Technology Firms Research Articles

Between consultation and control: how incubators perform a governance function for entrepreneurial firms

PurposeThis paper examines the governance function that incubators perform for entrepreneurial firms. The authors demonstrate that this governance function has both a consultative and a control dimension and illustrate how these are enacted in the interactions between incubators and entrepreneurs. The authors also show how these interactions come into being and how entrepreneurs assess the value of the governance role played by incubators.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a cross-sectional interview study with entrepreneurs of 21 start-ups that were hosted by three different incubators. The start-ups are all early-stage technology firms. The analysis in the paper follows an inductive approach.FindingsThe authors find that the governance role of incubators is about both consultation and control. Consultative forms of governance include providing input and advice as well as questioning ideas and assumptions. Controlling forms of governance comprise setting targets and tracking progress as well as enforcing structures and documentation. The authors furthermore show that governance episodes are triggered either by the entrepreneurs themselves or by the incubator. In the former case, such episodes are mainly about consultation, while in the latter one, they often have a pronounced control element, which materializes particularly through regularly enforced meetings. Most entrepreneurs seem to appreciate this control element, acknowledging that, in its absence, they would lack the self-discipline of doing some things that need to be done.Research limitations/implicationsThis study’s findings extend prior research on inter-organizational relationships and the types of governance mechanisms observed therein. The authors show that a strict separation between actors who offer consultation and those who exercise control is too simplistic. Incubators influence entrepreneurial firms both through consultative and controlling forms of governance. In terms of limitations, this study’s analysis focuses on the perspectives of entrepreneurs, and the authors did not include the perspectives of incubators nor did the authors directly observe meetings between these two parties.Practical implicationsThis paper provides examples for how entrepreneurial firms can benefit from being part of an incubator.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the discussion of the governance of inter-organizational relationships by focusing on incubators. In so doing, the authors also complement extant literature on management control in entrepreneurial settings by showing how the incubator fulfills a control function for entrepreneurs before these implement control mechanisms themselves.

Digital disruption: artificial intelligence and international trade policy

AbstractDigitalization of the global economy is occurring apace and has spurred a new wave of trade negotiations, as governments and technology firms vie to establish international rules and standards for the digital era. This article examines the ways that trade policy-makers are responding to artificial intelligence (AI), arguably the most disruptive of the new digital technologies. In a digitalized global economy, trade rules have implications for AI innovation, uptake, and governance, yet existing trade rules have significant shortcomings and need updating in order to assist with effective AI governance. Updating is happening but, so far, the changes focus on promoting AI and disproportionately reflect the interests of large technology firms, the major innovators and owners of AI. New digital trade rules include stringent intellectual property protections for source code and algorithms, and strong commitments to enable the free flow of data across borders. However, much less progress has been made in addressing cross-border risks and harms associated with AI, in areas such as competition policy; ethical, transparent, and accountable use of AI; personal data protection; and protections against the exploitative use of algorithms in consumer and labour markets.

How Using Parental Control Software Can Enhance Parents’ Well-Being: The Role of Product Features on Parental Efficacy and Stress

Today, children's smartphone overuse and digital addiction are among parents’ top concerns. To address this issue, technology firms have developed services to help parents monitor their children's screen time. The literature on the impact of parental control tends to focus on the well-being of children, often overlooking the effects of parenting control on the well-being of parents themselves. This research investigates the psychological outcomes associated with delegating parental control to software. The authors conducted two surveys and three experiments among samples of parents in France and the United Kingdom. The results show that resorting to digitally assisted control improves anticipated well-being by decreasing role overload and increasing parental efficacy (Study 1). Moreover, product features play a critical role: software designs that promote children's autonomy (Study 2) or product autonomy (Study 3) tend to be less effective in improving parents’ anticipated well-being. Implications for technology companies are discussed.

