17,825 research outputs found
CHORUS Deliverable 2.2: Second report - identification of multi-disciplinary key issues for gap analysis toward EU multimedia search engines roadmap
After addressing the state-of-the-art during the first year of Chorus and establishing the existing landscape in
multimedia search engines, we have identified and analyzed gaps within European research effort during our second year.
In this period we focused on three directions, notably technological issues, user-centred issues and use-cases and socio-
economic and legal aspects. These were assessed by two central studies: firstly, a concerted vision of functional breakdown
of generic multimedia search engine, and secondly, a representative use-cases descriptions with the related discussion on
requirement for technological challenges. Both studies have been carried out in cooperation and consultation with the
community at large through EC concertation meetings (multimedia search engines cluster), several meetings with our
Think-Tank, presentations in international conferences, and surveys addressed to EU projects coordinators as well as
National initiatives coordinators. Based on the obtained feedback we identified two types of gaps, namely core
technological gaps that involve research challenges, and âenablersâ, which are not necessarily technical research
challenges, but have impact on innovation progress. New socio-economic trends are presented as well as emerging legal
challenges
Kiertotalouden liiketoimintamallien hallinta : Kiertotalouden asiakasarvon luominen, dynaamiset kyvykkyydet ja arvoverkostot
Our current production and consumption patterns heavily rely on limited natural resources and simultaneously produce negative externalities in the shape of waste and pollution. In order to become future-fit, business models need to integrate these increasing pressures and become aligned with a circular economy blueprint, in which waste is designed out and products and materials provide optimized value though their recirculation. In order to do so, we need a conceptual framework that enables entrepreneurs and managers to design their circular business model. Consequently, the dissertation seeks to provide articulated knowledge on the mechanisms enabling the development and implementation of circular business models. We do so, first by providing an integrated characterization of circular business models, definition and guiding principles (essay I). Second, by looking at the configuration of three main elements, namely the features and characteristics of (1) customer value creation, (2) dynamic capabilities and (3) value networks in the context of business model transformation towards a circular economy (essays II, III and IV). The findings contribute to the emerging theory building literature on circular business models. In practice, the outcome of this integrated framework allows managers and entrepreneurs to redefine their value creation mechanisms in light of circular economy principles.Nykyiset tuotanto- ja kulutuskÀytÀnnöt rakentuvat vahvasti uusiutumattomien luonnonvarojen kÀyttöön ja aiheuttavat samalla kielteisiÀ ulkoisvaikutuksia jÀtteen ja saastumisen muodoissa. Kiertotalouden mallit perustuvat jÀtteettömyyteen, ja tuotteet ja materiaalit tarjoavat optimoitua arvoa takaisinkierrÀtyksellÀÀn. Vastatakseen tulevaisuuden haasteisiin liiketoimintamallit on yhdistettÀvÀ kiertotalouden malleihin. Sen toteuttamiseksi tarvitaan kÀsitteellinen viitekehys, joka mahdollistaa yrittÀjille ja johtajille kiertotalouden liiketoimintamallien muotoilun. VÀitöskirja pyrkii tarjoamaan jÀsennettyÀ tietoa kiertotalouden liiketoimintamallien kehittÀmistÀ ja toimeenpanoa mahdollistavista mekanismeista. Ensin tarjoamme kokonaisvaltaisen kuvauksen kiertotalouden liiketoimintamalleista, mÀÀritelmÀn ja ohjaavat periaatteet (essee I). Toiseksi tarkastelemme kolmen pÀÀelementin kokoonpanoa, eli (1) asiakasarvon luomisen, (2) dynaamisten kyvykkyyksien sekÀ (3) arvoverkostojen piirteitÀ ja ominaisuuksia liiketoimintamallien muutoksen yhteydessÀ kohti kiertotaloutta (esseet II, III ja IV). Havainnot antavat oman lisÀnsÀ teoreettiseen kirjallisuuteen kiertotalouden liiketoimintamalleista. KÀytÀnnössÀ tÀmÀ integroitu viitekehys mahdollistaa johtajille ja yrittÀjille arvoa tuottavien mekanismien uudelleenmÀÀrittelyn kiertotalouden periaatteiden valossa.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed
Circular economy and eco-innovations: a taxonomy of policy instruments
Recently, amidst increasingly pressing environmental concerns, the Circular Economy
(CE) concept has been defended, by both scholars and practitioners, as an alternative to
