Sources, characteristics and effects of emerging technologies: Research opportunities in innovation

Diverse technological developments across information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and satellite communications technology are dramatically altering industry landscapes, with important economic and policy implications. Not surprisingly, therefore, managers are challenged to develop strategies to cope with the threats posed by emerging technologies and leverage the opportunities posed by them. Indeed, there is growing anecdotal evidence that firms' inabilities to cope with emerging technologies have produced high product and firm failure rates.From an academic perspective, I argue that emerging technologies have important distinctive features that have not been examined in current theory in marketing, and specifically, in organizational innovation. In this article, I identify several research questions that emerge from the sources, characteristics and effects of emergent technologies in the area of organizational innovation. Insights generated from such a line of inquiry have the potential to broaden the canvas of innovation theory and provide valuable insights to managers who confront these onerous challenges on a daily basis.     

The dynamics of emerging economy MNEs: How the internationalization process model can guide future research

The rapid emergence of multinational enterprises (MNEs) from emerging economies calls for a re-assessment of established theories of the MNE. We assess the usefulness of the internationalization process model (IPM), also known as the Uppsala model, to explain the recent strategies of emerging economy MNEs. We argue that popular stages models derived from the IPM are not helpful, but the underlying process of experiential learning driving steps of increased commitment is an important element in explaining the evolution of these MNEs over time. Focusing on the role of acquisitions within internationalization processes, we illustrate our arguments with six case studies of Thai MNEs. On this basis, we discuss how the IPM can inform future research on emerging economy MNEs. Specifically, the IPM suggests focusing on the internal and external factors that may induce firms to accelerate their cycle of international learning and commitment, in particular the roles of networks, acquisitions, human resources, big step commitments, the home country institutional environment, and possible managerial biases.     

Establishing brand equity among business-to-business referral sources in the emerging markets: The case of specialty medical practice

The goal of this study is to establish brand equity among business-to-business (B2B) referral sources in the emerging markets. We consider the case of specialty medical practices (SMPs) within these markets to achieve this objective. In this regard, we conducted a qualitative study among doctors/managers involved in SMPs in a developed market to understand the functioning of an SMP, and observe the process of building brand equity among referral sources. Based on the insights, we propose a conceptual framework to establish brand equity for SMPs in the emerging markets that focuses on B2B relationships. This is one of the first studies to explore the SMP industry in the emerging markets. We also highlight future directions and call for empirical validation of the proposed framework.     

The emerging forum for business policy scholars

This note is a follow-up on two others, published in 1987 and 1989. A sample of tenured business policy scholars, with significant track records in publishing, rated key management journals with respect to their appropriateness as outlets for scholarly research in the business policy field. The results of the survey are reported.     

层次分析法在投资决策阶段控制工程造价的应用与实践

通过分析影响控制投资目标值的因素,建立层次分析法数学模型,提出了在投资决策阶段控制工程造价、优化设计方案。     

Networked business model development for emerging technology-based services

This study examines the development of a networked business model for emerging technology-based services. Few studies explore the development and use of business models, and research on networked business models is particularly scarce. With observation and interview data from a network pilot of technology-based services the study presents the concept of a networked business model as a dynamic device in planning an emerging business in a net of actors. The findings identify phases of business net evolution when business opportunities are identified, created, and potentially exploited and recognize the role of entrepreneurial actors in the development.     

国际工程承包的决策变量分析

章针对国际工程招揽决策过程中所要依据的决策变量和决策模型进行了分析,提出了企业自身状况的决策变量与国际工程项目的决策变量。从而有助于我国国际工程承包企业在国际工程招揽中做出正确决策。     

The emerging oligopoly of pay-TV in the USA

The pay-television industry in the USA has been developing very rapidly in the past five years and is providing network quality alternatives to the mass taste programming of commercial television. However, the industry has been developing along lines very similar to the early history of radio in the USA with the emergence of strong distributor networks, restrictive affiliation contracts, and wide-spread vertical integration across all stages of production. History and economic efficiencies suggest that the result will be a strong oligopoly market structure. The proper public policy, then, is to insure that the unavoidable degree of concentration is not greater than that needed for efficiency reasons.     

Information and communication technologies for development: assessing the potential and the risks

This article provides a review of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) Working Group on ICTs and Development Report (Knowledge Societies: Information Technology for Sustainable Development, Oxford University Press, 1998). The author highlights key issues of ICTs in a development context; and summarizes the Report’s assessment of both potential and risks of ICTs for developing countries. A check-list derived from the Report provides guidelines for issues to consider in developing ICT policies and implementation strategies.     