Analyzing the impact of stock options on talent retention and knowledge product generativity at knowledge intensive firms

PurposeSince the subject matters of human resources activities on knowledge intensive firms have been changed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this study aims to analyze the impact of stock options on talent retention (knowledge worker retention) and knowledge productivity (innovation) in terms of patents, which directly affect the financial performance of knowledge intensive firms.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on agency and contingency theory to design the causality model, this study analyzes the data obtained from 227 publicly traded knowledge intensive firms in information technology (IT) and healthcare sectors. Panel data analysis is used to determine the long run causal relationship between firm innovation, knowledge worker retention and financial performance, in addition to ANOVA for evaluating firm size as a lurking variable on the effect of stock options.FindingsThe results of this study demonstrate that, when firm size is taken into account, (1) stock options significantly affect knowledge worker retention and firms' financial performance, and this impact is stronger in a during-pandemic situation than in a pre-pandemic situation (2) firm innovation significantly affects firms' financial performance and this impact is stronger in a during-pandemic situation than in a pre-pandemic situation; (3) knowledge worker retention doesn't have a significant impact on firm innovation and firms' financial performance. Moreover, random effect regression analysis for long-term relationships also depicts the same results: knowledge worker retention has non-significant impact on firm innovation and financial performance, but firm innovation significantly affects financial performance.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, the authors are the first to compare the effects of stock options, knowledge worker retention and firm innovation in both pre- and during-pandemic scenarios where firm size is taken into consideration.

A Field Analysis of Immersive Technologies and Their Impact on Journalism: Technologist Perspectives on the Potential Transformation of the Journalistic Field

ABSTRACT Growth in immersive journalism, involving virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies and 360° videos, has increased debate on whether such technologies can significantly transform the journalistic field. Technological firms and their agents, the technologists, who produce these digital offerings can be seen as new entrants capable of imposing their own logics to the field, but no research has focused on their voices yet to assess this impact, even as they are key drivers of this trend. This study uses Bourdieu’s field theory and in-depth interviews with 12 technologists from the world’s most prominent firms producing such technologies to examine potential influences on the principles, work experiences and skillsets of journalists. Findings indicate increasing focus on innovation and user experience, new journalistic tasks involving the conception and capturing of content to create immersive experiences and environments, and the need to acquire skills tied to story visualization and game mechanics. Significant transformation of the field however may be hindered by high costs, time constraints, and seemingly low returns on investment, but there is strong belief that increasing familiarity with augmented reality on smartphones will present a tipping point for immersive journalism, enhancing audience expectations towards agency in news consumption.

CSR and Sustainable Growth in China’s Technology Firms between 2010 and 2021

In this study, we examine the relationships between CSR (e.g., CSR aimed at employees, customers, suppliers, and governments) and firm sustainable growth, and how dysfunctional competition moderates these relationships. Based on resource dependence theory, we argue that CSR aimed at four chosen groups of stakeholders (e.g., employees, customers, suppliers, and governments) is positively related to firm sustainable growth and that the levels of dysfunctional competition will positively moderate these relationships. Our results, using a sample of technology firms in China, provide support for these arguments. We find that CSR aimed at employees, customers, suppliers, and governments is positively related to firm sustainable growth. In addition, using the contingence approach, we find that CSR aimed at the four chosen groups of stakeholders has a stronger positive relationship with firm sustainable growth when the level of dysfunctional competition is high than when it is low. Our findings have important theoretical and managerial implications, which are discussed in this study.

Blockchain Technology – Delivering Trust to Global Pharmaceutical Distribution

With up to 30% of donated pharmaceutical aid products being diverted, stolen or going to waste in this session we will learn how blockchain technology is addressing some of the biggest trust challenges in the global supply chain. Supply chain issues may prevent people that are in greatest need of life-saving medicines from being treated. Through the use of a Decentralized Knowledge Graph and blockchain technology firms and governmental aid organizations now have visibility to supply chain traceability and transparency of donated medicines. The session will additionally cover ancillary benefits with the implementation of such a solution.

U.S. Military Assistance to Europe, NATO’s Military Build Up, and the Start of Intra-European Economic Cooperation, 1947-1955

