PROCEEDINGS e-books

Proceedings IFKAD 2020

Knowledge In Digital Age
List of Included Articles:
Business Model Innovation in the Space Industry
Lara Agostini, Davide Aloini, Loretta Latronico, Valentina Lazzarotti, Anna Nosella, Luisa Pellegrini

The Copernicus Programme leaded by ESA (European Space Agency) has/is released/ing a huge amount of Earth Observation data and therefore firms operating in the Space Industry aim at getting most out of them. However, this is not straightforward in that, to be exploited, data need to be processed and interpreted and this, on its turn, requires to build on new digital technologies, and particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this perspective, AI, while allowing data processing, can change the way firms create, deliver and capture value, and hence can be interpreted as a trigger igniting Business Model Innovation (BMI). While understanding BM as a set of different components, our objective is investigating i) whether AI initially modifies a specific component of the BM, to be considered as epicentre of BMI, or if any of the BM components can be the epicentre of innovation, and ii) whether the innovation process spreads from the epicentre to other BM components and if this happens according to a common path.

Business Models in Digital Age: a Proposal of Framework for the Cultural Heritage Sector
Tiziana Russo-Spena, Marco Tregua, Anna D’Auria, Francesco Bifulco

This article deals with the topic of re-entry of family members to their original family business. The re-entry is defined in the article as the decision of the family to re-invest in the originally founded company and re-acquire the ownership of a previously left business. In particular, the paper advances the idea that psychological ownership is the main rationale behind the decision to re-entry in the company. The paper presents two exploratory case studies of Italian family firms. It identifies antecedents (local embeddedness and eponymy) and catalysts (economic distress and family values at risk) of psychological ownership. The article emphasizes the reasons that explain the maintenance of this state of involvement even after the exit from the company and how they may explain the re-entry. A key issue considered regards the knowledge about the company that is shared and individually perceived by the family members during the period of separation from the company.

The Video Assistant Referees (VAR) for Decision Supporting in Soccer Match
Marzia Ventura, Teresa Anna Rita Gentile, Anna Maria Melina

Decision Supports Systems (DSS) are computer-based systems which are characterized as interactive systems, used to help decision makers to utilize data and models to solve problems and support activities linked to their decision making process by enhancing it (Ali, et.al, 2017). Until now most of DSS are developed and implemented for business sector depending on the company/organization perspectives, still there are few done within the area of sport. With those premises, the objective of this paper is to assess the current state of art implementation of new technologies – in the specific the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) – and the impact that it has in supporting the referees in their decision making process during soccer matches. In this paper, we propose a review of literature, starting with the online database through specific keywords in order to assume the current state of analysis.

How Smartphone Apps can Provide Value to the Cultural Tourist
Alberto Felicetti, Roberto Linzalone, Daniela Carlucci, Salvatore Ammirato

Cultural tourism constitutes an interesting business opportunity for many companies. Recent advances in mobile-based technologies open new ways in offering value to cultural tourists, driving some tech companies to enter the cultural tourism market at full steam. These companies offer the opportunity to exploit benefits new technologies, providing users with a set of services that are more responsive to their new expectations and information needs, supporting them along all the tourism experience lifecycle. Although there are countless mobile apps aimed to assist tourists with their everyday practices, little research has been devoted to investigate the impact of these technologies on the management cultural tourism services. This research constitutes a first attempt to fill this gap. We reviewed a set of 80 mobile apps providing services for cultural tourists, in order to design a bi-dimensional framework to position the offering of app based cultural tourism services.

Managing Knowledge to Counter Climate Change
Christopher Søren Shann Turnbull

The purpose of this paper is to apply existing knowledge to counter climate change. The contribution to knowledge is to ground institutional analysis, individual behaviour, political science, economics, management and the management of global sustainability in the practices and science of governance found in nature. This is achieved by using bytes as the unit of analysis to explain how nature governs complexity on a more reliable and comprehensive basis than achieved by humans. Tax incentives could encourage organisations to adopt elements of ecological governance found in nature and in social organisations identified by Ostrom and the author. Ecological governance can provide benefits for all stakeholders as desired by CEO’s of the US Business Round Table. Corporations then become a common good to allow them to promote global common goods like countering climate change, pollution and inequalities in power, wealth and income. Democracy is enriched bottom-up.

