Pioneer Companies Research Articles

Evaluation of Blockchain Technology in the Context of Tourism Sector within the Framework of Diffusion of Innovation Theory: Challenges and Opportunities

Blockchain technology is one of the technologies emphasized both academically and practically due to the possibility of application integration in different fields. The tourism sector has an interest in blockchain technology due to its early and rapid adoption of technology. Today, blockchain technology is mainly used in finance. However, it is also preferred in tourism due to the opportunities it provides in data management, payment systems, identity management and loyalty programs. In this study, a literature review was first conducted to examine the use of blockchain technology in the tourism sector. Then, the first pioneer companies that emerged in the field of tourism were classified. The relationship between blockchain and tourism is evaluated within the scope of institutional analysis. Then, an analysis was carried out within the framework of the diffusion of innovation theory. As a result, it has been determined that blockchain technology is still developing. However, the promising and growing number of the first sectoral solutions increases the likelihood of acceptance. There is a lack of knowledge about blockchain among industry players and consumers. Integration of blockchain technology with tourism applications is ongoing, but no generally accepted standard has emerged. It has been determined that there are deficiencies regarding local and global legal regulations.

O.2.3-5 Workplace Active Certification: the creation of a certification process that values and rewards professional organisations implementing physical activity for their employees

Abstract Purpose The workplace is often highlighted as a potential location for promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles. However, embedding physical activity in the workplace seems less obvious. Due to the unique culture and structure of companies, differences in interpersonal relationships and in personal motivation, as well as local/national differences, it is impossible to offer a simple “one size fits all” strategy that can be applied everywhere in Europe. The 'Workplace Active Certification' (WAC, Erasmus+) project aimed to develop an evidence-based certification process through which companies that successfully embed HEPA in the workplace can be certified as 'physically active' Methods To achieve this goal, the programme integrated different types of evidence from different sources. These included a scoping review, multi-stage online interviews with 'pioneer' employers (28) in several (7) European countries, and iterative consultations with cross-sectoral experts in health and physical activity promotion (44). The full certification/audit process was tested and evaluated with 16 pioneer companies. The project included 10 cross-sectoral supporting partners. Results All this shared information has resulted in a toolbox with an introductory questionnaire and a comprehensive list of 40 WAC criteria that should be met by any organisation wishing to develop its 'Active Workplace' approach and become 'WAC certified'. The criteria are divided into 5 categories: needs assessment, leadership, planned actions, work environment and evaluation. In 2022, a total of 13 companies were awarded the WAC certificate. Conclusions We have developed a certification system with the following characteristics: multi-level, contextualised, targeted, action-based and impact and sustainability oriented. Going through the certification process helps companies to improve their workplace HEPA policies. Achieving certification recognises and rewards professional organisations for implementing HEPA for their employees. Funding Source ERASMUS+ European Commission.

Tax Incentive Practices and Financial Performance of Listed Consumer Goods Firms in Nigeria

Tax incentives are granted to enhance positive financial performance and growth of companies across various industries in the country. It is also encouraging to know that consumer goods companies are ranked as one of the pioneer companies. There is however some air of uncertainties as to the value or rationale behind the continued provision of tax incentives. The study examined the relationship between tax incentive practices and financial performance of listed consumer goods firms in Nigeria. The specific objective was to investigate the relationships between annual allowance and return on assets. Secondary data was obtained from the annual reports of) consumer goods firms listed on the Nigeria Exchange Group (NEG) Fact book on a time series of 2011-2020. Convenience sampling technique was adopted where 5 listed consumer goods were selected. Data sourced were subjected to a battery of robustness test, while Pearson’s Product Moment (PPMC), Partial Correlation and Regression analysis used for data analysis and testing the hypothesis formulated. The study result indicated that there is a significant relationship between Annual Allowance and Return of Assets of listed consumer goods in Nigeria. The study recommended that the authorities responsible for administration of tax incentives should prioritize the process of granting tax incentives by making it easier for companies in the consumer goods have unrestrained access to tax incentives, so as to bolster productivity in the sector in order to promote made in Nigeria goods.

