Emerald | Management Research Review

Technology Transfer in the Italian Space Industry: Organizational Issues and Determinants

Chiara Verbano, Karen Venturini — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The transfer of space technology is recognised as complex even though it is increasingly adopted: space technologies can, for example, be adopted for healthcare products, improved waste management and water recovery, as well as by manufacturers. This study intends to identify the organizational characteristics of TT process and to verify the real determinants for TT success from space to other industrial sectors.Design/methodology/approach - The research employs a case study approach analyzing two projects realized by one of the leading space companies in Europe for small systems integration.Findings - Integrability and flexibility, high reliability, and availability of financial resources results the main facilitating factors for Technology transfer (TT) success, followed by the level of R&D competences and knowledge and the versatility of the technology. Research limitations/implications - Practical implications - The final aim is to supply useful indications to the management of firms and to public decision-makers in order to appropriately formulate the necessary policies and procedures to effectively deal with the problem of technology transfer to other industrial sectors.Originality/value - The technological innovation literature has as yet paid little attention to the TT process from the space sector to non-space areas In order to fill this gap, the aim of this study is to contribute to broadening the knowledge base on the process and the determinants for TT success.

Evaluating the Critical Determinants for Adopting E-Market in Australian Small-and-Medium Sized Enterprises

Xiaoxia Duan, Hepu Deng, Brian Corbitt — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This paper presents an empirical investigation of the critical determinants for the adoption of e-market in Australian small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework.Design/methodology/approach - A conceptual model is proposed for better understanding the adoption of e-market in Australian SMEs. Structural equation modelling is used for testing and validating the proposed conceptual model based on the survey data collected from Australian SMEs. A logistic regression analysis is conducted for identifying the relationship between the critical determinants and the adoption of e-market in Australian SMEs. Findings - A positive relationship is identified between the perceived direct benefit, top management support, external pressure, trust and the adoption of e-market in Australian SMEs. The top management support emerges as the most critical determinant. The perceived indirect benefit, size and organization readiness, however, do not show a significant influence on the adoption of e-market in Australian SMEs.Research limitations/implications - This study focuses on the investigation of the critical determinants in the adoption of e-market in Australian SMEs. In order to gain a holistic understanding of the e-market adoption in Australian SMEs, the impact of adopting e-market on the performance of SMEs should be examined. Furthermore, this study does not distinguish the adoption of e-market in SMEs between Australian metropolitan and rural areas. SMEs located in rural areas by the nature and location owns specific characteristics such as a limited access to resources and less influenced by external pressure. The issues of their concern in the adoption of e-market might be different from those located in metropolitan areas.Originality/value - This study contributes to the e-market adoption research in (a) proposing and validating a research model for the e-market adoption within the TOE framework, and (b) highlighting the criticality of the determinants of adopting e-market in Australian SMEs.

Perceived Justice in Service Recovery and Switching Intention: Evidence from Malaysian Mobile Telecommunication Industry

Davoud Nikbin, Ishak Ismail, Malliga Marimuthu, Hamed Armesh — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between distributive, procedural, interactional and informational justices on switching intention. Design/methodology/approach - Data were gathered on distributive, procedural, interactional and informational justices and switching intention by means of survey from prepaid mobile subscribers in Malaysia. Findings - The results show that the effect of procedural justice on switching intention was stronger than distributive and informational justices. However, the results did not indicate a significant relationship between interpersonal justice and switching intention. Research limitations/implications - This study examines only one service context; consequently, the results cannot be generalized to other service industries.Practical implications - The results of this study are useful for Malaysian marketing practitioners in the mobile telecommunication industry which is becoming more competitive and saturated.Originality/value - Unlike previous studies, this study incorporates a fourth dimension of justice – informational justice – into the service recovery literature. In addition, although prior studies have investigated the relationship between perceived justice and positive behavioral intentions; however, there is no specific study looking at the relationship between perceived justices and negative outcomes like switching intention.

When is going green good for company image?

David Raska, Doris Shaw — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the conditions under which U.S. consumers, known for their "green" skepticism, are more (less) likely to respond favorably to a firm’s environmental initiative in today’s marketplace. Design/methodology/approach - The research paper investigates whether the general positive impact derived from the implementation of societal initiatives found by other researchers carries over when specific environmental initiatives are put into operation. The authors test hypotheses related to consumer responses to information about a firm’s environmental initiative with varied salience of its public- and self-serving motives. Next, they test how consumer responses are affected by the level of perceived sincerity associated with a firm’s environmental initiative. The role of brand commitment is also examined across both studies.Findings - The results reveal that consumers use a rather skeptical approach when interpreting a firm’s environmental initiative and that these responses vary based on the level of brand commitment as well as how the initiative is presented to them.Research limitations/implications - The generalizability of results is currently limited to a particular brand with strong brand equity, large market share, and highly experiential service (Starbucks).Practical implications - The authors provide insights into what marketers and policy makers should consider in the development of environmental initiatives in order to increase the likelihood of positive consumer responses.Originality/value - The present research contributes to the development (and application) of more accurate models of consumer responses to a firm’s environmental initiative.