Innovation Value Chain Research Articles

Comparative life cycle analysis of PHA-based consumer items for daily use

USABLE Packaging project has developed an innovative value chain based on mixed microbial cultures using organic wastes as feedstock to produce prototypes of PHA-based items that were compared to their commercial counterparts, so the expected better environmental performance can be checked. To do so, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was carried out. The system was modeled integrating all available knowledge, from pilot-scale data to process simulators, and following upscaling frameworks. PHA-based items outperform their commercial counterparts since they show environmental benefits thanks to the avoided electricity obtained in the cogeneration heat and power unit within the PHA production; however, these environmental benefits are very sensitive to the substituted electricity environmental burdens. The different levels of development and market implementation are seen as critical and therefore attention should be paid on how upscaling affects the results and interpretation of the LCA while serving as a guide for process and product development.

Participation of Bulgarian Furniture Manufacturing in Global and Local Value Chains as a Factor Supporting Their Innovation Activities

Innovations can offer key advantages to companies, but in some EU regions, the design and development of innovation measures are still relatively novel concepts. The aim of this study was to analyze the collaborations of innovative Bulgarian furniture manufacturers with external stakeholders and the used information channels as factors for the development and implementation of innovation and participation in global value chains over their innovation activities. Out of 3890 Bulgarian companies, the number of companies included in the target group was further reduced to 85 firms due to missing information on some variables. The data for the present study were collected using a large-scale questionnaire distributed on the spot during the months of March and April 2022. Logistic regression was used to reveal the real contribution of the collaborations and the information sources to the ability of companies to innovate. The research results indicated that in Bulgaria, the furniture sector is not considered very innovative, and Bulgarian furniture manufacturing companies do not rely on collaboration with the IT and mechatronics sectors. These companies do not want to participate in GVCs, as they refer to them in relation to supply chains. Therefore, they are less dependent on chain shocks. Companies prefer to hide their innovations for further protection, which might be the reason for the lack of cooperation between the furniture manufacturing companies and academia, NGOs, and other relevant institutions. The findings of the study contribute to new insights into the literature on the participation in GVCs as a factor for collaboration with different stakeholders and hence for product and process innovation development within the furniture industry companies.

Knowledge Transfer and Technological Innovation in Global Value Chains

This paper aims to deeply study the interrelationship between knowledge transfer and technological innovation in the global value chain, explore its impact on enterprises and economy, as well as the challenges faced and countermeasures. Through case studies and theoretical analysis on a global scale, it provides a new theoretical perspective and practical experience, and provides useful reference and reference for enterprises and policy makers in knowledge transfer and technological innovation in global value chains.

What limits the innovation efficiency in China's ICT industry? A two-stage dynamic network slacks-based measure approach

ABSTRACT Based on the innovation value chain theory, the innovation process of the information and communication technology (ICT) firms is not only decomposed into R&D and commercialisation activities, but also its dynamic characteristics should be included in the evaluation system. To seek the underlying reasons for the inefficiency, a two-stage dynamic network DEA model within the SBM structure has been applied to assess the innovation efficiency along with the R&D capability and commercialisation performance. The results show that the innovation efficiency of the Chinese ICT industry shows a continuous decline due to the constraints of firms’ R&D capabilities. Similarly, the heterogeneity exists within the ICT industry; The four sub-industries has its own strengths, but they also exhibit high market efficiency and low R&D efficiency. Private companies show a higher level of R&D and commercialisation than SOEs in both stages.

Sustainable Value Chain Innovation for Strengthening The Indonesian Halal Beef Industry

