Modes of inbound knowledge flows: are cooperation and outsourcing really complementary?

This study examines the relationship between breadths of two different modes of external knowledge: R&D outsourcing and cooperation. Building upon transaction costs literature and literature on research partner breadth and R&D outsourcing we hypothesize an U-inverted relationship between outsourcing breadth and innovation performance and a complementary relationship between R&D outsourcing and R&D cooperation. The model is tested on a large sample based on CIS survey for Spain. The empirical analysis confirms the U-inverted relationship between outsourcing breadth and innovation but also reveals an interesting result: the complementary effect of R&D cooperation varies with the level of R&D outsourcing breadth and it is not confirmed for low and medium levels of R&D outsourcing breadth. The results have important implications for theory on the selection of different modes of inbound open innovation and for managers and their cooperation and outsourcing strategies

The role of cooperation breadth as a strategy for innovation: a study of openness in Spanish startups

Tesis de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Departamento de Organización de Empresas, leída el 29-01-2017Las startups y empresas establecidas juegan papeles muy importantes en la generación de innovaciones y crecimiento económico, pero contribuyen al ecosistema de innovación y desarrollo económico de modos diferentes. Entre las estrategias de innovación, la innovación abierta está tomando una mayor importancia para ambas, startups y empresas establecidas. La literatura afirma que los recursos y capacidades de las startups son distintos de los de las empresas establecidas, así que podrían existir diferencias en el uso de las estrategias de innovación abierta. En este contexto, esta tesis adopta una combinación de perspectivas teóricas (perspectiva de recursos y capacidades, con especial atención a los derechos de propiedad intelectual, la perspectiva basada en el conocimiento, y la perspectiva de capacidades dinámicas) para desarrollar una mejor comprensión de la innovación abierta en las startups. Yo investigo cómo la diversidad de fuentes externas de conocimiento contribuye al resultado de innovación de las startups. Para responder a esta pregunta de investigación general, presento separados, cuatro estudios empíricos que dirigen varias facetas de la creación y captura de valor en la innovación abierta, con especial énfasis en las startups...Startups and incumbent firms both play important roles in generating innovations and economic growth, but they contribute to the innovation ecosystem and economic development in different ways. Between the innovation strategies, open innovation is taking a higher importance for both incumbent firms and startups. Literature states that startups’ resources and capacities are different from incumbent firms, so there might exist differences on the use of open innovation strategies. In this context, this dissertation adopts a combination of theoretical perspectives (the resource-based view, with especial attention to intellectual propriety rights, the knowledge-based view, and the dynamic capabilities perspective) in order to develop a better understanding of open innovation in startups. I investigate how the diversity of external knowledge sources contributes to startups’ innovation performance. In addressing this overarching research question, I present four separate empirical studies that deal with various facets of value creation and value capture from open innovation, with a special emphasis on startups...Depto. de Organización de EmpresasFac. de Ciencias Económicas y EmpresarialesTRUEunpu

Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumour of the Breast Mimicking a Benign Tumor

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) of the breast is exceedingly uncommon. Radiological assessment usually shows benign features. We report on a case of malignant SFT of the breast, while emphasizing the need for additional immunostains to reach a definitive diagnosis. Standard treatment consists of lesion removal with adequate margins

An F2 Barley Population as a Tool for Teaching Mendelian Genetics

In the context of a general genetics course, mathematical descriptions of Mendelian inheritance and population genetics are sometimes discouraging and students often have serious misconceptions. Innovative strategies in expositive classes can clearly encourage student’s motivation and participation, but laboratories and practical classes are generally the students’ favourite academic activities. The design of lab practices focused on learning abstract concepts such as genetic interaction, genetic linkage, genetic recombination, gene mapping, or molecular markers is a complex task that requires suitable segregant materials. The optimal population for pedagogical purposes is an F2 population, which is extremely useful not only in explaining different key concepts of genetics (as dominance, epistasis, and linkage) but also in introducing additional curricular tools, particularly concerning statistical analysis. Among various model organisms available, barley possesses several unique features for demonstrating genetic principles. Therefore, we generated a barley F2 population from the parental lines of the Oregon Wolfe Barley collection. The objective of this work is to present this F2 population as a model to teach Mendelian genetics in a medium–high-level genetics course. We provide an exhaustive phenotypic and genotypic description of this plant material that, together with a description of the specific methodologies and practical exercises, can be helpful for transferring our fruitful experience to anyone interested in implementing this educational resource in his/her teaching

Should we patent it or keep it a secret?:The moderating role of proactive orientation in family versus non-family smes

We investigate how family and non-family small-and-medium size enterprises (SMEs) differ in their preference for patenting over secrecy as a means to protect value of intellectual property, and how proactive orientation moderates this relationship. Because secrecy carries more risks for spillover than patenting, we propose and provide evidence to suggest that family SMEs are more likely to use patents than secrecy relative to non-family SMEs as a mechanism to protect value. However, proactive orientation can weaken this relationship, since SMEs with a proactive orientation will avoid the disclosure of information required for patenting. Using a sample of 300 SMEs from four countries in the wine industry, we find support for our hypotheses and contribute to both the intellectual property (IP) and SME literatures by explaining how family SMEs relative to non-family SMEs protect the value of IP

Análisis comparativo frente a la evidencia del manejo de la osteoporosis en una comarca de atención primaria

