A Composition-Based View of Organizational Ingenuity: Empirical Evidence from SMEs in India

This thesis explores a relatively new concept of organizational ingenuity (OI) through the composition-based view (CBV) theory lens with SMEs in India. The unique conditions of emerging economy context of India are delineated to be factors that compel SMEs to develop ingenuity. Three conceptual properties of OI -strategy, capabilities, and process are validated as the components that support SMEs thrive despite challenging emerging economy conditions. Findings of this thesis are presented in a theoretical framework

The Effect of Technological Organization on Cost Innovation and Value Creation

This research aims to study the effects of technological organization, management of cost innovation, and value creation. The population in this study was the canned and instant food export companies, which are crucial industries that earn incomes for Thailand. The quantitative research method was carried out using questionnaires sent to all companies (census) with the manufacturing managers as respondents. The survey revealed that these companies had a high level of technological organization, value creation, and cost innovation, except for reducing unnecessary functions at a moderate level because the products need to maintain customer demand; therefore, unnecessary adjustments may not be made. PLS-SEM assesses the reflective and structural models to test the research hypotheses. The findings revealed significant influences among three pairs of constructs: (1) technological organization had a positive effect on cost innovation, (2) cost innovation had a positive effect on value creation, and (3) technological organization had a positive effect on value creation. Thus, this research provides empirical information for the influences among the variables and presents the significance of being a technological organization and the inclusion of cost innovation management, to maintain their business during the COVID-19 pandemic and improve the organizational potential for preparation in future circumstances. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-02-09 Full Text: PD

2035: Paths towards a sustainable EU economy: Sustainable transitions and the potential of eco-innovation for jobs and economic development in EU eco-industries 2035

This brochure presents an overview of the four scenarios developed by the foresight study on transitions towards a sustainable economy along with a brief presentation of the study process and conclusions.JRC.DDG.02-Foresight and Behavioural Insight

ICT-based Social Innovation in Africa: the case of Rwanda

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Sub-Saharan Africa has raised attention for its potential to foster multidimensional development. The rationale for ‘ICT for Development’ (ICT4D) revolves around Africa’s prospects to leapfrog to the digital economy amidst the 4th Industrial Revolution. This thesis reflects on the tech-based initiatives stemming from the African continent through the lens of “Social Innovation”. In other words, ICT-based applications whose primary goal is to tackle social challenges. Related tech products and services are seen as a ‘disruptive’ vehicle to address Africa’s need for ‘Homegrown Solutions’ to regional problems. They are context-specific and tailor-made to local realities. The conditions that foster the creation of impact-driven ICT innovation vary widely among African countries. The continent illustrates diverse ‘innovation ecosystems’ and ‘innovation cultures’. Nevertheless, there is a knowledge gap on how social innovation can be deliberately planned at large scale, and thus on how it translates into a practical formal strategy in contemporary African societies. This study examines Rwanda as a distinct case of African ICT-Based social innovation, that effectively manages to plan ICT-based Social Innovation as a state-led, formal practice. Embarking from the devastating 1994 genocide, Rwanda placed ICT at the forefront and formed a global “success story” of recovery and redevelopment. Presently, ICT Innovation is a cross-cutting force in Rwanda’s development agenda, serving the country’s complex socio-cultural context and macroeconomic particularities. Therefore, social innovation is policy-oriented and serves a long-term vision. The study investigates Rwanda’s approaches to reinforce ICT-based social innovation, by creating a conducive social innovation ecosystem and an innovation culture. It reviews strategies and practical initiatives that Rwanda employs for public mobilization and capacity-building and maps the conditions that enable social innovation to grow in Rwanda. The research conducted a preparatory document review of policies and strategies to outline Rwanda’s key priorities in ICT Innovation and ICT4D. Sequentially, the data collection used in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key informants in Rwanda. The thesis is exploratory and aims to identify key areas for further investigation. Results showed that the government’s openness to innovation and experimentation create a sense of shared purpose for innovation actors. The government designs tailor-made programs and campaigns directed to both users and innovators and establishes flagship regional initiatives that combine local and global approaches. Social innovation is enabled by a wide range of factors, notably sociocultural features, strong political will, the conducive business climate, Rwanda’s tech-based and market-driven development model, and Rwanda’s regional role as an ICT Hub in Africa. Perhaps more strikingly, visionary leadership and political championship enable the incremental growth of innovation. Rwanda’s social innovation ecosystem is supportive, synergetic and provides diversified opportunities for capacity-building and growth, whilst the innovation culture integrates cultural and traditional values in entrepreneurial ventures. Nevertheless, social innovation is a work in progress with challenges concerning finance, human resources, or adoption. Rwanda’s strategies are no fixed-recipe, but bring intriguing implications on how customized planning instruments can shape the conditions for social innovation to emerge

Determinants of Mobile Commerce Adoption in Developing Countries: Evidence from Rwanda

The rapid development of wireless technology and telecommunication networks has led to mobile devices playing an increasing role in people's lives. Businesses have recognised the value of mobile communication tools and trading platforms. A new type of technology-aided commerce – mobile commerce including mobile financial services – has gained importance in theory and practice. However, in the context of developing countries, the literature on the potential of mobile commerce and its driving factors is still limited. Along five empirical studies conducted in Rwanda, this research identifies the factors that drive the success of mobile commerce and financial services. It defines an appropriate infrastructure (power supply and network connectivity), a suitable regulatory setting, sufficient consumer awareness, and a proper distribution network as crucial for adopting mobile commerce and harvesting its potential. Thereupon, the research derives recommendations to Rwandan policymakers and practitioners in order to achieve economic growth, reduce poverty, and enhance national welfare Rwanda

Innovative Asia: Advancing the Knowledge-Based Economy - The Next Policy Agenda

[Excerpt] This study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) seeks to analyze the ways in which Asia’s middle- and low-income countries can tap knowledge-based economic development to maintain and strengthen the growth momentum and to move up global value chains. The ADB study uses the Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) rubric to benchmark the performance of developing economies in Asia against advanced economies of the world. It is clear that on all the four pillars of the knowledge economy—innovation, education and skills, ICT, and the economic incentive and institutional regime—developing economies in Asia significantly lag behind advanced nations. Policy makers in developing Asia need ensure appropriate investments and conducive policies across all the four pillars. The report traces the journey of the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Finland as KBEs and the lessons developing economies can derive. However, going beyond this, the report also highlights a number of special advantages that Asia can effectively tap that will help them leapfrog to the knowledge frontier. The relative lack of legacy infrastructure in developing economies, particularly in information communication technology, could enable developing economies to leapfrog over certain technology cycles and access the latest technologies, such as moving to cloud computing solutions. Asia needs to effectively combine established wisdom from the experience of developed economies with contemporary knowledge and options that new technologies bring to strengthen KBE processes. An important dimension for developing economies in Asia to consider, given the rising inequality in the region, is making KBE processes inclusive. This report explores a number of opportunities in this direction