Social networks and innovation strategies in knowledge-intensive services: the case of software

WOS:000321565500067This paper deals with the role of social networks in the innovation strategies of the software for telecommunications sector; although a relatively small segment in the global software industry, this is one of the most innovative. In fact, its products address the demand of the sophisticated and fast changing telecommunications industry, with mobile communications at its core. The literature has stressed the relevance of social networks for the innovative process of knowledge-intensive firms. Most of these firms, and particularly small and medium sized firms, depend on external resources to complement their built-in capabilities, partly accessed via non-market means. As a consequence, networks have become increasingly crucial for the access to these resources, which are quite diversified. Most of the extant studies deal with aggregate networks; however, the diversity of resources is expected to affect the forms of access, and therefore the configurations of social networks. In this paper we study disaggregated social networks in two groups of firms, more radical innovators vis-à-vis incremental innovators, according to the type of resource being accessed i.e. technological knowledge and complementary assets. Technological knowledge has become complex, fast changing and distributed among various players. In the case of software, firms have to interact not only with other domestic and multinational firms in the same sector and universities, but also with customers; the latter are considered a major source of innovation. Complementary assets such as capital, information on potential opportunities, access to markets and highly skilled personnel have become more specialized and sophisticated. Such resources are not totally obtainable through anonymous and stand-alone market transactions. Their access requires interaction, information exchange and very often trust. Drawing on original information collected through a detailed questionnaire, we analysed a set of 29 firms producing software for telecommunications in Portugal, split into two sub-sets according to the range of innovation (more radical vs. more incremental). We looked for the main factors related to the configuration of the networks developed (composition, structure, size, number of components) to explain the differences in the innovation strategies adopted by the two groups of companies. Results confirm the existence of contrasting network configurations of radical versus incremental innovators and the value of a fine-grained approach. Our approach can therefore contribute to the debate on the most favourable network configuration for innovation: this depends not only on the range of innovation but also on the resource that is exchanged through the relation.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Business models of young firms operating in renewable energy technologies: innovation strategies and context perception

This paper focuses on the behaviour of new technology-intensive firms (NTIFs) in the process of developing research-based renewable energy technologies, and introducing them into the market. Our main assumption is that the introduction of new energy technologies is closely connected with the creation of a variety of small technology-intensive firms that are the conveyors of these technologies and act as challengers to the statu quo. We adopt a business model framework to study value creation by NTIFs, taking into account the context, where policy options, obstacles and opportunities impact the action and outcomes of the companies. The framework is applied to a group of 28 Portuguese NTIFs in several renewable energy areas. Further work will explore the potential both of the conceptual and analytical frameworks introduced here, and the array of interesting data collected in the research.FC

Dominant business models of young firms in the renewable energy sector

This paper focuses on the behaviour of new technology-intensive firms (NTIFs) in the process of developing research-based renewable energy technologies, and introducing them into the market, thus contributing to the transition to a low carbon regime. We adopt a business model framework to study value creation by NTIFs, taking into account the context, where obstacles and opportunities impact the action and outcomes of the companies. The framework is applied to a group of 28 Portuguese NTIFs in several renewable energy areas, trying to identify the main business models adopted by them. Results reveal the existence of different business models in the exploitation of renewable energy technologies by these firms. They also reveal that companies adopting different business models perceive differently the context where they operate, namely in terms of obstacles and opportunities assessment. These results are expected to contribute to further knowledge about the business models, which are emerging in this highly innovative new sector, giving insights into the strategies deployed by NTIFs exploiting the new energy technologies associated with the regime shift, and thus contributing to strategy and policy formulation aiming at developing the renewable energy sector.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Knowledge intensive sectors in moderate innovative countries in Europe: overcoming the missing links, stepping over barriers

