Innovative Research Articles

MENANAMKAN MINAT LITERASI (BACA TULIS) SEJAK DINI DI SDN NAGACIPTA 02

Lack of facilities and infrastructure that can support students’ reading activities, as well as lack of support and motivation for students. In the teaching and learning process, teachers also have not implemented innovative and interesting teaching, especially in teaching reading to students from the lower grades, resulting in a lack of interest and interest among students in literacy activities. The purpose of this writing is to explain the importance of literacy in the quality of human resources who are able to compete and keep up with current developments. The implementation method applied was socialization to students at SDN Nagacipta 02 with the theme of instilling an interest in literacy (reading and writing) from an early age, using the flashcards method for reading practice. This activity was held at SDN Nagacipta 02 which is located in Nagacipta Village, Serang Baru District on February 27 2024. The results of this program can be seen in the increased interest of students in reading. When running the program in class 2 and class 4, students appear to be able to participate in the learning process with enthusiasm and full of activity, this can be seen when running the program in class 2 using the flashcards method and for class 4 students it can also foster a sense of cooperation between classmates. Through group work in creative activities to decorate literacy trees. Because motivation and support both in terms of facilities and infrastructure, as well as the ability to package innovative teaching and learning processes can have a big impact on the growth of students’ interest in the learning process, which will influence the achievement of learning goals.

Breaking boundaries: the influence of social insurance collection system reform on corporate innovation strategies

ABSTRACT This study employs a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach to explore the impact of the exogenous shock policy of the Social Insurance Collection System Reform (SICSR) on corporate innovation strategies in China. The findings suggest that SICSR has a significant positive effect on corporate breakthrough innovation, while it does not impact incremental innovation. Moreover, the study finds that the impact is more pronounced among non-state-owned enterprises and enterprises with high-labour-intensity. Additionally, a mechanism analysis reveals that SICSR has a stronger promotional effect in regions characterized by high levels of marketization, while this effect diminishes as the level of corruption increases.

Innovative processes: economic and legal problems of realization, management and regulation

Problem setting. The scientific work is devoted to researching issues of regulation of innovation processes to achieve and increase the efficiency of innovation activity. In Ukraine, the strategy for the development of the sphere of innovative activity for the period until 2030 is aimed at increasing the use of innovations. A process approach was chosen to achieve the goals of the Strategy. However, it is necessary to generalize the problems using a systemic approach. Analysis of recent researches and publications. Since the middle of the 20th century. scientists have done a lot of work on defining the essence, structure and classifications of innovative processes, features of their management and regulation. A large number of works are devoted to the description, construction and improvement of innovative process models. In connection with the fact that the innovation process as an object of research is heterogeneous, in recent publications the critical rethinking of the theory and practice of management of innovation processes, increasing their efficiency, continues. Purpose of the research is the development of theoretical provisions and practical recommendations for structuring the economic and legal problems of management, implementation and regulation of innovation processes using a systemic approach to improve the state innovation policy and legal regulation of innovation activity. Article’s main body. The definition of the concept of the innovation process in the scientific literature and the international standard the Oslo Manual is considered. The Oslo Manual equates the innovation process with innovation activity. It has been specified that the management of innovative activities is an innovative process. To identify and strategically solve existing economic and legal problems of innovation processes, it is proposed to build a “black box” model according to the IDEF0 functional modeling standard. Models of innovation processes in the economy, at the enterprise, in clusters and ecosystems according to the IDEF0 standard have been developed. The economic and legal problems of innovation processes are structured by groups of problems of resources, executors, regulatory tools, international interaction, economic security of the state, collaboration, interaction of enterprises with the external environment, interaction of subjects in clusters and ecosystems, exercise of powers by authorities, protection of intellectual property rights, safety of innovations, performance and efficiency of innovative activities, informing about innovation processes, reporting of enterprises, reports of state regulators. An analysis of the completeness of the list of problems specified in the Strategy for the Development of the Sphere of Innovative Activity for the period up to 2030 was carried out. The directions for improving the state innovation policy and legal regulation of innovation activities in Ukraine are substantiated. Conclusions and prospects for development. The analysis of the Strategy for the Development of the Sphere of Innovative Activity on the basis of structured groups of problems allowed us to draw a conclusion about the state’s nonsystemic innovation policy, which poses a threat to the sovereignty of Ukraine. To get out of the critical situation, the government should revise the existing Strategy, taking into account the priority of protecting national interests and the safety of innovative products and innovative technologies for consumers and society. Regardless of measures to improve the Strategy, changes should be made to the national legislation regarding the harmonization of conflicting norms, bringing basic concepts and classifications into compliance with international standards, eliminating duplication of powers of authorities and defining a single regulator. Further research will be aimed at the scientific search for effective legal regulation solutions aimed at achieving performance and efficiency implementation of innovative processes in the national economy.

