Product Innovation Process Research Articles

The potential of blockchain technology in advancing sustainable energy: a study on the mediating role of specialization in the growth of Chinese hidden champions

Innovation is a crucial factor for hidden champions to gain a competitive edge and foster organizational growth. This study focuses on Chinese-listed hidden champion firms between 2010 and 2019 and examines the impact of innovation heterogeneity on their growth. The study explores the impact of different types of innovation, including overall innovation, product innovation, and process innovation, and their interaction effects on the growth of hidden champions. The study also investigates the mediating role of the degree of specialization, which refers to the extent to which a firm focuses on a particular area of expertise. Furthermore, the potential of blockchain technology in advancing a sustainable energy future is becoming increasingly apparent. By enabling the creation of decentralized energy markets, blockchain can facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into the grid. This can help to reduce carbon emissions and promote the transition to a low-carbon economy. The results of the study indicate that innovation, including overall innovation, product innovation, and process innovation, is significant for hidden champions’ growth. Moreover, the study reveals that product innovation and process innovation have complementary effects on the growth of hidden champions. The degree of specialization also plays a mediating role between different types of innovation and hidden champions’ growth. The results of this study provide empirical evidence to improve the growth of hidden champions from the perspective of enterprise innovation. By focusing on different types of innovation and understanding their complementary effects, firms can develop a more comprehensive innovation strategy that can enhance their growth potential. Moreover, the mediating role of degree of specialization highlights the importance of aligning innovation efforts with a firm’s core competencies to achieve sustained growth. This study contributes to the literature on hidden champions by shedding light on their innovation strategies and their impact on firm growth.

A zero discharge, carbon-neutral bi-fuel production process for algal biodiesel and renewable hydrogen

This work proposes a novel zero discharge, carbon-neutral bioprocess for the simultaneous production of algal biodiesel and renewable hydrogen. This innovative bi-fuel production process (BiFPP) consists of five units connected in series for biodiesel production, biodiesel purification, glycerol separation, glycerol steam reforming and hydrogen purification. To assess the techno-economic feasibility, the genetic algorithm based multi-objective optimization strategy is developed to minimize the total annual cost and CO2 emission level, and maximize the fuel purity. The optimal BiFPP scheme yields 97.3 mol % biodiesel and 98.8 mol % hydrogen, and thereby meets the standard specifications, ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. A heat exchanger network is designed with thermal coupling to secure the energy savings of 79.5% (heating load) and 50% (cooling load), leading to 93% reduction in utility cost. To achieve carbon neutrality, a CO2 sink for algae cultivation is finally proposed to integrate with this industrial-scale BiFPP process that overall yields a novel zero discharge bi-fuel production technology.

Identification and analysis of enterprise risks in the open product innovation: the case of Volkswagen Brazil

PurposeThe problem statement is how to identify and analyze the corporate risks involved in the relationships with external agents involved in the open product innovation process (OPIP)? Seeking to extend this investigation, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the enterprise risks identified in corporate relations with external agents of the OPIP. This study proposes the systematization of the process of identification and analysis of the enterprise risks involved in the process of open product innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe case explored in this study is the OPIP of Volkswagen do Brasil (VWB), one of the most important subsidiaries of the Volkswagen Group. Criteria were selected to both assessing corporate relations with external agents of the open innovation of VWB and analyzing the enterprise risks identified in these relations. Data collection included interviews with management-level professionals engaged in the OPIP activities and technical visits to a VWB’s industrial plant.FindingsResults demonstrate that the enterprise risks mostly affecting the OPIP have a critical impact on the manufacturing process and initial sales of the new product.Originality/valueThe originality of the study focuses on the proposal of a systematization of how to identify and analyze the corporate risks involved in the process of open product innovation. The study focuses on the theoretical frontier on the open innovation and enterprise risk management (ERM) in the open innovation process.

