1,720,992 research outputs found
'Industry 4.0' awareness and readiness within the vento region (Italy)
No full textThis paper contributes to the increasing literature surrounding industry 4.0. The objective of this paper is twofold (1) the identification of the parameters industry 4.0, i.e., the key enabling components and design principles of industry 4.0, and (2) the assessment of the awareness and readiness level of manufacturing firms within the Vento region of Italy. The study utilises a survey of 1829 firms in assessing their level of readiness and awareness. The findings from our study suggest that disparities in communication are present between private and public sector organisations, with current policy initiatives and access to funding not necessarily coinciding with the demands of organisations within the region. This research paper has laid the foundation for the further research in how industrial strategy needs to further elicit information from private sector firms in order to further promote the building of awareness, readiness, and adoption of industry 4.0 technologies and practices.</p
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Strategic management of technology-enabled capabilities : a dynamic capabilities approach to strategically aligned value creation
Get PDFThesis (PhD (Technology and Innovation Management))--University of Pretoria, 2021.Organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to create value in the current dynamic, globalised, interconnected, and ever more complex business and technology environments. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is set to increase these challenges as a result of the increasing complexity and dynamic changes in market, societal, and technological trends. While current technological trends potentially offer great value to organisations, emerging technological implementations and transformations often fail to realise the desired value creation outcomes.
This research study takes an exploratory sequential mixed method approach to first articulate what the major challenges to technology-enabled value creation efforts entail, before devising a means to address the defined problem statement. Following an initial exploratory study with qualitative interviews, it was determined that the major challenges to technology-enabled value creation initiatives, in the current dynamic environment, can be linked to a dynamic capabilities perspective of strategic management.
This perspective encompasses the dynamic adaptation of enabling capabilities to enact strategic alignment between the external environment and an organisation’s value creation system hierarchies. These hierarchies broadly include the organisation’s strategies, its strategy execution, and its capability creation, adaptation, and management. Dynamic capabilities are defined from a system perspective and are presented as functioning to enable this desired strategic alignment.
The second phase of this study takes a deductive research approach that builds on the developed theory to develop and test operational hypotheses. This research phase is executed through a descriptive research design using quantitative methods to provide a valid representation of the observed phenomena.
The first part of this representation takes the form of a three-dimentional model to conceptualise the strategic management of technology-enabled capabilities, from a dynamic capabilities perspective on value creation, within the context of the 4IR. This model consists of and/or correlates with various frameworks that are either referenced or developed within this study from a systems perspective. These include but are not limited to a new perspective on technology-enabled capabilities, a strategic planning roadmapping framework to support execution in practice, and an illustrative system architecture framework for Industry 4.0 to demonstrate conformity with current 4IR related conceptualisations.
This conceptual model addresses an identified need to illustrate the interconnectedness of three different dimensions. These include the dynamic capabilities approach to maintain strategic alignment (enabling functional alignment), across the value creation system hierarchies of an organisation (enabling integration), over the value creation lifecycle (enabling temporal synchronisation). The model thereby serves to provide context to the complex system surrounding the strategic management of technology-enabled capabilities, from a dynamic capabilities perspective on strategically aligned value creation.
The model is tested, by testing hypotheses through quantitative analyses of survey responses from large organisations operating in dynamic environments (such as during the global pandemic in 2020) and the outcomes are discussed. The main hypothesis proposes that organisations with higher strategic alignment capacities, as conceptualised within the presented model, will also have higher value creation capacities within dynamic environments.
This hypothesis is validated by showcasing strong correlations (ρ = 0.74) between the defined independent and dependent constructs, which relate to a dynamic capabilities approach to strategic alignment and more effective value creation capacities within large organisations, respectively. This seems to indicate that the hypothesis is correct, meaning that the higher the strategic alignment capacities of organisations are as a function of more effective dynamic capabilities that constitute their dynamic alignment competencies, the higher their value creation capacities are as a function of more effective value creating and capturing competencies. Furthermore, this seems to give credence to the structure of the conceptual model that gives context to the relationship between strategic alignment (and its elements from a systems perspective on the strategic management of dynamic capabilities) and the value creation system of organisations (and the elements representing this system’s function).
