scholarly journals The supporting role of business models in the promotion of sustainable innovations in the energy sector: an explorative study in the Italian SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-129
Author(s):  
ANDREA SABATINI ◽  
SARA BARTOLONI ◽  
GIAN LUCA GREGORI
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Single Case ◽  
New Products ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Explorative Study ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
Scarcity Of Resources ◽  
Start Ups

Purpose of the paper: The Industry 4.0 paradigm entails tremendous business opportunities. However, SMEs are struggling to effectively commercialize new products embedding Industry 4.0 technologies. Therefore, the study aims at exploring how SMEs manage the commercialization of Industry 4.0 new products to provide a thorough understanding of the main issues and barriers they face. Methodology: The study adopts a single case study of an Italian SMEs. Data have been analyzed through an abductive approach. The novelty of the topic calls for an explorative study consistent with the methodologies adopted. Results: The study finds several barriers and issues related to internal and external factors. Barriers and issues might be overcome if SMEs develop external partnerships to compensate their typical scarcity of resources. The firm faced the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted further threats hidden into the commercialization process. Research limitations: The study design is qualitative in nature, limiting the generalization of the findings. The internal perspective and the specific study contexts also offer new avenues for future. research. Practical implications: The study provides several insights to support SMEs in their commercialization processes of new Industry 4.0 technological products. The study highlights the pivotal role of strategy and planning as well as marketing activities. Originality of the paper: The study contributes to the new product commercialization and Industry 4.0 literature by unravelling potential issues and barriers that innovator SMEs might encounter when commercializing new products that fall into the Industry 4.0 paradigm. The article provides a novel perspective as the extant NPD literature focuses on start-ups or large corporations, while the Industry 4.0 literature has been neglecting the commercialization process.

Emerging Industrial Revolution: Symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: The Role of Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeram Ramakrishna ◽  
Alfred Ngowi ◽  
Henk De Jager ◽  
Bankole O. Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Jobs

Growing consumerism and population worldwide raises concerns about society’s sustainability aspirations. This has led to calls for concerted efforts to shift from the linear economy to a circular economy (CE), which are gaining momentum globally. CE approaches lead to a zero-waste scenario of economic growth and sustainable development. These approaches are based on semi-scientific and empirical concepts with technologies enabling 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and 6Rs (reuse, recycle, redesign, remanufacture, reduce, recover). Studies estimate that the transition to a CE would save the world in excess of a trillion dollars annually while creating new jobs, business opportunities and economic growth. The emerging industrial revolution will enhance the symbiotic pursuit of new technologies and CE to transform extant production systems and business models for sustainability. This article examines the trends, availability and readiness of fourth industrial revolution (4IR or industry 4.0) technologies (for example, Internet of Things [IoT], artificial intelligence [AI] and nanotechnology) to support and promote CE transitions within the higher education institutional context. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of universities as living laboratories for experimenting the utility of industry 4.0 technologies in driving the shift towards CE futures. The article concludes that universities should play a pivotal role in engendering CE transitions.

Is Co-working Increase Survivability? Study on how Collaborating and Networking Facilitates Open Innovation Process for Startups

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
Elissa Dwi Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Innovation Ecosystem ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Community Manager

Startups, as they are bounded to their liabilities of newness and smallness, need to collaborate extensively with their external partners through the open innovation process. This study aims to depict Co-working space's pivotal role in building up a working innovation ecosystem that facilitates open innovation for startups. To get a more deep understanding of the phenomena, this study used an exploratory study based on three case studies of Co-working spaces operated in the Jakarta region. The study shows that the open innovation process among startups is not naturally existed, but instead, it is purposefully designed by the role of a community manager who acts as the ecosystem catalyst. The community manager becomes the ecosystem enablers that facilitate the networking process by connecting members. As a result, these activities will help the emerging of mutual connection and collaboration processes among members that empower open innovation among startups members. The multiple-case design makes the study conclusions might be difficult to generalize. Future research, including quantitative studies, will help the conclusions examination and the knowledge enrichment of start-ups' open innovation process. This paper will enrich the knowledge concerning how Co-working spaces member seizing opportunities that lead to the open innovation process.

Circular economy‐based new products and company performance: The role of stakeholders and Industry 4.0 technologies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Paula Pinheiro ◽  
Daniel Jugend ◽  
Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour ◽  
Charbel Jose Chiappetta Jabbour ◽  
Hengky Latan
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Products ◽  
Company Performance

Business Models and Organizational Processes Changes

2011 ◽  
pp. 192-205
Author(s):  
Helena Halas ◽  
Tomaž Klobucar
Keyword(s):  
Pervasive Computing ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Processes ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Main Stress ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Future Business

This chapter explores the influence of pervasive computing on companies and their businesses, with the main stress on business models. The role of business models for companies is presented. Introduction to pervasive computing and a survey of existing e-business models classifications are used as a base for our research. The main characteristics of today’s business models are discussed and a method for evaluating business models characteristics is proposed. We concentrate on characteristics of pervasive computing and their influence on companies’ business processes and business models. The present and future business characteristics and business models are briefly compared, and future research directions on pervasive computing and business models are presented.

