Start-up Performance Research Articles

Start-Up Performance and Process Kinetics of a Two-Stage Partial Nitrification–Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation Reactor

The study of two-stage partial nitrification–anaerobic ammonium oxidation (PN/A) reactors, which are advantageous in engineering applications, still lacks research on process kinetics. Therefore, in this study, the start-up performance and process kinetics of a two-stage PN/A reactor were evaluated by controlling the reaction conditions, for which the two reactors were inoculated with sludge, incubated separately, and then operated in tandem. Increasing the ammonia load of the reactor during the 60 d stabilization period resulted in a nitrogen accumulation rate of 96.93% and a [NO2− − N]Eff/[NH4+ − N]Eff ratio of 1.33, which is close to the theoretical value of 1.32. Successful initiation of the A reactor was achieved after 55 d of operation by inoculating with anammox-activated sludge and granular activated carbon, and the PN and A reactors then successfully operated in combination for 20 d, with an average NH4+ − N efficiency of 99.04% and the NH4+ − N load of the A reactor showing an “S-shaped” curve. An analysis of the microbial growth kinetic models indicated that the removal of NH4+ − N could be successfully described by the logistic, modified logistic, modified Gompertz, and modified Boltzmann models. A strong association between the model and the dependent variable was observed. The process kinetic analysis showed that the removal of NH4+ − N from reactor A could be simulated under steady-state conditions, using the Grau second-order model. The parameters obtained from the model analysis are expected to help predict the denitrification performance of the reactor, facilitate operational management and control, and thus provide a promising research basis for the introduction of automated control systems.

Knowledge Management Capabilities on the Performance of Startup Companies: Evidence from Startups in Kerala

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to point out the importance of knowledge management in startup companies. For this, four knowledge management processes—knowledge acquisition, conversion, application, and protection—that may have an impact on startup companies' performance are closely examined.  Design, Methodology, and Approach: The empirical research was conducted by participating 250 startup companies that are registered in the Kerala startup mission from 2015 to 2020, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to determine the relationship between the knowledge management process and startup performance.  Findings: The study supports the resource-based view theory by stating that knowledge management is essential for newly established ventures. It has been found that both knowledge conversion and protection play significant roles in the performance of startup companies. While acquisition and application are insignificant.  Social Implication: This study has several implications, one of which is that institutions and government bodies should focus on implementing knowledge management strategies.  Research Limitation: The study has some drawbacks, including the fact that it only included 250 startup companies from Kerala and had a limited sample size. Therefore, generalizations in a global setting are challenging. Second, other intangible assets that fall beyond the scope of the study also have an impact on how well startup businesses perform.  Originality or Value: The study gives startup founders insight into how knowledge management is important at each stage of their firm's life cycle and affects their ability to raise startup funding.Paper Type: Research Paper

Startups' empowerment of employees: An analysis using VOSviewer

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and consolidate existing research on the factors that affect the performance of employees in startup companies. Specifically, it focuses on factors such as empowerment, motivation, dedication, leadership styles, and self-determination. This study aims to understand how these factors influence employee performance in the context of startup organizations. The theoretical framework of this study is based on the HR value chain model. The HR value chain model demonstrates how HR practices can benefit organizations by showing the various HR processes that support a company's goals. Additionally, the study incorporates psychological factors related to employee performance, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The methodology section mentions that the research primarily covers management-related articles from 2010 to 2022. The research involved reviewing primary studies by searching computerized databases and selected journal articles from specific websites. VOSviewer 1.6.18 was used to analyze eligible articles, and bibliometric networks were generated to connect keywords to relevant articles. The study's findings indicate that empowerment, motivation, commitment, and other traits are linked to the success of new startup businesses. Effective leadership tactics play a crucial role in creating a healthier, happier work environment with dedicated employees. It appears that the study identified 20 papers, including 17 research articles, that establish connections between empowerment and startup performance. The use of VOSviewer's overlay bibliometric networks helped visualize these connections.

Technology Integration in Predicting Financial Performance: Big Data, Intellectual Capital, and Board Diversity

The relationship between technological integration, diversity on the board, and intellectual capital management and how these factors affect the financial performance of Indonesian start-ups is examined in this study. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach is used in this work to evaluate the intricate interactions among these critical parameters using a diverse sample of 195 start-ups. A thorough knowledge of the dynamics that influence startups' financial success is facilitated by the use of descriptive statistics, measurement model assessment, and structural model analysis. The findings indicate that there are strong positive correlations between financial performance and board diversity, intellectual capital, and technological integration. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved are clarified by mediation effects. The model explains half of the variance in financial performance (R2 = 0.504) and demonstrates strong predictive relevance (Q2 = 0.354). For practitioners, politicians, and investors navigating Indonesia's competitive start-up entrepreneurship scene, the findings provide insightful information.