Strategic Design – A Study on the Value Added by Design in an Economic Context
Oliver Mauroner, Franziska Warnke

The following paper aims to establish a strategic understanding of design by examining different approaches to quantify the value design can add in a business context. The approach of strategic design is based on the understanding of design as an integral part of the corporate strategy which can be derived from corporate culture as well as from a firms’ mission. The paper intends to contribute to the subject of what economic value design creates for companies. Therefore, systematic approaches of how to quantify the value design may add in a business context have been juxtaposed with six structured in-depth expert interviews with firms from different sizes and branches in order to gather individual perceptions on the role of design in management. The study examines, how can a strategic understanding of design be established in a business context and to what extent does this lead to an added economic value.

Specifying Knowledge Maps through Ontology Engineering
Dmitry Kudryavtsev, Tatiana Gavrilova, Miroslav Kubelskiy, Elvira Grinberg

Companies are burdened under information flow overload. The knowledge maps can support the knowledge workers and decision makers in this situation. Knowledge map as a term has been used with various meaning in several different scientific communities: not only in knowledge management, but also in education studies, in organization studies, in decision analysis, in artificial intelligence etc. To generalize the variety of the definitions (e.g. Eppler or Leibovitz) one can use the term of knowledge map as a description of the sources, flows, constraints and sinks of knowledge within the organisation. The current study considers knowledge maps from knowledge management perspective and is devoted to the generalising the numerous scattered knowledge mapping research and practices. It aims to identify and generalize the contents of knowledge maps – what are the main concepts, which are represented in knowledge maps, and relationships between them. The discussed research results in an ontology (or conceptual model, as it was defined by Gruber) for knowledge maps. Existing types of knowledge maps are associated with fragments of this ontology, so typical views and templates will are also highlighted. Such an ontology may help to select the necessary elements for knowledge mapping in specific company and situation. The research methodology is based on literature review, semantic analysis and ontological engineering. The paper helps to clarify the content of knowledge maps, its’ meaning and possible components. It provides building blocks for creating company-specific knowledge mapping templates and practice.

Value Chain Profiles and Business Performance in Microenterprises in Southern Ecuador
Mayra Ortega-Vivanco, Zulema Malo Montoya

This research will show the value chain profiles of microenterprises in emerging countries in the dimensions of planning, installed capacity, maintenance, research and development, and procurement. The sample used included 120 microenterprises from various productive sectors in the south of Ecuador. Data collection was carried out in 2019, by means of an online questionnaire, sent by e-mail through the Business Observatory of the UTPL to the managers and/or directors of the microenterprise. To identify possible groups of microenterprises, cluster analysis was used; a technique that allows identification of groups with similar characteristics, previously used to study configurations in microenterprises. The present authors hope that the findings will contribute to the resource-based view (RBV), by characterizing the profiles of microenterprises according to value chains, in the particular context of an emerging economy such as Ecuador. The determination of the number of profiles, characteristics, and needs of microenterprises will serve public managers for decision-making, helping to more efficiently target the resources and efforts needed to develop local microenterprises.

Knowledge Management System Requirements and Supporting IT-Based Solutions in Engineering-To-Order Manufacturing SMEs
Paola Cocca, Giovanni Schiuma, Mauro Viscardi, Fabio Floreani

The objective of this paper is to explore the characteristics that of a knowledge management system supporting an Engineer-To-Order manufacturing strategy in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises. For this reason, after the identification of a preliminary set of requirements, three in-depth case studies of Italian SMEs are discussed. The paper introduces an IT-based tool to support the knowledge management to enhance the performance of Engineer-To-Order manufacturing. The results of the paper could provide valuable guidelines for managers adopting a knowledge management system to foster knowledge management practices in the Engineer-To-Order business.

How does Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) influence Transformational Leadership (TFL) ability?
Jude-Martin Etuka, Sagar Athota, Sean Kearney