In this paper we characterize the national innovation systems of two moderate innovative countries – Italy and Portugal. We argue that moderate innovative countries are at a crossroads, since they do not have the attributes to compete with either the most advanced economies or the emerging countries. Bearing this in mind, we provide some elements for the design of a comprehensive catch-up strategy aimed at overcome the barriers, constraints and weaknesses of these national innovation systems.FC

Energy, competition and innovation: how policies’ coordination may contribute to a new energy model

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the role played by the coordination of public policies – competition and innovation policies - in achieving a new organizational model in the energy sector. The acknowledgement that the use of energy represents a main issue in today’s world, due to its impact on the sustainability of global resources, is the central driver for the current debate. Taking investment in the renewables energy sector as a proxy to innovation, the paper shows that policies coordination is likely to promote a swifter transition to a new energy system. The paper is focused on the electricity industry and market in Portugal, but its main assertions are likely to apply to other European countries and to other network industries.FC

International knowledge networks in sustainable energy technologies: evidence from European projects

The aim of the current paper is to analyse international research collaborations in order to define patterns of international knowledge sharing. Research collaborations have become the norm in scientific and technological research. These collaborations often materialise in formal research projects. In this paper we will focus on research projects funded by the European Commission with Portuguese participation, mainly within the context of the Framework Programmes (FPs). We adopt the Triple Helix framework to investigate the way Portuguese universities, companies and other organisations are inserted in these collaborations and the role they play within them, in a dynamic form. This framework stresses the complex dynamics between academia, industry and government in the processes of knowledge production and innovation. We use Social Network Analysis to capture the composition and configuration of these international collaborations, considering them as knowledge networks. The empirical analysis of this research draws on data from the CORDIS database. We consider only projects that involve at least one Portuguese partner and address the “Renewable Sources of Energy” subject. We have identified 427 different projects, involving 2530 organisations from 83 countries. The analysis covers the period between 1985 and 2014. The results uncover an evolution consistent with the propositions of the Triple Helix framework. First, we witness the importance of universities, which are becoming more and more central in the knowledge network. Second, we observe the increasing participation of companies in the research, raising their share in the network composition to values similar to those of universities. Finally, the results reveal the strengthening of the interaction between the three agents: projects that bring together academia, industry and universities are now the most frequent type, unlike what occurred at the beginning of the period under review. This study contributes to further the understanding of cross-border knowledge sharing and creation, considering several types of actor and interaction and their dynamics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

International R&D networks in renewable technologies – Evidence from the Portuguese participation in European Framework Programmes

The aim of the current paper is to analyse international research collaborations in order to define patterns of international knowledge sharing. Research collaborations have become the norm in scientific and technological research. These collaborations often materialise in formal research projects. In this paper we will focus on research projects funded by the European Commission with Portuguese participation, mainly within the context of the Framework Programmes (FPs). We adopt the Triple Helix framework to investigate the way Portuguese universities, companies and other organisations are inserted in these collaborations and the role they play within them, in a dynamic form. This framework stresses the complex dynamics between academia, industry and government in the processes of knowledge production and innovation. We use Social Network Analysis to capture the composition and configuration of these international collaborations, considering them as knowledge networks. The empirical analysis of this research draws on data from the CORDIS database. We consider only projects that involve at least one Portuguese partner and address the “Renewable Sources of Energy” subject. We have identified 427 different projects, involving 2530 organisations from 83 countries. The analysis covers the period between 1985 and 2014. The results uncover an evolution consistent with the propositions of the Triple Helix framework. First, we witness the importance of universities, which are becoming more and more central in the knowledge network. Second, we observe the increasing participation of companies in the research, raising their share in the network composition to values similar to those of universities. Finally, the results reveal the strengthening of the interaction between the three agents: projects that bring together academia, industry and universities are now the most frequent type, unlike what occurred at the beginning of the period under review. This study contributes to further the understanding of cross-border knowledge sharing and creation, considering several types of actor and interaction and their dynamics.FC