This contribution pinpoints the interconnectedness between Nato's military buildup at the start of the Atlantic Alliance under the umbrella of U.S. military assistance to Europe, the revamping of a few manufacturing sectors that it fostered across Western Europe, and the early steps in the making of intra-European economic integration through cooperation in military productions. After an introduction, section two cast light on the early U.S. bilateral military assistance programs to western European nations prior to the founding of the Atlantic Alliance. This early U.S. military assistance was based on the transfer of military spare parts, end-items and machine tools and took place without entailing the foundation of full production capacity across Europe. Section three makes sense of the transition from U.S. bilateral assistance to the multilateral structure of NATO’s coordinated production programs, which since 1950 combined military rearmament defence target with domestic economic expansion in each NATO’s member states, close industrial and trade cooperation among them, and continued targeting of dollar gap in Europe through a system of coordinated productions placed by NATO and paid for in U.S. dollars based on a principle of financial burden-sharing among the member nations. Section four pinpoints the evolution of this multilateral procurements system, the OSP programs, through the case study of ammunition contracts and NATO’s infrastructure programs, which served as a flywheel to introduce higher technical content in both high capital intensive and low technological content European firms. After shedding light on the influence of Cold War confrontation on the placing of OSP contracts by the mid-1950s and the ill-functioning of multilateral productions (section five), the article rounds off by stressing how the OSP programs were on the whole successful in combining trade integration, financial stability and technological drift under the umbrella of orders placed and rewarded either by NATO or the Pentagon.

Cross-level effect of resonant leadership on remote engagement: A moderated mediation analysis in the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis

Drawing on the theory of intentional change, the study investigated the cross-level indirect effect of resonant leadership on the remote engagement of software professionals through psychological empowerment. We explored how mindfulness buffers the associations between resonant leadership, psychological empowerment, and remote engagement in the context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We used a sample of 406 team members nested in 56 teams from 15 large-scale Indian information technology firms during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our empirical strategy is based on hierarchical linear modelling. The findings revealed that the cross-level effect of resonant leadership on work engagement through psychological empowerment is the strongest when subordinates show a lower degree of mindfulness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to unravel the mechanisms underlying the relationship between resonant leadership, psychological empowerment, work engagement, and mindfulness by empirically validating cross-level mediation and moderation. Moreover, the findings add a new lens to the theory of intentional change through the cross-level effects of resonant leadership on the proposed criterion variables under the bounded conditions of low-intensity mindfulness of subordinates.

Technology firms and capital structure adjustment: Application of two-step system generalised method of moments

The study asks whether technology firms adjust their capital structures towards predetermined targets, and if so, at what speed? Also, is there an intra‐industry leverage‐level effect? The study empirically evaluates the listed technology firms in South Africa’s Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Methodologically, a generalised method of moments (GMM) is em‐ ployed on 34 firms over 21 years (1999–2019), resulting in a sample size of 714 observations. The results show that technology firms adjust their debt‐equity ratios towards target levels with speed above other industries at 45 to 57%. A comparison with prior research shows that this adjustment pace is consistent with the experience of technology firms in Asian emerging markets but differs markedly from that of developed economies. These results support the literature observation that technology is characterised differently in less developed economies, yet research on technology firms’ capital structure dynamics is scant. The results of this study should enlighten industrialists, investors, and policymakers involved with technology industries. Intuitively, the partial capital adjustment process should play an essential role in project financing decisions. Maintaining optimal capital adjustment speeds should lead to better industrial activity like maximised innovation and technology diffusion.

Closing the Gender Gap in Our Field [President’s Corner

Apple chief executive Tim Cook says there are “not enough women at the table” at technology firms, including Apple. In a recent interview, Cook said that technology “will not achieve nearly what it could achieve” without a more diverse workforce. He also said that there were “no good excuses” for the lack of women in the tech sector.

DIGITAL INCLUSION FOR ENTERPRISES, JOBS AND VULNERABLE PERSONS

“Digital transformation of micro-enterprises in Ghana” reports on a study undertaken by Karanasios, Senyo and Effah, associate professors who sought to better understand how resource-poor micro-enterprises in developing countries adapted to COVID-19. They examined how micro-enterprises in Ghana were able to leverage and combine a range of low-cost or free digital technology – such as WhatsApp, Instagram and mobile money – to reimagine their business while managing their resource constraints. They interviewed 47 participants across 34 micro-enterprises, government agencies and technology firms. They also drew upon key reports and data from national and international bodies. Also, the study was driven by the need to improve e-business usage and digital financial inclusion of the MSMEs of the COMESA region. The study aimed to develop and test a framework that augmented digital financial inclusion through e-business usage among MSMEs. The specific objectives were to examine the dynamic trend of e-business adoption among MSMEs of the region, to analyze the factors affecting their adoption of e-business, and to examine the impact of e-business adoption on digital financial inclusion among them. This century is characterized by great innovations in technology. However, not everybody is connected. Gaps persist between individuals when accessing and using various digital technologies. Vulnerable people are more affected. The study aimed at discovering also factors that influence digital inclusion for the vulnerable people in the economies some countries in Africa.

