Individual Creativity and the Influence of Mindful Leaders on Enterprise

Creativity and innovation drive competitiveness in the 21st century enterprises. Dynamic hyper-intensive competitive markets demand widespread innovations from all employees in most global enterprises. Leaders influence and set the contextual environments under which their employees express creativity. This paper will examine how different lea- dership models relate with individual creativity. It is noted that the mindful consciousness of individuals, including their leaders, play significant roles in the individuals’ creativity. This exploratory research study first defines creativity and individual creativity, and then examines the five different orientations of leaders’ influences on the individuals’ creativity. In conclusion, selected managerial and educational implications are suggested

Technology Roadmapping for Commercializing Strategic Innovations

In the increasingly globalized world economies, a variety of drivers define the market and regulatory contexts for commercializing the strategic innovations that provide significant competitive advantage in the near-term and long-term future. In this study we examine how technological roadmapping integrates these strategic contextual factors with the organizational capabilities and resources of the firm to commercialize strategic innovations. This is done by first examining four roadmapping case-studies: (1) at Motorola, (2) at Sandia National laboratories, (3) the National and International Roadmaps for Semiconductors, and (3) nanotechnologies. A five stage process is proposed for commercializing strategic innovations. Finally, managerial implications and potential future research are discussed.En las crecientes economías del mundo globalizado, una variedad de factores definen al mercado y el contexto regulatorio para la comercialización de innovaciones estratégicas que proveen ventajas competitivas significantes a corto y largo plazo. En éste estudio se examinan como la generación de mapas tecnológicos integran estos factores contextuales con las capacidades organizacionales y los recursos de la compañía para comercializar las innovaciones estratégicas. El estudio se realizó examinando 4 casos de mapas tecnológicos: (1) Motorota, (2) Laboratorios Nacionales Sandia, (3) Los mapas Internacionales para Semiconductores y (4) Nanotecnologías. Un procedimiento consistente en 5 etapas es propuesto para la comercialización de innovaciones estratégicas. Finalmente se discuten, las implicaciones de gestión y el desarrollo de un futuro tema de investigación.In the increasingly globalized world economies, a variety of drivers define the market and regulatory contexts for commercializing the strategic innovations that provide significant competitive advantage in the near-term and long-term future. In this study we examine how technological roadmapping integrates these strategic contextual factors with the organizational capabilities and resources of the firm to commercialize strategic innovations. This is done by first examining four roadmapping case-studies: (1) at Motorola, (2) at Sandia National laboratories, (3) the National and International Roadmaps for Semiconductors, and (3) nanotechnologies. A five stage process is proposed for commercializing strategic innovations. Finally, managerial implications and potential future research are discussed

Innovative Strategic Leader Transforming From a Low-Cost Strategy to Product Differentiation Strategy

After the 2008 economic slowdown, and with increasing assault from enterprises from emerging economies, many innovative strategic leaders of multinational enterprises are forced to radically transform their enterprises. They often choose to change from low-cost strategy to innovation-driven product differentiation strategy. In this study, we use a multi-level Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM) and agency theory to empirically illustrate such a strategic transformation at a large composite fabric and accessories enterprise. Lessons are drawn from the impact of strategic transformation at multiple levels: strategic leader level, tactical-team manager level, operational follower level, and stakeholder level. Implications for practitioners and researchers are provided by way of mindful leader orientation and value-based innovation

Corporate Brand Value Shifting from Identity to Innovation Capability: from Coca-Cola to Apple

Corporate brand value, a key corporate asset, has traditionally relied on stakeholder interactions, heritage, and corporate identity. In dynamic fast clock-speed industries (information technology and consumer electronics), we note that brand values change dramatically within a few years based on their innovativeness. Using grounded theory approach and multi-case study method we examine how Apple, Samsung, Toyota, and Coca-Cola sustained their most valuable global brands while Kodak and General Motors eroded the same. Certain key dynamic innovative capabilities are identified as best practices. We conclude with implications for managers and future researchers, along with some limitations

The Prevalence of Inflammatory and Developmental Odontogenic Cysts in a Libyan Population