Problems of ensuring the systematic legal regulation of the functioning of the innovative infrastructure

Problem setting. In the conditions of martial law, the problems of rebuilding the national innovative economy and legal regulation of the activities of innovative infrastructure entities are of primary importance for ensuring national security and adapting to new challenges. Effective legal regulation of the functioning of innovation infrastructure entities using a systemic approach is able to ensure the proper level of development and functioning of the national innovation ecosystem and all its subsystems, including regional ones. However, at present, the state innovation policy and regional innovation policy do not have an effective relationship and an effective mechanism for supporting the activities of innovation infrastructure entities. Analysis of recent researches and publications. Problems of legal support and improvement of the functioning of the national innovation infrastructure and its elements have been studied by many scientists. S. V. Hlibko considered the issue of legal support for the strategy of the innovation process based on the organization of the functioning of the innovation infrastructure, including the features of the infrastructure support for the innovation process. O. V. Rozghon investigated the mechanism of technology transfer and its implementation in the innovation process. The issues of legal regulation of public procurement as a means of state regulation aimed at stimulating innovative activity in the European Union were considered in the scientific works of V. A. Chubenko. Purpose of research is to study the topical legal issues of ensuring the systematic legal regulation of the functioning of innovation infrastructure. Article’s main body. The legal support of the national innovation ecosystem should have effective means of supporting and stimulating the implementation of innovative activities and the corresponding infrastructural support of the innovation process, taking into account modern challenges and generally defined strategic orientations of the state in this area, at the same time, the construction of an effective innovation policy should also take place according to the principle of adaptive formation, taking into account real the needs of regulatory regulation, the current state of innovation development, the need to ensure effective interaction between all subjects of the innovation infrastructure and components of the national innovation system. It has been correctly determined that various legislative and by-laws in the field of innovative infrastructure development are insufficiently consistent and meaningfully connected, for the vast majority of elements of innovative infrastructure, both the content and the order of creation, specifics of activity, mechanisms of state regulation, etc. have not been defined. Therefore, the regulatory and legal provision of innovative infrastructure should be of a sys-temic nature, taking into account the peculiarities of carrying out innovative activities in the conditions of martial law and the urgency of the processes of Ukraine’s integration into the European political, economic, security, and legal space and the approaching acquisition of Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. Thus, ensuring the systematic legal regulation of the activities of innovation infrastructure entities is a key task in creating a favorable environment for the development of innovations; to achieve this goal, it is necessary to implement complex approaches and develop appropriate legislative mechanisms. In addition, ensuring the system of legal regulation of innovative activity requires a comprehensive approach and improvement of current legislation, taking into account the requirements of the modern innovation market and the need to accelerate European integration processes. Conclusions and prospects for the development. Based on the analysis of issues regarding the state of regulatory regulation of the functioning of innovative infrastructure, it is reasonable to conclude that the main shortcomings in the regulation of the specified area are: unsystematic legal regulation of the development of innovative infrastructure; lack of a purposeful and consistent state innovation policy coordinated with regional directions of innovation development; lack of effective systematic forecasting and strategic planning of the development of the sphere of innovative activity; insufficient regulatory and legal settlement of issues of innovation infrastructure development (including the declarative nature of innovation legislation and its inconsistency with strategic planning documents); lack of effective mechanisms for state support and stimulation of innovative infrastructure, etc. The solution of the mentioned problems requires the improvement of the state innovation policy regarding the support and development of the innovation infrastructure, the formation of a complete system of forecast and program documents of the country’s innovation development based on a comprehensive analysis of the situation, taking into account the influence of external and internal factors and the expected trends of changes in the influence of these factors in the long term.

