The impact of market orientation on university spin-off business performance

Extant literature on the antecedents of university spin-off (USO) business performance has developed with the aim of highlighting those drivers that could foster the performance of such firms, focusing on a variety of factors. Less interest has been devoted to the market orientation\u2013performance relationship, despite the positive link frequently found in the marketing literature. The aim of the present paper is therefore to fill this gap and investigate the relationship between market orientation (MO) and USO performance using the Netval database of Italian research spin-offs. To measure MO, we adopted an ad hoc questionnaire, and after testing its validity with a factor analysis, we performed a regression model. The results show that MO, particularly some of its components (customer intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination, integration and inter-functional coordination), has an impact on business performance. This contribution presents some valuable research implications useful for academics, but professionals from new high-tech ventures and technology transfer offices may also benefit from this knowledge.Une importante bibliographie sur les ant\ue9c\ue9dents de la performance des spin-off universitaires a d\ue9j\ue0 \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9velopp\ue9e, dans le but de mettre en \ue9vidence les \ue9l\ue9ments qui pourraient favoriser la performance de ces entreprises, et en mettant l'accent sur divers facteurs. Malgr\ue9 le lien positif qui est g\ue9n\ue9ralement observ\ue9 dans la litt\ue9rature marketing, la relation entre l'Orientation March\ue9 (OM) et la performance a \ue9t\ue9 moins approfondie. L'objectif de cet article est donc de combler cette lacune en examinant la relation entre l'orientation march\ue9 et les performances des SOU (Spin-Off Universitaires) de la base de donn\ue9es Netval, d\ue9di\ue9e aux spin-off de la recherche italienne. Afin de mesurer l\u2019OM, nous avons adopt\ue9 un questionnaire ad hoc et, apr\ue8s avoir test\ue9 sa validit\ue9 avec une analyse factorielle, nous avons r\ue9alis\ue9 un mod\ue8le de r\ue9gression. Les r\ue9sultats montrent que l\u2019OM a effectivement un impact sur la performance de l'entreprise, en particulier sur certaines de ses dimensions (production de renseignements sur les clients, diffusion de renseignements, int\ue9gration et coordination inter-fonctionnelle). Cette \ue9tude pr\ue9sente des perspectives de recherche utiles pour les universitaires, mais aussi pour les professionnels des nouvelles entreprises haute technologie et les bureaux de transfert de technologie, qui pourraient b\ue9n\ue9ficier de ces connaissances

Haptic support systems for curve negotiation in a driving simulator

A human operator performing a manual control task can be assisted by haptic shared control, a novel approach in literature which makes use of a continuous-time force feedback to guide the operator in a specific control direction. In a previous research, a haptic controller has been designed and tested in a for curve negotiation support in a driving simulator. This support system provides a force feedback the operator has to give way to in order to correct the vehicle deviations from a reference trajectory. It was proved in an experiment to yield benefits in terms of increased performance and reduced effort from the operator with respect to manual driving. As a variation from the haptic shared control philosophy, a novel approach has been introduced in literature for supporting a human operator piloting RPVs in a simulated environment. This haptic controller is called Indirect since the force feedback it provides has the only effect of changing the neutral point of the control interface. The operator can exploit this aiding by contrasting the force feedback and keeping the control device close to the central position. The Indirect haptic controller was proved in an experiment to increase performance and was found helpful by the pilots, as well as the Direct controller, which is the classic approach, and compared to manual piloting. This novel approach in haptic shared control has only been investigated as a support for piloting RPVs. In this project the Indirect controller is being designed in a modeling study and tested for a curve negotiation task in a driving simulator. The Indirect controller for curve negotiation is designed in a model-based study, where a scheme is employed simulating the behaviour of a human operator and the haptic controller. The outcome of this study are some previsions on different driving conditions, where an operator can drive manually or be assisted by the classic Direct haptic controller or by the novel Indirect controller. An experimental campaign with a driving simulator is performed, based on the previsions figured in the modeling study. The results of the experiment tells us that both the Direct and Indirect controllers can be helpful for performance and effort of the operator in low visibility conditions, while in normal visibility a contrast in goal can arise between operator and shared controller, due to a different way of the operator to cut curves. In a situation of evasive maneuver with a faulty controller, where the operator has to reject the force feedback, the Indirect controller is proved to be more damaging than the Direct support. Finally, some negative after-effects on performance and effort are encountered after the Indirect controller is switched-off, due to an intense adaptation of the operator to the different dynamics to control. The Indirect haptic support can be a valid alternative to the typical Direct control scheme for curve negotiation support, although there is room for improving its functioning. Future developments should be focused on making the Indirect controller easier to understand, to cope with more effectively in case of failures and possibly to switch to manual driving without confusion

Optimum dataset size and search space for minimum zone roundness evaluation by genetic algorithm

Roundness is one of the most common features in machining. The minimum zone tolerance (MZT) approach provides the minimum roundness error, i.e. the minimum distance between the two concentric reference circles containing the acquired profile; more accurate form error estimation results in less false part rejections. MZT is still an open problem and is approached here by a Genetic Algorithm. Only few authors have addressed the definition of the search space center and size and its relationship with the dataset size, which greatly influence the inspection time for the profile measurement and the convergence speed of the roundness estimation algorithm for a given target accuracy. Experimental tests on certified roundness profiles, using the profile centroid as the search space center, have shown that the search space size is related to the number of dataset points and an optimum exists, which provides a computation time reduction up to an order of magnitude

