Contemporary Research In The Field Of Entrepreneurship Management And Innovation Regular Issue
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Contemporary Research In The Field Of Entrepreneurship Management And Innovation Regular Issue
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Author : Anna Ujwary-Gil
language : en
Publisher: Cognitione Foundation
Release Date : 2022-01-01
Contemporary Research In The Field Of Entrepreneurship Management And Innovation Regular Issue written by Anna Ujwary-Gil and has been published by Cognitione Foundation this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2022-01-01 with Business & Economics categories.
Transnational water resource management in the Karawanken/Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark; From transition management towards just transition and place-based governance. Τhe case of Western Macedonia in Greece; University students’ entrepreneurial intentions during COVID-19: The perspective of social cognitive career theory; An innovative approach to support interests' alignment in the context of transport management using semantic differential; Technological innovation and the labor market: The two-way non-reciprocal relationships with a focus on the confectionery industry in Poland
Contemporary Research On Business And Management
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Author : Siska Noviaristanti
language : en
Publisher: CRC Press
Release Date : 2021-11-24
Contemporary Research On Business And Management written by Siska Noviaristanti and has been published by CRC Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2021-11-24 with Technology & Engineering categories.
This book contains selected papers presented at the 4th International Seminar of Contemporary Research on Business and Management (ISCRBM 2020), which was organized by the Alliance of Indonesian Master of Management Program (APMMI) and held in Surubaya, Indonesia, 25-27 November 2020. It was hosted by the Master of Management Program Indonesia University and co-hosts Airlangga University, Sriwijaya University, Trunojoyo University of Madura, and Telkom University, and supported by Telkom Indonesia and Triputra. The seminar aimed to provide a forum for leading scholars, academics, researchers, and practitioners in business and management area to reflect on current issues, challenges and opportunities, and to share the latest innovative research and best practice. This seminar brought together participants to exchange ideas on the future development of management disciplines: human resources, marketing, operations, finance, strategic management and entrepreneurship.
Contemporary Entrepreneurship
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Author : Dieter Bögenhold
language : en
Publisher: Springer
Release Date : 2016-03-17
Contemporary Entrepreneurship written by Dieter Bögenhold and has been published by Springer this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2016-03-17 with Business & Economics categories.
This book presents the current state-of-the-art in all major and upcoming areas of entrepreneurship research. Thousands of scholars around the world are currently working to broaden our understanding of the entrepreneurial phenomenon. The disciplines involved are numerous, as are the topics of interest, with substantial efforts to enhance the existing knowledge. This book is specifically designed to facilitate high-level, high-intensity discussions and fruitful exchanges between scholars involved in entrepreneurship research. The articles address a variety of topics ranging from self-employment, technology, growth patterns and job creation, and success and failure rates, to historical, conceptual and comparative international approaches. “This book takes entrepreneurship beyond the individual, size of the venture, entrepreneurial personality, and looks at entrepreneurship as a long term complex process that is heterogeneous, content dependent with an emphasis on innovation and growth. A must read for individuals interested in entrepreneurship, today and in the future, on a domestic and global basis.” – Robert D. Hisrich, Director – Walker Center and Garvin Professor of Global Entrepreneurship, Thunderbird School of Global Management “Entrepreneurship is perhaps not just the most multifaceted but also the most important concept of the modern socio-economic disciplines. This book makes an invaluable contribution in this fascinating area: it presents a multifaceted socio-economic examination of the impact of entrepreneurship for growth.” – Roy Thurik, Erasmus School of Economics in Rotterdam and Montpellier Business School
Diverse Contemporary Issues Facing Business Management Education
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Author : Khan, Mohammad Ayub
language : en
Publisher: IGI Global
Release Date : 2014-09-30
Diverse Contemporary Issues Facing Business Management Education written by Khan, Mohammad Ayub and has been published by IGI Global this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2014-09-30 with Business & Economics categories.
In todays society, it is not only desirable but essential for a business to take on a global edge. The best way to ensure a successful future is to educate business students about global policies currently at play. Diverse Contemporary Issues Facing Business Management Education discusses the issues that are facing both large and small corporations and the students who are seeking employment there. Questioning not only what changes globalization has brought to the business world, but what ways our education system will have to change to keep up, this book is an essential reference source for business owners, educators, students, or anyone interested in the future globalization of the business market.
Future Of Work Work Family Satisfaction And Employee Well Being In The Fourth Industrial Revolution
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Author : Abe, Ethel Ndidiamaka
language : en
Publisher: IGI Global
Release Date : 2020-11-13
Future Of Work Work Family Satisfaction And Employee Well Being In The Fourth Industrial Revolution written by Abe, Ethel Ndidiamaka and has been published by IGI Global this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2020-11-13 with Business & Economics categories.
Disruptions are being caused in the workplace due to the development of advanced software technology and the speed at which these technological advancements are being produced. These disruptions could take diverse forms and affect various aspects of work and the lives of entities in the workplaces and families of the individual employees. Work and family are caught in the crossfire between technological disruptions and human adaptation. Hence, there is a need to assess the overall effect that the Fourth Industrial Revolution would have on work, employee work-family satisfaction, and employee well-being. Future of Work, Work-Family Satisfaction, and Employee Well-Being in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a critical reference source that discusses practical solutions and strategies to manage challenges and address fears regarding the effect of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the future of employment and the workforce. Featuring research on topics such as corporate governance, job satisfaction, and mental health, this book is ideally designed for human resource professionals, business managers, industry professionals, government officials, policymakers, corporate strategists, consultants, work-life balance experts, human resources software developers, business policy experts, academicians, researchers, and students.
Current Trends In Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Orientation Intention And Alertness
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Author : Anna Ujwary-Gil
language : en
Publisher: Cognitone Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science
Release Date : 2023-01-01
Current Trends In Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Orientation Intention And Alertness written by Anna Ujwary-Gil and has been published by Cognitone Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2023-01-01 with Business & Economics categories.
