Marcos Alberto Castelhano Bruno

A new graphic format to facilitate the understanding of technological innovation models: the seesaw of competitiveness

Many models exist in the literature to explain the success of technological innovation. However, no studies have been made regarding graphic formats representing the technological innovation models and their impact, or on the understanding of these models by non-specialists in technology management. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to propose a new graphic configuration to represent the technological innovation management. Based on the literature, the innovation model is presented in the traditional format. Next, the same model is designed in the graphic format – named ‘the see-saw of competitiveness’ – showing the interfaces among the identified factors. The two graphic formats were compared by a group of graduate students in terms of the ease in understanding the conceptual model of innovation. The statistical analysis shows that the seesaw of competitiveness is preferred.

Innovation process in the automobile MNCs: implications for the role of the international subsidiaries

The scope of the present work is to provide insights into the emerging flows of innovation in the multinational corporations (MNCs) and to present some reflections for executives as how to leverage on the potential of the so called reverse innovation. Our study focuses on the automobile industry, and investigates the dynamics of innovation in three MNCs, whose focal subsidiaries are located in Brazil. According to our evidence, the reverse innovation phenomenon is accompanied by a radical transformation of the roles, responsibilities and activities located among the parent company and its subsidiaries. What clearly emerges is the fact that innovation flows are less and less parent-to-subsidiary. The subsidiary-to-parent flow of innovation is increasing, and a subsidiary-to-subsidiary stream is emerging. This phenomenon is redefining the relevance of the parent company in managing the innovation processes within an MNC.

Technological threats and opportunities identification and technological roadmap as tools to improve the portfolio of technological projects

An appropriate R%D portfolio is essential to the success of a technology plan. This article develops a conceptual model, based on the literature, to identify technological threats and opportunities utilising several sources: customers, competitors, suppliers, new entrants, universities, government regulations and policies, infrastructure and environment. The data from these sources was used to evaluate and improve the R%D portfolio generating new projects. Information obtained from the sources was also useful to design a technological roadmap which helped to generate additional R%D projects. The case method was utilised. The framework was applied to the Brazilian subsidiary of Wahler, a German company of the automotive sector. Results showed that the methodology was useful to redesign the R%D portfolio. Initially there were 75 projects, 21 were discontinued and 20 new projects were added. However, conclusions have to be further tested due to the limitations of the case method.

Innovation in Services: The Case of Fleury—A Diagnostic Medical Center

This book is mainly focused on the need to combine theater driven and factory driven organisations. It says how to involve customers to design the service process. In this sense, it is mainly related to the innovation in service processes. This chapter introduces another interesting element of innovation, the role of strategy and culture.

EXCELÊNCIA NO GERENCIAMENTO DE CONSTRUÇÃO DE HIDRELÉTRICA DE GRANDE PORTE

This study verifies the application of the management practices proposed in the PMBOK to the construction management of two major hydroelectric power plants in Brazil. Using the case study method, this research has allowed to assess management pratices concerning twenty-three PMBOKs selected propositions. The direct observations, the documents surveys and the interviews - using the multiple-choice and the constructed-response questions - were the methods used to collect the required data and evidences. The job site managers, the executives of the head office and the consultant were interviewed so as to get different views of the information gathered. The research results attest that the management practices applied by managers in both studied projects are adherents to the PMBOK propositions. Moreover, it was possible to describe management practices related to time, cost, communication and to others relevant practices that were taken for granted by PMBOK. This study indicates that the references related to the project critical path, the project budget and the flexibility of the propositions of the PMBOK are among of prior aspects to be investigate in the future researches about project management.

Nokia e Gradiente: desdobramentos da estratégia de cooperação nas estratégias

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar possiveis aliancas ou acoes em redes de empresas que operaram em um Laboratorio de Gestao Empresarial e os beneficios decorrentes nos elos da cadeia produtiva. Na revisao da literatura, destacam-se a Administracao Estrategica, as Redes de Empresas e os Laboratorios de Gestao Empresarial. A amostra foi composta 7 de empresas que funcionaram em um ambiente de simulacao empresarial em Sistema Produtivo Local (industria). As empresas simuladas foram gerenciadas por mestrandos e doutorandos, que se encontraram durante 12 semanas, totalizando 48 horas em laboratorio. Na metodologia, adotou-se “amostragem deterministica” em uma pesquisa “exploratoria”, “descritiva” e “ex-post-facto”. Constataram-se acoes de aliancas entre empresas mais voltadas a interesses intermediarios (processo) que a interesses finais (resultados), evidenciando que os jogos de empresas podem contribuir no aprendizado pratico das redes empresariais. O principal resultado do estudo foi contribuir para o campo da pesquisa do tema, com a aplicacao de metodologia para a identificacao de estrategias de aliancas em rede em ambiente de aprendizagem vivencialOs metodos economicos tradicionais nao tem como realizar avaliacoes dos investimentos com precisao, pois existem varias limitacoes nos procedimentos matematicos. Assim, devido a complexidade da estrutura de mercado, as avaliacoes dos investimentos precisam considerar as situacoes de riscos, pois expor o patrimonio de uma organizacao e uma tarefa muito ardua para ser executada. Para isso, o objetivo deste artigo e corroborar as taxionomias da literatura para analise de investimento, expondo a aplicacao das tecnicas CAPM, APT e VAR em um projeto financiado por capital proprio e de terceiros. O metodo de pesquisa utilizado foi respaldo por meio de um embasamento teorico que remete aos conceitos basicos dos metodos economicos tradicionais e, em seguida, realizou-se um estudo de caso para implementar os metodos na pratica. Com base nessa avaliacao, os resultados obtidos por meio dessa pesquisa tem como subsidiar as tomadas de decisoes dos gestores no âmbito organizacional.