Tinus Pretorius

A conceptual model of the impacts of networking on innovative performance of new technology-based firms

In the recent past, several researchers explored the added-values of Science Parks. On the basis of empirical research, some questioned the assumed benefits of the science park model, whereas others reported positive outcomes. As a result, mixed findings regarding the benefits of science parks for firms can be observed. An important criterion in analyzing the effects of science parks is the level of networking as science parks often are regarded as a perfect location for inter- organizational knowledge exchange and collaboration. Different levels and types of networking could be one of the explanations for these mixed findings. The literature on networks mainly stresses the benefits of networking in general, and networking between firms located on science parks in particular. This paper proposes that networks can have both positive and negative effects for firms located on science parks. The aim of this study is to theoretically explore the impacts of networking on innovative performance of on-park and off- park firms. A conceptual model is developed including the main and interaction effects of various aspects of inter-organizational networks on innovative performance. Absorptive capacity is also included in the model to account for firm-specific abilities.

Power Losses of 2G HTS Coils Measured in External Magnetic DC and Ripple Fields

Power losses are an important phenomenon in type-2 superconductors. Precise evaluation of power losses in superconducting coils is crucial for designing novel machines such as superconducting motors or generators. Although ac losses are relatively easy to measure with electrical methods, it is more difficult to measure power losses in the dc mode, which is induced by varying external magnetic fields, such as in a real operating environment. In particular, the problematic one could be the direct-drive wind generator, where several elements introduce nonsynchronous disturbances to the magnetic fields. Modeling had been carried out to estimate the power losses in second-generation high-temperature superconducting coils under various external dc or ripple fields; however, experimental work in the area is less common due to the difficulty of conducting experiments and special equipment requirements. In this paper, power losses under various magnetic fields are experimentally measured by the calorimetric method.

Project-based production and project management: Findings and trends in research on temporary systems in multiple contexts

Globalisation is challenging almost every aspect of the political, economic, social and technological environment. Organisations, whether public or private, have to adapt their strategies and operations to stay competitive and efficient. Historically, organisations adopted project-based operations as a mode to stay competitive, although the applications tended to be the oneoff type of operations such as construction and system development projects (Edum-Fotwe & McCaffer, 2000). As the world changed from an industrially driven to a more knowledge driven economy and the pace of continuous change became more intense, organisations adopted a project-based mode of operations on a broader scale. The knowledge economy lead to the creation of many service orientated industries. Organisations started facing portfolios of projects where the nature of these projects differed in technological complexity, urgency, customer value and social impact (Gutjahr & Froeschl, 2013). Based on their experience with more technically orientated projects, organisations focused their attention more intensely on new project management methods, tools and processes and not necessarily on the human and organisational interfaces. This paradigm changed however, especially since the 1980s and more and more organisations adopted temporary organisational forms (Bakker, 2010) in order to improve their competitiveness. The contributions in this special edition of the South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences have a common focus on the importance of the human and organisational interface of project-based operations on project success. The purpose of this concluding article is to analyse the findings and recommendations in these papers and to detect trends and future research opportunities in the field of project-based operations.