Utilizing AI in Business and Entrepreneurship: Implications for Complex Decision‐Making in Engineering and Product Development Settings

Packaging in e-commerce distribution receives attention from many perspectives, often in relation to sustainability and efficiency. This attention may concern the use of packaging material or the mismatch between parcel size and the products to be shipped. From a retailer’s or third-party logistics provider’s perspective, the attention includes costs related to packaging material and packing. Distribution has evolved over time and well-established settings of interconnected and embedded resources provide complexity in terms of opportunities for change. This paper investigates this embeddedness in terms of analysing e-commerce packaging as a resource interfacing with other resources such as products (including product packaging) in three network settings; the product development setting, the packing setting, and the sorting setting. The paper shows how the embeddedness of e-commerce packaging makes efforts to change a complicated matter due to the complex set of resource interdependencies. The study highlights why some network settings may be given more attention by firms involved in retail distribution, and others less. Furthermore, the study shows that although much attention is given to adjust the packing setting, it is important to understand the history of this setting and how adaptations of other settings, such as the product development and sorting setting, entail opportunities for change.

Cannabis as a harm reduction strategy (HRS) is supported by evidence demonstrating its efficacy for pain relief and as a substitution for alcohol, illicit drugs, and pharmaceuticals. Animal models show cannabinoids reduce the effects of opiate withdrawal, which contribute to drug-seeking behavior. This scoping review assessed cannabis and its extracts as HRS while identifying critical gaps in preclinical and clinical research. Halas et al.'s (British Medical Journal Open, 5, e006643, 2015) five-stage scoping review methodology was used focusing primarily on “harm reduction” and “harm reduction strategies” related to “cannabis” or “marijuana” and its derivatives “THC” and “cannabidiol.” Across 33 countries, 57 articles were identified demonstrating that cannabinoids (i) enhance opioid analgesia while reducing tolerance and dependence, (ii) interrupt dependence on cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine, and (iii) can be vaporized or eaten to reduce harms associated with smoking. Critical gaps in research include (i) discrepancies due to species and route of administration differences and (ii) the legal status of cannabis. Future research on HRS should examine access to cannabis and its extracts, the effects of varying cannabinoid concentrations, limiting selection bias by recruiting more authorized medicinal and recreational cannabis users, and the various methods cannabis is consumed in humans and animal models of drug dependence.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the ways in which management control is enacted in a product development setting, to provide new insights into the different roles that control can play in this context.Design/methodology/approachA nine‐month, in‐depth field study was carried out at a subsidiary of an Australasian multinational firm which operates in the consumer foods industry. A participant observation approach was used to collect field notes and documents from the organisation, which were analysed through the lens of ethnomethodology.FindingsThe results indicate that the role of management control during product development is mainly focused on reducing uncertainty at each stage and promoting goal congruence at the decision gates. The authors argue that this helps explain why management control has a positive effect in a product development setting.Research limitations/implicationsThe implication of this finding is that the role of management control changes during product development due to the involvement of different organisational members (communities of practice) and the activities that they carry out. This helps build a more holistic understanding of control in product development. As this is a field study of a specific company, the findings are not generalizable to other companies or settings. Future research needs to investigate other possible roles which management control may play in this context.Originality/valueThe paper extends the research in this area by showing how and why management control can take on multiple roles in practice.

Because of a high product and technology complexity, companies involve external partners in their research and development (R&D) processes. Interorganizational projects result, which represent temporary organizations. In these projects heterogenous organizations work closely together. Since project work is always teamwork, these projects face due to their characteristic’s major challenges on an organizational, relational, and content-related collaboration level. Thus, this paper raises the following research question: “How can a project team be supported on an organizational, relational, and content-related level in an interorganizational new product development setting?” To answer this research question, an explorative expert study was set up with two digital workshops using the interactive presentation tool Mentimeter. The results show that a cooperative innovation culture could support project teams on an organizational and relational level in the future in minimizing predominant problems. Moreover, it supports project teams for example in a functional communication. Furthermore, 18 values of a cooperative innovation culture result which are for example openness and transparency, risk and failure tolerance or respect. On a content-related level the results show that an adaptable tool which promotes creativity and collaboration method as well as content-related input support could be beneficial for problem-solving in an interorganizational new product development setting in the future. Because the tool can guide product developers through the process with suitable creativity and collaboration methods, can give content-related input and can enable interactive interchange on a table-top. Future research could mainly focus on the connection of the cooperative innovation culture and the tool since these potentially influence each other.KeywordsInterorganizational new product developmentProject team supportCollaboration levels

