Antonio Rodríguez-Duarte

Innovation and firm size: an empirical study for Spanish engineering consulting companies

This paper studies the influence of firm size over degree of innovation in a service sector, specifically in engineering consulting and technology services in Spain. A multiple regression analysis was used to test hypothesis about firm size positive influence over degree of innovation in services. To avoid distortions in this main relationship, three control variables were introduced (degree of standardisation, degree of customisation, and number of firm’s activities). Results seem to indicate that firm size, measured by turnover, is related positively with degree of innovation, independently of moderate influence of control variables.

Testing the Schumpeterian Hypotheses on an Open Innovation Framework

The purpose of this paper is to explore the unclear relationship between industry structure and Open Innovation. The focus of the study is on firms that received external help to develop their products or that helped third parties in developing their products. The hypotheses were tested on a large panel of more than 7,000 firms using Generalized Estimating Equations.The results show that Open Innovation adoption is positively related to technology complexity and market uncertainty while it is negatively related to market concentration. Larger firms are more likely to adopt Open Innovation strategies. The research makes an important contribution to the literature by examining on a large sample of firms the moderating effects of industry concentration, industry research and development intensity and the technology life cycle stage on the adoption of Open Innovation.

The effects of training on performance in service companies: A data panel study

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to determine whether the effort invested by service companies in employee training has an impact on their economic performance. Design/methodology/approach - The study centres on an intensive labor sector, where the perception of service quality depends on who renders this service. To overcome the habitual problems of transversal studies, the time effect has been considered by measuring data over a period of nine years, to give panel data treatment with fixed effects. Findings - The prepared models give clear empirical support to the hypothesis that training activities are a positive influence on company performance. Research limitations/implications - The results obtained contribute empirical evidence about a relationship that, hitherto, has not been satisfactorily demonstrated. However, there may be some limitations related to the use of a training indicator based on effort and not on results obtained, with low representation of what happens in the smaller companies that lack structured training policies, or with no differentiation between generic or more specific training. Practical implications - The results obtained can contribute towards increased manager awareness that training should be treated as an investment and not considered as an expense. Originality/value - The main contributions can be resumed in three points: a training measurement has been used, based on three dimensions, which presumes to be an improvement on the more frequent method of measuring this variable. A consistent methodology was used that previously was not applied in the analysis of this relationship, and clear empirical evidence has been obtained concerning a relationship that, frequently, is mentioned with theoretical arguments, but which needs more empirical evidence.

R&D resources and diversification: controlling for indirect diversification and endogeneity

This work studies the impact of technological innovation activities on the diversification strategy of the firm. This work contributes to the research on this field controlling for the endogeneity of the patenting and diversification decisions. Moreover, it improves previous research by measuring not only direct but also indirect diversification. On the basis of a sample of 983 industrial Spanish firms, the results show that innovation drives diversification, while diversification does not influence innovation decisions.

Effects of multi-functional new product development teams and overlapping approach on development time: an empirical study

This paper studies the influence of basic principles of concurrent engineering (autonomous multi-functional teamwork and execution of activities under an overlapping approach) on development time. A linear regression model was performed on a sample of electronic components manufacturing firms in Spain. Results seem to indicate that both autonomous multi-functional teams and execution of activities under an overlapping approach is related positively with shorter development times.

Does a balanced gender ratio improve performance? The case of Spanish banks (1999-2010)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the dynamics of the gender diversity-to-performance relationship in the Spanish banking sector in the period 1999-2010. Specifically the authors try to study how different proportions of men and women in banking institutions lead to different levels of return on assets (ROA) and sales productivity. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use conventional panel data methods to find an optimal mix of males and females which leads to higher levels of financial results. With the aim of controlling unobserved heterogeneity, equations are estimated using the random-effects model. Findings – The findings show that the proportion of women in the workforce does not affect productivity but significantly explains ROA. In addition low-moderated levels (27 per cent) of women in technical positions optimize ROA. Originality/value – This research empirically explores the business case for gender diversity going beyond the upper echelons of organizations. The authors a...

Value Creation and Value Capture Through Internet Business Models

Firms compete in online markets through business models that have not yet been studied in sufficient detail. First, this chapter contributes to the literature on Internet business models through the study of the main mechanisms for creating and capturing value in electronic markets. The chapter describes how the main mechanisms of value creation on the Internet are aggregation, efficiency and customization. This chapter also discusses how companies can capture value in online markets by increasing the switching costs for consumers or leveraging network effects. Second, the chapter sets out four broad categories of business model based on specific mechanisms of value creation and value capture: Internet Malls, Content Providers, Merchants and Connectors. Finally, the chapter reflects on the dynamic nature of Internet business models and how most online companies tend to adopt hybrid business models which are continuously evolving.