Stochastic dynamics mass spectrometric and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic structural analyses of composite biodegradable plastics

<p>The (partial) replacement of synthetic polymers with bioplastics is due to increased production of conventional packaging plastics causing for severe environmental pollution with plastics waste. The bioplastics, however, represent complex mixtures of known and unknown (bio)polymers, fillers, plasticizers, stabilizers, flame retardant, pigments, antioxidants, hydrophobic polymers such as poly(lactic acid), polyethylene, polyesters, glycol, or poly(butylene succinate), and little is known of their chemical safety for both the environment and the human health. Polymerization reactions of bioplastics can produce no intentionally added chemicals to the bulk material, which could be toxic, as well. When polymers are used to food packing, then the latter chemicals could also migrate from the polymer to food. This fact compromises the safety for consumers, as well. The scarce data on chemical safety of bioplastics makes a gap in knowledge of their toxicity to humans and environment. Thus, development of exact analytical protocols for determining chemicals of bioplastics in environmental and food samples as well as packing polymers can only provide warrant for reliable conclusive evidence of their safety for both the human health and the environment. The task is compulsory according to legislation Directives valid to environmental protection, food control, and assessment of the risk to human health. The quantitative and structural determination of analytes is primary research task of analysis of polymers. The methods of mass spectrometry are fruitfully used for these purposes. Methodological development of exact analytical mass spectrometric tools for reliable structural analysis of bioplastics only guarantees their safety, efficacy, and quality to both humans and environment. This study, first, highlights innovative stochastic dynamics equations processing exactly mass spectrometric measurands and, thus, producing exact analyte quantification and 3D molecular and electronic structural analyses. There are determined synthetic polymers such as poly(ethylenglycol), poly(propylene glycol), and polyisoprene as well as biopolymers in bags for foodstuffs made from renewable cellulose and starch, and containing, in total within the 20,416–17,495 chemicals per sample of the composite biopolymers. Advantages of complementary employment in mass spectrometric methods and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is highlighted. The study utilizes ultra-high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometric and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic data on biodegradable plastics bags for foodstuffs; high accuracy quantum chemical static methods, molecular dynamics; and chemometrics. There is achieved method performance |<em>r</em>| = 0.99981 determining poly(propylene glycol) in bag for foodstuff containing 20,416 species and using stochastic dynamics mass spectrometric formulas. The results highlight their great capability and applicability to the analytical science as well as relevance to both the fundamental research and to the industry.</p>

Intellectual Capital and Innovation through Market Orientation in the Indonesian Film Industry

This article aims to analyze the relationship between intellectual capital and innovation through market orientation in the Indonesian film Industry as a creative economy in the new economic age based on information intensification and creativity with superior ideas, knowledge and competencies of human resources. To collect data, a questionnaire was used. Out of 65 populations of film companies, by random sampling, 56 were selected as representative samples. The Partial Least Square Structural Path-Modeling (PLS-PM) was used to test the hypotheses. The research outcomes revealed that intellectual capital, market orientation, and innovation are fairly high. Intellectual capital has a positive effect on market orientation and innovation. Market orientation mediates the effect of intellectual capital on innovation. Intellectual capital may directly affect the innovation of the Indonesian film industry and through market orientation. Human capital, structural capital, and customer capital must be strengthened to support customer orientation, competitor orientation, and internal integration of the company, so that innovations in products, processes, and strategies can be increased. This study implies that the innovation will develop more with the pertinent intellectual capital and suitable market orientation.