Increased product complexity and internal team dynamics pose serious challenges to the quality of collaboration, usually reflected upon long delays, cost overruns and poor design quality during product development. Our focus is to study the factors that drive collaboration, shared understanding and team learning in product development in order to investigate new tools to facilitate this process. The present paper provides the theoretical framework to experiment with novel collaborative tools like Augmented Reality in the product development setting. The core argument is that Augmented Reality technologies act as a catalyst to the communication between the various stakeholders. The main idea behind this work is a dynamic investigation on the nature of collaboration in product development teams, through a socio-cognitive lens. The basic focus of this work is to connect insights from the social sciences to collaborative design and visualization technologies.

The renovation of old urban residential areas is and will continue to be an important part of urban renewal in China. The renovation of existing old urban residential areas focuses more on the physical level of renovation and pays insufficient attention to the improvement of collaborative community governance. However, collaborative community governance is the key to sustainable renovation. This study aims to explore the formation mechanism of multiple subjects’ collaborative governance in the renovation of old urban residential areas. A general collaborative governance theoretical framework was adopted and adjusted by innovatively introducing the improvement of collaborative community governance in old urban residential areas as an important variable in collaborative results. Data were collected through 853 questionnaires in 16 provinces across China and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. Data analysis reveals the following conclusions: (1) institution design and the collaborative process have significant positive impacts on collaborative results, while facilitative leadership has a negative impact; (2) the collaborative process is an important mediating variable on collaborative results; (3) government departments’ and residents’ self-governing organizations play important roles in improving collaborative community governance. Face-to-face dialogue and consultation, information disclosure and transparency, and reaching an intermediate consensus are important mediator variables. The research results provide theoretical support and practical suggestions for promoting the improvement of multiple-subject collaboration through old urban residential area renovation.

PurposeThis paper aims to study the problem of designing a Performance Measurement System (PMS) for R&D. In particular, it aims at investigating the influence exerted by the type of activity being measured (i.e. Basic and Applied Research or New Product Development) on the design of the PMS constitutive elements.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a literature review made it possible to build a theoretical model that identifies the constitutive elements of the PMS for R&D. Second, a survey involving 129 Italian firms (with a response rate of 33 per cent) was performed to unearth a number of similarities and differences between PMSs used in Research and New Product Development settings. Finally, a follow‐up multiple case study investigation made it possible to understand the reason underlying the dissimilarities which emerged from the survey.FindingsThe analysis suggests that a specialisation of the performance measurement practices in research and development is pursued by the Italian firms in the sample, especially when a number of conditions are in place (e.g. high level of uncertainty in R&D, availability of resources, organisational separation between the research and development functions).Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical analyses reported here focus on R&D‐intensive firms, because they invest more heavily in R&D and hence are more interested in measuring its performance. The generalisability of these results to other empirical settings is discussed and represents a promising avenue for future research.Practical implicationsThe paper provides R&D managers with a number of criteria they should employ to design more effective PMSs for the R&D activities for which they are responsible. Moreover, it suggests that designing and using two different PMSs for research and new product development can be a valuable alternative but only under specific circumstances.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first contributions that empirically assess the differences in the approaches employed to measure performance of research and new product development activities.

Mechatronics and Robotics (MaR) have recently gained importance in product development and manufacturing settings and applications. Therefore, the Center for Space Emerging Technologies (C-SET) has managed an international multi-disciplinary study to present, historically, the first Latin American general review of industrial, collaborative, and mobile robotics, with the support of North American and European researchers and institutions. The methodology is developed by considering literature extracted from Scopus, Web of Science, and Aerospace Research Central and adding reports written by companies and government organizations. This describes the state-of-the-art of MaR until the year 2023 in the 3 Sub-Regions: North America, Central America, and South America, having achieved important results related to the academy, industry, government, and entrepreneurship; thus, the statistics shown in this manuscript are unique. Also, this article explores the potential for further work and advantages described by robotic companies such as ABB, KUKA, and Mecademic and the use of the Robot Operating System (ROS) in order to promote research, development, and innovation. In addition, the integration with industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, architecture and construction, aerospace, smart agriculture, artificial intelligence, and computational social science (human-robot interaction) is analyzed to show the promising features of these growing tech areas, considering the improvements to increase production, manufacturing, and education in the Region. Finally, regarding the information presented, Latin America is considered an important location for investments to increase production and product development, taking into account the further proposal for the creation of the LATAM Consortium for Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics, which could support and work on roboethics and education/R+D+I law and regulations in the Region. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-04-025 Full Text: PDF