the âtake-make-disposeâ economic paradigm by emulating the naturally occurring, selfrenovating cycles. The CE is enabled by and depends on various technological and nontechnological eco-innovations (EIs), i.e., innovations that cause a net positive
environmental impact. The complex and systemic interrelations and feedback
mechanisms implicated have attracted attention to the role of innovation policy in driving
EIs. However, the circular economy â eco-innovation â innovation policy nexus is only
now beginning to emerge in academic literature and more research is needed to detail the
instruments involved and understand their interplay towards promoting an EI-mediated
CE transition. In the present work, we analysed data collected through systematic
literature review to propose and characterise an evidence-based, goal-oriented taxonomy
for policy instruments. Thus, six core categories of policy instruments are explored: 1)
R&D increase, 2) Non-financial capabilities, 3) Network capability, 4) Increase demand,
5) Regulations and Standards, and 6) Foresight activities. Our results highlight the
complexity underpinning the design of innovation policy mixes. We conclude that an
approach that, on one hand, targets the various stages in material cycles and on the other
hand, considers policy instrument features and their complementarity seems to benefit the
creation of âcircularâ innovations and the CE transition.Recentemente, no meio de preocupaçÔes ambientais crescentes, o conceito da Economia
Circular (EC) tem sido defendido, tanto por académicos como praticantes, como uma
alternativa do paradigma econĂłmico âextrair-transformar-descartarâ emulando os ciclos
naturais de autorregeneração. A EC é incitada por e depende em diversas EI tecnológicas
e nĂŁo-tecnolĂłgicas, i.e., inovaçÔes que causam um impacto ambiental lĂquido positivo.
As inter-relaçÔes complexas e sistĂ©micas e os mecanismos de reforço implicados tĂȘm
vindo a chamar Ă atenção para o papel das polĂticas de inovação na incitação das EIs. No
entanto, a conexĂŁo entre a economia circular â eco-inovaçÔes â polĂticas de inovação sĂł
agora começa a emergir na literatura académica e são necessårios mais estudos para
detalhar os instrumentos de polĂtica envolvidos e compreender os mecanismos que levam
à promoção da transição para a EC mediada por EIs. Neste trabalho, analisåmos dados
recolhidos através de uma revisão de literatura sistemåtica de modo a concretizar e
caracterizar uma taxonomia para instrumentos de polĂtica focada em diferentes objetivos
e baseada em evidĂȘncias da literatura. Seis categorias de instrumentos centrais sĂŁo
exploradas: 1) Aumento de I&D, 2) Capacidades nĂŁo-financeiras, 3) Capacidades de rede,
4) Aumento da procura, 5) Regulação e padrĂ”es, e 6) AnĂĄlise tendĂȘncias futuras. Os
resultados obtidos reforçam a complexidade subjacente ao desenho de polĂticas de
inovação. Conclui-se que uma abordagem por um lado direcionada para as diversas etapas
dos ciclos de materiais, por outro intencional nas caracterĂsticas dos instrumentos de
polĂtica e das suas complementaridades, parece beneficiar a criação de inovaçÔes
âcircularesâ e a transição para a EC
Time for space : typologically flexible and resilient buildings and the emergence of the creative dweller
There is apparent tension between the continual social changes and the fixed and homogeneous solutions in present day housing production. It can in the long run, jeopardize the resilient development, if people in the future cannot accommodate their needs and aspirations within the built environment produced today. Basing the spatial production on assumptions of predictability and a mechanistic understanding of the world, which is geared towards universal housing solutions, cannot necessarily guarantee the longevity of the building stock. To promote the best possible way the use of natural, economic or mental resources, the thesis puts forward the significance of spatial conditions as a prerequisite for long-term resilient development of the built environment, as well as the enhancement of peopleâs wellbeing. The focus of the thesis is in design and its context. The main research question is: how could spatial criteria for resilient spatial conditions be perceived, defined and developed from strategic starting points in design? The thesis emphasizes the creative process of design and its more autonomic character in processes as prerequisites for the emergence of new ways of living. This can be attained by means of buildings that are responsive to proactive changes throughout their whole life span. The approach is both theoretical and practical.
