Better Understanding Of Innovation Research Articles

Strategies for Sustainable Rural Tourism Innovation: Evidence from Hanoi, Vietnam

Rural tourism is an important driving force for developing rural areas that often face many challenges regarding economics, society, and the environment. Innovation in sustainable rural tourism is the basis for enhancing regeneration in tourism, meeting the goals of sustainable development, satisfying the needs of tourists, and enhancing economic, social, and environmental efficiency for rural areas. The research provides an in-depth understanding of sustainable rural tourism innovation. Therefore, it contributes to a better understanding of sustainable rural tourism innovation, which has not been extensively studied by researchers. Furthermore, it provides a typical case study of rural tourism innovation in a central urban area of developing countries, contributing to a better understanding of innovation in rural tourism destinations in developing country urban areas. The research also provides managers and policy-makers with insights that can be considered when building and implementing future rural tourism destination innovation policies.

Organizational innovations of the integrated management system for hospitality and tourism companies

Organizational innovations of the integrated management system for hospitality and tourism companies is now an essential factor in the economic competitiveness of firms. The study of innovations in the service sector is still in its infancy, as the first studies did not appear until the late 1990s, and it is difficult to find a reliable theoretical basis for studying innovations in this sector. It becomes even harder to find when applied to firms working in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Tourism is currently one of the most promising industries in the world, and there is an urgent need for a better understanding of innovation in this sector. This study addresses a common question: how to explain innovations in the tourism sector. In seeking an answer to this question, the work has two objectives: 1) to discuss what innovation in services is, taking into account a study of innovation in hospitality and travel firms, along with a literature review; 2) to develop a case study for an international group on hospitality. The results support the hypotheses that the implementation of an Integrated Hotel Management System is an important innovation in the sense that it mainly promotes organizational innovation, while firms use sustainable development policies as strategies of innovation and differentiation from competition. At this time, tourism firms are to be managed in three ways: economic, social and environmental. The advantages defined by the hotel are: optimization of work processes, with an impact on productivity, sustainable development of the company, strengthening of its corporate image, creation of an organized structure, reduction of environmental impact and risks inherent in the activity, and increase in customer satisfaction. Finally, we present a number of conclusions that allow a better understanding of innovation in tourism and are aimed at expanding the theoretical debate as well as knowledge on this topic.

Relative absorptive capacity as a booster of innovation in an automotive cluster

Purpose This study aims to address the relevance of the mediating role of the relative absorptive capacity (ACAP-R) in the relation between absorptive capacity and innovation, contributing to a better understanding of innovation in a business network. Participants’ firms in this study are part of the supply network of an automotive cluster. Design/methodology/approach The study is developed in 225 companies that are part of the supply network of an automotive cluster in Mexico. A survey was applied to key firm informants who had been involved on processes of innovation, quality or continuous improvement. During data analysis, structural equation modeling was implemented with the support of SmartPLS 3.0 to understand the mediation role of relative absorptive capacity as a novel insight of innovation in a Mexican cluster. Findings The results demonstrate the partial mediator role of the ACAP-R among the absorptive capacities and the level of innovation of the companies that make up the network studied. The findings represent an approach to the understanding of one of the key dynamic capacities in the innovation process and, thus, to the competitiveness of organizations, which has scarcely been studied from the perspective of business networks. Research limitations/implications The limitations of the research focus on the fact that the source of information in the surveys comes, in most cases, from the opinion of a key informant per unit surveyed, which is why there is a certain margin of subjectivity that could be reduced if there is more than one source of information in the same organization. It is also considered important that the information offered by the suppliers could be complemented by the opinion of clients. This would provide a more complete view of the circularity of information involved in inter-organizational exchanges. Originality/value The findings provide useful insights not only in terms of understanding the link between absorptive capacity and innovation, but also how to improve levels of innovation through knowledge exchanges that occur during the participation of suppliers and customers in a business network. Firms with high levels of ACAP are more likely to recognize the opportunity to benefit from external knowledge and to participate intensely in collaborative efforts. That is, technological similarity or similar knowledge base between source or recipient firms impacts their innovation.