Innovation in Procurement Processes: A Comparative Analysis of South Korea and Egypt

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the innovation in procurement processes: a comparative analysis of South Korea and Egypt. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: South Korea is highlighted for its advanced e-procurement systems, leveraging technology to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability. This has led to significant cost savings and improved supplier management. In contrast, Egypt, while making strides in modernizing procurement practices, faces challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and limited technological adoption. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Diffusion of innovations theory, the resource-based view (RBV) & institutional theory may be used to anchor future studies on innovation in procurement processes: a comparative analysis of South Korea and Egypt. Create a framework for exchanging best practices between South Korea and Egypt. Advocate for the development of a comprehensive policy framework that promotes innovation in procurement.

Efficient optimization-based method for simultaneous calibration of load and resistance factors considering multiple target reliability indices

This study introduces an innovative optimization process for calibrating probabilistic load and resistance factors (LRFs) in limit state designs, effectively accommodating multiple target reliability indices. Given the impracticality of direct Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) for this task, a response surface method (RSM) is proposed to approximate load and resistance components separately rather than fitting conventional safety factors. This approach eliminates the need for additional implicit evaluations, thereby improving the efficiency of LRF calibration across multiple targets. The process is further enhanced by an adaptive boundary algorithm that updates search domains in real-time, streamlining the optimization. Validation through three examples—including one explicit and two implicit performance functions (a structural and a geotechnical example)—demonstrates that the method achieves accurate results with fewer iterations by dynamically narrowing search domains. Specifically, the accuracy of the proposed method is confirmed by comparing results with those from the literature for the explicit example and with basic MCS results applied to the initial implicit problems. Performance on the illustrative examples shows that the structural example achieves calibration for three targets within ten iterations. Additionally, this method eliminates the need for approximately ten thousand implicit evaluations when calculating limit state points for the geotechnical example.

Innovative flow field design strategies for performance optimization in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

This study introduces an innovative flow field design methodology that departs from traditional approaches, aiming to simplify design variables and ensure an efficient, automated design process. This methodology integrates topology optimization, the Gray-Scott reaction/diffusion system, and Murray's law to design the flow field layout. We applied this methodology to the flow field design of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) bipolar plates. Specifically, the optimal two-dimensional pattern of the PEMFC cathode flow field was achieved by merging topology optimization with the Gray-Scott reaction/diffusion system. Applying Murray's law, an optimal three-dimensional flow field with an unpredictable new pattern was established. The design emphasizes efficient fuel diffusion and reduced flow resistance, validated through experiments. Quantitative comparisons with serpentine and parallel flow fields showed performance differences of approximately 60 mV and 120 mV at a current density of 1.43 A/cm2, respectively. These metrics reflect the impact on mass transfer efficiency under high-power PEMFC operations, serving as critical indicators of flow field effectiveness. Additionally, simulations confirmed an 18-fold reduction in pressure drop compared to the serpentine design. This innovative design process offers advantages that could be incorporated into diverse research areas in the future.

Waveguide-Enhanced Nanoplasmonic Biosensor for Ultrasensitive and Rapid DNA Detection.

DNA is fundamental for storing and transmitting genetic information. Analyzing DNA or RNA base sequences enables the identification of genetic disorders, monitoring gene expression, and detecting pathogens. Traditional detection techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) have limitations, including complexity, high cost, and the need for advanced computational skills. Therefore, there is a significant demand for enzyme-free and amplification-free strategies for rapid, low-cost, and sensitive DNA detection. DNA biosensors, especially those utilizing plasmonic nanomaterials, offer a promising solution. This study introduces a novel DNA-functionalized waveguide-enhanced nanoplasmonic optofluidic biosensor using a nanogold-linked sorbent assay for enzyme-free and amplification-free DNA detection. Integrating plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with a glass planar waveguide (WG) and a microfluidic channel, fabricated through cost-effective, vacuum-free methods, the biosensor achieves specific detection of complementary target DNA sequences. Utilizing a sandwich architecture, AuNPs labeled with detection DNA probes enhance sensitivity by altering evanescent wave distribution and inducing plasmon resonance modes. The biosensor demonstrated exceptional performance in DNA detection, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 33.1 fg/mL (4.36 fM) with a rapid response time of approximately 8 min. This ultrasensitive, rapid, and cost-effective biosensor exhibits minimal background nonspecific adsorption, making it highly suitable for clinical applications and early disease diagnosis. The innovative design and fabrication processes offer significant advantages for mass production, presenting a viable tool for precise disease diagnostics and improved clinical outcomes.

