Technology-based Companies Research Articles

Transitions in Project Management Offices: A Framework Relating Functions, Success Factors and Project Performance in a High-Technology Company

This paper aims to present and analyze the transitions in operational activities and the performance of a Project Management Office (PMO) in a technology-based company through a longitudinal case study. The paper discusses functions, tensions, success factors, indicators, and performance and how they drive the major changes faced by the PMO. The results demonstrated that political tensions, more than performance, explained PMO changes. Tensions are originated from both requirements from project stakeholders that were not addressed and success itself, meaning that stakeholder dispute for capitalizing on the success’s honors and benefits. Issues about centralization, project performance, and focus on stakeholders’ demands seem to be central for designing the role and functions of project management offices in the studied high-technology company. In the end, a theoretical framework presents the results of the case study in terms of factors influencing PMO transitions.

Promoting Entrepreneurial Mindset and Practice Through Online Bootcamp in COVID-19

The rise of technology-based companies greatly changed the economic developments over the past few decades by commercialization of innovation. As a result, employers need more graduates with the mindset and skills to recognize and create innovative entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship opportunities. To meet this increasing demand, many engineering schoolsattempted to generate the talent and skills of future engineers, the methodology for commercializing new technological innovation started to form. However, there are gaps in terms of the practice of delivering entrepreneurship education to engineeringstudents in an effective manner. This is due to three major challenges in this COVID-19 pandemic era. First, the traditional engineering education program was developedduring the post-war era, it focuses on contents and designs. While these address certain skills for entrepreneurship, the program design does not provide opportunities to develop important skills such as cross-disciplinary collaboration, tolerance to risk and failure. Second, the traditional program also creates another challenge due to its heavy math and science-focused content, as a result, most of the engineering programs are packed in terms of student schedule, leaving very little room for students to different or enhance their education by taking additionaleducational opportunities in entrepreneurship. And lastly, the adoption of online education for engineering entrepreneurship remains low. Thus, the literature provides little insights on how to effectively deliver, practice and evaluate the learnings of engineering entrepreneurship education remotely for degree-granting institutions. The following article proposed a weeklong Bootcamp to introduce students to a robust process to instill an entrepreneurial mindset and practice. The structure and delivery of the Bootcamp through an online platform are discussed in detail along with student feedback.

Proteção da propriedade intelectual por empresas incubadas: A utilização de métodos formais e não formais

Objective: to verify and characterize the use of formal and non-formal methods to protect intellectual property by incubated companies that operate in the health sector. Methodology/approach: bibliographic research, research with primary sources, and comparative study of the interaction of organizations with the environment. The incubated companies' primary source information was obtained through face-to-face interviews in field research carried out at the Celta incubator, in Florianópolis/SC, Brazil. Main results: there was an intense use of non-formal methods by the companies studied. The literature adequately predicted non-formal methods adopted by companies. It was also identified that regularity in certifications with Anvisa – Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency, constitutes an important complementary asset for the appropriation of intellectual property (Teece, 1986) for the companies studied. Theoretical/methodological contributions: identification of the use of non-formal methods by companies and their composition of use with formal methods contributes to the advancement of literature and business practice. Relevance/originality: this study emphasized research on the use of non-formal methods to protect intellectual property by incubated companies, a topic little explored in the literature. Social and practical contribution: the use of non-formal methods is of particular interest to small and medium-sized companies because their implementation is under the company's control and, also, because they circumvent the time and costs incurred in the formal registration. It is recommended to expand the understanding concerning the role of complementary assets (Teece, 1986) for technology-based companies.

Development and Innovation on Dental Products in Argentina: A Technological Prospecting Based on Patents.

Argentina has progressed with industrialization in comparison to other Latin American countries and this process had a direct impact on the innovative capacity of the national economy. A constant search for market leadership, including the dentistry field and dental materials, stimulates the industries to launch new products daily. Inventions related to health researches are mostly protected by patents as intellectual property. A patent landscape analysis through searches in patent banks is a tool used to identify trends in different areas of innovations. This study aims to identify and evaluate the scenario of research, development and innovation of dental products in Argentina by a technological prospecting based on patents. A survey of patent documents was conducted by searching for deposited and granted patents of dental products. The search was carried out during January 2020 in the patent database of the National Institute of Industrial Property of Argentina (INPI-AR). The terms "dentistry", "buccal", "dental" and "oral" were used to select the titles and abstracts of patent application reports. The information extracted from patent reports was organized in tables and Figs using Fig.Pad Prism 6 software to evaluate the applications. A total of 363 patents were published from 1989 to 2016, mainly by international industries, 93.3% as patent invention and 3.0% as utility model applications on dentistry. Only two patents (0.5%) were deposited by universities, as the University of Melbourne (Patent number 20060102378) and Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (Patent number 20140104149), among which only the last one is national. Among the deposits, only 6.6% were granted; mostly were in force, denied or lost. According to the specialties, most patents were related to compositions (64.7%) and personal products (21.7%), also on dentistry/cariology (6.33%) and prostheses/implants (4.68%). In general, we find that most patent applications are related to the preventive area, personal products and compositions for formulations. Few dental patents deposits are currently available in Argentina, suggesting that the importation of products into the area remains large, which can make dental products more expensive. It is important to invest in technology-based companies to promote increased economic activity, being a consequence of an investment in knowledge creation and intellectual property to the Dentistry area.

