Innovative Shape Research Articles

THE MECHANISM FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF MACHINE-BUILDING ENTERPRISES IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT

The article delves deeply into the significance of machine-building in Ukraine’s economy, emphasizing its profound impact on the Gross Domestic Product and the overarching national economic security. It sheds light on the pivotal role of cutting-edge technologies, the essence of production automation, and the imperativeness of intellectualization in bolstering an enterprise’s competitive stance in the market. The research underscores the paramount importance of strategic evolution, the infusion of product innovations, and the relentless modernization of the enterprise’s core assets. Such endeavors not only cater to contemporary market demands but also fortify the enterprise’s position, ensuring its sustained growth and relevance in an ever-evolving economic landscape. The article further explores the challenges faced by the machine-building sector, the potential solutions to overcome these challenges, and the future prospects of this vital industry in the context of global trends and technological advancements. Additionally, it delves into the intricate interplay between policy-making, industry standards, and the role of innovation in shaping the trajectory of the machine-building sector in Ukraine. The research also provides insights into market dynamics, competitive strategies, and the potential pathways for the industry to navigate the complexities of the global market. Emphasis is placed on understanding the global context, the role of research and development, and the importance of fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the industry. The article also discusses the potential of collaboration between industry stakeholders, the role of government in facilitating growth, and the need for a holistic approach to address the multifaceted challenges faced by the sector.

Influence of Core Cellular Structures on Collapse Mechanisms Maps of Sandwich Beams

The main advantage of 3D printing is manufacturing complex and innovative shapes which guarantee high mechanical properties. Therefore, it is necessary easily figure out the most suitable structure for the required design requirements. The well-known strategy to design sandwich panels is evaluating collapse maps as they determine the panel performances based on their geometrical features. The aim of this study is to update the traditional collapse maps by showing how the core shape can improve the sandwich beam performance. The collapse maps proposed are based on advanced analytical models than the traditional Gibson theories. The analytical modelling of the indentation phenomenon is based on Vlasov’s model. The analytical modelling of the bending phenomenon is based on the First Shear Order Theory. The overall panel stress and strain maps are computed superposing both effects. A composite sandwich panels with Gyroid core based are analyzed to verify the proposed model consistency. A core failure criterion is chosen by experimental testing evidence on the representative core structure. Once the computed stress state overtakes failure criterion ones, the critical load is defined. In the end, the model is exploited to compare the performances of four sandwich panels with cores based on different lattice structures.

How does digital technology innovation enhance firm value? A dual route model

Differs to digital innovation, which is application-oriented of digital technologies, digital technology innovation focuses on developing and creating new digital technologies (creation-oriented). Thus, digital technology innovation forms the foundation of digital innovation. Increasingly, firms, especially those in manufacturing, are recognizing the crucial role of digital technology innovation in shaping their intangible value. In order to determine whether digital technology innovation can enhance firm value and the specific mechanism involved, this study draws on patent data (the fields of digital technology are defined based on IPC) and annual report data of listed manufacturing firms in China to reveal the specific relationship between digital technology innovation and the enhancement of firm value. We find that that digital technology innovation can make a significant contribution to firm value; more important, the relationships between digital technology innovation and lowering costs, upgrading efficiency can be characterized as an inverted U-shaped pattern and a Ushaped pattern, respectively. These results hold after the several robustness checks. Additional analyses show that these relationships differ significantly across types of state ownership, firm size, and location feature. Finally, our mechanism analysis suggests that lowering costs and upgrading efficiency driven by digital technology innovation is a key component of the value-enhancing effect.

Can Culture Stimulate Innovation for Technopreneurship? A Grounded Theory Method

Among factors influencing and shaping innovation in different societies is the prevailing culture. Most forms of individualistic cultures affect innovation significantly and positively. key factors that influence innovation among early-stage startups are government interventions, innovation policy and financing. This study has three key objectives. The first is to examine how culture influences innovation among technology startups in Malaysia. The second objective is to explore factors associated with technology innovation. The third objective is to assess how innovation influence financing for technology startups. The study employs grounded theory as the main methodological approach to analyze primary data. A qualitative survey carried out a series of semi-structured interviews with technology entrepreneurs[1], relevant government agencies, industry associations, venture capitalists and leading accelerators. The study finds that culture can be an impediment to innovation. Factors such as collective culture and herd mentality behavior were identified as barriers to innovation and fear of failure was attributed to low entrepreneurial innovation. Entrepreneurial attitude, on the other hand, was identified as a significant quality that is positively related to innovation among technology startups. Data analysis reveals that technopreneurs who display a positive attitude, determination, perseverance and self-efficacy are more likely to display some form of innovation in their startup. These technopreneurs were more likely to be financed by venture capital funds and private or angel investors. Other factors that influence innovation are, the capacity to commercialize, overall entrepreneurship culture, incubators facilities and capabilities and market size. Based on the findings, the study offers a proposed framework that encapsulates elements, factors and components that affect innovation.

