New innovation management paradigms in the knowledge-driven economy

The growing importance of knowledge as a production factor and as a determinant of innovation can be explained by the continuous accumulation of technical knowledge over time. Innovation Management Techniques (IMTs) are critical to support the process of innovation in firms and help them in a systematic way to meet new market challenges

Determinación de los factores que caracterizan a la PYME innovadora española

La tesis presentada tiene como objetivos: Realizar una aproximación al entorno en el que se desarrolla la PYME en España, profundizando en el subconjunto de la PYME innovadora, paradigma de excelencia en este colectivo. Analizar determinados patrones de desarrollo de la PYME innovadora española y su coincidencia o discrepancias con los patrones reportados en la literatura sobre la Gestión de la Innovación Tecnológica en la empresa en general y en la PYME en particular. Desarrollar, como hipótesis, un modelo de evolución de la PYME innovadora española de acuerdo con los diversos modelos de desarrollo empresarial y las teorias vigenetes relacionadas con el aprendizaje en las organizaciones, y contrastarlo con la experiencia observada por el autor en dos muestras analizadas por el mismo. Este modelo contribuye al conocimiento del medio de la PYME. Las hipótesis presentadas se validan a partir de dos encuestas: una cualitativa realizada sobre 100 PYMEs innovadoras en el ambito nacional a las que se les realizó una auditoría tecnológica dentro del Programa Euromanagement de la DG XXIII de la Comisión europea; y una encuesta cualitativa basada en entrevistas personales que el autor realizó a 100 PYMES de la Comunidad Valenciana. El trabajo de referencia contribuye a llenar el vacío existente con relación al fenómeno de la PYME innovadora, que ha comenzado a suscitar el interés de diversos autores(Buesa, Nueno, Molero). Profundiza en un campo complejo, dada la heterogeneidad de la PYME frente a los estereotipos que se mantienen sobre este colectivo empresarial, mezclando la PYME familiar, el pequeño negocio, la pequeña empresa de sercicios, el despacho profesional, la pequeña empresa de alta tecnología, etc. Presenta un importante esfuerzo bibliografico, tanto desde el punto de vista de modelos y teorías, como desde la recopilación estadistica y macro económica sobre la PYME en el ambito nacional. Finalmente, presenta como hipótesis, un modelo original que permite la comprensión del fenómeno de la innovación en la PYME y las tendencias que esta sigue en su desarrollo

Drivers and Impacts of R&D Adoption on Transport and Logistics Services

Actually, technologies and applications in industries are changing via business restructuring, new business models, new knowledge and supply chains. So R&D is not focused primarily on manufacturing industry as it used to be, but on different kinds of industries as logistics and transport (TLS). Nevertheless, the characteristics of the TLS industry determine the introduction of specific R&D solutions accordingly to sectors operations. The objective of this paper is to describe the R&D opportunities in the TLS industry and how managers use them to make their businesses more innovative and efficient. Using the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) model the paper identifies the links between R&D adoption and innovation dynamics. Relating the findings, on the driver’s side there are three points that are worth mentioning: increasing market competition, the relationships of firms interacting with each other and the availability and quality of complementary assets such as employee skills and IT know-how. On the impacts’ side, firms advanced in terms of implementing R&D solutions are more likely to implement organizational changes. Finally, a set of recommendations on how to further improve the continuous innovation in the TLS industry is presented

Success and Threats in the Clustering of the Automotive Industry in Spain: The Role of Public and Private Agents

