Setting the three-stage R&D shared portfolio methodology: an innovative approach to industry–university collaboration

Purpose – The purpose is to present an approach to start industry-university (I-U) collaboration through a phased process aimed at building a portfolio of Research and Development (R&D) projects. Design/methodology/approach – It devises from an 18-month action-research program held between a multinational automotive manufacturer and a top-ranked Brazilian university. Findings – The 3-Stage RSP methodology results from a combined application of QFD-like (Quality Function Deployment) correlation matrices and Roadmapping. The first matrix tackles industry interests and correlates product performance dimensions and components to reveal broad research areas of interest. A second matrix correlates research areas and engineering competences, highlighting the types of required know-how from the university standpoint. Thirdly, academic experts help to fill a roadmap-like layer with possible collaborative R&D deliverables over time. Research limitations/implications – As the study lies on a single experience, extensions to other contexts should be made with caution. However, the proposal offers a robust rationale and a set of supporting tools to nurture new applications. Practical implications – Theoretical and methodological reflections help managers tackle the long-standing problem of setting a shared R&D agenda. Originality/value – Literature on industry-university collaboration tends to over-emphasize the role of Technology Transfer Offices in promoting the partnerships, or to seek implications for public policy. This research offers a valuable approach to building a shared R&D project portfolio from a managerial viewpoint, filling an academic gap and offering guidance for managers on both sides

O papel da orientação para o mercado e orientação empreendedora no desempenho das júnior empresas

This study explores the market orientation (MO), entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and its relationship with the performance of Junior Enterprises (JEs). Using a sample of 93 Junior Enterprises, we tested the suitability of the MO and EO scales proposed by Kohli, Jaworski, and Kumar (1993) and Hughes and Morgan (2007) respectively, and new dimensions and scales were created that better fit JEs characteristics. With these new dimensions, we tested the effect of MO and EO on performance and the mediating effect of EO between MO and performance. Results suggest that both MO and EO dimensions have a positive impact on JEs’ performance and that EO dimensions partially or totally mediate the link between MO dimensions and performance. The study provides a more detailed understanding of JEs organizational characteristics and the impact of strategic orientations in their performance, providing, on the one hand, implications for research through the analysis of these constructs in a new context and through the analysis of EO as mediator. On the other hand, implications for JEs and national/international federations that can adapt their strategies and training plans bearing in mind these topics, as well as for universities that can better understand the context and potential of JEs and thus support them more effectively.Este estudo explora a orientação para o mercado (MO), a orientação empreendedora (EO) e as suas relações com o desempenho das Júnior Empresas (JEs). Utilizando uma amostra de 93 Júnior Empresas, foi testada a adequação das escalas MO e EO propostas por Kohli, Jaworski, and Kumar (1993) e Hughes and Morgan (2007) respetivamente, tendo sido criadas novas dimensões e escalas que melhor se adequam às características das JEs. Com estas novas dimensões, foi testado o efeito de MO e EO no desempenho das JEs e o efeito mediador de EO na relação entre MO e desempenho. Os resultados sugerem que tanto as dimensões de MO e como de EO têm um impacto positivo no desempenho das JEs e que as dimensões de EO mediam, parcial ou totalmente, a ligação entre as dimensões de MO e o desempenho. Este estudo oferece um entendimento mais detalhado das características das JEs e o impacto das orientações estratégicas no seu desempenho, fornecendo por um lado implicações para a investigação pela análise destes constructos num novo contexto e pela análise de EO como mediador, algo pouco discutido na literatura. Por outro lado, implicações para as JEs e federações nacionais e internacionais que podem assim adaptar as suas estratégias e planos de formação tendo em conta estes tópicos, bem como para as universidades que podem perceber melhor o contexto e potencial das JEs e assim apoiar estas mais eficazmente.FCT - PTDC/IVC-PEC/5514/2014Mestrado em Gestã

Understanding the role of entrepreneurial orientation in Junior Enterprises

The promotion of entrepreneurial behaviour and competences among students is being highlighted by researchers and policy-makers, as a mean to promote social and economic development. Therefore, the search for the most effective teaching methods, programs and curricula, as well as extra-curricular activities, is a concern of many teachers and educators. This study focus on Junior Enterprises (JEs), a non-profit organization, constituted by university students with the purpose of providing the context that mimics an actual business environment, in order to enhance the entrepreneurial competences of their members. Currently, the JE network is present in more than 500 universities worldwide, accounting for more than 990 JEs and 50000 students. Although its relevance, JEs are an ill-studied subject, with only a limited number of empirical studies focused on this type of organization. This study aims at fulfilling this gap by providing evidence that JEs are an adequate test-bed for students to learn and practice entrepreneurship. Based on these assumptions, this study explores the strategic orientations and its impact on JEs performance, in order to assess if JE behaves similarly to an actual company. Thus, an Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) measurement instrument adapted to JEs is developed and then used to test the effect of EO dimensions on the performance of JEs. The regression analysis conducted with the new dimensions showed that EO positively influences the performance of JEs, having an important role in the development of the JE and consequently in the development of the students.publishe

Developing Diplomats: Comparing Form and Culture Across Diplomatic Services, PRP 194

This study is a detailed and focused effort to broaden how we understand and conceptualize the recruitment, training, and development of professional diplomats in the twenty-first century. The goal is not to criticize processes in different countries, but to create a common foundation for comparing, learning, and even integrating training and career development models across nations.Public Affair

Spartan Daily, November 5, 1980

Volume 75, Issue 47https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6683/thumbnail.jp

Evaluating quality-inspection effectiveness and affordability in short run productions

STRUCTURED ABSTRACT Purpose – Illustrating a practical method for supporting the design of quality inspections in short run and single unit manufacturing processes. Design/methodology/approach – Processes are decomposed into a number of steps, which are potentially critical to defect generation. Several parameters concerning effectiveness and cost of the inspections are identified and aggregated into a probabilistic model for representing the process propensity to produce defects. Two indicators related to the effectiveness and cost of inspections are defined and tested through a case study concerning a short run manufacturing process in the automotive industry. Findings – The combined use of the proposed indicators allows to support the selection of the more appropriate inspection procedures, in a simple and practical way. Research limitations/implications – The above indicators and probabilistic model rely on the following simplifying assumptions: (i) possible occurrence of a single defect typology in each step, and (ii) absence of correlation between the parameters related to different steps. Future research will focus on developing more general probabilistic models and identifying practical methods to estimate the relevant parameters. Practical implications – The proposed model and indicators may be applied to a variety of industrial contexts, related to short run and single unit productions. Originality/value – The proposed model and indicators allow to identify the more effective and affordable inspection procedures for short run and single unit productions. Their quantitative connotation represents an important novelty with respect to the classical qualitative approaches. Also, the proposed model and indicators take account of possible inspection errors

Educational Reform in Developing Countries: Private Involvement and Partnerships

The paper looks at recent changes in the role of government in the provision of education in Developing Countries. It begins with a reflection about the concept of public-private partnership (PPP), discusses the rationale that inspires the ‘contracting out’ of educational services and describes several cases of private sector involvement in education. After looking at the conditions for building PPPs and the necessary requirements for assuring an effective regulatory framework, the paper closes concluding that while contracting out needs not be made a priority there is a large room for other forms of private sector involvement in education in developing countries.Contracting out, educational reform, market/government failure, NPM, public-private partnerships.

Ethics and taxation : a cross-national comparison of UK and Turkish firms

This paper investigates responses to tax related ethical issues facing busines