Digital Commons Network^™

A Tool-Kit For Ethics Self-Assessment (Esa), Anna Karmanska

Journal of Global Awareness

The primary objective of this article is to present the concept of the original tool Tool-Kit for Ethics Self-Assessment (ESA), which was created to strengthen ethical values important in human conduct not only in the area of business but also in other fields of human activities.

The text includes a reflection on the search for a universal set of ethical values, a presentation of the context important for undertaking the related initiatives following “An Appeal for a Global Ethics Framework & A Tool-Kit for Ethics Self-Assessment,” a general description of the process of creating and characterizing the …

Slack, Location, Diversification, Or R&D Intensity? How The Most (And Least) Innovative Firms Deploy Resources, Jamil Kreugel, Matthew Farrell, Chris H. Willis

College of Business (Strome) Posters

Firms frequently innovate by recombining knowledge components. Through bringing together diverse scientific or technological concepts, firms can reassemble these extant knowledge components into novel and useful innovations. At the same time, many of the mechanisms firms use to recombine knowledge components carry substantial agency costs. When firms conduct research and development, diversify, hold slack resources, or locate near close competitors, they become vulnerable to misappropriation of investor resources due to opportunistic actions by agents. Using patent citation data from semiconductor firms, we study how firms, which consistently produce high-quality innovations, balance the need for knowledge recombination with the need to …

Cluster Typologies And Firm Survival: Complementary And Substitutive Effects, Chris H. Willis, Matthew Farrell, Hami Usta

College of Business (Strome) Posters

Agglomerations, or "clusters," are typically defined as the idea that firms can benefit from shared locations through mutual knowledge, labor pools, and suppliers, and have long been a subject of scholarly interest. However, research in geographic economics has identified a broad array of agglomeration externalities beyond such supply-side clusters, which problematizes the use of the term "cluster" to refer to any geographic grouping of firms. Clusters can be groups of firms from the same country ("country-of-origin" clusters), demand side (clustering to lower search costs for customers), Jacobsian clusters (tight groups of diverse firms), internal (groupings of firms from the same …

Two’S A Crowd? Implications Of Economic Geography For Corporate Governance, Matthew Farrell

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

Although literature on corporate governance and economic geography often explores similar constructs, theories, and other matters, little work has been done examining their joint effects. This two-essay dissertation integrates these literatures in order to partially fill this gap by asking the following research questions:

1.) Do geographic proximity and multiple directorships function as substitutes or complements?

2.) How is the governance of highly innovative firms affected by the presence of Marshallian externalities?

While some scholars suggest that multiple directorships lead to board members neglecting their advisory and monitoring obligations, others have embraced the idea that holding multiple board seats can …

Clustering - Good Or Bad Idea!?, Ermira Shehu, Osman Sejfijaj, Fatmir Memaj

UBT International Conference

Clusters tend to be a key factor for a successful macroeconomic development and microeconomics business environment. Execution of cluster projects is one of the strategic objectives of many counties, as it contributes to the economic development of regions and increases the level of innovative development of enterprises which form a cluster. Cluster mapping efforts create a set of data and insights on economic activity across industries and locations. With this paper we will try to present the advantages and disadvantages of being in cluster. All huge projects have obstacles and benefits, but in this paper we will try to summaries …

Caught Between Two Worlds: Clusters, Microfinance Officers And Accountability Mechanisms In A Sri Lankan Mfi, Nadeera Ranabahu, Lee C. Moerman

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

This paper studies the accountability mechanisms and dynamics that exist within a microfinance context when microfinance officers (MFOs) interact with borrowers at the community level (MFO-community interface). In the Sri Lankan microfinance institution (MFI) used in this study, community units or clusters comprising of several peer or solidarity groups engage with MFOs in the field. Using Ritchie and Richardson's (2000) accountability typologies (codified, contingent, assumed and collateral), this article explores how multiple and complex accountability relationships manifest at the MFO community interface.The data collected from interviews, discussions, observations, document reviews and the primary researcher's reflective notes demonstrate that both codified …

An Entrepreneurial Context For The Theory Of The Firm: Exploring Assumptions And Consequences, Arturo E. Osorio, Paul Donnelly, Banu Ozkazanc-Pan

Articles

While entrepreneurship may be driven by personal interests and lifestyle choices, entrepreneurial actions are not only economically driven opportunity-searching processes but also enactments of social transformation that may or may not lead to socioeconomic benefits. We advance that exploring these entrepreneurial processes can inform a theory of the firm that may explain how socioeconomic processes shape the socioeconomic environment of communities while serving individuals. This article discusses several understandings of the firm, as theorized in extant literature. Guided by these different conceptualizations, we present a case study of an artist and artisan cluster in Western Massachusetts to demonstrate various understandings …

