Purpose Faced with today’s digital and uncertain environments, especially in dynamic and innovation-driven contexts such as new product development (NPD) projects, traditional project governance often ignores adaptive capabilities needed to sustain organizational effectiveness. This study investigates how adaptive project governance (APG) influences organizational effectiveness (OE), with an emphasis on the mediating roles of trust and coordination. It thereby addresses a critical gap in understanding the trust and coordination mechanisms through which APG shapes OE in digital and uncertain project environments. Design/methodology/approach A structured survey was administered to project management professionals in Chinese enterprises engaged in NPD projects. The measurement instrument was refined based on validated scales and expert review to ensure relevance to agile and digital project environments. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to evaluate the effects of APG on OE and to test mediation through competence-based trust, benevolence-based trust, intra-team coordination, and inter-team coordination. Findings Governance of projects and self-organizing teams have significant positive effects on OE, both directly and indirectly via competence-based trust and intra-team coordination, confirming their partial mediation roles. However, adaptive development approaches act mainly as enabling conditions rather than direct performance drivers, and benevolence-based trust and inter-team coordination do not exhibit significant mediating effects. Overall, these findings provide empirical evidence on explaining the micro-mechanisms of trust and coordination in translating APG into OE in agile NPD projects. Originality/value This study extends existing adaptive governance research by revealing the micro-foundations (competence-based trust and intra-team coordination) through which APG transforms high-order capabilities into OE. Then, it establishes a priority ordering for effective governance implementation and provides a crucial boundary condition by demonstrating that APG’s iterative component acts merely as an enabler, refining models of agile governance effectiveness in dynamic NPD contexts.

This study investigates the relationship between knowledge management processes and organizational innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the city of Lubango, as well as the associated implications and challenges for organizational performance. A quantitative research design was adopted, using data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 50 managers. The findings from the regression analysis reveal that Organizational Innovation (β = 0.505) and Process Innovation (β = 0.341) exert positive and statistically significant effects on overall firm performance. Conversely, Product Innovation does not exhibit a statistically significant impact when examined simultaneously with the other explanatory variables. The model explains 64.2% of the variance in performance (adjusted R² = 0.642), with homoscedastic, independent residuals and no problematic multicollinearity (VIF < 3). The results indicate that, within the business context of Lubango, the attainment of sustainable competitive advantage by local SMEs is more closely related to the optimization of internal organizational structures and operational efficiency than to the introduction of new products. Managers should prioritize knowledge sharing and application, organizational design, managerial training, and process optimization.

Purpose This study introduces CLIMB2-OLIMP, a dual-maturity model designed to facilitate the structured integration of Generative Artificial intelligence (AI) (GenAI) into New Product Development (NPD) processes. The model aims to provide a comprehensive tool for organizations to integrate GenAI into their NPD processes, ensuring a strong operational foundation. Design/methodology/approach Developed using the Design Science Research approach, CLIMB2-OLIMP first evaluates an organization’s NPD maturity (CLIMB2) before assessing its readiness for GenAI implementation (OLIMP). The OLIMP component uniquely incorporates a prescriptive element, utilizing large language models (LLMs) to generate tailored improvement pathways with a clear cost-benefit perspective. A systematic literature review was conducted, and the model development involved iterative stages and expert validation. Findings Case studies in manufacturing organizations demonstrated the model’s effectiveness, revealing moderate NPD maturity but limited GenAI adoption. The research emphasizes structured AI integration, including workforce upskilling, strategic alignment, and ethical considerations. Practical implications CLIMB2-OLIMP provides diagnostic insights and actionable recommendations, serving as a comprehensive tool for organizations seeking to integrate GenAI into their NPD processes. It guides organizations in advancing their AI maturity with a clear cost-benefit perspective and supports a bold, entrepreneurial strategy for AI adoption. Originality/value CLIMB2-OLIMP is original in its dual-maturity approach, conditioning GenAI maturity assessment on NPD maturity, and its prescriptive component driven by LLMs, which addresses a significant gap in existing descriptive AI maturity models that lack actionable guidance and cost-benefit analysis.

In today’s ever-changing competitive markets, organizations need to stay competitive to maintain their market position, which sets the expectation of flexibility towards new technology adoption and the introduction of products that are coupled with innovation and consistency. The focus is not just on a timely market launch. Factors such as product development cycle time, meeting quality expectations, manufacturing readiness, and a solid execution plan to achieve product cost targets determine the success of new product releases. Though other factors may define New Product Introduction (NPI) success, this research is primarily focused on bridging development and operations within an organization to analyze and improve innovation practices during new product development, identifying the key factors for successful NPI. From literature reviews, four factors were identified: collaborating with operations early in development phases, NPI team establishment, usage of digital methods, and organizational support environment. Various hypotheses were developed based on the literature and tested through a questionnaire survey. The collected data were analyzed. Findings and recommendations are shared towards enhancing the new product development and introduction success rate with product technical documentation and training efficiency.