Business consulting, knowledge absorptive capacity, and innovativeness: A triangular model for micro and small enterprises in Poland Abstract PURPOSE: This paper proposes a triangular relationship between business consulting, knowledge absorptive capacity, and innovativeness. The role of knowledge absorptive capacity in stimulating the impact of business consulting on innovativeness is studied. METHODOLOGY: An empirical study is conducted using the CATI method, and it is based on data concerning 382 Polish micro and small enterprises. Qualitative variables reflecting using business consulting, knowledge absorptive capacity and innovativeness are defined. The multivariate discrete choice model taking into account relationships among these constructs, is proposed and its parameters are estimated. FINDINGS: The results of the empirical research indicate that business consulting in Poland and similar countries may help firms implement innovative solutions. Knowledge absorptive capacity stimulates innovativeness and has a positive impact on the relationship between using business consulting and improvement in innovativeness. Though the frequency of using business consulting is an important factor in improving innovativeness, cooperation between a consultant and a manager matters more. IMPLICATIONS: Results of the empirical research indicate that cooperation between a consultant and a manager may help reduce differences of opinion and internal conflicts. A higher propensity to cooperate may significantly improve the functioning of an enterprise. Business consulting has an indirect and direct effect on innovativeness. It has a positive impact on knowledge absorptive capacity, while better knowledge stimulates innovativeness. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: An original triangular model of the relationship between business consulting, knowledge absorptive capacity, and innovativeness is proposed. Advanced econometric methods are used in order to find complex relationships between using business consulting, knowledge absorptive capacity, and improvement in innovativeness. Moreover, results of the estimation of the parameters of the econometric model provide interesting recommendations for policies supporting the development of business consulting in the Polish economy. Keywords: business consulting, knowledge absorptive capacity, innovativeness, multivariate discrete choice model, development support policy, econometric model, economy Sustainable development and entrepreneurship in emerging countries: Are sustainable development and entrepreneurship reciprocally reinforcing? Abstract PURPOSE: Entrepreneurship seen as an engine for economic development is especially desirable for emerging countries to support rapid growth. Moreover, entrepreneurs can support social transformation in favor of more sustainable products and services. Sustainable orientation of entrepreneurship contributes to sustainable development goals and prevents environmental deprivation. However, the sustainable development agenda can also influence entrepreneurship. METHODOLOGY: The conducted bibliometric analysis confirmed the growing interest among scholars in the correlation of entrepreneurship to sustainability in the last years. Furthermore, panel regression (static model) was used to explore the variables on entrepreneurship influencing the sustainable development goal (SDG) index in emerging countries, and Levin, Lin and Chu (LLC), W-Stat – IPS, ADF-Fisher Chi-Square, and PP-Fisher Chi-Square tests were applied to analyze the variables stationarity. In order to examine the existence of structural breaks, the robustness was checked on single cross-section units and on the whole panel dataset. In addition, the Hausmann test was used to select between random and fixed effects, and heteroskedasticity of residues, autocorrelation of residues and dependence of residues between the panels were conducted. Data was analyzed through Eviews 13. FINDINGS: This paper investigates the relationship between sustainability and entrepreneurship in emerging countries. It discusses the impact of sustainable development on entrepreneurship and the influence of entrepreneurship on sustainable development. IMPLICATIONS: The study results can be used by governments and policymakers to plan their strategies and policies concerning entrepreneurship and implementation of sustainable development goals. They should promote entrepreneurial activity and control the negative environmental impact of enterprises simultaneously. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: The research addresses the gap in the literature concerning the relationship between sustainable development and sustainable entrepreneurship. The paper examines the reciprocal relationship between sustainable development and entrepreneurship with an emphasis on emerging countries. Keywords: entrepreneurship, sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable entrepreneurship, emerging countries, entrepreneurs Is Team Entrepreneurial Orientation important in generating creative business ideas? The moderating role of team-perceived heterogeneity and the individual creative mindset Abstract PURPOSE: The study aims to unveil if Team Entrepreneurial Orientation (TEO) facilitates identification of creative market opportunities understood as novelty and quality business ideas. Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) has rarely been measured at a team level and few studies have attempted to examine the relationship between EO and actual creative outcomes. The proposed research model searches for new patterns that can foster creativity of entrepreneurial teams. In addition, the research adds the moderating effect of perceived team heterogeneity and individual creative mindset (Growth-Creative and Fixed-Creative Mindsets) as contingency variables to improve the understanding under which circumstances the entrepreneurial teams generate creative business ideas. METHODOLOGY: The research sample comprises entrepreneurial teams from the Mondragon Team Academy in the Basque Country, Spain. The survey data were collected after the entrepreneurial teams performed idea generation. The applied experiment of idea generation of entrepreneurial teams has not been generated for the purpose of the study but it formed part of the natural processes of the selected sample of teams. The novelty and quality of business ideas were evaluated by experts in the field. The data relationships were analyzed through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). FINDINGS: Entrepreneurial Orientation of teams leads to product-market entries but not necessarily to novel product-market entries. Entrepreneurially oriented teams have a greater tendency to generate quality and slightly modified existing business ideas rather than to generate novel market opportunities. The applied moderators present different interaction results with the studied relationships. Specifically, individuals with a Fixed-Creative Mindset in a team have an antagonistic interaction on the TEO-Quality relationship. Team-Perceived Heterogeneity and Growth-Creative Mindset of individuals have no effect on either the TEO-Quality or the TEO-Novelty link. IMPLICATIONS: The research demonstrates the importance of contextualization of the nature of creativity in EO as a crucial antecedent of market innovations. Our study adds to the literature and practice by providing evidence that EO at a team level (TEO) plays a critical role in exploring product-market entries, given that TEO facilitates Quality outcomes only. Entrepreneurially oriented teams do not easily achieve Novel outcomes that allow them to enter new markets. Individuals with Fixed Creative Mindset in a team should be avoided as they block the relationship between Team Entrepreneurial Orientation and Quality. Likewise, our study supports the validity of Entrepreneurial Orientation at a team level, which can lead to more suitable practical implications for a team and its creativity management if applied. It could help in developing appropriate team formation and team management practices. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: The study proposes rare and unique EO analysis at a team level and at young companies’ level (start-up). The study contributes to the original and overlooked in the literature conceptualization of EO within Schumpeter’s perspective of “creative destruction” in entrepreneurial activities. The examined theoretical foundations of EO led to clearer antecedents of behavioural effects of entrepreneurial teams towards product-market entries. The study initiates, identifies and calls for new further research lines to contribute to a greater and contingent understanding of how entrepreneurial teams generate creative business ideas, especially, novel business ideas, which are necessary for “creative destruction”, the EO construct itself and overall economic development. Keywords: entrepreneurship, creativity, team, entrepreneurial orientation, creative outcomes. Subjective norms and entrepreneurial intention: A moderated-serial mediation model Abstract PURPOSE: This study aims to clarify the effect mechanism of subjective norms on entrepreneurial intention. The results of how subjective norms contribute to forming start-up intention are inconsistent and unclear, which is notable in previous research. By integrating the theory of planned behavior and the theory of self-efficacy, we investigate whether entrepreneurial self-efficacy and attitude toward entrepreneurship serially mediate the relationship between subjective norms and intention to start a business. In addition, this study examines the moderate role of entrepreneurial education on the serial indirect effect of subjective norms on entrepreneurial intention via entrepreneurial self-efficacy and attitude toward entrepreneurship. METHODOLOGY: This study utilized a sample of 958 master’s students in Vietnam to investigate a moderated-serial mediation model of subjective norms on entrepreneurial intention. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out to check the reliability and validity of the scales. Then, the SPSS PROCESS macro developed by Hayes was employed to test the research model. Specifically, Model 6 was used to examine the serial indirect effect of subjective norms on start-up intention and Model 84 was implemented to investigate the moderate effect of entrepreneurial education. FINDINGS: The results of this study found that entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude significantly mediate subjective norms’ effect on entrepreneurial intention. Especially, the results reveal that the serial mediation effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and attitude toward entrepreneurship was significant and entrepreneurial self-efficacy and attitude toward entrepreneurship played a fully mediating role in the relationship between subjective norms and start-up intention. In addition, this study found that the serial mediation effect of subjective norms on start-up intention via entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude was negatively moderated by entrepreneurial education. IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study further clarify the relationship between subjective norms and entrepreneurial intention and the role of entrepreneurial education, therefore, contributing to narrowing the notable gap between this relationship. Besides, our study provides several implications for governments and policymakers to promote the intention to start a business. The finding of our study indicates that subjective norms are an important factor in promoting entrepreneurial intention. Therefore, policymakers should take some actions to promote entrepreneurial culture, such as strengthening propaganda activities to promote the image of successful entrepreneurs, praising businesses and entrepreneurs who contribute to society, and giving evidence of their contribution to the development of the country. Promoting an entrepreneurial culture may increase peer group pressure on potential entrepreneurs, thus enhancing the intention to start a business. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This study expects to contribute to a better understanding of the effect mechanism of subjective norms on entrepreneurial intention and explain the role of entrepreneurial education in this relationship. This study explores the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude in the relationship between subjective norms and the intention to start a business. Additionally, this study demonstrates that entrepreneurial education weakens the serial mediation model of subjective norms on the intention to start a business. Keywords: subjective norm, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, attitude toward entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial education, the theory of planned behavior, the theory of self-efficacy, moderated-serial mediation model An overview of the empirical research on entrepreneurial alertness using a systematic literature review method Abstract PURPOSE: In the last two decades, the concept of entrepreneurial alertness (EA) has been considered a key element in investigating how individuals recognize entrepreneurial opportunities. Consequently, research on entrepreneurial alertness has grown considerably, attracting researchers’ attention from not only the field of entrepreneurship, but also other academic disciplines through which this concept has been studied from a variety of perspectives. Therefore, it is time to document researchers’ cumulative knowledge on entrepreneurial alertness. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive qualitative review and evaluation of the empirical entrepreneurial alertness research. METHODOLOGY: Based on a multi-step approach used in previous studies, which guarantees a systematic, transparent, and replicable literature review, this study identified a final sample of 84 articles published in scientific journals between 2005 and 2021 that empirically tested the concept of EA. The publications were sourced from the Web of Science database. Their analysis involved the evolution of published articles, the journals that have published the most articles, the countries where the research was undertaken, the measurement scales that have been used, and the research models in which entrepreneurial alertness has been hypothesized and examined through empirical research. FINDINGS: The results show that empirical research on entrepreneurial alertness grew significantly from 2016 to 2021, during which period almost 11 articles per year were published. Seven of the journals that published the articles contributed 28 percent of the total publications. Also, the results confirm that most of the empirical research on alertness has been carried out in developing economies, from which China stands out with 14 publications, representing 16 percent of the total. Additionally, the results confirm the growing consensus regarding the conceptualization and measurement of entrepreneurial alertness. Finally, the review resulted in the identification of five broad research models in which EA has been hypothesized and examined through empirical research: antecedents, consequences, mediation, moderation, and moderated mediation. The model examining the consequences or outcomes of entrepreneurial alertness has received the most attention, with 59 articles in this context. IMPLICATIONS FOR THEORY AND PRACTICE: The identification of concepts and the type of relationship they have with entrepreneurial alertness help evaluate the advances of empirical research as well as the areas of opportunity. In this way, future studies can strengthen research and thus advance the general knowledge of alertness. The most studied topics are also a reflection of the contribution of entrepreneurial alertness toward practice, both at the individual and organizational levels. In addition, researchers interested in entrepreneurial alertness are encouraged to consider the progress made in the measurement of this aspect, which offers alternatives for investigation. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: Based on the review of the literature, this study organizes the empirical research of entrepreneurial alertness in different research models, which provide important insights into its process. Moreover, this study uncovers potential areas to be addressed and thereby contributes to the study of entrepreneurial alertness. Keywords: entrepreneurial alertness, systematic literature review, entrepreneurial opportunity, research models, opportunity recognition, alertness, entrepreneurship The linkage between economic literacy and students’ intention of starting business: The mediating role of entrepreneurial alertness Abstract PURPOSE: Enhancing the number of entrepreneurs is a major study to combat economic and social problems. Psychological factors considered as effective stimulants for entrepreneurial behavior have attracted many researchers in the last decade. The purpose of this research attempts to examine how the influence of economic literacy can promote the intention of starting a new business among students and explore the role of entrepreneurial alertness in mediating this relationship. METHODOLOGY: The research adopted a quantitative approach in which hypotheses were statistically estimated using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) based on survey data using a self-administered questionnaire (n=450) from several universities in Indonesia. FINDINGS: The analysis indicates that economic literacy has a significant effect on students’ entrepreneurial alertness and intention to start a new business. Indeed, entrepreneurial alertness can mediate the relationship between economic literacy and the intention of starting a new business. However, among entrepreneurial alertness dimensions, scanning and search failed in determining the students’ intention of starting a new business. IMPLICATIONS: The result of this research can provide insight into the literature on the entrepreneurship theme and policymakers concerned with delivering new business creation. Besides, educational institutions can consider the matter of economic literacy to be part of their curricula in order to foster the students’ intention of starting a business. In addition, economic literacy also needs to be associated with examples relevant to entrepreneurial activities, especially in production, distribution, and online marketing. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: The interesting findings of this paper serve as a reminder that entrepreneurial alertness is one of the predictor variables and mediators for raising the students’ intention. This implies that entrepreneurial alertness can be enhanced by economic literacy, as well as how they need to be used to improve course curriculum and the teaching pedagogy. Furthermore, educational institutions could provide business internship programs and entrepreneurship incubators to raise the students’ intention of starting business. Keywords: economic literacy, entrepreneurial alertness, intention, starting business
Current Issues On Digital Transformation Corporate Entrepreneurship And Coopetition
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Author : Anna Ujwary-Gil
language : en
Publisher: Cognitione' Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science
Release Date : 2024-01-01
Current Issues On Digital Transformation Corporate Entrepreneurship And Coopetition written by Anna Ujwary-Gil and has been published by Cognitione' Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2024-01-01 with Business & Economics categories.