Current status and vision of local pharmaceutical industries in Saudi Arabia: The focus on nanomedicines

BackgroundPharmaceutical nanomedicine products are expected to impact the global pharmaceutical market and healthcare system significantly. Since 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved over 80 nanomedicine products for marketing; an additional double that number is currently being tested in clinical trials. The nanomedicine market is expected to reach USD 350.8 billion by 2025 from USD 138.8 billion in 2016. This demonstrates the importance of nanotechnology to the delivery of pharmaceuticals. The main benefits of employing nanotechnology to distribute therapeutic agents include reducing the undesired toxicity from non-specific distribution and increasing patient adherence, which can indirectly minimize the burden on the country's healthcare system. Such products are expected to gain a significant economic impact on Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical drugs market once they get developed locally. MethodA descriptive and cross-sectional study, including a web-based questionnaire and a complete categorization of pharmaceutical products formed by the national industries in Saudi Arabia, was utilized to investigate the current and future direction of pharmaceutical manufacturing exploiting nanotechnology in the Kingdom. ResultsThe survey showed an apparent lack of willingness within the national pharmaceutical industries, as the majority (≈ 86%) of the leading Saudi companies cannot enable nanotechnology-based medicines in their manufacturing. However, more than 93% of the national pharmaceutical industries, upon the basis of the responses, agreed that the development of pharmaceutical products with nanotechnology is an important step toward solving various complications associated with conventional forms of the available medicine. ConclusionNational pharmaceutical industries in Saudi Arabia will need to get closer to manufacturing nanomedicines by partnering with international pioneer companies. In addition, empowering the local research and development (R&D) centers in nano delivery systems could facilitate translating their R&D outcomes into novel advanced and commercialized products. This could imitate the direction of the global pharmaceutical market and share its revenue which will positively reflect on the Kingdom's economy.

James E. Talmage and the Selenite Crystals

James E. Talmage and the Selenite Crystals

HOW COMPANIES INNOVATE BUSINESS MODELS AND SUPPLY CHAINS FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY: A MULTIPLE-CASE STUDY AND FRAMEWORK

To implement a circular economy (CE), companies are pushed to innovate, respectively, their business models, from a micro-perspective, and their supply chains, from a meso-perspective. Despite the increasing research on both these perspectives, there is still a knowledge gap on how companies innovate business models and supply chains for circularity. In this study, we build on innovation management, circular business model (CBM), and circular supply chain (CSC) literatures and develop a theory-based framework where circularity leads to product/process/service innovation from a micro-perspective, and to possible innovation in companies’ supply chains (retaining existing chains/renewing them) from a meso-perspective. Through a multiple-case study of Finnish and Italian CE pioneer companies, we validate this framework, find evidence on interplay between CBM and CSC innovation, and identify innovation strategy variants. The framework contributes to innovation management, CBM, and CSC literature works, and encourages managers willing to adopt circularity to consider innovating simultaneously both their business models and supply chains.

Agile Project Management Approaches: A Case Study with Respect to Their Application in Finance Technology Projects

The strategy of Financial Services in Libyan pioneer companies has begun to achieve a transformation from providing ordinary services to electronic services through financial services technologies, which necessitates the qualification of employees in Libyan software companies. To facilitate this, recent agile software agile project management strategies and their possible advantages, disadvantages, and possible limitations will be discussed. In the context of improving software development for changing work conditions or requirements, he current state of agile project management (APM) will be studied and enhancement with best APM practices will be implemented within Masarat IT & Financial Services, a pioneer Libyan company. Our findings demonstrate that the application of agile project management best practices has a positive impact on project success. The benefits of agility were immediately apparent, and the advantages of adopting APM methodologies were a crucial factor in successfully completing the project.

Towards ontological interoperability of cognitive IoT agents based on natural language processing¶

The interoperability of devices from distinct brands on the Internet of Things (IoT) domain is still an open issue. The main reason is that pioneer companies always deliberately neglected to deploy devices able to interoperate with competitors products. The key factors that may invert such a trend derive, on one hand, from the abstraction of communication protocols that facilitates the migration from vertical to horizontal paradigms and, on the other hand, from the introduction of common and shared ontologies encoding devices specifications. The Semantic Web, with all its layers, can be considered the main framework for delivering ontologies, and by virtue of its features, it is surely the ideal means for providing shared knowledge. In this paper we present a framework that instantiates cognitive agents operating in IoT context, endowed with meta-reasoning in the Semantic Web. The framework, called SW-Caspar, is also provided with a module that performs semi-automatic ontology learning from sentences expressed in natural language; such a learning process generates a conceptual space reflecting the domain of discourse with an instance of a novel foundational ontology called Linguistic Oriented Davidsonian Ontology (LODO), whose main feature is to increase the deepness of reasoning without compromising linguistic-related features. LODO is inspired by the First-Order Logic Davidsonian notation and is serialized in OWL 2. Well-known examples derived from the theory of logical reasoning and a case-study applied to automation on health scenarios are also provided.

