Exploitation Of New Knowledge Research Articles

Exploring microfoundations and multilevel mechanisms of absorptive capacity in an emerging economy: empirical evidence from a leading car manufacturer

AbstractPurposeDespite the importance of knowledge processes in building absorptive capacity, we are less clear about the micro-processes of absorptive capacity development and particularly about the role of individuals' knowledge processes.Design/methodology/approachThis study empirically examined, via an in-depth case study, the microfoundations of absorptive capacity and their influence on building absorptive capacity in an automaker across the course of four product innovation projects.FindingsFindings suggested that dynamics in a knowledge environment informed individual-level tacit and explicit knowledge processes. In return, knowledge processes at the individual level informed organizational learning processes and the emergence of knowledge processes at organization level for acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation of new knowledge.OriginalityThis study contributes to the literature by revealing individuals' knowledge processes from which absorptive capacity emerges. Practically, managers can use the findings of this study to promote certain knowledge processes to develop intended aspects of absorptive capacity at an individual level.

Big data analytics-enabled dynamic capabilities and firm performance: examining the roles of marketing ambidexterity and environmental dynamism

PurposeDrawing from dynamic capability (DC) theory, this study aims to investigate how big data analytics (BDA)-enabled dynamic capabilities (DCs) prompt firm performance. This study proposes that BDA-enabled DCs lead firms toward simultaneous exploration and exploitation of new knowledge about markets and products (i.e. marketing ambidexterity) which in turn improves firms' market and financial performance. This study also examines if environmental dynamism strengthens the aforementioned relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses survey questionnaire and data were collected in the form of two heterogeneous samples from Turkey and Pakistan. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsResults reveal that BDA-enabled DCs positively affect both dimensions of marketing ambidexterity (exploration and exploitation). Marketing exploration and exploitation have positive effects on firms' market and financial performance. Results also demonstrate that environmental dynamism moderates the link between BDA-enabled DCs and firms' marketing exploitation. The moderating effect for BDA-enabled DCs and firms' marketing exploration was not consistent across both samples.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the literature of BDA and marketing ambidexterity in the light of DC theory in a way that when and how the marketing ambidexterity, derived from BDA-enabled DCs, has a positive impact on firm performance. Moreover, findings imply that the development and enhancement of BDA-enabled DCs facilitate firms to calibrate marketing exploitation and exploration to seek new knowledge about markets and products and using such knowledge to achieve superior performance.Originality/valueThe novelty of present study is development of dynamic capabilities-based framework which sheds light on the role of big data for sensing, seizing and (re)configuring firms' resources to develop marketing ambidextrous capabilities in order to stay successful. From methodological perspective, this study uses two heterogeneous samples to assess robustness of results for ensuring greater generalizability and theoretical resonance.

Role of Openness in Communication in the Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Generation Link in Higher Education Institutions

This paper examines the role that Openness in Communication (OPCOM) plays in the acquisition and exploitation of new knowledge across faculties and departments of the higher education institution (HEI) community for Innovation Generation (INNG). Using the survey research design, data was collected from 282 lecturers purposively selected from the Business Schools of 20 HEIs in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. In testing the hypotheses proposed for the study, the data were analyzed using the Smart Partial Least Squares approach to structural equation modelling. The results revealed that OPCOM is important for the acquisition, sharing and transfer of knowledge in HEIs and has a mediation effect between knowledge acquisition and the generation of innovations. Even though the academic community is typically individualistic, mutual interest between academics can be stimulated if various platforms and open communication forums are established for the exchange and sharing of ideas, knowledge and opinions. HEIs need to invest resources and efforts at building strong relationships that facilitate collaboration, trust and interactions among varying faculties, departments and units. This will facilitate the easy sharing new knowledge to help innovate new products such as improved curricula, enhanced academic instruction and quality research output for the university to sustain their relevance and competitive advantage.

