DiSCmap : digitisation of special collections mapping, assessment, prioritisation. Final project report

Traditionally, digitisation has been led by supply rather than demand. While end users are seen as a priority they are not directly consulted about which collections they would like to have made available digitally or why. This can be seen in a wide range of policy documents throughout the cultural heritage sector, where users are positioned as central but where their preferences are assumed rather than solicited. Post-digitisation consultation with end users isequally rare. How are we to know that digitisation is serving the needs of the Higher Education community and is sustainable in the long-term? The 'Digitisation in Special Collections: mapping, assessment and prioritisation' (DiSCmap) project, funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) and the Research Information Network (RIN), aimed to:- Identify priority collections for potential digitisation housed within UK Higher Education's libraries, archives and museums as well as faculties and departments.- Assess users' needs and demand for Special Collections to be digitised across all disciplines.- Produce a synthesis of available knowledge about users' needs with regard to usability and format of digitised resources.- Provide recommendations for a strategic approach to digitisation within the wider context and activity of leading players both in the public and commercial sector.The project was carried out jointly by the Centre for Digital Library Research (CDLR) and the Centre for Research in Library and Information Management (CERLIM) and has taken a collaborative approach to the creation of a user-driven digitisation prioritisation framework, encouraging participation and collective engagement between communities.Between September 2008 and March 2009 the DiSCmap project team asked over 1,000 users, including intermediaries (vocational users who take care of collections) and end users (university teachers, researchers and students) a variety of questions about which physical and digital Special Collections they make use of and what criteria they feel must be considered when selecting materials for digitisation. This was achieved through workshops, interviews and two online questionnaires. Although the data gathered from these activities has the limitation of reflecting only a partial view on priorities for digitisation - the view expressed by those institutions who volunteered to take part in the study - DiSCmap was able to develop:- a 'long list' of 945 collections nominated for digitisation both by intermediaries andend-users from 70 HE institutions (see p. 21);- a framework of user-driven prioritisation criteria which could be used to inform current and future digitisation priorities; (see p. 45)- a set of 'short lists' of collections which exemplify the application of user-driven criteria from the prioritisation framework to the long list (see Appendix X):o Collections nominated more than once by various groups of users.o Collections related to a specific policy framework, eg HEFCE's strategically important and vulnerable subjects for Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.o Collections on specific thematic clusters.o Collections with highest number of reasons for digitisation

Drivers of international development for born global companies founded by Italian entrepreneurs

The rise of “born global” companies, i.e. companies that internationalize their activities from inception or shortly thereafter led researchers to explore the various aspects related to early internationalization. Nevertheless, authors argue that further evidence and analysis on these firms is required (Oviatt and McDougall, 1997). Based on a multiple case study research the paper aims at providing further evidence on this phenomenon. An in-depth qualitative analysis has been performed based on eight startups founded by Italian entrepreneurs that showed an early internationalization towards the US and the Silicon Valley in particular. They have been interviewed with the goal of validating the major drivers of internationalization the literature attributes to born global companies. The cross case study analysis carried out highlights that not all the drivers seem to be equally relevant. The major findings of the study are twofold. First, the importance of professional networks built by entrpreneurs before establishing the company. Secondly, how the entrepreneur’s prior experience abroad (either as entrepreneur or as employee or for studying reasons) triggers and orients the internationalization path of a companyborn global, early internationalization, innovation, entrepreneurship, startup

Sustainability in design: now! Challenges and opportunities for design research, education and practice in the XXI century

Copyright @ 2010 Greenleaf PublicationsLeNS project funded by the Asia Link Programme, EuropeAid, European Commission

The characterisation of the Danish e-business - Aarstiderne as an alternative food network: A case study

The object of this case study is Aarstiderne, a Danish organic food company delivering 30,000 boxes per week. The study aims to characterise this company within the context of alternative food chains, using specific environmental, economic and social criteria. During the course of the study, 19 interviews were conducted with company members, clients, suppliers, and researchers. In addition, a life cycle analysis and a price comparison for two box types were conducted. The results of the study focus on the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the company on its stakeholders throughout the food network. These results indicate how the company can be characterised in relation to other alternative food chains, with specific attention paid to how this food chain addresses some limitations of supermarket and Community Supported Agriculture food distribution models. Lastly, a comparison of the company’s own ideals to its practices is made and some suggestions for improved coherence between ideals, practices and impacts on sustainability are put forth

