Development of a framework for the growth of technological entrepreneurship in FMCG companies

Technological entrepreneurship is an underlying and fundamental approach that enables the transformation of a creative idea into an entrepreneurial opportunity. The entrepreneur needs tools to be able to transform his ideas into operational innovation for hunting environmental opportunities. The growth of information and communication technology, as well as the wideness and ubiquity of the Internet, have provided these people with the right opportunity and tools. Entrepreneurial dreams can be turned into reality by using information technology facilities. According to the development of knowledge-based economies and the importance of using new technologies in economic growth, the field of technological entrepreneurship is expanding every day and includes wider dimensions. Technological entrepreneurship plays an important role in the process of creating a regional economy and sustainable development in the country. The need for technological entrepreneurship is because technology-based industries are rapidly expanding and replacing traditional industries. In this regard, the present research aims to identify the factors affecting the development of technological entrepreneurship capabilities in FMCG companies in order to develop and grow the culture of technological entrepreneurship. In this research, a conceptual framework is presented for the development of technological entrepreneurship, which can be a valuable guide for improving processes in knowledge-based organizations

Roles of Exogenous Technologies in Vehicle Innovation: Cases from a Japan’s Automotive Parts Manufacturing Firm

This paper explores the roles of technological innovations in the growth of Japan’s motor vehicle industry, mainly from technology spillover perspective from the early 2000s to today. An empirical analysis focusing on business performances, R&D investments, and patent applications taking a noteworthy unique case in Japan was attempted. Empirical analyses on the productivity of patent to technology stock, use of exogenous technologies for their own technological innovation on its Automotive Business Unit elucidated that innovation capabilities, incorporation of exogenous technologies, and profit generation makes a virtuous cycle of continuous technological innovation. Furthermore, we found that the range of technology spillovers is not only expanding along with the development of information communication technology but also superposing itself intricately between organizational (industry– firm–business unit) layers

Capturing composites manufacturing waste flows through process mapping

The necessity of high performance materials has become latent in high technology sectors such as aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, nuclear engineering and sports. The expanding impact on future manufacturing of the EU waste management legislation and increasing price of current waste management methods stress the importance of an efficient and sustainable way of recycling waste generated in the composites industry. Aerospace companies estimated that 30e50% of materials in aircraft production are scrapped due to the way it is manufactured. Companies need to pay for landfilling the composite materials that otherwise can be a valuable resource. In a view that looking at individual production waste outputs could maximise the material reuse or recycling capability, gaining information about the type of scrap materials could inform the development of composite reuse/recycling supply chain. This research paper focuses on understanding the scale of scrap created in individual composites manufacturing processes to assess its potential value in terms of reuse/recycle capabilities. A Material flow analysis based data collection workshop has been performed with four composite manufacturers. Through the case studies it has been identified that there are three fibre related waste outputs captured: dry fibres, fibre material sheet off-cuts, and curried composite off-cuts. The captured information allows for the material specification development. This allows bridging the gap between the manufacturers and the waste processors in composites to address the lack of infrastructure and lack of waste material specification barriers outlined by the Composites Strategy 2009

Expanding Human Capabilities Through the Adoption and Utilization of Free, Libre, and Open Source Software

Free, libre, and open source software (FLOSS) is software that is collaboratively developed. FLOSS provides end-users with the source code and the freedom to adapt or modify a piece of software to fit their needs (Deek & McHugh, 2008; Stallman, 2010). FLOSS has a 30 year history that dates to the open hacker community at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where information and knowledge was freely shared among a community of programmers and end-users (Lessig, 2006; Stallman, 2010; Sullivan, 2011). The advent of a proprietary or closed software development model in the late 1970s and early 1980s prompted FLOSS advocates like Richard Stallman to develop tools to protect end-users\u27 rights to modify, share, and create software (Lessig, 2006, Stallman, 2010). Since then, the FLOSS and proprietary software development models have become two diametrically opposed points-of-view with advocates and detractors on both sides. This qualitative case study sought to understand in which human spaces FLOSS helped promote sustainable human development by expanding human capabilities in accessing the world\u27s knowledge and information in one community. It sought to answer: How has FLOSS helped to expand human capabilities by providing access to information? Amartya Sen\u27s (1999, 2009) capability approach was used to explore Reglue, a non-profit organization in Taylor, Texas, whose mission is to close the digital divide by providing students and their families with Linux-based computers. Heuristic inquiry was used to analyze participants\u27 experiences using or migrating to FLOSS to explore FLOSS\u27 influence on human capabilities within the boundaries of the case (Moustakas, 1994). Creswell\u27s (2008) qualitative data handling and analysis methodology was also used to identify themes. Five themes emerged from the data that included 14 sub-themes. The study\u27s results revealed that FLOSS does promote sustainable human development by expanding human capabilities in accessing the world\u27s knowledge and information. The results, however, indicate that continued training and guidance were needed to ensure that the participants\u27 success with migrating to and using FLOSS were successful. Conclusions and recommendations were made within the framework of the capability approach that serve to inform practice and policy for future FLOSS ventures or studies as well as to fill a gap that exists within the corpus of current FLOSS literature by adding a human-based case study to the body of FLOSS literature

