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Publication Fostering University-Industry R&D Collaborations in European Union Countries.(Whitaker Institute - NUI Galway, 2014-05) Cunningham, James A.; |~|This paper advances our understanding of university - industry research and development (R&D) collaborations. These strategic relationships are a dimension of entrepreneurial activity, and they are thus important drivers of economic growth and development. Business collaboration with universities increases the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial investments. Previous studies have found that universities are more likely to collaborate with industry if the business is mature and large, is engaged in exploratory internal R&D, and there are not major intellectual property (IP) issues between both parties. Businesses gain from such collaborations through increased commercialisation probabilities and economies of technological scope. Based on publicly available data collected by the Science - to - Business Marketing Research Centre of Germany as part of a European Commission project, our paper focuses on two key questions. First, why are there cross - country differences in the extent to which universities collaborate with business in R&D? Second, are there covariates with these differences that might offer insight into policy prescriptions and policy levers for enhancing the extent to which such collaboration takes place? We find that access is positive and statistically significant in relation to fostering university - business R&D collaborations. Our results, albeit that they are tempered by a small sample of data, have implications how national innovation systems support further harmonization of IP regimes across universities and how universities priorities its own investments and incentives.Publication The role of work-life balance policies in healthcare human resources management(2011) Browne, Patricia; McCarthy, AlmaCurrently a European wide study has surveyed some 1,406 nurses in 115 units within over 30 hospitals as part of a longer study. This study looks at nurses' qualifications, productivity, their working environment as well as nurse retention (Donnellan, 2010). Work-life balance policies forms part of the HRM mandate. 'Work-life balance means that individuals have successfully segmented or integrated life and work so as to achieve a satisfying quality of life, overall satisfaction and less strain or stress around juggling conflicting role demands' (Blyton et al., 2006: 2). This establishes what WLB should aim to achieve for individuals in organisations. Whether this is achieved often is dependant on both choices provided and the extent they are availed of by individuals. Gambles et al. states that "the choices of the few can impact negatively on 'choices', well-being and equity experienced by the many, even if this is not the intention of the person working long hours"(2006:53). How can work-life balance policies be introduced effectively then? Jones et al. (2006) notes that the salience of work-life balance initiatives would increase by positioning family-friendly practices and other work-life initiatives as strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices. This paper will explore the reasons for investigating family-friendly and work-life balance practices in healthcare organisations. The positive impact these have for both individuals working in the field and to the quality of services they help to provide collectively will be examined. The paper will provide a conceptual model of the antecedents of work-life balance programmes and discuss recommendations for research and analysis in a specific healthcare context.Publication Glorified administrators or eminent research leaders: the inhibiting factors that publicly funded principal investigators experience in leading collaborative research projects(CISC, 2011-07) Cunningham, James; |~|Publicly funded research continues to be an important and critical source of research funding for Higher Education Institutions, public research organisations and industry with many benefits accruing to the various stakeholders. Key actors in delivering publicly funded research projects are Principal Investigators (PIs). PIs are responsible for all aspects of publicly funded research projects and are awarded grants based on their scientific eminence, past achievements, the quality of the proposal and articulated outcomes relating to the public funding calls. Becoming a publicly funded PI is seen as significant developing in a scientists career. Despite their importance, PIs have not been the focus of empirical investigation and the research eminence play is a significant consideration in awarding grants by funding agencies. The combination of increased level of competition for publicly funded research and a more managerialist approach being adopted by Higher Education Institutions, coupled with industry influences has heightened the expectations associated with the role of PI. This paper provides evidence of the inhibiting factors that Principal Investigators experience in leading collaborative publicly funded national and international research projects as well as the tensions it creates for them. The inhibiting factors that we have unearthed are political and environmental, institutional and project based. We have found the optimal balance for publicly funded PIs of conducting, leading and administrating research is significantly skewed towards administrative and managerial issues. The inhibiting factors that publicly funded PIs experience has the potential to undermine the 'ethos of science (Merton, 1968), research autonomy and the prioritization of discovery by scientists.Publication Knowledge Exchange in Electronic Networks of Practice; Towards a Conceptual Framework(CISC, 2005-11) Whelan, EoinThe recently developed knowledge-based view of the firm argues that knowledge is the firm's most valuable resource. Within this field of study, informal social networks are rapidly gaining attention as mechanisms which facilitate knowledge flows. Electronic networks of practice are a special case of informal networks where the sharing of practice related knowledge occurs primarily through computer-based communication technologies. However, we know relatively little about the dynamics of knowledge exchange which occur in these electronic networks. This paper posits that there is a relationship between the structural properties of electronic networks of practice and successful knowledge exchange. The theoretical positions of social network theory and the knowledge-based view of the firm are used to support this claim.Publication Chiquita Brands and the banana business: brands and labour relations transformations(CISC, 2006-01) Gonzalez-Perez, Maria-Alejandra; McDonough, TerrenceThis paper reports the results of research investigating the evolution of environmentally and socially responsible strategies and practices within the banana industry. An historical overview of a major multinational banana company, Chiquita Brands Int., provides context for the research. Chiquita Brands has been involved in political, environmental, legal and labor controversies in many parts of the world. In Latin America, Chiquita Brands has attracted more attention than any other foreign company and is seen by many as the archetypical representative of United States imperialism. Over a considerable period of time, Chiquita Brands has adopted a succession of structural changes aiming to "clean the past" including innovative corporate social behaviours and building alliances with NGOs such as trade unions and community organizations. Since its bankruptcy in 2001, Chiquita Brands International has adopted a strategy of environmental and social responsibility, has been certified internationally by the Rainforest Alliance and has met Social Accountability International SA 8000 labour standards. The length of time and geographical scale over which the various structural changes have taken place and the high public profile of Chiquita Brands make the results of this case study of general significance.Publication Exploring Market Orientation in New Export Ventures: A case analysis of Irish Seafood firms(CISC, 2010-01) Evers, NatashaThis paper is exploratory and offers insights into the way in which market orientation (MO) is manifested in small entrepreneurial exporters operating in the global seafood sector. Market orientation is used (Kohli and Jaworski, 1990) for conceptual guidance and rigorously applied to two cases of highly internationalised small seafood exporters - an understudied context in both international marketing and international entrepreneurship literatures. The studied case firms are found to be highly market-orientated from start-up demonstrated by their founders' proactiveness and action-orientated behaviour to bring about successful implementation of market-orientated activities. MO for the case firms has been determined by their level of entrepreneurial orientation and the dynamic capability of the founder to mobilise and drive MO activities for export performance in seafood firms. The firm's MO process also extends outside the firm through using network partners to assist in pursuing MO strategies.Publication The Irish National Innovation System: Structures, Performance and Challenges(CISC, 2009-07) Cunningham, James A.; Golden, William; Higher Education Authority PRTLI Cycle 4This paper deals with three elements of the Irish National Innovation System namely structures, performance and challenges. The paper begins by outlining the policy context and then focuses on technology trajectories and institutional structures and evolution. In focusing on outputs of the national innovation system key indicators are outlined as well as technology commercialisation initiatives. The paper concludes by outlining the strengths and weaknesses in the Irish National Innovation system and the cultural drivers the have driven it evolution.Publication Culture and Creativity: The case study from the West of Ireland(CISC, 2010-01) Collins, Patrick; Fahy, FrancesRecent years have shown a growing appreciation for the place of culture in sustaining economic and social prosperity. This paper explores this recognition through a case study of Galway City on the west coast of Ireland. It sets out to answer two simple and related questions: How important has culture been to the city's economic and social development?; and how integral is culture in maintaining the city's economic and social sustainability? In order to provide answers we look at the city's development