bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innovation networks and capability building in the Australian high‐technology SMEs
Authors: Mohannak Kavoos 
Published: April 2007

PurposeStudies of capability building and organisational learning through networked arrangements have been growing in recent years. In high‐technology industries, in particular, small and medium‐sized enterprises overcome problems of resource and information limitations by becoming a part of a knowledge network. This paper seeks to examine innovation networks of the Australian high‐technology small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by focusing on the linkages employed by small businesses to learn, adapt to technological change, and innovate.Design/methodology/approachTo study the innovation networks of high‐technology firms, research was conducted on biotechnology firms within the Sydney region and information and communication technology (ICT) firms within the metropolitan area of Melbourne. A mixed methodology approach for this research was adopted and a combination of quantitative and qualitative data was collected, via the means of a questionnaire and face‐to‐face interviews.FindingsThe paper reports a range of findings on the nature and type of networked relationships and offers analysis of the extent of innovation linkages within the biotech clusters in Sydney and ICT cluster within Melbourne.Research limitations/implicationsLimitation of the sample size indicates limited generalisability of final results and findings should be treated with caution.Practical implicationsThis research highlights critical factors of innovation success in the context of network linkages. This network analysis may enable more effective decision making on improving innovation processes on competitive capabilities by regional policy makers and firm managers.Originality/valueThe paper reports the analysis and extent of innovation linkages within the biotech cluster in Sydney and ICT cluster the in Melbourne metropolitan area.
Customer‐related proactiveness in the radical innovation development process
Authors: Sandberg Birgitta 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the degree of customer‐related proactiveness in the process of developing radical innovations.Design/methodology/approachThe initial framework for this study is first created on the basis of the theory and then modified in the light of multiple retrospective case studies.FindingsThe results show that the stage of the innovation development process seems to influence the degree of proactiveness. Contrary to many earlier studies, this research indicates that anticipation plays an important role already at the idea generation stage.Research limitations/implicationsThe study introduces a way of describing a firm's proactiveness as a dynamic pattern. Thus, the process approach adopted in this research may encourage further longitudinal studies on the phenomenon. Given the explorative nature of the study, the propositions arising from the modified framework should be evaluated according to additional data.Practical implicationsThe results of this study indicate that a systematic search for new market opportunities, and the firm's previous experience of customers, may generate not only incremental but also radical innovations. Proactiveness is not always needed, however, as the cases indicate. Firms ought therefore to consider carefully when it is appropriate to invest in customer‐related proactiveness, and when it is not.Originality/valueThe main contribution of the study stems from the combination of customer‐related proactiveness and the process of radical‐innovation development. It is among the first to combine these streams of research.
ICT use in marketing as innovation success factor
Authors: Vilaseca‐Requena Jordi , Torrent‐Sellens Joan , Jiménez‐Zarco Ana Isabel 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays in the processes of product innovation and marketing – as an element that strengthens the cooperation and communication among agents within the innovation project, reducing the obstacles to innovation and enhancing the development of differentiated products as well.Design/methodology/approachThe study of a sample of 2,038 companies from all sectors of economic activity in Catalonia allows the contrast of initial hypotheses and establishes a profile of an innovative company based on the significant relationships that exist between innovation and ICT use in marketing and cooperation.FindingsTwo ideas stand out from the analysis. First, intensive ICT use in marketing makes the company more innovative, as it perceives that its usage breaks down barriers to innovation and speeds up processes that in turn become more efficient. Second, increasing ICT use in marketing encourages company predisposition to collaborate with and integrate particular agents within the business environment in the development of the innovation process, improving the degree of adaptation of the new product to market demands.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of dichotomic scales to measure variables, or restricting the study sample to any type of new product regardless of its degree of novelty or intangibility in company and market terms perhaps limits the usefulness of the paper.Practical implicationsThe study shows the relationship between ICT use, cooperation and the innovation process.Originality/valueThis study offers important contributions, and draws conclusions for those directors involved in the development of new products. A new framework is presented for identifying the role that intensive ICT use in marketing plays as an element that strengthens the cooperation and communication relationships in new product development processes. On the other hand, the application of the CHAID analysis allows us to identify the principal traits that define an innovation company.
A comparison of the forecasting ability of ARIMA models
Authors: Stevenson Simon 
Published: April 2007

PurposeARIMA models have been extensively examined in the context of the real estate market. The purpose of this paper is to examine issues relating to their application in a forecasting context. Specifically, the paper seeks to examine whether in‐sample measures of best‐fit and also past forecasting accuracy bear any relation to future forecasting performance.Design/methodology/approachThe forecasting performance of alternative ARIMA specifications are compared over rolling estimation and forecasting windows. The forecasting accuracy of the alternative specifications is compared with specific attention placed on the accuracy of the respective specification that in‐sample provides the best fitting model.FindingsThe results highlight the limitations in using the conventional approach to identifying the best‐specified ARIMA model in sample, when the purpose of the analysis is to provide forecasts. The results show that while ARIMA models can be useful in anticipating broad market trends, there are substantial differences in the forecasts obtained using alternative specifications. The use of conventional measures of best‐fit provide little indication as to future forecasting ability, nor does the forecasting performance of a specification in previous periods.Originality/valueARIMA modelling has frequently been highlighted as a useful forecasting approach. This paper illustrates that care needs to be paid in their use in a forecasting context and full appreciation of the strengths and limitations of the ARIMA approach.
Exploring office investment decision‐making in different European contexts
Authors: Roberts Claire , Henneberry John 
Published: April 2007

PurposeStudies of UK and US property investment markets have historically portrayed the decision‐making process as an exercise in rational analysis. This notion is fundamentally flawed as the concept of a perfect market has limited applicability to the real world context in which property investment decisions are taken. Investment decision‐making is neither clinical nor methodical but is undertaken by imperfect players in imperfect markets using imperfect information. The purpose of this paper is to explore the decision making processes of investors.Design/methodology/approachA normative‐behavioural framework incorporating heuristics is used, a technique whose application in property research has previously been limited to valuation. The empirical vehicle for the research was an exploration of the spatial dimension of office property investment in different European contexts.FindingsThe findings of in‐depth case studies of investment decision‐making in France, Germany and the UK indicate that the decision‐making process, as perceived by institutional investors, does not deviate significantly from normative models. However, investors tend to “collapse down” the decision‐making process, taking shortcuts to achieve (in some cases, predefined) investment outcomes. These short‐cuts potentially leave the decision‐making process open to the influence of bias, judgement and sentiment.Originality/valueThis study represents the first attempt to explore, empirically and in detail, the property investment decision‐making process.
Intangible measurement guidelines: a comparative study in Europe
Authors: Bañegil Palacios Tomás M. , Sanguino Galván Ramón 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present and compare some of the most recent and significant contributions from European researchers to the field of the measurement and management of intangibles.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis was carried out on two different levels. First, how the guidelines were developed was examined. Second, the recommendations derived from these guidelines were evaluated.FindingsThe first conclusion drawn in this paper is the lack of a unique Conceptual Framework to carry out Intellectual Capital Reports – even though there are no significant differences among the analysed guidelines.Originality/valueThe paper shows that, in line with the increasing importance of the intangible economy in the last few years, a significant number of models has been published. Unlike previously published papers, the main original contribution in the measurement of Intellectual Capital relates to the comparison and assessment of the various existing guidelines.
Intellectual capital and capital markets: additional evidence
Authors: Ghosh Dipankar , Wu Anne 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to first examine whether intellectual capital (IC) information is considered in firm valuation. Next, to examine two issues: financial analysts' investment recommendations when faced with different combinations of performance levels (i.e. above or below industry average) of financial and IC measures, and the role of financial and IC measures with different performance levels and holding periods (i.e. short‐term vs long‐term) for the investment on analysts' recommendations.Design/methodology/approachThe first part of the paper used secondary (both archival and survey) data. The second part was an experiment.FindingsThe findings in the first part show that, after controlling for the effect of financial performances on firm value, measures of IC are still significant explanatory variables (of firm value). The second part shows that the financial and IC measures affect financial analysts' investment recommendations differently depending on the measures' levels of performance and the time horizon for holding the investments.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the paper are as follows: the use of secondary data from a single country limits its generalizability; and the results of the experiment are parameterized by the research design such as the amount of information provided to the financial analysts. Extending the analyses to other settings and using time‐series data represent future research opportunities.Originality/valueThe research makes three contributions to the IC literature. First, it extends the studies on the relevance of IC in capital market research by broadening its scope to include measures of IC other than R&D intensity. Next, it provides evidence of the informativeness of IC measures in market valuation of firms and analysts' recommendations, thus lending credence to the arguments of reports and researchers for more external communication of IC information. Finally, this study is one of the first to examine a broader scope of IC in the capital market context and the use of IC by sophisticated market participants. With policy‐makers and standard‐setting bodies considering proposals to enhance information on IC in financial reports, it is important to broaden the scope of IC metrics and understand their role in enhancing firm value to develop a framework for reporting IC.
Intellectual capital disclosure and price‐sensitive Australian Stock Exchange announcements
Authors: Dumay John C. , Tull John A. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine an alternative way by which firms can disclose their intellectual capital to external stakeholders who have an influence on their share price.Design/methodology/approachThe paper shows that, by applying the empirical “event studies” methodology for the 2004‐2005 financial year, the components of intellectual capital are used to classify price‐sensitive company announcements to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), and to examine any relationship between the disclosure of intellectual capital and the cumulative abnormal return of a firm's share price.FindingsThe disclosure of intellectual capital elements in price sensitive company announcements can have an effect on the cumulative abnormal return of a firm's share price. The market is found to be most responsive to disclosures of “internal capital” elements.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is limited to an analysis of the Australian stock market for a one‐year period. It does not take into account the timing of announcement as a variable nor does it consider differences in regulation or operations pertaining to other stock markets.Practical implicationsResearchers and practitioners are now informed that price‐sensitive disclosures to the market containing intellectual capital elements have a marginal effect on the subsequent market valuation of a firm beyond traditional financial reports and external intellectual capital reports.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to examine the disclosure of price‐sensitive stock market information from an intellectual capital perspective, using Australian data.
Intangibles and Italian IPO prospectuses: a disclosure analysis
Authors: Cordazzo Michela 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to investigate intangibles disclosure in Italian initial public offerings (IPO) prospectuses. It seeks to examine whether intangibles disclosure in IPO prospectuses is correlated to some firm‐specific variables, which influence the information selected by a company for its admission on the stock exchange.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an empirical analysis of intangibles disclosure in Italian IPO prospectuses, and in particular an analysis of its association with some firm‐specific variables through a regression model.FindingsThe paper finds that intangibles information is increasing in Italian IPOs. Firm size and pre‐IPO managerial ownership are associated with intangibles disclosure, while firm age and level of technology are not related.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that the IPO disclosure could not be exhaustive of the intangibles disclosure provided by Italian companies, because it is produced on a voluntary basis. Originality/value – The empirical results indicate that intangibles disclosure is important in the capital markets assessment of firm value.
Social resilience to environmental risks
Authors: Sapountzaki K. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe present paper attempts to prove that social resilience to environmental risks should be considered as a potential mechanism of transfer of vulnerability from one social actor to another and/or transformation of vulnerability to one risk to vulnerability to another. This means that social resilience should not be treated always as a desirable attitude; it is desirable under certain conditions only.Design/methodology/approachWidespread views are challenged by alleging both theoretical knowledge and empirical outcomes. By carrying out insights to the epistemological roots of the concept resilience, its use in the domains of ecology, social and behavioural sciences, and actual experiences of resilience processes to risks in Greece, the author re‐integrates resilience analysis in the context of systemic understanding of society, the environment and interrelations between the two.FindingsThe paper introduces a clear dissociation of individualized from collective resilience and evidences that these two forms may come in conflict. Besides it indicates that assessment of resilience impacts on vulnerability is possible only by taking into account the systemic interconnections between community actors, on the one hand, and between environmental, natural and socio‐economic risks, on the other. The paper provides a methodological approach to the identity of a resilience process, an approach based on the determinant factors of resilience: the agency performing the process, the utilized resources, the stimulus and modus operandi, spatial and temporal range of the process and impacts on several aspects of vulnerability.Practical implicationsAcknowledgement of social resilience to risks as a mechanism of transfer and/or transformation of vulnerability entails radical changes in planning philosophy. Planning should focus more on keeping the effects of individualized resilience within the constraints of the wider community interest and environmental sustainability objectives, i.e. vulnerability reduction for all and vis‐à‐vis all risk aspects.Originality/valueThe paper reverses widespread optimism about social resilience to environmental risks as a universally positive process and a panacea for dealing with social vulnerability. It introduces a new methodology for evaluating virtual impacts on vulnerability and revises the guiding principles and given assumptions of risk mitigation planning.
