Location in scientific-technological parks,dynamic capabilities,and innovation

Determining the sources of business success in highly dynamic and turbulent environments is very complicated. A broad consensus exists in this respect about the need to contemplate the innovation as a key element for competitiveness. This reasoning stems from its positive effects on growth and on efficiency, of innovative firms in comparison with non-innovative ones. Geographical location provides a unique and different context and this paper aims to analyse the influence exerted by the territory on dynamic capabilities and, consequently, on business competitiveness. Using a sample of 610 high-technology companies drawn from the Technological Innovation Panel (2012), it is confirmed not only that firms located in scientific-technological parks are more innovative but also that dynamic capabilities play a mediating role in this relationship.     

The innovation and economic consequences of knowledge spillovers: fit between exploration and exploitation capabilities,knowledge attributes,and transfer mechanisms

The purpose of this study is to investigate the moderating roles of the attributes and transfer mechanisms of knowledge in the relationship between organisational capabilities and innovation and economic performance. Regression analysis on a sample of 120 Taiwanese firms was used to test our model. The findings suggest that the organisational capabilities of exploration and exploitation are positively related to innovation and economic performance. The effect of exploration on performance is positively moderated by tacit knowledge and adaptation knowledge transfer mechanisms. In contrast, exploitation is a stronger predictor of performance when organisations acquire well-defined knowledge and use replication knowledge transfer mechanisms.     

Technology capabilities,marketing capabilities and innovation ambidexterity

Linking the literature of resource-based view (RBV) with ambidexterity, we construct an integrative framework of technology capabilities, marketing capabilities, innovation ambidexterity, and organisational performance. Using data from a sample of 190 Chinese hospitals, we find that both technology capabilities and marketing capabilities have an inverse U-shape relationship with innovation ambidexterity. And they can complementarily improve innovation ambidexterity, which further enhances organisational performance. This study deepens our understanding of RBV and ambidexterity by investigating the antecedent roles of technological and marketing capabilities on innovation ambidexterity. We also investigate their interactive role on improving innovation ambidexterity.     

Knowledge sources and recombination capabilities in developing new convergent products

Recent surge in technological convergences has generated great interests from scholars, managers and policy-makers. Yet, few literatures have investigated firm-specific factors behind developing convergent products. This research has empirically analysed the role of firms’ knowledge recombination capabilities and external collaborations in developing convergent products by using a survey data from 858 Korean firms. The findings suggest that presence of interdisciplinary employees and the strong commitment of CEOs are among the important knowledge recombination capabilities for developing convergent products. When compared to other types of collaboration, the inter-firm collaboration turned out to be the most effective in developing convergent products. We suggest that firms should understand that knowledge generations are becoming more interdisciplinary and employees with interdisciplinary research background are an important enabler of knowledge recombination. We suggest that policy-maker should continue to allocate its resources in supporting inter-disciplinary research programmes.     

Information interaction capabilities: conceptualisation and instrument development

The twenty-first century has seen the rise of a new wave of technological change and industrial revolution. The next-generation Information Technology (IT) is radically shifting the core competence of corporation, meaning of value creation, and sources of a competitive advantage. In this situation, it is imperative for firms to build a new core competence. Based on the resource-based theory, this paper describes the competence of firms in the information interaction area, frames the concept and classification systems of information interaction capabilities (IICs), develops the scale of IICs, and tests the relationship between IICs and competitive advantages using empirical data in China. In short, the paper identifies that IICs are an important competence in the environment of the next-generation IT. Conceptualising IICs provides a foundation for bridging information interaction and strategy research. IICs provide a holistic approach to building the new core competence and achieving competitive advantages.     

Direct and configurational paths of open innovation and organisational agility to business model innovation in SMEs

ABSTRACT

Discussions on opportunities and enablers have remained lacking despite the continued growth of business model innovation (BMI) research. In order to investigate the formation mechanism of BMI in small-medium enterprises (SMEs), we proposed an integrated model, which included factors derived from organisational internal resources and capabilities via the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities view (DCV). Structural equation model (SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were utilised to test the survey data collected from 245 SMEs in China. SEM results support the hypotheses, except that on the impact of outbound open innovation on market capitalising agility and on BMI. The fsQCA analysis revealed that four configurations of open innovations and organisational agilities can sufficiently explain high levels of BMI, and two configurations of these factors lead to low BMI. The theoretical and practical implications of such findings were also provided.     