The impact of risk attitude in new product development under dual information asymmetry

IntroductionPatient-level data sharing has the potential to significantly impact the lives of patients by optimizing and improving the medical product development process. In the product development setting, successful data sharing is defined as data sharing that is actionable and facilitates decision making during the development and review of medical products. This often occurs through the creation of new product development tools or methodologies, such as novel clinical trial design and enrichment strategies, predictive pre-clinical and clinical models, clinical trial simulation tools, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes assessments, and more.MethodsTo be successful, extensive partnerships must be established between all relevant stakeholders, including industry, academia, research institutes and societies, patient-advocacy groups, and governmental agencies, and a neutral third-party convening organization that can provide a pre-competitive space for data sharing to occur.ConclusionsData sharing focused on identified regulatory deliverables that improve the medical product development process encounters significant challenges that are not seen with data sharing aimed at advancing clinical decision making and requires the commitment of all stakeholders. Regulatory data sharing challenges and solutions, as well as multiple examples of previous successful data sharing initiatives are presented and discussed in the context of medical product development.

This study addresses critical research gaps in Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) studies in Africa, proposing an AI-integrated approach. The study aims to leverage AI to enhance epidemiological surveillance, vector control, clinical management, community engagement, drug discovery, and data integration, within a One Health framework. The research gaps encompass inadequate real-time surveillance, limited vector knowledge, diagnostic challenges, low community awareness, slow drug development, and fragmented data. The study underscores AI's potential in early outbreak detection through data analysis and predictive modeling. It highlights AI's role in enhancing vector surveillance via image recognition and machine learning. AI-assisted diagnostics aid in accurate case identification. Moreover, AI-driven communication strategies can elevate community engagement. AI expedites drug discovery and vaccine development by predicting potential compounds. Data integration facilitated by AI harmonizes diverse datasets, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. The study advocates a One Health approach, recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. The study's insights provide a comprehensive roadmap to address CHIKV research gaps through AI, ultimately advancing public health outcomes in Africa.

The complexities inherent in resource management within cross-domain digital innovation ecosystems have significantly intensified, giving rise to heightened challenges in collaborative interactions among diverse stakeholders, thereby directly impacting systemic stability. Conventional governance frameworks for innovation ecosystems are inadequate in effectively managing the uncertainties and risks inherent in these environments. To address the collaborative governance dilemma and enhance governance efficiency, this paper aims to construct an effective collaborative governance mechanism for a cross-domain digital innovation ecosystem and explore the optimal strategy choices of key governance stakeholders, including the government, digital platform enterprises, and other relevant parties. This research utilizes evolutionary game theory to construct a model comprising three governing entities: the government, digital platform enterprises, and stakeholders. It investigates the evolutionary dynamics of collaborative governance strategies among these entities and the factors that influence governance. Following this, a system dynamics methodology is employed for simulation analysis. The results reveal the following: (1) As the initial intentions of the governing entities evolve, governance decisions within the system tend to stabilize, characterized by a strategic combination of proactive regulation, active cooperative governance, and engaged participation. This equilibrium governance strategy significantly fosters the stable advancement of cross-domain digital innovation ecosystems. (2) The punitive measures enacted by the government and the internal incentive structures of the system positively influence the evolution of governance decisions towards collaborative governance. (3) The cost–benefit assessment of the primary governing entity, the digital platform enterprise, demonstrates a detrimental effect on the evolution of governance decisions towards collaborative governance. These findings are vital for refining the collaborative governance frameworks of cross-domain digital innovation ecosystems and for promoting the robust and stable progression of the system.