The emotional intelligence of leaders is a critical component of being able to lead self and others effectively. The qualities of emotionally intelligent leaders have been linked with transformational leadership abilities. Though current research in leadership shows correlations between Emotional Intelligence (EI) (Goleman, 2015, Mayer & Salovey, 1997), Transformational Leadership (TFL) (Bass, 1985, 2000), and Self-Actualisation (SA) (Maslow, 1961, 1963, 1971, Hall, 2008, 2009), there are no existing studies showing how, or if, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can influence transformational leadership ability and correlating self-actualising behaviours. A qualitative thematic analysis approach, including four (4) in-depth case studies, interviews, and participant observations will be undertaken to provide insight into the factors influencing transformational leadership ability through an EI and correlating NLP lens. Case studies specifically will be used as a methodological approach to explore and advance theoretical foundations and highlight new knowledge and themes emanating from the research (Corley & Gioia, 2011; Eisenhardt, 1989; Gehman et al., 2017; Gioia, Corley, & Hamilton, 2013; Whetten, 1989; Yin, 2003). This study will explore how EI and NLP influences TFL ability. Current studies in EI and TFL show correlations between both in terms of inherent behavioural dimensions. This research will uniquely contribute to the existing body of knowledge by using an NLP lens to demonstrate correlating self-actualisation behaviours and investigate the impacts of transformational leadership ability on self-actualising leaders. Purposive sampling will be used to select four (4) highly emotionally intelligent participants, who are recognised as Leaders in their fields and in respective organisations in Australia. Case studies will be developed with an in-depth focus on the background, context, and career development path of the four leaders, the aim being to provide insight into factors influencing transformational leadership ability through EI and the NLP model.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Academic Leadership
Vidya. S. Athota, Mark Hornshaw

Studies on emotional competence have traditionally focused on the emotional competence of students and business leaders. There has been little analysis on how emotional competence influences university academics in teaching and career growth. Generally, academia appears to be driven by intelligence, scientific theories, policy, and related measures of success. Positions in the academic workforce are commonly awarded to those who have demonstrated high levels of scholarly attainment, relying on strong cognitive abilities combined with dedication and hard work within a field of knowledge. The influence of emotional competence in academia has remained unclear. The two primary aims of this theoretical paper are: 1. To examine how emotions contribute to academic performance. 2. To ascertain what kind of coping strategies academics use to manage emotions including their impact on complex outcomes in professional academic settings. Limitations and implications of the proposed research are included in the paper.

Service Provider Incentives in Value Co-Creation Networks – a Systematic Mapping Study
Tommi Koistinen, Nina Helander, Tommi Mikkonen

The main objective of this study is to create a systematic map of the existing state-of-the-art research on service provider incentive models and incentive functions in digital business ecosystems that promote collaborative value co-creation. The chosen research method is the systematic mapping study. The classification of publications revealed eight main categories of interest: 1) Incentives for collaboration 2) Incentives for cooperation 3) Design of incentive models 4) Trust management 5) Potential challenges with incentives 6) Incentives in non-cooperative networks 7) Incentives in value creation networks and 8) Blockchain or token-based incentives. The resulting systematic map was visualized using a sunburst chart combined with the research gap analysis. The identified gaps in the incentive related research were related to the lack of studies from the ecosystem point of view, lack of studies related to automating incentives processing and addressing the incentive related KPIs in ecosystems. To further strengthen the collaborative working and innovation between service providers, the following areas are suggested for further study: ecosystem level approach to incentives, service providers’ preferences on desired incentive models and digital assistants for automating incentive functions for service providers.

Digitalization and Business Model Change in Manufacturing SMEs: an Explorative Investigation
Marco Paiola, Lara Agostini, Roberto Grandinetti, Anna Nosella

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (I4.0) is dramatically affecting firms’ strategies, transforming their business models. In particular, a bunch of technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), cloud platforms, big data, and data analysis are offering firms the possibility to manage products functions, remotely and globally, kickstarting the design of innovative business models. The aim of this article is to investigate how incumbent manufacturing SMEs can manage the evolution of a new business model enabled by IoT in parallel with its extant business model, with particular attention to the main resources and capabilities required, as well as the main difficulties encountered.

A Bibliometric Analysis Deconstructing Extant Research on Sharing Economy Business Models
Henrik Johansen, Jørgen Røste Kristiansen, Karl Joachim Breunig

Digitalization has become known as one of the biggest drivers of developments in society and has put pressure on companies to innovate their business models with emphasis on the opportunities provided by application of new digital technologies. Accordingly, there has been a major growth in business models focusing on resource exchange, referred to as sharing economy. Currently, there is also a growing interest among researcher into the phenomenon of sharing economy with an exponential growth in published research. However, to date the literature addressing the sharing economy appears complex and unstructured. The purpose of this study is to take stock of extant literature with a particular focus on distinguishing between constituent elements of sharing economy business models across peer-to-peer (P2P), business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B). This study was conducted using a bibliometric method to map prior research in the field of sharing economy. Utilizing a broad structured search in the Web of Science database we identify the most relevant articles and synthesis its insight to suggest a framework distinguishing between core properties of P2P, B2C and B2B sharing economy business models. In addition to provide a better overview of existing literature, the framework provides a foundation upon which further research can be built. The framework can also serve practitioners with a better understanding of the phenomenon of sharing economy and thereby a better basis for making strategic decisions in relation to their business model innovations.

