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1 – 10 of 21María José Quero, Montserrat Díaz-Méndez, Rafael Ventura and Evert Gummesson
This paper explores whether, in the context of universityโindustry (UโI) collaboration, new innovation strategies can be developed through actors' interactions, the exchange of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores whether, in the context of universityโindustry (UโI) collaboration, new innovation strategies can be developed through actors' interactions, the exchange of resources and the co-creation of value for and within the system. In the context of the UโI relationship, the innovation perspective can highlight the need to develop strategies that elicit new formulas of value co-creation, which then facilitate innovation as a result of actor collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 45 public universities in Spain, representing 95% of the total, participated in qualitative research. Personal in-depth interviews with technology transfer officers (TTOs) were conducted by an external firm; in a second phase, two of the researchers conducted eight interviews with the directors of TTOs in those universities with higher rates of transfer.
Findings
Findings reveal that enterprises with a technological focus are strengthening their relationships with universities and attempting to build a university business ecosystem by designing strategies for value co-creation such as co-ownership, co-patenting, and co-invention.
Research limitations/implications
The empirical research is conducted in Spain, and results should be interpreted according to this context. Future research should examine new contexts (other countries) to improve the robustness of the data and enrich the results, thus enabling generalization of the management consequences.
Originality/value
The results provide a means to design strategies under a new collaborative and innovating logic. The theoretical framework contributes to theory, with implications for management.
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Sofía Louise Martínez-Martínez, Rafael Ventura, Ana José Cisneros Ruiz and Julio Diéguez-Soto
This study investigates the relationship between the development of academic spin-offs (ASOs) and the type of financing involved, by considering three research questions: How do…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the relationship between the development of academic spin-offs (ASOs) and the type of financing involved, by considering three research questions: How do ASOs differ in terms of financing? To what extent and for what reasons do ASOs differ in their financing? How do business and growth models dictate the selection of different sorts of financing arrangement?
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a grounded-theory, qualitative approach based on 39 Spanish ASOs.
Findings
There is a heterogeneity of ASO financing, and the selection of financial resources is related to the business and growth model of the ASO. Furthermore, there are some critical junctures for financing within each group of ASOs.
Research limitations/implications
The study advances the understanding of the determinants of ASOs, specifically with respect to financing, business models and growth orientation. The Spanish context used here may not permit the global generalisation of the results; nevertheless, this study is a response to calls to consider the effect of regional context on ASOs.
Practical implications
Knowing the heterogeneity of ASOs in terms of financing and how business and growth models determines the selection of distinct financing sources help financial planning, investment decisions and the design of programmes and policies, which can be relevant for both ASOs and their stakeholders (investors, universities and governments).
Originality/value
This study provides a comprehensive view of ASO financing, confirming a heterogeneity, not only in terms of financing but also in some critical junctures that presage a change from one type of financing to another.
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Rafael Ventura, María J. Quero and Sofía Louise Martínez-Martínez
Linkages play a strategic role in improving actor disposition and resource density in universityโindustry ecosystems. Due to the importance of interconnected ecosystems for the…
Abstract
Purpose
Linkages play a strategic role in improving actor disposition and resource density in universityโindustry ecosystems. Due to the importance of interconnected ecosystems for the development of engaged universities, applying the service-dominant logic (SDL) perspective, the authors aim at developing theory on linkages that lead to a higher level of actor commitment and in turn result in increased actor disposition and greater resource density.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from semistructured interviews from four in depth case studies, known internationally as successful cases of university linkages development (Columbia Lab-to-Market Accelerator Network, Oxford University Innovation, Auckland Uniservices and the Mรผnster Center for Interdisciplinarity), undergo qualitative analysis according to the Gioia methodology.
Findings
The results represent a contribution to the theory, as they highlight the strategic role of linkages in improving actor disposition and increasing resource density. Due to its shown importance, linkage is an element to be considered on its own in the innovation ecosystems configurations in the context of universities.
Practical implications
The results of the research have implications for university management, since they focus on how resources are mobilized and linked. The interactive roles of actors in ecosystems imply that the locus of value creation moves beyond the borders of the organization toward the linkages. Strategies for managing universityโindustry linkages (UIL) are presented.