Legume proteins have become essential materials for developing plant-based foods due to their excellent functional properties. Intermolecular forces in legume protein hydrogels include non-covalent bonds such as hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and covalent bonds such as disulfide bonds. Changes in gel intermolecular forces directly affect the gel food quality. This paper describes the types and determination of legume protein hydrogel intermolecular forces, and deeply explores the influencing factors, including gel preparation methods, protein pre-treatment ways (physical treatment, chemical treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fibrillation), and the introduction of other active ingredients (polyphenols, polysaccharides, exogenous amino acids, and proteins from other sources). The preparation methods determine the textural properties of legume protein hydrogels. Pre-treatment (especially ultrasonic treatment) is an effective method for improving legume protein hydrogels. The incorporation of polyphenols, polysaccharides, and other substances, as well as fibrillation of proteins, further promotes the application of legume protein hydrogels in food and biomedical fields. Adjustment of gel intermolecular forces is expected to control the release of bioactive components from gel carriers as well as facilitate the development of foodstuffs with different applications. Undoubtedly, mastering the mechanisms and strategies for regulating intermolecular forces in hydrogels will further enhance the quality of legume protein hydrogel products and facilitate the development of new products that meet consumer demands.

QT Myopia and Cardiac Safety: Expanding the Aperture of Arrhythmia Assessment in Early Phase Drug Development.

This article presents a study that combined theoretical and empirical methods in a longitudinal approach to develop and validate the Mechatronic Reference Model for Innovation (MRM4i), a detailed framework for designing and developing mechatronic products. The text aims to present the model in terms of cycles and revisions and to compare it with the V- and W-models for mechatronic design, as well as with previous reference models in new product development (NPD). The primary characteristic of the MRM4i is to connect traditional concepts of new product development reference models—such as phases, decisions, documents, and prototypes—with the core principles of mechatronic design, as outlined in the V-Model and W-Model. The concepts and their implementation were exemplified through a longitudinal case study at a company, in which technical artifacts for four mechatronic products were presented and discussed, and compared to V/W-Models. Validation issues are outlined, and future research directions are presented.

This article examines the shared history of digital infrastructure between Canada’s now defunct telecom monopoly, Nortel Networks, and the newly independent states of Eastern and Central Europe (ECE), particularly Ukraine and Russia. Through the 1990’s telecom monopolies were in a battle to build the internet, and Nortel’s mission was “to be the architect of a world of networks,” with Canada at its centre (Bell System Memorial 1997). By the year 2000, Nortel was the dominant global supplier of high-speed optical networks (Hunter 2018), digitizing capitalism across the world, with ECE no exception. But in the fallout of the Dot Com Crash, stock prices plunged, development of new products stopped, and Nortel executives were arrested for fraud. Nortel still continued to obtain considerable contracts with ECE telecoms, despite several key customers in Western countries having lost confidence in the company (Calof et al., 2014). With some of the most lax lending regulations, the Canadian government through Export Development Canada (EDC) lent and guaranteed risky loans, encouraging post-Soviet states to continue choosing Nortel despite its declining products. EDC propped up Nortel beyond its viability, and locked ECE states into outdated equipment that would be costlier to service and upgrade. Unpacking the history of Nortel in ECE highlights the Canadian infrastructural nationalism at the expense of EDC development and raises questions about its lasting impacts.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) often face significant challenges in ensuring the success of new product launches, especially in highly competitive environments with limited resources. This study aims to analyze the impact of New Product Launch Proficiency (NPLP) on New Product Performance (NPP) MSMEs, mediated through Collaborative Capabilities (CC). This study uses a quantitative descriptive methodology. A total of 284 respondents were selected through a purposive sampling process via an online questionnaire from Indonesian Creative Industry MSMEs in the fashion, culinary, and handicraft sectors. The results were then analyzed using Smart PLS version 3.0. The results show that NPLP strongly influences CC and NPP of creative industry MSMEs. CC was identified as a mediator between NPLP and NPP. The main limitation of this study was its limited scope due to time constraints. This study enriches the existing literature by providing information on the correlation between NPLP, CC, and NPP of MSMEs in the Creative Industry sector.

