Exploring the relationship between types of family involvement and collaborative innovation in design-intensive firms: insights from two leading players in the furniture industry

ABSTRACT

Innovation in family firms has attracted considerable interest from scholars and practitioners in recent years. However, further theoretical and empirical research is needed to illuminate the intricate relationship between family involvement and innovation. This article studies the effect of different types of family involvement on the management of collaborative innovation. Based on empirical evidence from two leading Italian design-intensive firms in the furniture industry (B&B Italia and Cassina), this study illuminates how family involvement in control and management influences the way design-intensive firms collaborate with external designers to innovate their products. We use two indicators, design renewal and design identity, to capture differences in collaboration approaches through which design-intensive family firms involve external designers. Thus, our findings contribute to understanding how collaborative innovation is managed in family firms. This article also provides family firm owners and managers with insights on the forces that influence the collaborative innovation processes in design-intensive firms.     

A quantitative approach for measuring process innovation: a case study in a manufacturing company

Process management and innovation arguably remain among the concepts under focus of recent researches since there is no significantly outstanding method to measure and monitor the level of innovation in the manufacturing processes over a particular time period taking the fundamental activities of manufacturing processes into account. Although there are various studies relevant to process improvement, manufacturing processes are not focused on in the literature. This paper presents a novel performance indicator, called degree of process innovation, for monitoring and measuring innovation in manufacturing processes based on the four most important components among the fundamental activities of a manufacturing system. The components are namely Average Labour Utilisation, Cumulative Bottleneck Ratio, Unit Production Time and Unit Production Cost. The idea behind this approach has flourished on the basis of an indicator proposed in the literature to measure the general organisational improvements. The scope of that indicator has been narrowed down to manufacturing processes to accurately reflect the state of the manufacturing processes. The proposed approach has been verified with a case study in manufacturing industry, where each of the four sub-indicators was calculated based on the data provided and aggregated into the degree of process innovation. The innovation degree is successfully indicated.     

Innovation Dynamics in Catch-Up Firms: Process, Product and Proprietary Capabilities for Development

This paper analyses how firms organize for industrial innovation where they are significantly below being globally competitive. It investigates the dynamics by which catch-up firms in developing countries (DCs) go beyond the boundaries assigned to them by their national environments and by the world's leading technology-driven firms. The paper analyses cases of how a range of successful firms managed to break these boundaries to increase competitiveness through innovation. Our key argument concerns the innovation dynamics of catch-up firms. We argue that aspirant firms approach the frontier differently to leaders. We construct and use a tool, based on resource-based theory, to map the alternative approaches taken by firms to develop new capabilities. It focuses on the relationship between process and product innovation and the nature of proprietary competencies. This allows the development of approaches to build strategies for innovation in DC catch-up firms and thereby transform development dynamics.     

To What Extent do Sectors “Socialize” Innovation Differently? Mapping Cooperative Linkages in Knowledge‐Intensive Industries in the Ottawa Region

This paper investigates the relative significance of local vs. distant forms of cooperation and knowledge sourcing in different knowledge‐intensive sectors of the Ottawa region. Based on a recently completed survey of 172 firms, we address specifically the respective contribution of local, national and international cooperation in supplying firms with ideas, information and knowledge. Explanations for different collaborative patterns between high‐ and medium‐tech manufacturing firms and knowledge‐intensive business services are drawn out.     

Determinants of internal and external R&D offshoring: evidence from Spanish firms

This paper analyses the determinants of R&D offshoring of Spanish firms using information from the Panel of Technological Innovation. We find that being an exporter, international technological cooperation, continuous R&D engagement, applying for patents, being a foreign subsidiary, and firm size are factors that positively affect the decision to offshore R&D. In addition, we find that a lack of financing is an obstacle relatively more important for independent firms than for firms that belong to business groups. For these latter, we also obtain that the factors that influence the decision to offshore R&D differ depending on whether the firm purchases the R&D services within the group or through the market: a higher degree of importance assigned to internal sources of information for innovation as compared to market sources increases (decreases) the probability of R&D offshoring only through the group (market).     

