bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the role of firm resources and environmental variables in new product commercialization
Authors: Saji K.B. , Shekhar Mishra Shashi 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the role of firm resources and environmental variables for pursuing new product commercialization in high‐tech markets.Design/methodology/approachThe research design employed for the study consisted of both exploratory and descriptive phases. To begin with, a focused literature review was performed to develop a theoretical framework with seven research hypotheses, which was then empirically validated through a carefully executed survey conducted on the products managers of high tech firms.FindingsThe study results have supported six research hypotheses, viz. technology acquisition intent (TAI) to new product commercialization relationship, direct influence of dominant design, market heterogeneity, and network externalities on the firm's TAI relationship. The results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that the “dominant design to TAI” and the “network externalities to TAI” relationships are significantly moderated by firm resources. However, the “market heterogeneity to TAI” relationship is found to be not moderated by firm resources.Practical implicationsFindings of the study have significant implications to extant product management theory and practice. The study highlights the most important environmental variables in high‐tech markets that act as antecedents to a firm's TAI and the effect of TAI on new product commercialization. Further, the study reveals the differential effects of these antecedent variables across firms owing to the varying levels of resource availability.Originality/valueThe paper reports the significant outcomes of an important study on product management that attempted to establish the linkages across environmental variables, firm resources, and firm's technology strategy in pursuing the new product commercialization.
Discerning product benefits through visual thematic analysis
Authors: Ponnam Abhilash , Dawra Jagrook 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThere is a lack of a framework that explicates how to determine the benefits that consumers desire from a product. The purpose of this article is to formulate a scientific procedure for discerning the benefits that consumers seek from a product. The authors term this procedure as visual thematic analysis (VTA). VTA procedure is illustrated through discerning the benefits of mainstream (non‐financial) English newspapers.Design/methodology/approachThe focus group method was used to collect data. These data were analyzed using visual thematic analysis which involves using multiple investigators and multi‐dimensional scaling techniques in stages.FindingsA total of 26 newspaper attributes combined to form eight distinct newspaper benefits namely ease of comprehension, journalistic values, critical insights, general news, entertainment, well‐being, classifieds and offers.Practical implicationsObtained results may be used further: to segment the newspaper market based upon benefits sought, to position newspapers within the desired segment(s) and to fashion product mix in a way that appeals to the targeted segment(s).Originality/valueThis paper proposes a new method called “visual thematic analysis” for data reduction. One such application of VTA is “discerning product benefits” which is discussed in detail. Other applications of this technique that are mentioned in the paper are in the areas of data reduction when researcher confronts small sample size, data reduction of categorical variables and scale development.
The effect of decision context on perceived risk in pricing strategies: how managers view uncontrollable environmental forces
Authors: Forman Howard , Hunt James M. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to assess managers' evaluation of risk associated with applicable uncontrollable forces when developing pricing strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe present study is based on attribution theory. An experiment using more than 100 business managers was conducted to assess the perceived risk of uncontrollable environmental factors.FindingsThe findings suggest that when uncontrollable environmental factors dominate pricing managers tend to select pricing strategies with external orientations to deflect risk away from themselves personally.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to pricing strategies and not a broader selection of marketing strategies. The present research provides greater insight as to why managers make certain strategic pricing decisions.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests management should frame decision‐making contexts so that minimizing personal exposure is consistent with corporate goals and objectives.Originality/valueThis paper is an extension of previous research examining the managers' perception of risk. In particular, this paper focuses on how managers examine/evaluate risk and how that impacts their decision‐making process when selecting pricing strategies.
Involvement moderates the effect of message framing on consumers' perceived monetary gain and product choice
Authors: Gamliel Eyal , Herstein Ram 
Published: April 2013

