55 research outputs found
The Multiple Perception of Innovation: The Case of Micro and Small Enterprises in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Get PDFThis paper explores how innovation is perceived, on the one hand, by the scientific literature and, on the other, by the everyday practice of small and micro enterprises operating in the less developed socioeconomic system of the Greek region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Our aim is to find out whether there are different perceptions of innovation from two different “worlds”, the theoretical and the practical. For this, we conducted an introductory and qualitative field research on a sample of small and micro enterprises in the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. We found there is a notable distance in the perception of innovation between the scientific theory and the everyday practice of micro and small enterprises in this less developed region in Greece.
Research paper
Keywords: Innovation multiplicity; Innovation definitions; Micro and small enterprises; Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Vlados, C., & Chatzinikolaou, D. (2019). The multiple perception of innovation: the case of micro and small enterprises in the region of eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 7(1), 17–41
On Smart Cities and Triple-Helix Intermediaries: A Critical-Realist Perspective
No full textI conducted an integrative literature review by utilizing theoretical and methodological elements of critical realism (i.e., the distinction between ontology and epistemology) to evaluate the significance of triple-helix intermediaries. This review involved examining all published research on smart cities in “elite” ABS (Chartered Association of Business Schools) journals (4, 4*). My findings indicate that the philosophical foundations of the examined literature are predominantly grounded on “positivism”, “postmodernism”, “interpretivism”, and “pragmatism”, without delving into the ontological reinforcement of capitalist institutions through innovation creation and diffusion—a central concern of critical realism. I argue that this oversight stems from the prevailing “paradigm” within these “elite” journals, which often excludes historical and critical perspectives. In response, I propose a reoriented intermediary, the Triple-Helix Business Clinic, grounded in critical-realist assumptions. This new theoretical framework can guide practical policy development aimed at reinforcing business innovation and driving broader socioeconomic progress
Integrating Sustainable Energy Development with Energy Ecosystems: Trends and Future Prospects in Greece
No full textThis study integrates Sustainable Energy Development (SED) with an Energy Ecosystems (EE) framework in Greece to reveal how macrolevel policies, mesolevel infrastructures, and microlevel behaviors shape energy transitions. Drawing on historical data primarily spanning 2010–2024, supplemented by 16 semi-structured expert interviews and a macro–meso–micro analytical approach, it examines SED dimensions—affordability, supply, consumption, and security—within the supplier–producer–distributor–consumer nexus. The findings show notable progress in solar and wind adoption but also underscore persistent challenges such as high import dependency, regulatory inefficiencies, and infrastructural gaps. By proposing targeted policy directions and suggesting a new modus operandi of local-level institutional coordination, the research illustrates how an SED–EE synergy can foster resilience, innovation, and social equity, thereby informing sustainable energy strategies not just for Greece but also for other regions facing similar structural hurdles. The novel integrative perspective of this paper, unlike prior approaches that address either macropolicy targets or microlevel entrepreneurial activity alone, clarifies how mesolevel dynamics facilitate or hamper SED goals. This theoretical and practical synthesis is expected to inform the design of more resilient, equitable, and innovation-driven energy policies
Κατευθύνσεις της εξελικτικής οικονομικής θεωρίας και η προσέγγιση Stra.Tech.Man: Πρόσφατα εμπειρικά δεδομένα από την Ανατολική Μακεδονία και Θράκη
Get PDFΗ παρούσα μελέτη έχει ως στόχο το να εξετάσει και να συνοψίσει σε θεωρητικούς όρους κάποιες από τις θεμελιώδεις συνεισφορές της εξελικτικής οικονομικής σκέψης. Εκκινεί παρουσιάζοντας ορισμένα από τα κεντρικά χαρακτηριστικά των κυριότερων θεωρητικών οικογενειών της εξελικτικής οικονομικής, από την εποχή της θεμελίωσής της έως και σήμερα, προσδιορίζοντας τα εννοιολογικά προαπαιτούμενα προκειμένου μία ανάλυση να μπορεί να ενταχθεί στο πλαίσιο και στη μεθοδολογία της. Στη συνέχεια η παρουσίαση εστιάζεται στην εξελικτική θεωρία της επιχείρησης και σε σχετικές πρόσφατες αναλυτικές συνεισφορές όπως και σε νέα πεδία ερευνητικού ενδιαφέροντος. Τέλος παρουσιάζεται η προσέγγιση Stra.Tech.Man, η οποία επιχειρεί να συνθέσει αναλυτικά τις σφαίρες της επιχειρηματικής στρατηγικής, της τεχνολογίας και του μάνατζμεντ, ώστε να ερμηνεύσει μέσα από μία εξελικτική οπτική τα φαινόμενα της προσαρμογής και της καινοτομίας των σύγχρονων οργανισμών. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, η προσέγγιση Stra.Tech.Man προτείνεται ως μία εναλλακτική βάση για την ανατοποθέτηση των ερωτημάτων της επιχειρηματικής δυναμικής διαμέσου μίας εξελικτικής θεώρησης. Συγκεκριμένα, σε αυτήν την εργασία παρατίθενται ορισμένα κεντρικά πορίσματα πρόσφατων μελετών που υλοποιήθηκαν στη λιγότερο αναπτυγμένη ελληνική περιφέρεια της Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης, αποδεικνύοντας ότι αυτή η εξελικτική προσέγγιση διαθέτει αναλυτική αξία και ερμηνευτική χρησιμότητα
Towards a Restructuration of the Conventional SWOT Analysis
Get PDFToday, the use of SWOT analysis is increasingly popular for the strategic planning of businesses. However, we argue that a traditional and conventional way of approaching the SWOT analysis contains an interpretative mistargeting which, in the background, derives from the absence of a comprehensive evolutionary methodological framework. Therefore, a conventional SWOT analysis that articulates lists of strengths-weaknesses and opportunities-threats in an absolute and non-correlative way is probably inappropriate to give answers to the needs of strategic planning. In this direction, by also exploring elements from the criticism to the traditional SWOT analysis, we counter-propose a new conceptual framework that perceives SWOT analysis in a correlative and evolutionary way, for all the kinds of socioeconomic organisms
