A. James

Formal versus Informal Knowledge Networks in R&D: A Case Study Using Social Network Analysis

The existence of informal social networks within organizations has long been recognized as important and the unique working relationships among scientific and technical personnel have been well documented by both academics and practitioners. The growing interest in knowledge management practices has led to increased attention being paid to social network analysis as a tool for mapping the nature and membership of informal networks. However, despite the knowledge-intensive nature of research and development (RD more efficiently disseminate information throughout the function; and more effectively understand the working habits and activities of employees.

The sourcing of technological knowledge: Distributed innovation processes and dynamic change

This paper outlines the knowledge and technology sourcing practices of a range of key firms and organisations across the UK based on primary research, and analyses the key factors related to managing the technological knowledge boundaries of the firm. In particular, the paper considers the dynamic dimension considerations to such issues. As such it outlines important differences between short and long time horizons, before analysing in more detail some of the implications for firms of technological change over the long term. The paper seeks to highlight the importance of the time dimension in helping to explain why and how firms source technological knowledge externally and how they align their sourcing activities to their strategies associated with developing current and future capabilities.

Integrating technology into merger and acquisition decision making

Abstract Merger and acquisition (M&A) decisions tend to be dominated by financial and business managers. However, given the growing importance of technology and innovation to firm competitiveness and the on-going importance of merger, acquisition and divestment activity, there are potential gains to be made by acquirers from better integrating technology issues into their M&A decision making. Not least it may help to avoid costly errors and reduce the failure rate of M&As. More positively, it may help acquirers to better realise value from the technological assets they acquire. Based on a three year study of mergers and acquisitions involving some of the UKs leading companies, we consider some of the technology issues that are likely to arise in the M&A process. We conclude by identifying four ways in which managers might better integrate technology issues into M&A decision making.

The Strategic Management of Mergers and Acquisitions in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Developing a Resource-based Perspective

There is a growing recognition within resource-based theory that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can play an important role as a means of transferring otherwise non-marketable resources and capabilities. However, this resource-based view has yet to consider in detail the management process issues involved. This paper looks at three cases from the pharmaceutical industry and seeks to begin the development of a resource-based perspective on the management of M&A.

Sourcing external technological knowledge: a decision support framework for firms

Although much has been made of the trend towards knowledge and technology outsourcing by firms and organisations, few studies have attempted to analyse the specific factors associated with the decision to use external technological knowledge sources in the innovation process. This paper outlines some key results from a study of the practices of a number of UK firms and organisations and the development of a Decision Support Framework (DSF) model, to aid understanding of the decision-making process surrounding the external sourcing of technological knowledge.

The transatlantic defence R&D gap: Causes, consequences and controversies

This paper describes the huge gap in defence R&D expenditure between the United States and Western Europe, considers the causes and consequences of this transatlantic defence R&D gap and analyses some of the controversies that surround it. The paper notes that concerns about the R&D gap are as old as NATO itself and should be placed in the context of wider debates about transatlantic burden‐sharing. Current efforts to promote European cooperation on defence R&D may help Europe to spend more wisely in the future but will do little to reduce a transatlantic gap that has at its heart profound differences in strategic outlook between the United States and Europe.

Insulin Protects Pancreatic Acinar Cells from Palmitoleic Acid-induced Cellular Injury

