Referate des Schweizerischen Instituts für Entrepreneurship - FH Graubünden

Abstract: The paper at hand analyses if plants follow a development path in knowledge transfer from a knowledge receiver role to a knowledge sender role. In this, the plant’s age and the content of knowledge that is transferred are analysed. The study includes thirteen case studies in four different European countries (i.e., Switzerland, Romania, Albania, and Macedonia) and shows that the content of the transferred knowledge changes in relation to the plant’s development stage and its role that the plant takes at the end of the undergone development stage. The lower the development stage, the more basic knowledge related to innovation and product/process improvement is transferred. As the development stage gets higher, more specific task related knowledge is transferred. Furthermore, results indicate that the plant’s age cannot fully be linked to the development stage of the plant under investigation.

Abstract: Technologies related to IIoT may have a huge potential to generate new value. We argue that in order to fully explore and exploit the potential of those technologies, the concept of business models needs to be applied. In doing so, a qualitative research approach is applied to understand how to explore and exploit technologies by means of business model innovation. We show that connectivity is an important extension of the business model in order to understand how to explore and exploit new technologies, especially in relation to IIoT. In addition, the interdependencies between the different business model dimensions are discussed.

Abstract: Am 14. Juni 2017 hat die SATW ihren Mitgliedern die Studie zu ethischen Herausforderungen von Big Data vorgestellt. Nach einer spannenden Präsentation von Prof. Christian Hauser wurde lebhaft diskutiert. Was überwiegt: die Chancen oder die Gefahren von Big Data?

Abstract: Se presentará el tema de lucha empresarial contra la corrupción desde el punto de vista europeo. Suiza ha ampliado y fortalecido su derecho penal anticorrupción en el año 2016. Esto afecta a empresas suizas que trabajan en el extranjero o empresas extranjeras que hacen negocios con Suiza. Es importante que las empresas conozcao la legislación vigente para tomar medidas adecuadas.

Abstract: Purpose: The study examines the after sales service business of Swiss manufacturing firms in China. Design/Methodology/Approach: It investigates eight cases of small and midsize firms (SMEs), describes the objectives the firms are pursuing with after sales services in China and how they are configuring their services. It evaluates to what extent the service models correspond to the conditions of the Chinese market and develops recommendations for the design of after sales services in China. Findings: The investigated firms use a problem solving model in their after sales service business which corresponds to the existing frame conditions in China. Originality/Value: The study extends the existing knowledge on after sales services in foreign markets and provides recommendations for SMEs on the configuration of services in China.

Abstract: The paper at hand analyses knowledge transfer activities by taking the characteristics of the knowledge sending and knowledge receiving plant into consideration. The study includes thirteen case studies in four different European countries (i.e., Switzerland, Romania, Albania, and Macedonia) and shows that the personal interaction between knowledge sending and receiving plants is more important for a successful knowledge transfer than information systems or prior-related knowledge.

Abstract: Purpose: Technologies related to industrial internet/industry 4.0 may have a huge potential to generate new value. We argue that in order to fully explore and exploit the potential of those technologies, the concept of business models needs to be applied. Design/Methodology/Approach: We apply an explorative research approach based on case study analysis. We analyse four examples of business model innovation in order to understand how technologies can be explored and exploited by means of business model innovation. Findings: It is essential to explore and exploit new technologies. Business model innovation without the adoption of new technologies affects the business model outcome negatively. Originality/Value: Connectivity is central to industrial internet/industry 4.0. Hence, it needs to be included into the business model decomposition. In addition, the analysis shows the interdependencies between the different dimensions and thus, enhances transparency.

