Susan Kuczmarski and Thomas Kuczmarski
The purpose of our research is to explore how rewards serve to fuel a collaborative culture, energize and motivate team members and nurture innovation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of our research is to explore how rewards serve to fuel a collaborative culture, energize and motivate team members and nurture innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 30 in-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with executives – high-tech, low-tech and no-tech.
Findings
The following findings emerged from the field research: rewards can be both financial, such as bonuses and incentives, and non-financial, such as extra vacations or other gifts. Huge internal personal benefits accrue from setting up a reward structure, including increased pride, peer recognition, higher self-confidence, greater job satisfaction and enhanced self-accomplishment. When we recognize others, it can impact an individual's self-worth on a profound level. It is described as feedback that sinks into the core.
Originality/value
Three milestones have been outlined throughout the innovation process where opportunities for recognition can exist: upon recognizing insights for identifying a problem, after understanding and overcoming difficulties encountered during creative solution generation and when recognizing and activating the benefits accrued from pinpointing solutions to the problem.
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Though a commitment to innovation is the key to successful growth, the level of uncertainty involved and the concomitant risk deter companies from committing themselves totally to…
Abstract
Though a commitment to innovation is the key to successful growth, the level of uncertainty involved and the concomitant risk deter companies from committing themselves totally to its implementation. Contributing to managers’ reluctance to face innovation are an ignorance and fear of what exactly it represents. This article lists ingredients of and directions for successful innovation, which can lead to real competitive advantage if followed correctly. However, senior management must assimilate the message fully before it can possible cascade down the organisation.
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Argues that more CEOs and senior executives need to believe in the power of innovation to increase earnings, stock price, employee and customer satisfaction, and global…
Abstract
Argues that more CEOs and senior executives need to believe in the power of innovation to increase earnings, stock price, employee and customer satisfaction, and global competitiveness. Highlights innovation as the single most important factor in the future growth of any business venture; innovation is a mindset ‐ a new way to think about business strategies and practice. Suggests that this thinking drives every aspect of a successful, dynamic organization and penetrates every element of business, creating a clear and enduring vision. States that innovative companies are set apart from their competitors and have the potential to fuel future profitable growth and build long‐term investments.
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A sophisticated screening system can focus the energies of the company on creating and developing products and services that will have greater likelihood of success.
More CEOs and senior executives need to believe in the power of innovation to increase earnings, stock price, employee and customer satisfaction, and global competitiveness…
Abstract
More CEOs and senior executives need to believe in the power of innovation to increase earnings, stock price, employee and customer satisfaction, and global competitiveness. Innovation is the single most important factor in the future growth of any business venture. Innovation is a mindset ‐ a new way to think about business strategies and practice. This thinking drives every aspect of a successful, dynamic organization and penetrates every element of business, creating a clear and enduring vision. Innovative companies are set apart from their competitors and have the potential to fuel future profitable growth and build long‐term investments.
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Barrie O. Pettman and Richard Dobbins
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
Abstract
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
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Jacy Downey and Kimberly Greder
The demographics of rural America are rapidly changing and concerns about mental health are growing. This study examined relationships between individual, family, and community…
Abstract
Purpose
The demographics of rural America are rapidly changing and concerns about mental health are growing. This study examined relationships between individual, family, and community factors and depressive symptomology among rural low-income Latina and non-Latina White mothers.
Design
The sample for this study was drawn from the study, Rural Families Speak about Health. Data from interviews with 371 rural low-income mothers (36% Latina; 64% non-Latina White) were analyzed and descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed.
Findings
One-third of mothers experienced clinically significant depressive symptomology; non-Latinas experienced twice the rate as Latinas. Limitation in daily activities due to poor physical health predicted clinically significant depressive symptomology among both groups. Among non-Latinas, high levels of financial distress and lack of healthcare insurance predicted clinically significant depressive symptomology, and use of WIC and high levels of healthful eating and physical activity routines were protective factors. Age, single marital status, unemployment, transportation barriers, food insecurity, and inadequate health insurance predicted clinically significant depressive symptomology among Latinas.
Practical implications
Program administrators should consider factors associated with depression among specific populations as they design programs and services.
Research limitations
Factors not accounted (e.g., nativity of mothers) should be explored to more fully understand predictors of depressive symptomology among rural Latina and non-Latina mothers.
Value
This original research considers how the relationships between individual, family, and community factors and depressive symptomology differ between rural low-income Latina and non-Latina White mothers. The authors discuss potential factors and outcomes related to depressive symptomology and provide suggestions for research, programs and services.
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Linda Rochford and Thomas R. Wotruba
Proposes an increasing role for the salesforce in the new productdevelopment process. Describes how the sales job itself has beenevolving toward one of relationship building with…
Abstract
Proposes an increasing role for the salesforce in the new product development process. Describes how the sales job itself has been evolving toward one of relationship building with customers, and how marketplace and economic changes such as globalization and large debt have caused firms to look much more carefully at the allocation of their resources, including expenditures on the new product development process. Argues that these and other factors, such as the disenchantment with marketing research and personnel downsizing, suggest that the salesforce might begin to play an expanded role in new product development. Discusses the pros and cons of this strategy, along with its implications for salesforce management.
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Daniel C. Bello and Gloria J. Barczak
Considers how research carried out during trade shows can helpindustrial firms to manage the new product development process.Discusses the NPD process and offers a scheme for…
Abstract
Considers how research carried out during trade shows can help industrial firms to manage the new product development process. Discusses the NPD process and offers a scheme for classifying trade fairs, thus making the selection of appropriate events easier for the industrial marketer. Develops recommendations for the conducting of new product research at trade shows and concludes that while not a substitute for traditional NPD research methods due to cost limitations and the different types of attendees present at various events, good opportunities exist for industrial exhibitors to use NPD stages such as idea generation, screening and testing at trade shows rather than concentrating on the commercialization of new products.
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The purpose of this study is to propose a model of a value cocreation strategy (VCS) for analyzing how enterprises adopt innovative, marketing, and design strategies to achieve…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to propose a model of a value cocreation strategy (VCS) for analyzing how enterprises adopt innovative, marketing, and design strategies to achieve their performance goals through cocreation.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present study, a case study was conducted to establish a preliminary model. Subsequently, 1,000 NPD project managers in information and communications technology industries were approached to complete a two-stage questionnaire survey. The first survey investigated the VCSs they adopted for their marketing, innovation and design activities (valid questionnaires recovered=283). The valid respondents completed a second survey measuring their NPD performance 18 months after launching a new product (valid questionnaires recovered=247).
Findings
A conceptual was constructed to explain the effects of innovation marketing and design cocreation strategies on NPD performance. A partial least squares method was used to test the model showing a good fit between the model and the survey data, indicating the applicability of the proposed model. The innovation marketing and design cocreation strategies of the enterprises affected their NPD performance. Enterprises adopting diverse cocreation strategies improved their NPD performance. The cocreation strategies in the model were independent and mediating variables to NPD performance. A qualitative comparative analysis was performed to examine which strategy configurations affected NPD performance and to explore any regular patterns in them. Finally, a cluster analysis was conducted to investigate four cocreation strategies: market development, technology improvement, cost direction and customer service.
Research limitations/implications
Whether different industry categories involve different characteristics and whether different corporate cultures cause inconsistent result in value cocreation warrants further in-depth investigation. In addition, the two surveys conducted in this study were separated by 18 months, and thus, only the short-term NPD performance could be presented. Future studies are recommended to conduct an extensive exploration of different industries, administer long-term surveys, investigate the different levels of influence of various types of enterprise on the proposed research model or examine the degree of difference in the mechanisms and methods adopted for elevating innovation performance.
Practical implications
Enterprises can reference the proposed approach to optimize their product development and services according to their organizational resources and market advantages to increase their market coverage.
Originality/value
This study was the first empirical study to examine critical factors, such as product innovation, marketing, design and value cocreation strategies, and NPD performance by administering two-stage surveys. Enterprises can reference the proposed method according to their organizational resources and market advantages to develop products and services efficiently and face the ever-changing market.