Classical Solutions of the TEK Model and Noncommutative Instantons in Two Dimensions

The twisted Eguchi-Kawai (TEK) model provides a non-perturbative definition of noncommutative Yang-Mills theory: the continuum limit is approached at large $N$ by performing suitable double scaling limits, in which non-planar contributions are no longer suppressed. We consider here the two-dimensional case, trying to recover within this framework the exact results recently obtained by means of Morita equivalence. We present a rather explicit construction of classical gauge theories on noncommutative toroidal lattice for general topological charges. After discussing the limiting procedures to recover the theory on the noncommutative torus and on the noncommutative plane, we focus our attention on the classical solutions of the related TEK models. We solve the equations of motion and we find the configurations having finite action in the relevant double scaling limits. They can be explicitly described in terms of twist-eaters and they exactly correspond to the instanton solutions that are seen to dominate the partition function on the noncommutative torus. Fluxons on the noncommutative plane are recovered as well. We also discuss how the highly non-trivial structure of the exact partition function can emerge from a direct matrix model computation. The quantum consistency of the TEK formulation is eventually checked by computing Wilson loops in a particular limit.Comment: 41 pages, JHEP3. Minor corrections, references adde

US Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter 2017: Community Report

This white paper summarizes the workshop "U.S. Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter" held at University of Maryland on March 23-25, 2017.Comment: 102 pages + reference

Sensitivity of the EDELWEISS WIMP search to spin-dependent interactions

The EDELWEISS collaboration is searching for WIMP dark matter using natural Ge cryogenic detectors. The whole data set of the first phase of the experiment contains a fiducial exposure of 4.8 kg.day on Ge-73, the naturally present (7.8%), high-spin Ge isotope. The sensitivity of the experiment to the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon interactions is evaluated using the model-independent framework proposed by Tovey et al.Comment: v2: new references and figures added, other minor changes. Accepted for publication in Physics Letters

Measurement of the Cosmic Ray e+ plus e- spectrum from 20 GeV to 1 TeV with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

Designed as a high-sensitivity gamma-ray observatory, the Fermi Large Area Telescope is also an electron detector with a large acceptance exceeding 2m^2 sr at 300 GeV. Building on the gamma-ray analysis, we have developed an efficient electron detection strategy which provides sufficient background rejection for measurement of the steeply-falling electron spectrum up to 1 TeV. Our high precision data show that the electron spectrum falls with energy as E^(-3.0) and does not exhibit prominent spectral features. Interpretations in terms of a conventional diffusive model as well as a potential local extra component are briefly discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures - submitted to Physical Review Letters on March 19, published online on May 4 - contact authors: L. Latronico, A. Moisee

Market Orientation, Performance and Innovation in Research Based Spin Offs

The present paper tries to advance knowledge on the relationship between Market Orientation (MO) and business performance in the specific context of Research Based Spin Offs (RBSOs). Marketing literature have already examined the concept of Market Orientation, highlighting the effect of MO on business performance, generally showing a positive link. Most of the studies are focused on larger firms, while less attention has been given to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and even less have been devoted to new high tech ventures. The aim of the present paper is therefore to fill such gap in the literature, examining MO and its effects on business performance in Research Based Spin Offs. A review of the extant literature is used to explore the conceptual frameworks already developed by scholars and discuss their appropriateness in the context of new tech ventures originated by Universities\u2019 laboratories and/or public research centres. An ad hoc framework is therefore adopted for validation on a sample of Italian RBSOs. The results show that MO has indeed an impact on business performance, in particular, some of its components, and provide knowledge regarding the activities undertaken by RBSOs in the area of MO. This contribution presents some valuable research implications, useful for researchers and academics, but also professionals from new high tech ventures and technology transfer offices may use this knowledge to plan and design market-focussed actions and support activities that will lead to improved business performance

Realization and tests of EV drives with driving comfort optimization

The problem of the optimisation of AC motor control for EV is considered. Preliminary tests and the realisation of an EV prototype with a new motor drive have been realised aiming at the performances optimisation on urban cycles. Special quantitative parameters have been introduced and evaluated, in good agreement with the drivers sensations, and tested in comparison with the performance of two traditional cars and a commercial E

Direct and Indirect Haptic Aiding for Curve Negotiation

Haptic technology has become a viable way to support operators in vehicular control. This paper investigates two different design philosophies for continuous haptic feedback to support drivers with curve negotiation. The first system, 'direct haptic assistance', is designed to yield best results when the driver gives way to the guidance forces on the steering wheel. The second, 'indirect haptic assistance', is designed to yield best results when the driver counter-acts the forces. The two designs were compared in a driving simulator experiment in which 27 subjects participated. Results show that both systems are helpful in case of low visibility, where the driver lacks sufficient preview of the curves. With normal visibility no improvements on performance were found, for either system. Further experiments are required to investigate the difference between the two approaches