The Digitalisation of African Agriculture Report 2018-2019

An inclusive, digitally-enabled agricultural transformation could help achieve meaningful livelihood improvements for Africa’s smallholder farmers and pastoralists. It could drive greater engagement in agriculture from women and youth and create employment opportunities along the value chain. At CTA we staked a claim on this power of digitalisation to more systematically transform agriculture early on. Digitalisation, focusing on not individual ICTs but the application of these technologies to entire value chains, is a theme that cuts across all of our work. In youth entrepreneurship, we are fostering a new breed of young ICT ‘agripreneurs’. In climate-smart agriculture multiple projects provide information that can help towards building resilience for smallholder farmers. And in women empowerment we are supporting digital platforms to drive greater inclusion for women entrepreneurs in agricultural value chains

Critical success factors of communication strategy: project for Forall Phones

Positioning a business in the market has become a hefty challenge due to the exponential evolution of technology since it enabled the birth of new ways of transmitting and receiving information. In this project, critical factors of communication within the refurbished technology market were identified. Furthermore, the main objective was to develop a strategy, formed by a set of practices and actions, aiming to ensure the sustainability of Forall Phones' competitive advantage in this market. Initially, a literature review was carried out, enabling the formulation of a conceptual framework that supported the determination of the specific objectives of the study, as well as the definition of the methodology to be applied - the case study. Concerning the conducted diagnosis, the results were analysed: the 3 focus groups, with 12 brand ambassadors; the questionnaire, with a sample composed of 246 respondents; and benchmarking to communication practices among different industries. The results revealed the need to increase brand awareness, encourage consumer engagement with the brand through social networks, and revolutionize the company's ability to manage relations with its customers after the purchase moment. The project was structured in three main proposals: the co-creation of content for social networks, the optimization of the website's functionalities and the creation of an application for post-purchase services. The suggestions were presented, contemplating their planning and organization, methods of evaluation and control, as well as the expected results. Finally, the conclusions and further management implications were presented.Posicionar uma empresa num mercado tornou-se um grande desafio devido à evolução exponencial da tecnologia, pois viabilizou o surgimento de novas formas de transmissão e receção de informação. Neste projeto, foram identificados os fatores críticos de sucesso da comunicação, no mercado de tecnologia recondicionada em Portugal. O principal objetivo incidiu no desenvolvimento de uma estratégia, composta por um conjunto de práticas e ações, visando garantir a sustentabilidade da vantagem competitiva da Forall Phones. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura, possibilitando a formulação do quadro conceptual que suportou a determinação dos objetivos específicos do estudo, bem como a definição da metodologia a aplicar - o estudo de caso. Face ao diagnóstico realizado, foi executada a análise dos resultados: dos 3 grupos focais, com 12 embaixadores da marca; do questionário, com uma amostra composta por 246 respondentes; e do benchmarking a práticas de comunicação em diferentes indústrias. Os resultados apontaram para a necessidade de aumentar o reconhecimento da marca, incentivar o envolvimento do consumidor através das redes sociais, e revolucionar a capacidade da empresa de gerir as relações com os seus clientes, após o momento de compra. O projeto foi estruturado em três propostas principais: a cocriação de conteúdos para as redes sociais, a otimização das funcionalidades do "website" e a criação de uma aplicação para serviços pós-compra. As sugestões foram apresentadas, contemplando o seu planeamento e organização, métodos de avaliação e controlo, bem como os resultados esperados. Por fim, foram apresentadas as conclusões e implicações futuras para a gestão