Originality/value
To date there has not been sufficient theoretical or empirical contribution in the universityโindustry ecosystem context about the role of linkages to improve resource density through increased actor disposition.
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Rafael Ventura, María José Quero and Montserrat Díaz-Méndez
The purpose of this paper is to analyze how institutions can facilitate or inhibit radical innovation. The authors argue that organizational radical innovation is necessary to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze how institutions can facilitate or inhibit radical innovation. The authors argue that organizational radical innovation is necessary to maintain a competitive advantage and to evolve in the market place, and institutions are the basis of this innovation. From an innovation and service dominant (SD) logic perspective, network ties are proposed to be a determining factor for the achievement of innovation through institutionalization in the university knowledge management context.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual approach is applied to develop and propose a framework for deepening understanding of radical organizational innovation, institutions and network ties. Data were gathered from Link by UMA-ATech, which in the context of the University of Mรกlaga (Spain) is with great success developing a strategy based on fostering innovation. In all, 22 in-depth interviews were conducted with actors in the Link context, together with additional important second-order data analyses (sector analyses, statistics and company websites). Because of the perceived desirability of innovation, public universities have established a model as a part of this strategy in order to foster and develop new businesses through technology transfer.
Findings
Changing institutional arrangements are the basis of innovation. Opening universities to the actors around them, with an interest in exchanging resources through the evolution of network ties toward a less bureaucratic and more collaborative and open university (tertius iungens) is the basis for reaching organizational radical innovation in the university context to develop the provider-driven radical innovation network structure via the โUniversity Living Labโ theoretical model.
Research limitations/implications
A conceptual understanding is used in combination with an empirical approach, in which one case study and 22 organizations are considered in the context of Link-by-UMA ATech, at the University of Mรกlaga. A range of different contexts from other universities would also be useful to add new perspectives to the development of the theory.
Practical implications
Although radical innovation is occasionally seen in systems and arises naturally in markets, it is interesting to consider the possibility of designing strategies that facilitate the process from the beginning of the design of the business model. In this sense, the present findings could help organizations in general and universities in particular, to devise strategies resulting in positive relationships that could facilitate the design of business model structures. These could in turn foster the development of new institutions resulting in new network ties, which could give rise to radical innovation through the attraction of new actors interested in exchanging service-for-service resources.
Originality/value
The present paper develops the provider-driven radical innovation network structure of the โUniversity Living Labโ theoretical model, which encourages the university to make decisions to devise more open models based on a change of network ties, in turn based on the design of new institutional arrangements. These concepts have not previously been put together, and build on the theories of institutions and organizational radical innovation. This theoretical contribution is framed within the SD logic perspective and specifically in the 11th fundamental premise (FP 11/5th axiom) to better understand how innovation occurs in service ecosystems, allowing the provider the possibility of developing such processes through the design of institutional arrangements.
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María José Quero and Rafael Ventura
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the structures of the relationships between actors in the creative industries sector using crowd-funding, and how co-creation is the basis…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the structures of the relationships between actors in the creative industries sector using crowd-funding, and how co-creation is the basis for reaching balanced centricity in the creative industries.
Design/methodology/approach
The Many-to-Many Marketing Theory, Service-Dominant Logic and Service Logic are the theoretical bases for explaining how the changing roles of the actors in the creative industries sector have given the crowd a great capacity for deciding in the value-creation process. A qualitative, case-based approach is used, given the complexity of the phenomenon to be analysed.
Findings
The findings of the empirical approach have important theoretical and practical implications. On the theoretical side, it analyses the importance of balanced centricity instead of customer centricity as the basis for system stability. Findings also have implications for service managers, as this can be considered an alternative for certain business projects, especially in the creative industries sector, where a growing demand is identified, not only as a method of financing, but also as a strategy for strengthening the bond with customers.