Lessons learn on responsible AI implementation: the ASSISTANT use case

Currently, pioneer companies are working hard to construct applied ethical frameworks in different sectors for using AI components that generate trust in their clients and workforce. However, independent of these few companies, there is still a considerable gap between understanding the impact of using responsible AI components, the implications of the lack of use, and what is currently applied in the industrial sector.Given that industry has shown an increased commitment to incorporating AI components, works focus on broadening the understanding of manufacturing sector stakeholders of what approaches could be considered within AI life-cycle, reducing the gap between principles and actionable requirements, and defining fundamental considerations based on risk management for incorporating, and managing, AI-based on responsible AI are required.In this work, we present a summary of the most suitable approaches that can be used for implementation and the lessons learned from a European Funded project (ASSISTANT).

Circular Project Selection: How Companies Can Evaluate Circular Innovation Projects

For a transition toward the circular economy (CE) at the firm level, circular innovations are an essential requirement. Many companies are still hesitant to introduce circular solutions, as their future success chances are difficult to predict. Circular solutions often imply a high uncertainty and complexity because they are designed over multiple life cycles and are strongly interconnected with diverse stakeholders. Therefore, an effective selection process tailored to circular innovation is of great advantage. This study examines circular project selection by investigating selection processes and evaluation criteria for circular innovation management. A qualitative research design was chosen, including 18 in-depth interviews with CE experts and representatives from CE pioneer companies. Findings on the selection process show that circular innovation projects are often embedded in a strategic CE framework decision. Whereas idea generation is usually approached bottom-up involving different stakeholders, project evaluation is rather performed top-down by top management or in cross-functional teams. Furthermore, the study discusses evaluation criteria and their CE implications in detail and structures them into a criteria framework that can be used in multi-criteria decision models. This paper makes a theoretical contribution by connecting innovation and CE literature and by providing new knowledge on the still scarcely explored topic of circular project selection. As practical contribution, the study guides managers on how to approach project selection in circular innovation management and thus supports their development toward a CE.

Strengthening of the Coal-Gasification Industry: Evidence from Indonesia

The purpose of this research is to analyze Indonesia's coal-gasification industry policy. This research needs to map the undeveloped coal-gasification industry. In fact, the coal-gasification industry can increase the economic value of coal, increase local income, absorb the labor force, and reduce pollution. It also has some strategic roles in national fiscal revenue and foreign exchange reserves and is of great significance to regional development. The research methods used are quantitative and qualitative. The results of this study indicate that government needs to provide some financial incentives for the coal-gasification industries, especially for pioneer companies for having coal-gasification works, and ensure that policies taken will be able to encourage economic growth and investment in Indonesia’s coal-gasification industry. To support investment in the coal-gasification industry, it is necessary to formulate policies and rules to provide a sign for its implementation.

UV-Vis Spectrophotometric Analysis of DNA Retrieval for DNA Storage Applications

Informational Deoxyribonucleic Acid (iDNA) has gained the attention of many researchers and pioneer companies for the development of novel storage systems for the long-term and high-density storing of information. This research focuses on the physical storage of iDNA strands to address some of the current challenges by evaluating the accuracy of the process of iDNA retrieval from the surface after the dehydration process. For this aim, a UV-Vis spectrophotometric technique was used to measure the concentration of the DNA samples. Although spectroscopy has been widely employed for the evaluation of DNA concentration and contamination in a solution, it has not been used to investigate dry-state DNA, which is one of the preferred storage formats for the long-term retention of information. These results demonstrate that the UV-Vis spectrophotometric technique can be used to accurately measure dry-state DNA before the retrieval and its residues after the DNA retrieval process. This paper further examines the storage/retrieval process by investigating the relationship between the storage time and the amount of retrieved DNA or the DNA residue left on various surfaces. Based on the experimental results demonstrated and discussed in this paper, UV-Vis spectrophotometry can be used for monitoring dry-state DNA with a high accuracy larger than 98%. Moreover, these results reveal that the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the surface do not significantly affect DNA retrieval over a one-month time period.