Best Practices of Creating Innovation Exchange Web Portals Across the States

Since their initial development in the late 1990s, expert web portals have been an evolving tool for universities, systems of higher education, and economic development organizations. The web portals are searchable, web-based databases of university scholars and researchers that feature, at a minimum, information on their expertise, innovation products and publications. Many of the portals are growing to include information on universities’ physical assets and equipment, regional strengths, and additional services such as networking and analytical tools for research. Although these searchable databases have proven useful in helping economic development leaders, government, research colleagues, and internal university staff, their role in generating industry-university collaboration is disputable. Recently, more demonstrable and tangible results of deploying innovation and building partnerships from these portals are becoming a sought-after objective for funders and stakeholders. However, none of the portals’ administrative teams have been able to specifically measure the impact of interaction generated via the portal on industry or the regional economy at large. Developing and sustaining these tools is costly and time consuming; instead, many stakeholders involved deem them a necessary public good – a “non-rivalrous and non-excludable” knowledge resource that everyone can consume with no restrictions. Therefore, evaluation of the return on investment of these portals has been largely ignored by involved parties. This, along with the cost of developing and maintaining such portals, serves as a growing obstacle to sustaining them. It has been argued that unless these portals are specifically designed with industry in mind, they do very little for commercial users. This report is a summary of the results of a study assessing best practices and challenges facing existing web portals created to promote university resources to a broader audience. It intends to inform interested parties in Ohio about the ecosystems that surround existing web portals in other states. The report analyzes ecologies of existing web portals in other states, addresses the role of “super users” (i.e. organizations that can reach industry users, such as economic development agencies) play in enhancing the successful utilization of a web portal, and considers sustainable funding and training mechanisms surrounding existing web portals. This study was conducted by researchers from the Center for Economic Development at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. The research was funded by the Ohio Manufacturing Institute of Ohio State University through an Ohio Development Services Agency grant and with input from the Ohio Department of Higher Education Ohio Innovation Exchange industry engagement team. The study is based on a review of the latest academic literature concerning university-industry relationships, applied and technical reports provided by relevant web portals, and extensive interviews with selected portals’ managing teams. Additionally, the report provides a methodology, summarizes lessons learned, and illustrates a detailed description of seven web portals: Florida ExpertNet, Michigan MCRN, New York FuzeHub, North Carolina ReachNC, Texas InFluuent, Arizona Experts, and University of California’s Technology Transfer. The report concludes with recommendations for developing Innovation Exchange Hub in Ohio and Appendices detailing the literature review

An aesthetic for sustainable interactions in product-service systems?

Copyright @ 2012 Greenleaf PublishingEco-efficient Product-Service System (PSS) innovations represent a promising approach to sustainability. However the application of this concept is still very limited because its implementation and diffusion is hindered by several barriers (cultural, corporate and regulative ones). The paper investigates the barriers that affect the attractiveness and acceptation of eco-efficient PSS alternatives, and opens the debate on the aesthetic of eco-efficient PSS, and the way in which aesthetic could enhance some specific inner qualities of this kinds of innovations. Integrating insights from semiotics, the paper outlines some first research hypothesis on how the aesthetic elements of an eco-efficient PSS could facilitate user attraction, acceptation and satisfaction

The Industry and Policy Context for Digital Games for Empowerment and Inclusion:Market Analysis, Future Prospects and Key Challenges in Videogames, Serious Games and Gamification

The effective use of digital games for empowerment and social inclusion (DGEI) of people and communities at risk of exclusion will be shaped by, and may influence the development of a range of sectors that supply products, services, technology and research. The principal industries that would appear to be implicated are the 'videogames' industry, and an emerging 'serious games' industry. The videogames industry is an ecosystem of developers, publishers and other service providers drawn from the interactive media, software and broader ICT industry that services the mainstream leisure market in games, The 'serious games' industry is a rather fragmented and growing network of firms, users, research and policy makers from a variety of sectors. This emerging industry is are trying to develop knowledge, products, services and a market for the use of digital games, and products inspired by digital games, for a range of non-leisure applications. This report provides a summary of the state of play of these industries, their trajectories and the challenges they face. It also analyses the contribution they could make to exploiting digital games for empowerment and social inclusion. Finally, it explores existing policy towards activities in these industries and markets, and draws conclusions as to the future policy relevance of engaging with them to support innovation and uptake of effective digital game-based approaches to empowerment and social inclusion.JRC.J.3-Information Societ