Introducing the T-shaped model of cluster competence – an integrative framework and first empirical evidence from the German craftsmen sector

Although cluster research has been an enormously vivid field in the past years, the idea that firms’ individual competences influence the knowledge gain from collocation is still under-researched. In this paper, we aim to fill this gap in two steps. First, we derive four firm-specific cluster competences from existing literature as key components of a T-shaped model which is based on the resource and the relational view on knowledge spillovers. Second, we evaluate the explanatory power of our model in terms of firm success by conducting empirical testing on the basis of several logistic regressions in the form of proportional odds models. For this purpose, we use a hitherto unexploited firm-level data set, gained from a survey conducted among small and medium-sized craft businesses in Germany. The results provide evidence that idiosyncratic cluster competences on the firm level are supportive of firm success in business clusters.     

Relationship between β→α dynamic transformation and dynamic recrystallization under thermomechanical coupling in Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe alloy

The thermal simulation compression tests of near-β titanium alloy Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe were per-formed within the range of deformation temperatures of 710-860 ℃ and strain rates of 0.001-1 s-1.Based on electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)characterization and analysis technology,the inter-action between dynamic phase transformation(DPT)of β-to-α and dynamic recrystallization(DRX)under thermal-mechanical coupling is deeply and systematically explored.We clarify the effects of temperatures and strain rates on the orientation relationship during dynamic precipitation of α-phase within β grain interiors possessing special orientation.The results show that the intragranular α-phase precipitated on the subgrain boundaries near {001}β with a high degree of dynamic recovery(DRV)deviates more from Burgers Orientation Relationship(BOR)than the α-phase that precipitates near{111}βas temperature increases.The proportion of α-phase precipitated by strain-induced on β recrys-tallized equiaxed grains for the deviating angle from BOR(θBoR)in the range of 20°-30° increases to 40％with the increase of strain rates below 800 ℃.In addition,the α-phase is dynamically precipitated on the grain boundaries with {110}β orientation,which undergoes continuous dynamic recrystallization(CDRX),exhibiting epitaxial recrystallization,namely {110}β//{0001 }α.Furthermore,the morphology of grain boundaries α phase(αGBs)precipitated by strain-induced phase transformation(SIPT)on specific types of β grain boundaries(βGBs),as well as the crystallographic orientation relationship and variant selection effect between adjacent α-variant within β grains are elucidated.The orientation relationships between α variants in {111}β grain are related with each other by 50°-60°/<-12-10>and 60°-70°/<-48-43>rotation.The\"necklace\"αGBs of recrystallization exhibit mainly the rotation of 50°-70° around the<2-310>zone axis,while the adjacent α-variant in the grain interiors is mainly 60° or 90°/<12-30>.In summary,the study has contributed to a deeper understanding of the deformation behavior and DPT laws of β-to-αp in near-β titanium alloy,which lays a foundation for the optimization of the hot deformation process and mechanical properties.     

Do the Performances of Innovative Firms Differ Depending on Market-oriented or Technology-oriented Strategies?

Despite a perception to the contrary, the performances and values of innovative firms can differ. While people are preconditioned to believe that these firms perform well and have high valuations, this is not always the case. In order to explain this phenomenon, we adopt a lens of strategic orientations that influence innovation: market orientation and technology orientation. By using 10-year panel data, and a content analysis examining the relative orientations of our sample firms, we find that the market-oriented and technology-oriented tendencies of innovative firms influence firm performance and value. Relatively market-oriented innovative firms can guarantee instant performance by offering customers new products and services that they want. However, customers may not be loyal to one particular innovative firm. By contrast, relatively technology-oriented innovative firms are not subject to customers' fastidious choices and have higher firm values. Furthermore, environmental uncertainty negatively influences the relatively market-oriented innovative firms' value as well as sales performance.     

突破性创新及其实现方法研究综述

目的 梳理并总结突破性创新的实现方法与路径,为后续突破性创新的实现提供理论指导。方法 在查阅突破性创新相关文献的基础上,对突破性创新的概念及其界定进行了梳理,并以创新对超系统的影响程度为标准提出定义。基于不同视角探讨了突破性创新的驱动因素及驱动机制。最后研究了突破性创新机遇的识别方法以及不同影响层面下以不同目标为导向的突破性创新设想的具体产生方法。结果 在宏观层面可通过调节驱动因素促进突破性创新的实现;在微观层面可以通过识别创新机遇并建立系统化的创新方法指导突破性创新的实现。结论 突破性创新的本质在于解决超系统发展过程中由当前技术系统发展滞后引起的冲突,以该理论为核心将宏观与微观层面的研究结果进行融合与拓展,为突破性创新的实现提供了一条新路径。     

