Vol 17, No 1 (2023)
STRATEGIES
Technology-Intense Service Offerings in the Light of Economic Complexity: Establishing a Holistic Service Ecosystem
Abstract
Crisis situations, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have historically been identified as times of enhanced innovation and entrepreneurial activities. Innovation actors are required to respond quickly to a new situation bearing in mind the effects of actions across their network of partners and competitors as well as rising economic complexity. Indeed, first indications suggest that this pandemic is no different and has facilitated the use of digital technologies. In order to assess these developments, this paper studies new service offerings based on digital technologies using the example of three major Russian banks. We found that banks have now developed into technology platforms that use their experience to engage in areas like education, advanced robotics, and health care. Technologies developed by partner organizations, such as the integration of blockchain solutions, have spread rapidly. Thereby, banks have obtained a strategic advantage for launching innovations in the financial industry, including technology and knowledge transfers from other industries.
Усложнение экономических взаимосвязей и усиление финансового неравенства за последнее десятилетие способствовали стремительному развитию финансовых технологий и инноваций (Lapatinas, 2019; Hartmann et al., 2017; Fan et al., 2015; Tacchella et al., 2013). Предложение финансовых услуг существенно расширилось, стало более гибким, адаптивным и наукоемким, обрело экосистемную основу. Активизировалась разработка технологических платформ как инструментов для совместной работы по максимизации потребительской ценности и удовлетворения запросов клиентов. Перечисленные процессы находятся под влиянием растущей экономической сложности, которая наблюдается в странах как с высоким, так и низким уровнем дохода (Nguyen et al., 2020; Nguyen, Su, 2021).
7-17
The New Strategy of High-Tech Companies – Hidden Sources of Growth
Abstract
The recent increase in the share of zero-leverage firms is most pronounced in the Software and Services, Hardware Equipment, and Pharmaceutical and Biotechnical industries. The reasons for these industries’ conservative debt policies are not fully disclosed. How companies in technological sectors manage to perform well attracting no debt and loosing debt tax shield benefits is a mystery. This study aims to determine why high-tech firms are less likely to have debt in the capital structure. On the basis of a sample of US-based firms from the RUSSELL 3000 index for 12 years, we show the factors leading to a zero-debt structure. After dividing the sample into high-tech and non-high-tech subsamples, we demonstrate the gap between zero-debt motives for technological and traditional sectors. We show that the common determinants of corporate structure cannot fully explain why high-tech firms choose a zero-debt policy. Testing the possible motives of debt financing avoidance, we find that high-tech firms are more financially constrained than non-high-tech firms. We further show that unconstrained high-tech firms may avoid debt to maintain their financial flexibility. On top of that, managerial entrenchment also adds to the zero-leverage choice of high-tech companies. The study results are helpful for executive management teams and investors since they shed light on the specific style of financing choice for technological firms.
18-32
INNOVATION
Reconfiguring the Battery Innovation Landscape
Abstract
The development of battery technologies is critical for energy transition strategies. This paper offers a comprehensive assessment of the trends and developments of battery innovation. Over 700,000 patents from the period of 2005-2019 are compiled and analyzed. Leading patent applicants and countries of origin are identified. Major patent applicants are mostly large East Asian companies, while Japan and South Korea are the leading countries followed by the US, Germany, and China. Different battery designs, the main battery components, and interactions with other clean technologies are examined. Based on the operative definitions for incremental/radical and product/process innovations, a battery innovation typology is set forth. The main findings are that patenting in batteries rises robustly and the lithium-ion battery is the most vibrant technology; lithium-sulfur and flow batteries are the most notable emerging technologies, while electrodes are the most salient battery component. The most significant interactions of batteries with clean energy technologies are between battery charging and photovoltaic energy as well as between battery charging and electric vehicles. Incremental innovation represents more than half of the patents, while product innovation represents approximately 70% of the total patents. This study presents findings that could be useful when making investment decisions on the development of battery and auxiliary low-carbon energy technologies.
34-50
Adapting Innovation Development Management Processes to Improve Energy Efficiency and Achieve Decarbonization Goals
Abstract
The study focuses on problems of decarbonization as a systemic priority for innovative changes in the national economy in times of new global challenges. The research hypothesis confirms dual effects within the triad of innovation – energy efficiency – decarbonization, when every item is affected by two others. We used econometric models to test them on the data from 83 Russian regions from 2016 to 2020. The revealed effects are critical for developing a conceptual framework for adjusting managerial goals to focus on energy efficiency and decarbonization in Russian economy. The paper contains suggestions for Russian regions for incorporating the triad approach in their plans for energy efficiency and decarbonization. This paper adds value to understanding of relationships within the triad. It also has practical value for practitioners aiming at improving the sustainability of national economies. Importantly, our findings could be used by countries of different levels of economic development and with different combinations of energy sources in achieving goals in decarbonization or carbon neutrality for their economies.
51-66
Innovation Scenarios for Ecuadorian Agrifood Network
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore plausible scenarios and identify the desired scenario for the agrifood beef network in Santo Domingo, Ecuador until 2035. A methodological approach based on the processes of participation and collective reflection is proposed, which integrates methods from the French School of Prospective and The Futures Triangle V. 2.0. Four plausible scenarios were developed for the object of study: Innovate Against the Tide, National Pioneers, Obsolescent Gait, and Missed Opportunity. Of these, National Pioneers was deemed the desired scenario, because it integrates high innovation in the beef agrifood network with favorable environmental conditions. This study contributes to anticipating the evolution of Santo Domingo’s innovation in the agrifood network, which can promote a favorable trajectory for the province’s sustainable development.
67-79
Evaluating the Impact of Technology Transfer from the Perspective of Entrepreneurial Capacity
Abstract
This paper examines the benefits of and barriers to technology transfers from academia to industry perceived by entrepreneurs and particularly associated with the dimensions of Entrepreneurial Capacity. This study is one of the first in which the analysis of the topic goes beyond the high-tech sectors. It is based on a survey of representatives of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) dedicated to the production of Leather and Footwear in Peru. The main findings were that the Absorption Capability dimension had a positive relationship coefficient with the understanding of the benefits of and barriers to technology transfers, while the Networking Diversity dimension presented a negative relationship coefficient. Likewise, this study shows that the main barriers to technology transfer were the fear of information leaks and the lack of training. The results of this research can add value to decision makers in industry, academia, and government agencies interested in science and technology policies.
80-87
MASTER CLASS
Smart Automation for Enhancing Cyber-Security
Abstract
In an intelligent automation ecosystem, namely in the context of Robotic Process Automation, there is a need to review the development and operation processes and practices, to combine competences from these two areas with the common good necessary for any organization or security team. It is with security that quality, efficiency, and profitability become possible. The elaboration of guidelines and best practices for the application of a DevSecOps culture is currently essential for Agile software development at any organization. In the digitalization era, teams increasingly need a collaborative method to involve several competencies and capabilities, from analysis to implementation and the evolution of a software product. Information security needs to be an integral part throughout the entire product’s lifecycle, as without it, fundamental aspects of confidentiality, integrity, and availability put information and software security at serious risk in the course of business operations.
Without losing focus on customer needs, it is necessary to model software development practices, following more agile methodologies. In this way, teams can model the software throughout its lifecycle, focusing on facilitating the delivery of value to the customer and having greater certainty that requirements, plans, and results are 100% aligned with customer needs. This paper presents an analysis and proposal for the continuous improvement of an intelligent automation platform at a large-scale multinational organization. In parallel, aspects that generate resistance to the implementation of a DevSecOps methodology within the scope of RPA code development is considered.
89-97