The study closes with recommendations for future research, such as to expand on this study with a larger sample, to replicate the study for small and medium sized firms, to explore the identified trends further such as that South African industries have not yet begun actual 4IR related technological transformations, and to define value metrics to assess the value of capabilities that emerging technologies may enable. Lastly, recommendations for the application of the research outcomes in practice are given. These are focussed on the required systems perspective of dynamic capabilities to create dynamic alignment capacities that could maintain continual strategic alignment in the face of dynamic change. Some practical principles are provided, such as for the development of toolkits to perform these functions in practical and structured strategic workshops along with a roadmapping framework to contextualise value creation efforts and their interdependencies over various execution timeframes.Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)PhD (Technology and Innovation Management)Unrestricte
The development of an internal technology strategy assessment framework within the services sector utilising total quality management (TQM) principles
Get PDFDissertation (MEng (Technology Management))--University of Pretoria, 2005.Technology is accepted as one of the key aspects that influence society and business in an unmistakable manner. Current literature is however not singular in its views and methods of technology strategy, its interface with business strategy, and how technology strategy is executed and assessed internally. The text adopts a 3-tiered domain approach at the outset, focusing on the integration of (i) strategy, (ii) measurement and (iii) architecture. The literature assessment was carried out on the hand of the three domains and ultimately resulted in the proposed internal technology strategy assessment framework for the services sector. At the heart of the framework is the merging of the disciplines and current models of (i) technology management (MOT), (ii) business architecture, (iii) strategic performance measurement and (iv) total quality management. The model aims to indicate that specific modelling techniques coupled with an excellence scorecard, can facilitate the mathematical assessment of strategic contribution of individual technology artefacts to a specific business strategy. The proposed model is represented in the text in flowchart form and is supplemented by the derivation of the required research approach, namely case study protocol. Three case studies were conducted, each of which is resident in the services sector, and the tabulated results are presented in the text and its appendixes. The results obtained indicate that strategic artefact differentiation on a procedural level can indeed be obtained. These results are consistent throughout the three case studies and valuable future benefit could be extrapolated for (i) continuing investigation on the hand of the model, as well as (ii) cross-pollination to the disciplines of (a) enterprise modelling and design and (b) project management.Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)unrestricte
'Industry 4.0' awareness and readiness within the vento region (Italy)
No full textThis paper contributes to the increasing literature surrounding industry 4.0. The objective of this paper is twofold (1) the identification of the parameters industry 4.0, i.e., the key enabling components and design principles of industry 4.0, and (2) the assessment of the awareness and readiness level of manufacturing firms within the Vento region of Italy. The study utilises a survey of 1829 firms in assessing their level of readiness and awareness. The findings from our study suggest that disparities in communication are present between private and public sector organisations, with current policy initiatives and access to funding not necessarily coinciding with the demands of organisations within the region. This research paper has laid the foundation for the further research in how industrial strategy needs to further elicit information from private sector firms in order to further promote the building of awareness, readiness, and adoption of industry 4.0 technologies and practices.</p
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Technology forecasting for national research and education networks using structural equation modelling-based context-sensitive data fusion
Get PDFThesis (PhD (Technology Management))--University of Pretoria, 2024.Technology Intelligence entails an intricate process of gathering and transforming data related to technological advancements into refined actionable intelligence by identifying and analysing emergent characteristics and inter-relational linkages. Specialists in this field process this refined information to develop knowledge critical for directing strategic technology management decisions. As primary sources of technology-related data, technology indicators facilitate an expansive characterisation and evaluation of various technologies throughout their entire lifecycle. Engaging in Future-oriented Technology Analysis necessitates a rigorous examination of in-formation from these indicators, equipping decision-makers with sophisticated insights for Technology Forecasting, a vital tool in anticipating and preparing for future technology trends and developments.