ObjetivoConocer la adecuación a las guías de práctica clínica del proceso diagnostico y terapéutico de la osteoporosis en una comarca.DiseñoEstudio transversal.EmplazamientoComarca de 276.000 habitantes, agrupada en 9 centros de salud.ParticipantesMujeres mayores de 45 años con prescripción de fármacos para la osteoporosis.IntervencionesCuestionario estandarizado rellenado por las pacientes y contrastado con las historias clínicas.Mediciones principalesAdecuación de la indicación de pruebas diagnósticas, proporción de tratamientos soportados en criterios diagnósticos y ajuste de dichos tratamientos a la evidencia.ResultadosAnalizamos a 332 mujeres cuya media de edad fue 65,3 ± 9,6 años. De las mujeres analizadas, el 73,2% (n = 243) tenía indicación de densitometría y sólo el 60,2% (n = 200) la había realizado. El resultado de las densitometrías fue: el 14% (n = 28), normal; el 31% (n = 62), osteopenia, y el 55% (n = 110), osteoporosis. Entre las mujeres con indicación de densitometría, el 39,5% (n = 96) no la había realizado. Entre las mujeres sin factores de riesgo y sin indicación de densitometría (n = 89), el 59,6% (n = 53) la había realizado. Por otro lado, el 78,7% (n = 261) de las mujeres no tenía una densitometría de control. Hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,05) en la adecuación de las indicaciones de densitometría y de los tratamientos entre las diferentes especialidades. Finalmente, el 42,4% (n = 81) de las mujeres con prueba densitométrica realizada estaban inadecuadamente tratadas.ConclusionesLa indicación de densitometría es claramente mejorable y hay una alta variabilidad en su adecuación en todas las especialidades. La prescripción para la osteoporosis en gran medida no está sustentada en pruebas diagnósticas y se contrapone a los estudios de calidad publicados recientemente.ObjectiveTo find out how physicians are managing osteoporosis in a primary care setting.DesignCross-sectional study.ContextPrimary care setting with a target population of 276 000 inhabitants, grouped into 9 basic health areas, Spain.ParticipantsWomen older than 45 years old on treatments for osteoporosis.InterventionsStandardised questionnaire self-filled in by women and compared with clinical records.Main measurementsSuitability of the indication of diagnostic tests, proportion of treatments supported by diagnostic tests and according to evidence.ResultsThe mean age of the sample was 65.3 (9.6) years. Of the women included, 73.2% (n=243) had an indication for densitometry and only 60.2% (n=200) of them had this performed. The results of the densitometries were: 14% (n=28) normal, 31% (n=62) osteopenia and 55% (n=110) osteoporosis. Based on risk factors, in those women with densitometry indication, 39.5% (n=96) did not have it performed. In those women with no risk factors to justify the indication of densitometry (n=89), 59.6% (n=53) did have it performed. The two-year follow densitometry was not carried out on 78.7% (n=261) of women. Statistically significant differences were observed in the percentages of adequacy of the indications of densitometry and in the percentages of adequacy of the treatments in the different medical specialities analyzed (P<.05). Of the women who had densitometry, 42.4% (n=81) were inadequately treated.ConclusionsThe indication of densitometry is clearly improvable and there is a high variability in its adequacy in all the medical specialities studied.To a great extent, the indication of treatments for osteoporosis is not based on densitometry and is against the recommendations of the evidence based studies recently published

Six Collective Challenges for Sustainability of Almería Greenhouse Horticulture

Globally, current food consumption and trade are placing unprecedented demand on agricultural systems and increasing pressure on natural resources, requiring tradeoffs between food security and environmental impacts especially given the tension between market-driven agriculture and agro-ecological goals. In order to illustrate the wicked social, economic and environmental challenges and processes to find transformative solutions, we focus on the largest concentration of greenhouses in the world located in the semi-arid coastal plain of South-east Spain. Almería family farming, predominantly cooperative, greenhouse intensive production, commenced after the 1960s and has resulted in very significant social and economic benefits for the region, while also having important negative environmental and biodiversity impacts, as well as creating new social challenges. The system currently finds itself in a crisis of diminishing economic benefits and increasing environmental and social dilemmas. Here, we present the outcomes of multi-actor, transdisciplinary research to review and provide collective insights for solutions-oriented research on the sustainability of Almeria’s agricultural sector. The multi-actor, transdisciplinary process implemented collectively, and supported by scientific literature, identified six fundamental challenges to transitioning to an agricultural model that aims to ameliorate risks and avoid a systemic collapse, whilst balancing a concern for profitability with sustainability: (1) Governance based on a culture of shared responsibility for sustainability, (2) Sustainable and efficient use of water, (3) Biodiversity conservation, (4) Implementing a circular economy plan, (5) Technology and knowledge transfer, and (6) Image and identity. We conclude that the multi-actor transdisciplinary approach successfully facilitated the creation of a culture of shared responsibility among public, private, academic, and civil society actors. Notwithstanding plural values, challenges and solutions identified by consensus point to a nascent acknowledgement of the strategic necessity to locate agricultural economic activity within social and environmental spheres.This paper demonstrates the need to establish transdisciplinary multi-actor work-schemes to continue collaboration and research for the transition to an agro-ecological model as a means to remain competitive and to create value