[EN] Research Question: This article clarifies the role of clusters in industry agglomeration efficiency as well as the role that public and private agents play in their efficiency. Motivation: The automobile industry in Spain is an exception to the industrial decline suffered by the secondary sector since the economic crisis exploded in Spain. Employment in the vehicle manufacturing industry has recovered significantly in Spain in 2017, with a significant growth bringing it closer to 2008 levels. The sector accounts for 8.6 % of the country's GNP. How can we explain this success? Are there new threats (technology, environmental standards, emerging economies, etc.) menacing the sector? Based on value chain and cluster theories we explain its success and how new threats could be managed? The response lays in analyzing the role of cluster agents in the various clusters dynamics. The research shows how the openness of clusters plays a crucial role in their sustainability. Idea: Based on value chain and cluster theories we explain their success and how new threats could be managed? The response lays in analyzing the role of cluster agents in the various clusters dynamics. The research shows how the openness of clusters plays a crucial role in their sustainability. Data: primary data was collected in two surveys and interviews campaigns during 2013 and 2017. Furthermore, secondary data from national, regional and sectoral sources were analysed. Tools: The research is based on a series of interviews and visits to the automotive clusters in Spain. Additionally, the authors have analyzed abundant secondary information and web contents available on the clusters agents: manufacturers, suppliers, unions, associations, etc. Findings: The paper concludes that regional and national policies are relevant but that consensus between clusters¿ agents is essential for their success. However, will the existing agents be able to withstand new threats? .Contribution: The article contributes to clusters literature and the clusters¿ role of the agents in the global value chain context. It also sheds light on public policies to support automotive industries. Limitations are linked to resource limitations.This research study has been supported by various national organizations (MINETUR; CDTI; ANFAC, SERNAUTI) as well as regions such as clusters associations around Spain.Albors Garrigós, J.; Collado, A. (2019). Success and Threats in the Clustering of the Automotive Industry in Spain: The Role of Public and Private Agents. Management Journal of Sustainable Business and Management Solutions in Emerging Economies. 24(3):1-20. https://doi.org/10.7595/management.fon.2019.0002S12024

The drivers of ICT adoption in transport and logistics services: an approach from the SCP model

Transport and logistics services (TLS) are key components of a successful economy, enabling the movement of goods, services and people as efficiently as possible. In the European Union, the transport sector generates 7% of European Union gross domestic product (GDP) and for around 5% of employment. Nevertheless, the challenge is to find solutions for freight and passengers that are economically viable and that also promote sustainable growth, fuel economy, the reduction of emissions, safe and healthy lifestyles and social inclusio

Transferencia tecnológica en programas públicos de cooperación universidad-empresa. Propuesta de un modelo basado en evidencias empíricas.

El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a la comprensión de los factores subyacentes al proceso de transferencia de tecnología de la universidad a la industria. En el mismo se intenta proporcionar respuestas a un número de preguntas relacionadas con los factores de éxito y las barreras que obstaculizan la transferencia de tecnología y su impacto final en la industria

Technology Transfer in Public University-Industry Cooperation Programmes. Proposal of a Model based on empirical evidence.

Technology transfer has been defined as goal-orientated intentional interaction between two or more social entities during which the stock of technological knowledge remains stable or is increased through the transfer of one or more components of the technology. One of the recognised problems in the innovation and technology management in Spain is related to the transfer of technology and knowledge between university and industry. The challenges faced by public innovation policies are correlated to an improvement in the transfer of knowledge and technology from universities and research centres to industry; hence the fact that some European authors have emphasised the need to provide this activity with more visibility and prestige, being this one of the new directions of national and European Union technology policies. The objective of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the underlying factors in the technology transfer process from universities to industry dealing with robotics and production technologies. It aims to provide answers to a number of questions related to success facilitating factors and barriers which hinder the transfer of technology and its ultimate impact on industry. Furthermore, the paper seeks to construct a model which will explain the differences between both transfer processes: those taking place in either an industry or a university context. The methodology for this research is based on a survey carried out on a sample of public research organisations (universities and R&D centres) and firms participating in two types of projects. The first group corresponds to R&D projects funded by the Interministerial Science and Technology Commission of Spain. These projects were coordinated by universities, with the participation of firms and R&D centres. Second group was composed of projects funded by the Centre for Industrial Technology Development (CDTI). These projects were coordinated by firms, with the participation of universities and R&D centres. The survey, which was completed by 250 organisations, covered a number of aspects related to the attitudes of the participant, questions related to the technology, the barriers encountered, the technology transfer mechanisms and the final impact of the programme. As conclusions, differences between both groups are highlighted. For universities and R&D centres, the relevant variables are therefore the initial exploitation objectives, legal barriers, access to new knowledge, relevance of knowledge acquisition and fulfilment of these objectives. In other words, the aspects relating to knowledge are clear determinants in the project. For firms, the relevant variables are therefore the initial industrial exploitation objectives, the relevance of knowledge acquisition objectives and the fulfilment of objectives related to innovation, the commercial exportation of results, the transfer of technology into patents and licences, engineering activities and risk sharing. In firms group, those aspects related to innovation and the exploitation and transfer of results are shown as determinants in the project. Finally, when considering the barriers or obstacles to fulfilling project objectives, it can be concluded that only the technological aspects are shown to be important and that there is no significant difference between the opinion of firms and universities