A theoretical model for predicting the startup performance of pumps as turbines

Using the unsteady Bernoulli equation for the piping system and the angular momentum equation for the rotor, derives here a theoretical model to predict the startup performance of a pump as turbine (PAT). This model is effective for predicting the instantaneous evolution characteristics of the main performance parameters of PAT during startup, and these changings are initially faster and then slowly as a whole. The effect of the rotor moment of inertia and the final stabilized rotational speed of PAT on evolution characteristics of parameters is opposite. The rotational speed, head, hydraulic power, and conversion efficiency show a upward rising trend with the startup time, whereas the flow rate and hydraulic head loss display a downward trend.

Examining Dual-Moderation of Structure Racism, Economic Fragility, High Tech Startup’s Team Diversity and Performance

This study has been conducted to examine the dual moderation of structural racism and economic fragility between team diversity and startup team performance. Team diversity is particularly important for new ventures or startups as the need or focus of such startups is on a diverse range of consumers. The role of racism and economic fragility cannot be ignored in this regard. To conduct this research the targeted population is the high-tech startups in France. For data collection, 351 questionnaires were received and processed for data analysis. The results indicated a significant impact of team diversity on startup team performance. The moderating role of structural racism was also significant between team diversity and startup team performance. Whereas, economic fragility also significantly moderates the relationship between team diversity and startup team performance. The practical importance of this study is greatly implied in those startups which incorporate diversity in their workplace. The policymakers are also devoted to performing their part concerning the policies that are being formulated to encourage and promote diversity in the workplace as well as in educational settings. Theoretically, this research contributes to the growing body of literature regarding startup performances. However, most of the high-tech startups in France did not contain the required data for gaining clear facts and figures. This limitation can be catered to in the future by targeting more advanced high-tech startups in France.

Operating mechanism of pulsating heat pipe with different wettability from the perspective of thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics of vapor–liquid interface region

Pulsating heat pipe (PHP) is considered to be one of the most promising efficient heat sinks in electronic thermal management for good cooling capacity and compact structure. Understanding the complex operating mechanism of PHP from various angles is crucial for advancing its large-scale application. Among various factors, the thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics of the vapor–liquid interface region have a critical impact on the operation of PHP. Based on this, the transient numerical simulations were conducted in this work on PHPs with 20° and 150° contact angles (hydrophilic and hydrophobic, respectively), and the influence of different thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics of the vapor–liquid interface region on the operating mechanism of PHPs was analyzed. The results found that the presence of a widely spreading liquid film at the interface of hydrophilic PHP significantly changed its thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics compared to hydrophobic PHP. As a consequence, the hydrophilic PHP and hydrophobic PHP presented better heat transfer performance in the evaporation section and condensation section, respectively. Under low heat inputs, with regular vapor–liquid distribution in the interface region, the hydrophobic PHP presented better startup and heat transfer performance due to better hydrodynamic behavior caused by more easily formed pressure gradients. Under high heat inputs, the hydrophilic PHP showed significantly better heat transfer performance due to the intense evaporation and continuous spreading of new liquid film in the interface region, which also played a key role in stronger anti-dry-out performance.

Heat transfer performance of high-temperature heat pipe startup in small heat pipe reactors

High-temperature heat pipe is an important heat transfer component in small heat pipe reactors (SHPR). Research on the transient heat transfer characteristics during heat pipe startup is crucial for safety analysis of SHPR. This manuscript investigates the startup performance of a lithium heat pipe from the frozen state with various influencing factors, including heating power, inclination angle, and convection heat transfer coefficient. The objective of this work is to speed up the heat pipe startup process in a safe and economic manner based on its heat transfer characteristics. In order to illustrate the startup characteristics and further to reduce the startup time, this manuscript constructs a CFD heat pipe model via the multi-physics simulation software, COMSOL. The phase change process of heat pipe startup is described by the Phase Change Material method, with the fluid velocity and pressure fields of wick established using the Brinkman equation. Results show that the heat pipe thermal resistance decreases with increasing heating power, positive inclination angle, or convection heat transfer coefficient. On the other hand, the heat pipe startup time reduces with increasing heating power, increasing positive inclination angle, or decreasing convection heat transfer coefficient. Moreover, numerical analysis indicates that heat pipe temperature rises faster in the evaporation section than in the condensation section at the beginning of startup. Temperature rise process in the condensation section occupies the majority of the entire heat pipe startup process. Therefore, to speed up the startup process, this work proposes a novel extra heating method applying to the condensation section at early startup. Compared with the conventional startup, the proposed method is able to shorten the startup time by 10.5 % and 15.8 % with an extra heating power of 10 % Full Power (FP) and 20 %FP respectively.