This study aims to examine the product, process, and business model value innovation of halal beef in Indonesia. This study uses quantitative and qualitative data. Through purpose sampling, the survey involved 425 middle-class Muslim consumers, 100 beef retailers, 25 beef processors, and 100 mid-to-large-scale cattle farmers. It finds that product value innovation steer halal beef producers and suppliers should eliminate the fat content of halal beef. Suppliers should reduce their focus on the attributes of size, grade, taste, nutritional value, production origin, beef availability, packaging, shopping location, display in the shop, ease of preparation, traceability, price, and the presence of a Muslim shop owner. Instead, they should improve the attributes of newness, appearance, halal labels, texture, aroma, hygiene, and residue free. They should create online services and ensure halal certification of their stores. Meanwhile, process value innovation should take the form of beef producers eliminating aging and deboning activities. In essence, Each actor should keep doing the same activities but also take more seriously how their activities impact values and emissions. Cattle farmers should improve cattle feed management to earn higher, and beef retailers should create online services for their customers. Furthermore, business model value innovation should change relationship patterns from collaborative transactions to collaborative processes. Digital resources can be used as new distribution channels and online services. Finally, business model value innovation will shift from the red ocean to the blue ocean competition.

Furthering innovation management via mutual amplification of vertical and horizontal fit: analysis of a case study

PurposeDoes the simultaneous vertical and horizontal alignment of HR systems positively impact innovation? The authors use the “innovation value chain” model to explore the interplay between the central strategic human resource management concepts of vertical and horizontal fit of HR systems and their role in positively impacting product innovation management.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the findings from a case study of a large multinational organization in the high-tech sector for the present study. In the first phase, the authors analyse responses to 20 qualitative interviews with senior business and HR executives at the organization using the grounded theory approach. In the second phase, the authors analysed six years of performance ratings and salary data for 4,500–5,500 employees.FindingsPhase 1 of the study established the importance of innovation management as a strategic priority and the role of vertical and horizontal fit of HR systems and practices in positively impacting innovation management. Phase 2 reinforced the findings from Phase 1 by demonstrating the vertical and horizontal fit of the performance and compensation management processes towards furthering innovation management. Our study findings suggest that both forms of fit boost innovation management and interact to reinforce each other mutually, magnifying their respective positive effects towards improving innovation management.Originality/valueWhile past studies have generally focused on the isolated role of either the HR system or that of a bundle of HR practices on innovation, the present study empirically demonstrates the simultaneous role of vertical and horizontal fit of HR systems and practices in furthering innovation management. The authors use interviews with senior executives and objective performance and salary data to provide the first experimental evidence of the mechanism of the interplay between the two forms of fit.

Scenarios to promote territorial innovation systems in agri-food value chains: case of cocoa in Colombia

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of the research was to propose probable scenarios for the year 2030 for the cocoa value chain in the department of Antioquia (Colombia), based on functional approach to analysing territorial innovation systems (TIS). Methodology TIS in the cocoa value chain was analysed by comparing two rural municipalities as case studies, where different actors respectively participated. Prospective analysis approach, Delphi method, MICMAC program and morphological analysis were combined for the construction of scenarios. Findings Case study comparison indicates that analysis at the territorial level is an appropriate perspective to identify key aspects of the TIS functions that lead to different scenarios for promoting local innovation in agri-food value chains. The results provide specific scenarios including short-, medium- and long-term strategies for the promotion of territorial innovation systems. Practical implications This approach has the potential for multiple heterogeneous TIS actors to explore different innovation pathways and prospective scenarios that contribute to action planning to reduce uncertainty and promote innovation in TIS. Theoretical implications This study contributes with a new way of approaching the functions of TIS, where dynamics that occur in the local geography are highlighted. Also based on the prospective analysis, scenarios are configured that arise from a set of aspects analysed by local and external actors of the territories. Originality/value The study generates important knowledge about TIS and the functional approach regarding the design of prospective scenarios to promote innovation in agri-food value chains.

The Impact of Digital Economy on Innovation Efficiency of New Energy Enterprises: Evidence from the Perspective of Innovation Value Chain

ABSTRACT Based on the perspective of the innovation value chain, this paper divides the technological innovation of new energy enterprises into research and development and results transformation stages, uses the panel data of listed Chinese new energy enterprises from 2016 to 2021 to test the impact of urban digital economy development on the two-stage innovation efficiency, and examines the moderating role of organizational inertia and entrepreneurship on the relationship between the two. The study found that the development of the digital economy has significantly improved the efficiency of enterprises’ two-stage innovation, but its role in promoting the stage of research and development is more obvious; Organizational inertia and entrepreneurship have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between the two; Further research found that there are regions, urban class and population size, and enterprise nature differences in the impact of digital economy development on the efficiency of two-stage innovation of enterprises.