An Integrative Volatile Terpenoid Profiling and Transcriptomics Analysis in Hoya cagayanensis, Hoya lacunosa and Hoya coriacea (Apocynaceae, Marsdenieae)

Hoya’s R.Br. attractive flower shapes and unique scents make it suitable to be exploited as a new source of tropical fragrance. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites using phytochemical and transcriptomic approaches to understand the mechanisms of scents biosynthesis, especially terpenoid in Hoya. Three Hoya flower species were selected in this study: Hoya cagayanensis, Hoya lacunosa, and Hoya coriacea. The secondary metabolite profiles characterizing scents on flowers were performed using head space solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed 23 compounds from H. cagayanensis, 14 from H. lacunose, and 36 from H. coriacea. Volatiles from the three species had different fragrance profiles, with β-ocimene and methyl salicylate compounds dominating the odor in H. cagayanensis. The 1-octane-3-ol was found highest in H. lacunosa, and (Z)-acid butyric, 3-hexenyl ester was found highest in H. coriacea. Subsequent studies were conducted to identify the biosynthesis pathway of secondary metabolites responsible for the aroma profile released by Hoya flowers through transcriptome sequencing using the Illumina Hiseq 4000 platform. A total of 109,240 (75.84%) unigenes in H. cagayanensis, 42,479 (69.00%) in H. lacunosa and 72,610 (70.55%) in H. coriacea of the total unigenes were successfully annotated using public databases such as NCBI-Nr, KEGG, InterPro, and Gene Ontology (GO). In conclusion, this study successfully identified the complete outline of terpenoid biosynthesis pathways for the first time in Hoya. This discovery could lead to the exploitation of new knowledge in producing high-value compounds using the synthetic biology approach.

Specifying Destination-Based Networks by Governance-Mode: A Social Capital Approach to Innovative Capacity in a Rural Destination of Azerbaijan

ABSTRACT The capacity of rural tourism destinations to create new knowledge is generally considered to be at a low level - especially in an emerging country context, where inadequate networking even more impedes the acquisition, transformation and exploitation of new knowledge. Findings from knowledge-based tourism research support the idea that destinations’ innovative capacities are embedded in a juxtaposition of differently configured and co-located subnetworks whose characteristics are highly dependent on the state of social capital. The present study investigates these configurations in community destinations for differences in their suitability to foster innovation based on their specific social capital disposition. Based on a triangulated methodology, network configuration profiles further substantiate the relationships between external network characteristics, knowledge absorption processes and innovation on the case of a rural emerging country destination in Azerbaijan. Limitations arise from the cultural context dependency of the social capital dispositions which however offer a promising field for future comparative research.

Introduction to the Special Issue

Introduction to the Special Issue

Open Innovation in SMEs: Potential and Realized Absorptive Capacity for Interorganizational Learning in Dyad Collaborations with Academia

Due to a variety of barriers to develop innovation, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) find it necessary to collaborate with external sources of knowledge. The current study analyses the collaboration between SMEs and academia over an open innovation setting in Mexico. An absorptive capacity (ACAP) approach has been applied to understanding the process of developing new knowledge for achieving innovation. A two-part questionnaire was developed with the aim of assessing the ACAP of a new joint research unit. Data was collected from a local group of SMEs that collaborated as dyads with academia supported by a government program of innovation in Mexico. The result shows that there was a moderate potential and realized ACAP in the sample; these results are mutually related with both parts of the questionnaire which supports our findings. In conclusion, exploitation of new knowledge is a complex dimension for creating value from collaboration, which makes the outcome difficult to measure using traditional means. It can be argued that exploiting new knowledge for innovation is an iterative process of learning when exploring new sources of knowledge from academia.

Інновації в аграрному секторі України в контексті розвитку європейської інтеграції

