Niki Hynes

The role of inter-organizational networks in enabling or delaying disruptive innovation: a case study of mVoIP

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of inter-organizational networks in the emergence of a disruptive technology by taking a snapshot view of the UK market for mobile voice over internet protocol (mVoIP) technologies. By delineating the technologies required for an mVoIP call to occur, the role of incumbents, technology and inter-organizational networks is explored. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a case study approach using secondary data from a variety of sources including company websites, newspapers, technical press and users to form a picture of the current situation. Findings The authors show that inter-organizational networks can act both to enable and delay disruptive technologies. They discuss the difference between collaborative and collective actions and the way in which these can slow or even prevent a new emerging technology. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on secondary data and the research results may lack generalizability to other technologies. Practical implications The need for new business models for mVoIP is discussed. Originality/value Disruptive technologies are difficult to predict or map until after the market disruption has occurred. This paper aims to map a disruptive technology at a point in time when the technology is still emerging. The study is based on a comprehensive analysis of technology and market actions and is also based on secondary data: it is limited at the detailed level to one geographic market but provides a unique snapshot of an emerging disruptive technology.

Consumer trust and its effect on sustainable e-commerce development in China

Whilst China is the largest single world economy, e-commerce has been relatively slow to develop, especially within consumer markets. In more advanced e-economies such as the USA the switch between traditional retail sales and e-sales is growing all the time and is predicted to be as high as 10%. If only a small percentage of retail sales in China were switched to e-commerce, the potential market in China is immense. In addition, in terms of international competitiveness, the risks of not participating in what is such an increasing important global arena are also high. Therefore, the development of a long term and sustainable e-commerce environment is of great importance to Chinas economy. Whilst there are many practical reasons why e-commerce development has been slow, this study examines the barriers from a consumers perspectives using empirical data collected from Chinese consumers via the internet.

Strategic orientation and performance in Dedicated Biotechnology Firms

Studies have shown that market orientation has been associated with superior performance in several industries. However Dedicated Biotechnology Firms (DBFs), and other technology-based firms operate in turbulent environments where knowledge, alliances and being first to establish technical leadership are paramount. The importance of technological orientation is exaggerated. This international empirical study examines the relationship between market and technological orientation and firm performance, including new product success. A new scale to capture technological orientation is developed and validated but no relationship between this and firm performance is found. Results show the cross-cultural validity of the scale for market orientation and positive association between some measure of performance and the level of market orientation.

The Market Orientation of Micro-organizations: An Abstract

The broad underlying understanding of what market orientation (MO) represents is widely accepted in the literature: A strategic orientation of the marketing concept, as it is a conscious and strategic decision to be responsive in the market. This orientation, as researched in the context of large organizations, may manifest itself through certain behaviors—including intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination and responsiveness (Kohli and Jaworski 1993), as well as customer orientation, competitor orientation, and inter-functional coordination—and the profit and long-term focus of the organization (Narver and Slater 1990). It is this strategic, long-term approach to the marketing concept which raises questions about the application of MO to the context of micro-organizations: Micro-firms are defined as having less than ten employees and often fall into the realm of the entrepreneurial literature. They have a number of characteristics in common, such as a lack of resources and a lack of skills or knowledge in management. As such, the way these organizations are managed may be very informal, based on cognitive and emotional responses of one person to the organizational environment, as well as a lack of processes and resources. No assumption can be made that there is a long-term focus with the aim of growing the organization or its profits. The founders often act as CEO and play a dominant role in the firm’s decision-making so that their worldviews affect the direction of the firm (Sidik 2012). In line with this notion, individuals may not set out to follow the well-developed strategy—actions—performance models, nor do they necessarily follow a rational goal-driven model. Instead, they may work from the ground up by looking what can be done without having a strategic approach. It is thus the aim of this study to explore how the MO concept and its implementation apply to micro-organizational contexts.

The use of Sustainable Country Images in Organisational Branding

The branding of products and organisations has long been recognised as central in marketing research successful branding strategies form positive brand images in consumers’ minds, which contribute to brand equity in the long run. Much research suggests that the image of a product’s country of origin (COO) can significantly impact consumers’ brand image perceptions and buying preferences. Traditionally, COO research has focused on the impact on of economic, political, social and technological variables on consumers’ perceptions of general country images and specific products stemming from these countries. With increased pressures put on natural resources and a rise in lobbying movements demanding more sustainable business practices, brand related ecological factors are now playing a role as well in the consumer decision-making process, particularly when buying food or food-related products. However, little is known about how environmentally friendly country images are used for wider organisational and product branding strategies. This is a particularly interesting field of investigation in circumstances in which the positive ecological image, the myth, might not match the country’s policies and industry practices, the reality, to sustain this image. The objective of this study is therefore to explore the manner in which an environmentally focused COO image is used by companies.