An integrated PLS-SEM model on the interplay of antecedents and moderators driving corporate entrepreneurship activity in South Africa PURPOSE: Corporate entrepreneurship (CE) is a multi-faceted phenomenon, and although there is extant research on CE, there are knowledge gaps that warrant a deeper understanding. Indeed, focusing solely on independent variables overlooks the extent to which CE activities are mutually and reciprocally supportive. We align our article with research calls for theory building, which provides a novel understanding of the dynamic complexity of the CE process. METHODOLOGY: In this regard, we formulate and empirically evaluate an integrated CE model that reflects the integrative complexity of the antecedents driving CEA. The study context is the South African banking sector, where primary data (n = 312) is obtained via a structured survey. Four meta-hypotheses and several sub-hypotheses, reflecting the organizational, individual, and environmental level antecedents, are tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). FINDINGS: The main study finding validates that corporate strategy is the bedrock of CEA. The results also reveal that entrepreneurial strategy, entrepreneurial structure, transformational leadership, organizational resources, and an entrepreneurial mindset are significant predictors of CEA. IMPLICATIONS: Practical implications highlight that it is important for managers to consider the configuration of the predictors within the CE model, which function as pathways to entrepreneurial corporate strategy. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: Our study makes a unique contribution by developing and testing an integrated and comprehensive model reflecting the dynamic complexity of the antecedents driving CEA. It is anticipated that the results will allow researchers to compare and examine comparable antecedents to CEA and their applicability in global country contexts. Keywords: corporate entrepreneurship, antecedents, entrepreneurial strategy, organizational resources, transformational leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, partial least squares structural equation modelling, PLS-SEM, South Africa. Pushing coopetition research further: Understanding, relevance, and operationalization of the attributes of coopetition strategies and coopetitive relationships PURPOSE: Although coopetition was defined three decades ago and is intensively investigated, its theoretical and research cognition remains far from thoroughly understood. The lack of conceptual consistency prevents researchers from conducting comparable research, leading to more generalizable results, and thus from building coherent knowledge. This study addresses the above shortcoming by the development of operationalizations of two types of attributes assigned to coopetition: strategic attributes characterizing coopetition strategies and relational attributes characterizing coopetitive relationships. METHODOLOGY: In our study, we adopted a two-step research process consisting of qualitative verification of a list of 8 coopetition attributes (2 strategic and 6 relational) identified in prior literature as relevant for coopetition success and the development of integrative conceptualization and measurement approaches for them. The verification was conducted through focus group interviews with scholars experienced in coopetition research and senior managers from firms adopting coopetition strategies. The measurement approaches for the positively verified attributes were developed through the integration of (1) approaches used so far in coopetition literature, (2) approaches used to date in the literature on the features of inter-organizational relationships, and (3) approaches that emerged during the focus group interviews. FINDINGS: This study shows two strategic (i.e., dynamics and paradoxicality) and six relational (i.e., asymmetry, complexity, intensity, mutual dependence, strength, and tensions) coopetition attributes as heterogeneously relevant for coopetition success and offers multi-item operationalizations for them derived from a combination of prior literature and qualitative research. IMPLICATIONS: Our paper shows strategic and relational attributes of coopetition as theoretically and practically relevant for coopetition success. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: As a contribution, this study offers scientifically grounded operationalizations of eight attributive success factors of coopetition. The developed measurement proposals can find valuable applications in two ways. First, coopetition researchers can use them in their studies, and a consistent measurement approach will allow for the comparison of research results, bringing us closer to drawing more general conclusions. Second, coopetition practitioners can use these proposals when managing coopetition, for instance, to evaluate, monitor, and intentionally shape them to make coopetition (more) successful. Keywords: coopetition, focus group interviews, operationalization, measurement scale, coopetitive relationships, coopetition strategies Guiding incumbent companies in navigating digital transformations: A qualitative study on structural ambidexterity and strategic leadership PURPOSE: Despite digital transformation being a focus topic for incumbent companies, organizational structures are a significant barrier to their success. Referring to the positive correlation between ambidexterity and digital innovation, our research provides guidance on structural ambidexterity for incumbent companies. Previous research has barely differentiated between exploration and exploitation in digital transformation. In the present paper, we fill part of this research gap by focusing on structural ambidexterity in digital transformations and providing guidance on how incumbent companies can overcome organizational challenges. METHODOLOGY: Our research is based on an explorative research design with 33 semi-structured interviews that allow in-depth information. The interview partners were selected using purposive sampling and represented different industry and hierarchy levels. All of them have been in a position related to digital transformation in an incumbent company for the last two years. We ensure scholarly rigor using thematic analysis to analyze our data. FINDINGS: Our decision tree guides separation or integration based on the closeness of digital activities to the core business and the association of the activities to exploration or exploitation. Additionally, we recommend considering the digital maturity grade in the decision-making. Developing a cross-functional digital transformation strategy and pursuing a balanced portfolio fosters ambidexterity in digital transformation. Clear responsibilities, collaborative decision-making, candidate selection, and collaboration with IT are essential leadership activities. IMPLICATIONS for theory and practice: Our research expands the existing research on digital transformations of incumbent companies. We specifically contribute to the limited details on how to separate digital activities considering an exploration/exploitation perspective. Our study guides practitioners to address one of their major challenges in digital transformations with the help of our decision tree. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: Based on the positive correlation between ambidexterity and digital innovation, our study contributes to the existing research by providing in-depth knowledge of structural ambidexterity in digital transformations. This detailed information is essential to provide knowledge on enabling the positive correlation between ambidexterity and innovation in the context of structural ambidexterity. Keywords: digital transformation, digitalization, organizational structures, structural ambidexterity, temporal ambidexterity, incumbent companies, guidelines Leveraging green innovation from big data analytics: Examining the role of resource orchestration and green dynamic capabilities PURPOSE: The notion of big data analytics (BDA) has received increased attention from both researchers and managers. Keeping in view the significance of BDA, the current research aims to examine the role of BDA capability to leverage firm green innovation (GI). Drawing from the dynamic capability view, current study suggests that BDA capability prompts green dynamic capabilities (DCs), enabling organizations to attain GI successfully. Particularly, present study proposes that BDA analytics prompt GI directly as well as through green DCs. Moreover, this study also draws from complementarity perspective and proposes that resource orchestration capability (ROC) is likely to enhance the effectiveness of green DCs in eliciting GI. Thus, the objectives of the current