Energy resources and world economic growth

Must we opt for zero growth as the alternative to catastrophic exhaustion of the world's natural resources? Can energy come to the rescue? The author attempts to assess the various quantities involved and discusses the prospects of finding solutions to the problems.     

Avoiding skill shortages in the new technologies

In many countries skill shortages are acting as a constraint on the development of the new technologies, such as information technology (IT), microelectronics and biotechnology. As the lead times to develop skilled people can be 5–10 years, the planning of future education and training provision to meet these needs can be extremely difficult. Drawing on current research in the U.K., this paper identifies the types of key skills needed to develop the new technologies and shows the critical role of higher education in providing the basic supply of skilled manpower. The extent of current shortages is considered as well as the likely direction of future demand. The past linkages between higher education and labour market demand are explored and directions for future policy to alleviate likely future shortages are suggested. The paper concludes that future supply and demand trends need to be monitored and better understood, and employment, education and training policies adjusted accordingly if skill shortages are not to be a recurring problem.     

Development and implementation of new technologies in the steel industry

At each successive stage in the R&D cycle leading to the commercialization of a new technology, management in any industry must reevaluate prospects and make decisions accordingly. However, for the steel industry the difficulties of this kind of decision-making throughout the usually lengthy R&D cycle are heightened by the very nature of the industry. For example, the large scale of its processes and the high capital costs for plants for new processes mean that the progressive scale-ups during a given development may themselves cost millions. From Bethlehem Steel's experience the author cites one new product and two major process developments to illustrate technical and economic considerations that enter into decision-making as R&D moves step by step toward the commercialization of new technology.     

Some hints on financing new technologies

To survive we must invest in new technology. Investing in the ‘new’ contains an element of risk, and costs may be higher than predicted; but, this paper argues, the benefits are also much higher than expected. There is a growing number of sources of finance to assist in the financing of new technology. These are reviewed, together with advice on sources of more information.     

The role of small firms in the emergence of new technologies

It is clear from research policy statements throughout Europe and in the USA and Japan that governments are becoming increasingly interested in the well-being of small firms. This is based on a belief in their ability to generate employment, their potential for the industrial regeneration of the so-called development areas and their ability to produce technological innovations. It is to this latter issue—the innovation potential of small firms—that this article is addressed. Further, while most studies of the role of small firms in innovation have been concerned with ‘innovation counts’ and have adopted a rather static approach, we are here concerned with their role in the dynamics of the introduction and diffusion of new technologies, specifically semiconductors and computer aided design (CAD). Moreover, there has in the past been a tendency to emphasize the role of the small firms or the role of large firms in innovation; we reject this rather sterile view and demonstrate the interrelationship between the two. In both areas—semiconductors and CAD—the initial breakthroughs were made in the R&D laboratories of large companies which produced components and equipment for their own use; it was through the actions of new technology-based small firms that these innovations were diffused into more general use. Again in both cases, the basic technological know-how, the entrepreneurs themselves and often the risk capital, derived from the original innovating large companies. Thus, policies that do not take into account the dynamic complementarities between the large and the small clearly are of only limited utility.     

Requirements for successful implementation of new manufacturing technologies

This paper addresses the issue of why many U.S. companies have had major problems implementing “programmable automation” technologies in a manner to exploit their full potential. Many competitors in Japan and Europe have been much more successful. The theme of the paper is that the real impediment to the effective use of this new manufacturing hardware lies in some deeply entrenched attitudes and ways of doing things that are incompatible with the requirements and unique capabilities of the new hardware. Barriers to successful implementation are explored and implications for managerial practice are discussed.     

A longitudinal analysis of the impact of firm resources and industry characteristics on firm-specific profitability

Using a dynamic heterogeneous panel data model, we examine the relationship between firm-specific resources (corporate management capabilities, employee value-added and technological competence) and firm-specific profitability and the potential moderating effects of industry characteristics on this relationship. We find that firm-specific resources enhance both accounting-based measures (return on assets and return on sales) and market-based measure (Tobin’s q) of firm-specific performance. Moreover, industry characteristics moderate the relationship between firm-specific resources and firm-specific profitability. Managerial implications are discussed.