面板堆石坝面板混凝土施工工艺实例分析

结合实际工程,就面板堆石坝面板混凝土施工无轨滑模模具的应用以及关键施工工艺,阐述了面板混凝土的防裂措施,可供相关专业技术人员参考。     

Distribution network dynamics and the consequences for intermediaries

Distribution networks are in constant flux due to the dynamics of their contexts. In these processes, the functioning and significance of intermediaries and middlemen become modified. This paper examines what consequences the dynamics of distribution may imply for intermediaries and the role these firms play in this evolution. The paper is based on a literature review of the long-term evolution of distribution networks and intermediaries. The first contribution of the study is a historical narrative of this evolution, where three main phases are identified in the period from the 1600s. In these phases, the power and the functions of intermediaries have varied substantially. Despite the fact that their demise has been anticipated on several occasions, intermediaries have survived because they have been able to adapt to changing conditions. The second contribution of the study is the industrial network analysis of the impact of this evolution on three central dimensions of distribution: division of labor among actors, efficiency of activities, and control of resources. Finally, the study provides contributions to practice through recommendations concerning potential value generating opportunities for intermediaries. These suggestions are derived from the combined findings of the historical review and the network analysis.     

The commerciaIization of stagnant technologies

Abstract
This paper focusses on technologies which have failed to reach the marketplace for reasons which are connected more with the organization in which they were developed than with the technology itself. They are referred to as stagnant technologies.
Such technologies can clearly be exploited via joint ventures; however there can be problems of finding a suitable partner and managing the partnership when one has been found. To overcome such problems a role for a third party is suggested which has been called the catalyst firm. Such a firm can be involved in identifying stagnant technologies, locating a suitable partner, and assisting in the management of the partnership through to commercialization.
This approach is central to the activities of Aprotec, a Manchester-based company specializing in the development and commercialization of new technologies, which plays the role of the catalyst firm. Experience to date is described in the paper, and a case study is used to show how the approach has been successfully applied in practice.     

The emerging paradigm of strategic behavior

Several apparently conflicting empirically tested theories have been advanced as explanations of strategic behavior. This paper suggests that the theories differ because they were based on observations of organizations in different environmental settings. The paper proposes a paradigmic framework which legitimizes and accommodates the respective theories.     

Using 'hard' and 'soft' technologies for global new product development

This paper reports on a study of the use of 'hard' and 'soft' technologies as tools for managing global new product teams. 'Hard' technologies consist of electronic mail, teleconferencing, fax, video conferencing, and other electronic means of facilitating communication. 'Soft' technologies, on the other hand, reflect managerial behaviors that are necessary to deal with the social and behavioral aspects of global new product development. Our study suggests that:
The frequency of use of hard technologies is greater for higher versus lower performing global teams.
The set of hard technologies perceived to be important is different for higher versus lower performing global teams.
How well soft technologies are used is greater for higher performing global teams.
Soft technologies are seen as more important than hard technologies.
Implications of these findings for managers and future research are discussed.     

The rise of consortia in the information and communication technology industries: emerging implications for policy

Over the past decade, consortia have become a structural feature of technology and market co-ordination in the information and communication technology industries. This paper examines some of the policy issues raised by the consortia phenomenon by examining its origins and structures critically and reviewing consortia interactions with standardisation processes. The findings are that consortia fulfil a complex role in today’s market structure that is aimed at creating technologically integrated business communities, that ‘efficiency’ rationales may not be the prime rationale for participation in consortia technical committees, and that consortia now operate as a global system. Policy implications are drawn in terms of access asymmetries, industrial policy, user participation, and the future role of the officially recognised standards organisations.     

Use of rules in decision-making in government outsourcing

The paper reports research on the nature of use of rules in decision making process by government entities in outsourcing commercial activities. The study used multiple data sources such as in-depth personal interviews of multiple categories of respondents, documentary evidence, and observation. The findings indicated that Government organizations use un-written ground rules as the main means of managing outsourcing processes.     

Industrial exploitation of new joining technologies

Joining technology is critical to manufacturing and fabrication industries, since it greatly influences the design, assembly and ultimate competitiveness of the product. In particular, adhesive bonding is now attracting strong interest from many industries. This trend is further strengthened by dramatic advances in new materials, many of which cannot be joined by conventional means.
However, most industries are failing to exploit the opportunities offered by current adhesive technology, for a variety of reasons. CEST (the Centre for Exploitation of Science and Technology) has undertaken to examine these reasons, and to initiate a programme of actions which will lead to wider acceptance of adhesive joining within industry.
We have selected a number of companies from a range of industries, which we believe can effectively drive the exploitation process. By working closely with these companies it has been possible to define a number of strategic projects, which will promote this exploitation process. Several projects consist of targeted research and development, to fill the 'missing links' of technology which have impeded exploitation to date.
These coordinated actions will be initiated from the end of 1989. Typically, these projects will be collaborative, involving both industrial and university or polytechnic partners. The scopes of a number of such projects are described in detail, and their potential impacts on manufacturing processes are explained.     

The diffusion of new telecommunication technologies

This article assesses the recent diffusion of new telecommunication technologies. Drawing upon an historical framework, the authors find that new technologies face significant barriers to rapid penetration in the home and office. Data on cable television, electronic text services, teleconferencing and alternative video distribution technologies are analysed to highlight the constraints facing the growth of new telecommunications services.