study are threefold; first, it aims to unveil the role of BDA capability in prompting GI; second, it examines the mediating role of green DCs for the relationship between BDA capability and GI; and third, this research examines the moderating effect of ROC to examine if it strengthens the effects of green DCs. METHODOLOGY: This study involves testing hypotheses using primary data collected by using the method of survey questionnaire. The data were collected from 291 Pakistani organizations. Pakistan is an emerging economy where businesses are responsible for substantial amounts of carbon di-oxide and greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions. Therefore, Pakistani organizations serve as a suitable context for the study. The respondent organizations were from both the manufacturing and service sectors. PLS-SEM was employed as an analytical approach for testing the hypotheses. Construct validity and reliability were confirmed prior to hypotheses testing. FINDINGS: Results demonstrate that BDA capability positively affects GI (β=0.33, p<0.01), indicating that organizations with strong BDA capabilities involve in GI activities. Likewise, results indicate a positive relationship between BDA capability and green DCs (β=0.35, p<0.01) and between green DCs and GI (β=0.50, p<0.01). Results also indicate that green DCs play a mediating role between BDA capability and firm GI (β=0.18, p<0.01). This indicates that BDA capability is an imperative capability of organization that promotes green DCs and fosters GI. Finally, findings indicate that ROC strengthens the effectiveness of green DCs in prompting GI (β=0.14, p<0.01). IMPLICATIONS: Findings imply that organizations that prioritizing green innovations (GI) should invest more in developing BDA capabilities. These actions may involve acquiring and analyzing large volumes of data associated with sustainability, which can provide insights and support decision-making processes. By leveraging BDA capability, managers can uncover insights and patterns that can help them make informed decisions, recognize areas for improvement, and devise innovative solutions to align organizational strategic objectives with sustainability goals. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This study contributes to the literature by offering an integrated framework based on BDA and DCs to seek solutions to economic concerns while ensuring the sustainability value of the business activities. The findings also imply that businesses should focus on developing ROC, and integrating them with green DCs to further enhance GI initiatives. Keywords: big data analytics capability, green innovation, green dynamic capabilities, resource orchestration, PLS-SEM Defining analytical skills for human resources analytics: A call for standardization PURPOSE: Human resources (HR) analytics systems, powered by big data, AI algorithms, and information technology, are increasingly adopted by organizations to enhance HR’s impact on business performance. However, despite the widespread acknowledgment of the importance of “analytical skills” among HR practitioners in successfully implementing HR analytics systems, the specific nature of these skills remains unclear. This paper aims to address this ambiguity by firstly clarifying the concept of “analytical skills,” secondly identifying skill gaps that may hinder the effective utilization of computer-assisted analytics among HR practitioners, and thirdly advocating for standardization in the understanding of “analytical skills” within the business context, particularly within HR. METHODOLOGY: We examine business “analytical skills” through the theoretical framework of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) included in the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) content model. Using data from the O*NET database, occupations were classified into Human Resource Management (HRM) and Analytical occupations. Then, we identified the top highly required KSAs in analytical occupations and compared their levels with those of HRM occupations to pinpoint potential gaps hindering the effective utilization of HR analytics. FINDINGS: Using the O*NET database, which describes work and worker characteristics, we establish the highly required analytical KSAs in the business analytics context that might be labeled “analytical skills”. Then, the gap analyses reveal that important analytical KSAs, such as knowledge of sales and marketing, skills in operations analysis, and abilities in mathematical and inductive reasoning, are not expected from HR occupations, creating serious barriers to HR analytics development. In general, we have found that while HR practitioners possess some of the necessary analytical KSAs, they often lack in areas such as mathematics, computers, and complex problem-solving. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings underscore the need for standardization in HR analytics definitions, advocating for the adoption of the O*NET content model as a universal framework for understanding HR analytical knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). By identifying critical analytical KSAs, our research can assist HR departments in improving training, recruitment, and development processes to better integrate HR analytics. Furthermore, we identify significant gaps in analytical skills among HR practitioners, offering potential solutions to bridge these gaps. From a theoretical perspective, our precise definition of HR “analytical skills” in terms of analytic KSAs can enhance research on the effects of HR analytics on organizational performance. This refined understanding can lead to more nuanced and impactful studies, providing deeper insights into how HR analytics contributes to achieving strategic business goals. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: Our research offers three original insights. First, we establish a standard for HR analyst skills based on the O*NET content model, providing a clear framework for the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required in HR analytics. Second, we identify significant analytical gaps among HR professionals, highlighting areas that need development and attention. Third, we recognize the necessity for closer cooperation between HR and professional analysts, emphasizing that such collaboration is crucial for maximizing the benefits of computer-assisted HR analytics. These insights ensure that HR analytics can move beyond being a management fad and have a real, lasting impact on business outcomes. Keywords: analytical skills, human resources analytics, HR analytics, knowledge, skills, abilities, HRM, analysts, O*NET, big data, AI, standardization Digital servitization and leadership: A holistic view on required leadership traits and skills PURPOSE: Digitalization and servitization are two major developments significantly disrupting companies’ competitive landscape. The research area that combines both aspects, digital servitization, poses substantial opportunities and challenges for companies to navigate. It requires guidance from leadership to succeed and innovate, but current scientific research lacks a holistic view on leadership for digital servitization so far. METHODOLOGY: We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with leaders active in digital servitization initiatives, holding positions ranging from first-level managers to vice presidents and executives. Eighteen have more than ten years of leadership experience. Through inductive coding, we derived 43 codes within a qualitative analysis. We applied thematic analysis to structure our findings, resulting in a thematic map of leadership skills for digital servitization based on the research participants’ insights. FINDINGS: Our findings present a holistic view of leadership skills for digital servitization. Leaders need to consider the perspectives of strategic business and people leadership. Digital servitization requires leaders to engage in a wide range of activities. From a strategic business leadership perspective, this ranges from evolving goal setting, a comprehensive business understanding, the ability to find the right team composition, and understanding customer and market needs. The people leadership perspective requires leaders to create and communicate a vision for digital servitization and manage change and employees’ fears while enabling and empowering employees. Furthermore, we identified that digital servitization requires a balanced level of cognitive, interpersonal, business, and strategic leadership requirements. IMPLICATIONS: We contribute to scientific research by providing a comprehensive definition of digital servitization and summarizing existing research focusing on leadership aspects of digital servitization. Our findings offer actionable insights for practitioners by approaching with a holistic view on digital servitization and considering strategic business and people leadership aspects. Applying our outlined themes will support leaders in improving the conditions and possibilities to successfully trigger and implement digital servitization activities within their companies. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: Our research combines isolated leadership aspects for digital servitization and underlines the complexity of digital servitization, emphasizing the need for a holistic view. Outlining the element of balancing business and people skills provides novel insights on advancing digital servitization into the research domain, which is dominated by technical-oriented research. Keywords: digital servitization, leadership, servitization, digitalization, change management, innovation, digital transformation, business, strategy