Common-Mode Voltage Reduction of Modular Multilevel Converter Using Adaptive High-Frequency Injection Method for Medium-Voltage Motor Drives

This study proposes an adaptive high-frequency injection method (AHFI) aimed at mitigating common-mode voltage (CMV) on the AC side and alleviating current stress on power semiconductor devices within each arm of a medium-voltage motor propulsion system designed for modular multilevel converters. By adjusting the quantity of high-frequency components injected into each arm according to the fluctuation coefficient, the amplitude of injected high-frequency CMV and circulating currents can be reduced across medium to rated motor speeds. This approach enhances the start-up performance of medium-voltage motor drives while diminishing CMV effects on the motor side, resulting in decreased total harmonic distortion (THD) in the three-phase output waveforms. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the proposed AHFI method in SM voltage regulation and circulating current control under low-frequency operation is thoroughly analyzed. The validity of this method is established through comprehensive mathematical scrutiny and time–domain simulations performed using MATLAB/SIMULINK software, along with real-time simulations conducted employing the real-time simulator OPAL/RT via hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS).

When do startups scale? Large‐scale evidence from job postings

AbstractResearch SummaryScaling at the right time is a crucial challenge for startups. Conceptualizing “scaling” as the entrepreneurial process of acquiring and committing resources to implement the core business idea and expand the customer base, this study examines how scaling early may decrease imitation risk at the expense of increasing commitment risk. As startups typically hire managers and sales personnel when they begin to scale, we propose that this timing can be empirically measured by when startups first post these jobs. Leveraging a dataset of job postings, we find that early scalers are more likely to fail, but no evidence of a countervailing benefit in terms of successful exit. Additional analyses suggest that the commitment risk in scaling early outweighs the benefit of reducing imitation risk.Managerial SummaryIn recent years, a few high‐growth startups (e.g., Facebook and Uber) that made their fortune by scaling early—an approach often referred to as “blitzscaling”—have received much interest among academics and practitioners. However, this study presents large‐sample evidence that scaling early is positively associated with a higher rate of firm failure, especially for platform companies. These findings imply that, despite its potential benefits of preventing imitation by competitors, scaling early can suppress startup performance by prematurely curtailing learning through experimentation and committing to a business idea that lacks product‐market fit. In sum, our work cautions startups against prioritizing scaling early before finding product‐market fit, and instead highlights the importance of spending sufficient time on experimentation before scaling.

Relationship between Market Orientation and Innovation Performance in Technology Startups in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between market orientation and innovation performance in technology startups in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: A study investigating the relationship between market orientation and innovation performance in technology startups in Kenya found significant correlations between the two variables. Market orientation, defined as the extent to which a firm focus on understanding and meeting customer needs, was positively associated with innovation performance among the startups surveyed. The findings suggest that technology startups that prioritize gathering market intelligence, understanding customer preferences, and adapting their strategies accordingly are more likely to achieve higher levels of innovation. This underscores the importance of market-driven approaches in fostering innovation within the Kenyan technology startup ecosystem. The study highlights the potential benefits of aligning business strategies with market demands to enhance innovation outcomes and ultimately, the competitiveness of startups in the dynamic technology sector. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource-based view, dynamic capabilities theory and absorptive capacity theory may be use to anchor future studies on assessing the relationship between market orientation and innovation performance in technology startups in Kenya. Technology startups should prioritize the development and implementation of market-oriented strategies to drive innovation performance. Policymakers should recognize the importance of supporting market-oriented entrepreneurship through conducive regulatory frameworks and support programs.

Experimental study on a rectangular evaporator loop heat pipe with a phase-change material heat sink

To satisfy the heat dissipation requirements of high heat flux electronic devices in extreme conditions where no suitable heat sink exists, such as in the flight process of hypersonic aircraft and the re-entry process of spacecraft, a rectangular evaporator loop heat pipe (LHP) with a phase-change material heat sink was designed and developed. Extensive experimental studies on the thermal control performance of the LHP have been performed, mainly including the startup performance, maximum temperature control time, dynamic response to varying heat load, and the heat transfer limit. Experimental results showed that the LHP could successfully realize the startup at a small heat load as low as 5 W. Under 100 W heat load, the LHP can keep operating for 4 h and 16 min at most with the operating temperature lower than 50 °C, including 2 h and 40 min of quasi-stable operation. The heat transfer limit of the LHP could reach up to 200 W, corresponding to a heat flux of 13.3 W/cm2 at the evaporator. In addition, the LHP exhibited excellent dynamic response characteristics to varying heat loads, holding great application potential in future thermal control tasks in extreme conditions.