A fuzzy-based roadmapping model for enhancing high-tech small firms’ technological entrepreneurship capabilities: cases of Iran

ABSTRACT

Technology-based firms need to survive via technological changes. Technological entrepreneurship is concentrated on identifying and exploiting the tech-opportunities for creating product innovation. This paper introduces a fuzzy-based tool to promote innovation throughout firms in order to enhance technological entrepreneurship capabilities (TEC). The effort involves identifying components of TEC to develop the inference system, specifying the fuzzy relationship among these components, assessing the TEC in firms, and designing a TEC roadmap after a fuzzy-based gap analysis. Designed roadmaps introduce technological change priorities as a growth path to firms to move up along the ladder of competitiveness. Based on the results, a method for categorizing firms into four distinct levels that involve passive, reactive, proactive and innovative is introduced. Hence, firms have an action plan to enhance TEC from passive to innovative level in a time-based transition pathway.     

Research into ambidextrous R&D in product development – new product development at a precision device maker: a case study

Through research into new product development processes at a precision device maker, this paper discusses the skilful management of knowledge boundaries that lie between various organisations, and between specialised human skills and functions that make up a project organisation, and presents the ways in which new organisational capabilities are brought about for the development of new products as exploratory activities that dynamically merge and integrated the various knowledge within a company. This paper describes some of the implications derived from analysis and observations of the new organisational forms of the company's ambidextrous R&D management which the company uses to engage in both ‘uncertainty management (exploration)’ and ‘existing product management (exploitation)’, through the partnering of its existing formal organisations and dynamic structuring of diverse multifunctional teams formed as projects spanning different specialisations and capabilities.     

服务外包中组织双元学习对供应商创新能力的影响——治理机制的调节作用

通过提升自身创新能力应对市场竞争，已成为多数服务外包供应商的重要战略选择。基于社会网络理论和组织学习理论，运用174对发包企业与供应商企业的有效配对调查数据，探究组织双元学习对供应商创新能力的影响，检验契约治理机制和关系治理机制的调节作用。结果发现：①探索式学习与利用式学习均对供应商创新能力具有积极影响；②关系治理机制在组织双元学习与供应商创新能力关系中起正向调节作用；③契约治理机制在组织双元学习与供应商创新能力关系中呈负向调节效应。研究结论有助于厘清组织双元学习影响供应商创新能力的内在机理，对我国服务外包企业有效运用不同组织学习方式提升自主创新能力具有一定借鉴意义。     

Achieving competitive capabilities in e-services

What implications does the Internet have for service operations strategy? How can business performance of e-service companies be improved in today's knowledge-based economy? These research questions are the subject of this paper. We propose a model that links the e-service company's knowledge-based competencies with their competitive capabilities. Drawing from the current literature, our analysis suggests that services that strategically build a portfolio of knowledge-based competencies, namely human capital, structural capital, and absorptive capacity have more operations-based options, than their counterparts who are less apt to invest. We assume that the combinative capabilities of service quality, delivery, flexibility, and cost are determined by the investment in intellectual capital. Arguably, with the advent of the Internet, different operating models (e.g., bricks-and-mortar, clicks-and-mortar, or pure dot-com) have different strategic imperatives in terms of knowledge-based competencies. Thus, the new e-operations paradigm can be viewed as a configuration of knowledge-based competencies and capabilities.     

Evolving roles and dynamic capabilities of an innovation agency: the Dutch Rijksnijverheidsdienst, 1910–1940

Contemporary literature on intermediary organisations does not cover the history of these organisations in the early twentieth century or how their roles evolved. To understand the evolution of roles, this paper extends the application of dynamic capabilities theory from firms to intermediary organisations. It does this by studying a Dutch government innovation agency between 1910 and 1940 with dynamic capabilities in mediation and knowledge development. These capabilities are illustrated by nine examples that reveal how the agency's consultants modified and extended their resource base in order to continue supporting small and medium-sized enterprises while coping with considerable challenges and changes. Thereby, this paper shows that the dynamic capabilities theory can explain how intermediary organisations can adapt their roles.     