Wipro Infotech's Pivot From Computer Hardware to R&D Services for IT

The Indian minicomputer policy of 1978 licensed computer manufacturing to the private sector. Wipro obtained a license, and set-up Wipro Infotech as a division in 1980-81 to manufacture minicomputers. One of their strengths was a strong in-house research and development (R&D) capability for designing minicomputers. The 1984 policy made it easier for multinational computer firms to tie-up with Indian firms and sell computers in India. Wipro Infotech tied-up with Sun Microsystems and other multinationals. This meant an uncertain future for Wipro Infotech's minicomputers and their R&D capability. An alternative was to redeploy this capability to provide R&D services for multinational information technology (IT) firms. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) policy introduced in 1990 made offshore driven Indian IT services – both R&D and software services – exports attractive. Wipro Infotech leveraged their R&D capability and the STPI policy to pivot from computer hardware to R&D services.

Innovation and IP Rights in the Chilean Copper Mining Sector: The Role of the Mining, Equipment, Technology and Services Firms

Innovation and IP Rights in the Chilean Copper Mining Sector: The Role of the Mining, Equipment, Technology and Services Firms

Impact of Environmental, Social and Governance Factors on the performance of Fintech Companies in the UK

This research proposal aims to carry out research about how financial technology (FinTech) firms in the UK stick to sustainability measures as compared to their counterparts. In addition, to carry out research regarding the effect of sustainability measures on the performance of FinTech companies' stock. Secondary data from peer-reviewed origins would be collected from sources like Financial Times, Bank of England, Bloomberg or the Financial Conduct Authority. Keywords: Sustainability, Environmental, Social, Governance, Climate change, Fintech.

Generational Technological Change, Organizational Search, and Firm Product Innovation Performance in New Generational Markets

Generational Technological Change, Organizational Search, and Firm Product Innovation Performance in New Generational Markets

Technological Change, Firm Heterogeneity and Wage Inequality

Technological Change, Firm Heterogeneity and Wage Inequality

An Efficient SDFRM Security System for Blockchain Based Internet of Things

Blockchain has recently sparked interest in both the technological and business firms. The Internet of Things's (IoT) core principle emerged due to the connectivity of several new technologies, including wireless technology, the Internet, embedded automation systems, and micro-electromechanical devices. Manufacturing environments and operations have been successfully converted by implementing recent advanced technology like Cloud Computing (CC), Cyber-Physical System (CSP), Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Enterprise Model, and other technological innovations into the fourth industrial revolution referred to as Industry 4.0. Data management is defined as the process of accumulation in order to make better business decisions, and process, secure and store information about a company. In the incipient model, there are interconnected contrivances and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) interactions, and transaction data are stored on the Blockchain. Security is a challenging aspect that must be punctiliously considered during the design and development phases of a CSP. In this research article, we proposed a Secure and Distributed Framework for Resource Management (SDFRM) in Industry 4.0 environments within a distributed and collaborative Industry 4.0 system, the dynamic and trust-based Distributed Management Framework (DMF) of shared resource access. Such issues are focused by taking into account of the traditional characteristics of IoT/Industrial Internet of Things’ (IIoT)-predicated environments, an SDFRM in Industry 4.0 environments within a distributed and collaborative Industry 4.0 system. Also, to ensure strong privacy over the procedures associated with Access Control (AC), a privacy-preserving method is proposed and integrated into the DMF. The proposed DMF, based on blockchain technology and peer-to-peer networks, allows dynamic access management and system governance without using third parties who could be attacked. We worked hard to design and implement the proposal to demonstrate its viability and evaluate its performance. Our proposal outperforms the Multichain Blockchain in terms of successful storage transactions with an achieved average throughput of 98.15%.

A model for understanding the Customer Experience (CX) landscape from Business-to-Business(B2B) context: Theorization from the journey of Indian service technology firms

A model for understanding the Customer Experience (CX) landscape from Business-to-Business(B2B) context: Theorization from the journey of Indian service technology firms

Do Analysts Anchor on Public Signals in Forecasting the Target Price of Disruptive Technology Firms?

Do Analysts Anchor on Public Signals in Forecasting the Target Price of Disruptive Technology Firms?