ABSTRACT Academic Summary Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a key strategy to achieving (e.g., environmental) sustainability. While many studies report a positive effect of CSR on firm value, growing evidence suggests practice often fails to unlock such effect. This equivocality may arise from conflicting theoretical perspectives, insufficient consideration of granular CSR activities, and/or neglecting the role of new product development (NPD). We address this equivocality through a theoretically unprejudiced exploration of the effects of a comprehensive set of CSR activities on firm value and by investigating the underexplored moderating role of NPD alongside that of marketing moderators. Econometric analysis of 3,107 firms across industries unveils that the largely overlooked CSR activities addressing social concern avoidance (e.g., by protecting stakeholders from environmental hazards) account for the greatest number of significant effects on firm value. Second, all significant effects of CSR activities on firm value are negative. Third, while all significant interaction effects of CSR activities and NPD on firm value are positive, most interactions with marketing instruments are negative. Overall, the findings highlight the critical role of NPD in potentially unlocking a positive effect of CSR on firm value. Even more so, they suggest treating CSR and firm value as separate strategic goals—akin to sustainability's people, planet, and profit objectives. Managerial Summary While many firms invest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives not only to advance sustainability but also to drive firm value, this research shows that only a subset of CSR activities has a significant effect on firm value and that these effects are predominantly negative. Many of the CSR activities with significant effects relate to avoiding social or environmental harm, but their impact varies markedly across stakeholders, rendering aggregate CSR strategies misleading for managerial decision‐making. Further, whether CSR activities undermine or support firm value depends critically on how they are implemented. For innovation and R&D managers, the findings suggest that CSR activities are most effective when embedded in new product development. For marketing managers, the findings urge caution, as heavy reliance on branding and other marketing tools to advance the firm's CSR objectives can amplify negative effects on firm value. For senior executives, the results suggest a need to treat CSR and firm value as distinct strategic goals and carefully balancing specific CSR activities rather than assuming uniform financial payoffs. For policy makers and regulators, the findings indicate that markets may penalize sustainability efforts, at least in the short term, underscoring the need for targeted regulatory support and incentives.

Modern organisations frequently face complex cognitive challenges in Collaborative New-Product Development (Co-NPD), particularly when integrating dispersed knowledge and coordinating work across different development phases. To investigate how Large Language Models (LLMs) influence collective cognition and collaborative processes, this study introduces the 2I2A model, which defines four collaboration spaces and eight associated communication dimensions. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative analysis of collaborative behaviours with semi-structured interviews analysed using grounded theory. The findings indicate that LLMs mainly support the early stages of Co-NPD by expanding collective cognitive boundaries, improving knowledge integration and facilitating idea generation. However, their contribution to deeper analytical reasoning, negotiation and solution integration is more limited. The grounded theory analysis additionally highlights potential drawbacks, including reduced collaborative naturalness and a tendency toward over-reliance on LLM-generated suggestions. Overall, the study suggests that the 2I2A model offers a useful framework for examining how collective cognition develops in Co-NPD and clarifies both the potential and the boundaries of LLM assistance in collaborative innovation.

In design practice, iterative approaches are widely used as a type of organization that aims to facilitate user-oriented design by soliciting user feedback before or after product launch. However, despite their widespread use, iterative approaches do neither automatically nor in themselves lead to productive user involvement. The article presents a case study that contributes to an in-depth understanding of iterative design in practice. We followed a design team for a year to investigate how an iterative organization of the design work configured the possibilities for user involvement, enabling some kinds of user feedback at specific moments, while inhibiting others. We also point to key issues that appeared to escape the designer-user interactions that were set up by the iterative approach. All in all, this article offers a case study and a conceptual framework, shedding light on both intended and unintended consequences of how an iterative design approach unfolds in practice.

ABSTRACT Purpose Previous studies have highlighted that B2B supply chain design in the context of new product development (NPD) can contribute to the success of innovative products on the market. However, there is limited empirical literature regarding the role of B2B supply chain characteristics/capabilities in improving the NPD effectiveness. The aim of this article is to investigate the interrelationship between B2B supply chain dynamic capabilities and their influence on NPD effectiveness. Methodology/approach We have adopted the dynamic capability view (DCV) to explain the combination of resources and capabilities (i.e. technology resources, agility, and adaptability) to explain the improvement of NPD effectiveness. Using structural equation modeling, this study conducted empirical tests on 214 Chinese manufacturing companies. Findings Research findings indicate that supply chain agility and supply chain adaptability exert positive effects on NPD effectiveness. AI-driven big data analytics capabilities, as a prerequisite, positively influence both supply chain agility and supply chain adaptability. Furthermore, supply chain agility partially mediates the relationship between supply chain adaptability and NPD effectiveness. Environmental dynamism exerts a negative moderating effect on the relationship between supply chain agility and NPD effectiveness. Originality/value Overall, this study contributes to NPD effectiveness research by integrating the supply chain dynamic capabilities theory with an AI-driven innovation framework. By drawing on the dynamic capabilities lens, our research reveals the mechanism through which supply chain dynamic capabilities influence NPD effectiveness, thereby advancing our understanding of NPD effectiveness. We position AI-driven big data analytics capability, supply chain agility, and supply chain adaptability as a coherent cluster of supply chain dynamic capabilities. This positioning indicates that organizations’ effective management of supply chain processes constitutes a key pathway for significantly enhancing NPD effectiveness. Practical implications We believe that our research findings will be useful for managers who have a positive and optimistic attitude toward using new technologies to influence supply chain characteristics to support NPD.