Can Culture Stimulate Innovation for Technopreneurship? A Grounded Theory Method

Among factors influencing and shaping innovation in different societies is the prevailing culture. Most forms of individualistic cultures affect innovation significantly and positively. key factors that influence innovation among early-stage startups are government interventions, innovation policy and financing. This study has three key objectives. The first is to examine how culture influences innovation among technology startups in Malaysia. The second objective is to explore factors associated with technology innovation. The third objective is to assess how innovation influence financing for technology startups. The study employs grounded theory as the main methodological approach to analyze primary data. A qualitative survey carried out a series of semi-structured interviews with technology entrepreneurs[1], relevant government agencies, industry associations, venture capitalists and leading accelerators. The study finds that culture can be an impediment to innovation. Factors such as collective culture and herd mentality behavior were identified as barriers to innovation and fear of failure was attributed to low entrepreneurial innovation. Entrepreneurial attitude, on the other hand, was identified as a significant quality that is positively related to innovation among technology startups. Data analysis reveals that technopreneurs who display a positive attitude, determination, perseverance and self-efficacy are more likely to display some form of innovation in their startup. These technopreneurs were more likely to be financed by venture capital funds and private or angel investors. Other factors that influence innovation are, the capacity to commercialize, overall entrepreneurship culture, incubators facilities and capabilities and market size. Based on the findings, the study offers a proposed framework that encapsulates elements, factors and components that affect innovation.

Smart City trends and innovations shaping the future of cities

Smart City trends and innovations shaping the future of cities

Role of opportunity creation between reconfiguration and innovation: Insights from emerging market international new ventures

There exists a need to further examine capabilities that enable emerging market international new ventures (INVs) to create innovation offerings that drive performance. Although conceptual studies highlight the importance of reconfiguration capability towards innovation and performance, such relationships in the emerging market INV context require further empirical analysis. Moreover, there is a conflict in the literature as to whether reconfiguration capability supports innovation and performance directly or indirectly. As the pursuit of opportunities beyond domestic borders is central to INV research, opportunity creation is a key inquiry to advance our understanding of how reconfiguration capability facilitates innovation and performance in the emerging market INV context. Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory and creation theory, we empirically examine the interplay between reconfiguration capability, opportunity creation, innovation, and international performance. In addition, we study opportunity creation as a mediator between reconfiguration capability towards innovation and performance, respectively. The findings reveal reconfiguration capability does not directly support innovation but does shape innovation through opportunity creation. Reconfiguration capability directly supports performance objectives of emerging market INVs, and indirectly through opportunity creation.

Addressing energy poverty through technological and governance innovation

BackgroundEnergy poverty has gained much traction over the last decades, holding both high multidisciplinary conceptual value, but also profound implications from a social policy perspective, being closely linked to the quality of life and well-being. The goal of our study is to evaluate recent measures aimed at tackling energy poverty in Europe by analysing the extent to which they are innovative on technological and governance dimensions. We do so by building an analytical tool which combines evaluation criteria along these two dimensions and by employing it for the analysis of twenty measures aimed at tackling energy poverty that have been designed and employed in ten European countries. These measures were selected with the support of an expert panel.ResultsWe identify three categories of innovative measures aimed at alleviating energy poverty: (1) measures with high technological scores, (2) measures with high governance scores, and (3) measures with high scores on both axes. The measures in the third category incorporate a variety of actors in sustainable partnerships and implement monitoring tools throughout the process, complementary to incorporating new technologies into the domestic sphere and promoting consumer awareness and consumption pattern transformation.ConclusionsOur findings allow for a better perspective on the shape innovation takes in the context of energy poverty policies. Based on our research, we argue that combining technological innovation and governance innovation has a better chance of generating more articulate and scalable, and potentially successful measures with respect to their purpose of tackling energy poverty, since the drivers of energy poverty rarely pertain to only technology or only governance.

