and “Europe’s Digital Decade: 2030” plans on institutional level.
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Wilhelm K.K. Abreu, Tiago F.A.C. Sigahi, Izabela Simon Rampasso, Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de Moraes, Lucas Veiga Ávila, Milena Pavan Serafim and Rosley Anholon
This research aims to understand the primary challenges encountered by entrepreneurs operating in emerging economies, where entrepreneurship plays a vital role. The study places a…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to understand the primary challenges encountered by entrepreneurs operating in emerging economies, where entrepreneurship plays a vital role. The study places a particular emphasis on entrepreneurs in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology involved the analysis of data obtained from interviews, using both content analysis and Grey Relational Analysis techniques.
Findings
The analysis revealed several prominent difficulties that entrepreneurs face in these domains. These challenges encompassed issues such as grappling with intricate taxation systems and the associated tax burden, navigating government bureaucracy, securing access to essential financing and initial investments, contending with the absence of supportive government programs and addressing the dynamic nature of market conditions. The findings on the most critical barriers reveal potential pathways for entrepreneurs, policymakers and universities to act in developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in emerging economies.
Originality/value
The insights garnered from this research have the potential to inform the formulation of robust public policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging countries. Furthermore, these findings can serve as a valuable resource for planning initiatives designed to train engineers to become successful entrepreneurs.
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Paula Mariel Reyes-Carrasco, Enzo Ferrari, Camilo Ruíz Méndez and Angela Barrón Ruíz
This study aims to describe the process leading the climate emergency declaration (CED) at the University of Salamanca. In contrast to similar initiatives, this was achieved with…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to describe the process leading the climate emergency declaration (CED) at the University of Salamanca. In contrast to similar initiatives, this was achieved with the participation of students on the social movement Fridays For Future Salamanca.
Design/methodology/approach
The context of the CED is described. Statements in Spanish universities are used for comparison and internal reports and evaluations were analyzed to measure the progress. Testimonies from the proponents of the declaration and from the agents implementing actions were classified to describe the roles and dynamics involved in the participatory process. Twitter and newspapers are also used to complete the data triangulation.
Findings
The results show that Climate Emergency has been enriched by a bottom-up approach, generating challenges and opportunities to take into account when considering community participation. A university that aspires to be a role model for a low-carbon future needs to address how to construct efficient participatory mechanisms. In that matter, the authors propose their experience that might be useful for other institutions.
Originality/value
The CED is a common practice in universities but it is not always associated with specific actions and policies. In this case, the main feature is the students participation, in particular the social movement Fridays For Future.