From Offshore Operation to Onshore Simulator: Using Visualized Ethnographic Outcomes to Work with Systems Developers

This paper focuses on the process of translating insights from a Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW)-based study, conducted on a vessel at sea, into a model that can assist systems developers working with simulators, which are used by vessel operators for training purposes on land. That is, the empirical study at sea brought about rich insights into cooperation, which is important for systems developers to know about and consider in their designs. In the paper, we establish a model that primarily consists of a ‘computational artifact’. The model is designed to support researchers working with systems developers. Drawing on marine examples, we focus on the translation process and investigate how the model serves to visualize work activities; how it addresses relations between technical and computational artifacts, as well as between functions in technical systems and functionalities in cooperative systems. In turn, we link design back to fieldwork studies

Absorptive, adopted and agile: A study of the digital transformation of Africa carriers

My thesis explores the cultural, social and management context of digital transformation for African carriers, and discusses the elements of social-cultural barriers, obstacles of digital adoption, innovation, organisation change, ecosystem and their influences. Existing studies are mainly based on the presumed conditions in developed markets, including the free market, rule by law, human capital without considering the social and historical obstacles, absorptive capacities of organisations and the influences of foreign ICT enablers. Using a qualitative research paradigm privileges the insiders’ perspective. I have examined the different backgrounds of digital transformation in Africa. Path dependence is a significant negative consequence of post-colonial social net and western knowledge dominant environment. Vested interest plus corruption slowed down the process of digital adoption while arbitrary administration causes unnecessary concerns for participants. Traditionalism of Africa is a trade-off between customs of tribes and influence of colonial power. The priority for carriers is reshaping the organisation to take advantage of existing strategic assets, while the improvement of value creation efficiency is carried out by activating the ability of individuals. The new value net breaks the previous development model of low interdependence, maximising the use of external resources based on complementary advantages and sharing. The value net inherits the advantages of flexibility, innovation, quick response, and risk reduction advantages of organisations. Meanwhile, it has 4 following unique characteristics in Africa: Extremely Various Needs of Customers, Cross-industry, Locally Adopted Business Model and High Sensitivity in Costs. Four aspects are examined in value proposition, core competence, incubation and co-value creation to enable value net synergies. My research contributes to the theory of the digital transformation in undeveloped countries, in particular how social relationships and cultural norms are inextricably linked with insiders’ understandings of digital transformation. It also contributes to emerging debate about digital maturity research paradigms and methodologies

Creation of value with open source software in the telecommunications field

Tese de doutoramento. Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 200

The Role of Business Innovation in the Internationalization Process: Loccioni Group Case Study

Il presente lavoro vuole comprendere le dinamiche e le connessioni esistenti tra il relations management e le strategie di innovazione con focus su come queste vengano efficacemente implementate da parte delle imprese nel processo di internazionalizzazione. Lo studio e’ avviato con un’introduzione ai principali contributi economici nel campo del management e del marketing relazionale con focus specifico sul marketing relazione nel settore industriale. Il secondo capitolo definisce il ruolo dell’approccio relazionale sull’innovazione. Dopo l’introduzione dell’innovazione del XX secolo, la quale e’ stata caratterizzata principalmente da strategie della “closed innovation”, la ricerca sviluppa un’analisi del paradigma della “open innovation”. Il terzo capitolo introduce il ruolo dell’innovazione nel processo di internazionalizzazione con riferimento alle principali teorie, ai vantaggi e agli svantaggi sull’adozione di strategie di open innovation nella struttura organizzativa. Il capitolo studia come l’adozione delle strategie di open innovation, sfruttando la leva dei contatti e delle relazioni delle imprese, possa facilitare il processo di internazionalizzazione delle imprese. Nel quarto capitol l’analisi viene approfondita attraverso lo studio del caso di studio del Gruppo Loccioni il quale rappresenta il principale caso studio di questo documento. L’analisi si concentra sul processo di internazionalizzazione del Gruppo Loccioni individuando i punti in comune con i contribute scientifici ampiamente discussi nel documento. L’autore ha un approccio proattivo proponendo una piu’ intensa adozione ed implementazione delle strategie di open innovation nel processo di internazionalizzazione. In generale la ricerca suggerisce indicazioni per future ricerche nell’ambito dell’innovation management nel processo di internazionalizzazione per le piccole e medie imprese.The candidate’s work aims to understand dynamics and connections between relations management and innovation strategies and how enterprises successfully adopt those in the internationalization process. . The study starts with an introduction to the main academic contributions in the management and relationship marketing field with specific focus on relationship marketing in the industrial market. . The second chapter defines the role of relationship’s approach to innovation. After an introduction to XX century’s innovation, which has been represented mainly by closed innovation strategies, the research develops an attentive analysis of open innovation paradigm. . The third chapter introduces the role of innovation in the international process with reference to the main theories, the advantages and disadvantages on adopting open innovation strategies in the organizational structure. In fact, the chapter studies how adoption of open innovation strategies, also by leveraging companies’ networks and relations, could facilitate the internationalization process of corporations. . In the fourth chapter the research goes deeper into the analysis studying the Loccioni Group case, which is the main case study of this document. The analysis focuses on Loccioni’s internationalization process finding a match with the scientific contributions widely discussed in the document. The author takes a proactive approach trough the proposal of a deeper adoption and implementation of open innovation strategies in the internationalization process. . Overall the research provides directions for future research in innovation management related to the internationalization process undertaken by SMEs