PurposeConsumers frequently have to choose between products that differ in price and quality. This study aims to hypothesize that involvement would moderate the effect of message framing on consumers' perceived monetary gain when considering cheaper products, as well as on product choice.Design/methodology/approachA total of 238 participants were randomly assigned to either a positively or a negatively framed message, and either a high or low involvement condition.FindingsThe study finds that presented with a negative relative to positive frame, highly involved participants perceived a higher monetary gain when purchasing the cheaper product; no corresponding differences were found for low‐involved participants. Message framing did not affect either highly or low‐involved participants' product choice.Research limitations/implicationsExplanations for the results are offered and future research is suggested in order to determine whether the effect of message framing on the perceived monetary gain of highly involved consumers choosing cheaper products does affect their product choice.Practical implicationsIf future research confirms this hypothesis, both retailers and highly involved consumers should consider the possible effect of message framing on the perceived monetary gain and on the choice between products that differ in price and quality.Originality/valueThis study is the first demonstration of the moderating effect of involvement on the effect of message framing on consumers' perceived monetary gain when choosing between products that differ in price and quality.
Optimal pricing for the growth of innovations with direct network externalities: an agent‐based approach
Authors: Nejad Mohammad G. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis study aims to explore optimal pricing strategies for innovations with direct network externalities – the effect that the number of adopters of an innovation has on the utility of the innovation to other potential adopters. Examples of such innovations are fax machines, e‐mail, cellular phones, and software programs such as word processors. The success of these innovations requires a minimum number of adopters.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses agent‐based modeling and simulation.FindingsThe relationship between price and net present value (NPV) of revenue resembles an asymmetric inverse U‐shape. A low‐pricing strategy outperforms high‐pricing, while a moderate‐pricing strategy outperforms both low‐ and high‐pricing strategies. Moreover, heterogeneity of consumer price sensitivity positively affects the NPV of sales.Practical implicationsPricing durable new products with network externalities is more challenging than other types of innovations. The results indicate that firms can maximize their NPV by adopting a moderate pricing strategy. Moreover, firms must consider heterogeneity of consumer price sensitivity along with the market price elasticity when making pricing decisions. Detailed strategic implications and recommendations are discussed.Originality/valueSeveral recent studies have called for examining pricing strategies for new products with network externalities. The study findings challenge the common wisdom that a penetration pricing strategy is an optimal approach for durable products with network externalities. Moreover, while other studies have highlighted the importance of market price elasticity, extensive simulation experiments conducted in this study show that heterogeneity of consumer price sensitivity is an important factor that must be considered. Finally, the study presents an agent‐based modeling approach for exploring optimal pricing of innovations with network externalities.
Web‐based horizon scanning: concepts and practice
Authors: Palomino Marco A. , Bardsley Sarah , Bown Kevin , De Lurio Jennifer , Ellwood Peter , Holland‐Smith David , Huggins Bob , Vincenti Alexandra , Woodroof Harry , Owen Richard 
Published: April 2013

PurposeIn this review, the aim is first to define horizon scanning and then outline the general approach currently employed by many organisations using web‐based resources. It then aims to discuss the benefits and drivers of horizon scanning, to identify some organisations currently undertaking activities in the field, and explain in detail how the web‐based horizon scanning approach is implemented. The aim is then to conclude with a discussion of good practice and areas for further research.Design/methodology/approachThe basis for this review is a symposium held at the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in March 2010, where groups undertaking horizon scanning activities shared practices and reviewed the state of the art. Practitioners from both public sector and private organisations attending this symposium, as well as others, were invited to contribute to the manuscript, developing this as an iterative exercise over the last year.FindingsStructured processes of web‐based horizon scanning, underpinned by strong technical understanding and principles of good practice described in the review, can add significant value to organisational decision making.Originality/valueWhile a growing number of private and public sector organisations have already embarked on the use of the web as a key information resource, no detailed explanation of the web‐based horizon scanning approach has been published. The review therefore makes an original contribution to this field, with collaborations by horizon scanning practitioners, discussing what constitutes good practice and highlighting areas where future research is needed.
Strategic dialogues for research policy making in Germany
Authors: Lohr Frauke , Hallensleben Sebastian , Beyer‐Kutzner Amina 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe mere generation of foresight results is not sufficient in itself to influence research policy. Research policy makers need specific information and insight on how the structured view of the future provided by foresight affects their strategic planning. Therefore, deriving the maximum benefit from foresight activities requires a carefully designed and actively driven transfer process of foresight results into research policy making. This paper aims to present such a process (“strategic dialogue”) and illustrate it with recent examples from Germany.Design/methodology/approachThe authors compare strategic dialogues with existing dialogue instruments and investigate the relevance of their theoretical foundations to transferring foresight results into research policy making. They capture the lessons learnt from such dialogues in a seven‐step process that can be adapted to specific situations. Specific success factors are identified and linked to the process.FindingsStrategic dialogues have proved to be an effective and efficient instrument for achieving the transfer of results from strategic processes such as foresight into research policy making. They ensure that foresight results are processed into a form that is directly useful as an input for policy development. They also help to create a joint vision for the future and to shape supporting infrastructure measures.Originality/valueThe transfer of foresight results into research policy making has not featured prominently so far in discussions of foresight efforts and methods. However, it is a crucial element in ensuring that such activities have maximum impact.
Critical uncertainties in time: an experiment in method
Authors: Shearer Allan W. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe an experiment that asked what kinds of scenarios are perceived as more informative to managers in light of current decisions: scenarios that describe how critical uncertainties might develop; or, scenarios that describe what might happen if the critical uncertainties did, indeed, develop.Design/methodology/approachUsing a commonly identified set of opinions (pending decisions, actors of influence, persistent trends, a surprise‐free scenario, and two critical uncertainties), participants were divided into two sub‐groups, each of which developed a set of scenarios. Sub‐group A articulated futures that described how the critical uncertainties might emerge. Sub‐group B articulated futures that described what might follow if the same critical uncertainties developed.FindingsSub‐group A believed their individual scenarios were slightly more logically comprehensible and that their set of scenarios better captured the range of concerns relevant to their pending decisions. Additionally, Sub‐group B scored the jointly created surprise‐free scenario to be less logically comprehensible than Sub‐group A.Practical implicationsThis article suggests that some managers may find it challenging to see the relevance in temporally distant and uncertain futures into their decision‐making activities. Therefore, those involved in strategic planning may find it productive to connect these uncertain futures to the present.Originality/valueThis experiment contributes empirical support to the importance of connecting future events to the present day for engaging scenario users.
Measuring the relative resilience of subarctic lakes to global change: redundancies of functions within and across temporal scales
Authors: Angeler David G. , Allen Craig R. , Johnson Richard K. 
Published: April 2013