Background: Palmitoleic acid is a major pancreatitis-inducing agent. Results: Insulin protected cells from palmitoleic acid (POA)-induced ATP depletion, inhibition of the plasma membrane calcium pump (PMCA), cytotoxic Ca2+ overload and necrosis. Conclusion: Insulin protects against acinar cell injury induced by pancreatitis-inducing agents. Significance: This provides an important therapeutic strategy for treating pancreatitis with insulin therapy. Acute pancreatitis is a serious and sometimes fatal inflammatory disease where the pancreas digests itself. The non-oxidative ethanol metabolites palmitoleic acid (POA) and POA-ethylester (POAEE) are reported to induce pancreatitis caused by impaired mitochondrial metabolism, cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) overload and necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells. Metabolism and [Ca2+]i are linked critically by the ATP-driven plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) important for maintaining low resting [Ca2+]i. The aim of the current study was to test the protective effects of insulin on cellular injury induced by the pancreatitis-inducing agents, ethanol, POA, and POAEE. Rat pancreatic acinar cells were isolated by collagenase digestion and [Ca2+]i was measured by fura-2 imaging. An in situ [Ca2+]i clearance assay was used to assess PMCA activity. Magnesium green (MgGreen) and a luciferase-based ATP kit were used to assess cellular ATP depletion. Ethanol (100 mm) and POAEE (100 μm) induced a small but irreversible Ca2+ overload response but had no significant effect on PMCA activity. POA (50–100 μm) induced a robust Ca2+ overload, ATP depletion, inhibited PMCA activity, and consequently induced necrosis. Insulin pretreatment (100 nm for 30 min) prevented the POA-induced Ca2+ overload, ATP depletion, inhibition of the PMCA, and necrosis. Moreover, the insulin-mediated protection of the POA-induced Ca2+ overload was partially prevented by the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002. These data provide the first evidence that insulin directly protects pancreatic acinar cell injury induced by bona fide pancreatitis-inducing agents, such as POA. This may have important therapeutic implications for the treatment of pancreatitis.

Insulin Protects Pancreatic Acinar Cells from Cytosolic Calcium Overload and Inhibition of Plasma Membrane Calcium Pump

Background: Impaired metabolism and cytosolic Ca2+ overload in pancreatic acinar cells can trigger pancreatitis. Results: Insulin protected cells from oxidant-induced Ca2+ overload, inhibition of the plasma membrane calcium pump (PMCA), and ATP depletion. Conclusion: Insulin switches metabolism toward glycolysis and fuels the PMCA even when mitochondria are impaired. Significance: This mechanism may provide an important therapeutic strategy for pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is a serious and sometimes fatal inflammatory disease of the pancreas without any reliable treatment or imminent cure. In recent years, impaired metabolism and cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) overload in pancreatic acinar cells have been implicated as the cardinal pathological events common to most forms of pancreatitis, regardless of the precise causative factor. Therefore, restoration of metabolism and protection against cytosolic Ca2+ overload likely represent key therapeutic untapped strategies for the treatment of this disease. The plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) provides a final common path for cells to “defend” [Ca2+]i during cellular injury. In this paper, we use fluorescence imaging to show for the first time that insulin treatment, which is protective in animal models and clinical studies of human pancreatitis, directly protects pancreatic acinar cells from oxidant-induced cytosolic Ca2+ overload and inhibition of the PMCA. This protection was independent of oxidative stress or mitochondrial membrane potential but appeared to involve the activation of Akt and an acute metabolic switch from mitochondrial to predominantly glycolytic metabolism. This switch to glycolysis appeared to be sufficient to maintain cellular ATP and thus PMCA activity, thereby preventing Ca2+ overload, even in the face of impaired mitochondrial function.

The low-cost carrier model in China: the adoption of a strategic innovation

The low-cost carrier (LCC) business model represents a strategic innovation that has had a significant impact on the dynamics of the commercial aviation industry in North America, Europe and increasingly Asia. This paper considers the adoption of the LCC model in China and discusses the effect of the particularities of the Chinese political, economic and regulatory context on the rate and character of adoption. We conclude by considering what the experience of the three companies that have adopted the LCC model can tell us about the prospects for the wider adoption of this model in China.

Testing the Boundaries of Public Private Partnership: the privatisation of the UK defence evaluation and research agency

This paper presents a case study of the recent changes that have occurred in the UK government defence research laboratories and the Public Private Partnership process that has created the part-private QinetiQ. This represents a major shift in the UK defence R&D system and the relationship between those defence technological capabilities that reside within QinetiQ and the principal customer for those capabilities (the Ministry of Defence). In addition, the changes have potentially profound implications for the quality of defence-related scientific and technological advice provided to the government as well as that which supports the UKs defence and aerospace industry. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.