Abstract: Manufacturing plants operating within the international manufacturing network (IMN) of a multinational company frequently participate in the intra-company creation and distribution of knowledge, thereby contributing to the competitive advantage of the whole company and in the same time strengthening their own position within the IMN. International business and operations management literature offers several arguments that plants taking up knowledge sending roles within the IMN can better secure their position within the company. Nevertheless, literature offers little guidance on how to become a knowledge disseminator within the IMN. Thus, this paper aims to fill an important gap in the literature related to the concept of disseminative capacity, aiming (1) to explore how the knowledge sending and receiving roles of manufacturing plants can be assessed in an IMN context, and (2) to identify the capabilities needed to become a knowledge sending unit within IMNs. To reach this objective, thirteen case studies are analyzed at plants from four different countries. Results of the case studies show that (1) manufacturing plants can be positioned along a continuum from dominantly knowledge receiving to dominantly knowledge sending units, with multiple intermediary position coexisting; (2) several plants have a strategic intent to change their positions, moving mainly along this continuum towards a higher intensity of knowledge sending roles; (3) three elements are identified as necessary preconditions to develop disseminative capabilities, namely a knowledge sharing oriented organizational culture, managerial systems and structures that reward the transfer of knowledge, and the intensity of inter-plant human interactions.

Abstract: Dictada por el Prof. Christian Hauser, de la Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas, Chur (Suiza), en la charla se enfatizó la idea de la importancia de contar con un tejido empresarial dinámico e internacionalizado como base para sustentar el crecimiento de una economía. Hauser presentó extensamente el caso de Alemania, cuya economía se sustenta en buena medida en un conjunto de empresas medianas, el Mittelstand, que se caracterizan por su dinamismo e innovación. Incluso algunas de ellas son líderes mundiales en sus productos, aunque sus nombres sean desconocidos para el gran público (los hidden champions). El expositor también destacó que trabajan con estrategias de largo plazo y se caracterizan por ser, en buena medida, empresas familiares con una organización flexible, y comprometidas con el entorno local. Muchas de ellas están fuera de las zonas más pobladas, constituyendo también un factor de equilibrio regional.

Abstract: The lateral knowledge flow between subsidiaries is still an emerging area of inquiry. Studies show that not all provided knowledge is equally beneficial for the receiving subsidiary. In the paper at hand, we analyse if differences in strategic objectives of subsidiaries influences the perception of value of the provided knowledge from the recipient. The results of a single-case study show that more knowledge is shared between subsidiaries following the same strategic objectives. This leads to the conclusion that strategic homogeneity between subsidiaries increases the perception of the value of received knowledge from the recipient’s perspective.

Abstract: An accepted theory in Business Management holds that innovation and networks are positively connected to one another due to a wide range of reasons, as there is a strong body of research detailing this relationship. However, despite this wealth of information, the role of informal innovation networks along with their associated structures and purposes remains unclear. Based on a multiple case study conducted with 28 companies, patterns of informal networks are investigated in this research through which small and medium sized companies are using to accompany their innovation activities. By utilizing a cluster analysis, the results of our paper show a typology of 5 informal innovation network types independently separate based on several innovation-centered factors, including content, geography, cooperation scale, and structure of the network.

Abstract: Lately, many small and medium sized companies have built up a plant in a foreign country, either to benefit from market access, low cost resources or access to expertise (Ferdows, 1989, Feldmann and Olhager, 2013). The internationalisation of the manufacturing network leads to new challenges for entrepreneurs. Especially, small and medium sized companies claim that the coordination of the traditional and the newly established foreign plant is time consuming and inefficient. We assume that there exist complexity drivers, which hinder an efficient and effective collaboration between the plants and thus negatively influence manufacturing network performance. Thus, we need to (1) achieve an understanding of the relevant complexity drivers and (2) how these influence the collaboration between the internationally distributed plants. Finally, based on this insight, we (3) need to derive measures which enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the collaboration. Hence, we aim to answer two research questions: (1) Which complexity drivers influence the collaboration between dispersed manufacturing plants and (2) how can these complexity drivers be reduced?

Abstract: Autonomy, a central mechanism to coordinate manufacturing networks, is mainly reported as positively influencing performance. Next, internal and external embeddedness are found to influence performance positively. In the study at hand, we link autonomy, internal and external embeddedness and performance (efficiency and effectiveness) and analyse the relationships from an operations management perspective. In doing so, we find that autonomy has a significant and negative effect on efficiency and that internal and external embeddedness have a significant and positive effect on operational performance. We conclude that internal embeddedness is worthwhile to strive for and achievable through tighter plant control from headquarters.