Mobile communications in China: levels of technological dynamism

This paper examines the technological capability of the Chinese mobile communications sector. First, a framework is established to measure static and dynamic capabilities at the service operator level. Using this framework, two service operators, China Mobile and China Unicom, were tested. Four key factors (the regulatory system, home demand, levels of competition and the corporate governance system) are explored through discussion with government organisations, research institutes and the two service operators – all influence the development of operators’ dynamic capabilities. The research suggests that the mobile communications industry in China has devoted considerable resources and effort to developing static capabilities. However, dynamic capabilities are impeded by an inadequate regulatory system, insufficient competition, unsophisticated home demand and an ineffective corporate governance system.     

Greenhouse gas emission reduction potentials in air transport: a structural equation modelling-based multi-group analysis

In this study, we used a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to identify the key factors that influence greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction potentials in air transport (ERPAT). We explored the correlations among constructs from the perspectives of aviation GHG emission reduction. Organisation type is one of the contextual factors that may change the nature of these correlations. Person- and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 249 aviation experts. The results obtained using SEM showed that aircraft technology and design, aviation operations and infrastructure, socio-economic and policy measures, and alternative fuels and fuel properties are the key factors for reducing GHG emission. Conclusively, organisation type can help in controlling the relationship among the constructs. Thus, organisation type acts as a moderator in the research model. The outputs can be used to measure the level of knowledge and understanding regarding ERPAT and can provide policy-makers, government organisations, and airlines with valuable information for designing appropriate air transport policies for emission reduction.     

Development of internal resources and capabilities as sources of differentiation of SME under increased global competition: A field study in Mexico

This paper draws on the resource-based view of the firm and contributes to our understanding of how the development of internal resources and capabilities in SMEs can provide sources of competitive advantages in the international arena and improve their business performance.This research found statistical evidence to suggest that business performance measured by growth rate, efficiency, productivity and shareholder's financial returns, is positively related with the development of internal capabilities such as soft technology (methods and processes that support the firm) and hard technology (externally acquired equipment, in-house development of machinery and innovation in raw materials) and a strategy of continuous improvement, innovation and change.A number of relevant contributions are proposed in this piece of research that expands our understanding of how SMEs can compete in the international context: (1) firms whose explicit business strategy emphasizes innovation and knowledge creation have been able to successfully participate in global contexts; (2) even though financial resources are important for a firm to leverage performance it was found that development of internal capabilities has been more important than limited financial resources in order to develop competitive advantages to compete with larger and multinational competitors; (3) results of this research support the proposition that from an associational economy perspective the development of a geographical region or country should be an interaction among a number of constituents namely government policies, the firms themselves and universities and research centers among others.     

The role of networking in the competitiveness of firms

Two main forces characterise production systems today: on the one hand, the increasingly global nature of markets and economies has resulted in increasing competition and a new, more global division of labour. On the other, the greater complexity of technology makes innovation a key aspect in the competitiveness of manufacturing firms. The establishment of cooperative networks seems to be important in both processes. This paper aims to explore these aspects by analysing the competitiveness of firms in four different sectors of the manufacturing industry: food, chemicals, electronics and vehicles. Data have been obtained from a survey conducted specifically for this purpose at company level in Spain. Findings from the empirical analysis, based on the application of the Polytomous Logistic Universal Model (PLUM), confirm the positive effects that the ability to network has on company performance. In particular, among all the potential organisations that work as partners of the firms, the paper shows the importance of intra-firm cooperation, the user-producer relationships and the cooperation between competitors.     

众包能力对新产品开发模糊前端绩效的影响

在开放式创新情境下，企业对模糊前端众包任务、创意和流程的有效管理是推动产品创意进入新产品开发后端，提升模糊前端绩效的关键，但众包能力影响模糊前端绩效的过程机理仍不明确。基于信息处理理论，构建众包能力、市场不确定性、技术不确定性与模糊前端绩效作用关系的理论模型，利用287份企业问卷调研数据对研究假设及影响路径进行实证检验。研究结果表明：众包能力对降低市场不确定性、技术不确定性和提高模糊前端绩效均有显著正向影响；降低市场不确定性及技术不确定性在众包能力与模糊前端绩效间起部分中介作用。     

Technological capabilities accumulation and internationalization strategies of Mexican biotech firms: a multi case study from agro-food & pharma industries