Combining new and old: Emergent business models in the food system transition

The research has been developed within a research project on Spatial Planning for Change (SPLACH) through an interdisciplinary approach. The analysis addresses food system’s transition in a specific territory, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA). The transition of food systems towards a sustainable model has been under analysis and debate. This transition is related with structural changes, namely the emphasis on local production, short supply chains, and the preference for organic products. The shift of the agri-food system is taking place through the creation of entirely new businesses and the shift of individual farms towards organic production. In both cases, the new enterprises resort to a combination of old agricultural knowledge and techniques, new scientific knowledge regarding productive methods and new technological platforms for advertising and commercialization. These mixed sources permit the creation of interesting forms of new business models, combining old and new knowledge and practices. In addition to the agriculture domain, they exemplify how traditional industries can absorb/generate innovation, at technological and organizational levels, and become in line with the new knowledge-based era. The study has three main objectives: to identify and analyze the emerging agri-food businesses in LMA; to characterize business models (BM) changes within the transition dynamics towards sustainability; to reflect on the challenges presented by the food system characteristics, in terms of sustainable BM; and to demonstrate that BM specificity – combining new and old knowledge and practices - is closely related to the characteristics of the food system. The paper presents results of the research on the emergence of a new business models, focusing on the case of an organic food production innovative initiative in the LMA, Quinta do Oeste.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Education quality and economic performance in Europe

The paper reflects on the role played by human capital in the continued diversity of growth dynamics in Europe. Given the increasing convergence in terms of the average years of schooling, we claim that it is the quality more than the quantity of education that matters for economic growth in advanced countries. Using EU27 country data to estimate a growth regression model, we test for the significance of several human capital measures drawing on education level and quality. Average years of schooling and the percentage of labour force with tertiary education are used to measure education stock. For education quality we use the share of graduates in higher education by educational field and the PISA mean scores in reading, maths and science. Our research findings indicate that particular kinds of human capital seem to be more important than others in explaining the growth rates of EU countries from 2000 to 2010. Although positively related to GDP per capita growth, higher education levels were not statistically significant. Specific kinds of higher education, such as science, maths and computers, appear to be more relevant; on the other hand, PISA scores do not seem to have a significant impact on growth. These results suggest relevant policy implications as research, innovation and education are core elements of the European growth strategy. A larger proportion of the workforce with tertiary education and also a diversified pool of qualifications could be of benefit to Europe's economic performance. In particular, high qualifications in science and technology appear as very relevant for innovative performance. The quality of education systems, measured by PISA scores, may have a delayed and indirect effect on economic growth. Progress can be made in higher education, and especially in science and technology, by systematically improving cognitive skills at school, notably mathematics and science literacy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Working time and digital transition: A complex and ambiguous relationship

The digital transition underway combines different types of technology: digital, physical and biological. These three families of technologies interact, drawing on the progress in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and creating the opportunity of digitalizing all stages of production and services systems. The increase of digital work represents a deep transformation of economy and society, posing huge challenges to companies, employees and policy makers, and therefore to social scientists. In this context, in European countries, working time regulation has become central to employment policies. The guiding principles of working time management are based on three aspects: the conventional definition of working time flexibility; the development of public measures that aim at making the reduction of working hours advantageous; and the adequacy of working time management to the whole of working life. Advances in information and communication technologies that bring high convenience to personal life are also blurring the lines of work-time and personal time, threatening work-life balance. This situation is raising not only important legal issues, but also ethical considerations related to mandatory or unpaid overtime, and the possibility of employer subtle or explicit coercion. Additionally, the ethicality of unconventional shift work and long work-hour schedules is also at stake in issues like the gender-based inequities related to working hours, and employers' responsibilities for protecting individuals who are not employees from the indirect effects of demanding work schedules, namely affecting the work-family balance. In terms of research methods, after an assessment of the transformations underway, based on literature review and documentary analysis, we will develop a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews, which will allow to analyse the position of different key actors (employers' and trade union confederations) on long working hours and their effects.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio