Referate des Schweizerischen Instituts für Entrepreneurship - FH Graubünden

Abstract: Knowledge transfer within a manufacturing network is challenging. However, to unlock the potential of internationally dispersed networks, knowledge transfer is crucial. We add to literature as we not only focus on the coordination mechanism needed to coordinate a network but enhance the framework with plant management behaviour. Based on social-psychological theories we analyse what hinders or enhances knowledge transfer within a manufacturing network. Finally, we present a conceptual framework of manufacturing network coordination which combines macro (coordination mechanism) and micro level (knowledge sharing behaviour) research. In addition, we discuss which results are contradicting, depending on operations management or social psychological theory perspective.

Abstract: The coordination of intra-manufacturing networks is a challenging task. Mechanisms to coordinate a manufacturing network are often discussed in isolation and are not put into a broader context to understand its influence on the intra-manufacturing network. Casestudy based, we discuss the challenges global production managers face in their aim to unlock the potential of the manufacturing network. We argue that manufacturing networks need to be analysed as complex adaptive systems (CAS). It is our aim to show how the understanding of CAS helps to describe the challenges of manufacturing network coordination.

Abstract: Objectives: The objective of this paper is to analyse what complexity drivers exist in manufacturing networks, how they affect strategic goal fulfilment and how the complexity drivers can be reduced by manufacturing network configuration and coordination measures. Prior Work: Supply chain complexity has been studied on supply network, a two-stage supply chain or a single manufacturing plant (de Leeuw et al., 2013). Various literatures highlight the items defining manufacturing networks but do not link it to complexity. Approach: Using data from a single case study, we first introduce a framework enabling the analysis of the multi-dimensional characteristic of complexity in manufacturing networks. We then use the introduced framework to analyse the case study data and derive hypotheses, serving as basis for further research. Results: Manufacturing networks are influenced by internal and external complexity drivers. To reduce these complexity drivers, mainly manufacturing network coordination measures, such as a higher degree of standardisation, a lower degree of centralisation, or increased flows of resources, information and knowledge can be implemented. We also found some manufacturing network configuration measures, such as a higher proximity to suppliers, but since a change in the network configuration requires time and big changes in the network, configuration measures are only useful in a long time perspective. Implications: Internal complexity drivers can be reduced by changes in the manufacturing network configuration and coordination, while external complexity drivers cannot be reduced by changes in the network. The analysis which complexity drivers influence which strategic goals and the corresponding values help to decide which measures need to be implemented first do reach the highest possible complexity decrease. Value: A higher level of transparency allows better managing complexity. For academics, the results show how strategic goals, complexity drivers and manufacturing network configuration and coordination are linked and influence each other. For practitioners, the provided transparency shows where complexity can be reduced by manufacturing network configuration and coordination and with which measures additional complexity can be avoided.

Abstract: International rankings show that Switzerland is regularly rated one of the most innovative economies in the world. On the other hand, Switzerland still lacks in innovation in the service sector. This is even more significant, considering that the companies situated in the services sector, represents the largest segment of the Swiss economy.Different types of service innovation processes are identified: R&D-based, practice-oriented and ad-hoc processes. Considering the methods used in these processes, they may have a stronger focus on service and/or innovation and maybe used with variable frequency. A survey about 300 Swiss companies indicates, that innovative firms from this service sector often use “service-specific innovation processes” and apply this methods more frequently than others. This can increase the market share of innovative service firms and strengthen their competitive position.

Abstract: We identify three manufacturing network configurations (product, process and market focus) and discuss the appropriate level of heterogeneity or homogeneity within each of the three configurations. In addition, we develop an integrated framework that describes the network configurations and identifies the factors that determine the appropriate level of heterogeneity or homogeneity for the relevant network configuration. This framework supports global managers by defining the required coordination mechanisms that are needed to lower the negative effects and to strengthen the positive effects of the chosen level of heterogeneity or homogeneity.

Abstract: Die Erschliessung neuer Märkte im Ausland ist mit erheblichen Risiken verbunden, da sich die dortigen Rahmenbedingungen und kulturellen Gepflogenheiten z.T. deutlich von denen in der Schweiz unterscheiden. So weisen die aktuellen Wachstumsmärkte, wie Brasilien, China, Indien oder der Nahe Osten, ein höheres Korruptionsrisiko auf. Gleichzeitig wurde in den letzten Jahren das Korruptionsstrafrecht in der Schweiz deutlich verschärft.

Abstract: In einem Seminar werden Strategien aufgezeigt, wie Korruption verhindert werden kann und wie die gesetzlichen Anforderungen im Bezug auf Korruption erfüllt werden können.

Abstract: In many Alpine regions in Switzerland, Austria and Italy, tourism is the most important industry. In Grison / Switzerland for example, about one third of GDP is provided by tourism based activities. However, several studies suggest that the Alpine tourism industry lacks innovativeness. Among the reasons are a fractured destination structure, the small size of the average business, a lack of cooperation and a deficiency of knowledge regarding innovation management, i.e. instruments and methods to implement new ideas effectively. Based on qualitative best-practice research, this paper investigates success factors of innovation implementation in the Alpine tourism industry. Our findings suggest that there are some critical key factors, which are applied to a high degree by outstandingly successful touristic innovators across the Alps.

Abstract: Manufacturing companies are increasingly organised in global distributed networks. With this, the interface between development and manufacturing is gaining importance. We introduce a decoupling point in development activities (DDP) according to the logic of the customer order decoupling point (CODP) / order penetration point (OPP). Case study data shows that the introduction of a DDP enables to split development activities and postpone manufacturing related specificities downstream. With this, the definition of the dedicated manufacturing site for newly developed products is less time sensitive. Additionally, the later decision which site will produce the product leads to higher accuracy in the decision.

Abstract: In international rankings, Switzerland is regularly rated one of the most innovative economies in the world. Despite this, it still lacks service innovations, a fact that is all the more significant considering that this represents the largest sector of the country's economy. Different types of service innovation processes are identified: R&D-based, practice-oriented, and ad hoc processes. With regard to the methods used in these processes, these may have a stronger focus on service and/or innovation, and may be used with variable frequency. In a survey of 300 Swiss service companies, it was shown that innovative service companies use service-specific innovation processes and methods more frequently, which can increase the profit share of innovative services and improve their competitive position.

Abstract: Based on an empirical analysis of 52 manufacturing companies from the German-speaking part of Europe, we show that exploration and exploitation can be achieved independently and simultaneously in traditional and lead factory networks. Although in both networks culture influences exploitation, the effects of process and structure on exploration and exploitation are network specific. The results show that the underlying influencing factors differ in both networks, which makes specific investments necessary to achieve exploration and exploitation.

Abstract: Prof. Dr. Christian Hauser, Professor of Business Economics and International Management at the Swiss Institute of Entrepreneurship (SIFE), HTW Chur, University of Applied Sciences, held a presentation on 7th June, 2011 in Siegen. The presentation on familiar environments and the proximity of a firm to home markets was based on a working paper written along with Jens Hogenacker and Kerstin Wagner and sought to determine the role of innovation in the issue of liability of foreigness for European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The aim of the study presented by Prof. Dr. Hauser was to establish whether innovative SMEs show higher export intensity and export scope than non-innovative SMEs. He provided a background of the research and an argument behind the study and the hypotheses, before embarking on the data analysis (regression analysis) and the results and recommendations. Prof. Dr. Christian Hauser was invited by the Research School Business & Economics (RSBE) to hold one of the lecture series taking place every week this semester, and to contribute to the interdisciplinary aspect of the school. As the lecture concentrated on international firms on the basis of their exportation practices, and in effect dealt with the geographical dispersion of elements of an organization, it also contributed to the focus of the research school – decentralized organizations.

