Pierluigi Rippa

Startups and open innovation: a review of the literature

Purpose Startup companies represent a powerful engine of open innovation (OI) processes. The purpose of this paper is to represent a first step in building a map of the state-of-the-art knowledge of the “startups in an OI context” phenomenon. Through the selection and analysis of relevant literature, this study aims at deepening our understanding of the theme and at providing directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach By using an explicit method for the review (Pittaway et al., 2004) the authors selected a set of papers, which cover the knowledge domain object of this study. In total, 41 articles about “startups and OI” have been selected and the full papers have been analysed. Findings The analysed literature has been synthesized in seven sub-topics, which have been evaluated as the most relevant in explaining the phenomenon of startups in relation to OI. Implications for research, for managers and for policy makers conclude the paper. Practical implications The review produced valuable knowledge for both managers and policy decision-makers. The paper allows a better understanding of the role of startups in OI processes. This improved understanding can help managers of large firms as well as policy makers involved in OI in making their decisions. Besides, implications of OI strategies for startup managers have been singled-out. Originality/value Startup companies are intrinsically open organizations, necessarily engaged in innovation processes. Research at the intersection between the themes of OI and startups is gaining momentum. This review of the literature represents the first attempt to organize the scientific knowledge related to the intersection between the startups and OI phenomena systematically.

ERP Implementation: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Abstract The literature on ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems implementation is replete with stories of unsuccessful project outcomes. One of the issues that have attracted relatively little research is the interplay between national culture and the manner in which the ERP project unfolds. The goal of this article is to explore this issue through the use of two case studies from the US and Italy. The data from the case studies is used to demonstrate the impact of national cultural on the two ERP implementation projects. Based on the unique patterns of the implementation process in each of the two cultures, broader issues of ERP implementation are explored and directions for future research on ERP implementation across cultures are proposed.

A Methodology to Evaluate the Organizational Impact of it on Knowledge Management: an Italian Case Study

Abstract The important role played by Information Technology (IT) for Knowledge Management (KM) within many companies has been widely recognized. However, the relationship between IT investment and firm performance is complex and multifaceted and the evaluation of the impact of IT for KM on organizational performance has proved to be a difficult task. This has made it difficult to demonstrate that IT for KM may be used to leverage other firm advantages and opportunities and to justify spending on IT projects in support of KM. This paper provides a methodological framework to analyze the consequences related to the adoption of IT tools for the management of information and knowledge. In particular, we present a four-phase framework that captures the benefits of KM features in meeting business objectives through an examination of organizational processes and actors. The aim of the constructed methodology coincides with the main target pursued by firms: to have the possibility of evaluating IT solutions both ex ante, i.e. at the project/design phase, and ex post, i.e. at the assessment phase. A case study application in an Italian small business is described in detail.

Role of innovation intermediaries in open innovation practices: differences between micro-small and medium-large firms

Opening the innovation process represents a new opportunity for small, medium and large firms to increase the internal innovative capacity and to raise their overall innovation performance. Although large firms still realised the higher amount of innovation, few studies have paid attention to open innovation (OI) in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and how the use of OI practices in SMEs differ from large enterprises. Starting from the findings in Spithoven (2013) that SMEs can foster the introduction of new offerings through collaboration with several innovation partners and that collaboration with partners increases the likelihood that SMEs launch new products and services, we investigate through a web-based survey realised in Italy how organisational factors, strategic factors and environmental factors impact on the ability of a firm to adopt an OI approach, if size matters, and whether innovation intermediaries play a critical role in the opening process.

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.

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.

Openness and innovation performance: an empirical analysis of openness determinants and performance mediators

Purpose Focusing on some relevant constructs defined by the open innovation (OI) literature (i.e. determinants of openness; openness choices operationalized in terms of collaboration depth with sci ...

ERP Implementation Across Cultures: A Political Perspective

Implementing an ERP project is a political process. This paper starts with a literature review of organizational politics and its implications to the implementation of ERP systems. The Political Strategies Framework which categorizes different ePolitics strategies in the cases is introduced. The framework is applied in the later sections of the paper to case study data from two companies, one in the US and one in Italy, that both implemented a SAP Enterprise Resources Planning Systems (ERP) with very different outcomes. The discussion highlights the political dynamics in each case and the way in which the framework can help us understand these differences. The conclusions section discusses the differences between the political dynamics in each case and the implications from the findings to broader issues of research on ERP implementation and politics.

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.