Housing has become a consumer product in which people are seen merely as objects of design. Instead, spatial production could be seen through the concept of lived space that promotes peopleâs proactive role as creative dwellers. This concept takes into account the self-organizational potential of buildings and space that can spark the emergence of new social and spatial conditions in a resilient manner and understands human activity as important resource in societies. The systems thinking and resilience thinking connected to design thinking are the key approaches used in the thesis. They emphasize the long term view and the constant responsiveness of systems to change, which are accomplished through their intrinsic characters of adaptability and flexibility. A strategic understanding of cities and their self-organizing potential is already being applied to urban environments in cities as emerging planning practices. In this thesis the strategic understanding is taken beyond the urban approach as integral character of buildings as well. This also stresses the inseparable connection between urban and building contexts.
To better understand the uniform context of prevailing housing production solutions, the thesis examines the viewpoints and presumptions prevalent in Finnish planning, guidance and building culture. The thesis highlights the path-dependencies and systemic context that have evolved into a non-developing system. The process of producing built environment emphasize efficiency and optimization of parts, rather than being holistic and open to new typologies and adaptive solutions. To be able to better define the resilient objectives and contexts for adaptability and flexibility of space, existing approaches and architectural theories relevant to these concepts are examined. These are studied through the key concepts of multi-usability, as objective of all building, and transformability, as assisting concept to fulfill this objective.
The conclusions emphasize resilient spatial solutions as an important criteria of sustainability that promote the advancement of resilient buildings. This demands a strategic dimension in design that understands the buildings as processes in evolutionary terms. The context of strategic dimension in design is developed through the concept of typological flexibility, which also recognizes the architectural character as a whole to promote meaningful interaction between people and space. The strategic understanding of buildings is based on abstract modularity inherent in typological flexibility. The concept interlinks all scales of conduct as in resilient systems that promote diversity and is based on space unit logic connected to abstract modularity. The thesis proposes box within a box âthinking to design, which originates from systems thinking. All aspects inherent in buildings from mental to physical can be covered in nested concepts and interlinked conceptual levels and scales of buildings named as: type, spatial configuration, space part, space unit and room. The characteristics of typologically flexible buildings are breathability, dynamism and elasticity. They are interpreted as the means and ends of typological flexibility that the nested concepts give rise to, and that promote resilient building stock in the long term. The metaphor of breathability (as the ends) relates to metabolism, to the breathing that enables the âorganismâ to stay alive and âbreathe inâ and âbreathe outâ different uses. Dynamism (as means) is the way of bringing about adaptability and flexibility in the building. Elasticity establishes the link between breathability and dynamism and refers to how breathable â and thus multi-usable â the space actually is. The more transformations the building or dwelling needs for changes, the less elastic it is. A valuation table is introduced comprising all these above mentioned attributes of typological flexibility to assess whether the building fulfills the criteria of resilient building, and can promote the emergence of the creative dweller.Nykyisen asuntotuotannon luomien homogeenisten asuntoratkaisujen ja jatkuvan sosiaalisen muutoksen vĂ€lillĂ€ on olemassa jĂ€nnite, mikĂ€ pitkĂ€llĂ€ tĂ€htĂ€imellĂ€ vaarantaa yhteiskunnan kestĂ€vĂ€n kehityksen, jos ihmiset tulevaisuudessa eivĂ€t voi elÀÀ tarpeittensa ja toiveittensa mukaisesti tĂ€nĂ€ pĂ€ivĂ€nĂ€ tuotetussa rakennuksissa ja rakennetussa ympĂ€ristössĂ€. Tilan tuotanto, joka pohjaa olettamaan ennustettavuudesta ja ymmĂ€rrykseen universaaliudesta sekĂ€ painottaa teknologiaa, ei vĂ€lttĂ€mĂ€ttĂ€ voi turvata rakennuskannan pitkĂ€ikĂ€isyyttĂ€. Edesauttaakseen luonnonvarojen tasapainoista kĂ€yttöÀ sekĂ€ taloudellisten ettĂ€ henkisten resurssien parasta mahdollista hyödyntĂ€mistĂ€ vĂ€itöskirja tuo esiin tilallisten ratkaisujen merkityksen pitkĂ€n tĂ€htĂ€imen kestĂ€vĂ€lle kehitykselle ja ihmisten hyvinvoinnille. Työn fokus on suunnittelussa ja siinĂ€ kontekstissa missĂ€ se toimii. PÀÀtutkimuskysymys on miten resilientit tilalliset kriteerit hahmotetaan, mÀÀritellÀÀn ja kehitetÀÀn strategisista lĂ€htökodista, jotta suunnittelu mahdollistaisi joustavan ja jatkuvasti ennakoimattoman muutoksiin sopeutuvan rakennuskannan. TĂ€mĂ€ voidaan saavuttaa rakennusten avulla, jotka kykenevĂ€t reagoimaan spontaanisti muutoksiin koko elinkaarensa ajan. Tutkimuksen lĂ€hestymistapa on sekĂ€ teoreettinen ettĂ€ kĂ€ytĂ€ntöön kohdistuva.