Abstract: Based on regression analysis this study investigates the link between different types of innovation activities and export activities using data obtained by the European Commission covering 1,600 European SMEs from the manufacturing sector. Our findings provide strong evidence that innovation seems to improve significantly the export intensity as well as the geographic export scope of SMEs. However, the empirical findings also reveal the heterogeneous effects of different types of innovations on firm’s exports. They highlight that firms performing both process and product innovation and firms performing only product innovation show both significant higher export intensity and broader geographic export scope. However, in the case of firms performing only process innovation there is no such evidence.

Abstract: Even if the importance of teams in general in the formation and development of new firms is quite recognized, the role of team size and team dynamics (increasing or decreasing) in the internationalization process of new ventures has received only little attention. In this context, our study analyses how team formation and the intertemporal dynamics of team membership in the early stages of new ventures affects young firms propensity to internationalize in an early stage of their existence. We base our analysis on the resource based view as well as on matching theory to generate new insights in this field regarding productivity effects. We test our hypotheses with a data set of start-ups being internationalized or not (Cologne Founder Study) using regression models for binary outcome variables. The paper provides evidence that new ventures started in teams will overcome barriers to internationalizion easier than single person start-ups. Moreover we can show that a variation in team size and especially a decrease in team size enhance the productivity of the management and thus increase the probability to internationalize.

Abstract: The lead factory acts as a knowledge incubator for an intra-firm manufacturing network. In order to understand the benefits of a lead factory network, research has to move on from the solely description of the concept to the analysis if a manufacturing network can benefit from the existence of a lead factory per se or if the lead factory is only preferable in certain circumstances. The study at hand derives five dimensions which support, depending on their characteristics, higher performance achievements when having a lead factory integrated in the manufacturing network.

Abstract: In this research paper, we discuss how two distinct network structures influence exploration and exploitation and therefore influence the potential of achieving competitive advantage. In particular, we discuss three pairs of capabilities and how they affect exploration and exploitation in a traditional network structure compared to a lead factory concept. We conclude that the lead factory concept has the higher potential of generating competitive advantage through exploration and exploitation than the traditional network structure.

Abstract: In contrary to the trade off assumption of traditional studies, researchers have confirmed that companies that have implemented a hybrid manufacturing strategy and therefore compete through multiple competitive priorities are successful. Operations management literature states that capabilities directly influence a company's success and that to capture the firm's competitive behaviour one needs to analyze the way resources are used. The development as well as the management of capabilities is seen as a major task of a manufacturing strategy. Given the importance of the capabilities for a company's success, we pursue the goal to analyze the capabilities needed to compete simultaneously with multiple competitive priorities. In a first attempt to classify the capabilities underlying a hybrid manufacturing strategy five companies have been analyzed and compared. We articulate a set of propositions based on the comparative data. These observations yield a model of capabilities underlying a hybrid manufacturing strategy.

Abstract: The link between corporate, manufacturing and the marketing strategy is often seen as hierarchical. But existing capabilities can restrict the implementation of new strategies, backfiring higher level concepts. Hierarchical and static models often neglect this interaction. This paper provides a conceptual framework that links marketing, manufacturing and corporate strategy. It furthermore brings together market and resource based view. The conceptual framework has been derived literature based and tested through case study research. The framework not only combines the different perspectives, but can be used as a visualizing tool. Systematically combining a manufacturing and a marketing perspective leads to management implications which even can include the redefinition of the corporate strategy. This article highlights the procedure as well as the results and closes with a discussion of the implications.

Abstract: Many authors have contributed to the research about flexibility. Result is, that the field is unstructured and various, not well defined types of flexibility exist. Now, the important question rises if the different types of flexibility can be sorted to structure the field of flexibility. To answer this question, we based our research on cases involving five manufacturing companies in Switzerland. With each company we have discussed the main flexibility types mentioned in literature and have analyzed which types of flexibility the companies address. Based on the analysis we have examined which types of flexibility are influencing the others. We analyzed the data and found out that some sort of hierarchy exists but the hierarchy is not as explicit as stated in literature. We found four groups in which the different types of flexibility can be sorted, namely strategy, resources, structure and human resources.