The flavor enhancement mechanism of ultrasound-assisted curing and UV-assisted drying in semi-dried tilapia fillets based on flavoromics, lipidomics, and metabolomics

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasound-assisted curing and UV-assisted drying on the quality of semi-dried tilapia fillets through flavoromics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. Both treatments enhanced myofibril pore space and reduced moisture content (−14.84 %, P < 0.05), with ultrasound demonstrating greater effectiveness. Additionally, they also facilitated lipid oxidation (P < 0.05), which altered the flavor profile. UV treatment enhancing key aroma compounds (ROAV >1), especially octanal, 1-octen-3-one, ethyl-isovalerate, and 2-pentyl-furan, more effectively than ultrasound (P < 0.05). 420 lipid molecules and 213 metabolites were identified, including 162 differential lipids and 69 differential metabolites (VIP > 1). Correlation analysis indicated that triglycerides, fatty acids, organic acids, and nucleosides were key precursors of flavor. The sensory evaluation demonstrated that ultrasound and UV treatments synergistically enhanced fillet quality. This study introduces an innovative processing method aimed at the industrialized and efficient production of high-quality air-dried aquatic products.

Exploring different processes for starch extraction from microalgae and synthesis of starch-chitosan plastic films

Microalgae could become a more sustainable starch source than conventional crops. However, available refinery processes are lacking. In this study, we develop different innovative processes to refine microalgal starch and obtaining starch-based bioplastics. After lipid extraction, defatted microalgae were treated by different routes: enzymatic treatment with Alcalase; sonication in hot water or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) followed by precipitation with ethanol.Enzymes allows to extract 70 % of proteins while recovering 75 % of the initial starch in the residual pellet, with a purity of 58 %. The most effective configuration based on sonication and water/DMSO extraction allowed to recover up to 80 % starch with 80–91 % purity.Chitosan improved the mechanical properties of the obtained starch-based films. The use of defatted algae or purified starch gave different properties to the films (as rigidity and water stability) showing the possibility to tailor the material characteristics depending on the biorefinery route applied.

Selective Cross‐Metathesis Versus Ring‐Closing Metathesis of Terpenes, Taking the Path Less Travelled

A diiodo ruthenium olefin metathesis pre‐catalyst was employed to achieve remarkably selective cross‐metathesis reactions of prenylated 1,6‐dienes, effectively overcoming the entropically favored intramolecular ring‐closing metathesis. This reaction was investigated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations and fine‐tuned through the application of a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. The potential of this innovative process was demonstrated through the unprecedented functionalization of various terpene natural products via cross‐metathesis, resulting in the synthesis of new derivatives in a single step.

How do Startups use AI? A Q-methodology approach to understanding adoption patterns.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can move beyond mere task automation and can actively foster the very process of innovation. As startups are the organizational entities which rely heavily on creativity and innovation, it is intriguing to evaluate the use of AI in startups and in the entrepreneurship field. As AI is already becoming increasingly pervasive and indispensable in the startup ecosystem, the question arises, how exactly startups are using AI. We used the Q-methodology to investigate this topic empirically. This methodology was chosen because it combines the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods. The Q-samples (i.e., set of statements) were developed from secondary sources like literature and primary sources like interviews. In this context three in-depth-interviews with entrepreneurs were conducted to comprehensively cover the topic. The concourse comprised a set of 43 statements, that each provided one aspect of “How do startups use AI?”. The collection of the Q-Samples was then followed by the Q-sorting, in which participants were asked to rank the items according to their degree of agreement. In this study 30 entrepreneurs from different startups in Germany were interviewed. The interviews were conducted online via a video chat to give participants the chance to comment on their ranking. We used the QMethod Software for data collection and analysis. The research illuminates current AI practices among startups, identifies common fields and highlights areas for further development. The findings of this study reveal the prioritization of operational efficiency as the driving force behind AI implementation. However, it is quite concerning that ethical considerations are largely ignored, posing risks of potential ethical oversights in AI utilization. Furthermore, most startups see AI as a facilitator of human creativity rather than a replacement. Overall, this paper is relevant to a diverse audience interested in understanding the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities associated with the usage of AI technologies within the startup ecosystem. This audience includes entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, educators, and policy makers.