Summary

Ecosystems at high altitudes and latitudes are expected to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of global change. We assessed the responses of littoral invertebrate communities to changing abiotic conditions in subarctic Swedish lakes with long‐term data (1988–2010) and compared the responses of subarctic lakes with those of more southern, hemiboreal lakes.

We used a complex systems approach, based on multivariate time‐series modelling, and identified dominant and distinct temporal frequencies in the data; that is, we tracked community change at distinct temporal scales. We determined the distribution of functional feeding groups of invertebrates within and across temporal scales. Within and cross‐scale distributions of functions have been considered to confer resilience to ecosystems, despite changing environmental conditions.

Two patterns of temporal change within the invertebrate communities were identified that were consistent across the lakes. The first pattern was one of monotonic change associated with changing abiotic lake conditions. The second was one of showing fluctuation patterns largely unrelated to gradual environmental change. Thus, two dominant and distinct temporal frequencies (temporal scales) were present in all lakes analysed.

Although the contribution of individual feeding groups varied between subarctic and hemiboreal lakes, they shared overall similar functional attributes (richness, evenness, diversity) and redundancies of functions within and between the observed temporal scales. This highlights similar resilience characteristics in subarctic and hemiboreal lakes.

Synthesis and applications. The effects of global change can be particularly strong at a single scale in ecosystems. Over time, this can cause monotonic change in communities and eventually lead to a loss of important ecosystem services upon reaching a critical threshold. Dynamics at other spatial or temporal scales can be unrelated to environmental change. The relative ‘intactness’ of these scales that are unaffected by global change and the persistence of functions at those scales may safeguard the whole system from the potential loss of functions at the scale at which global change impacts can be substantial. Thus, an understanding of scale‐specific processes provides managers with a realistic assessment of vulnerabilities and the relative resilience of ecosystems to environmental change. Explicit consideration of ‘intact’ and ‘affected’ scales in analyses of global change impacts provides opportunities to tailor more specific management plans.
Impacts of water level fluctuation on mesotrophic rich fens: acidification vs. eutrophication
Authors: Cusell Casper , Lamers Leon P. M. , van Wirdum Geert , Kooijman Annemieke 
Published: April 2013

Summary

Water levels in areas with intensive agriculture have often been strictly controlled for decades. Recently, more natural fluctuating water levels have been propagated to improve the ecological quality of wetlands in these areas. This study investigated the effects of water levels on protected base‐rich mesotrophic fens during winter and summer.

We used a mesocosm approach to simulate water level fluctuations under winter and summer conditions (light and temperature) to test the effects of water level on the biogeochemistry and vegetation of two highly endangered fen types with the brownmosses Scorpidium scorpioides and Hamatocaulis vernicosus as dominant mosses.

Both species showed decreased photosynthetic capacity at lower water levels. These levels also resulted in decreased alkalinity due to oxidation processes in the moss layer. High water levels led to increased pH and alkalinity, due to reduction processes and infiltration of base‐rich water.