The role of proximity in the design of innovation intermediaries' business models

Collaboration between science and industry is arguably more vital than ever to improve the capacity for advanced innovation and value creation. However, there is considerable diversity among the actors of innovation ecosystems, which raises the question of the roles and positions of specific actors: the innovation intermediaries. These are meant to be boundary organizations, developing proximity to favor collaborations. Spatial and non-spatial proximities are crucial in the innovation process and can be framed to better understand the role and configuration of innovation intermediaries, as well as the design of their business models. Based on a longitudinal case study of a new, atypical, intermediary organization within a French university, this research was conducted through an original perspective, articulating the business model with the proximity dimensions. The results reveal the nature and the role of proximity in the emergence and development of an innovation intermediary. The business model can frame the proximity choices and decisions. On a dynamic perspective, we reveal “proximity-making” processes shaping innovation intermediaries' business models, for their survival in complex environments. Beyond theoretical contributions, we finally present implications for universities, managers and policymakers.

Does Innovation Play a Role in the Relationship Between Corporate Social and Financial Performance? A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract: Purpose: This research aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge map of the intellectual structure of the field of study on the role of innovation in shaping the social and financial performance link. Research methodology: Systematic literature review using the SALSA (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis) Method based on a 10-year data set (2012-2021) from the “Google Scholar” database. Results: The findings point to the existence of a positive influence of innovation in linking Corporate Social Performance to firm Financial Performance and reveal the existence of five themes in the research, specifically complementarity between Corporate Social Responsibility and innovation, the special case of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the context of emerging countries. Also, we highlight a lack of research in this field and the theoretical, design, and methodological limitations of previous studies. Limitations: The primary limitation of this study is the small number of studies that address the research question addressed by this systematic literature review, which was generated by the research protocol. Contribution: The study suggests avenues for future research to address the previous shortcomings. Particularly, identifying the condition effects through which innovation may affect the studied relationship. Keywords: 1. Corporate financial performance (CFP) 2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 3. Innovation 4. Mediation 5. Moderation

The agency costs of family ownership: Evidence from innovation performance

The paper examines how controlling ownership by a family group affects a firm’s innovation by exploiting the unique disclosure regime of Taiwanese public firms that reflects the genealogy of the controlling family. A causal relationship is identified using the number of the CEO’s siblings as an instrumental variable for ownership collectively held by the controlling family. The findings suggest that agency costs generated by family ownership dominate the benefit of the social capital attached to the family group. Evidence shows that agency costs are attributable to excess control rights rather than to conflicting family and business objectives. However, the negative impact on innovation is mitigated when external governance from large shareholders is present and when high financing costs are expected. The study disentangles the various factors generating agency costs and sheds light on how the distribution of corporate control shapes innovation performance.

How market orientation shapes innovation and firm performance

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Strong focus on key elements of marketing orientation can enable firms to become more innovative and improve performance. For those expanding into overseas markets, acquisition of key foreign knowledge supported by strong absorptive capacity helps increase the potential to achieve these desired outcomes. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Development and investigation of an innovative shape memory alloy cable‐controlled self‐centering viscoelastic coupling beam damper for seismic mitigation in coupled shear wall structures

AbstractTo improve the seismic performance of coupled shear walls in high‐rise buildings and to eliminate the problems of large residual deformation and relatively small initial stiffness and damping properties of the traditional viscoelastic coupling beam damper (TVCBD), an innovative shape memory alloy (SMA)‐cable‐controlled self‐centering viscoelastic coupling beam damper (SVCBD) with energy dissipation and self‐centering capabilities was designed and investigated in this study. The construction form and operating principles of the SVCBD were proposed, relevant material performance tests of the cables were performed, and good results were obtained. Finally, the contribution of the SVCBD to seismic mitigation of a 10‐story reinforced concrete coupled shear wall structure was verified by seismic time‐history analyses. The results indicated that compared with TVCBD, SVCBD possesses fuller hysteretic curves, showing stronger energy dissipation capacity, higher initial stiffness, and much smaller residual deformation. The initial strain and cross‐sectional area of the SMA cables and the shear area of the viscoelastic plates affect the energy dissipation and self‐centering performance of SVCBD significantly. The seismic response and post‐earthquake residual deformation of the coupled shear wall structure and the plastic damage of the main components can be effectively controlled by utilizing the proposed SVCBD.