Governmental Policies and Sustainable Outcomes in EU: How Innovations Change the Game?

Environmental degradation is one of the main challenges in today's world. Impact on the environment can be reduced through the introduction of clean and more efficient technologies. And innovation plays a crucial role in this process by replacing old equipment and methods. There are different ways how researchers understand sustainable innovations and sustainable innovation ecosystems. The terms "sustainable" and "sustainable development" have become very widely used in recent years. Sustainability is crucially important for the development of regions and national economies. Existing literature on the topic of sustainable innovation ecosystems includes vague and ambiguous definitions of sustainable innovation, as well as ways to measure it. A number of studies analyse the impact of different factors on conventional innovations and eco-innovations. However, not enough research has been done on the effects of innovations on all three dimensions of sustainable innovations, which are economic, environmental, and social. The aim of the article is to define whether governmental policies that promote innovation and sustainable development lead to environmental, social, and economic improvements in the EU countries. Our study uses the Eurostat data for 27 European Union countries. The literature review will include studies on sustainable innovation ecosystems. In the second chapter, we will describe the sustainable innovation ecosystems and ways to measure the sustainable outcomes of innovations. We study sustainable innovation ecosystems on a national level. We use partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to determine the influence of governmental policies on sustainable outcomes, with product and process innovation as mediating variables. Under sustainable outcomes, we mean the economic, social, and environmental improvements on a national scale. The analysis is based on applying a quantitative method with empirical data using SmartPLS software. The results demonstrated a significant direct impact of governmental policies on innovation, as well as on environmental and social outcomes. However, they showed no indirect impacts connected to innovations. The results contribute to the current state of knowledge on sustainable innovation ecosystems and give policymakers valuable insights on factors that influence such ecosystems.

From FFT to sparse FFT: Innovations in efficient signal processing for large sparse data

This paper explores the advancements from the traditional Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to the Sparse Fast Fourier Transform (sFFT) and their implications for efficient signal processing of large, sparse datasets. FFT has long been a fundamental component in digital signal processing, significantly lowering the runtime of the Discrete Fourier Transform. However, the ingress of big data has necessitated much more efficient algorithms. In contrast, the sFFT exploits the sparsity in the signals themselves to reduce computational demand, and it becomes very efficient. This paper will discuss the theoretical backing of these two developments, FFT and sFFT, and the algorithmic development in both. In addition, it will also discuss the practical applications of both with emphasis on how the latter outperforms the former in large, sparse data. Comparative analysis shows that sFFT has far greater efficiency and noise tolerance, which is of value for network traffic analysis, astrophysical data analysis, and real-time medical imaging. The purpose of this paper is to provide clarity regarding these transformations and their relationship to being paradigms in modern signal analysis.

User experience testing methods: Conclusions from the literature

Industry 4.0 focuses on the digitalization of production processes and technological innovation. The concept of Industry 5.0 puts the focus on human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience at the heart of research and development and innovation (R&amp;D&amp;I) processes to allow industry to serve humanity with a long-term vision that considers planetary boundaries. Replacing the technology-driven approach with a fundamentally human-centric approach requires a deep understanding of the working environment and workers interacting with machines to optimize worker well-being, working conditions, and job outcomes. Analyzing computer work User eXperience (UX) in industrial environments is vital. However, user perceptions are usually hidden and a challenge to detect. Therefore, measuring and monitoring perceptions, emotional reactions, subjective elements, preferences, and attitudes in the relationships between usability, work performance, and workload is crucial. This study provides conclusions of a literature review on user experience studies focusing on UX testing methods and the disciplines linked to industrial diversification. Based on literature analysis, it identifies UX testing methods and create own grouping to analyze them. It also examines the disciplinary context of user experience testing.