in relation to an emerging body of literature concerning creative cities. The city itself is a dynamic second tier city that functions as the main economic hub serving the central west of the country. We focus on production of culture and gauge its assimilation into the economic life of the city by looking at various facets of the city's economic structure including one of its most innovative sectors: the technology industry. The aim of this paper is to analyze cultural policy in Ireland within the domains of Technology; Institutions; and Spatial Culture. The case study of Galway provides interesting insights for policy and practice as well as cultural/creative activity arising out of place specific circumstances. Throughout the paper the reaction of some of the city's major arts groups and sponsors to the changing role of culture is explored and the paper concludes by drawing attention to the tensions surrounding the perceptions of ownership of culture and questions to what impact this will have regarding the city's sustainability into the future.Publication Cost competitive places: the winners and losers in the global flows of foreign direct investment(CISC, 2010-02) Collins, Patrick; Grimes, SeamusIn the early days of 2009 the city of Limerick in the mid-west region of Ireland was dealt a massive blow by the PC manufacturer Dell. After months, if not years of speculation, the company had finally decided to move all its European manufacturing from Limerick to Lodz in Poland. Amongst the many reasons cited, from the global economic downturn to a shifting market, cost competitiveness became the clear determining factor. The media coverage was extensive with the headline "Dell Closes" bandied about in national and regional press. Though of little consolation to the 1,900 left without a job, the fact remains that Dell has not closed its Limerick operation, where it will continue to employ upwards of 1,000 in sales support and research and development. We use the Dell story as an exemplar of the Irish Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) story. Comparing it to other restructurings by foreign-owned technology companies both in Ireland and beyond we will attempt to uncover the complexity of shifting competitiveness and competencies among branches of global operations. While the case of Dell, among others, may serve to support the political economy view of large multinational corporations, we see the picture as being more complex and in this paper look at a mixture of globalist and localist viewpoints in attempting to uncover the shifting spatial dynamics of cost competitiveness.Publication Shaping the New Generation of Irish Entrepreneurs: Overcoming the Challenges and Barriers(CISC, 2010-10) Coleman, Maébh; Cormican, KathrynPublication Bananas Ethical Quality: Multi-stakeholders, Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance(CISC, 2005-11) Gonzalez-Perez, Maria-Alejandra; McDonough, TerrenceThis paper examines a recent and very specific development in the field of corporate governance. The regulation of "corporate social responsibility," that is corporate compliance with society's expectations in regard to issues like working conditions and environmental impact has shifted from government agencies to civil society organizations, more specifically NGOs or Non Governmental Organizations. This means that standards are more often negotiated and the subject of voluntary agreements. Since corporations enter into these agreements on a voluntary basis, the enforcement of these arrangements must be at least partially carried out through internal corporate mechanisms. We examine these issues using the example of the banana industry.Publication Exploring geographic variation in corporate broadband adoption; evidence from Irish small- and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs)(CISC, 2007-12) Pontikakis, Dimitrios; Collins, PatrickWe explore the context-speci c determinants of broadband takeup among small- and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), attempting to shed some light on the sources of the considerable geographic variation in particular. We begin by discussing the determinants of broadband adoption as identified in relevant literature, relate these to the Irish situation and put forward a number of hypotheses. Using cross-section data from a ComReg survey of Irish-based SMEs, we then estimate a logit model of broadband adoption. Findings indicate that, among other factors, a company's industrial sector and other demand proxies are good predictors of broadband adoption. Controlling for other factors, regional market concentration appears to be negatively associated with the probability of broadband adoption. We propose that, in the absence of more detailed information, statistics on regional-level market structure could be a promising indicator of the supply-side.Publication A Balancing Act: Managing the global-local dimensions of industrial clusters through the mechanism of 'lead' organisations(CISC, 2008-12) Giblin, Majella; Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social SciencesThe purpose of this paper is to investigate 'leading' organisations in a region to understand how the balance between the global and local dimensions can be managed by clusters. Two cases of industrial clusters