Industry 4.0 in Pumping Applications

2021 ◽  
pp. 941-954
Author(s):  
Luiz Eduardo Marques Bastos
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Equipment Operation ◽  
The World ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Traditional Industry

This chapter addresses the so-called Industry 4.0 and some of its applications in industrial pumps, seeking to emphasize its characteristics and benefits. The introduction of 4.0 industry technologies in this traditional industry can cause profound changes in existing business models, providing greater customer satisfaction, either improving the effectiveness of equipment operation, contributing to better adjustment to working conditions, and also prolonging their life cycle. We are still in the early stages of these technologies and a lot is yet to evolve; however, there are already interesting examples developed by some pump manufacturers around the world, some of which will be mentioned in this chapter. It is subdivided into three main parts, namely brief historical panorama from the first industrial revolution to Industry 4.0, current applications in the industrial pump industry, and finally, future research directions and conclusion.

Business Models and Organizational Processes Changes

2011 ◽  
pp. 155-168
Author(s):  
Helena Halas ◽  
Tomaž Klobucar
Keyword(s):  
Pervasive Computing ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Processes ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Main Stress ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Future Business

This chapter explores the influence of pervasive computing on companies and their businesses, with the main stress on business models. The role of business models for companies is presented. Introduction to pervasive computing and a survey of existing e-business models classifications are used as a base for our research. The main characteristics of today’s business models are discussed and a method for evaluating business models characteristics is proposed. We concentrate on characteristics of pervasive computing and their influence on companies’ business processes and business models. The present and future business characteristics and business models are briefly compared, and future research directions on pervasive computing and business models are presented.

Innovative Business Models in Digital Firms

2020 ◽  
pp. 79-98
Author(s):  
Patrizia Accordino ◽  
Tindara Abbate ◽  
Daniela Rupo ◽  
Raffaella Coppolino ◽  
Elvira Tiziana La Rocca
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Great Opportunity ◽  
Use Of Services ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
New Perspective

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development intends to improve efforts of governments, societies, and companies to deal with major social and environmental problems affecting contemporary societies. From a business perspective, companies can find a propulsive boost of innovation looking at different models of production and use of services/products. This new perspective is radically changing the ways companies and consumers interact, and the role of companies in supporting the achievement of SDGs through service innovation is becoming pervasive. In addition, the emerging digital economy represents a great opportunity opening up to sustainability-oriented service innovation and firms are developing their competitive advantage based on the introduction of new digital business models. This chapter explores this issue through an explorative case study based on the MyTaxi business model. Implications for managers and researchers and opportunities for future research are highlighted.

Industry 4.0 and digital supply chain capabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciel M. Queiroz ◽  
Susana Carla Farias Pereira ◽  
Renato Telles ◽  
Marcio C. Machado
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose The Industry 4.0 phenomenon is bringing unprecedented disruptions for all traditional business models and hastening the need for a redesign and digitisation of activities. In this context, the literature concerning the digital supply chain (DSC) and its capabilities are in the early stages. To bridge this gap, the purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for digital supply chain capabilities (DSCCs). Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a narrative literature approach, based on the main Industry 4.0 elements, supply chain and the emerging literature concerning DSC disruptions, to build an integrative framework to shed light on DSCCs. Findings The study identifies seven basic capabilities that shape the DSCC framework and six main enabler technologies, derived from 13 propositions. Research limitations/implications The proposed framework can bring valuable insights for future research development, although it has not been tested yet. Practical implications Managers, practitioners and all involved in the digitalisation phenomenon can utilise the framework as a starting point for other business digitalisation projects. Originality/value This study contributes to advancing the DSC literature, providing a well-articulated discussion and a framework regarding the capabilities, as well as 13 propositions that can generate valuable insights for other studies.

Knowledge co-creation in Open Innovation Digital Platforms: processes, tools and services

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1434-1447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tindara Abbate ◽  
Anna Paola Codini ◽  
Barbara Aquilani
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Innovation Intermediaries ◽  
Innovation Platform

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how Open Innovation Digital Platforms (OIDPs) can facilitate and support knowledge co-creation in Open Innovation (OI) processes. Specifically, it intends to investigate the contribution of OIDPs-oriented to successfully implement all the phases of interactive coupled OI processes. Design/methodology/approach The paper carries out an exploratory qualitative analysis, adopting the single case study method. The case here investigated is Open Innovation Platform Regione Lombardia (OIPRL). Findings The case study sheds light on how OIPRL supports knowledge co-creation through its processes, tools and services as a co-creator intermediary. In its launch stage, the platform simply aimed at giving firms a tool to “find partners” and financial resources to achieve innovative projects. Now, however, the platform has developed into an engagement platform for knowledge co-creation. Research limitations/implications One limitation lies in the particular perspective used to perform the case study: the perspective of the digital platform itself. Future research should focus on the individuals engaged in the platform to better investigate the processes, tools and services used to implement the OI approach. Practical implications The paper suggests ways in which OIDPs could be used by firms for effective exploration, acquisition, integration and development of valuable knowledge. Originality/value The study conceptualizes the role of OIDPs in shaping knowledge co-creation, assuming that the platforms act as Open Innovation Intermediaries (OIIs). Specifically, OIDPs can be observed to function as “co-creator intermediaries” that define, develop and implement dedicated processes, specific tools and appropriate services for supporting knowledge co-creation activities.

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