Practical implications
The study has implications for practitioners and scholars. With respect to managers, the โbalanced centricity in cultural crowd-fundingโ model constitutes a significant contribution, because it replaces the prominent position which until now has been enjoyed by the consumer, with the overall balance of the system, in other words, with aiming to benefit all agents. This translates into a change in how strategies are understood and applied in organisations, as in every decision organisations will have to keep in mind the implications that their decisions and actions have on the rest of the agents, with the objective of managing to exploit their โstrategic potentialโ. Strategic planning actions are identified.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to analyse balanced centricity as the basis for system stability in the creative industries. The new tasks of the customer as a selector and financer of projects increase the roles assigned to the co-creation concept and improve the knowledge of Network Theory for the creative industries.
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Sofía Louise Martínez-Martínez
Entrepreneurship is presented as a vehicle for innovation and social development. Given the importance of entrepreneurship, the objective of this study was to analyze the…
Abstract
Purpose
Entrepreneurship is presented as a vehicle for innovation and social development. Given the importance of entrepreneurship, the objective of this study was to analyze the psychological and sociological dimensions by determining the factors that explain individual perceptions and cultural support for entrepreneurship.
Design/methodology/approach
Using Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data obtained from the Adult Population Survey (APS) (Nย =ย 2,500) in the region of Andalusia (Spain), a quantitative analysis was carried out, specifically a multivariate analysis based on four-stage linear regressions.
Findings
The variables examined do not explain the psychological and sociological dimensions to the same extent. The results highlight the existence of cultural homogeneity between provinces, the importance of sociodemographic variables and the influence of the entrepreneurial expectations and experiences of the population, especially in shaping individual perceptions towards entrepreneurship.
Research limitations/implications
The replication of the study at the national and international levels is proposed in order to delve deeper into the cultural differences that condition entrepreneurship. Including new variables associated with entrepreneurial human capital could also be of interest.
Practical implications
The results can help to improve the design and implementation of policies and programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurship through the promotion of favorable individual perceptions and entrepreneurial culture.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is the consideration of individual perceptions and cultural support for entrepreneurship as dependent variables, since they are normally incorporated as explanatory factors. The results contribute to the advancement of knowledge of the entrepreneurial phenomenon through two approaches, psychological and sociological.
Propósito
El emprendimiento se presenta como vehรญculo de innovaciรณn y desarrollo social. Dada la importancia del fenรณmeno, el objetivo de esta investigaciรณn es analizar las dimensiones psicolรณgica y sociolรณgica del emprendimiento a travรฉs de los factores que explican las percepciones individuales y la cultura de apoyo al emprendimiento.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
A partir de datos GEM obtenidos mediante la Encuesta de Poblaciรณn Adulta (Nย =ย 2,500) en Andalucรญa (Espaรฑa), se desarrolla una metodologรญa cuantitativa, concretamente un anรกlisis multivariante basado en regresiones lineales de cuatro etapas.
Resultados
Las variables consideradas no explican en la misma medida la dimensiรณn psicolรณgica y la sociolรณgica. Se evidencia la existencia de homogeneidad cultural interprovincial, la importancia de las variables sociodemogrรกficas y la influencia de las expectativas y las experiencias vinculadas al emprendimiento, especialmente en la formaciรณn de percepciones individuales.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación
Se propone la rรฉplica del estudio a nivel nacional e internacional para ahondar en las diferencias culturales que condicionan la creaciรณn empresarial. Se considera interesante incluir nuevas variables asociadas con el capital humano emprendedor.
Implicaciones prácticas
Mejora del diseรฑo y la implementaciรณn de polรญticas y programas dirigidos a potenciar el emprendimiento, a travรฉs del fomento de las percepciones individuales favorables y la cultura emprendedora.
Originalidad/valor
La originalidad reside en la consideraciรณn de las percepciones individuales y la cultura de apoyo al emprendimiento como variables dependientes, ya que normalmente se incorporan como factores explicativos. Se contribuye al avance del conocimiento sobre el fenรณmeno emprendedor a travรฉs de dos enfoques, el psicolรณgico y el sociolรณgico.