ABSTRACT

In this paper our aim is to analyze the relationship between technological capabilities accumulation of Mexican biotech firms and their different types of internationalization strategies. Because of the determining effect of firms’ capital investment level, we analyzed three groups of firms: start-ups, small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) and multinational firms (MNEs). We made use of a wide range of information: The First Survey of Biotechnology Development Firms in Mexico, the systematization of 20 case studies, interviews with key persons in the industry and public sources. We confirmed the two hypotheses outlined: (i) TCA process does not follow a linear path in Mexican biotech firms and (ii) firms with lower capital investment levels exhibit a lower level of TCA and less complex internationalization strategies; while firms with higher capital investment levels are associated with higher TCA levels and more complex internationalization strategies. Biotechnology requires high levels of capital investment and these to a large extent determine the development and technological capabilities accumulation. Therefore, we suggest that a capitalization program is much needed to foster Mexican biotech firms’ TCA processes and develop internationalization strategies.     

消费结构升级、政府支持与区域科技创新能力：空间视角下的分析

基于2009-2018年中国省级空间面板数据，运用空间杜宾模型,重点分析了空间视角下消费结构升级、政府支持与科技创新能力的多重关系。研究发现：①当前我国消费结构升级与区域科技创新能力呈现U型关系，即在消费结构处于较低阶段时，其与科技创新能力提升呈负相关关系，而当消费结构升级到一定高度，这种负向关系转变为正向关系；②政府支持与科技创新能力呈现倒U型关系，即当科技创新水平较低时，政府支持有利于科技创新能力提升，当科技创新能力发展到一定程度后，政府支持开始成为制约因素。在考虑发现①的基础上，可以认为政府支持下呈现的倒U型曲线与消费取向的阶段性变化密切相关，即当消费结构处于较低阶段时政府支持发挥了弥补市场不足的作用，而当消费市场转向有利于创新发展时，过度的政府支持会对自由市场产生挤出效应，从而不利于创新能力发展；③在空间溢出上，地理距离矩阵下呈现出与发现①和发现②相似的关系，经济距离矩阵下呈现出与发现②相似的关系。     

创新型产业集群与政策资源依赖关系研究

政府通过创新平台投入大量政策资源刺激创新,以提升产业集群竞争力。在该发展模式下,产业集群竞争力提升后,集群会更加依赖政策资源还是能够摆脱对政策资源的依赖？以资源依赖理论为基础,将产业集群竞争力分为创新竞争力、规模竞争力和市场竞争力,探讨创新型产业集群竞争力与政策资源依赖之间的关系。以109个创新型产业集群为研究对象,首先采用DEA三阶段分析法,对政策资源依赖进行量化;其次,运用主成分分析法对规模竞争力、创新竞争力和市场竞争力进行量化分析;最后,通过回归分析探究创新型产业集群规模竞争力、创新竞争力、市场竞争力与政策资源依赖之间的关系。结果表明,创新型产业集群创新竞争力、规模竞争力和市场竞争力与政策资源依赖的关系特征存在差异,且受地域和行业影响。具体地,创新型产业集群规模竞争力与政策资源依赖的相关关系十分显著,创新竞争力与政策资源依赖的相关性不显著,市场竞争力在部分地区、行业与政策资源依赖存在显著相关关系。研究结论对于制定合理的创新型产业集群培育政策、推进高端制造业发展具有借鉴意义。     

The complementary nature of technological capabilities: Measurement and robustness issues

The application of composite indicators to complex phenomena in social science has come to remarkable prominence. As a result, they have been widely applied in wide-ranging fields. This paper explores the application of a composite indicator of technological capabilities that can be also valid for composite indicators in other fields. We focus on whether different methodologies to build composite indicators lead to different results. The arithmetic mean to aggregate technological capabilities variables has been widely criticized, as it allows for perfect substitutability between variables, thus disregarding the complementary nature of technological capabilities. We introduce a new aggregation rule, the concave mean, in order to take into account the complementarity argument in a Science-Technology-Innovation context. Using a dataset for 138 countries, we show that the arithmetic mean is biased in principle but robust in practice. This depends upon the fact that technologically more advanced countries tend to have a more complementary structure in their technological capabilities compared to less developed nations.