Asumisesta on tullut kulutushyödyke, jossa ihmiset nÀhdÀÀn pitkÀlti suunnittelun kohteina. Sen sijaan tilantuotanto voitaisiin ymmÀrtÀÀ kÀsitteiden eletty tila (lived space) ja ihmisten aktiivisempaa roolia korostavan luova asuja (creative dweller) kautta, jotka ymmÀrtÀvÀt inhimillisen toiminnan yhteiskunnallisena resurssina kestÀvÀ kehitys huomioiden. NÀiden kÀsitteiden soveltaminen tilantuotantoon edellyttÀÀ rakennuksilta ja tiloilta kykyÀ itse-organisoitua, joka voi tuoda esiin ja mahdollistaa uusia sosiaalisia ja tilallisia olosuhteita. Tutkimuksen pÀÀlÀhestymistavat ovat systeemiajattelu ja resilienssiajattelu suhteessa suunnitteluajatteluun. LÀhestymistavat korostavat pitkÀn tÀhtÀimen nÀkökulmaa ja systeemien jatkuvaa kykyÀ reagoida muutokseen sisÀisen adaptiivisuutensa ja joustavuutensa avulla. Strategista ymmÀrrystÀ kaupunkisuunnittelusta, joka pohjaa ymmÀrrykseen kaupunkien itse-organisoituvasta luonteesta, sovelletaan jo. TÀmÀ tutkimus vie kuitenkin strategisen ajattelun vielÀ pidemmÀlle myös elimelliseksi osaksi rakennusten suunnittelua, mikÀ korostaa myös urbaanin tilan ja rakennusten elimellistÀ yhteyttÀ.
YmmÀrtÀÀkseen paremmin vallitsevan asuntotuotannon ratkaisujen kehitystÀ tutkimus tarkastelee nÀkökulmia ja olettamuksia suomalaisen kaavoituksen, suunnittelun ohjauksen ja rakennuskulttuurin takana. VÀitöskirja tÀhdentÀÀ polkuriippuvuuksien ja systeemisten olosuhteiden merkitystÀ, jotka ovat muodostuneet ei-kehittyvÀksi systeemiksi. Nykyiset rakennettua ympÀristöÀ tuottavat prosessit korostavat tehokkuutta ja osien optimointia ennemminkin kuin holistista nÀkemystÀ ja mahdollisuutta jatkuvasti tuottaa uudistuvia tilallisia asuinratkaisuja. Jotta tavoitteet ja sisÀllöt resilientin rakennuskannan suunnittelulle voitaisiin paremmin mÀÀrittÀÀ, vÀitöskirjassa tutkitaan jo olemassa olevia merkityksellisiÀ nÀkökulmia ja suunnitteluteorioita. NiitÀ tarkastellaan kahden avainkÀsitteen pohjalta, joita ovat monikÀyttöisyys (multi-usability) tilantuotannon tavoitteena, ja muunneltavuus (transformability), joka edistÀÀ tÀtÀ tavoitetta.
