Understanding digital eco-innovation in municipalities: An institutional perspective

Municipalities consume over 67% of global energy and are responsible for over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that rapid adjustments need to happen at a global level, or the effects of climate change will be irreversible. The contribution of municipalities is therefore vital if GHG emissions are to be reduced. Our research is timely in its exploration of the ways in which municipalities institutionalise environmental sustainability practices in and through Green digital artefacts. Using mechanism-based institutional theory as a lens, the paper presents the findings of three contrasting case studies of large municipalities in the United Kingdom in their respective programmes to leverage the direct, enabling and systemic effects of Green ICT in order to reduce GHG emission and achieve their eco-sustainability goals. The case sites are also regarded as exemplars for further research and practice on digital eco-innovation. The mechanism-based explanations illustrate how a social web of conditions and factors influence eco-sustainability outcomes. We conclude that the digital technology-enabled grassroots-based initiatives offer the best hope to begin the transition to sustainable climate change within municipalities. The contributions of our study are therefore both theoretical and practical

Visual arts and 2D – 3D motion typo.graphic design

This project explores issues of typographic design within multimedia contexts, which include interactive, sonic and animated components

Closing the communications loop on the computerized peer‐assessment of essays

The use of self‐ and peer‐assessment is not new to higher education. Traditionally its use has required the complex and time‐consuming management of coursework submissions by the tutor, in an attempt to maintain validity and anonymity of the assessment process. In the last few years a number of computerized systems have been developed that are capable of automatically supporting, managing and performing the assessment process. The requirement for student anonymity and the release of the tutor from the process of marking have reduced the ability to develop the iterative process of feedback. This feedback is considered essential in supporting student learning and developing reflective practice. This paper describes the enhancement of a computerized assessment system to support anonymous computer‐mediated discussion between marker and marked having previously performed peer‐assessment. A detailed description is provided of the integrated assessment process, and an analysis of the use of this anonymous discussion is presented. Anonymous student feedback is presented and analyzed with respect to the perceived benefits of using the system with respect to enhancing the student learning process

Clustering in ICT: From Route 128 to Silicon Valley, from DEC to Google, from Hardware to Content

One of the pioneers in academic entrepreneurship and high-tech clustering is MIT and the Route 128/Boston region. Silicon Valley centered around Stanford University was originally a fast follower and only later emerged as a scientific and industrial hotspot. Several technology and innovation waves, have shaped Silicon Valley over all the years. The initial regional success of Silicon Valley started with electro-technical instruments and defense applications in the 1940s and 1950s (represented by companies as Litton Engineering and Hewlett & Packard). In the 1960s and 1970s, the region became a national and international leader in the design and production of integrated circuit and computer chips, and as such became identified as Silicon Valley (e.g. Fairchild Semiconductor, and Intel). In the 1970s and 1980s, Silicon Valley capitalised further on the development, manufacturing and sales of the personal computer and workstations (e.g. Apple, Silicon Graphics and SUN), followed by the proliferation of telecommunications and Internet technologies in the 1990s (e.g. Cisco, 3Com) and Internet-based applications and info-mediation services (e.g. Yahoo, Google) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. When the external and/or internal conditions of its key industries change, Silicon Valley seemed to have an innate capability to restructure itself by a rapid and frequent reshuffling of people, competencies, resources and firms. To characterise the demise of one firm leading, directly or indirectly, to the formation of another and the reconfiguration of business models and product offerings by the larger companies in emerging industries, Bahrami & Evans (2000) introduced the term `flexible recycling.’ This dynamic process of learning by doing, failing and recombining (i.e. allowing new firms to rise from the ashes of failed enterprises) is one of the key factors underlying the dominance of Silicon Valley in the new economy.ICT;Clusters;Networks;Academic entrepreneurship;MIT;Silicon Valley;Stanford University;Flexible recycling;Route 128

Closing the communications loop on the computerized peer‐assessment of essays

The use of self‐ and peer‐assessment is not new to higher education. Traditionally its use has required the complex and time‐consuming management of coursework submissions by the tutor, in an attempt to maintain validity and anonymity of the assessment process. In the last few years a number of computerized systems have been developed that are capable of automatically supporting, managing and performing the assessment process. The requirement for student anonymity and the release of the tutor from the process of marking have reduced the ability to develop the iterative process of feedback. This feedback is considered essential in supporting student learning and developing reflective practice. This paper describes the enhancement of a computerized assessment system to support anonymous computer‐mediated discussion between marker and marked having previously performed peer‐assessment. A detailed description is provided of the integrated assessment process, and an analysis of the use of this anonymous discussion is presented. Anonymous student feedback is presented and analyzed with respect to the perceived benefits of using the system with respect to enhancing the student learning process

PURSUING A CUSTOMER-DRIVEN APPROACH FOR INNOVATION AND MARKETING EXCELLENCE

Nowadays, innovation goes so much further than merely products. In order to thrive in this extremely competitive business environment a company needs to innovate its technologies, its business strategies, its business models, and by innovating in research. It is also about reinventing or building new markets in order to meet, satisfy and delight untapped consumer needs, wants, and desires. However, considering the new opportunities and threats that Internet, globalization, and hypercompetition have on an organization’s activity regarding selecting and executing the right ideas, right products, and delivering them through the right channels in record time, at the right prices, while promoting them through all the relevant and right communication channels to the target market.marketing research, innovation, disruptive technology, customer-driven approach, customer value

New Occupations Emerging Across Industry Lines

[Excerpt] Emerging occupations may be entirely new, created by changes in technology, society, markets, or regulations. They may also be existing ones that have been substantially modified by the same trends, and are increasing in employment. Emerging occupations are most often found in the most rapidly growing or changing industries. For example, the services division reported the greatest number of emerging occupations. (See table.) Within this division, the industry groups reporting the most emerging occupations were social services, health services, business services, and education. Quite often, such occupations are specific to an industry—resettlement coordinators are not often found outside of their social service niche, nor are bus aides found outside of educational services