V4Design: Intelligent Analysis and Integration of Multimedia Content for Creative Industries

Nowadays, vast amounts of multimedia content are being produced, archived, and digitized, resulting in great troves of data of interest. Examples include user-generated content, such as images, videos, text, and audio posted by users on social media and wikis, or content provided through official publishers and distributors, such as digital libraries, organizations, and online museums. This digital content can serve as a valuable source of inspiration to the creative industries, such as architecture and gaming, to produce new innovative assets or to enhance and (re-)use existing ones. However, in its current form, this content is difficult to be reused and repurposed due to the lack of appropriate solutions for its retrieval, analysis, and integration into the design process. In this article, we present V4Design, a novel framework for the automatic content analysis, linking, and seamless transformation of heterogeneous multimedia content to help architects and virtual reality game designers establish innovative value chains and end-user applications. By integrating and intelligently combining state-of-the-art technologies in computer vision, 3-D generation, text analysis, generation and semantic integration, and interlinking, V4Design provides architects and video game designers with innovative tools to draw inspiration from archive footage and documentaries, inspiring and eventually supporting the design process.

Production technology adoption and electronic market participation intensity of chilli (dry) farmers in India: Application of triple-hurdle model

Agricultural and food system transformation helps increase farm productivity and encourages farmers to participate in updated value chains, adopt newer technologies, thereby helping farmers transform their livelihoods in a sustainable manner. Relatedly, value chain innovations depend on multiple decisions farmers make at various stages of the value chain, adequate participation being a primary factor. In this paper, we integrate farmers’ adoption decision of a new variety of chilli crop (“Teja”) along with their electronic market participation decision and e-market participation intensity, based on data from the chilli farming sector in India, where agricultural markets have been modernized through digitization (Kalgudi e-Market). Thus, the employed Triple-Hurdle Model (THM) integrates adoption decision of “Teja” variety of chilli, e-Market Participation Decision and e-market participation intensity thereby, allowing us to make inferences relating to chilli farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India. Our results, showed that the drivers of “Teja” variety adoption, e-market participation, and e-participation intensity include education, reliable extension services, access to seeds of high yielding varieties, market information, and membership in farmer-producer organizations. Added to these, personnel training visits, prompt deliveries of inputs, and prompt payment of sales proceeds are also important in influencing participation and intensities. Results show that the three stochastic decisions of THM are strongly correlated implying that the adoption decision of “Teja” variety of chilli by the farmers influences the e-market participation decision and consequently, e-market participation intensity and these three decisions are sequential. On the contrary, the decisions viz., e-market participation decision and e-market participation intensity as input buyers and consequent adoption of “Teja” variety of chilli are simultaneous. So, the policy measures that promote production technology interventions (say, “Teja” variety of chilli) will definitely enhance better e-market access of chilli farmers. Accordingly, the breeding programs of the agricultural research stations should enhance the uptake of improved varieties in tune with modern marketing (e-market) technologies. Future farm policy and agricultural-research and innovations must recognize the potential that the digital marketing systems have to offer. Such considerations coupled with the provision of market infrastructure including assaying, grading, storage, and market information will promote digital transformation in agricultural value chains in developing countries like India.

Turning black to green: Circular economy of industrial carbon emissions

Industrial carbon emissions represent both a problem and an opportunity. As part of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategies, they can be used as raw materials to produce value-added products. Depending on the final product, the CCU approach could delay, reduce, or completely eliminate carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Although technically feasible, the barriers to commercial sustainability of such low-carbon or net-zero circular economy models are not sufficiently explored in the literature. To bridge this gap to a certain extent, I will discuss five key areas where circular economy-based CCU ecosystems producing net-zero synthetic fuels face challenges: supply-chain security, value-chain innovation, stakeholder cooperation, supply–demand market dynamics, and policy and regulation. To overcome some of these challenges, I will share opinions on how collaboration between government, private investors, and industries could help in developing relevant policies to close cost gaps in the short- and medium-term. Finally, I will explain how public–private partnership models could be used to pool resources, share risks, and how regulatory de-risking could be used to promote alignment between regulation and private investor for circular economy-based CCU projects for producing net-zero methanol.