Addressing B5g And 6g Network Connectivity Issues In Rural Regions
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Author : Manickam, Thirupathi
language : en
Publisher: IGI Global
Release Date : 2025-04-03
Addressing B5g And 6g Network Connectivity Issues In Rural Regions written by Manickam, Thirupathi and has been published by IGI Global this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2025-04-03 with Computers categories.
As regions move towards the next generation of wireless technology, addressing connectivity challenges in rural regions is critical for the development of Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G networks. While urban areas may benefit from the advanced capabilities of these technologies, rural communities face significant barriers to accessing high-speed, reliable internet. These challenges, including limited infrastructure, geographical constraints, and financial obstacles, hinder economic development, education, and healthcare opportunities in rural areas. To bridge this digital divide, innovative solutions in network design, spectrum management, and infrastructure investment are essential. By addressing these connectivity issues, B5G and 6G networks have the potential to create inclusive, equitable access to new services and opportunities for rural populations. Addressing B5G and 6G Network Connectivity Issues in Rural Regions explores the transformative potential of advanced networking technologies in rural settings. It delves into the pressing issue of connectivity challenges faced by rural communities and outline how emerging B5G and 6G networks can address these obstacles. This book covers topics such as digital technology, policymaking, and social inclusion, and is a useful resource for communications professionals, business owners, engineers, economists, academicians, researchers, and scientists.
Towards Success In A Competitive Market The Importance Of Entrepreneurship And Innovation
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Author : Marcin Gębarowski
language : en
Publisher: Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science
Release Date : 2019
Towards Success In A Competitive Market The Importance Of Entrepreneurship And Innovation written by Marcin Gębarowski and has been published by Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2019 with Business & Economics categories.
The nine papers published in this issue of the Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation point to various problems which are important for effective management in a turbulent and dynamically changing contemporary market. The authors of the articles come from universities in the Czech Republic, Italy, the Republic of Moldova, Nigeria, Poland, Taiwan and Ukraine. The scientists present current and original views on issues related to: research & development expenditure and innovation levels in EU countries; the role of innovative entrepreneurship in economic development; the competitiveness of small innovative companies; social networking in family businesses; the connections between socioemotional wealth and competitive advantage of family firms; agrirural entrepreneurial alertness; the assessment of human resources` interactions; the impact of seasonality on employment in tourism; and socio-economic clients’ requirements for food packaging. However, regardless of the subject matter, all the papers indicate an organizational framework and solutions for achieving success in a competitive market. The first article, by Radka MacGregor Pelikánová, addresses R&D expenditure and innovations in the EU, which are the foundations for competitiveness in contemporary economies. The author focuses on the following three essential questions: How much is spent on R&D? How many patentable inventions are filed and succeed, and how many other ideas lead to innovations? Is it possible to imply a potential relationship and what are the trends? The described study entailed secondary data while exploring hard data sources, such as Eurostat and the European Patent Office databases, official or legislative documents, such as Europe 2020, and the academic literature. Furthermore, the author used direct observations, field search and her own experience, gained over 20 years by participating in many patent applications and other instruments protecting future innovations. Answering the questions, it was found that: the 3% threshold will not be met in the larger part of the EU, the number of patent applications and granted patents keep growing along with digitalization, and the possibility of a relationship between these factors and trends exists but is not conclusive or dramatically strong. The research challenge, taken by Radka MacGregor Pelikánová, requires an appreciation that, as she notes, “one of the limitations of the study was caused by the intangible, ephemeral and hardly predictable nature of innovations, and the impossibility to collect and mathematically process all the involved phenomena.” The second paper, written by Rodica Crudu, refers to the importance of entrepreneurship in driving innovation, economic growth and welfare, as well as job creation, and draws attention to the fact that innovation is seen as a driving force in the economic development of nations. Since innovative entrepreneurship has begun to be considered a key factor in modern economic development, finding a prominent place at the core of the European Union’s development strategy – Europe 2020, the author aims to analyse the role of innovative entrepreneurship in the economic development of EU member states by testing a model that captures new or young innovative firms as manifestations of innovative entrepreneurship along with determinants of economic growth rates. The key findings of the paper show that innovative entrepreneurs are more often present in countries with higher development levels and higher incomes, being motivated by the improvement opportunity they see in becoming entrepreneurs. However, a higher degree of entrepreneurship, especially in the creation of new firms, does not substantially contribute to accelerated economic development. This is explained by the variation in the motivation (necessity or improvement-oriented) of entrepreneurs across EU countries. In developed countries, entrepreneurs are most likely to be of Schumpeterian type, while in developing countries most of them are shopkeepers. The presented paper has significant practical implications for decision and policy-making authorities in terms of the possible directions of innovative entrepreneurship policy development, including friendlier and more efficient policies aimed at the creation of new firms and the development of SME-supporting tools. Edward Stawasz, whose paper is based on the results of conducted research, carried out an analysis and evaluation of the importance of selected determinants of competitiveness of small innovative enterprises operating in international markets and using business advice services. The first part of this article is a comprehensive literature review concerning the identification of determinants of competitiveness of small enterprises and the characteristics of motives for using, as well as the areas and effects of using, business advice. The second part of the article presents an analysis of the results of a survey conducted among 67 small, innovative enterprises operating in international markets and at the same time using business advice services, carried out with the use of the CATI method. The conducted analysis has shown that the use of business advice extends the scope of determinants of competitiveness of enterprises operating in international markets. Business advice can be considered an effective factor in improving the competitiveness of enterprises already characterized by high competitiveness, which means that a high