How important are capital controls in shaping innovation activity?

This paper studies the role of capital controls in shaping innovation activity through the finance of R&D investment. The paper offers insights into the real effects of financial sector on the economy. It first asks whether capital controls shape innovation activity, both from the input (R&D) and output (patents) side. Based on a large dataset that includes 53 developed and emerging countries over the period 1996–2016 and a fixed effects identification and appropriate instrumentation strategy, results support a robust inverse U-shaped relationship between capital controls and R&D. Capital restrictions can be beneficial for R&D investment till a certain point and thereafter have detrimental negative effects, particularly for patents. Second, it asks whether the composition of restrictions of individual assets in the aggregate capital control index matters. We find equity-based finance restrictions greatly shape innovation activity, whereas controls on credit (bank) and direct investment assets exert no effect.

EXPLORING THIN SHELL PROFILED STEEL SHEET ROOFING ELEMENT FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL CONTEXT

Many governments all over the world are trying to fulfill the second basic need of shelter of human being by the affordable quality housing. Roofing is an important part of building in structural, architectural and aesthetic point of view. Due to rapid increasing different types of industry as well as growing cities and population, thin shell profiled steel sheet roofing element are using for architectural and structural purpose. Its lightness, corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio properties make them attractive to engineer and architect. Nowadays, profiled steel sheet thin shell roofing element is used in buildings, stadiums, airports, and industrial factories and other architectural applications. Innovative shapes of roofs using profiled steel sheet can be used aesthetic and structurally efficient. The objective of this study is to investigate thin shell profiled steel sheet roofing element for architectural and structural context. An extensive lab testing and finite element studies on parabolic and doubly curve shape profile steel sheet roofing has been conducted. Mode of failure, load of ultimate failure and deformation–load performance of parabolic and doubly curve shape thin shell profile steel roofing is presented in this study. It is observed that the specimens tended to fail in the concave portion for curve portion of roofing. It was a great attempt to find out aesthetically pleasing as well as structurally efficient parabolic and double curve shape of shell roofing on the basis of present results. It is showed that parabolic doubly curve roofing element is suitable for architectural and structural point of views. So, those innovative shapes of roofs using profiled steel sheet can plays an important role and explore innovation idea for different construction industries.

3D printed custom gas cam for race bike application using Progrip® lock on grips mod.708

Background: The “drive by wire” mechanism for managing the throttle is not applied to every modern motorcycle, but it is often managed through a steel wire. Here, there is a cam on the throttle control. Its shape allows the throttle opening to be faster or slower and its angle of rotation, required for full opening, to be greater or less. The maximum angle a rider's wrist can withstand depends on numerous musculoskeletal mobility factors, often limited by falls or surgery. Methods: Using a Progrip knob with interchangeable cams allows the customization of a special cam profile, to ensure the best engine response to throttle rotation and ergonomics for the rider. The use of FEA software and lattice structures, allows to realize a lightweight and efficient design, targeted for fabrication with additive manufacturing technologies. Results: The cam was manufactured by exploiting MSLA technology. Finally, a dimensional inspection procedure was performed before assembly. The main result is to have obtained a lighter and cheaper component than the original. Conclusions: This study has allowed the design of a mechanical component consisting of innovative shape, light weight, and ergonomics. Furthermore, it demonstrates the effectiveness in the use of lattice structures to enable weight optimization of a component while minimizing the increase in its compliance.

An innovative shape memory alloy flexible circumferential joint for tunnel seismic mitigation

Under strong ground motion, shield tunnels passing through uneven soil layers are easily damaged. Based on the concept of elastic washers, a shape memory alloy (SMA) flexible circumferential joint for longitudinal seismic mitigation of shield tunnels is proposed to achieve seismic mitigation with minimal impact; it is composed of SMA ring springs and ordinary joint bolts. The test performance and influencing factors of SMA ring springs are discussed. Then, based on the analytical solution of the SMA ring spring, the design method of the SMA flexible circumferential joint is proposed. The mechanical properties of the SMA flexible circumferential joint under different loads are studied through the numerical simulation of tunnel joints. Test, analysis and simulation results indicate that SMA ring springs have good energy dissipation and self-recovery effects and can satisfy the mechanical performance requirements of elastic washers. The joint design method can conveniently and efficiently design suitable SMA flexible circumferential joint. Numerical simulations show that under various loads, the joints can reduce the longitudinal stiffness of the tunnel and dissipate energy. The joint can improve the ability of the tunnel to adapt to the soil deformation under earthquakes, reduce the internal force of the structure and at the same time achieve energy dissipation effect, thereby enhancing the seismic safety of the tunnel.