В сучасному світі темпи економічного зростання та рівень суспільного розвитку визначає інноваційна діяльність, яка є рушійною силою ефективного функціонування економічної системи і ґрунтується на створенні й експлуатації нових знань, на інноваційному характері капіталу та на підприємницькому підході. Технічний прогрес змінює наш світ неймовірними темпами. Те, що ще позавчора здавалося фантастикою, вчора перетворилося на сміливу ідею, а вже сьогодні на повну впроваджується у наше повсякденне життя. Аграрний сектор не став винятком. За останні сто років індустрія подолала величезний шлях від гужових возів до автопілотованих комбайнів та дронів-обприскувачів. Не дивно, що талановиті розробники хочуть інтегрувати в цей ринок ексклюзивні, довгоочікувані та корисні інноваційні розробки. Ні для кого не секрет, що застосування інновацій в аграрному секторі дає змогу перетворити навіть найнесприятливіші умови на справжню «перевагу». Багато людей неодноразово чули про неймовірний успіх в аграрній галузі Австралії, Ізраїлю, США, Канади та Нідерландів, де IT-рішення в сільському господарстві застосовуються дуже широко. Нині, на агроринку популярні такі рішення, як: впровадження систем точного землеробства, аерозйомка з метою контролю якості посівів, ведення історії полів для вибору оптимальної культури, лабораторні дослідження ґрунту для отримання інформації про біохімічний склад. Ці технології дають можливість збільшити врожайність та знизити собівартість продукції завдяки скороченню витрат на паливо, насіння й добрива. В Україні з інноваціями справа гірше – відсоток проникнення високих технологій в агросекторі поки що досить низький – близько 10–12% порівняно зі світовими лідерами, але ми явно перебуваємо на правильному шляху. Україна лише починає знайомитися з цими глобальними трендами, але, саме в них полягає запорука успішності агропродовольчого виробництва. Варто зауважити, що сьогодні вітчизняний агропромисловий комплекс перебуває на так званій перехідній стадії. «До чого це нас приведе?!» – питання, на яке доволі важко зараз відповісти, однак на даному етапі вітчизняні аграрії успішно використовують у діяльності своїх підприємств як новітні розробки, так і старі, перевірені «дідівські» методи.

Student and graduate entrepreneurship: ambidextrous universities create more nascent entrepreneurs

Despite its importance, student and graduate entrepreneurship at universities has received limited scholarly attention. The literature on university entrepreneurship has mainly focused on university scientists who have founded their own firms or spin-offs that were created based on intellectual property that is owned by universities. This paper focuses on technology new ventures that are created by university students and new graduates and aims to investigate the linkages among university-level organizational competencies, the entrepreneurial competencies of nascent entrepreneurs and the number of start-ups that have been created by students and new graduates. Our argument is that universities are heterogeneous in their resources and competencies, and these organizational competencies are influential on students in the development of entrepreneurial competencies and hence in the creation of start-ups. Differences among universities have led to information asymmetries and variances in entrepreneurial competencies among students and graduates. This study uses two data sources at the university level from Turkey. The first is the Technoenterprise Funding Support Program, and the second is the Entrepreneurial and Innovative University Index. Our research covers 40 universities over 3 years from 2012 to 2014, and we apply a panel data methodology. Our research suggests that (1) ambidextrous universities that provide a good context for the exploration and exploitation of new knowledge support their students in the development of entrepreneurial competencies and in starting their own technology new ventures, (2) the traditional role of universities (research and teaching) is important for the creation of entrepreneurial universities and finally, (3) university entrepreneurship is path-dependent.

Drivers for managing sustainability-related knowledge

As organisations try to meet sustainability challenges, they need to be innovative. This often calls for the creation, use and exploitation of new knowledge. Therefore, knowledge resources must be properly managed to enable well-informed decisions. There is, however, little empirical research on the key drivers for managing sustainability-related knowledge in the UK industrial sectors – which is the core aspect of this paper. For this study, four industry sectors: energy and utilities, transportation, construction and not-for-profit organisations were considered, based on the environmental, social and economic impact on UK society. A semi-structured interview method was used to collect industry perception, which was then analysed at both aggregate and sector levels using content analysis for inference and conclusion. The data analysis revealed four key drivers that have fuelled the need for managing sustainability-related knowledge. They are: to improve access to knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives, to identify knowledge assets associated with sustainability initiatives, to improve the flow of knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives and to capture key knowledge associated with sustainability initiatives. The paper concludes that identifying and understanding the key drivers for managing knowledge within the context of sustainability is a complex process. Before embarking on a knowledge management journey, decision makers have to understand what they would like to achieve with their knowledge management programme and what value it needs to add to their organisation in the context of sustainability.