浅谈数字相机在舞台摄影动态创作中的技巧

数字技术的不断发展和进步,使得数字相机在舞台摄影中的应用越来越广泛,特别是单镜反光数字相机对提高舞台摄影的动态艺术起到重要的作用。本文笔者分析了数字相机在舞台摄影动态创作中的优势,探讨了在舞台摄影动态创作中应用数字相机的技巧,目的是为舞台摄影动态创作提供参考和借鉴。     

数字爆破(Ⅱ)

在经济全球化的今天,计算机、网络、软件、网格、通信等信息技术的应用是21世纪经济发展和增长的重要因素。爆破行业需要信息化,在爆破行业科学技术发展的过程中,提出"数字爆破"的概念,这是行业发展的必然趋势。"数字爆破"发展的目标是使爆破行业数字化、网络化、智能化、精细化和可视化,以推动爆破行业向科学化、可持续发展的目标前进。建设中国爆破网,搭建行业信息化平台,是"数字爆破"的基础工作。本文阐述了爆破行业近几年在信息化建设与应用方面所做的一些工作,内容包括中爆专网、行业应用系统软件、行业数据库集群、网站集群、数字档案馆、测振网格、数字化产品等的建设、研发和应用,同时还提出了当前"数字爆破"的发展目标。     

熄焦塔的控制爆破拆除

一座 36m高的钢筋混凝土框架结构熄焦塔下有需要保护的铁路线。采用使塔体定向倾倒后再进行解体的方案爆破拆除 ,保证了爆破后 8h内铁路正常运营。文中介绍了爆破方案的选择、爆破切口高度的确定、爆破振动速度验算。对塔体倾倒过程中立柱上的受力状态进行了分析研究。此外 ,简述了作者对此爆破工程的体会。     

65米射电望远镜主面精度及主、副面位置关系测量

65米射电望远镜是目前亚洲口径最大、精度最高的天线,其最高工作频率为43GHz,因此,如何保证天线主反射面精度以及正确的主、副面位置关系是天线实现高精度工作的关键所在。工程实践中采用了数字近景摄影测量系统（以下简称摄影系统）对天线主反射面精度和主、副面位置关系进行测量,并以测量结果为依据调整主面精度及主、副面位置关系,取得了良好的效果。     

Does size still matter? How micro firms and SMEs vary in network learning

ABSTRACT

How can geographically constrained Micro firms and SMEs in emerging markets upgrade their products? How might firm size affect the benefits from accessing diverse knowledge and from participating in different learning relationships? Although access to diverse knowledge can be vital to innovation, smaller firms have a limited understanding about which new knowledge is most relevant to their context and how they may convert their capabilities into a more innovative organization. These latter aspects, we argue, come largely from relationships embedded in interfirm networks and certain types of non-market institutions that act as knowledge bridges and provide tutelage. Such institutions appear to benefit Micro firms in processing diverse knowledge. In contrast, product upgrading for SMEs improves more from their inter-firm networks, but these networks do not aid with managing diverse knowledge. We argue that differences in complementary capacities explain these variations. We use unique survey data from the Argentine wine industry.     

数字爆破(Ⅰ)

在经济全球化的今天,计算机、网络、软件、网格、通信等信息技术的应用是21世纪经济发展和增长的重要因素。爆破行业需要信息化,在爆破行业科学技术发展的过程中,提出"数字爆破"的概念,这是行业发展的必然趋势。"数字爆破"发展的目标是使爆破行业数字化、网络化、智能化、精细化和可视化,以推动爆破行业向科学化、可持续发展的目标前进。建设中国爆破网,搭建行业信息化平台,是"数字爆破"的基础工作。本文阐述了爆破行业近几年在信息化建设与应用方面所做的一些工作,内容包括中爆专网、行业应用系统软件、行业数据库集群、网站集群、数字档案馆、测振网格、数字化产品等的建设、研发和应用,同时还提出了当前"数字爆破"的发展目标。     

制造企业的商业模式的转型与创新

从制造企业的商业模式的角度出发,分析了制造企业的传统商业模式及其固有缺陷,总结了适应于全球化经济环境的制造企业的商业模式的创新与转型的方法及其优势,在此基础上对中国制造企业的商业模式转型和创新提出了建议。