Патентный анализ и перспективы развития системы автоматической шнуровки обуви

This study examines the shoe powerlacing system. In the article are considered the history and the prerequisites of this innovation, various analogues and prototypes. By market analysis: the main models of shoes with a powerlacing system are reviewed, the leading companies and pioneer companies which have become the first in the production of equipment with an integrated powerlacing system are identified. The analysis of patent and non-patent sources is made. During patent analysis the main valid documents, which belong to the market leaders, are studied and a comparison to the first ever published patents for powerlacing system is fulfilled. The patent families of some companies and the main directions for the publication of patents are studied. The data is summarized, and possible predictions were made for the further development of this innovation. Several development vectors for companies that have sufficient potential in the current market are proposed. Also, due to the high level of development of intellectual property institution in countries it is proposed to use powerlacing system in such fields as space and military equipment. According to the authors, this invention could receive a fairly wide response in these areas due to the high interest of government and the great financial and investment potential in these industries.

Groundwater risk assessment investigations for oil shale exploitation in El-Lajjun area of central Jordan

Oil shales are sedimentary rocks that contain organic material in its inorganic matrix. The oil shale deposits of Jordan have been investigated since the 1960s. An extensive investigation studies have been commenced to evaluate the quality and quantity of these resources. In 2006, the government of Jordan invited pioneer companies in oil shale field to submit their proposal to utilize and develop the oil shale of Jordan using different extraction technologies. Jordan is considered one of the driest countries in the world, which poses an additional challenge for oil shale development, because a vast quantity of water is needed for this process. El-Lajjun study area is located in central Jordan; the oil shale in the study area was deposited in marine environment; it comprises massive beds of brown-black, kerogen-rich, bituminous chalky marl. Ten representative oil shale rock samples were collected for risk assessment investigations from different localities of oil shale exposures. A standardized laboratory Fischer assay test delivered oil shale characteristics. Sequential extraction was used to evaluate mobility and distribution of the trace elements Ti, V, Cr, Co, Zn, As, Zr, Cd, Pb, and U. Column leaching experiments were performed to simulate the leaching behavior of the above elements from oil shale and spent shale to evaluate the possible negative impact on groundwater in the study area. Results of sequential extraction indicate that concentration of trace elements and trace elements are richer in oil shale and in the spent shale compared to most rocks and soils. The concentrations in the leachate were below the maximum contaminant levels of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Jordanian standards for drinking water. The significance of this study lies in that its utilizes for the first time the sequential extraction and column leaching techniques to investigate the Jordanian oil shale rocks.

Translating the “French Legend”

The early twentieth century saw dramatic growth in America’s garment industry, and textile mass manufacturers aimed to efficiently produce lucrative goods. Fashions were set by Paris. Rather than compete with this authority, American businessmen capitalized on it by reinterpreting or reproducing these styles for a clientele that demanded French looks. To this end, mills subscribed to Parisian design intelligence services: pioneer companies such as J. Claude Frères et Cie gathered textile swatches of novelties and current styles and sent them by mail to customers around the world. These sample subscriptions vastly increased the efficiency of trend researching for American manufacturers. Staff at American mills might duplicate a sample’s pattern or construction exactly, but the majority of samples were modified or informed design direction. This study seeks to broaden the scarce historical narrative on sampling companies’ relationships to American textile manufacturing by tracking fashion dissemination through the medium of these sample swatches.