JohtopÀÀtökset korostavat resilienttien tilaratkaisujen merkitystĂ€ kestĂ€vĂ€n kehityksen kriteerinĂ€, jotka edesauttavat mukautuvan ja kestĂ€vĂ€n rakennuskannan edistĂ€mistĂ€. TĂ€mĂ€ vaatii suunnittelulta strategista ulottuvuutta, joka ymmĂ€rtÀÀ rakennukset alati kehittyvinĂ€ mentaalisina ja fyysisinĂ€ prosesseina. Rakennussuunnittelun strateginen ulottuvuus on kehitetty kĂ€sitteen typologinen joustavuus pohjalta, joka ottaa kokonaisvaltaisesti huomioon niin rakennuksen arkkitehtuurin kuin tilan ja ihmisten vuorovaikutuksen hyvinvoinnin edistĂ€miseksi. Rakennusten strateginen ymmĂ€rrys pohjautuu tilayksikköajatteluun (space unit logic) ja abstraktiin modulaarisuuteen (abstract modularity) osana typologisen joustavuuden kĂ€sitettĂ€. Konsepti yhdistÀÀ kaikki tilalliset skaalat, mikĂ€ on resilientin systeemin yleinen luonne, huonetiloista kaupunkirakenteeseen. VĂ€itöskirja ehdottaa suunnittelun osaksi uudenlaista systeemiajattelun sisĂ€ltĂ€ kumpuavaa âlaatikko laatikon sisĂ€llĂ€â (box within box) ajattelua. Kaikki rakennusta koskevat nĂ€kökohdat mentaalisesta fyysiseen voidaan kattaa sisĂ€kkĂ€isillĂ€ konsepteilla ja kytketyillĂ€ konseptuaalisilla tasoilla, joita ovat: tyyppi (type), tilakonfiguraatio (spatial configuration), tilaosa (space part), tilayksikkö (space unit) ja huonetila (room). Typologisen joustavuuden ominaisuuksia ovat hengittĂ€vyys (breathability), dynaamisuus (dynamism) ja elastisuus (elasticity). Ne kĂ€sitetÀÀn samanaikaisesti sekĂ€ typologisen joustavuuden keinoksi ettĂ€ pÀÀmÀÀriksi, jotka edellĂ€ mainitut sisĂ€kkĂ€iset konseptit mahdollistavat, ja jotka edistĂ€vĂ€t resilientin rakennuskannan muodostumista. HengittĂ€vyyden metafora (pÀÀmÀÀrĂ€) liittyy metabolismiin, joka edistÀÀ resilienttien rakennusten mahdollisuutta âhengittÀÀâ sisÀÀn ja ulos erilaisia kĂ€yttötarkoituksia. Dynaamisuus (keino) on adaptiivisuuden ja joustavuuden luonne rakennuksessa. Elastisuus luo linkin hengittĂ€vyyden ja dynaamisuuden vĂ€lille ja ilmaisee, kuinka hengittĂ€vĂ€ - monikĂ€yttöinen â rakennus tosiasiassa on. MitĂ€ enemmĂ€n rakennuksen tilat ja asunnot tarvitsevat muunneltavuutta, sen vĂ€hemmĂ€n elastinen rakennus on. Tutkimuksen osana on kehitetty arviointitaulukko, joka sisĂ€ltÀÀ kaikki typologisen joustavuuden ulottuvuudet, mikĂ€ auttaa hahmottamaan kuinka rakennukset tĂ€yttĂ€vĂ€t typologisen joustavuuden kriteerit ja kuinka rakennus edistÀÀ luovan asujan syntymistĂ€ ja olemassa oloa
The business model: Theoretical roots, recent developments, and future research
The paper provides a broad and multifaceted review of the received literature on business models, in which we attempt to explore the origin of the construct and to examine the business model concept through multiple disciplinary and subject-matter lenses. The review reveals that scholars do not agree on what a business model is, and that the literature is developing largely in silos, according to the phenomena of interest to the respective researchers. However, we also found some emerging common ground among students of business models. Specifically, i) the business model is emerging as a new unit of analysis; ii) business models emphasize a system-level, holistic approach towards explaining how firms do business; iii) organizational activities play an important role in the various conceptualizations of business models that have been proposed, and iv) business models seek not only to explain the ways in which value is captured but also how it is created. These emerging themes could serve as important catalysts towards a more unified study of business models.Business model; strategy; technology management; innovation; literature review;
Experiencing integration: A pilot study of consumer and provider experiences of integrated primary health care
This study will provide important insights into if and how integrated primary health care works from the perspectives of both consumers and providers. It will pilot test methods of qualitative and quantitative research into consumer experiences of integrated primary health care in a single-site health care service.The research reported in this paper is a project of the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute which is supported by a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development Strategy
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