2,333 research outputs found

    Guidelines Towards Better Participation of Older Adults in Software Development Processes using a new SPIRAL Method and Participatory Approach

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    This paper presents a new method of engaging older participants in the process of application and IT solutions development for older adults for emerging IT and tech startups. A new method called SPIRAL (Support for Participant Involvement in Rapid and Agile software development Labs) is proposed which adds both sustainability and flexibility to the development process with older adults. This method is based on the participatory approach and user empowerment of older adults with the aid of a bootstrapped Living Lab concept and it goes beyond well established user-centered and empathic design. SPIRAL provides strategies for direct involvement of older participants in the software development processes from the very early stage to support the agile approach with rapid prototyping, in particular in new and emerging startup environments with limited capabilities, including time, team and resources

    Managing New Ventures and Knowing Whether You Need to Pivot Your Business Model: Evidence from the Finnish IT Sector

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    Research Objectives Corporate agility is considered to be a key competitive advantage of startup companies developing new products when compared to larger corporations. With the now popular Lean Startup -methodology suggesting companies should make swift decisions to change their strategy and business model in uncertain new ventures, companies are supposed to know very quickly whether a business model is going to be successful or not. The purpose of this study is to understand why companies make radical changes to their business model and how they try to ensure at a relatively early stage that a business model is likely to fail, and that the most prudent action to take is to change trajectory and focus on another business model. Subsequently, the study seeks to clarify how agile companies develop their products under high levels of uncertainty. Methodology The empirical data for this study was gathered from eight semi-structured interviews with founders or early investors from growing Finnish IT startup companies. The respondents were selected as they have been involved with their respective companies from conception or from a very early stage and due to their top management position, the interviewees are very knowledgeable about all the reasoning behind the strategic decisions their companies made throughout the lifecycle of their core product offering. The interviews were analyzed using a systematic coding process. Findings The findings of the study indicate that companies either pivot due to a prolonged period of disappointing sales performance, or due to the new opportunities presented by experiments with new business models that lead to an immediate impact in customer satisfaction and revenue growth. The study indicates that disappointing performance is a sound basis for pivot only after multiple iterations on a business model, as it then becomes clearer that progress is too slow to reach desired performance levels and financial trouble is already visible in the horizon. Another finding of the study was the temporal differences between pivots that arose from negative performance and positive surprises from experiments

    Does “The Lean Startup” increase startups’ chances of success in Lisbon? : introduction to a “Leanness” scale

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    When following “The Lean Startup” (TLS) methodology, described by Eric Ries, startups are expected to have higher chances of success than conventional startups. The following study is the first attempt to empirically assess TLS approach macroscopic impact on startups’ death rates in the Lisbon’s ecosystem. A survey with validated “leanness” measuring scale, was used to classify startups. A local startup database, built using mainly online resources, diffused the survey through out Lisbon’s established startups. In addition, several semi-structured interviews were held with local entrepreneurship experts to complement quantitative findings. Lisbon’s “Lean” startups’ death rates were compared against “non-Lean” startups. No meaningful correlation between TLS usage and lower startups’ death rates were found. Additionally, studying TLS methodology adoption rates in Lisbon was not possible due to sample size limitations. Furthermore, no connection between increased investor’s confidence towards “Lean” investment opportunities was qualitatively found, neither have experts stood behind standardized metrics to monitor startups’ progress. Startups’ information is scattered and outdated, rendering research challenging and time-consuming. Startups struggle to standout from small businesses also riding the entrepreneurial hype, forming a foggy entrepreneurial hotspot. A startup certification process would be invaluable to highlight, accurately entitle fiscal benefits, increase investors’ exposure and monitor real startups’ progress. The developed “Leanness” scale could also be used to measure how much startups actually follow TLS methodology. Further groundwork is still needed to set the first research foundations on the subject in Lisbon.Seguindo a metodologia "The Lean Startup” (TLS), descrita por Eric Ries, espera-se que as startups tenham maior sucesso que startups tradicionais. Este estudo classifica-se como uma primeira tentativa de avaliar empiricamente o impacto macroscópico da metodologia TLS nas taxas de mortalidade de startups no ecossistema de Lisboa. Construiu-se uma base de dados de startups em Lisboa e, posteriormente, difundiu-se o primeiro questionário com uma escala de "Leanness" para estudá-las. Adicionalmente, foram conduzidas entrevistas semiestruturadas com empreendedores especialistas para enriquecer a pesquisa quantitativa. Não foi encontrada uma correlação significativa entre o uso da abordagem TLS e a redução das taxas de mortalidade de startups. Devido à falta de informação, não foi possível perceber qual é o grau de adoção da metodologia TLS. Não foi encontrada uma razão que justifique a maior confiança de investidores relativamente a oportunidades de investimento em startups que usam os princípios TLS. Especialistas em empreendedorismo não chegaram a um consenso no que diz respeito a um conjunto de métricas para monitorizar o progresso de startups. A sua informação no ecossistema de Lisboa encontra-se dispersa e desatualizada, o que tornou o estudo demorado e complexo. As startups esforçam-se por se destacarem dos pequenos negócios que se alimentam do alvoroço em redor do empreendedorismo, transformando Lisboa num polo saturado e confuso. Ainda há muito por descobrir neste ecossistema e, futuramente, os processos de certificação de startups e identificação de startups que utilizam os princípios TLS a partir da escala “Leanness” seriam caminhos a explorar

    Special Issue: Living Labs

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    Lean mentorship : fitting external support to entrepreneur needs over the startup development

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    Paper aims: The present paper aims at exploring aspects of the mentoring process within the practice of technology entrepreneurship, also postulating a new concept, the lean mentorship. Originality: Although literature examines the effects and nature of mentoring in a variety of contexts, this study pioneers by addressing the mentorship process from the lean startup perspective. Research method: The study was structured as an exploratory research, drawing on extant literature and a focus group comprised of scholars and practitioners with key roles within an entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. The group’s discussion was analyzed along with extant literature. Main findings: The paper further debates and provides insightful perceptions of the key characteristics of the mentorship process, such as the roles of mentors and mentees, the differences and similarities with coaching, and aspects mentorship providers should consider before exposing entrepreneurs. Implications for theory and practice: The main practical and theoretical contributions of this research are exactly the pioneering nature with regard to the lean startup perspective concerning mentoring. Additionally, conclusions suggests that mentoring providers should engage in experimentations to identify the moment in which entrepreneurs will best benefit from the provision, also mitigating waste of resources, such as time and expenses

    Special Issue: Living Labs

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    Special Issue: Living Labs

    Get PDF

    Special Issue: Living Labs

    Get PDF

    Special Issue: Living Labs

    Get PDF
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