Innovation contests, routine dynamics and innovation management

This paper investigates an innovation contest as organizational routine of innovation management. We draw from a qualitative longitudinal study in an industrial company. We examine the meanings, performance and artifacts related to the contest and show their mutual dynamics. Our results indicate that a common orientation towards a sense of the exceptional created by the contest allows it to sustain itself despite discrepancies in its internal routine structure. Sufficient interpretive flexibility is central in hosting the varied private meanings and performances. The study highlights the relevance of the artifactual elements in creating the common orientation, yet leaving space for variety in the meanings and performance of the contest. With these findings, we contribute to a better understanding of innovation contests as tools for innovation management.

Measuring innovation in the informal economy – formulating an agenda for Africa

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review options for measuring innovation in the informal sector and proposes an agenda for future work.Design/methodology/approachIt starts with a review of surveys of innovation in the formal business sector, and related definitions, as sources of questions and definitions which could be applied to the informal sector. Then, labor force surveys, and those that are combined with establishment surveys to measure informal sector activities, are examined with a view to adding questions, or modules, on the measurement of innovation in the informal sector. In addition, the advantages of using semi-structured interviews and ad hoc questionnaires in specific sub-sectors of the informal sector are explored.FindingsThe discussion leads to a possible agenda for future work on the development of policy relevant indicators of innovation in the informal economy. Two viable scenarios emerge: first, adding innovation questions to existing large-scale surveys of the informal economy; and/or second, conducting ad hoc questionnaire- and interview-based sectoral studies in selected countries.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed course of actions suffers from a few shortcomings: first, amending existing surveys as proposed here is always a challenging undertaking. A new survey questions have to be tested (cognitive and other testing); their deployment also depends on the willingness of countries to include new questions. Second, surveying the informal economy and applying proper sampling will remain an issue, no matter how good the survey design, and not matter how sincere the effort. Third, and finally, conducting these new survey techniques will require substantial resources over time.Practical implicationsIn the coming years, new efforts are planned to gather data and better measure innovation in developing countries, such as the third edition of the African Innovation Outlook. This will widen the scope of reporting and analysis to include coverage of innovations in the informal sector (AU-NEPAD 2014). The suggestions in this chapter are intended to lay important groundwork for future empirical work, to help develop appropriate indicators and support new approaches to innovation policy in developing countries. Pragmatic suggestions are formulated, pointing to potential opportunities and challenges.Social implicationsThe informal economy is a hugely important contributor to economic growth and social well-being in Africa and other developing countries. Better measurement and contributing to a better understanding of innovation in the informal economy will be important progress.Originality/valueThe contribution of the paper lies in the novel combination of tested approaches in informal sector surveys, on the one hand, and innovation surveys in the formal sector, on the other hand. The approaches provide ways forward to gain better understanding of the innovation in the informal economy, and to support innovation policy in African countries and beyond.

Understanding innovation performance measurement in SMEs

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on the challenges and characteristics of innovation performance measurement in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis study is exploratory-descriptive and uses mixed-method research. Quantitative and qualitative methods for collecting data are used.FindingsThe paper contributes to the current understanding of innovation performance measurement by clarifying how this measurement is used and by defining what must be improved.Originality/valueAppropriate measures can contribute to a significantly better understanding of innovation. However, studies on how innovation performance measurement is used in practice are scarce. The current state of knowledge of performance measurement in SMEs seems to be limited to studying SMEs from traditional performance measurement perspectives.

Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) in the Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) Sector in Malaysia: The Effect of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Social Capital (SC)

Today, innovation is no longer belongs to the research and development (R&D) lab per se. In fact, innovation can be considered more of a product of the human creative mind with an inherent tacit knowledge. In order to be a successful knowledge-based economy, employees must continually be innovative. As such, this research which relates to innovation by and large will assist in creating better understanding of innovation from the behavioral perspective. In the context of business, innovation has long been embraced by organizations seeking to remain viable, effective and competitive in a dynamic business environment. Looking at the perspective of individual level innovation, this study seeks to examine whether employees’ innovative work behavior (IWB) can be influenced by leader-member exchange (LMX) and the social capital (SC) in the knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) sector in Malaysia. Using questionnaire mail survey a total of 318 data was obtained from the knowledge workers of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status companies in Malaysia. The findings show that LMX and SC was significantly and positively related to IWB. The result also reveals that SC has a stronger influence on the IWB of employees as compared to LMX. Discussions and implications of the study are discussed.

FAMILY FIRMS AND INNOVATION

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the relationship between Family firms and innovation. This paper will examine how innovation capacity is affected by family involvement and other characteristics of a family firm. We will analyze 100 U.S. Family firms, from America's largest 100 family firms out of the Family business magazine, winter issue 2011. We will observe family Involvement, size, and age of the firm along with other TMT demographics. To understand innovation in family-owned businesses, we will focus on the capacity to innovate as well as innovative activities such as research and development, number of patents, and new product development. The purpose of this study is to examine how family business characteristics, specifically Top Management Teams (TMTs) and innovation are related. Specifically, this research will investigate the significance of the innovative capacity and how it is influenced by family involvement, difference of age, long term orientation and other TMT characteristics of family firms. We hope to contribute to the field by developing a better understanding of innovation and sustainable competitive advantage within the Family Business. This paper will advance the research on strategic innovation in a family firm as well as shed light on the failure of innovation management literature to recognize, embrace and deliberately integrate family firms into the literature.

Innovation and patenting activities at universities in Taiwan: After Bayh-Dole-like acts

In this study, the author examines patents granted to 174 Taiwanese universities during the period of 2004–2009 to gain a better understanding of innovation and patenting activities of Taiwanese universities. The results show that the university administrations took very proactive roles in patenting the research inventions or works that resulted from the university-funded research after two Bayh-Dole-like acts were passed in Taiwan. There were 105 universities and colleges granted patents during the reviewed period. The distribution of patents granted shows that general universities were granted mainly invention patents and universities of technology were more active in gaining utility model patents.

A framework of organisational innovation and outcomes in SMEs

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine innovation in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and develop a comprehensive theoretical framework of how innovation occurs, the end result, and impact on business financial performance, focusing on three types of innovations.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a grounded methodology. Interviews with entrepreneurs from across industries inform the development of the research propositions.FindingsBesides market environment, business and quality aspects, for SMEs innovation is driven by a desire to be successful, and improve working conditions. Positive outcomes of innovation include an enhancement of SMEs' reputation and image, an increase in operational efficiency and cost benefits, resulting in a better business financial performance, recruitment of a more skilled workforce, and greater in‐house expertise leading to further innovation. The negative outcomes of innovation relate to management, operational issues, and financial risks; including costs, uncontrollable business growth, companies' image and reputation loss, employees and customers' issues as well as health, safety, and environmental impacts. Further hypotheses emerge from executives' interviews, regarding specific outcomes of new product development, process innovation, and new ways of working.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research is required to examine how negative outcomes can be managed overall, and specific to types of innovation, as well as determining the financial cost and benefit of having a company‐wide innovation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the theoretical basis for understanding organisational innovation in SMEs. The proposed framework is focused and comprehensive, enabling a better understanding of innovation.