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ВНЕДРЕНИЯ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИОННЫХ ИННОВАЦИЙ В ПРОЦЕССЫ ПРОИЗВОДСТВА

The article is devoted to current problems of implementation of digital innovations in production processes. The author of the article identifies the most pressing issues regarding the success of the national program for the digitalization of the economy. The author notes that in the current economic and geopolitical crisis, the Russian Federation is in dire need of renovation of production processes based on modeling them with the help of innovative technologies. The author draws attention to the lack of any alternative to the national strategy for digitalization of the economy and suggests extending it with additional tactical and strategic solutions, which will help to overcome the economic crisis, as well as to ensure a sufficient degree of digital technology integration. The author notes that in the Russian Federation there is a particularly acute problem in the field of integration of innovative technologies – a quantitative shortage of highly qualified personnel in the digital sphere, as well as the recently observed emigration of IT industry specialists. In addition, the author notes the low motivation of employees of Russian companies to integrate digital technologies into their production process, which negatively affects economic productivity and security. Issues of technological sovereignty are particularly important today, which is why the author notes the need to attract investment to create their own digital production facilities. The author of the article also proposes to integrate digital technologies into management decision-making processes, which are directly related to the risks of optimizing production processes. The introduction of artificial intelligence in this area will make business more agile and adaptable in a potential economic crisis.

Skill‐replacing process innovation and the labour market: Theory and evidence

AbstractI study the differential impacts of product innovation and process innovation on the labour market. Using European data from 2000 to 2018, I find that industries with proportionally more firms reporting product innovation than process innovation also tend to exhibit a lower income share of low‐skilled workers. To better understand the mechanism, I develop a dynamic growth model in which firms conduct both types of innovation endogenously. In the model, product innovation introduces new intermediate goods, which tend to require high‐skilled workers to implement. Process innovation simplifies existing production technologies and thereby allows firms to replace high‐skilled workers with low‐skilled ones. I calibrate an extended version of the model to the largest two industries in UK in 2014 and 2018, respectively. I find that product innovation has become less costly but increasingly demanding for skills, and the cost of process innovation has increased on average and become more diverse across firms.

Knowledge Management: The Value of Inter and Intra-firm Activities Towards Innovation Performance

Firms mainly depend on innovation to remain competitive in business. New knowledge is a major resource for firms on the path of achieving innovation performance. This paper seeks to examine how intra-firm and inter-firm activities promote knowledge sharing toward innovation performance. We used the variables channels of information to represent inter-firm activities and workplace organization methods to represent intra-firm knowledge-sharing activities. The proxies for innovation performance were product innovation and business process innovation. Cross-sectional country-level data from CIS 2018 for 17 countries within the EU region was used for our study. The OLS regression method was used for the analysis. While existing studies concentrate on inter-firm knowledge transfer and single country-level studies, our study focuses on a blend of intra-firm and intra-firm cross-country studies. We also emphasized the value of knowledge sharing and cognition in the knowledge transfer process toward achieving firm innovation performance. Our model was built on the knowledge-based view (KBV) and social network theory (SNT). We found that cross-functional workgroups, conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions have a positive significant impact on both product and business process innovation. Published patent had a significant impact on product innovation but was not statistically significant for business process innovation. In conclusion, we found that intra-firm knowledge-sharing activities impact more on innovation performance of firms more than inter-firm knowledge-sharing activities of firms in the EU. Our study is limited to using cross-sectional data and the number of countries within the EU involved in the study. We believe longitudinal data and the involvement of more EU countries in future studies will yield robust findings for more reliable inferences.

Experimental verification of FRP bridge deck's monitoring system based on DFOS sensors

AbstractThe paper presents the smart FRP composite bridge panel called „OptiDeck“ with integrated distributed fibre optic sensors (DFOS), to monitor the panel's behavior. The panel is intended for use in newly build and refurbished road bridges. From structure point of view the uniqueness of the presented solution results from innovative technological production process to create a honeycomb core in thick sandwich panel. In order for the monitoring system to cover the entire surface of the panel and to detect local damage, it was necessary to use a modern solution based on geometrically continuous DFOS system. The DFOS system serves as the structure health monitoring (SHM) system, which has been tested during the production and laboratory testing of a prototypes in natural scale. The advantages of DFOS measurements are well known and applied in many civil engineering applications. However, the potential benefits are still not fully utilized. Finally the experimental verification of the DFOS system integrated with the FRP deck panel is presented.

