How can David orchestrate resources to enhance firm performance? A dynamic approach to coping with resource constraints

Given that the possession of abundant resources does not always guarantee superior firm performance, this study proposes a dynamic approach to enhancing firm value. Building on the resource orchestration thesis, we investigate how firms facing resource constraints enhance their capabilities over time by orchestrating resources and how this resource orchestration can play a role in improving firm performance. Using the dynamic perspective, this study identifies four resource orchestration modes, which are specified based on how a given firm dynamically allocates its resources to technology (enacted by R&D activities) and marketing (enacted by advertising activities). Accordingly, we claim that firms with resource constraints can enhance their performance by escalating or altering their resources over time. To test our hypotheses, we used a sample of 4078 small and medium-sized enterprises in manufacturing industries between 1984 and 2018. We found that focus escalation for technology positively affects firm performance, captured by Tobin's q, and that focus alternation toward either technology or market is positively related to firm performance. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.     

基于用户技术接受模型的政府数据开放平台研究 ——以深圳政府数据开放平台为例

从用户使用视角出发,基于用户技术接受模型,以深圳市政府数据开放平台为例,设计14个观察指标,研究政府开放数据的有用性和易用性。深圳市政府数据开放平台具有开放有序、回应及时和激励正向三大特色,同时存在创设数据场景不丰富、获取数据资源途径单一、利用成果数量少及质量不高、平台用户评价不积极及参与度低等不足。据此,提出以用户需求为导向、提升用户数字素养、构建政府部门的激励约束机制和跨部门跨层级的协同机制等政策建议。     

涉海专门用途英语与混合式教学的融合途径及效果研究——以“海洋科技英语”之“水产养殖”单元为例

以涉海ESP课程特点及痛点为切入点,以“海洋科技英语”课程之“水产养殖”单元为例,展示了涉海ESP与混合式教学的融合途径——“线上涉海文化知识输入－线下涉海模拟任务产出－线上涉海个性化成果展示”。通过混合研究方法分析融合效果发现,该融合途径能在一定程度上提升学生的学习效率、交际能力和个性化学习能力。但是,在学习资源的新颖性、学生多媒体制作能力方面,仍有提升空间。通过教师反思提出构建多样化创意数字资源库以丰富线上涉海学习资源,提升学生的学习积极性和学习效率,增强学生多媒体制作能力,以促进个性化涉海成果的完成,提升学生的个性化学习能力。     

The utilization of prevailing evaluation policy in the selection of performance measures

This study considers the problem of inferring a functional evaluation criterion from existing performance measure policies. The objective is to develop a rational basis by which to adaptively evaluate a current best set of performance measures from alternative sets. The analysis is based on a matrix approach for relating system characteristics to performance measures across a set of activities. A procedure for ranking measure combinations which are candidate implementation alternatives is devised using this matrix representation and cost information. An example illustrating the procedure is presented.     

Industry and the environment: a case study of cleaner technologies in selected European countries

The aim of this case study is to discuss the role of technology in addressing environmental problems. The paper tries to scratch beneath the surface of the increasingly frequent ‘quick-fix’ solutions to the present environmental problems, based on such beguiling catchwords as Cleaner Technologies, Best Available Technologies, and Best Available Technologies Not Exceeding Excessive Costs, etc., in an attempt to discover whether there is any substance in them, or whether they are just full of hot air. Recent data from case studies performed by the author in Germany and Finland as well as a postal questionnaire in Denmark are presented. The paper analyses and discusses the roles and responsibilities of designers, industrialists, and government policy-makers. It is argued that existing regulatory regimes, supranational industrial structures, and market mechanisms do not favour the development of cleaner technologies, nor do they promote a reduction in consumption patterns. Evidence from ongoing empirical research in Northwest Europe suggests that industry is far from developing and/or implementing cleaner technologies. The paper closes with a discussion of some of the policy implications involved and some examples of urgently needed further research.     

Innovation through initiatives—a framework for building new capabilities in public sector research organizations

The accelerating pace of change in science and technology has resulted in new attention to the process of identifying and developing ideas that ultimately lead to new scientific capabilities and business opportunities for an organization. The need to refresh research programs and capabilities is as important in federally funded research institutions as it is for industry. This paper explores the critical success factors for new initiatives at a federal laboratory, and building on lessons learned through this study and in private industry, identifies a more systematic process that could potentially improve the effectiveness of these initiatives in achieving results.     

Do changes in patent policy influence firms’ technology strategy? Evidence from manufacturing in India

India made patent policy changes to comply with TRIPs agreement that increased the rights of patent owners. Considering that such policy changes influence both in-house research and development investments and technology licensing from external sources, the firms have to accordingly devise their technology strategy. This study employs a simple and fixed effects multinomial logit regression models to study the impact of policy changes on the technology strategy of 402 firms operating in Indian manufacturing sector from 1999 to 2014. The results show that changes in patent policy have a significant impact on technology strategy of firms.     

The (non-)application of blockchain technology in the Greek shipping industry

The implementation of blockchain technology (BCT) is gaining traction in supply chain networks, revolutionising the operation of contemporary supply chains and reshaping the potential of business relationships. Empirical studies on blockchain adoption are scant because implementation across networks is in fairly early phase of development, yet evidence from empirical studies is highly desirable. This is one of the first studies of blockchain adoption in the Greek shipping industry, which has not so far been examined by the literature, in direct comparison to early adopters in other European countries such as Norway. The research examined eight Greek shipping companies using workshops with experienced supply chain personnel. Qualitative analysis identified the current position of these organisations in terms of blockchain adoption, by considering possible benefits and inhibitors to implementation. Despite benefits of automated processes and reduced paperwork as a result of smart contracts, findings show a reluctance to adopt BCT. That is, enterprise resource planning (ERP) transformations have left organisations fatigued and disinclined towards further systems development and resistant to subsequent change. Also, the exposure of shared information in the shipping nexus is considered to cause a threat to competitive survival.     

全球价值链嵌入与技术创新——基于生产分解模型的分析

基于增加值和最终产品的生产分解模型,本文对我国制造业前向与后向产业关联下的全球价值链嵌入进行测度,实证分析全球价值链嵌入对技术创新的作用机理,并在此基础上重点探讨了吸收能力与技术差距两个重要情境因素的调节作用,同时,运用双重差分、工具变量法以及GMM动态面板模型进行稳健性检验,以控制潜在的内生性问题。研究发现:①我国制造业通过嵌入全球价值链的国际间知识溢出效应促进技术创新能力的提升;②吸收能力能够强化这一正向影响关系;③技术差距在后向全球价值链嵌入对技术创新的影响关系中呈倒U 型调节作用,而在前向全球价值链嵌入对技术创新的影响关系中呈正向调节作用。本文推动了网络嵌入理论和知识溢出理论从组织网络向全球价值链领域的繁衍,丰富了全球价值链嵌入领域的研究成果,同时为我国制造业企业在参与国际分工过程中利用全球价值链嵌入实现技术创新能力提升提供重要的理论参考。