This study posits that one can conceptualise Technology Forecasting as a context-sensitive Data Fusion process using Structural Equation Modelling. To this end, this study undertook inductive reasoning to develop generic frameworks for Structural equation Modelling, context-sensitive Data Fusion and the relational mapping of technology indicators for Technology Forecasting, employing analytic literature assessment, conceptual framework development and grounded theory as supportive research methodologies. These generic frameworks were then integrated through inductive reasoning, incorporating comparative and cross-disciplinary analyses and framework unification to develop the study's proposed framework for Technology Forecasting using Structural Equation Modelling-based, context-sensitive Data Fusion.
The proposed Technology Forecasting framework includes methodologies and processes for integrating data from varied sources while emphasising the importance of complex hierarchal relational interconnections and context-related information to augment technology indicator relevance. Data Fusion methods attuned to context refine the output knowledge produced by accounting for the influence of external, context-related variables. Structural Equation Modelling is a robust statistical methodology that can discern and assess the complex hierarchical relationships between latent and observable variables within a given problem and its context, demonstrating efficacy in executing context-sensitive Data Fusion.
The study developed an autoregression model instantiation of the framework, tailored explicitly for longitudinal forecasting in the National Research and Education Network technology do-main. This model instantiation, formulated through deductive reasoning, incorporates insights from action research within the South African National Research Network. It is supplemented by analysis of secondary data from the Trans-European Research and Education Network As-sociation's Compendiums, which record infrastructure, services, and ecosystem-related trends for National Research and Education Networks in Europe.
This autoregressive model instantiation, although found suboptimal, innovatively delineated various technology-related indicators from the National Research and Education Network technology domain as distinct model technology-related constructs, for example, the measurements of core network traffic, while also integrating indicators for context-related constructs, such as the spectrum of institutions typically serviced by National Research and Education Networks. Employing secondary data from the Trans-European Research and Education Network Association's annual Compendiums, the study undertook a Partial Least Squares regression analysis to empirically evaluate this autoregressive model instantiation to ascertain key model parameters, such as indicator loadings and path coefficients. The study also engaged in an extensive reliability and validity analysis of this model instantiation, affirming the empirical analysis's repeatability and the model instantiation's internal consistency in providing technology forecasting outputs in the National Research and Education Network technology domain.
Next, the study developed a cross-sectional model instantiation for the National Research and Education Network technology domain. Although incapable of longitudinal technology forecasting, this model instantiation marked a considerable improvement in performance over the autoregressive model instantiation. Its development not only amalgamated knowledge from action research conducted within the South African National Research Network and insights from the annual Compendiums of the Trans-European Research and Education Networking Association but also hypotheses from scholarly literature. Partial Least Squares regression analysis, employing data from the Trans-European Research and Education Network Association Compendiums, confirmed various hypothesised relationships, except the anticipated positive correlation between a National Research and Education Network's infrastructure and advanced services capabilities. This exception underscores the influence of technology leapfrogging within the National Research and Education Network community, potentially disrupting established technology development and adoption patterns.
The study concluded with an extensive analysis of the proposed framework's strengths and weaknesses. Informed by a broad scholarly discourse on the strengths and weaknesses of Data Fusion and Structural Equation Modelling, this evaluation scrutinised the framework's capability to incorporate context-related information in forecasting computations and its potential susceptibility to inaccuracies arising from structural model misspecification. This investigation employed various model instances specific to the National Research and Education Network technology domain for this assessment, including a structurally disarranged model instantiation.
This study heralds a transformative advancement in Technology Forecasting, particularly within the National Research and Education Networks technology domain, by introducing a novel amalgamation of Structural Equation Modelling and context-sensitive Data Fusion to perform transversal and longitudinal technology prediction using technology and context-related indicators. This innovative approach contributes to Engineering and Technology Management by offering an advanced tool for strategic planning and technology trend analysis. The core publications from the study demonstrated the development, practical application and assessment of this integrated framework. In contrast, the study’s supplementary publications enhanced the understanding and application of Partial Least Squares analysis tools to perform the regression analysis required to create various model instantiations for the National Research and Education Networks technology domain.Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)PhD (Technology Management)UnrestrictedFaculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information TechnologySDG-04: Quality EducationSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Get PDFWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
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