Towards a Business Process Managment Maturity Model

Business Process Management (BPM) has been identified as the number one business priority by a recent Gartner study (Gartner, 2005). However, BPM has a plethora of facets as its origins are in Business Process Reengineering, Process Innovation, Process Modelling, and Workflow Management to name a few. Organisations increasingly recognize the requirement for an increased process orientation and require appropriate comprehensive frameworks, which help to scope and evaluate their BPM initiative. This research project aims toward the development of a holistic and widely accepted BPM maturity model, which facilitates the assessment of BPM capabilities. This paper provides an overview about the current model with a focus on the actual model development utilizing a series of Delphi studies. The development process includes separate studies that focus on further defining and expanding the six core factors within the model, i.e. strategic alignment, governance, method, Information Technology, people and culture

Enhancing access to parenting services using digital technology supported practices

Background: Early parenting services (EPS) in Australia provide a range of expanding and rapidly changing services, including innovative digital technologies to improve service access for metropolitan and rural families. Aim: This research aims to provide comprehensive information required for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the use of digital technologies for service delivery with parenting/child and family services in Australia and New Zealand in metropolitan and rural settings. Methods: An interpretive descriptive approach was applied using semi-structured interviews from 23 EPS practitioners and managers in five sites. Findings: These are presented as five main themes – preparing the way, practitioner qualities, benefits of using technology, presenting challenges, and management and professional development requirements. The findings have provided recommendations for the ongoing work in this area, the recruitment of new employees, and ongoing professional development and planning of services using digital supported technologies. Conclusion: This study has explored the experiences of both practitioners and managers, with a positive response despite navigating the initial and ongoing challenges that can occur with technology and internet capabilities. The use of digital technologies has significant benefits for rural and remote families due to many not having easy access to parenting services locally

Application of electronic educational resources in the preparation process for would be teachers of technologies

The article considers the use of electronic educational resources, as well as testing the feasibility of methods of applying this technology in the training of future teachers of technology. It is emphasized that updating and improving the forms, methods and means of teaching in higher pedagogical school significantly increase the level of information technology training of future specialists in technological education. In particular, electronic educational resources are used to simulate complex real events, situations, visualization of abstract information by dynamic representation of processes, demonstration of fragments of programs, movies, virtual tours and more. IT software allows modern teachers of technology education to combine text, graphics, animation, video and audio information, which significantly increases the level of learning material.In the conditions of integration of modern Ukraine into the European educational space, the form, methods and means of teaching in the higher pedagogical school need to be updated and unambiguously improved. The constant growth of educational information, the need for its analysis, assimilation, generalization, systematization and preservation, expanding the capabilities of the global Internet have led to the widespread introduction of information technology in the training of future professionals in higher education. After all, without knowledge of multimedia technologies, the ability to develop elements of e-educational resources, navigate in the modern information global space, it is impossible to achieve a high level of professionalism and become a competitive specialist.The application of technology of development and use of electronic educational resources can increase the effectiveness of active teaching methods for all forms of organization of the educational process in higher pedagogical institutions: at the stage of independent training of students, lectures, seminars, practical and laboratory classes

Innovative Asia: Advancing the Knowledge-Based Economy - Highlights of the Forthcoming ADB Study Report

[Excerpt] The development of knowledge-based economies (KBEs) is both an imperative and an opportunity for developing Asia. It is an imperative to sustain high rates of growth in the future and an opportunity whereby emerging economies can draw from beneficial trending developments that may allow them to move faster to advance in global value chains and in position in world markets. Over the last quarter of a century, driven mostly by cheap labor, developing countries in Asia have seen unprecedented growth rates and contributions to the global economy. Sustaining Asia’s growth trajectory, however, requires developing economies to seek different approaches to economic growth and progress, especially if they aspire to move from the middle-income to the high-income level. KBE is an important platform that can enable them to sustain growth and even accelerate it. It is time for Asia to consolidate and accelerate its pace of growth. Asia is positioned in a unique moment in history with many advantages that can serve as a boost: to name a couple, an expanding middle of the pyramid—Asia is likely to hold 50% of the global middle class and 40% of the global consumer market by 2020; and the growing importance of intra-regional trade within Asia, increasing from 54% in 2001 to 58% in 2011. Many developing economies are well placed to assimilate frontier technologies into their manufacturing environment

The Role of the Health Care Sector in Expanding Economic Opportunity

This report provides an overview and critical assessment of the ways in which multinational pharmaceutical companies currently participate in expanding economic opportunities in developing countries. As pharmaceutical companies become more involved in both business and philanthropic activities in developing countries, it will be important for each company to identify the best strategies available to it to create new economic opportunities and to leverage the benefits of activities already underway. While the primary focus of the industry is, and will most likely continue to be, on increasing access to health care, the potential for expanding economic opportunities through its activities should not be overlooked as a significant outcome. The analysis and case studies contained in the report highlight companies' contributions to economic opportunity expansion through job creation, training and capacity building, and shaping public policy. The report also offers recommendations for future work to increase economic opportunities. This paper is part of the Economic Opportunity Series published by the CSR Initiative at Harvard University Kennedy School