Spatial Correlation Network Analysis of Industrial Green Technology Innovation Efficiency in China

Exploring the spatial correlation network and its structural characteristics of China’s industrial green technology innovation efficiency is significant for promoting the coordinated development of inter-regional industrial green transformation. Based on the innovation value chain, this paper divides China’s industrial green technology innovation system into three interrelated sub-stages: technology research and development, achievement transformation, and commercialization. The NSBM model is used to measure the efficiency of industrial green technology innovation in 30 provinces and cities in mainland China from 2011 to 2020. The modified gravity model and social network analysis method are introduced to explore its spatial correlation network’s structural characteristics and evolution rules. The results show that the spatial network correlation intensity of the three stages of green technology innovation efficiency in regional industry has gradually strengthened. There is no strict hierarchical structure, and the spatial network tends to be stable. The network shows an apparent “core–edge” distribution in all three stages, with the eastern coastal and central more developed regions at the network’s core. Meanwhile, the northeastern and western remote areas are at the network’s edge and less connected with other regions’ provinces and cities. The distribution of network blocks in the three stages of green technology innovation efficiency is similar. The net benefit block mainly includes the eastern coastal and surrounding developed areas. The net spillover block mainly consists of the economically backward northwest region. The broker block is primarily distributed in the surrounding provinces and cities of the Bohai Rim. The bidirectional spillover block is mainly located in the southwest region. Finally, some suggestions are put forward to promote the coordinated improvement of regional industrial green technology innovation efficiency from the perspective of integrity, individuality, and agglomeration.

The impact of government support and market competition on China's high-tech industry innovation efficiency as an emerging market

With the building of an innovative country in an emerging market, the role of government support (GS) and market competition (MC) in the innovation efficiency of China's high-tech industry (HTI) has become increasingly prominent. Considering innovation value chain (IVC) theory, based on 2004–2016 panel data covering 30 regional HTIs in mainland China, the spatial autoregressive (SAR) Tobit model, stepwise regression method with spatial factors, and threshold panel model are applied to examine the main effects, moderating effects, mediating effects, and nonlinear effects of GS and MC on the innovation efficiency of China's HTI. GS significantly inhibits the industry's technological development efficiency but promotes its innovation achievement transformation efficiency. However, the impact of MC on the industry's technological innovation efficiency has stage homogeneity, significantly promoting both stages of innovation efficiency. Economic policy uncertainty (EPU) exerts a significant moderating effect on GS and technological development efficiency. The transmission mechanism test reveals that technology market development (TMD) has a partial mediating effect between GS and technological development efficiency, while a masking effect exists between MC and technological development efficiency. A complete mediating effect exists between GS and innovation achievement transformation efficiency, while a partial mediating effect exists between MC and innovation achievement transformation efficiency. Regional heterogeneity is apparent. Of note, the impact of MC on the industry's technological development and innovation achievement transformation efficiency has a nonlinear effect based on GS.

The Effect of Open Innovation on Manufacturing Firms’ Performance in China: The Moderating Role of Social Capital

Open innovation (OI) has great significance in innovation management. OI builds a bridge between firms and other organizations, which can help firms to quickly integrate into value chain innovation and discover the value stored in external resources, and thus can improve the performance of firms. The Chinese economy is accelerating its high-quality development. In this process, the importance of social capital is emphasized. However, less evidence is provided to discuss whether and how social capital from the resource perspective affects OI and firm performance. Therefore, we constructed a moderating model to deeply examine the mechanisms of the two models of the effects of inbound OI and outbound OI on firm performance and the impact of multidimensional social capital within it from the resource perspective. Our sample comprises 6899 observations of 1850 A-share listed manufacturing firms in China from 2016 to 2020. Considering the lag of resources into firm profitability, we decided to lag the firm performance by one year behind other indicators, so the sample data cover the period of 2016–2021. Then, we used Excel 2019 to complete the calculations of indicators and used multiple regression analysis of STATA17 to test the hypotheses. It is found that inbound and outbound OI have an inverted U-shaped relationship with firm performance. Institutional and technological social capital positively moderates the relationship between inbound and outbound OI and firm performance. Compared with the other two types of social capital, market social capital is the most widely owned among the sample firms, but its moderating effect is insignificant. The findings enrich and expand theoretical research on OI and firm performance and guide firms to implement OI, promoting their sustainable development.