An Entrepreneurial Context For The Theory Of The Firm: Exploring Assumptions And Consequences, Arturo E. Osorio, Banu Ozkazanc-Pan, Paul F. Donnelly

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

While entrepreneurship may be driven by personal interests and lifestyle choices, entrepreneurial actions are not only economically driven opportunity-searching processes but also enactments of social transformation that may or may not lead to socioeconomic benefits. We advance that exploring these entrepreneurial processes can inform a theory of the firm that may explain how socioeconomic processes shape the socioeconomic environment of communities while serving individuals. This article discusses several understandings of the firm, as theorized in extant literature. Guided by these different conceptualizations, we present a case study of an artist and artisan cluster in Western Massachusetts to demonstrate various understandings …

The Road Through The Rust Belt: From Preeminence To Decline To Prosperity, William M. Bowen, Editor

Upjohn Press

The chapters in this book explore reasons for the decline of "Rust Belt" cities and the often innovative responses of local leaders and entrepreneurs that are helping to revive these areas.

Clusters And Upgrading: A Purposeful Approach, Gerald A. Mcdermott, Héctor O. Rocha

Gerald A McDermott

We develop a theoretical model to investigate how backward societies can improve their upgrading capabilities by transforming existing industrial agglomerations into dynamic clusters. Our main assumptions are two: first, emerging market economies are not uniform but characterized by variety of subnational regional and sectoral organizational and institutional configurations; second, the basic building block and unit of explanation in social sciences is personal action guided by some intention, which is heterogeneous across different actors. Based on these assumptions and the literature on human motives and social networks, we develop a purposeful approach to clusters and upgrading. We argue that governments can …

The Factors Of Sme Cluster Developments In A Developing Country: The Case Of Indonesian Clusters, Mukhammad Mawardi, Ty Choi, Nelson Perera

Nelson Perera

Since cluster development factors become a critical issue in the debate of the industrial cluster literature, several scholars have attempted to seek the variables that influence the cluster growth. This paper presents the case of the wood furniture cluster of Bukir- Indonesia to explain the development of SME clusters by identifying its influential factors. We utilize the model proposed by Parrilli (2009) that includes collective efficiency, social capital, and policy inducement variables to explore the driving factors of this cluster growth. Based on the qualitative approach, this case study found that collective efficiency and social capital affect the development of …

Assessing Sme Innovation Within Different Cluster Models: Lessons From The Australian Wine Industry, David Aylward, John Glynn

John J Glynn

This paper assesses core innovation activity among SMEs within different levels of cluster development. The aim of the paper, using empirical data from the Australian wine industry, is to demonstrate that innovation levels and activity intensify as an industry cluster develops. By dividing wine clusters into ‘innovative’ (highly developed) and ‘organised’ (less developed) models, the paper uses selected core indicators of innovation activity to explore levels of integration within each model. This integration is examined in the context of Porter’s theory of ‘competitive advantage’, with implications for SMEs in particular, and lessons for industry clusters in general.

Sme Innovation Within The Australian Wine Industry: A Cluster Analysis, David Aylward, John Glynn

John J Glynn

This paper assesses core innovation activity among SMEs within different levels of cluster development. The aim of the paper, using empirical data from the Australian wine industry, is to demonstrate that innovation levels and activity intensify as an industry cluster develops. By dividing wine clusters into ‘innovative’ (highly developed) and ‘organised’ (less developed) models, the paper uses selected core indicators of innovation activity to explore levels of integration within each model. This integration is examined in the context of Porter’s theory of ‘competitive advantage’, with implications for SMEs in particular, and lessons for industry clusters in general.

Innovation And Location In The Multinational Firm, John Cantwell, Yanli Zhang

Department of Management Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This paper provides an overview of the relationship between multinational corporations (MNCs) and local economic systems. It examines the implications of a decentralisation of innovative activity within MNCs for their interaction with local networks. It is shown that this interaction depends upon the type of cluster, whether a general centre of excellence or a specialised centre. These two principal kinds of cluster are associated with different structures of local knowledge spillovers between firms. Localised science-technology linkages offer a further category of interaction. It is shown how locational hierarchies may affect the locational strategies of MNCs when they disperse innovative activity.

A Comparison Of Market Entry Strategies Adopted By Information And Communication Technology (Ict) Firms From Major And Emerging Software Exporting Nations, Stephen Kelly, Jennifer Harrison

Adjunct Professor Stephen J Kelly

This study examines the market entry practices of Australian and Pakistani Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms and the proposition that Local Software Economy (LSE) maturity affects the selection of market entry practices. The question is significant as it is focused on an indirect effect – namely LSE maturity – on the adoption of market entry practices, with indirect effects being identified in recent literature as being significant and an area in need of further research. The findings provide support for the proposition, indicating that Australian and Pakistani firms, representative of firms operating in high and low maturity LSEs, respectively, …

The Factors Of Sme Cluster Developments In A Developing Country: The Case Of Indonesian Clusters, Mukhammad Kholid Mawardi, Ty Choi, Nelson Perera

Sydney Business School - Papers

Since cluster development factors become a critical issue in the debate of the industrial cluster literature, several scholars have attempted to seek the variables that influence the cluster growth. This paper presents the case of the wood furniture cluster of Bukir- Indonesia to explain the development of SME clusters by identifying its influential factors. We utilize the model proposed by Parrilli (2009) that includes collective efficiency, social capital, and policy inducement variables to explore the driving factors of this cluster growth. Based on the qualitative approach, this case study found that collective efficiency and social capital affect the development of …

The Next Catalyst For Change: How Corporate Shared Value Is Reshaping Capitalism, Emily Davenport

CMC Senior Theses

Both corporations and their global conglomerates are looking into the face of an evolving idea of capitalism. As businesses become more intertwined with society, this special relationship is becoming increasingly deterministic of the condition of the world. This paper explores the possibility that if businesses integrate shared value -- a way to combine economic and social value -- into their long-term business plans, that not only will society be better off, but the businesses themselves may be able to explore previously unrecognized potential for profits.

Determining Warehouse Storage Location Assignments Using Clustering Analysis, Carl Egas, Dale Masel

11th IMHRC Proceedings (Milwaukee, Wisconsin. USA – 2010)

The methodology used to assign products to a storage location in a warehouse can have a significant impact on the amount of time required to retrieve all of the items needed to fill an order. This paper describes a methodology that uses a clustering approach to determine storage assignments, where the metric of the strength of the relationship between two stock-keeping units (SKUs) is the number of times that the SKUs appear in the same order. Clustering is performed to maximize the frequency with which SKUs in the same cluster are ordered together. In testing, the clustering assignments were compared …

The Shifting Geography Of Competitive Advantage: Clusters, Networks And Firms, Mark Jenkins, Stephen Tallman

Management Faculty Publications

We consider the dynamics of knowledge-based sources of advantage as they move between geographical locations and multinational and other firm level networks using the specialist context of Formula 1 motor over a fifty nine year period. We suggest that shifts in competitive advantage are underpinned by the movement of both architectural and component knowledge at both the firm and cluster level, and in particular we suggest that isolated firms can both benefit from and add to cluster level knowledge. We conclude by suggesting ways in which MNEs can adapt their approach to both location and knowledge development in order to …

Clusters And Upgrading: A Purposeful Approach, Gerald A. Mcdermott, Héctor O. Rocha

Faculty Publications

We develop a theoretical model to investigate how backward societies can improve their upgrading capabilities by transforming existing industrial agglomerations into dynamic clusters. Our main assumptions are two: first, emerging market economies are not uniform but characterized by variety of subnational regional and sectoral organizational and institutional configurations; second, the basic building block and unit of explanation in social sciences is personal action guided by some intention, which is heterogeneous across different actors. Based on these assumptions and the literature on human motives and social networks, we develop a purposeful approach to clusters and upgrading. We argue that governments can …

The Development Of Informal Sector Small And Medium Scale Enterprises Through Formation Of Cluster And Networking: A Case Study Based On Sri Lanka And Pakistan, S.W.S.B. Dasanayaka

Business Review

In recent years Pakistan has faced a rapidly growing services sector which has lead some observers to believe that there is a transfer of resources occurring in Pakistan from the tradable to the non-tradable sector, hence causing the Dutch Disease in the economy. However no precise response has been offered on this subject. This paper seeks to provide empirical evidence on the question of the existence of Dutch Disease in Pakistan by using Linda Kamas's model on Dutch Disease. The percentage change in the growth of the tradable and the non-tradable sectors in Pakistan is calculated by using data from …

Interactive Visualization Of Clusters In Microarray Data: An Efficient Tool For Improved Metabolic Analysis Of E. Coli, Theresa Scharl, Gerald Striedner, Florentina Potschacher, Friedrich Leisch, Karl Bayer

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Background Interpretation of comprehensive DNA microarray data sets is a challenging task for biologists and process engineers where scientific assistance of statistics and bioinformatics is essential. Interdisciplinary cooperation and concerted development of software-tools for simplified and accelerated data analysis and interpretation is the key to overcome the bottleneck in data-analysis workflows. This approach is exemplified by gcExplorer an interactive visualization toolbox based on cluster analysis. Clustering is an important tool in gene expression data analysis to find groups of co-expressed genes which can finally suggest functional pathways and interactions between genes. The visualization of gene clusters gives practitioners an understanding …