level of competitiveness favors the effectiveness of the use of business advice. An important conclusion reached by the author is the existence of a positive relationship between business advice and enterprises’ capacity to absorb business knowledge. Therefore, improving the competitiveness of enterprises requires using business advice and improving the business knowledge absorptive capacity. The focus of the next article, written by Kenneth Chukwujioke Agbim, is the conceptual considerations regarding social networking and family businesses, presented in a review of the contribution of social networking to the financial and non-financial performance of family businesses. Based on an analysis of 55 peer-reviewed, published journal articles, the author identified the most frequently used social networking platforms, the measures of financial performance, the measures and proxies of non-financial performance, and the differences between the financial and non-financial performance. The study proposes the use of both financial and non-financial measures in assessing the performance of family businesses due to their complementary roles. Therefore, the presented research contributes to the family business literature by highlighting the importance of combining financial and non-financial measures in assessing family business performance, indicating that due to the specificity of a family business, its performance should be assessed in such a joint manner. The research topic of the fifth article, by Katarzyna Bratnicka-Myśliwiec and Martyna Wronka-Pośpiech, is socioemotional wealth in the context of competitive advantages of family businesses. These authors argue that socioemotional wealth may trigger or limit family firms’ strategic initiatives that ultimately shape their competitive advantage. The basic assumption is that, unlike non-family firms, family businesses have some unique qualities that should be considered. The research was conducted in almost two hundred firms through a telephone survey. The obtained results reveal that, indeed, socioemotional wealth and competitive advantage are partially associated, and socioemotional wealth can be regarded as an important strategic antecedent to firm performance. Therefore, the first main theoretical implication is the emphasis on the importance of socioemotional wealth as a strategic resource. The second main conclusion is the recommendation that socioemotional wealth is a relevant determinant of competitive advantage. Family businesses rely on more complex social dynamics than the dynamics of a pure market, where the informal sphere is critical for current functioning. Moreover, the connections between family business attributes and firm performance are by no means easy to understand. Consequently, this paper makes a significant contribution to the scientific literature. In the next article Chaoyun Liang presents research on agrirural entrepreneurship and the results of a series of three studies conducted to develop a measure of entrepreneurial alertness in the agrirural environment which is empirically valid, easy to use, and can analyze how the personality traits of agrirural entrepreneurs affect their entrepreneurial alertness. The results indicate that both extraversion and openness affect all of the dimensions of entrepreneurial alertness, whereas conscientiousness only influences scanning and searching, and agreeableness has an impact solely on evaluation and judgment. The presented findings also demonstrate the interactive relationships between extraversion and openness for all of the dimensions of entrepreneurial alertness. The research provides a new understanding of how agrirural entrepreneurial alertness can be assessed more practically and how personality traits can help predict various dimensions of agrirural entrepreneurial alertness. The author states that, due to the fact that agriculture remains the basis of socioeconomic development, governments worldwide are actively formulating relevant policies to aid in the restructuring and upscaling of their agricultural industries. Thus, providing essential guidance in agricultural entrepreneurship for diversifying rural regions should be their central concern. Therefore, recognizing and interpreting opportunities are the most crucial abilities that should be fostered in developing agrirural entrepreneurship. The seventh paper is devoted to the subject of human resources, in particular interactions. The author of this text is Anna Pereverzieva, who indicates that there is a need to develop a methodological approach to the assessment of united communities` human resources` level of interactions. Hence, in light of the gap in the scientific literature, she tries to determine such an approach. The author’s work is based on the example of a united community and a structural unit and, in addition, considers two determinants of human resources` interactions – the group size and the nature of labor. As a tool of the empirical study, the author used expert assessment and the application of certain mathematical dependencies that allowed the coefficient of interactions to be determined. It transpired that small groups with intellectual labor have higher levels of interactions than large groups with a predominance of manual labor. It is worth noting that the proposition of a methodical approach is universal and might be used by both communities and business entities. Moreover, an additional advantage of the study is the proposal of a 4-stage procedure for assessing the level of human resources` interactions. The eighth paper, written by Aleksandra Grobelna and Katarzyna Skrzeszewska, connects tourism seasonality with employment in the travel and tourism sector. The issue, raised by these authors, is a current and important topic, since nowadays seasonality plays a decisive role in creating demand in the tourist industry. The problem is investigated from the perspective of tourism and hospitality students of higher educational institutions located in the northern part of Poland (Southern Baltic Sea Region). The main point of the authors’ interest was the students’ attitudes towards seasonality in tourism employment and its impact on students’ tourism employment aspirations. As a research method, a direct questionnaire was used and the obtained data were analyzed statistically. According to one of the conclusions, more students agree that seasonality contributes positively rather than negatively to tourism employment. The authors indicate that the depicted results of the research study can be of substantial importance to managers in the industry, which suffers from low employment status and experiences chronic shortages of skilled and well-qualified employees. The last article by Agnieszka Cholewa-Wójcik, Agnieszka Kawecka, Carlo Ingrao and Valentina Siracusa presents interesting results of research on the requirements for packaging to answer contemporary consumers’ needs. The study represents a holistic approach to the topic. The authors conducted a survey among clients of shopping malls in the Małopolska region of Poland. Analysis of the obtained data indicated the following order of priority of consumers’ needs: ensuring safety, meeting legal regulations, wants related to lifestyle, improving consumers’ life quality through added value, and protection of the environment. Furthermore, the team of authors proposed the model packaging. According to them, modern food packaging should be characterized by health (safety), simplicity (reduction, convenience), identity (belonging), aesthetics (design), and meaning (sustainability, intelligence). These conclusions have a managerial dimension because they might be valuable premises for developing packaging and introducing innovative solutions in this area. The paper confirms that both the design of food packaging systems and the production of such kinds of packaging should be developed after giving due consideration not only to the technical requirements but also to the socio-economic and the environmental ones. As the editors of this issue, we would like to thank all the authors for their contribution, and for sharing their own theoretical considerations and the results of empirical research. We are convinced that the presented studies constitute a valuable contribution to management sciences in the area of effective organizational management in a turbulent environment. We would also like to thank the reviewers for their efforts in reviewing the articles for this issue, as well as their valuable comments and suggestions that have influenced its final shape. We hope that the articles presented in this issue will interest readers, scientists and researchers from around the world, in addition to inspiring them to conduct further research on the topics discussed.
