Mark J. Ahn

The Effectiveness of Risk Management: An Analysis of Project Risk Planning Across Industries and Countries

This article examines the effectiveness of current risk management practices to reduce project risk using a multinational, multi-industry study across different scenarios and cultures. A survey was administered to 701 project managers, and their supervisors, in seven industries and three diverse countries (New Zealand, Israel, and Japan), in multiple languages during the 2002-2007 period. Results of this study show that project context--industry and country where a project is executed--significantly impacts perceived levels of project risk, and the intensity of risk management processes. Our findings also suggest that risk management moderates the relationship between risk level and project success. Specifically, we found that even moderate levels of risk management planning are sufficient to reduce the negative effect risk levels have on project success.

University technology transfer office success factors: a comparative case study

This study reviews the literature involving critical factors contributing to university technology transfer office success and then examines those factors within a stratified sample of four comparative case studies of peer university technology transfer offices. Two models of relative success and failure emerged, based on similarities and differences along the eight factors identified in the literature. Two additional success factors emerged during the course of the research. The ways in which technology transfer offices organised the commercialisation process, along with the degree of focus on both internal and external website utility, also seemed to play a significant role in university technology transfer office success.

High technology in emerging markets

Purpose – Building a bioeconomy requires efficient technology transfer and global linkages to exploit finite intellectual property exclusivity periods. Using a resource‐based view lens, this paper aims to assess the priorities, capabilities, and competitiveness of the emerging bioeconomy in India.Design/methodology/approach – A triangulated design was used that involved interviews, case studies and a survey of 61 India biotechnology industry participants.Findings – Two high priority capabilities were identified as being critical to fostering a competitive bioeconomy – access to talent and access to funding. Participants also identified the critical role of government in building and coordinating infrastructure, enabling critical capabilities, and accelerating bi‐directional technology and capital flows. This study reinforces the resource‐based view strategy framework regarding the importance of local context for biotechnology research.Practical implications – Implications include the need for public‐priva...

Are leadership values different across generations

Purpose – The popular use of labels such as Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y and Millennials suggests that the nature of effective leadership changes over time in response to the prevailing modern context. Using a values-based leadership lens, defined as the moral foundation underlying stewardship decisions and actions of leaders, the purpose of this paper is to explore the alternative notion that fundamental leadership ideals – from antiquity to modern executives to MBA students – are timeless in nature. Design/methodology/approach – Using a thematic analysis approach, The Aeneid was coded for key leadership themes (integrity, good judgment, leadership by example, decision-making, trust, justice/fairness, humility, and sense of urgency); and a mixed-method research framework was employed to juxtapose the leadership lessons identified to the demands of modern leadership. Deductive thematic analysis was utilized to examine key themes from responses of 13 multi-sectoral leaders (for profit, non-prof...

Cultural intelligence (CQ) in MBA curricula

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of cultural intelligence in MBA curricula. Shaping global corporate culture that manifests itself in powerful‐shared values, group behavior, and persists despite changes in‐group membership is decisive to organizational performance. In turn, cultural intelligence (CQ), defined, as an individuals capability to function and manage effectively in culturally diverse settings, has recently emerged as a likely indicator of management ability and leadership potential.Design/methodology/approach – The authors utilized the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) – metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral – to capture data from MBA students attending three universities in the USA.Findings – These results, coupled with the open‐ended survey responses, suggest that in general the students have a firm understanding on why CQ is essential in an increasingly globalized business world, as well as a strong desire to interact with other cultures. Howev...

Values v. traits‐based approaches to leadership: insights from an analysis of the Aeneid

Purpose – Using a values‐based leadership perspective, the paper aims to explore the Aeneid, Virgils foundation epic of the Latin canon. Specifically, it aims to analyse the Aeneid in order to juxtapose the resonant leadership elements of vision, culture and values – and their corresponding equivalent Roman themes of fatum, pietas, and virtus.Design/methodology/approach – Using a thematic analysis approach, the Aeneid was coded for key leadership themes; and a mixed‐method research framework was employed to juxtapose the leadership lessons identified to the demands of modern leadership.Findings – The paper finds resonating elements of a compelling vision and strong culture – and coded the following eight values: integrity, good judgment, leadership by example, decision making, trust, justice/fairness, humility, and sense of urgency – in the Aeneid. Whether viewed qualitatively or quantitatively – or across sectors (i.e. for profit, non profit, government) – the findings of this study affirm the explicit ...

Enablers and barriers to university and high technology SME partnerships

Abstract While technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face many challenges, effective collaboration with universities can provide access to ideas and resources that can be important determinants of firm performance and growth. A case study approach is used to explore SMEs in the electronics industry in Brisbane, Australia, to identify the enablers and barriers to firms’ research partnerships with universities. The results show that collaborations with research entities, particularly universities, have been important to each of the five companies that are the focus of this study. Firms appear to select university partners based principally on expertise and social capital (i.e. the specialized research skills that universities have as well as the personal relationships that company staff have with particular university faculty). The main barriers to improved research partnerships between universities and SMEs relate principally to differences in organisational culture (e.g., differing aims, levels of formality, value and risk perceptions, temporal concerns). This study extends the literature on key factors that drive the interactions between technology-based SMEs and universities, as well as the routes through which these interactions develop.

Towards a high‐performance bioeconomy

Purpose – Building a bioeconomy requires efficient technology transfer and global linkages to exploit finite intellectual property exclusivity periods. The purpose of this paper, using a resource‐based view lens, is to assess the priorities, capabilities, and competitiveness of the emerging New Zealand (NZ) bioeconomy.Design/methodology/approach – A triangulated design was used that involved four focus groups, 27 interviews, five case studies, and survey of 176 NZ biotechnology industry participants from a broad range of backgrounds such as scientists, managers, and investors.Findings – Two high‐priority capabilities were identified as being critical to fostering a competitive bioeconomy – access to talent and access to funding. Participants also identified the critical role of government in building and coordinating infrastructure, enabling critical capabilities, and accelerating bi‐directional technology and capital flows.Originality/value – Most biotechnology research and data has focused on the USA an...

Eye health in New Zealand: A study of public knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to eye health and disease

Purpose – This study seeks to measure the public knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to eye health and disease in New Zealand (NZ).Design/methodology/approach – A 22‐item survey of 507 adults in NZ was conducted. The survey was developed using interviews and focus groups, as well as comparisons with other benchmark international studies.Findings – Overall awareness about the importance of eye health is high in NZ, although knowledge about associated diseases (e.g. macular degeneration) is low – this is particularly important, given the risk and cost of preventable vision impairment.Originality/value – This consumer survey of eye health in NZ, which assessed awareness and access to eye care, provides a foundation for those involved in the provision of eye care health. It is also a first step to further exploring key issues and identifying longitudinal patterns for consumer, provider, and public health dialogue, as well as a baseline for public health campaigns.

Negotiating, Power and Strategic Competition: A Teaching Case.

Purpose – This paper seeks to demonstrate the value and critical importance of negotiating skills within the wider context of “employability”. It posits that the intensity, rich context, and ambiguity of juxtaposing ancient and modern cases provides a creative, engaging format to stimulate learning about negotiating and power among parties.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is the culmination of teaching undergraduate and graduate business students, as well as continuing education courses, in the USA and New Zealand respectively. The authors developed a participatory, mixed‐mode educational simulation. Using thematic analysis of student survey responses, they summarize learning points associated with the suggested teaching case.Findings – An analysis of post‐exercise questions suggested six key themes identified by students: value of leadership, self‐knowledge, maturity, and judgment; need for creativity, versatility, and adaptability in bridging differences; focus on settlement (rather than absolut...