Exploring the Relevance of Knowledge-Based Networking (Social Media) Tools Among Family Businesses

Behind the success of an organization can be found the ability to manage the constantly ‘renewing’ knowledge effectively. Knowledge sharing is a vital part of knowledge management. The recent remarkable growth in Internet-based business activities has proved that many different advantages can be derived from communication technology platforms. Internet has changed the way people communicate, collaborate, learn and conduct business. It has delivered to organizations a global market presence, and online marketing has become an essential part of business. Both organizations and customers are more and more involved in social media. Different knowledge-based (social) networking tools have experienced significant growth in recent years. In 2014, an exploratory survey investigated how social media tools were being used for knowledge sharing and whether their usage was supported by Hungarian organizations. As a continuation, a new research focuses on leading family businesses, as their economic and societal value creation is extremely important in the country. The aims of the research are to explore the relevance and usage of knowledge-based networking tools to ascertain the benefits and challenges, as well as to define the reasons and purposes of using social media technologies. In this research, qualitative methodology was used to collect data through semi-structured interviews in 2018. The results indicate that social media provides a great opportunity to reach potential customers. It was found that the most popular social media tools are Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. The findings also show that enterprises face some challenges, such as how to respond to customers in real-time

Semantic-based policy engineering for autonomic systems

This paper presents some important directions in the use of ontology-based semantics in achieving the vision of Autonomic Communications. We examine the requirements of Autonomic Communication with a focus on the demanding needs of ubiquitous computing environments, with an emphasis on the requirements shared with Autonomic Computing. We observe that ontologies provide a strong mechanism for addressing the heterogeneity in user task requirements, managed resources, services and context. We then present two complimentary approaches that exploit ontology-based knowledge in support of autonomic communications: service-oriented models for policy engineering and dynamic semantic queries using content-based networks. The paper concludes with a discussion of the major research challenges such approaches raise

Use of Social Media Platforms in Disseminating Information amid COVID-19 pandemic in Technical University Libraries in Ghana

Abstract Educational institutions have undergone tremendous changes through the usage of technology-based applications. Academic libraries however have not been left out of this transition since the libraries are instituted in the university and the heart of the institution. The study aimed to examine social media use to disseminate information amid the Covid-19 pandemic in Technical University libraries. A qualitative research approach was used with semi-structured interviews used to collect data from ten participants. The findings revealed that most of the participants made use of social media like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp to disseminate information during the pandemic in both libraries studied. Also, social media helped make the libraries studied visible to the world at large. Inadequate funding, slow internet connectivity, and inadequate ICT infrastructure hindered the effective use of social media platforms as well as users accessing information during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was recommended that the Management of the parent universities provide the necessary infrastructure as far as ICT is concerned for libraries to function efficiently and effectively in their line of duty to support scholarship, teaching, leaching, and research work as they cannot function effectively without adequate provision of IT tools

Contributions of Research Collaboration to Innovation across Disciplines: Assessing the Entrepreneurial Role of Two Ghanaian Universities

On the basis of debates in literature on the usefulness of research from different disciplines to innovation, this study sought to assess the extent to which research collaboration between university researchers and the carriers of innovation yield outputs that contribute to innovation. The paper analysed data from stratified sample of academics from the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the Social Sciences, and the Arts, in two Ghanaian universities with the mandate to contribute to research and innovation in Ghana. Out of 266 respondents, a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 108 multiple responses were recorded on the perceived use of collaborative research findings in various types of innovation and for problem-solving. Except for service innovation, Kruskal-Wallis tests of differences across disciplines did not reveal statistically significant differences, in the extent to which the academics perceived their collaborative research findings to have contributed to innovation. Thus, all academic disciplines can be relevant to innovation and should be given the necessary policy support.     https://doi.org/10.47963/jobed.2019.0

The Rover Task Force:a case study in proactive and reactive policy intervention?

The paper examines the policy responses in the UK West Midlands to the successive crises at the car maker MG-Rover. Whilst the firm’s eventual collapse in 2005 was a substantial shock to the West Midlands economy, the impact was much less than was anticipated when the firm was first threatened with closure in 2000 at the time of its break-up and sale by the German car firm BMW. Although the firm struggled as an independent producer, the five years of continued production until 2005 and the work of the initial Rover Task Force (RTF1), enabled many suppliers to adjust and diversify away from their hitherto dependence on MG-Rover resulting in as many as 10,000–12,000 jobs being ‘saved’. This first intervention was later followed by a programme to help ex-workers to find new jobs or re-train and assist supply firms to continue trading in the short term. Examination of the effectiveness of these emergency initiatives enables a wider discussion about the nature of industrial policy in the region and the work of the local regional development agency’s cluster-based approach to economic development and business support. Whilst the actions taken were successful in a number of aspects, there were a number of significant ‘failures’ at both national and local level. The MG-Rover case also illustrates a number of critical issues pertaining to regionally based cluster policies and the organization of cluster management groups where the ‘cluster’ in question not only crosses both administrative and ‘sector’ boundaries but is also subject to the imperatives of the global market car market

The impact on development of technology and knowledge transfer in Chinese MNEs in sub-Saharan Africa: the Ghanaian case

The presence of Chinese multinational enterprises in Africa brings with it new technology and knowledge. Yet there is a lack of research on the impact of this on development in African countries. China's recent industrial development may be more appropriate for Africa's development than Western models, and the adoption of technological knowledge from Chinese firms may provide a more sustainable path to Africa's future development because of cultural, institutional, social and historical synergies. However, there may be major barriers to transferring appropriate technology and knowledge. Findings from our study in the construction industry in Ghana suggest an absence of specific technology and knowledge transfer policies and strategies, with human resource development practices, language and some cultural issues also creating barriers. Bidding practices of Chinese firms investigated also appear to militate against successful technology and knowledge transfers to local partners and staff. Yet there appears unrealised potential that has not been addressed by firms. We suggest measures that may be taken to realise this potential and point to implications for policy and future research on the development potential of China in Africa