Silica Materials for Medical Applications

The two main applications of silica-based materials in medicine and biotechnology, i.e. for bone-repairing devices and for drug delivery systems, are presented and discussed. The influence of the structure and chemical composition in the final characteristics and properties of every silica-based material is also shown as a function of the both applications presented. The adequate combination of the synthesis techniques, template systems and additives leads to the development of materials that merge the bioactive behavior with the drug carrier ability. These systems could be excellent candidates as materials for the development of devices for tissue engineering

Two types of entrepreneurship process research revisited: Solidifying the evidence and moving forward

In their review of venture creation process research, Davidsson and Gruenhagen (2021) identified two distinct types of process research: process as a journey through qualitative changes in content and process as a directional and temporal journey toward a goal. We revisit their findings with more robust methodology and find that these two are indeed distinct, ideal types that capture two centers of gravity in process-oriented research on venture creation. We enrich the picture of these two types of process research and develop ideas for how future research can address their respective weaknesses

A review of renewable energy practices in the Australian mining industry

Mining companies have increasingly shown interest in renewable electricity generation to address rising energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. Yet, the extent to which renewable energy sources are currently adopted by these companies is unknown. This work quantifies and characterises the current level of renewable energy adoption by Australian mining houses and the evolution of renewable energy technology adoption in this industry over time. Moreover, this work contributes to an increased understanding of factors driving or inhibiting the adoption of renewable energy in mining. In 2021, only 7% of the existing mines had or were planning to have a renewable energy system. Of the total renewable energy systems identified in this analysis, 15 were operational, 2 were under construction and 10 have been announced and planned for possible future deployment. The analysis of historical changes in renewable energy technology has highlighted that 70% of the existing operational systems have only been installed since 2019. The characteristics of the mines highly affect the decision to deploy renewable energy systems. 70% of the renewable energy systems analysed in this study were or are planned to be deployed on-site at off-grid mines powered by diesel and/or gas. Solar photovoltaic is the preferred renewable energy technology for mining operations, installed or proposed for 92% of the 27 projects included in this study. By providing a detailed picture of past and current trends of renewable energy adoption, this study identifies weaknesses and points of intervention in the emerging market for renewables in mining. In doing so, it offers guidance to policy and decision makers for the development of informed solutions to increase renewable energy uptake in mining

An actor-oriented perspective on innovation systems: Functional analysis of drivers and barriers to innovation and technology adoption in the mining sector

Technology developers are key actors in an innovation system. Applying the technological innovation systems perspective as an analytical framework, our study unpacks drivers and barriers to technology development, adoption and diffusion in an innovation system and relates these to firm-level innovation processes. We approach this by situating our enquiry at the intersection of system- and firm-level perspectives. Based on case study data, our research highlights drivers and barriers prevailing in the mining innovation system affecting technology developers and establishes links to key innovation processes relevant to these firms. We complement these findings with insights into strategies firms employ to mitigate or overcome barriers identified, with the potential to positively affect innovation processes at the firm level. We argue that enablers and barriers to innovation encountered by firms have their effect by affording or impeding opportunities for firms to undertake the innovation processes required to attain technological innovation outcomes

China’s institutional environment for entrepreneurship

From once prohibited to now promoted, entrepreneurship in China has taken off creating impressive success stories and contributing to economic growth and societal development. Considerable and relatively rapid transformations of the institutional environment have enabled the emergence of entrepreneurial activities—yet entrepreneurs still face challenges and barriers rooted in formal and informal institutions. Likewise, the distinctiveness of informal institutions in China determines the modalities of doing business. This chapter describes the development of the institutional environment for entrepreneurs in China, illustrates remaining challenges with formal and informal institutions, and discusses the potential impact of entrepreneurs on institutions and on their development

Exploring the Role of Diversity Management During Early Internationalizing Firms’ Internationalization Process

Despite their rapid internationalization, early internationalizing firms (EIFs) struggle to sustain their growth over time. Among the factors influencing their internationalization process, the diversity of human resources, and particularly its management, has yet to be studied. Building on different perspectives of diversity management, through the lens of the resource-based view, this study explores the role of diversity management during EIFs’ internationalization process. The results of a multiple-case, qualitative study of French EIFs show that prevailing perspectives on diversity management within EIFs change with the nature of diversity as a resource (strategic, ordinary, or negative), with different influences on the firms’ progress along the phases of the internationalization process. The findings highlight the importance of adopting a learning perspective on managing diversity, including specific management practices, during the transition between the entry and post-entry phases of EIFs’ internationalization process. This study thus suggests several propositions and theoretical contributions, along with managerial recommendations