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Rafael Vidal Aroca, Carlos E.H. Ventura, Igor De Mello and Tatiana F.P.A.T. Pazelli
This paper aims to present a monitoring system and the usage of a robotic arm to remove finished parts of a three-dimensional (3D) printer build plate, enabling 3D printers to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a monitoring system and the usage of a robotic arm to remove finished parts of a three-dimensional (3D) printer build plate, enabling 3D printers to continuously build a sequence of parts.
Design/methodology/approach
The system relies on a 2-degree of freedom planar manipulator. The moment to remove printed parts from the printer build plate can be determined based on direct communication with the 3D printer control software or using information from a computer vision system that applies background subtraction and Speeded up Robust Features methods.
Findings
The proposed system automatically detects the end of standard 3D print jobs and controls the robotic arm to remove the part.
Research limitations/implications
Lighting variation can deteriorate the response of the computer vision system, which can be minimized using a controlled illumination environment. In addition, the printer build plate edges must be free so the parts can slip off the printer build plate when the robot pushes them out.
Practical implications
The system enables a more practical and automatized usage of 3D printers, reducing the need of human operators.
Social implications
The proposed system can reduce work hours of laboratory personnel, as there is no need to remove the printed parts manually before another job starts.
Originality/value
Computer vision system monitors the printing process and the automation system that enables continuous sequential 3D printing of parts. A prototype is described, which can be easily replicated with low cost parts.
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Rafael Kakitani, Cassio Augusto Pinto da Silva, Bismarck Silva, Amauri Garcia, Noé Cheung and José Eduardo Spinelli
Overall, selection maps about the extent of the eutectic growth projects the solidification velocities leading to given microstructures. This is because of limitations of most of…
Abstract
Purpose
Overall, selection maps about the extent of the eutectic growth projects the solidification velocities leading to given microstructures. This is because of limitations of most of the set of results when obtained for single thermal gradients within the experimental spectrum. In these cases, associations only with the solidification velocity could give the false impression that reaching a given velocity would be enough to reproduce a result. However, that velocity must necessarily be accompanied by a specific thermal gradient during transient solidification. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to not only project velocity but also include the gradients acting for each velocity.
Design/methodology/approach
Compilation of solidification velocity, v, thermal gradient, G, and cooling rate, แนช, data for Sn-Cu and Sn-Bi solder alloys of interest is presented. These data are placed in the form of coupled growth zones according to the correlated microstructures in the literature. In addition, results generated in this work for Sn-(0.5, 0.7, 2.0, 2.8)% Cu and Sn-(34, 52, 58)% Bi alloys solidified under non-stationary conditions are added.
Findings
When analyzing the cooling rate (แนช = G.v) and velocity separately, in or around the eutectic composition, a consensus cannot be reached on the resulting microstructure. The (v vs. G) + cooling rate diagrams allow comprehensive analyzes of the combined v and G effects on the subsequent microstructure of the Sn-Cu and Sn-Bi alloys.
Originality/value
The present paper is devoted to the establishment of (v vs. G) + cooling rate diagrams. These plots may allow comprehensive analyses of the combined v and G effects on the subsequent microstructure of the Sn-Cu and Sn-Bi alloys. This microstructure-processing mapping approach is promising to predict phase competition and resulting microstructures in soldering of Sn-Cu and Sn-Bi alloys. These two classes of alloys are of interest to the soldering industry, whereas manipulation of their microstructures is considered of utmost importance for the metallurgical quality of the product.
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This article responds to the concern of small libraries that their size puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to advocating for public funds. By means of interviews with…
Abstract
This article responds to the concern of small libraries that their size puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to advocating for public funds. By means of interviews with public library administrators and local government agents, it is shown that small libraries can be successful in local public funding when they use some of the same techniques of making themselves fundable that large libraries use. These are: emphasizing the dollar value of their activities to local government; taking into account local government agendas; involving the business community as spokespersons; and astutely managing library opposition. Research for the article is based in two states where local public funding has been notoriously weak, California and Pennsylvania. Libraries discussed (selected by convenient sampling) are in library service areas ranging in population from 9,278 (Borough of Carnegie, Pennsylvania) to 54,400 (San Rafael, California).
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