This chapter critically explores the role of ChatGPT and AI in higher education, examining their effects, challenges, and contributions to teaching and learning. It reviews studies highlighting ChatGPT's ability to personalize education, enhance student engagement, and boost research. Yet, it also addresses AI-related challenges like misinformation and dependency issues. The chapter recommends a balanced AI integration, focusing on ethical use, bridging the digital divide, and promoting continuous learning for educators and students. Concluding with future perspectives, it emphasizes AI's role in enriching education while cautioning about its careful application. The chapter offers an insightful analysis of AI's intricate role in higher education and strategies for its responsible integration.

Aim. Identification of ways to develop regional engineering in the context of the need for import substitution and the creation of a sustainable industrial base.Methodology. During the research, statistical data of Rosstat, economic materials of industrial associations and enterprises, expert opinions were used. Theoretical and practical methods of comparative analysis, synthesis, grouping and generalization, as well as empirical methods of observation and comparison of the results were used. Thus, the application of theoretical approaches and practical methods of studying the activities of industrial enterprises contributes to solving the problem of effective import substitution and the development of production, social and technical and technological tasks of production.Results. In the conditions of increasing sanctions and import restrictions, import substitution as well as the development of own production is becoming more and more relevant. Currently, due to the increased shortage of equipment and components, a wide range of opportunities for the development of own machine-building production is being created. With all the potential available for the development and creation of its own uninterrupted process of mechanical engineering, the economy faces certain difficulties and problems. In order to ensure the sustainable development of regional mechanical engineering, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for the modernization of production, increase investment activity in the development and application of digital and advanced production technologies, measures of federal and regional support for domestic production.Research implications. It is conditioned by the need to develop scientific recommendations that contribute to the development of regional mechanical engineering in the context of the need for import substitution and ensuring state self-sufficiency to achieve strategic goals for the development of the national economy and improving the welfare of the population.

Penelitian bertujuan menganalisis dinamika collaborative governance dalam program Kotaku (Kota Tanpa Kumuh) di Kelurahan Kalumeme, Kabupaten Bulukumba. Meskipun program penanganan kumuh telah banyak dilakukan, proses relasional antar pemangku kepentingan seringkali menentukan keberhasilan atau kegagalannya. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif, dengan metode pengumpulan data melalui wawancara mendalam dengan pemangku kepentingan kunci dari Organisasi Perangkat Daerah (OPD), perwakilan masyarakat (BKM), dan pihak swasta, yang didukung oleh observasi dan dokumentasi. Analisis data dipandu oleh kerangka collaborative governance dari Ansell dan Gash. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa meskipun ada kemajuan, proses kolaborasi terhambat oleh tantangan signifikan. Isu-isu utama meliputi partisipasi pemangku kepentingan yang tidak konsisten dalam dialog tatap muka yang menyebabkan kegagalan koordinasi; kesulitan dalam membangun kepercayaan yang kuat, terutama terkait transparansi finansial dan eksekusi proyek; serta konflik pembebasan lahan yang belum terselesaikan yang menggerus komitmen bersama. Studi ini menyimpulkan bahwa efektivitas program Kotaku sangat bergantung pada penguatan proses inti kolaborasi, bukan hanya pada hasil fisik. Penelitian ini berkontribusi pada literatur administrasi publik dengan menyajikan bukti empiris mengenai titik-titik gesekan spesifik dalam kolaborasi multi-stakeholder untuk pembangunan perkotaan dalam konteks daerah di Indonesia. This study analyzes the dynamics of collaborative governance in the Kotaku (City Without Slums) program in Kalumeme Village, Bulukumba Regency. While slum upgrading programs are common, the relational processes between stakeholders often determine their success or failure. This research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews with key stakeholders from local government agencies (OPD), community representatives (BKM), and the private sector, supplemented by observation and documentation. The data were analyzed using the collaborative governance framework by Ansell and Gash. Findings reveal that despite some progress, the collaboration process was hampered by significant challenges. Key issues included inconsistent stakeholder participation in face-to-face dialogues, leading to coordination failures; difficulties in building robust trust, particularly regarding financial transparency and project execution; and unresolved land acquisition conflicts that undermined shared commitment. The study concludes that the effectiveness of the Kotaku program is critically dependent on strengthening the core collaborative processes, not just on physical outputs. This research contributes to public administration literature by providing empirical evidence on the specific friction points within a multi-stakeholder collaboration for urban development in a regional Indonesian context.