Emergence Of Nanodistricts In The United States: Path Dependency Or New Opportunities?, Philip Shapira, Jan Youtie

Philip Shapira

Multiple economic development theories suggest that research and innovation in emerging technologies will cluster in certain locations rather then distributing equally among all regions. If this is the case, this distributional pattern has implications for where future economic opportunities as well as future risks will be concentrated. In this paper, we probe nanotechnology (hereafter nano) research and commercialization at a regional level. The study examines the top 30 US “nanodistricts” or metropolitan areas which lead in nanotechnology research activity over the 1990-2006 timeframe. We explore the factors underlying the emergence of these 30 metropolitan areas through exploratory cluster analysis. We …

Global Pipelines: Profiling Successful Sme Exporters Within The Australian Wine Industry, D. K. Aylward

David K. Aylward

Increasingly, entire industry sectors and individual firms are re-orienting their business strategies to align with the demands of rapid globalization. Sustainable export mechanisms are becoming an integral component of these strategies. Small, medium and large firms are focusing more than ever on marketing goals, branding, distribution channels and production quality in order to address the growing opportunities and challenges of this globalization. An industry in which firms are responding effectively to these opportunities and challenges is the Australian wine industry. In terms of export growth, intensity, diversity and sustainability, this industry is increasingly seen as a template for others. Using …

Mapping Australia's Wine Exporters, D. K. Aylward

David K. Aylward

No abstract provided.

Sme Innovation Within The Australian Wine Industry: A Cluster Analysis, David Aylward, John Glynn

David K. Aylward

This paper assesses core innovation activity among SMEs within different levels of cluster development. The aim of the paper, using empirical data from the Australian wine industry, is to demonstrate that innovation levels and activity intensify as an industry cluster develops. By dividing wine clusters into ‘innovative’ (highly developed) and ‘organised’ (less developed) models, the paper uses selected core indicators of innovation activity to explore levels of integration within each model. This integration is examined in the context of Porter’s theory of ‘competitive advantage’, with implications for SMEs in particular, and lessons for industry clusters in general.

Assessing Sme Innovation Within Different Cluster Models: Lessons From The Australian Wine Industry, David Aylward, John Glynn

David K. Aylward

This paper assesses core innovation activity among SMEs within different levels of cluster development. The aim of the paper, using empirical data from the Australian wine industry, is to demonstrate that innovation levels and activity intensify as an industry cluster develops. By dividing wine clusters into ‘innovative’ (highly developed) and ‘organised’ (less developed) models, the paper uses selected core indicators of innovation activity to explore levels of integration within each model. This integration is examined in the context of Porter’s theory of ‘competitive advantage’, with implications for SMEs in particular, and lessons for industry clusters in general.

Using Neighborhood Graphs For The Investigation Of E. Coli Gene Clusters, Theresa Scharl, Friedrich Leisch

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Clustering is commonly used in the analysis of geneexpression data to nd groups of co{expressed genes.The denition of gene clusters is not very clear asgenetic interactions are extremely complex. For thisreason the relationship between clusters is very importantas co{expressed genes can end up in dierentclusters. The neighborhood graph is a useful tool tovisualize the cluster structure. In this paper the Rpackage gcExplorer is presented which is an interactivetoolbox for the exploration of gene clusters. Additionalinformation about the gene clusters like theannotation of genes to functional groups (e.g., GOcategories) can easily be investigated. The new visualizationtoolbox is demonstrated on microarray datafrom …

Innovation And Inertia: The Emerging Dislocation Of Imperatives Within The Australian Wine Industry, D. K. Aylward

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

A common theory in current innovation literature, and one that this paper supports, is that spatially defined industry clusters provide incubation for ‘competitive advantage’. It is the heightened interaction between ‘actors’, the intense vertical integration and concentration of resources that creates enclaves of innovation within which activity is leveraged in an efficient and productive manner. A less studied aspect of such activity, however, is the structural and organizational inertia that may result as imperatives of cluster participants dislocate from those of their host industry. A sector in which this is becoming apparent is the Australian wine industry. It appears that …

Mechanisms Underlying The Phenomenon Of Cluster Formation In The Textile/Apparel Industry In Pakistan, Khadija Bari

Business Review

The objective of this study is to analyze the ability of Pakistan’s textile industry to broaden and upgrade its competitive positions in the face of increasing international competition. It suggests a conceptual framework of organisational characteristics influencing the process and formation of clusters. Clusters are a driving force in increasing exports and magnets for attracting foreign investment. The cluster concept represents a new way of thinking about national, state, and city economies, and points to new roles for companies, governments, and other institutions striving to enhance competitiveness. The paper is based on empirical analysis of the organizational characteristics and intra-cluster …