Environmental Performance of Deconstructable Concrete Beams Made with Recycled Aggregates

The construction sector is one of the most energy-intensive and raw-material-demanding human activities and, hence, contributes a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions. As a matter of principle, making the construction sector “greener” is one of the main challenges for policy makers, private companies and the scientific community. For this reason, one of the most promising actions is based on recycling Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) and converting them into secondary raw materials for the construction sector itself. Moreover, the reduction of the environmental impact can be further amplified through the optimization of the production, assembly and deconstruction/reuse procedures and through the maximization of the service life. In this aim, the present work aims at analyzing the environmental performance of duly sized and designed prefabricated Decontructable and Reusable Beam (DRB) incorporating with Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) assembled by means of an innovative system based on a memory®-steel prestressing technique. The environmental performance is evaluated through Life Cycle Assessment with a cradle-to-gate approach: the analysis of 16 midpoint impact categories was conducted using the methodology proposed by EN15804. In this context, three allocation scenarios for avoided impacts due to reuse (100-0, 50:50 and 0-100) were considered, and a sensitivity analysis was performed. It was verified that due to the higher amount of post-tensioning required for the innovative shape memory alloy steel bars, the DRBs present inferior environmental performance than the Ordinary Beams (ORB). However, when analyzing the reuse scenarios, it was observed that the DRB could have considerably lower impacts, depending on the type of allocation procedure adopted in LCA modeling. This study brings as the main contribution an evaluation and some design guidelines for the development of circular concrete structures based on the principles of Design for Deconstruction (DfD) and the prefabricated process.

How sanitary pads came to save the world: Knowing inclusive innovation through science and the marketplace.

International development institutions, governments, and social entrepreneurs have become increasingly enthusiastic about 'inclusive innovation' which, to solve problems in low- and middle-income countries, focuses on the development of technologies for and by the poor. Inclusive innovation differs from previous development efforts by focusing on devices instead of infrastructure, claiming to be based on scientific evidence, and relying on market logics to achieve humanitarian ends. Proponents argue that, informed by grassroots efforts, these interventions have enormous potential to catalyze economic, social, and political change. How are the market and technological imperatives of inclusive innovation shaping the international development agenda? What do inclusion and innovation mean in this context? What can inclusive innovation tell us about the proliferation of initiatives that promote technology for public good, from responsible innovation to public interest technology? This article examines these questions through a case study of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) innovation in India. Rather than providing solutions to self-evident development problems, inclusive innovation shapes both development problems and solutions simultaneously, in areas where scientific and market ways of knowing converge. These ways of knowing claim to be legitimate because they are rooted in local knowledge and expertise. MHM in India became a problem, and low-cost disposable sanitary pads an inclusive innovative solution, because of the involvement of Indian researchers and innovators, and Indian girls and women as consumers and producers. However, in the process they reinforced narrow understandings of both inclusion and innovation in international development. Inclusion efforts may be wrapped up in political economies that shape and limit their transformational power by prioritizing scientific, technical, and market expertise.

Ageing as a driver of progressive politics? What the European Silver Economy teaches us about the co-constitution of ageing and innovation

AbstractAgeing has become a ubiquitous concern in European policy. Critics have bemoaned that such policies are not so much about older people but rather about finding justification for other policy aims, such as economic growth or technological innovation. However, such critiques do not capture the co-constitutive relationship between ageing and innovation shaping one another. Using the example of the Silver Economy discourse, we show that ageing has not only been reframed under the imperatives of economic and innovation policies, but that ageing itself can also affect those policies. In its formative stages, the Silver Economy was characterised by a number of tensions between, on the one hand, common ageist assumptions about old age and, on the other hand, alternative visions of what ageing could mean as a policy field. However, these potentials have later been domesticated within the broader field of Active and Healthy Ageing. In this Forum Article, we therefore hypothesise what it would mean to take ageing more seriously as a driver of progressive politics as indicated in those formative years of the Silver Economy. Such a speculative take on current old-age policy, we hold, opens up a number of fruitful avenues and new interfaces between critical researchers, practitioners and policy makers interested in driving progressive politics.