FinTech in the Financial Market - Between Competition and Stability

This paper argues that the common competition framework is not to be applied to the financial sector. If traditionally competition brings efficiency and diversity in a market, financial regulators must also ensure the stability of the financial market. Henceforth, some limits and entry barriers have to exist. This is particularly true for FinTech companies. If the potential of those new actors is not to be contested, the risk they can bring is also quite obvious. If regulators want the market to be disrupted and to see consumers benefiting from the power of innovation of technology-based companies, they need to adapt their regulatory framework. Only under this condition will the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Technological Development of Automation Solutions for the Energy Industry

HIGHLIGHTS Characteristics of innovation centers; Technology readiness level; Product cases developed and positioned in TRL phases; Alliances with technology-based companies to provide production and commercialization of technologies.

Research on Xiaomi’s Internationalized Business Model

As a young technology-based company, Xiaomi’s international business continues to develop and grow. This article studies the international business model of Xiaomi. Through the analysis of the motivations of Xiaomi’s internationalization, this paper obtains the reasons for Xiaomi’s entry into the international market. We also study the choice of target market, the mode of entering the target market and the marketing strategy in the process of Xiaomi’s internationalization. Finally, it summarizes Xiaomi’s internationalization experience and puts forward enlightenment.

The development of innovative startups and tech based companies in European countries

Introduction. The global structure of economy and business has been changing. New technologies and innovations occurred replacing or minimizing the role of old once. A number of traditional companies and industries must adopt new emerging technologies in order to survive on the international market. Moving from industrial society to Industry 4.0 society a few critical transformations should be taken into account. If it is understandable that innovations and technologies can benefit the whole economy and society in many ways, it is important to analyze what are the external factors that accelerate the development of innovative startups and technologies to boost the growth, development and welfare of societies and economies.
 Aim and tasks. The purpose of this article is to assess the development of startups and technology based companies in a number of European countries and to identify a group of countries that has the most favorable environment for startups and technology proliferations.
 Results. The findings of the research revealed that the most favorable countries for startup and technology-based companies’ creation are Scandinavian and Western European countries, the least ones – mainly Balkans. The findings claim that macroeconomic stability and skills (broaden concept is human capital) are the most important factors influencing the creation and adoption of startups and technology-based companies. Meanwhile the national market size is the least important factor.
 Conclusions. The conducted research presents that the most favorable countries for innovative startups and tech-based companies are mainly Scandinavian and Western European countries. It is important to notice that Scandinavian countries have exceptionally leading the list in this field. As analysis showed, macroeconomic stability and skills (to a broader concept human capital) are the most significant factors for technologies and innovations to occur. Finally, the market size seems to be the least important factor for technology and innovative startup development. It can be explained that startups and technologies by its nature are scalable businesses those market is entire globe.

The financial structure of Technology-Based Firms

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze the evolution of financial structure in Technology-Based Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) throughout their business cycle. The papers analyzing financial structure in Technology-Based MSMEs focus on developed countries, with strong institutional environments, economic stability, and developed financial markets. This study contributes to bridging the literature gap in knowledge regarding financial structure in Technology-Based MSMEs in economies with small and underdeveloped financial markets and those with recurring economic crises. These issues intensify the limitations of access to financing for these companies and their potential growth. The importance of Technology-Based companies not only lies on their contribution to economic growth, but they are regarded as channels through which scientific knowledge is applied to products, processes, and services, improving the quality of life of society as a whole. The results evidenced in this study indicate the need to devise policies focused on encouraging access to funding in the various stages of the business cycle of Technology-Based MSMEs. A database with 89 Argentine Technology-Based MSMEs is used, applying an Ordered Logit model to analyze the variables affecting financial diversification in these companies. The results confirm the predictions of the financial growth cycle of small business theory, which argues that company size and age affect the probability of diversifying the financial structure. At the same time, this work found that these variables have a different effect depending on the stage in life cycle that a company is going through.