Innovation Diffusion and Sustainable Development of Deposit Money Banks in South-South Nigeria: The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Marketing

Many deposit money banks in Nigeria are utilizing new technologies to innovate their products and services. But amidst these wins are some legitimate concerns about the credibility of the banks, customer trust, banks’ technical competence, capability to adopt innovations and the ability to sustain development. Framed by the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, this study explored the relationship between innovation diffusion and sustainable development of deposit money banks in Nigeria and the moderating role of entrepreneurial marketing. A quantitative and cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to consider three (3) hypotheses formulated for the study. Based on a population size of twenty-two (22) deposit money banks in south-south Nigeria, (Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), 2022), two (2) respondents; branch managers and marketing managers were drawn randomly from each of the banks for the survey. Therefore, forty-four (44) copies of questionnaire representing the total respondents were suitably designed and administered to obtain primary data. The face validity of the questionnaire was determined by experts comprising of researchers and business practitioners with satisfactory knowledge of the subject matter. The construct and content validity were established from earlier researchers who used it, but with few adjustments. The Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient reliability measure was also applied to determine the internal consistency of items in the questionnaire using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The Pearson moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the degree of relationship between the dimensions of innovation diffusion (product innovation diffusion and process innovation diffusion) and sustainable development. Partial correlation was used to examine moderation of entrepreneurial marketing on the relationship between innovation diffusion and sustainable development. Findings reveal that inn

STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN USAHA KRIPIK PISANG COKLAT UMKM DI DESA SAMBIREJO KECAMATAN WONOSALAM KABUPATEN JOMBANG

With the increasing number of small and medium entrepreneurs, the business competition is now getting tougher. Innovation and a good marketing strategy are needed in order to attract consumers. The development strategy is carried out so that production results develop into more innovative flavors, better production packaging, and marketing that is far more in control of the digital marketing system so that there is no lag in the digital marketing system. Sales strategies and innovations can help MSME players reach a wider market with higher-quality production standards. This community service was carried out in Sambirejo Village, Wonosalam District, Jombang Regency. The target of this activity is MSME players who need to develop the quality of their production with high economic potential and marketing development that needs to be improved. Through this activity, it was found that MSME actors had understood the development strategy process which would continue to be developed over time. With innovative production processes, attractive packaging, use of mass media, and marketplaces, MSME players have succeeded in developing markets and increasing income turnover

The Effect Of Product Innovation, And Process Innovation On Competitive Advantages And Marketing Performance Of Snack Products

Small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play an important role in Indonesia's economic growth by increasing income or employment opportunities. MSMEs contribute significantly to Indonesia's economic growth by creating jobs that produce goods and services that society needs. Every MSMEs must be able to survive and continue to grow, along with the increasing number of MSMEs every year with increasingly fierce competition. However, because MSMEs have a short product life cycle and are heavily influenced by consumer preferences. Innovation is one of the most effective strategies to maintain business and increase competitiveness. On the other hand, developing a new product is difficult because it is expensive and requires the product to have a competitive advantage over competing products. Making it difficult for MSMEs to do so because of limited capital. This is not only a problem for MSMEs in Indonesia, including Jember. This condition encourages the Government of Jember Regency to continue to strive to improve MSMEs through various activities or events that involve MSME business actors in snack products so they can market their products and improve their branding. This will certainly encourage the competitiveness and innovation of MSME snack product business actors, so that their products are unique and superior compared to their competitors. Therefore, MSME snack business actors need to optimize product innovation and process innovation to increase competitive advantage and marketing performance. Based on these phenomena and problems, the development of MSME food products in Sumbersari District, Kaliwates District, and Patrang District as central areas are opportunities to increase income and create jobs in the Jember Regency area. This study uses an associative research method with a questionnaire as a data collection instrument which is then distributed to MSME owners of snack products as respondents. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of product innovation and process innovation on the competitive advantage and marketing performance of MSME snack products in the Jember Regency.