Emerging field or passing fashion? A case study of Agile-Stage-Gate model in innovation processes

PurposeAgile methods are increasingly being applied in the contexts of innovation beyond traditional information technology (IT) and physical product development projects, such as when process improvements are being implemented. Nevertheless, this phenomenon is still recent and little addressed in the literature, with few descriptions of empirical cases. This study aims to address this gap.Design/methodology/approachThis multiple case study aims to present and discuss the application of Agile practices embedded in large companies’ innovation value chains, focusing on improvements of business processes. The following research question is pursued: How are large companies applying elements of Agile methods to their innovation processes when implementing incremental improvements in their operational processes? Based on the idea that the Agile-Stage-Gate model is an alternative to this challenge, this study investigates the application of this hybrid model in two large Brazilian companies by presenting their idiosyncrasies, lessons learned, adaptations, challenges and benefits.FindingsOverall, it was observed that the experience with the application of the Agile-Stage-Gate model is positive for these companies, with better customer engagement, easier project control and increased productivity of the project team.Originality/valueFor those aiming to implement the Agile-Stage-Gate model, this paper identifies the main adaptations made in order to combine the purist approaches and critical success factors for its implementation.

A Three-Dimensional Analytical Framework: Textual Analysis and Comparison of Chinese and US Energy Blockchain Policies

With the development of blockchain technology in various fields, attempts have been made by the US and China to apply it to the energy industry. This study constructed a three-dimensional policy analysis framework of “policy instrument–innovation value chain–policy level” and added the industry field research perspective. It summarises the energy blockchain policies of China and the US from 2016 to 2022 and compares the differences between the two countries. This study shows that both countries pay attention to the application of environmental-based policy tools and that there is an imbalance between the internal structure of supply- and demand-based policy tools. The energy blockchain policies are more focused on application. China and the US lack policy support in basic research and exploitation, respectively. The US energy blockchain policy distribution at the policy level is relatively uniform, while China’s energy blockchain policy has an inverted pyramid structure, with many policies at the strategic level. From the perspective of industry, the energy blockchain policies of China and the US mainly involve the new-generation information technology industry and the new energy industry. The US should reform its energy policy structure and give full play to various policy tools, while China should strengthen basic research to lay the foundation for the practice of the energy blockchain.

Perennial biomass cropping and use: Shaping the policy ecosystem in European countries.

Demand for sustainably produced biomass is expected to increase with the need to provide renewable commodities, improve resource security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with COP26 commitments. Studies have demonstrated additional environmental benefits of using perennial biomass crops (PBCs), when produced appropriately, as a feedstock for the growing bioeconomy, including utilisation for bioenergy (with or without carbon capture and storage). PBCs can potentially contribute to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) (2023-27) objectives provided they are carefully integrated into farming systems and landscapes. Despite significant research and development (R&D) investment over decades in herbaceous and coppiced woody PBCs, deployment has largely stagnated due to social, economic and policy uncertainties. This paper identifies the challenges in creating policies that are acceptable to all actors. Development will need to be informed by measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other environmental, economic and social metrics. It discusses interlinked issues that must be considered in the expansion of PBC production: (i) available land; (ii) yield potential; (iii) integration into farming systems; (iv) R&D requirements; (v) utilisation options; and (vi) market systems and the socio-economic environment. It makes policy recommendations that would enable greater PBC deployment: (1) incentivise farmers and land managers through specific policy measures, including carbon pricing, to allocate their less productive and less profitable land for uses which deliver demonstrable greenhouse gas reductions; (2) enable greenhouse gas mitigation markets to develop and offer secure contracts for commercial developers of verifiable low-carbon bioenergy and bioproducts; (3) support innovation in biomass utilisation value chains; and (4) continue long-term, strategic R&D and education for positive environmental, economic and social sustainability impacts.

