Seniors and technology: can cognitive age and life events explain the gaps?

Purpose of the paper: this paper aims to identify good descriptors of the differences among the elderly, particularly suitable for technology use. Specifically, cognitive age and life events are compared to demographic age. Methodology: a survey was conducted, and three cluster analyses were performed to reach three different segmentations: cohort, cognitive-age and life-event-based segmentations. Findings: the conducted cluster analysis highlights multifaceted consumption trends also in relation to technology, both in the case of using cognitive age as a segmentation criterion and in the case of appealing to events actually lived. Research limits: although alternative segmentation parameters to the chronological age were examined to test their validity, these criteria were used separately, while the analysis of a complex group like Seniors would require a multidimensional approach. Practical implications: our study provides important operational indications to managers who need to understand the different consumption trends and dynamics of the use of technology by elderly consumers in order to define tailor-made offers of products and/or services. Facilitating the use of technology by the elderly has interesting implications in terms of social and economic impact, too. Originality of the paper: although many have highlighted the need to identify effective criteria for the segmentation of such a heterogeneous target in terms of expressed needs, there are currently few studies in this field, especially concerning the use of technology

Business Model Innovation and exaptation: a new way of innovating in SMEs

Although research underlines the need for SMEs to innovate their Business Model, they face considerable challenges in exploring external business opportunities and experimenting/developing their available resources in unexpected ways. We posit that one way that SMEs can innovate their Business Model is through exaptation, a discontinuous evolutionary process that allows utilizing and adapting existing resources in new application domains. Using a case study approach, we investigate the case of a SME that has successfully innovated its Business Model through exaptation. We then discuss how three key exaptation processes lead to value creation, delivery and capturing, thus supporting Business Model Innovation in SMEs

Improving knowledge dissemination and usage in new product development: the role of Product Data Management Systems

Although many Authors agree about the usefulness of Product Data Management (PDM) systems to stimulate knowledge dissemination, there are no many studies investigating if PDM systems really contribute to the usage of disseminated knowledge and about which are the challenges for implementing PDM systems. The aim of this paper is to clarify how PDM systems can improve the process of knowledge dissemination and usage and which PDM systems can do this. After the literature review, the paper reports a longitudinal case study of an Italian company aimed to analyse the changes occurred during the implementation of the PDM system over the time

Business networks along innovation lifecycle

Purpose – The paper aims to investigate how the relationships among the various actors within the business networks affect the evolution of innovation through steps of the technology life cycle. Design/methodology/approach – The study is supported by a longitudinal case study referring to a mechanical company operating in the knitting machinery industry. A triangulation method, integrating multiple data sources in a multiple method design, was used to gather data. Findings – The longitudinal study supports the idea that interactions among the actors within the business networks heavily influence the evolution of technology. Research limitations/implications – Although the longitudinal case study reported in the paper refers to a period of about ten years, our findings refer only to a single case study in a specific sector and cannot be generalized. Practical implications – The paper provides important guidelines on how to manage the relationships emerging within a business network in order to influence the development of new technologies. Originality/value – The paper contributes to business networks literature, filling the gaps in information about how the relationships among the actors involved in a network can evolve over time and influence the evolution of technology itself

Short time and long time in green consumption: the role of time horizon

Even if a general sensitivity to green consumption increased in the last years, consumers tend to postpone the adoption of green behaviors along the time. Basing on these considerations this paper will investigate the effect of time horizon construct – the time a consumer believes will elapse before he can experience the outcomes caused by his eventual choice – in compliance with green and not green products consumption. The paper reports the results of an experimental study showing that the time horizon of consumption decision plays an important role in driving consumers’ choice, especially when a “green” behavior is expected

The great Millennials’ trouble: leading or confused green generation? An Italian insight

3sinonenoneMichelle Bonera; Anna Paola Codini; Giulia MinieroBonera, Michelle; Codini, Anna Paola; Miniero, Giuli