A REVIEW OF THE FUTURE OF BIOMASS-BASED FERTILIZER IN INDONESIA

Biomass-based fertilizers, derived from plant or animal matter, are a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, derived from renewable sources and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. Biofertilizers, which contain beneficial microorganisms, increase nutrient absorption and promote plant growth. Biomass-based fertilizers offer numerous advantages over synthetic fertilizers, including organic matter and nutrient enrichment, reliance on renewable sources, soil health and conservation of biodiversity, and reducing agricultures reliance on chemical inputs. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, Indonesia can achieve its agricultural development goals. However, Indonesia faces challenges in feedstock availability, collection, processing infrastructure, quality control, farmer education, and economic viability. Challenges include improving organic waste management, establishing processing infrastructure, ensuring consistent quality control and standardization, increasing farmer awareness, and addressing economic viability and market development. The future of biomass-based fertilizers in Indonesia holds great potential, with research and development efforts resulting in innovations in production processes, feedstock management, and nutrient formulation. Government support and policy, integration with circular economy practices, and export potential are also key future prospects. KEYWORDS: Biomass; circular economy; fertilizer; sustainability; waste management

Green transformational leadership and green innovation in megaprojects: is green knowledge sharing a missing link?

PurposeGreen innovation (GI) in megaprojects has become a significant research topic that attracts both megaproject management scholars' and practitioners' attention. Green transformational leadership (GTL) is acknowledged as an important antecedent to GI in the permanent context. However, limited research investigates the mechanism and condition of how GTL effectively affects GI in the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. This study seeks to examine the mechanism and condition of GTL in improving GI by assessing the mediating role of green knowledge sharing (GKS) and the moderating effect of innovation climate (IC).Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis was performed on data obtained from 303 experts who have been involved in megaprojects.FindingsGTL has a significant positive impact on two aspects of GI, including green product innovation (GPDI) and green process innovation (GPCI). Besides, GKS mediates the relationship between GTL and the two aspects of GI. Moreover, IC plays a significantly positive moderating role in the relationship between GTL and GKS and the relationship between GKS and the two aspects of GI.Originality/valueThis study adds knowledge to the theory and practice by unveiling the “black box” between GTL and GI in the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. First, this study extends the continuing discussion on the direct effect of GTL on GI to the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. Second, this study facilitates the understanding of the mechanism to generate better GI performance considering the mediating role of GKS and the moderating effect of IC in the temporary (i.e. megaproject) context. The results can illuminate megaproject practitioners on generating better GI performance.

Research on the heterogeneity of technical innovation in the Chinese e-cigarette industry – rethinking the A-U model

PurposeUnlike traditional industries, the e-cigarette is an epoch-making innovative product originating in China and occupying an absolute competitive advantage in the international market. The traditional A-U model describes the laws and characteristics of technological innovation in developed countries. In contrast, the inverse A-U model depicts the process of “secondary innovation” in late-developing countries through digestion and absorption. This paper aims to find out that if the e-cigarette, as a “first innovation” industry in a late-developing country, conform to the A-U model or conform to the “inverse A-U model”.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes the patent data of e-cigarettes from 2004 to 2021 as the research object, and uses Python’s Jieba segment words to divide product innovation and process innovation, and then uses statistical analysis methods to conduct empirical analyses on these data.FindingsThus, an improved A-U model suitable for the e-cigarette industry is proposed. In this model, product innovation in the e-cigarette industry appeared earlier than process innovation, but the synchronous development of product and process innovation is not lagging. The improved A-U model in the e-cigarette industry is not only different from the traditional A-U model but also does not conform to the inverse A-U model.Research limitations/implicationsIt is conducive to expanding and clarifying the theoretical contribution and applicable boundaries of the A-U model and has sparked thinking and exploration of the A-U model in e-cigarettes and emerging industries.Practical implicationsOn this basis, suggestions on the development path and countermeasures of the e-cigarette industry are put forward.Originality/valueBased on the e-cigarette industry, this paper takes patents as the research object and provides the method of dividing product innovation and process innovation, and proposes an A-U model suitable for the e-cigarette industry on this basis. By comparing the traditional A-U model with the inverse A-U model in latecomer countries, the background and causes of e-cigarette A-U model heterogeneity are analyzed from different stages and overall morphology. Based on this, the heterogeneity characteristics of e-cigarette innovation are summarized and sorted out.

