Sophie Veilleux

Going global: how smaller enterprises benefit from strategic alliances

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on understanding three dimensions of international alliance formation by small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs): the role of internal actors, planning/opportunity management, and organizational learning.Design/methodology/approach – The three dimensions form a proposed model of international alliance formation which is examined using semi‐structured interviews with 16 biotechnology SMEs from Montreal (Canada) and 12 from Boston (USA).Findings – Findings deepen the understanding of the firms internal development of international alliance strategy. Results generally support different roles of organizational actors in international alliance formation, often a combination of planning and opportunity management, and signal rather weak administrative routines to ensure organizational learning from the alliance experience. Interestingly, alliance formation strategies vary across the two cities (countries). Age of the firm, development phase, human and financial resources, an...

Patients’ perception of their involvement in shared treatment decision making: Key factors in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES This study aims to characterize the relationships between the quality of the information given by the physician, the involvement of the patient in shared decision making (SDM), and outcomes in terms of satisfaction and anxiety pertaining to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS A Web survey was conducted among 200 Canadian patients affected with IBD. The theoretical model of SDM was adjusted using path analysis. SAS software was used for all statistical analyses. RESULTS The quality of the knowledge transfer between the physician and the patient is significantly associated with the components of SDM: information comprehension, patient involvement and decision certainty about the chosen treatment. In return, patient involvement in SDM is significantly associated with higher satisfaction and, as a result, lower anxiety as regards treatment selection. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the importance of involving patients in shared treatment decision making in the context of IBD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Understanding shared decision making may motivate patients to be more active in understanding the relevant information for treatment selection, as it is related to their level of satisfaction, anxiety and adherence to treatment. This relationship should encourage physicians to promote shared decision making.

International strategic alliances of small biotechnology firms: a second-best option?

International strategic alliances have often been presented as the main growth factor for dedicated biotechnology firms (DBFs). Alliances bring resources such as complementary knowledge and financial resources to DBFs. They help these smaller firms conduct R&D, and costly and long clinical essays and regulations. They build bridges with foreign capital and product markets. Even if some authors have noticed that alliances are not always beneficial or feasible, the main picture has not been altered: they are still presented as a bounty for smaller R&D biotechnology firms. Our research, based on in-depth interviews of samples of DBFs in Montreal and Boston, suggests that, in both clusters, they use alliances as a second-best option. The preferred strategy is to conduct in-house R&D supported by venture capital and capital market funds, and only sign alliances at the latest possible time, in order to complete the R&D process.

Influence of entry modes on communication strategies of international new ventures in foreign markets: a preliminary study

International new ventures (INVs) – those that from the inception seek to use their resources and to sell their output in international markets – have been the subject of much research for more than a decade. However, research on INVs has so far ignored the importance of communication strategies directed toward foreign stakeholders during the internationalisation of these young firms. In addition, INVs may utilise different and at times progressively more complex entry modes into foreign markets (for example, exporting, licensing, direct investment). An important concern is then the necessity to develop and implement appropriate communication strategies towards foreign stakeholders as the firm evolves in terms of its international activities. This study examines communication strategies of INVs in foreign markets when pursuing different entry modes. A communications model is used to develop propositions and these are explored based on interviews with 22 executives in high-tech companies. Insights for managerial practice and for future research are provided. Results suggest that INVs do communicate with various publics as they internationalise; however, they are not taking full advantage of a carefully planned communication strategy or of all the communication tools available.

A conceptual framework on the role of creativity in sustaining continuous innovation in new product development

If creativity and innovation are viewed as assets in any business, they represent for some a key survival factor imposed by their industry on a daily basis. In such a context of continuous innovation, the pace of innovation is accelerated. This paper focuses on how creativity helps sustain continuous innovation in new product development. We develop a conceptual framework that highlights the key factors that lead to continuous new product development: information management, project management, and the integration of the two distinct processes of creativity and innovation. Using the context of the video game industry, we then show how this framework can clarify the key concerns held by industries that operate under intense pressure to sustain continuous innovation. Lastly, we discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of this study.

Profitable Growth Through International High-Technology Product and Market Development

This article seeks to answer the following question: how do firms adapt their technological innovations in a way that sustains profitable growth in global markets? The context examined is small and medium high-technology firms as they face the challenges of being young firms that must serve global markets with their limited resources. A multi-case exploratory study captures the product and market development processes during two phases of the growth cycle. The comparison of five start-up firms and five growth firms from Quebec Citys photonics cluster (Canada) points to an error frequently made by start-up firms: spending too much time and money creating or adapting products for each initial customer. Growth firms, on the other hand, have built product platforms that respond to basic client needs. The results confirm the strategic role of mass customisation.

Exploring the use of a participative design in the early development of a predictive test : the importance of physician involvement

In this study, we contribute to the personalized medicine and health care management literature by developing and testing a new participative design approach. We propose that involving gastroenterologists in the development of a predictive test to assist them in their clinical decision-making process for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases will increase the likelihood of their acceptance of the innovation. Based on data obtained from 6 focus groups across Canada from a total of 28 physicians, analyses reveal that current tools do not enable discriminating between treatment options to find the best fit for each patient. Physicians expect a new predictive tool to have the capability of showing clear reliability and significant benefits for the patient, while being accessible in a timely manner that facilitates clinical decisions. Physicians also insist on their key role in the implementation process, hence confirming the relevance and importance of participative designs in personalized medicine.