A methodological approach to assess ERP implementation process

The paper suggests a methodological approach aimed at representing technical and organizationalcapabilities the firm should managed in the implementation process, configuring the problems thatmay occur during the implementation process and selecting the most suitable implementationstrategy

Factors and mechanisms affecting University-Industry interactions: evidence from Southern Italy

This paper aims to identify and analyze factors, motivations and mechanisms affecting collaborative forms of university-industry interactions in the context of the metropolitan area of Naples (Southern Italy). This work presents the results of a study designed and implemented through a partnership between University of Naples Federico II (UNF) and the Industrial Association of Naples (UIN). We used data retrieved from 88 firms that had interacted at least once with at least one Department of the University of Naples Federico II in the last 3 years. Firms belonged to different sectors and to different size categories, thus results will cover interactions activities based on those two elements. Results obtained during the field research were used to understand mechanisms and motives adopted by firms to collaborate with universities

UN ENFOQUE COGNITIVO DEL FHA PARA CORREGIR SESGOS EN EL JUICIO DE EXPERTOS: APLICACIÓN A UN CASO

El propósito de este trabajo es presentar un enfoque metodológico integrador que sirva de apoyo a la toma de decisiones. Hasta ahora la literatura científica ha producido principalmente trabajos de dos clases: análisis descriptivo, que se refiere a los procesos reales que caracterizan la valoración y selección de los individuos, y el análisis normativo, que analiza los procesos de selección realizados por individuos racionales idealizados. Entonces, cuando hablamos de un enfoque integrador, pretendemos desarrollar una metodología, que aun partiendo de instrumentos cuantitativos típicos del análisis normativo, tome también en consideración las implicancias cognitivo-comportamentales obtenidas por los especialistas en toma de decisión. Hemos desarrollado un modelo aplicativo basado en el análisis jerárquico fuzzy (FHA), en el que a las capacidades del proceso de jerarquía analítico (AHP) de racionalizar el proceso de decisión sin prescindir de las valoraciones, se añaden elementos de la teoría de conjuntos borrosos que permiten al decisor expresar la ambigüedad de su propia valoración. Este método corrige los juicios tomando en consideración los llamados sesgos cognitivos, es decir, distorsiones subjetivas relacionadas con la percepción de la utilidad y la incertidumbre. Por último, se ha llevado a cabo una experiencia para verificar el valor del modelo propuesto, los límites de su aplicabilidad y los posibles desarrollos futuros. Palabras clave: análisis jerárquico fuzzy, toma de decisión, enfoque cognitivo. Abstract This paper aims to propose a methodological integrated approach to support experts in decision making situation. Until now scientific literature has mainly produced works of two types: descriptive analysis, that talks about the real processes that characterize the evaluation and selection of individuals, and the normative analysis, that analyses the process of selection made by rational individuals. When we talk about an integrated approach, we try to develop a methodology, that even starting off of typical quantitative instruments of the normative analysis, also takes in consideration the cognitive side obtained by the specialists in decision making. We have developed an empirical model based on the fuzzy hierarchical analysis (FHA). In addition the capacities of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to rationalize the process of decision considering the evaluations, elements of the fuzzy set theory are considered in order to allow experts to express the ambiguity of their own evaluations. The proposed methodology corrects the judgments taking in consideration the so called cognitive biases, that is to say, subjective distortions related to the perception of utility and uncertainty. Finally, an experience has been carried out to verify the value of the proposed model, the limits of its applicability and possible future developments. Keywords: Fuzzy hierarchical analysis, Decision making, Cognitive approach

Evolution of Collaborative Networks Supporting Startup Sustainability: Evidences from Digital Firms

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether startup evolution can be conceptualized in a life cycle model intended as an unpredictable sequence of stages, where startups need to find actors with whom to collaborate to acquire knowledge and resources supporting the effectiveness and the sustainability of their mission. The creation and implementation of collaborative networks is observed through the lens of the holistic approach to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, whose purpose is to build “bridges” between different actors through the creation of communities of best practices or entrepreneurial networks. The creation of a specific ecosystem is suggested to ease the new digital entrepreneurship generation toward acquiring an appropriate level of knowledge, skills, financial facilitations, and entrepreneurial culture. Following a multiple case study analysis based on nine successful Italian digital firms, the empirical evidence seems to confirm that firms collaborate with different actors in different stages, as knowledge and resource networks play a critical role in sustaining the evolution and success of new firms

Networks mobilized to access key resources at early stages of biotech firms: a comparative analysis in two moderately innovative countries

This paper investigates the networking behaviour of biotechnology start-ups in peripheral locations. The aim is to understand whether the conditions found in this type of environment introduce some specificities in the networking process, namely in network building and early mobilization to access key resources. The paper compares biotechnology start-ups in Portugal and in Southern Italy, focusing on relationships with research organizations and on the relevance assumed by international connections, and investigating the role played by entrepreneurs’ personal networks. The research identified some common features that diverge from the typical biotechnology start-up behaviour and can be regarded as firms’ adaptive responses to the conditions faced. Notwithstanding the frequent presence of close connections with local research organizations—that often play functions that go much beyond that of a knowledge source—the local environment is a lesser determinant for a substantial proportion of firms than would be expected in start-ups. A distinctive feature of these firms is an extensive reliance on foreign sources, for different purposes and from the very early stages. Entrepreneurs’ personal networks are found to be instrumental, both to identify and obtain knowledge in the vicinity and to support the establishment of more complex distant relationships