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of odontogenic jaw cysts in a Libyan population and to compare the data with previously published reports from other countries. Materials and methods- We retrieved and analyzed 2190 case notes and biopsy records of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Al Arab Medical Sciences University, Benghazi, Libya, dating from January 1990 to December 2005. There were 326 cases (14.8%) of diagnosed odontogenic cysts among the 2190 biopsies performed during this period. The cases were analyzed for age and sex distribution, site of presentation, association with impacted teeth, and the method of treatment.Results: The male to female ratio of patients was 1.3:1 Radicular cysts accounted for 222 cases (68.1%), followed by dentigerous cysts (n=49, 15%) and odontogenic keratocysts (n=43, 14.1%). Mean ages of the patients were, respectively, 31.7, 22.7 and 36.1 years. . The maxilla was more commonly involved than the mandible (1.3:1). The anterior maxilla was the commonest site (n=132, 37.4%) followed by the posterior mandible (n=96, 29.4%). Fifty three cases were associated with impacted teeth, and the highest frequency was for dentigerous cysts (n=37). Enucleation and curettage was performed on 300 patients, marsupialization on 14, and marginal/segmental resection on 12.Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first such study on a Libyan population. Our results are comparable to studies from other countries. Knowledge of the relative frequencies and sites of presentation of odontogenic cysts in different ethno-geographic backgrounds is essential for the early diagnosis and management of these benign yet potentially destructive lesions. Keywords: Odontogenic cysts, Prevalence, Radicular cyst, Dentigerous cyst, Odontogenic keratocys

Connexin Expression and Gap Junctional Coupling in Human Cumulus Cells: Contribution to Embryo Quality

Gap junctional coupling among cumulus cells is important for oogenesis since its deficiency in mice leads to impaired folliculogenesis. Multiple connexins (Cx), the subunits of gap junction channels, have been found within ovarian follicles in several species but little is known about the connexins in human follicles. The aim of this study was to determine which connexins contribute to gap junctions in human cumulus cells and to explore the possible relationship between connexin expression and pregnancy outcome from in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cumulus cells were obtained from IVF patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Connexin expression was examined by RT-PCR and confocal microscopy. Cx43 was quantified by immunoblotting and gap junctional coupling was measured by patch-clamp electrophysiology. All but five of 20 connexin mRNAs were detected. Of the connexin proteins detected, Cx43 forms numerous gap junction-like plaques but Cx26, Cx30, Cx30.3, Cx32, and Cx40 appeared to be restricted to the cytoplasm. The strength of gap junctional conductance varied between patients and was significantly and positively correlated with Cx43 level, but neither was correlated with patient age. Interestingly, Cx43 level and intercellular conductance were positively correlated with embryo quality as judged by cleavage rate and morphology, and were significantly higher in patients who became pregnant than in those who did not. Thus, despite the presence of multiple connexins, Cx43 is a major contributor to gap junctions in human cumulus cells and its expression level may influence pregnancy outcome after ICSI

Cache coherence requirements for interprocess rendezvous

Multiprocessors in which a shared bus is used by the processor to communicate with common memory are an emerging class of machines where there is a need to support parallel programming languages. A language construct that is found in a number of parallel programming languages to support synchronization and communication in the interprocess rendezvous. Shared-bus multiprocessor require a protocol to keep the date in their caches coherent. There are two major categories of these protocols: invalidation and write-boadcast. This paper examines the requirements for cache coherence protocols to support efficient interprocessor rendezvous. The approach taken is to examine the memory referencing patterns to the run-time data structures during rendezvous execution. The appropriate coherence protocol is shown to be a function of the processor scheduling strategy used by the run-time system at synchronzation points during the rendezvous. When processes migrate freely as a result of the scheduling strategy, invalidation protocols are found to be more efficient. When migration is restricted by the scheduler, write-broadcast protocols are more efficient.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44571/1/10766_2005_Article_BF01407863.pd

Learning about leadership and firm growth through monthly data collection and dialogue with entrepreneurs

Academics often are criticized for doing research that is irrelevant and esoteric. Additionally, the review cycle is lengthy, and even when high quality research is produced, results are unlikely to reach the practitioner for years. Thus, in order to address the needs of both scientists and practitioners, a monthly survey of entrepreneurs was begun. Although the research study topic is how firms grow, the focus of this paper is on the research method used to understand the subject. The paper will lay out the logic for the monthly research process, explain the outcomes of the system, and provide the reader with some early and tentative findings from the ongoing work on how firms grow.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41408/1/11365_2006_Article_7088.pd