Assessing the impact of seed accelerators in start-ups from emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems

This study provides new evidence regarding the significance of enrolling in a seed accelerator programme for the performance and prospects of startups. The main novelty and contributions of this work lie in siting the analysis within an emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) and exploring the impact of both the business model and technological levels of new ventures. We tested a set of six hypotheses through empirical analysis of a dataset comprising 735 startups located in Valencia (Spain), a region representing the category of an emerging, medium-sized EE. The findings revealed that within this EE, the advantages of being accelerated tended to diminish and were more marginal than expected. Furthermore, the seed accelerator profile appeared to be of little importance to the prospects and attractiveness of firms to investors. Interestingly, their technological levels were strongly correlated with higher investment but not with a higher number of employees. The expected direct relationship between funding and firm size was also confirmed. A particularly noteworthy finding was the direct relationship between a higher technological level and business-to-business (B2B) models, as well as the opposite relationship for business-to-consumer (B2C) models. These findings have several significant implications for management and policymakers, including the apparent lack of advantages for accelerated firms in closing large investment rounds and the recommendation that incubators prioritise new ventures with high technological capacity and focussing on B2B models. Finally, we highlight the profile of startups with strong prospects for attracting investment and scaling up.

Government-Funded Businesses: An Empirical Study of Romanian Start-Ups

Policymakers consider startups an essential sector of a dynamic and competitive economy. In this paper we assess the outcome of a Romanian program which provided a consistent subsidy to potential startup entrepreneurs. More specifically, we carry out a cluster and discriminant analysis to measure the economic performance of startup companies five years after their inception. The results show that there are three groups of businesses: companies with high capital and operational efficiency, companies with average profitability, and companies with low profitability, with substantial differences in turnover, profits, debt etc. We argue that these differences are attributable in part to the entrepreneur’s human capital and to the attempt to exploit the different fiscal treatment of labor and capital income. We also show that the public grant scheme had no durable impact on employment and on fixed assets, which suggests the presence of a significant crowding out and moral hazard effects.

The Impact of Social Media Marketing Adoption on Homemade Food Start-ups Performance

This study used TAM to achieve the objective of examining the impact of perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), interactivity, perceived value (PV), and critical mass on business performance (BP) mediating buy social media marketing (SMM) adoption. An online survey was distributed to 174 participants in Jordanian homemade food start-ups. AMOS was used to evaluate a sample of 152 valid surveys. This study had seven hypotheses, all of which were supported. The results highlight that PEOU, PU, interactivity, PV, and critical mass have a significant positive impact on SMM adoption. Furthermore, this study found that SMM adoption has a significant impact on business performance. In addition, this study contributes to the existing knowledge related to SMM adoption and is valuable to enterprises.

The impact of dynamic marketing capabilities on startup performance: A case of business incubators in Jordan

Dynamic marketing capabilities provide startups with the platform and market knowledge that entitle them to achieve their goals and survive the competition. The study aims to examine the impact of dynamic marketing capabilities dimensions on startups’ performance in Jordan. This quantitative study employs a questionnaire to solicit answers from respondents who are the incubates that use business incubator services. A total of 302 entrepreneurs from different incubator centers in Jordan participated in the online survey. Using the SmartPLS program version 4, structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the study model. The findings indicate that startup performance is significantly impacted by dynamic marketing capabilities (β = 0.937, t = 127.2, p = >0.00). Concerning absorptive capacity, both dimensions revealed a significant impact on startup performance: potential absorptive capacity (β = 0.251, t = 7.932, p > 0.000) and realized absorptive capacity (β = 0.177, t = 5.409, p > 0.000). For knowledge management, the results for knowledge acquisition were β = 0.360, t = 11.089, p = >0.000, for knowledge dissemination, β = 0.102, t = 2.367, p = >0.018, and for responsiveness to knowledge β = 0.318, t = 6.852, p = >0.000.