Knowledge Management and the Role of Collective Intelligence & Organizational Design in Enhancing Productivity and Innovation among Employees
Sikandar Hayyat Malik, Sharoon Nirdosh

Knowledge management can be defined as the process which is based on managing, utilizing, sharing and developing information and knowledge to enhance the functions of an organization. It assists organizations in enhancing their flexibility, profitability, and productivity leading to more innovative organizations (Hussinki et al., 2017). This paper will look at the role that knowledge management play to foster collective intelligence and under different organization designs to improve the productivity of human resource. Thus, the paper will present different theories, models as well as novel approaches related to the effective implementation of knowledge management in managing employees and helping them to achieve the organization’s goals. Organizations and employees who collaborate to share knowledge usually tend to be more creative, innovative, and productive. In the present time, innovation is also becoming significantly important for organizations to counter the problems associated with economic meltdown which have been experienced by almost every company. It is pertinent to note that the right organizational design can determine the success or failure. By blending the concept of Knowledge Management with Organizational structure, Organizations can produce a workforce that is not only engaged but that is also innovative The methodology of research of the paper is pre-dominantly theoretical and by studying and analyzing existing literature on the subject of Knowledge Management, Collective Intelligence and Organizational Structure. In the last decades, the basic functions and nature of organizational design have experienced dramatic changes. The nature of traditional organizational designs are more closely related to the mechanistic model and ideal bureaucracy which were proposed by Burns and Stalker, and Weber, respectively (Ahmad et al., 2017). The paper highlights the viability of the process of knowledge management among employees in the most common forms of organization designs. From the analysis of this paper, it may concluded that the efficiency or performance of the human resource that is utilized by the organizations to accomplish their goals can only be enhanced if they create sufficient opportunities to promote and amalgamate collective intelligence and knowledge management, which in turn could help them to come up with innovative processes. The paper also suggests the organization design that better facilitate employees in sharing knowledge and experiences effectively.

The Role of Entrepreneurial Universities in Regional Knowledge Spillover and Social Innovation
Nibedita Saha, Tomas Sáha, Christina Weber, Yulia Stukalina, Georgios Afxentiou, Katri-Liis Lepik, Audrone Urmanaviciene Sáha

The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of entrepreneurial universities (EU) emerging perspectives that enrich regional knowledge spillover and enhance social innovation system. The existing knowledge spillover within the regions has influenced the creation of new knowledge and cross-disciplinary areas of research that empowers regional small firms and higher education institutes (HEIs) to face the economic, social, and industrial turbulence. This paper explores the impact of entrepreneurial universities effects on regional knowledge development, knowledge spillovers and social innovation based on understanding entrepreneurial universities strategic activities. Additionally, research on entrepreneurial universities emerging perspectives has received considerable attention due to its key enabling inspirations that enable higher education institutes (HEIs) and small firms (SMEs) to meet the development of business networks with ensuring the regional as well as social benefits. Where, it facilitates the regional innovation system and as a result, entrepreneurial university premeditated initiative that promotes regions tacit knowledge utilization, knowledge retention in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and knowledge dynamics. Finally, it is significant to highlight that while addressing the tension between globalization and localization the idea of entrepreneurial universities initiatives and importance of social and regional innovation system has been viewed -with the perception of growing regional knowledge development process; and or taxonomy of knowledge economy for regional economic development.