KISA in low tech traditional sectors as technology innovation promoters

Tether (2003) has analysed innovation dynamics in services and classified them in three sectors: traditional, systemic and knowledge-based. In this paper we are concerned with the third alternative due to its relevance in the creation and transfer of knowledge and innovation through its support of innovative activities across a wide range of other business fields, as well as its interconnecting role among various clusters (Kuusisto and Meyer, 2003). Knowledge-intensive service activities (KISA) are defined as “the production and integration of service activities undertaken by firms, in manufacturing or service sectors, in combination with manufactured outputs or as stand-alone services”. KISA can be provided by private enterprises and public sector organizations. Typical examples of KISA include R&D services, management consulting, IT services, human resource management services, legal services, accounting and financing services, and marketing services (OECD, 2006)

Making sense of innovation by R&D and non-R&D innovators in low technology contexts: a forgotten lesson for policymakers

This paper attempts to use an integrated theory based on a firm’s internal and external sources of knowledge framework to analyze how different are R&D from non-R&D activities to innovate, specially in a context of low and medium low tech (LMT) sectors where most of the firms are SMEs. Simultaneously, the paper also explores the key differences between R&D and non-R&D innovators. The empirical analysis is based on a representative panel of 2023 Spanish manufacturing firms for 2005 and 2006 from the Spanish Ministry of Industry. Innovation in product and process is explained using non-R&D variables such as in Marketing, Design or hiring tertiary degree employees. Only innovation in product is explained by R&D expenditures. Addressing innovation in process, R&D variables work in few cases and neither R&D expenditures but occasionally R&D employees and are specially relevant the non-R&D variables. The interaction (moderating) effect is specially negative and significant, addressing the substitution effect with different implications regarding product or process innovation. Therefore, innovation can be explained using non-R&D variables such as investments in Marketing, Design, and other routines linked to human resources, technology monitoring committees or the existence of a formal plan to innovate. The firms with more internal resources, those which conduct R&D activities present a better AC and it leads to engage in cooperation agreements and access to external flows of knowledge. The paper has important implications for policymakers due to the fact that most of policies for R&D are based on R&D programmes, while there are other realities: non-R&D factors which also explain innovation, specially when considering low tech sector contexts. El presente artículo usa la teoría de recursos y capacidades para, a través de los recursos internos y externos de las empresas, analizar las actividades de R&D y las actividades de no-R&D en su impacto sobre la performance de innovación de la empresa, en un contexto sectorial de baja y media tecnología. Asimismo, el artículo explora el rol innovador de las empresas que hacen R&D y las que no lo hacen. Con una muestra de 2023 empresas manufactureras españolas, obtenemos un comportamiento innovador para la innovación en producto y en proceso y, sobre todo, observando que las actividades de R&D tienen muy poco peso explicativo sobre el resultado de innovación. El artículo presenta implicaciones para la Academia y los policymakers, sobre todo por el hecho de que la mayoría de las políticas de innovación se basan en actividades de R&D.fuentes de innovación, estrategias de búsqueda de conocimiento externo, cooperación tecnológica, capacidad de absorción. innovation sources, technology cooperation, absorptive capacity, search strategies.

ERP Software Selection Processes: A Case Study in the Metal Transformation Sector

When a firm decides to implement ERP softwares, the resulting consequences can pervade all levels, includ- ing organization, process, control and available information. Therefore, the first decision to be made is which ERP solution must be adopted from a wide range of offers and vendors. To this end, this paper describes a methodology based on multi-criteria factors that directly affects the process to help managers make this de- cision. This methodology has been applied to a medium-size company in the Spanish metal transformation sector which is interested in updating its IT capabilities in order to obtain greater control of and better infor- mation about business, thus achieving a competitive advantage. The paper proposes a decision matrix which takes into account all critical factors in ERP selection