Effect of surface roughness on lubrication performance of water-lubricated bearing for energy recovery turbocharger

In this study, the lubrication performance of the water-lubricated bearing of the energy recovery turbocharger was studied considering the surface roughness. By simulating the rough surface of the bearing with the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot function and combining the water film thickness equation, Reynolds average equation, Greenwood-Tripp contact model and motion equation, the theoretical model of water-lubricated bearing is established and its solution is developed. The variational rules for the hydrodynamic pressure and force, asperity contact pressure and force, and other performance parameters of the water lubricated bearings during start-up and stable operation were obtained by solving this model, and the effect of different surface roughness on the start-up performance and steady operation lubrication performance is studied. The results show that the hydrodynamic force increases rapidly and the asperity contact force sharp decreases during the early start-up stage, and the smaller the surface roughness, the faster the hydrodynamic increase and asperity contact force decrease. The thickness distribution and pressure distribution of water film with different surface roughness have slight differences in stable operation. Therefore, the surface roughness has an important effect on the lubrication performance of the water lubricated bearing in the start-up stage, but has little effect on the stable operation.

Aerodynamic characterization of a H-Darrieus wind turbine with a Drag-Disturbed Flow device installation

This study examines the impact of the Drag-Disturbed Flow device on the startup and operation of HDWT (H-Darrieus wind turbine). The device plays a crucial role in enhancing the startup performance of the HDWT and improving the overall wind energy utilization. This work presents a study where two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) evaluations are performed on various D-DF (Drag-Disturbed) devices. The HDWT utilizes the NACA0018 airfoil type, while the D-DF device employs triangular, oval, and NACA0018 airfoil structures. The text explains the installation process and operational principles of the D-DF device. It also verifies the device's meshing and accuracy. Furthermore, this study conducts 2-D simulations to analyze the impact of various D-DF devices on the moment and wind energy consumption coefficients of the HDWT. Additionally, the process by which D-DF devices enhance the performance of the HDWT is explained by an analysis of the vortex cloud diagram. The results indicate that the HDWTs equipped with D-DF devices experience significant performance improvements during the wind turbine startup phase. Specifically, the Drag blade effectively enhances the moment coefficient of the HDWTs at low tip speed ratios by an average of approximately 41.74 %. Additionally, once the HDWTs are started and operating at high tip speed ratios, all D-DF devices, except for the DF-Tri, can be utilized within the λ = 1.2–2 range to enhance the torque coefficient of the HDWT by an average of about 7.53 %. This study aims to improve the operating performance of the current HDWT, lower the wind turbine cut-in wind speed, and enhance the wind energy consumption of the turbine.

Poised for growth: Exploring the relationship between accelerator program design and startup performance

AbstractResearch SummaryAccelerator programs provide valuable market feedback and education to participants that may improve startup performance. However, it is unclear whether the average effect of accelerator participation on startup performance post acceleration is positive, and if so, how this effect varies with accelerator program design. We analyze data from 8580 startups that made it past the initial selection stage at 408 accelerators in 176 countries between 2013 and 2019. We compare accelerated and non‐accelerated startups and find a positive average effect of accelerator participation on startup performance post acceleration. Moreover, we find that this effect varies substantially with program design, and depends on venture stage, industry, and founder expertise. Our findings highlight the impact of program design on the benefits that startups derive from accelerator participation.Managerial SummaryThe purpose of this study is to determine whether participation in startup accelerator programs generally leads to improved startup performance post acceleration and how the benefits of participation might vary with the design of these programs. We analyze data from 8580 startups that applied to and passed the initial selection phase at 408 accelerators in 176 countries over multiple cohorts between 2013 and 2019. Our results indicate that on average, startups that participate in accelerators perform better than those that are also selected but not accelerated. Furthermore, we find that the benefits that startups gain from being accelerated vary with the design of the program. Our findings highlight the importance of accelerator program design in influencing the extent of improvement in startup performance post acceleration.

Study on heat transfer characteristics of a dual-evaporator ultra-thin loop heat pipe for laptop cooling

The thermal management of laptops is challenged by the presence of multiple heat sources with non-uniform distribution and limited space for heat dissipation. This paper proposes the application of a 1 mm thickness dual-evaporator ultra-thin loop heat pipe (DE-UTLHP) for cooling laptops. The start-up performance and steady-state heat transfer performance of the dual-evaporator ultra-thin loop heat pipes were studied under equal or unequal heat loads. The results show that successful set-up can be achieved within the range of heat loads from 5 W–5 W to 20 W–20 W in the horizontal orientation. And it can achieve a maximum heat load of up to 22 W–22 W and a minimum thermal resistance of 0.69 °C/W. Furthermore, it was found that it exhibited better heat transfer performance in the vertical orientation compared to the horizontal orientation. The proposed dual-evaporator ultra-thin loop heat pipes can convert isolated and dispersed direct heat dissipation into centralized and integrated thermal management for future laptops.