Energy Entrepreneurship in the Emerging New Globalization: A Macro–Meso–Micro Perspective with Evidence from a Less-Developed Regional Ecosystem
No full textThis study aims to analyze the shifting focus and emerging themes in contemporary energy entrepreneurship research, alongside the challenges and opportunities faced by select energy entrepreneurs in a rapidly transforming global landscape that is driven by sustainability imperatives, resilience, and systemic energy transitions. Employing a semi-systematic and critical literature review, 238 relevant scientific articles from the Web of Science database were identified and analyzed. We then conducted focused case studies of energy entrepreneurs in a less-developed regional ecosystem. The findings reveal two distinct “generations” of energy entrepreneurship research, marked by a clear shift towards sustainability themes, innovative energy business models, and corporate responsibility. Additionally, we introduce the “Energy Innovation Scorecard” (EN.I.SCORE) framework—a comprehensive macro–meso–micro guideline designed to support energy entrepreneurs. Applying this framework to a sample of 89 surveyed and 8 interviewed firms reveals that, especially among microfirms, there is weak integration of strategy–technology–management, limited energy innovation, and poor financial performance prevail—challenges typical of underdeveloped ecosystems. By examining the origins, evolution, and holistic transformation of energy entrepreneurship, and by investigating the selected regional case, this research potentially helps bridge critical gaps in understanding the dynamics of this field
New Globalization and Energy Transition: Insights from Recent Global Developments
No full textThis paper explores the combined impacts of certain geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts on the global energy transition, focusing on developments related to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreements. The New Globalization Scenario Matrix (NGSM) and a correlative SWOT analysis in transnational terms are utilized to understand and conceptualize potential future global trends in the emerging new globalization. Findings suggest that the examined contemporary global events may enhance the overall performance of the global system, thereby accelerating energy transitions. Consequently, a re-envisioned approach to the International Political Economy (IPE) of energy is proposed, blending repositioned realism and liberalism to foster a realistic and innovative new global liberalism
The RCEP in an emerging multipolar order: examining energy transition implications
Get PDFThis paper examines how the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) influences global energy transition within an emerging multipolar world order. Using the New Globalization Scenario Matrix (NGSM) framework and correlative SWOT analysis, the study identifies a “medium-high performance” scenario as most probable, characterized by gradual regional integration constrained by geopolitical tensions and governance gaps. The analysis reveals asymmetric energy transition contributions: strong support for renewable energy deployment through trade and investment channels, but limited coordination for decarbonization policies due to absent binding environmental commitments. The study proposes complementary institutional frameworks to enhance the RCEP’s energy transition contributions while addressing identified governance deficits in environmental coordination
On a New Sustainable Energy Policy: Exploring a Macro-Meso-Micro Synthesis
No full textThis study examines the differences between the emerging new energy policy and its predecessor, offering guidelines for an integrated approach to support a rapid and sustainable energy transition. Using a bibliometric and qualitative integrative analysis of 360 scientific articles on energy policy, ecosystems, and entrepreneurship—supplemented by insights from 16 experts in the European energy sector and an in-depth analysis of 89 relevant business cases—this research identifies a significant shift in priorities. Traditional concerns, such as energy security, self-sufficiency, and market liberalization, are increasingly giving way to a focus on rapid, sustainable energy transitions and development at the macrolevel. The findings reveal that contemporary energy policies are progressively prioritizing integrated strategies across the macrolevel, mesolevel, and microlevel. At the macrolevel, policies are increasingly focused on enabling efficient transitions and promoting sustainable development within an ecosystemic framework. At the mesolevel, there is a growing emphasis on strengthening regional energy ecosystems. At the microlevel, the focus increasingly shifts toward empowering energy firms through innovative organizational strategies, technological advancements, and enhanced managerial practices. The proposed integrated energy policy aims to address these broader goals while fostering diverse energy ecosystems and communities at the mesolevel. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of empowering individual energy firms by enhancing their strategies, technological capabilities, and managerial skills. These improvements are essential for driving innovation, developing green business models, strengthening corporate social responsibility, and aligning with the principles of Resilience, Adaptability, Sustainability, and Inclusiveness (RASI)
The transformational crisis of globalization and the contingent trajectories towards innovative liberalism
Get PDFThis integrative review examines the evolving landscape of globalization, aiming to understand the possible paths of the emerging global order. In a world marked by historical shifts, the research identifies three main paths: New Nation-Centric Fragmentation, New Multipolarity, and New Realistic and Innovative Global Liberalism. The last path looks most promising yet, regrettably, that prospect is fading as a driving force in today’s landscape—despite its promise of solid geopolitical stability, brisk economic growth, and vigorous technological progress. Recent global shifts, however, make such an outcome look increasingly remote
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