Entrepreneurship Technological Upgrading And Innovation Policy In Less Developed And Peripheral Regions
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Author : Ivano Dileo
language : en
Publisher: Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science
Release Date : 2019-01-01
Entrepreneurship Technological Upgrading And Innovation Policy In Less Developed And Peripheral Regions written by Ivano Dileo and has been published by Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2019-01-01 with Business & Economics categories.
This special issue of the journal tries to shed light on how innovation processes occur in less developed regions by examining which factors affect these processes and how they differ substantially between the less developed and the more developed areas in Europe. There are significant differences in innovation capacity among the lagging-peripheral and the more developed regions. Recently, the downgrading of traditional manufacturing and districts-based models in Europe has also highlighted the importance of enhancing relationships between the global and local-regional networks of entrepreneurs and innovators. The transfer of resources alone is not enough to create competitive regional economies in a global world. In this regard, innovation policy may be crucial in designing new paths for development and increasing innovation in peripheral regions. The issue consists of six articles. All of the papers focus on analyzing various aspects of the less developed and peripheral areas within a European context, and look at innovation issues from different research perspectives and methods. In particular, four papers are related to innovation in SMEs and Smart Specialisation Strategy, innovation and the regional allocation of coordination–participation in projects across EU regions, innovation policy and firm absorptive capacities, and innovation linkages with path development in rural areas. One article is based on the relationship between family firms and the propensity to invest in innovation, comparing the more and less developed macro geographical areas. The final paper concerns the nexus between policy planning and the local business ecosystems’ innovative and competitive competence. The first paper by Lukasz Arendt and Wojciech Grabowski focuses on indirectly assessing the impact of innovation policies conducted in Polish NUTS 2 regions within the framework of Regional Innovation Systems and Smart Specialisation Strategy. Interestingly, the authors combine firm-level data with meso data in a multilevel setting and observe that Polish SMEs in less developed regions mostly depend on in-house capabilities, rather than on regional innovative potential, to introduce different types of innovations. Another observation is that Polish SMEs are more likely to innovate if they have an R&D department, a higher quality of labor, realized investments and they use ICT. Finally, regional policies in these less-developed regions should focus more on linking firm-level factors with regional innovation systems, so as to enhance companies’ innovation capacity. The article by Pedro Varela-Vázquez, Manuel González-López and María del Carmen Sánchez-Carreira presents a consistent descriptive analysis concerning the regional allocation of coordination and participation in projects under the 6th and 7th Framework Programmes (FPs), as well as the funds allocated by the ongoing Horizon 2020. By comparing the 6th and 7th FPs, the authors show the existence of a slight reduction in the disparities, in particular, due to the higher participation of regions from Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The results show some interesting insights, as it emerges that developed regions account for most of the participation in projects and funds from the FP instruments. Concerning less developed regions, an uneven geographical distribution of projects and funds leads to the reinforcement of pre-existing industrial and innovation hubs. The third paper is by Marco Pini. The author investigates whether, in less developed regions, family businesses run by outside managers show a higher propensity to innovate (investing in Industry 4.0) than those where the managers are family members. This research focuses on the impact of digital innovation between the less developed Italian regions (Southern) and the more developed regions (the Centre-North). The results show that in Southern Italy, family businesses are more likely to invest in digital technologies when the firm is run by an external manager and spends on R&D. However, in less developed regions, R&D requires new competencies and capabilities. Hence, innovation policies should be based on specific “innovation patterns” defined within individual regions, not only in terms of R&D incentives, but also in encouraging a policy mix approach that is not entirely based on R&D and technology issues. The fourth paper, written by Agnė Paliokaitė, refers to the “regional innovation paradox,” i.e. the low absorption capacity of public funds for innovation shown by less developed region. The author has carried out an analysis of innovation policies applied to central and eastern European countries between 2007 and 2013. She finds that policies hardly promote structural changes as they mainly focus on improving the capacities of mature sectors and on adopting existing technologies. In this sense, the results suggest that a more tailored approach to innovation capacity building is needed, taking into account the current capacity levels within the target groups. The fifth paper, by Merli Reidolf and Martin Graffenberger, analyses the role of local resources for firm innovation and path development in rural areas. Based on the case of Estonia, they find that rural resources (physical, human, immaterial, social and community, and financial) have the potential to extend and upgrade regional development paths, and to enrich existing paths with additional functions. However, merely relying on rural resources to facilitate substantial changes in regional paths does not suffice. Finally, the sixth paper which has been written by Charis Vlados and Dimos Chatzinikolaou analyses the case of business ecosystem policy from a physiological and evolutionary perspective, the so-called “Strategy, Technology and Management” which represents the organic center of the produced innovation, inside a socioeconomic organism. By studying the case of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region, one of the less developed regions in Greece, they present an introductory and qualitative field research. The authors outline a new possible direction for policy planning and implementation in order to expand the local business ecosystems’ innovative and competitive competence, especially in the context of a less developed region, by the usage of the ILDI (Institutes of Local Development and Innovation) mechanism. We would sincerely like to thank the authors for their contributions to this special issue. The articles offer us the opportunity to evaluate various facets underneath innovation issues within the context of different peripheral areas. We also thank all the reviewers for their commitment, and for contributing to improving the quality and reliability of the articles. Finally, our special thanks go to the Editor in Chief, Prof. Anna Ujwary-Gil, for her tireless and valuable effort in producing this journal. And, lastly, we hope that all of our readers around the world find these articles an inspiration to conduct more research on these topics in the future.