Physico-Mechanical and Thermodynamic Properties of Mycelium-Based Biocomposites: A Review

Reducing the use of non-renewable resources is a key strategy of a circular economy. Mycelium-based foams and sandwich composites are an emerging category of biocomposites relying on the valorization of lignocellulosic wastes and the natural growth of the living fungal organism. While growing, the fungus cements the substrate, which is partially replaced by the tenacious biomass of the fungus itself. The final product can be shaped to produce insulating panels, packaging materials, bricks or new-design objects. Only a few pioneer companies in the world retain a significant know-how, as well as the ability to provide the material characterization. Moreover, several technical details are not revealed due to industrial secrecy. According to the available literature, mycelium-based biocomposites show low density and good insulation properties, both related to acoustic and thermal aspects. Mechanical properties are apparently inferior in comparison to expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is the major synthetic competitor. Nevertheless, mycelium-based composites can display an enormous variability on the basis of: fungal species and strain; substrate composition and structure; and incubation conditions. The aim of the present review is to summarize technical aspects and properties of mycelium-based biocomposites focusing on both actual applications and future perspectives.

Ecosystem services valuation by pioneering companies

This study aims to identify the reasons for companies to invest in ecosystem services valuation (ESV). ESV is a voluntary environmental initiative (VEI) that intends to strengthen ecosystem services management, assess ecological sustainability of human activities, and rate and dissociate environmental and economic conditions. We identified 70 companies of 17 sectors and 18 countries currently undertaking ESV work, and classified their work according to levels of development. Additionally, we conducted interviews to better understand the reasons for such proactive behaviour. Among other findings, we discovered that pioneer companies tend to establish institutional partnerships to access to knowledge about ESV.

Ecosystem services valuation by pioneering companies

This study aims to identify the reasons for companies to invest in ecosystem services valuation (ESV). ESV is a voluntary environmental initiative (VEI) that intends to strengthen ecosystem services management, assess ecological sustainability of human activities, and rate and dissociate environmental and economic conditions. We identified 70 companies of 17 sectors and 18 countries currently undertaking ESV work, and classified their work according to levels of development. Additionally, we conducted interviews to better understand the reasons for such proactive behaviour. Among other findings, we discovered that pioneer companies tend to establish institutional partnerships to access to knowledge about ESV.

Circular Innovation Processes from an Absorptive Capacity Perspective: The Case of Cradle to Cradle

As advancement of sustainability-oriented innovation, circular innovation addresses not only the lacking environmental challenge integration but adopts a life cycle perspective. We apply absorptive capacity theory with its core processes identification, assimilation, and application for opening up the black box of circular innovation processes. We conducted a multiple longitudinal case study on innovation processes by Cradle to Cradle™ Certified pioneer companies covering the entire inter-organizational innovation network (focal firm, suppliers, intermediaries, certification body). Our findings show that the Cradle to Cradle™ Certified Products Standard triggers innovation processes that can be characterized by a high knowledge intensity. This leads to the need of involving an expanded actor set as compared to conventional innovation and promotes knowledge flows and learning with value chain and institutional partners during all three absorptive capacity phases. Our findings imply that this collaborative form of product development makes companies more innovative. Our contribution is twofold: First, we contribute to the swiftly growing body of circular economy literature, by providing deep insights into innovation processes on multiple levels covering individuals, organizational practices, and inter-organizational collaboration. Second, we contribute to innovation theory by providing a contextualized process model of absorptive capacity better explaining the unique challenges in circular product innovation.

A historical and descriptive review of the pioneer companies in the intangible management

Purpose: The importance and significance of the intangibles in recent years seems unquestionable to the current business environment is questionable but why not all companies, depending on their nature, are addressing their treatment. Trying to explain from the past the present situation, we will focus on analyzing the role business played in this development. Design/methodology/approach: This shall be performed at first a theoretical review of the origins of the business interest to intangibles and secondly an analysis of the reasons that argue such pioneers to address the management of these elements. Findings and Originality/value: Our results confirm both the existence of a heterogeneous between firms bet they observe the predominance of advice and knowledge intensive companies or technologies, all of great size, as the existence of different reasons for starting this management of the intangible between the protruding inform the role of different stakeholders not booked capital. Research limitations/implications: We have analyzed only those cases we have considered like the most representative pioneers internationally, for this reason we consider necessary in the future enlargement of the cases studied. Practical implications: Our results have important implications to guide research in this field, because they suppose a call for attention for the analysis of those companies are not managing their intangibles. Social implications: Our results also are a means to guide institutional-political actions in this matter, given the relationship between intangibles and value creation. Originality/value: This paper contributes to existing research on the development of the evolution of corporate interest in intangible cataloging the pioneers and offering an explanation of the reasons offered to carry out the disposal of these items.