Why do firms launch corporate change programs? A contingency perspective on strategic change

We study strategic change as a visible and substantive action by examining the circumstances under which firms launch corporate change programs. Drawing on prior literature and corroborated by insights from interviews with executives, we propose a contingency perspective on the launch of corporate change programs (i.e. that different types of programs are launched under different circumstances). To do so, we combine arguments for three general motives for launching a corporate change program with two distinct types of corporate change programs. More specifically, we argue that firms are more likely to launch growth-oriented programs when the market situation is buoyant, when they have prior experience, and when they are underperforming. Furthermore, we argue that firms are more likely to launch efficiency-oriented programs when there is a new CEO, when they are underperforming, and when they are facing high levels of organizational complexity. To test our hypotheses regarding the motives for launching programs, we conducted a large-scale empirical study. Using hand-collected data for the European financial services and insurance industry over a ten-year period, we found support for our predictions. We discuss the implications of these findings for strategic change research

Toward 100 Gbps wireless networks enabled by millimeter wave traveling wave tubes

New generation networks for 5G need a breakthrough to support the unstoppable increase of internet traffic. Millimeter waves offer multi-GHz bandwidth for multigigabit per second data rate. For the full exploitation of the millimeter wave spectrum, due to the high atmosphere attenuation, high transmission power is needed, not available by solid state devices. Traveling wave tubes are the only enabling devices to create ultracapacity layers to distribute data with data rate at fiber level over wide areas. This paper presents the aims of a new European Commission Horizon 2020 project, ULTRAWAVE, to create for the first time a data layer with area capacity toward 100 Gbps/km2, combining D-band and G-band internet distribution enabled by millimeter wave traveling wave tubes

The 2017 Terahertz Science and Technology Roadmap

Science and technologies based on terahertz frequency electromagnetic radiation (100GHz-30THz) have developed rapidly over the last 30 years. For most of the 20th century, terahertz radiation, then referred to as sub-millimeter wave or far-infrared radiation, was mainly utilized by astronomers and some spectroscopists. Following the development of laser based terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the 1980s and 1990s the field of THz science and technology expanded rapidly, to the extent that it now touches many areas from fundamental science to “real world” applications. For example THz radiation is being used to optimize materials for new solar cells, and may also be a key technology for the next generation of airport security scanners. While the field was emerging it was possible to keep track of all new developments, however now the field has grown so much that it is increasingly difficult to follow the diverse range of new discoveries and applications that are appearing. At this point in time, when the field of THz science and technology is moving from an emerging to a more established and interdisciplinary field, it is apt to present a roadmap to help identify the breadth and future directions of the field. The aim of this roadmap is to present a snapshot of the present state of THz science and technology in 2016, and provide an opinion on the challenges and opportunities that the future holds. To be able to achieve this aim, we have invited a group of international experts to write 17 sections that cover most of the key areas of THz Science and Technology. We hope that The 2016 Roadmap on THz Science and Technology will prove to be a useful resource by providing a wide ranging introduction to the capabilities of THz radiation for those outside or just entering the field as well as providing perspective and breadth for those who are well established. We also feel that this review should serve as a useful guide for government and funding agencies

Conceptualizing and measuring strategy implementation – a multi-dimensional view

Through quantitative methodological approaches for studying the strategic management and planning process, analysis of data from 208 senior managers involved in strategy processes within ten UK industrial sectors provides evidence on the measurement properties of a multi-dimensional instrument that assesses ten dimensions of strategy implementation. Using exploratory factor analysis, results indicate the sub-constructs (the ten dimensions) are uni-dimensional factors with acceptable reliability and validity; whilst using three additional measures, and correlation and hierarchical regression analysis, the nomological validity for the multi-dimensional strategy implementation construct was established. Relative importance of ten strategy implementation dimensions (activities) for practicing managers is highlighted, with the mutually and combinative effects drawing conclusion that senior management involvement leads the way among the ten key identified activities vital for successful strategy implementation

Heterodyne and spectroscopic room temperature terahertz imaging using InGaAs bow-tie diodes

Heterodyne and spectroscopic terahertz imaging using InGaAs bow-tie diodes are presented and discussed. The improvement of the dynamic range and noise equivalent power by heterodyning is demonstrated. It is shown that InGaAs-based bow-tie diodes are well suited for spectroscopic room temperature imaging within the range of 0.58-2.52 THz. The devices implementation in real-time imaging system is considered as well

Sub-THz components for high capacity point to multipoint wireless networks

The first point to multipoint wireless system at D-band (141-148.5 GHz), providing high capacity area sectors fed by high data rate G-band (275-305 GHz) links connected to fiber access points, will be described. It is the objective of the European Commission H2020 ULTRAWAVE 'Ultra capacity wireless layer beyond 100 GHz based on millimeter wave Traveling Wave Tubes'. The high transmission power provided by novel millimeter wave traveling wave tube will allow an unprecedented range and data rate at this frequency band. A novel MMIC chipset including components built by GaAs and InP processes to realize a full electronics solution for the sub-THz wireless communication system will be described