An empirical study of the impact of firm resources on alliance governance structures

Alliances between smaller biotechnology firms and larger pharmaceutical firms are the backbone of new product development strategies within the pharmaceutical industry. While pharmaceutical firms seek access to new technologies and products, small biotechnology firms depend on these alliance relationships to access key resources such as financing and downstream capabilities because they typically do not have the resources needed in-house to successfully commercialize their products. In this study, we investigate the governance structure of these alliance relationships arguing that the more resource rich a biotechnology firm is, in terms of technical, commercial, and social capital, the less likely it is to give up equity to an alliance partner. Results suggest that greater biotech patent quality, cash position, and alliance credibility impact the type of governance structure that is chosen by the alliance partners and therefore the extent of control that the biotechnology firm is willing to give up in the relationship.     

孵化企业:动力学过程与资源配置

企业孵化器是一种培育中小企业创新系统的人工环境 ,孵化企业的实质是控制并调节孵化器之中的条件和环境以使其符合企业的发育 .本论文通过对孵化器的概念、目标和特征的考察 ,描述了企业孵化的周期和一般性动态过程 ,并重点分析了合理配置孵化资源的问题     

Assessing the impact of new technology in information systems

Computer and communication technology is changing at an increasing rate. New technologies are emerging: the price- performance of current technology is improving. There is a need to assess the impact of technology on new information systems projects, particularly those dealing with distributed processing and electronic office systems. Such an assessment provides direction and guidance in long range and intermediate term information services planning. It can potentially prevent costly conversion efforts. An approach is developed for obtaining this assessment. Two case examples of applications are provided which illustrated the method, results and benefits.     

How market entry order mediates the influence of firm resources on new product performance

Building from the resource-based view of the firm and the first-mover advantage literature, this paper asserts that the entry order in a new product-market affects how the firm's resources and capabilities influence the product's performance. This proposition is tested on a sample of 136 product launches by Spanish manufacturing firms. The empirical analysis reveals that firms with superior managerial and R&D resources achieve superior new product performance when an early-entry strategy is adopted. Manufacturing resources also contribute positively to the success of new products, but this effect is weakened by the difficulties and inconveniences that firms with advantages in operations face when they attempt to pioneer a new market. The results regarding the influence of marketing resources on new product performance are not conclusive.     

Self-directed health plans: alternatives to managed care enabled by new technologies

Few people believed the Internet would have much impact on the delivery of health care services. However, combined with technological advances in how computer systems are structured and implemented and knowing what doesn't work in managed care from bitter experience, the Internet is being used to create a new paradigm of alternative health insurance products. These products hold the potential to change for the better the face of health care as we know it. Self-directed health plans will be less expensive than managed care programs and offer greater predictability in health care spending. For health care providers, SDHPs' reliance upon episode allowances will create a new market for packaged or bundled services. Providers will be paid to provide solutions, not just treatment. This could represent a new model in which physicians accept a risk-adjusted payment and provide a warranty that they will do whatever necessary until the patient has reached the reasonably expected health status. This is a radical departure from the fee-for-service or capitation system.     

Delayed creative destruction and the coexistence of technologies

Disruptive innovations often engage in a fierce battle with incumbent technologies for hegemony. Past studies on technological innovations are silent about factors that extend the duration of the ‘era of ferment’—that is, the period during which competing technologies fight for dominance. We argue that complexity of the underlying technology, ecological and institutional dynamics may permit coexistence of competing technology regimes. The paper illustrates such coexistence by discussing the persistence of disparate technologies in steel making and kidney disease treatment. We conclude that the process of ‘creative destruction’ can be delayed in certain settings.     

Alternative technologies and the rising cost of energy

There is no doubt that future fuel costs will be higher than at present in real terms. This is not just because oil and natural gas will command scarcity prices as supplies are restricted or depleted. It is also because substitutes for oil and gas such as SNG and electricity are more highly processed fuels and are therefore more expensive therm for therm. Some improvement of this situation will be achieved by spending more on systems for using these fuels more efficiently, and by insulation: but total annual costs will still be considerably greater than at present. This is also true for renewable technologies.     