EFFECT OF GREEN INNOVATION AND GREEN PROCESS INNOVATION ON FIRM PERFORMANCE

This research aims to obtain empirical evidence on the effect of green process innovation on firm performance and provides empirical evidence that green innovation products have a positive effect on firm performance. This research conducted manufacture firm registered on Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2016-2020. The sample in this study was obtained using a purposive sampling technique and based on predetermined criteria, a sample of 103 firm-years was obtained. The analytical method used is multiple linear analysis method with the E-views version 12. The independent variables in this study are green product innovation and green process innovation. Firm performance is the dependent variable in this study, while firm size and firm age is the control variable in this study. The results of this study indicate green product innovation have affect to firm performance at t+1 and t+2 and green process innovation has no affect to firm performance. This research contributes in terms of provide empirical evidence for researchers about the concept of green innovation and how it affects firm performance.

The Dynamics of Innovation on Firm Performance: Empirical Analysis of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Firms in Sindh Pakistan

Innovation is defined as the process of producing developing new products and services for significant positive change, innovation is a crucial driver of economic growth and societal progress. Aim of this paper is to analyze the direct, indirect, and total effects of exogenous variables product innovation, process innovation, and organizational innovation, with the mediating effects of organizational innovation capability and dynamic capability on endogenous variable firm performance. In the context of Resource Based view theory organizational achievement is defined with reference to utilization resources, proficiencies to achieve competitive advantage, sustainable and viable. In the framework of this concepts, innovation which leads to shape resources capabilities for better performance in pharmaceutical manufacturing firms of Sindh. Path analysis approach is incorporated for analyzing multivariate causal effect, a five-point Likert scale, and a pretested, closed ended questionnaire was used for feedback of responses. Cluster sampling technique is incorporated for compilation of data, by using SPSS 25 version software for demographic statistics, and PLS 3.5.V for inferential statistics. Direct, indirect, and total effects is significantly positive, except PI > to DC > is insignificantly associated with firm performance. Partial mediation is established by the, product innovation, and organizational innovation through organization innovation capability and dynamic capability with firm performance.The limitation only cover the pharmaceutical manufacturing firms al so limitations are expelled various variables of firm performance because of limited time. Beside these limitations, this study provides direction to top management and policymakers for enhancing of performance of manufacturing firms of Sindh.

Product and business process innovation, competitive advantage and export performance

PurposeThis paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between innovation and export performance by examining the effect of different types of innovation on export performance and testing the assumption underlying most studies in the field that competitive advantage mediates this relationship.Design/methodology/approachFrom the literature review, this paper proposes a research model that is estimated using a sample of 200 Spanish exporting manufacturing companies. Data for this study were collected with an ad hoc questionnaire, and the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was chosen to analyze the data.FindingsThe results show that there is a positive relationship between product and business process innovation and export performance and that competitive advantage mediates this relationship, but only when it is based on costs, not on differentiation.Originality/valueThis paper provides evidence that product and business process innovation are positively related to export performance and that competitive advantage mediates these relationships, but only when the advantage is low cost. Unexpectedly, this paper finds that differentiation is neither related to export performance nor explains the relationship between innovation and export performance.

