University Managed Technology Business Incubators: Asset or Liability?

University managed technology-based business incubators (UMTIs) have become increasingly popular. Some universities are forming private corporations and are encouraging professors/researchers to commercialize intellectual property (IP) based upon research conducted in their laboratories. The UMTI provides the infrastructure, access to high-tech laboratories, libraries, students and faculty, and a coalition of like-minded entrepreneurs. Universities face uncertainties when establishing UMTIs and need to minimize risk while maximizing benefits. This paper discusses results of a benchmarking study of eleven technology incubators and their risk mitigation policies. Experience with technology transfer and use of the UMTI as a living laboratory for students is presented

A Tactician\u27s Approach to Entrepreneurial Ventures: Phased-Structuring as a Model for Commercialising Innovations

The practical execution of an entrepreneurial process for technology-driven ventures in emerging markets can be likened to a maze - a dynamically complex process with many navigational contingencies. While the overall navigational path may appear straightforward conceptually, the actual execution path inherently becomes fraught with sub-optimal turns and apparent dead-end trails as an entrepreneur dynamically confronts many challenges. The navigational path for effectively sequencing events can be confounding, especially since event outcomes are highly contingent upon timing as well as execution of the appropriate events; seemingly \u27right\u27 actions can be applied at the \u27wrong\u27 time in the process with the corresponding result being an undesired outcome. Combining practical experience with academic research, this paper addresses the entrepreneurial process maze by presenting the authors\u27 phased-structure process model for proactively sequencing effective actions in entrepreneurial ventures. Fundamental to this process model is a \u27tactician\u27 phase wherein a seven-step prescription is introduced to help entrepreneurs navigate the maze and dynamically sequence the \u27right actions\u27 at the \u27right time\u27 for commercialising innovations. Both the phased-structure process model and its seven-step prescription for the tactician provide practical guidance for technology-driven entrepreneurial ventures

Coaching Points for Successful Leadership in Large High Technology Companies

A system engineering and process management approach is offered to mitigate risks for strategic decision making in large high technology based companies. This approach is based upon the risk mitigation methodology of project management together with a process approach to deploying a full scale engineering development for a complex hardware system. The cost of decision making is related to the specific industry and coaching points are developed and presented in a four-step longitudinal process. Risk mitigation guidelines are identified to help ensure a senior management team\u27s success emphasizing agility for addressing nonlinear problems such as when innovation is required in both the technology itself and the business model

Toward a formalism for the automation of neural network construction and processing control

Ph.D.Pranas Zund

Managing the Project Management Process

The effective executive operating in today\u27s global environment must formulate, operate and execute across multi-faceted environmental and organizational modes for different projects throughout their distinct phases in order to achieve results that meet shareholder expectations. In this study, the authors draw on a stream of research dealing with domestic and international project managers as well as the practical experience of the lead author to provide an informational integrated approach to help senior executives and project managers manage the strategic and operational facets of different projects. In this context, a practical roadmap for identifying problems and implementing timely corrective actions to improve projects\u27 success Is advocated by this study

Toward E-Business Readiness: A Practical Rapid Assessment Implementation Methodology

The lack of practical methodologies to guide and integrate the strategic and operational organizational efforts toward a systematic e-business strategy is hindering the effective use of the e-business model. This paper offers a Baldrige-based rapid assessment implementation methodology (RAIM) approach toward integrating the different facets of e-business

Effective Marketing of Technical Innovation

Recent trends in the global business market point to the increasing importance of technology and technical innovations to gain and maintain competitive business strategic advantage. However, the marketing of technical innovations throughout the supply chain is still governed by traditional strategies and practices. Such strategies and practices are ineffective in a highly technologically advanced marketplace. As a result the marketers of technologically innovative products and concepts are left with many questions and very few practical answers. This research offers a practical, integrated approach to marketing technical innovations. The approach offered is presented within an organisational, people and technology strategic context. A field study is utilised to illustrate the utility of the proposed approach

Improving E-Business With a Baldrige-Based Methodology

The dot.com crash has caused confusion about the practices and potential of E-business. IT managers are at a loss for practical methods that integrate strategic and operational efforts into a systematic E-business strategy, which is hindering the effective use of the E-business model. This article presents a Baldrige-based, rapid assessment implementation methodology for directing and integrating the different facets of E-business activities, resources, and decisions into a practical organizational strategy. the results from two pilot programs illustrate that this methodology is practical and contributes to the success and viability of E-business initiatives

The Three “Is” of Effective Marketing of Technical Innovation: A Framework for Implementation

Addresses the issue dealing with marketing technical innovations. A practical conceptual framework which offers a systematic approach to overcoming barriers related to the marketing of technical innovations is presented. The framework is currently being field tested in several organizations and comprises three parts. The first part (integration) addresses the open system organizational structure necessary to facilitate the successful marketing of technical innovation. The second part (investigation) addresses the formulation of systematic marketing efforts and strategies targeted at the the different entities in the customer\u27s organization. The third part (implementation) outlines a practical implementation approach

Framework for Enhancing the Quality and Effectiveness of Computer Animation Projects

Combining computer technologies with total quality management and project management tools can lead to effective design and production of computer animation projects. This approach strikes a balance between the flexibility needed by the design team and the discipline required to deliver a quality efficient product on time. The conceptual framework facilitates the integration of efficiency, quality and customer responsiveness when designing and producing computer animation projects