The demand for pecan consumption has been increasing, and consequently, the volume of waste generated from shelling and processing for pecan oil extraction has also grown. This study aimed to characterize the residues resulting from the oil extraction process of the Barton cultivar. For this purpose, pecans from commercial orchards were shelled for oil extraction via pressing. The shells and the cake resulting from the oil extraction were collected. Both the shells and cake were evaluated for their proximal composition and bioactive compounds. The cake showed a composition of 18.62% protein and 17.42% lipids, with a fatty acid profile similar to pecan kernels. The shells stood out for their total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, as well as their fiber content (36.50%). The valorization of these byproducts is essential as they have potential for use in the food industry and for the development of new products. This study contributes to a more sustainable and economically viable production chain while encouraging the exploration of pecan byproducts, which have an excellent nutritional profile and high added value, expanding market opportunities.

Canada's agricultural sector included 189,874 farms in 2021, 15% of which were located in the province of Quebec. Farmers are exposed to a variety of hazards that can lead to acute or chronic health effects, particularly when it comes to pesticide use. Machinery is often implicated in occupational injury statistics. Studies point to shortcomings in the design of crop protection sprayers, impacting not only the health and safety of workers, but also the environment. Tree sprays are currently designed and manufactured outside Quebec in accordance with regulatory requirements developed in a context where occupational health and safety (OHS) criteria are not always given priority. Therefore, with a view to intrinsically preventing OHS risks, while considering production and environmental protection objectives, this project aims to determine design criteria for arboricultural sprayers based on the actual work experience of apple growers. This intervention research project will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team (e.g., ergonomics, engineering, agronomy) in collaboration with Les Producteurs de pommes du Québec [name of the provincial association representing Quebec apple growers], a provincial association representing apple growers. A mixed-method research design combining quantitative and qualitative methods will be deployed over three years. PHASE 1 aims to gather knowledge on sprayer design and use, relying on a variety of collection methods (e.g., literature review, semi-structured interviews, work activity observations, self-administered questionnaire) carried out iteratively. The data obtained will then be cross-referenced to prepare for PHASE 2. In this phase, exchange workshops will be held with apple growers and other stakeholders to target key points in the design of spraying systems for arboriculture. The expected results are design criteria for arboricultural sprayers, mainly guidelines which may be specific for certain points, to limit the exposure of agricultural workers to OHS risk, while considering environmental protection and production quality objectives. Knowledge gained from the project will inform apple growers, distributors, and manufacturers, whether for selection or modification of existing sprayers, or development of new products. Finally, design principles that could be transposed to other types of agricultural sprayers will be identified.

Milk tea is a globally popular new-style tea beverage product. In recent years, the industry has achieved rapid development in terms of scale expansion and quality iteration and upgrading. The flavor quality and product stability have become the focus of attention and research hotspots in this field. The chemical foundation of milk tea flavor, processing methods, and flavor quality evaluation approaches are thoroughly elaborated. The chemical basis of tea-based, milk-based, and milk tea flavors is systematically summarized, primarily including the analysis of key flavor compounds and the interactions between tea-based and milk-based substances. Subsequently, the tea-based production methods, mixed processing techniques, and factors influencing storage and preservation of milk tea are discussed. Furthermore, evaluation methods for milk tea flavor quality, including traditional sensory evaluation and intelligent assessment techniques are systematically outlined. This review not only summarizes the recent research progress but also looks forward to the interdisciplinary work that needs to be carried out in the future. These efforts aim to provide information on the transformation from the research stage of tea milk product formulas to the development of solutions with controllable quality. Thus, they offer valuable theoretical guidance for the formation and regulation of tea milk flavor and quality as well as the development of new products. This work aims to provide theoretical insights and technical support for the translation from laboratory formulations to quality-controlled industrial solutions.