Innovative Capacity of Incubated Companies in Brazilian Technology-Based Business Incubators

TBCs are ventures formed by entrepreneurs whose core is technical knowledge and which are sometimes accompanied by business incubators. It is estimated that the earnings of TBCs incubated in Brazil are more than R$550 million and that they generate around 14 thousand jobs. Thus, given the importance of TBCs for a country's social and economic development, this research is justified, which aims to measure the innovative capacity of TBCs linked to incubators of Brazilian technology-based companies. The chosen methodology was descriptive research, of quantitative nature, whose data collection technique uses the Innovation Radar questionnaire. The sample of this study had the participation of 62 incubated in the incubation stage in 22 incubators located in the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, and Distrito Federal. Among other results, the study showed that, in a sectorial analysis, mining companies in the service sector are not very innovative and the other occasional innovators, as well as that the industries of Mato Grosso do Sul are not very innovative and the other occasional innovators. Finally, in comparison, all TBCs that participated in the research are occasional innovators, that is, in general, the entire sample was characterized as an occasional innovator.

Hightech as a platform for economic growth

Today, the majority of developed jurisdictions vigorously provide instruments for the focused support of the economic sectors and companies, which are able to give a significant positive effect for the whole economy in the nearest perspective. It is particularly true for the fastest-growing companies, which operate in the tech sectors i.e. technology-based gazelle companies. Such companies manufacture unique products, creates new job places for highly qualified staff and intensively export their tech solutions worldwide. Despite overall reduction of the earnings, some technology-based companies demonstrate outstanding flexibility in searching for the new opportunities and markets in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. However, the majority of technologybased gazelle companies rapidly grow out of the thresholds for the small and medium enterprises. In turn, these companies get into the “death valley” in the absence of the focused instruments of the governmental support. At the same time, complex governmental support in the spheres of tax, financing and procurement is able to promote achievement by the certain technology-based gazelle companies of their potential and make them “unicorn” companies with market value over USD 1 billion and even world leaders in their technology sectors. That, in turn, will give a chance for the growth of the Russian economy even in the context of the fall of the prices on energy resources. This article proposes complex and the most relevant measures of the state support for the technology-based gazelle companies, taking into account the foreign experience and Russian peculiarities.

Implicações do trabalho remoto em uma empresa de base tecnológica

This paper aims to evaluate the implications of remote work in a team of software developers of a technology-based company (TBC) in the city of Florianopolis. The data collected comes from a questionnaire made available by Google Forms and answered, between 10/28/2019 and 11/04/2019, by nine employees who work remotely full time, with 45 questions (four discursive and 41multiple choice). An interview with the team manager was also carried out, in person, with a semi-structured script (seven discursive questions) on 11/19/2019. Respondents' profile, motivations and personality were verified. The modality of remote work exercised, characterized by home office and work performed during working days, was also investigated. An analysis of how remote work in the organization works regarding control of results, information about the modality and communication was analyzed. Finally, the most diverse advantages added to this form of work and the number of challenges to the organization and employees were presented.

International Journal of Innovation - IJI completes 7 years

International Journal of Innovation - IJI completes 7 years

Fatores críticos de sucesso no desenvolvimento de produtos: uma análise do Polo Tecnológico do Oeste Catarinense – DEATEC

The research aimed to identify the Critical Success Factors (CSF) related to the Product Development Process (PDP) and adopted by the technology-based companies that form the Associacao Polo Tecnologico do Oeste Catarinense (DEATEC). Therefore, an exploratory research with a quantitative approach was applied to 25 companies participating in the hub. The diagnosis of these includes data about the organizational profile, the PDP and, finally, the analysis of CSF. The results revealed that the management of the PDP in the surveyed companies should include more planned and formal actions, including the CSF, since 60% of these do not use such practices. There is a focus on innovation and adequacy of products to the target market. However, many points are still explored in an ineffective and/or superficial way. In the discussions, the practical implications are presented and the limitations of the research and future research possibilities are pointed out.

Business Model Innovation Through the Use of Digital Technologies: Managing Risks and Creating Sustainability

In order to gain competitive advantages and maintain high market shares, businesses have to constantly adapt, not only by implementing the latest technology available, but also by creating their own innovations, aiming to make the business both more profitable and more sustainable. Changing the business model by introducing technological and sustainable components puts companies at high risk. On the one hand, medium-sized companies are more flexible, the decision-making process is quicker, and they can more easily adopt change-management strategies, but on the other hand they are more vulnerable to market changes and dependent on constant financial flows. This article analyses the entrepreneurial behaviour of 92 technology-based companies in the European business market through online and face-to-face questionnaires to understand how they generate economic growth by successfully implementing sustainable innovations while avoiding predictable risks and preparing for the unpredictable ones, but also to provide a best-practice guide for likewise companies facing that process. At the same time, for a better understanding of the changes of medium-sized companies, the research is comparing the Eastern and Western Europe. There are not only visible differences in form and style between Eastern and Western European companies, but also differences in risk management, perception of innovation, organization of the business model. The novelty of this study comes from the comparative approach of the two areas in terms of innovation, sustainability and risk management, by highlighting the advantages and disadvantages they face, and by establishing the principles that could make companies in both areas more competitive, being aware of the measures they should take.