Energy modelling: A new challenge for management science

The Arab oil embargo in 1973 and the subsequent price rises and production restrictions have given birth to a distinct branch within Management Science: energy modelling. This paper gives a critical and selective review on energy modelling, an industry which though thriving in an era of general economic anxiety, is showing signs of arrogant immaturity. After giving a historical background, the paper classifies energy models into three groups: open loop demand or supply models; energy closed loop models; energy-economy closed loop models. For each group the problem area is analysed and some illustrative examples are described. In the last sections, an attempt is made to sum up the experience that has been gained with energy modelling: the basic deficiencies, the impact of this activity on policy formulation and its position within Management Science. It is concluded that energy models, though very poor forecasting devices, can be very useful to policy makers as tools for analysis; energy model developers must convince potential model users and for that purpose they can benefit immensely from the 35-year-long experience accumulated by their colleagues in Management Science.     

Bell Canada: A case study of dynamics of new technologies in a changing environment

This paper provides a case example of a firm experiencing significant change. Bell Canada is Canada's largest public telecommunications carrier. In recent years the company has found itself facing more pervasive new challenges than it had over most of its 111 year history. Elements of change driving the firm have their origins in technological advances, changing market expectations and reform in regulatory conditions. The paper provides examples and reference points for the changing management information needs required to cope with the new environmental realities. In particular, attention is paid to the need for management and regulatory flexibility and responsiveness as keys for dealing with change.This case study suggests the need to adopt new approaches to relevant information needs as a company moves away from the well defined domain of its operations. It explores the more critical information needs that have charged in the Bell Canada context. Although the analysis has reflected a single firm in transition, and there are bound to be differences, we hope that it can provide at least general guidance for other firm facing the dynamics of new technologies and global environment.In business, the survival instinct is intensified by the emerging global competitive environment. In every industry there is evidence of increased attention to the fundamentals of viability under rapidly changing conditions. Companies facing the reality or impending threat of increased competition, often from new sources, may feel that their backs are to the wall. If, in addition, these companies face the difficult transition from a regulated monopoly to a more competitive environment the pressure can be powerful indeed.     

The availability of personal and external coping resources: Thier impact on job stress and employee attitudes during organizational restructuring

This study examines the relationships among personal coping resources, social support, external coping resources, job stressors and job strains in a sample of 110 American Telephone and Telegraph employees undergoing a major organizational restructuring. The study expanded on a model suggested by Ashford (1988) by defining another category of coping resources that employees may draw upon to deal with the stressors and strains which occur during major organizational changes. External coping resources were defined as those which provided employees with a sense of 'vicarious control' in stressful situations. Results indicated that personal coping resources, social support and external coping resources had a direct effect upon job stressor and strain levels. No 'buffering' effect of these coplng resources was found. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that external coping resources added to the prediction of job stressors and strains even when pertonal coping resources and social support were entered first into the prediction questions.     

新创企业内部资源与外部关系的战略平衡

由于受新创劣势的约束,新创企业的战略行为需平衡内部资源和外部关系． 基于创业成长的演化视角,本文将创业导向和创新能力定义为内部资源,外部关系构念区分为支持型和合作型关系,分析其中的战略平衡机制． 通过224 家上市创业企业的经验研究显示: 内部资源与外部关系中的政府支持和金融机构支持形成战略替代效应,演进模型的检验也证实新创企业对这种非市场关系资源形成路径依赖的特征; 而在合作型关系中,内部资源与企业联盟之间形成互补效应的平衡机制,但是在演进模型中并没有显著的变化趋势． 研究结论为我国创业企业的战略决策提供一定的实践启示,也为战略创业观点提供理论参考．     

新创企业内部资源与外部关系的战略平衡——中国情境下的经验研究

由于受新创劣势的约束,新创企业的战略行为需平衡内部资源和外部关系.基于创业成长的演化视角,本文将创业导向和创新能力定义为内部资源,外部关系构念区分为支持型和合作型关系,分析其中的战略平衡机制.通过224家上市创业企业的经验研究显示:内部资源与外部关系中的政府支持和金融机构支持形成战略替代效应,演进模型的检验也证实新创企业对这种非市场关系资源形成路径依赖的特征;而在合作型关系中,内部资源与企业联盟之间形成互补效应的平衡机制,但是在演进模型中并没有显著的变化趋势.研究结论为我国创业企业的战略决策提供一定的实践启示,也为战略创业观点提供理论参考.