Foresight and innovation in the context of industrial clusters: The case of some Italian districts

The “territory” is widely recognized in the literature on business strategy as a critical driver of industrial competitiveness (see, as an example, Porter, The Competitive Advantage of Nations). The generation and exploitation of new knowledge, both tacit and explicit, through the process of socialization, articulation, combination and internalization (see Nonaka and Takeuchi, The Knowledge-Creating Company) is essential to enable innovation of processes and products of “local” firms. Our recent Foresight exercises in the metal working and machinery district of Lecco and in the silk district of Como show that Foresight can play an important role in creating and exploiting new knowledge, and that different methodologies can be more or less effective to this aim. Critical technology list and interactive workshops, with the participation of entrepreneurs of SMEs and technologists, are more suited to foster the transfer of technologies that have overcome the initial stage of the life cycle and that have been already applied in other sectors. However, when radical innovations are needed in order to face the challenges posed by global competition, other methodologies, as Scenarios, are more appropriate. Even if these approaches are complex and time and resource consuming, they may be very effective in actively involving the most relevant private and public stakeholders of a district, and in making them to envisage the long term future of the economic, social, and cultural structure of their district. In this way Foresight drives the small entrepreneurs, the district stakeholders and the medium and large size firms to play the critical roles of Nonaka and Takeuchi's “frontline employees”, “senior managers” and “middle managers” in their “knowledge creating company”: the first ones grasp what the district is; the second ones build the vision of what it ought to be; the third ones, serve as a bridge between the future and the present.

Knowledge management and new product development: a study of two companies

The essence of new product development is the creation, utilization and exploitation of new knowledge. Business sustainability is embedded in the firm’s ability to manage its new product development (NPD) processes. This paper explores the complex relationship between organizational context, NPD and knowledge management. A design‐based framework is proposed and utilized in the investigation of two NPD units in telecommunication and software development organizations. Directions for future research are identified and briefly discussed.

A market‐process approach to corporate coherence

AbstractWe address the notion of corporate coherence recently made prominent by Teece et al. (1994. Understanding corporate coherence: theory and evidence. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 23: 1–30). We argue that the literature is confused on the meaning of this notion (and similar notions) along a number of dimensions. Drawing on insights from market‐process theories, we propose a dynamic understanding of corporate coherence, an understanding that involves the corporate capacity to strike a favorable balance between the production and exploitation of new knowledge. This argument is elaborated drawing on Austrian economics, evolutionary economics, and post‐Marshallian economics. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Developing a corporate learning strategy

Corporate learning is at a crossroads. Existing courses and facilities are nearing the end of their useful lives, and there are new learning approaches and technologies to consider. A survey of the corporate learning plans and priorities of 69 organisations suggests there is widespread confusion and a lack of direction. Many courses are excessively general and fail to address particular requirements. The focus is overwhelmingly internal and on organisational needs. Individual aspirations and the requirements of customers and business partners are being overlooked. Existing information and knowledge are being shared, but training and development activities are contributing little to the creation and exploitation of new knowledge and intellectual capital. Opportunities for collaboration are being missed. In many companies training and development remain a cost although they could provide the basis for generating new income streams and become a significant business in their own right.

A Process Approach to Corporate Coherence

We address the notion of 'corporate coherence', recently made prominent by Teece, Rumelt, Dosi and Winter (1994). We argue that the literature is confused on the meaning of the notion (and similar notions) in a number of dimensions. Drawing on insights from market-process theories, we put forward a dynamic understanding of corporate coherence as involving the corporate capacity to strike a favorable balance between the production and the exploitation of new knowledge. This argument is elaborated drawing on Austrian, evolutionary and post- Marshallian economics.

Biotechnology in Japan: A lesson in logistics? Part II: The research policy

Research in the natural sciences in Japan is not bound by tradition to the same extent as it is in Europe and the USA. The great economic upsurge of the Japanese bio-industry has only occurred during the last 40 years. Its expansion is largely due to Japan's capabilities for rapid adaptation and commercial exploitation of new knowledge and skills. However, the creativity behind this speedy development did not emanate exclusively from the country's own resources. In this article, an attempt is made to trace the origins of high technology in the Japanese bio-industry and to illustrate the research policy facilitating its development.