Vaccine Innovation Meta-Model for Pandemic Contexts.

Over the past decade, successive outbreaks and epidemics of infectious diseases have challenged the emergency preparedness and response systems of global public health institutions, a context in which vaccines have become the centerpiece to strengthening global health security. Nevertheless, vaccine research and development (R&D) is a complex, lengthy, risky, uncertain, and expensive process. Alongside strict, time-consuming regulatory compliance, it takes multiple candidates and many years to register a new vaccine. This is certainly not welcome in a global health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to understand the R&D paradigm shift in pandemic contexts and its impacts on the value chain of vaccine innovation. To that end, this paper carried out a systematic literature review and meta-synthesis of 27 articles and reports (2011-2021) that addressed vaccine R&D in contexts of global health threats, disease outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics. The research findings are synthesized in a meta-model, which describes a fast-track R&D for pandemic contexts, its driving forces, innovations, mechanisms, and impacts in the value chain of vaccine innovation. The study demonstrates that, in pandemic contexts, a fast-track R&D process based on close collaboration among regulators, industry, and academia and leveraging enabling technologiescan drastically reduce the time required to bring safe, stable, and effective vaccines to marketby an average of 11years compared to the traditional R&D process. Furthermore, pharmacovigilance and rigorous monitoring of real-world evidence became critical to ensuring that quality and safe products were authorized for use during a pandemic.

Can the Sci-Tech Innovation Increase the China’s Green Brands Value?—Evidence from Threshold Effect and Spatial Dubin Model

Based on the perspective of the innovation value chain, sci-tech innovation is divided into two stages: R&D and achievement transformation. This paper uses panel data from 25 provinces in China as the sample. We utilize a two-way fixed effect model, spatial Dubin model, and panel threshold model to discuss the impact of two-stage innovation efficiency on the value of the green brand, the spatial effect of this impact, and the threshold role of intellectual property protection in the process. The results indicate that: (1) the two stages of innovation efficiency have a positive impact on the value of green brands, and the effect of the eastern region is significantly better than that of the central and western regions. (2) The spatial spillover effect of the two stages of regional innovation efficiency on the value of green brands is evident, especially in the eastern region. (3) The innovation value chain has a pronounced spillover effect. (4) The single threshold effect of intellectual property protection is significant. When the threshold is crossed, the positive impact of the two stages of innovation efficiency on the value of green brands is significantly enhanced. (5) The influence of economic development level, openness, market size, and marketization degree on the value of green brands shows remarkable regional differences. In conclusion, this study contributes to understanding green brands' growth and provides important implications for developing independent brands in various regions of China.

Do government incentives increase indigenous innovation commercialisation? Empirical evidence from local Ghanaian firms

PurposeGovernment incentives are critical for successful indigenous innovation commercialisation, yet there are concerns about the efficacy of these incentives. Therefore, this study examines the effectiveness of government incentives on successful indigenous innovation commercialisation in the context of low-income economies by testing the effects of demand and supply-side incentives on firm performance in the small-scale industry in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical framework for this study is built on the below-the-radar theory of innovation (Kaplinskyet al., 2009). Using a sample of 557 firms engaged in commercialising various indigenous innovations in the small-scale industry in Ghana, PLS-SEM was deployed to assess 11 hypothesised paths based on a validated questionnaire.FindingsThe model results, at a 5% significance level, indicate that supply-side incentives are statistically insignificant on sales and profitability but have significant positive effects on employment. The direct and moderating influence of supply-side incentives and market factors on overall firm performance is also insignificant, while demand-side incentives to buyers have significant positive effects on all the performance metrics and positively moderate the effects of market factors.Originality/valueThe research focused on commercialising indigenous innovation in the context of low-income economies. Few studies, if any, have separately explored the effect of demand and supply-side government incentives on indigenous innovation in the context of low-income economies. The findings suggest that innovation support should focus more on the demand side of the innovation value chain.