Guido Capaldo

The Evaluation of Innovation Capabilities in Small Software Firms: A Methodological Approach*

This paper presents a methodological approach for the evaluation of innovation capabilities in small software firms. The methodology is based on the assumption of a relationship between specific resources managed by small software firms and their innovation capabilities. Within the proposed methodological approach, a model for the quantitative analysis of innovation capabilities is presented. In order to show how the methodology can be applied to concrete situations, three case studies of small firms operating in the software sector and information services are presented and discussed.

Linking the fuzzy set theory to organizational routines: a study in personnel evaluation in a large company

The authors discuss the application of fuzzy set theory to a personnel evaluation procedure. The effectiveness of fuzzy concepts and methods depends on the approach used for the analysis of organizational issues. The current process for evaluating potential candidates for higher positions in the company hierarchy is managed by a procedure which comprises three important aspects: organizational relationships, rating sheets, and operating rules. The goal of the present research was to modify neither the organizational aspects nor the rating sheet, but to focus only on the meaning of the ratings. Fuzzy concepts and operators are used to interpret the meanings attributed to the items by each evaluator and to propose a procedure for rating aggregation. The main result is a multiple ranking. The decision-maker can use the multiple ranking of the candidates to choose the most appropriate criterion according to the strategy of the company and to the specific management issues. In this way the decision-maker can easily adapt the criterion of ideal candidate to different environmental situations.<<ETX>>

Factors affecting the diffusion and success of collaborative interactions between university and industry: The case of research services

Purpose This paper aims to investigate factors and weaknesses influencing university–industry interactions diffusion and success by focusing on the research services initiatives because there are limited studies in literature focusing on this specific form of interaction between the two actors. Design/methodology/approach The authors carried an explorative research based on multiple case studies referring to research services experienced between two big Italian universities and small and medium-sized enterprises located in the same area. Findings By conducting a cross-case analysis, the authors highlight categories of data in terms of factors influencing interactions’ diffusion and success, as perceived by researchers and by firms; and weaknesses in the interactions process to identify suggestions for improving interactions’ diffusion and success, from researchers and firms. Practical implications The outcomes provide managerial implications useful for agencies supporting the diffusion of innovation among firms and firms’ systems for defining new policies and action plans aimed at making the university–industry interactions faster and more effective, improving the innovation processes within firms. Originality/value This paper gives new insight in the analysis of factors enhancing university–industry relationships with a focus on research services collaborations and focusing both on university and industry, where large contributions focus predominantly on both groups.

Understanding Alignment during Implementation of an IS: Two Case Studies in Italian IT Development Firms

Abstract Successful implementation of new technologies and systems is vital for sustaining and enhancing the productivity and the competitive position of an organization. However, many information systems (IS) implementations fail due to a badly planned process. This paper, drawing from the IS implementation literature, proposes a process model of the alignment of organizations and IS. The model has been tested in two case studies in two Italian information technology (IT) development firms that implemented an IS dedicated to project management. An analysis of how the implementation process is conducted by the organization, how workers accept the technology and how this interacts with the organization’s existing structures, roles, job activities and strategies is presented in the light of a process model of organization-technology alignment. The suggested model is useful as a tool to manage the alignment process and to anticipate how things unfold. Furthermore, we contend that this model for the alignment process needs to be reexamined in future research.

A fuzzy model of the evaluation process

The paper presents a fuzzy model of the evaluation activity within a large organization. The model was developed for the evaluation of competences of professional workers. According to the model, the evaluation is carried on by a network of evaluators, who evaluate the competences expressed by individuals in situations they manage during their activity. The evaluators are forced to explain the motivation of their judgement. The resulting evaluation discourse is represented as a tree, where the root is the final judgement and the leaves are the final categories justifying the judgement. The trees are interpreted by using fuzzy logic.

Networks Mobilized to Access Key Resources at Early Stages of Biotech Firms: A Comparative Analysis in Two Moderately Innovative Countries

Abstract This paper investigates the networking behaviour of biotechnology start-ups in peripheral locations. The aim is to understand whether the conditions found in this type of environment introduce some specificities in the networking process, namely in network building and early mobilization to access key resources. The paper compares biotechnology start-ups in Portugal and in Southern Italy, focusing on relationships with research organizations and on the relevance assumed by international connections, and investigating the role played by entrepreneurs’ personal networks. The research identified some common features that diverge from the typical biotechnology start-up behaviour and can be regarded as firms’ adaptive responses to the conditions faced. Notwithstanding the frequent presence of close connections with local research organizations—that often play functions that go much beyond that of a knowledge source—the local environment is a lesser determinant for a substantial proportion of firms than would be expected in start-ups. A distinctive feature of these firms is an extensive reliance on foreign sources, for different purposes and from the very early stages. Entrepreneurs’ personal networks are found to be instrumental, both to identify and obtain knowledge in the vicinity and to support the establishment of more complex distant relationships.

Effects of technological change on the skills and competencies of software development professionals: a case study on the transition from ABAP to JAVA

This paper deals with the organisational implications related to the adoption of new technologies in software development activities. Transition from traditional heavyweight approach, based on a carefully documented planning of the activities, to agile approach, based on object-oriented activities, requires process reengineering in software development. This case study outlines the need to develop a new professional area, software design and a new professional role, the designer. The strategy adopted by the firm under the investigation in the framework of this case study shows how top management reacted to this stage of transition and how the need for a new role was met.

Managing the marketing/entrepreneurship interface in small knowledge-based firms: a methodological approach

In this paper the authors address the issue of the management of the marketing/entrepreneurship interface in small entrepreneurial knowledge‐based firms (EKFs). According to the perspective presented in this work, in such firms, the management of the interface is strictly related to ensuring a suitable balance of market and technological innovation capabilities throughout each phase of firm’s life. In order to contribute to the debate in this research area, the authors propose a theoretical framework based on both organizational configuration and resource‐based theories. Within this theoretical framework, a methodology to evaluate firm’s innovation capabilities based on the use of fuzzy logic is described. The proposed methodology was tested in a field analysis whose results are presented in the paper. On the basis of these empirical results, some useful indications and practical lessons concerning the relationships between marketing/entrepreneurship and innovation in small innovative firms are discussed.

To Support the Emergence of Academic Entrepreneurs: The Role of Business Plan Competitions

This book discusses paradigmatic changes in the field of entrepreneurship education in response to economic, political and social needs, and the consequential need to reassess, redevelop and renew curricula and methods used in teaching entrepreneurship.

The Role of Risk in Improving Goal Setting in Performance Management Practices within Public Sector: An Explorative Research in Courts Offices in Italy

ABSTRACT The study investigates whether the adoption of a risk-based approach that allows public managers to take into account the context and external not-controllable factors during goal setting may contribute to overcome unintended managerial side effects of performance management (PM) practices that hamper their success within public organizations. An explorative research is carried out on court officials of Italian public administration. The results from this study show that the adoption of a risk-based approach could enhance goal setting within the PM process and provide interesting insights to policy-makers invested of the responsibility to improve the effectiveness of current PM procedures.