Comparing the Effects of Leadership and Organizational Culture on Innovation in Technology-Based Organizations and Other Industries

The relationship between leadership, organizational culture and innovation is examined. One hundred and two Portuguese organizations from different activities sectors participated in the study. In each organization, top managers were asked about the innovation activity and employees were asked about the leadership and organizational culture of their organizations. Organizations were classified as either technology-based or non-technology-based. A structural model was tested by multi-group analysis, considering the sector of activity, technology-based companies and non-technology-based companies.

Effective Innovation Management in Strategic Planning

When designing how to structure an organization, administrative staff take into account a variety of things. Of these, the most ubiquitous challenge for management is typically how to ensure that the different departments within an overarching organization can operate together efficiently. This is exactly the goal of innovative management and strategic planning. By implementing a variety of techniques, companies can ensure that the goals of the different departments and employees align to a common objective. This process also can aid organizational management to establish the best and most efficient use of resources. By implementing innovation management in strategy planning information technology-based companies can fortify the strengths of the different departments and facilitate the overall success of the organization.

Critical success factors in science and technology parks: a bibliographic review and analysis

Science and Technology Parks (STPs) are of great importance in the business context of the region in which they carry out their activity. They are one of the main mechanisms of public and private initiatives for the promotion of research, development and innovation and transfer of technology. The main purpose of this type of institution is not a purely economic but also sociocultural benefit, which makes them an adequate investment from the point of view of public institutions. They promote the creation of companies and agreements with universities and research centers, generate jobs and attract technology-based companies. Therefore, they require a detailed assessment to understand their operation and generate action plans and models that new parks or those that are still in the early stages of growth may follow. Thus, this study focuses on identifying the main Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for STPs from a literature review and evaluating the importance of the main variables that appear in the literature on the advancement of STPs to group them according to its operational characteristics.

Capacidade de inovar em STARTUPs: Uma abordagem sob a ótica da orientação para aprendizagem

In an increasingly competitive market, innovation becomes a mantra of businesses. This is evident in the context of startups, technology-based companies that are changing business models. This work is analysis of the ability to innovate in startups. The purpose of this paper is to understand how the elements of organizational learning contribute to innovation capacity of startups. The research is exploratory with a qualitative approach. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data analysis was performed using the content analysis technique. The results showed that the intra-organizational knowledge sharing, open-mindedness and commitment to learning were the most evident aspects in the statements of interviewees. Also, a trend for sharing through more agile and interactive methods, such as dialogues, informal interactions for the dissemination of knowledge in a collaborative ecosystem was identified. Entrepreneurs are attentive to new ideas and to market gaps, they also stimulate employees' initiatives that generate innovations. The shared vision was the least emphasized construct in the respondents' reports.

Designing a model developed to assess the capabilities of technological innovation in Iranian construction of power plant equipment industries

Purpose In this research, we investigate the capability level of technological construction for power plant equipment industries in Iran based on the development of a domestic model. In which we identify the strengths and weaknesses of technological capabilities and work to improve them. Design/methodology/approach In this research, we investigate the capability level of technological construction for power plant equipment industries in Iran based on the development of a domestic model. In this study, more than 80 industry experts have filled the questionnaire that was designed based on the AHP method to measure the technological level of the industry. The result has shown the overall technology level about 63.26%. Based on this investigation, the technical capability in this industry is in the “C” class. However, the strategic, R&D and innovation capabilities of the industry have ranked the highest in the dimensions of technological capabilities. Findings Because overall level of technological innovation capabilities in the industry is 63.50%, construction of power plant equipment industries in Iran is among the industries that are on the way to being strategic or class C industries. Industries in class C (strategic class) have proper insight into the way of promoting their technological capabilities. They are highly ability in project implementation and a strategic view of capability-building. Owing to a transparent priority attitude, these industries are able to formulate strategies and increase their internal capabilities in management and technical areas. Although industries in class C are able to react to new environment-orientated technological regulations quickly and effectively, they need a new policy for increasing innovation in leadership sections, and they need better access to capital and service goods. Class C industries take advantage of strategic awareness focused on the latest technologies required for mid and long term, and they need the support of other industries and institutions for development of technology among small- and medium-scale and other less-developed industries. These industries transcend technological boundaries in most areas and are able to turn into class D (innovative and creative) industries gradually. To this end, considering the ranking, strategic and R&D capabilities, as well as learning and innovation capabilities, rank the highest among other aspects of technological innovation capabilities for industries. Thus, the improvement projects of industries should be of a higher priority and implemented quickly. Originality/value This article can be used as a model developed for technology-based companies in the field of power plant and energy supply in developing countries.