Purpose. Two decades after emerging as a technological innovation, podcasting is progressively consolidation itself as a medium with its own identity within the audio ecosystem. In Spain, regional media contribute to this evolution with their own offerings. The main objective of this study is to analyse the production of native podcasts by the main Spanish regional public broadcasters, to understand their role in the digital transformation of radio and in the renewal of public service functions. Methodology. A content analysis was carried out on the offerings of five regional broadcasters (3Cat, À Punt Mèdia, EITB, CRTVG, and Canal Sur) during the year 2024. The sample includes a total of 121 original podcasts, considering variables such as production, genres, topics, language, distribution, and commercialization. Results and conclusions. The findings show significant differences among operators in production volume, genre diversity, and launch strategies. The conversational macro-genre predominates, with a strong presence of cultural, educational, and social topics, as well as a relevant use of co-official languages in content creation. Distribution is characterized by open access on aggregators, although initiatives for proprietary platforms are also emerging. The study concludes that podcasting is consolidating itself as a strategic tool to strengthen the public service mission, broaden the diversity of voices, and reinforce territorial and cultural ties with audiences. Original contribution. This study represents the first systematic approach to podcasting in Spain’s regional public broadcasters, highlighting its role as a cultural and identity-based expression within the new digital audio ecosystem.

Interest in drug repurposing has increased significantly in recent decades owing to its potential to accelerate the development of new medicinal products, provide new therapeutic options for patients, and generate business opportunities for pharmaceutical companies. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is defined as a chronic disease that causes an irreversible loss of lung function and premature death. Recent studies have highlighted the key role of mitochondria in lung homeostasis and the ability of thyroid hormones to promote mitochondrial activity, suggesting their potential involvment in IPF pathogenesis. In this work, we translate the findings derived from the above-mentioned researches into a dry powder drug delivery system intended to target epithelial lung cells with levothyroxine. To this end we developed nano-embedded respirable microparticles by spray drying a nanosuspension composed of levothyroxine and a hydrophilic polymer. The powder was characterized in terms of physico-chemical, toxicological and aerodynamic performance, as well as for its ability to be internalized by A549 cells and modulate their metabolic activity. The nano-embedded microparticulate drug delivery system proved to be potentially able not only to reach the deep lung but also to promote levothyroxine internalisation and mitochondria activation.

This study investigated the effects of adding Lactobacillus helveticus H11 on the fermentation characteristics, storage performance, and probiotic functionality of brown fermented milk. The results were obtained by analyzing the microrheological properties during the fermentation process, as well as changes in titratable acidity, viable cell count, texture, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibition rate, and metabolite profiles during storage. The findings indicated that the addition of H11 significantly shortened the fermentation time of brown fermented milk and improved its gel structure. Simultaneously, it delayed the post-acidification phenomenon during storage, enhancing storage stability. Moreover, it enhanced the ACE inhibitory activity of the product, demonstrating potential antihypertensive health benefits. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that H11 promoted the production of flavor compounds, such as phenylacetaldehyde and phenyllactic acid, enriching the flavor diversity. Additionally, it concurrently regulated the metabolism of tyrosine and vitamin B6. These discoveries provide a scientific basis for the commercial development of brown probiotic products.

After numerous false starts, the global microalgae industry is re-emerging, driven by its potential to address critical challenges in food and nutrition, sustainable energy, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and climate change mitigation. Although technical advances in microalgae production show value adding potential, progressing from innovation to product launch and competitiveness is complex. It requires an integrated understanding of technology readiness, regulatory compliance, financial necessities, and market competition. This study presents a novel analytical framework underpinning a data-enabled, evidence-based approach to navigating the innovation pathways to market and beyond. The framework integrates value-add opportunities, identifying key stages faced in pre-competitive (including Technology Readiness Level (TRL), R&D spend, and patent trends), and competitive market stages (including product launches, product claims, market size, market share, growth/maturity, international markets, distribution channels, sectoral profile, and competitive landscape), aligned with regulatory requirements. Although not without limitations, such as incomplete data for emerging products, as well as reliance on secondary sources for product stage determination and market size estimates which can influence the accuracy of TRL classification and market potential estimates. This integration of multiple analyses can help in identifying market opportunities and business competitiveness via product, business, and industry level analyses in the pre-competitive (pre-market launch) and competitive (on market) landscapes. Building on the team's interdisciplinary experience of developing interactive dashboards for food and beverage industries, and microalga processes, this paper provides an overview of the framework, which was designed to guide businesses and researchers in an emerging microalgae industry through the complex landscape of product development along regulatory and commercial pathways.