Dimensions of Social Innovation in Universities and their New Roles during the Pandemic
Carmen Păunescu, Mary McDonnell-Naughton

Social innovation has been receiving growing attention from policy makers, international institutions, non-governmental organizations, researchers and the business sector around the world. Despite a growing belief that social innovation represents one of the key solutions to solving current societal problems, the field of social entrepreneurship research in higher education institutions provides disparate discussions of this phenomenon and there are only a few systematic reviews conducted, which severely impedes the advancement of social entrepreneurship practice and research in education context. Current literature describes the field of study regarding social innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education institutions (HEIs) as being not well-developed nor agreed upon. A macro-lens regarding the awareness of relevant actors about multiple dimensions of social innovation in universities, and connectivity with the reality of today, is needed. By building on existing frameworks on (social) innovation in higher education, created to increase competitiveness of universities worldwide, the present paper aims to discuss the dimensions in which higher education institutions can innovate and become social entrepreneurial. It seeks to present the perspectives against which relevant actor personnel should identify and analyse social innovation in HEIs. Also, this paper is an attempt to show that now more than ever there is a critical need to examine the societal impact of COVID-19 on higher level institutions actors. Further research should identify how higher education innovation assists societal challenges and investigate the most expected outcomes of social entrepreneurship in higher education. Also, it should explore the common ground where more actors can sustain the innovation.

Guidelines to Ensure a Cultural Festival Sustainability in an Emerging Country: Case Study Loja, Ecuador
Alex-Paúl Ludeña-Reyes, Estefanía Sánchez-Cevallos, Tania-Jackeline Ochoa-Ochoa, Christian-Stalin Viñán-Merecí

The document explores the factors that influence the visit to The International Living Arts Festival (FIAVL, by its Spanish acronyms), through the study of sociodemographic variables of the visitors, the media through which they found out about the festival and the variables of recommendation and evaluation of the mentioned event. In order to carry out this analysis, we use quantitative methods. Our sample includes 314 data, corresponding to people who attended open events (OFF), which are free events that took place as part of FIAVL 2018, using cluster analysis to segment them. Our research contributes to the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on the influence of factors in the choice of attendance at cultural events. Considering the analysis of the aforementioned variables, it is shown that there are internal and external factors that affect both the recommendation and the evaluation; these are mainly influenced by the means of communication by which the attendees found out about the event. By identifying the sociodemographic profile of the attendees and the media with the greatest influence, the main contribution of this work is to provide clear evidence of the need to propose guidelines focused on specific groups of attendees; that guarantee the sustainability of cultural festivals in emerging countries, such as Ecuador.

Do the Consumers´ Behaviour Matters? An Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action for Assessing Non-Banks Correspondents in Ecuador
Viviana Espinoza-Loayza, Diego Cueva Cueva, Guillermo Antonio Davila

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key factors that influence the intention of use of non-banking correspondents (NBC) in Ecuador. The present study used a sample of 4961 people economically active in Loja province. The data was collected using scales previously validated in international context. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). By improving our knowledge about the intention of using new technologies in the financial sector, and by exploring the aspects that affect the intention and attitude towards the use of NBC in emerging economies, this research contributes to the Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior. By identifying the most important determinants for NBC adoption in emerging economies, this study brought valuable information to managers of banks for the efficient allocation of resources for the deployment of new NBCs.

Immigrant Entrepreneurship and Social Inclusion: Do Integration Factors Really Work? Perspectives from Italy
Valbona Dudi, Maria Gabriella Baldarelli, Mara Baldo

This study seeks to explore the phenomenon of immigrant entrepreneurship in Italy, with the main objective to explain the factors that influence the decision of immigrants to become entrepreneurs in the host country, especially during the pandemic situation. A Structure Literature Review (SLR) in the Italian context is presented followed by a quantitative empirical research, aimed to deepen the understanding of both, the factors and the process. A system of integration indicators was constructed, analyzed and compared to immigrant entrepreneurship phenomenon through a multivariate logarithmic regression model (log-log) estimated by the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique, referred to the secondary data collected on ISTAT official website and Italian Chambers of Commerce. Findings pointed out a weak relationship between the set of immigrant enterprises and institutions, due to the limited resources devoted to integration and social inclusion of immigrants. Therefore, we argue that a well-structured, clear and specific regulatory framework on the integration of immigrants and, in particular, on immigrant entrepreneurship, can positively contributes to create a solid socio-economic environment, both for immigrants and for native-run businesses. Drawing from the state of the art of the immigrant entrepreneurship phenomenon, was pointed out the limited contribution of management and accounting studies in deepening this topic. Considering the development of this phenomenon in the new era of globalization and the growing of recent flows of immigration in all continents, particularly in Europe, we claim for the need to fulfil this gap through further studies. In this regard, this empirical research provide useful insights in pointing out some research path to cultivate in the future.

Proceedings IFKAD 2020
Knowledge In Digital Age

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