China's innovation policies: Evolution, institutional structure, and trajectory

China has transformed itself from a planning to a market-oriented economy over the past three decades and has sustained a fairly long period of rapid economic growth, to which the contributions from innovation in science and technology (S&T) have become increasingly important. Then, how have China's innovation policies evolved to reflect the changing and supposedly better understanding of innovation by China's policy makers? The paper tries to answer this question through a quantitative analysis of 287 policies issued by China's central government agencies between 1980 and 2005 and of 79 policies introduced between 2006 and 2008 to implement the Medium- and Long-Term Plan for the Development of Science and Technology (2006–2020). China has shifted its S&T and industrial policy-centered innovation strategy and has pursued a series of better coordinated, innovation-oriented economic and technology initiatives that give greater attention to a portfolio of policies that include critical financial, tax, and fiscal measures. There has been a gradual departure from the pattern in which innovation policies are formulated by one single government agency, therefore steering China to a different and probably more promising innovation trajectory.

INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE DIGITAL MEDIA SECTOR

Academic research on service innovation has highlighted the distinct characteristics of services innovation, the knowledge complexes involved, and how services can be autonomous sites of innovation. It also highlights that successful services innovations are often not technology based but can depend on new organizational or managerial practices or marketing and distribution strategies. This paper makes an empirical and a conceptual contribution to this literature by focusing on one sub-sector of the services sector: digital media applications and services. Conceptually, this paper is interdisciplinary and draws upon a range of work on innovation and production in media and communication studies, innovation studies, evolutionary economics, and sociology. Empirically, this paper draws on ten years of qualitative case study research focused on innovation in the digital media sector in Ireland and, to a lesser extent, Europe. More specifically, we draw upon research on the internet, mobile, and games sectors. A key finding emerging from this research is that, despite the widespread popular and academic focus on technology and codified knowledge, a much broader knowledge base (particularly tacit, creative and non-technological knowledge) underpins successful innovative practices in digital media firms. This paper examines the combination of creative ideas and skills, social learning processes of content creators, management, market and business knowledge that underpin the development new digital media applications and services. It argues that a better understanding of the character of knowledge inputs and the innovative practices in digital media companies may contribute to a better understanding of innovation in the knowledge economy.

Innovations in Dutch shipbuilding in the first half of the twentieth century

In this article, we focus on the Dutch shipbuilding sector in the first half of the twentieth century and address the question of how its innovative capacity evolved over time. Our attention to the importance of the whole constellation of actors in Dutch shipbuilding, their interrelations, interactions, and interdependence, as well as the institutional setting for innovation processes, contributes to gaining a better understanding of innovation in this sector. The article shows that the development of public knowledge institutes and the growth of scientific interest in Dutch shipbuilding was a slow process. Moreover, the developing knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands did not lessen the dependence on foreign knowledge. The article illustrates that the relations between actors and the importance of specific knowledge sources changed over time. It also sheds light on an often neglected aspect in system of innovation studies, the importance of individuals. This personal aspect helps explain why the importance of national contexts can differ considerably.

Driving forces for innovation: are they measurable?

This paper outlines a synthetic framework based on the concept of the learning process as a driver to redress stakeholders' attitudes and strategic choices. The discussion is focused on the advantages that may result from institutional proximity, knowledge diffusion and coordination for the specific building up of a territorial knowledge base and the consequent achievement of sustainable regional development. This theoretical framework is applied to an empirical exercise identifying a number of variables supposed to be able to characterise firms and regional performances towards different forms of innovation. Modelling techniques are used to demonstrate that firms' capacity to innovate is a complex attribute whose determinants change. The results permit to conclude causal links that may be useful for a better understanding of innovation and as support instruments for policy-makers which intend to search for specificities in the regional development process.

Innovation in the service sector: The demand for service-specific innovation measurement concepts and typologies

There is evidence that the notion of innovation, well established in the manufacturing sector, cannot simply be transposed to the service sector. This article deals critically with existing measurement concepts derived from manufacturing, and introduces a new typology with a view to obtaining a better understanding of innovation in services. Selected results from the German innovation survey are analysed in order to support the conceptual findings and to identify potential improvements. Special attention is directed towards the inclusion of knowledge-intensive business services that are of particular importance for innovation processes.