Maximising Hackathon Impact: A Comprehensive Framework for Sustaining Post-Event Outcome

Since 2020, numerous guides and tools have been available for designing, planning, and running hackathons in fields such as software engineering, ICT, and healthcare. However, a substantial gap is observed in the post-event phase of hackathons' life cycle, directly affecting the sustainability of results. This bears significant implications for hackathon events per se, as well as for ecosystem stakeholders, in medium-term and long-term perspectives. This paper addresses the issue of low valorisation of hackathon-derived solutions and assists their direct exploitation. We aim to provide a framework for hackathon organisers, managers, policymakers, and intermediary bodies maximising impact of such events. To achieve this, we investigate the relationship between event-level success and ecosystem-level impact. We draw upon the practices and data from the ENTREPRENEDU project hackathons, a Horizon Europe-funded program coordinated by the E. Amaldi Foundation. This series of hackathons, held in three different countries, helped identify key aspects for further investigation and served as the groundwork to define/frame our research question. We conducted literature review, examining papers and reports to explore how hackathon-derived knowledge is valorised within entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. Our research aimed to identify how the already known success factors of a well-designed event contribute to the sustainability of outcomes and assess their relationship. We link hackathon success indicators juxtaposed to relevant factors. While acknowledging the complexity and multifactorial nature of innovation process and knowledge diffusion, we believe that our study advances the potential for hackathons’ greater impact by providing a cohesive framework.

Inter‐organizational cooperation, financial constraints, and firm's innovation: evidence from five African countries

The study examines whether to collaborate or with whom to collaborate to alleviate the adverse effect of financial constraints on innovation. It utilizes a survey of 1611 firms from five African countries, using from two merged datasets: the Innovation Follow‐Ups Survey and the World Bank Enterprise Survey. The study uses the 2014 survey waves, the latest innovation survey data for African countries. The result shows that inter‐organizational cooperation effectively alleviates the adverse influence of financial constraints on product innovation, while it only reduces its effect on process innovation. Specifically, cooperation with domestic firms, foreign firms, academic or research institutions, government, and consulting companies alleviates the adverse effect of financial constraints on product innovation. However, except for cooperation with the government, other modes of cooperation reduce but do not completely alleviate the adverse impact of financial constraints on a firm's process innovation. Firms with cooperation arrangements with the government can effectively alleviate the negative effect of financial constraints on both product and process innovation. The study further shows that different modes of cooperation have distinct effects on a firm's likelihood of having product or process innovation. Managers of financially constrained companies can consider cooperation as a coping strategy to mitigate the adverse influence of financial constraints on their innovation performance but should pay attention to partner selection.

The Functional Mechanisms through Which Artificial Intelligence Influences the Innovation of Green Processes of Enterprises

Green process innovation is an important strategy in the high-quality development of enterprises. Digital technology is becoming a key factor in helping businesses address environmental issues and contributes to their green process innovation and sustainable growth. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies on how particular digital technology categories affect corporate green process innovation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is an important part of digitalization as it can provide new technical means and guidance for enterprise’s innovation of green processes. This study aims to fills this research gap by revealing the logical relationship between digital technology and the green development of enterprises. Using China’s A-share-listed companies as the research object from 2013 to 2022, this study employed a two-way fixed-effects model and investigated the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on corporate green process innovation and the moderating effect of multidimensional intellectual capital. The results revealed that AI positively impacts corporate green process innovation. Human capital, structural capital, employed capital, and relational capital strengthen this positive effect. Robustness tests validated these conclusions. This study expands the literature on digital technology and corporate green innovation and provides a reference for enterprises to implement green practices using digital technology.