For the P‐limited S. scorpioides mesocosms, high water levels did not lead to P mobilization or to significant changes in biomass production, P uptake and N:P ratios. However, for the mesocosms with H. vernicosus, where P limitation was not obvious, high water levels did result in P mobilization and increased P availability due to iron reduction. The lower P mobilization for S. scorpioides appeared to be related to lower total soil P content and higher Fe:P and Ca:P ratios. Although high water levels resulted in the accumulation of ammonium under winter conditions, this did not happen under summer conditions, making ammonium toxicity unlikely.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that low water levels could hamper protected brownmosses in rich fens, especially during the summer. In contrast, inundations may have a positive effect on rich fens by increasing the alkalinity. However, inundations may lead to eutrophication due to internal P mobilization in soils with a high total P content and low Fe:P ratio. Therefore, we recommend that soils with high total P content and low Fe:P ratios should not be flooded.
Nondestructive and continuous observation of nectar volume using time‐interval photography
Authors: Raihan Jahir , Kawakubo Nobumitsu 
Published: April 2013

AbstractTo observe temporal changes in the nectar volume of Impatiens flowers, we modified and used an interval‐shooting camera with a special flash system. Former methods of measuring nectar volume inevitably necessitated destruction or damage of the floral parts. As a consequence, accurate continuous measurements of nectar volume under natural conditions have been difficult. While considering how to overcome this problem we noticed that when flowers were observed against transmitted light from the sun, a silhouette of nectar was visible inside the spur. To exploit this phenomenon, we attached a polymer optical fiber to the built‐in flash of a compact digital camera and bent the fiber towards the camera's lens to provide backlighting. We took interval images and estimated the nectar volume from the size of nectar silhouette. To our knowledge, this is the first reported method involving the use of time‐interval photography for measuring nectar volume in situ.
Floral biology and histochemical analysis of Vanilla edwallii Hoehne (Orchidaceae: Vanilloideae): an orchid pollinated by Epicharis (Apidae: Centridini)
Authors: Pansarin Emerson R. , Aguiar João M.R.B.V. , Pansarin Ludmila M. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe genus Vanilla is the most diverse in Vanilloideae, with ca 90 species distributed among tropical regions. Despite their economic importance, studies on pollination of Vanilla are very scarce and data on pollinators of species endemic to Brazil are lacking. Based on fieldwork and laboratory investigations, the floral biology of V. edwallii was studied. The pollinators and pollination process were recorded at the Serra do Japi reserve, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, and the presence of floral reward was also investigated. Vanilla edwallii blooms in summer. The lateral inflorescences produce up to four pale green flowers. The white labellum is united to the base of the column forming a mentum. In the studied population V. edwallii is pollinated by Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) affinis, where the males exhibit a territorial behavior, defending flowers from other possible flower visitors. The pollen is deposited on the scutellum of bees when they abandon the flower. The mentum region is dry, suggesting no nectar production. The only secretory structures are osmophores dispersed on the inner surface of the lip responsible for production of a sweet fragrance, which together with color and morphology of flowers is related to bee attraction. The labellum is rich in mucilaginous cells, while the mucilaginous substance is retained inside the cells. The histochemical analysis also detected the presence of phenolic compounds and starch concentrated mainly at the adaxial surface of the lip and around the vascular bundles.
Methanobactin and MmoD work in concert to act as the ‘copper‐switch’ in methanotrophs
Authors: Semrau Jeremy D. , Jagadevan Sheeja , DiSpirito Alan A. , Khalifa Ashraf , Scanlan Julie , Bergman Brandt H. , Freemeier Brittani C. , Baral Bipin S. , Bandow Nathan L. , Vorobev Alexey , Haft Daniel H. , Vuilleumier Stéphane , Murrell J. Colin 
Published: April 2013

SummaryBiological oxidation of methane to methanol by aerobic bacteria is catalysed by two different enzymes, the cytoplasmic or soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and the membrane‐bound or particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO). Expression of MMOs is controlled by a ‘copper‐switch’, i.e. sMMO is only expressed at very low copper : biomass ratios, while pMMO expression increases as this ratio increases. Methanotrophs synthesize a chalkophore, methanobactin, for the binding and import of copper. Previous work suggested that methanobactin was formed from a polypeptide precursor. Here we report that deletion of the gene suspected to encode for this precursor, mbnA, in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, abolishes methanobactin production. Further, gene expression assays indicate that methanobactin, together with another polypeptide of previously unknown function, MmoD, play key roles in regulating expression of MMOs. Based on these data, we propose a general model explaining how expression of the MMO operons is regulated by copper, methanobactin and MmoD. The basis of the ‘copper‐switch’ is MmoD, and methanobactin amplifies the magnitude of the switch. Bioinformatic analysis of bacterial genomes indicates that the production of methanobactin‐like compounds is not confined to methanotrophs, suggesting that its use as a metal‐binding agent and/or role in gene regulation may be widespread in nature.