Unleashing the potentials of digital twinning in the production of composite aircraft components

The aircraft industry is continuously challenged to deliver more complex products in order to meet increasingly stricter regulations and growing customer demands, to provide better quality products in larger quantities, and to pay more attention to reusability and circularity issues. At the same time, the industry needs to work with lower costs, shorter lead and production times, less waste, delay, energy consumption, and emissions, and reduce its dependence on non-renewable materials. To keep up with these challenges, the industry automates and continuously innovates as much as is possible. The increasing use of composites in aircraft and aircraft components adds the extra challenge of rapidly bringing innovative manufacturing processes to the factory floor. Aircraft product design, analysis, testing, and production are increasingly being digitized and automated, and consequently involve, and produce, more and more data. Digital twinning is an important enabler for mastering and exploiting this ever-growing plethora of data. In this paper we discuss the potentials of digital twinning in innovative production processes in the aircraft industry, and describe first-hand results and experiences in developing and using digital twinning in the production of composite aircraft components, illustrated by concrete example applications.

Investigating the Impact of Industry 4.0 Technology through a TOE-Based Innovation Model

Technological change has drastically shaped developments in the manufacturing and service industries. Integrating Industry 4.0 technologies in business practice is an emerging trend for future-oriented enterprises. By linking the TOE (technology-organization-environment) framework with product innovation, process innovation, and company performance, this research proposes a TOE-based innovation model to investigate Industry 4.0. The test results identified that Industry 4.0 technology adoption can be determined by compatibility, top management support, and competitive pressures, unexpectedly, not cost or employee capability; technology adoption can only indirectly influence company performance through mediation effects of product and process innovation. Results also revealed that industry type and global trade could play moderation roles in the technology adoption process: compared to the manufacturing industry, employee capability seems to be more influential on technology adoption in the service industry; global trade activities cannot significantly impact the technology adoption process, but trade companies are more likely to achieve more process innovation after such adoption. This study can enrich the theoretical bases of Industry 4.0 and confer a better understanding of the ongoing technological revolution in developing countries, which may offer some new insights for practitioners and academics.

The Effects of Employee Training on Open Innovation in Emerging Markets : Evidence from ASEAN countries

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of employee training programs on open innovation performance in Southeast Asian emerging markets. In particular, we investigate the impacts of general job training and innovation-focused training on product innovation and process innovation with or entirely by external partners as well as the purchase of intellectual property right by firms in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. To this end, we select 6,024 firms from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) dataset and adopt the Heckman two-stage regression model to control for endogeneity. This study finds that both general and innovation-focused training have positive impacts on product and processes innovation with or entirely by external partners. Both types of training are also positively associated with the purchase of intellectual property right. The findings of this study have important implications as they emphasize the role of employee training in Southeast Asian emerging markets.

Tedarik Zincirinde Firmalar Arası Ilişkileri Yönetmenin En Iyi Aşaması Hangisidir?

The level of innovation in a product should determine the best stage at which inter-relationship collaboration in a supply chain is engaged in developing new products. Unfortunately, there is a lack of consensus in the relevant literature on the specific stage for inter-relationship collaboration in a supply chain in transformative technologies. For example, the inter-relationship collaboration in a supply chain becomes significant at a later stage of disruptive innovation when the most cutting-edge product or technology must be marketed. On the other hand, inter-relationship collaboration in a supply chain should be included in the innovation process at a much earlier stage to ensure a more comprehensive supplier engagement. Several researchers have examined suppliers' role in product innovations; nevertheless, none of the published supplier integration models are directly connected to the issue of at what point suppliers need to be integrated into the product innovation process. Therefore, this article aims to propose a blueprint for inter-relationship collaboration in a supply chain during product innovation phases, with an emphasis on the stage of involvement applicable to both incremental and disruptive innovation. In addition, various aspects concerning inter-relationship collaboration in a supply chain in the different phases of product invention are subjected to an in-depth investigation.