Application of the environmental protection expenditure account
Authors: Broniewicz Elzbieta 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to review the concept of the environmental protection expenditure account (EPEA). It recommends its application in the decision‐making process in the area of environmental management.Design/methodology/approachThe review of the environmental protection expenditure account is based on surveys conducted in several old and new European Union member nations.FindingsThe EPEA elements, i.e. production of environmental services, environmental protection expenditure and financing of environmental protection, have been presented in certain EU countries but results of the analyses were not used for the assessment or elaboration of environmental policy.Practical implicationsThis paper presents several examples of the application of the environmental protection expenditure account in the environmental management process and in sustainable development.Originality/valueThe proposal of the EPEA application can be used by general administration for the improvement of environmental management activities.
Towards a strategic environment assessment framework in Kenya
Authors: Onyango Vincent , Schmidt Michael 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper sets out to assess and analyses the key pillars of the SEA framework in Kenya, highlighting aspects that should be considered for further scrutiny and review, aiming at evolving a suitable context‐specific Kenyan SEA.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis of the SEA framework was done through desktop research. This was supplemented by a two‐month internship at the National Environmental Management Authority in Kenya. The key documents prescribing and describing SEA in Kenya (legal documents, guidelines) formed a basis for interpretative analysis. International literature on SEA frameworks also formed a basis for analysis.FindingsAlthough the SEA framework is relatively complete, there are certain elements that are incomplete, e.g. environmental and sustainability standards have not been formally established. Some provisions are unclear or reveal internal incoherency within the framework. For example, the definitions of policies, plans, programmes and projects are not clearly differentiated for the purpose of the SEA framework. The framework is premised on “an early SEA” yet the key exercises of public participation and the triggering of the SEA exercise are both carried out late. There is need for SEA‐EIA tiering and SEA definitions and purposes to be harmonized within the various documents of the framework. Sector‐level SEA guidelines offer the most appropriate opportunity to address most of the substantive shortcomings of the framework.Practical implicationsThe results provide a baseline for departure towards further scrutiny and research in order to evolve a more homegrown SEA, as opposed to merely copyng what other countries have done. The highlighted areas are expounded on, with some suggestions given; in some instances no clear remedy is immediately obvious.Originality/valueThe paper is a seminal instigator of interest into the Kenyan SEA framework, which is still very young and devoid of experience and tradition. It brings to light and questions some key issues that seem to have the potential to reduce the benefits and instrumentality of the SEA tool in meeting Kenya's interest.
Adoption of improved stoves and deforestation in Zanzibar
Authors: Omar Makame Makame 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe study is specifically aimed at understanding the extent of fuel wood consumption for cooking and the adoption of improved charcoal stoves as a policy option toward reducing the consumption of fuel wood in urban sectors.Design/methodology/approachBoth primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected by use of structured questionnaires, interviews and direct field observation. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data. Based on the research plan, a total of 120 individual households were randomly selected and interviewed.FindingsThe results of the analysis suggested that the majority of people still cook using traditional stoves which consume a great deal of wood to the extent of deteriorating forest resources. Since conventional fuels remain remote for the majority, improved charcoal stoves are perceived as a real option for reducing consumption of wood fuel in urban area and thus arresting the rate of deforestation. However, this can only be realized if the improved charcoal stoves are widely adopted within social systems. Adoption itself results from a series of individual or any unit of adoption to begin using the new stoves. Poor quality of the improved stoves, costs, information and education about the stoves are major factors for the failure to adopt improved charcoal stoves in urban Zanzibar.Originality/valueThe need to revive improved charcoal stoves programs and exploration of alternative sources of energy have been recommended in order to reduce the pressure over forest resources induced by the great demand for fuel wood in urban Zanzibar.