are employed to examine how certain organisations can occupy a 'lead' position and how - if at all - such organisations generate an agglomerative effect in a cluster, given that firms engage in extra-local inter-organisational linkages in order to remain competitive. The study shows that when large firms enact a leading role by influencing the technology trajectory of the region and stimulating the local dynamic they can generate agglomerative effects thereby enhancing the relevance and sustainability of clusters. Most significantly, it shows how leading organisations act as an important facilitator in connecting the global and local dimensions of clusters even in the absence of extensive formal local linkages. While the study substantiates previous research on the significance of temporary and organised forms of proximity it also shows the value of permanent geographical proximity, thereby contesting recent research that downplays the relevance of the clustering institution (e.g. Wickham and Vecchi 2008, Lorentzen 2007).Publication Inward foreign investment and the clustering process: the case of the medical technology sector in Ireland(CISC, 2008-12) Giblin, Majella; Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social SciencesThis paper investigates how, if at all, inward foreign investment can instigate a clustering process when such investment is initially attracted to a region as a result of targeted public policy rather than the existence of local sectoral capabilities. The case of the medical technology cluster in Galway on the west coast of Ireland is used to examine if FDI (foreign direct investment) can create a clustering effect in FDI-generated agglomerations. The study incorporates the collection of quantitative data from a postal questionnaire survey of the cluster member firms and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with a sample of both indigenous and foreign-owned firms in the cluster. The empirical evidence shows that the presence of large foreign-owned MNCs (multinational corporations) results in local knowledge transfers and regional reputation effects, which together give rise to a clustering process. The research contests the view that there are generally limited local spillovers in FDI-generated clusters (De Propris and Driffield 2006) and contrary to other perspectives (Phelps 2008), it shows that external economies can be captured locally from FDI in such clusters.Publication The Role of MNCs in Knowledge Accumulation, Absorption and Utilization in Indigenous Irish firms: A case study of the Galway Medical Technology Cluster(CISC, 2010-06) Das, Satyasiba; Ryan, PaulThis study examines the multifaceted role of MNCs in capabilities development of indigenous firms within a high-tech industrial cluster. The paper explores how MNCs and indigenous firms are involved in producing related product varieties. Furthermore, it indicates that the industrial dynamics of the cluster involve significant networking, learning and spillovers. The research shows that MNCs are strongly involved in asset exploiting R&D and asset acquisition along with routine production. These processes have a positive impact on the development of the core competencies of the cluster and the formation of indigenous startups. The core competencies encompass the development of resource management capabilities as well as low cost search for technological information and knowhow. The research found a two way loop involving spillovers. Exposure to MNCs' corporate structure allows Irish entrepreneurs to identify technology and market gaps. It also enables them to understand regulatory procedures and facilitates connection to foreign markets. The new indigenous startup firms network with the original equipment manufacturers, suppliers and team up with other value adding agents and MNCs inside and outside of the cluster to create a global presence. However, the rate of growth in indigenous firms is bounded by improper coordination of the innovation value added chain at the national level. Second, the cluster is gradually locked into the routine of the member MNCs. The study found that access to clinicians, inadequate finance model, and lack of critical skills in marketing are the three most important impediments to successful startup. Galway's credibility as a medical technology cluster, the presence of leading global medical technology MNCs as the source of learning and networking, and the presence of a skilled work force are the three main driving forces of innovation in this high-tech cluster. The study employed a novel quantitative database (ref: LUCERNA, CISC) and extensive qualitative information from interviews with new venture founders and CEOs from existing indigenous firms.Publication Local Clusters and Global Entrepreneurship: The significance of spatial and relational propinquity in new firm formation(CISC, 2010-10) Giblin, MajellaThis paper explores the significance of local proximity for new firm formation in particular industries. Within the literature, entrepreneurs are viewed as critical to industrial cluster formation and development in regions, while at the same time clusters are assumed to foster entrepreneurship by providing established linkages and access to knowledge flows. Entrepreneurship is therefore modelled as an inherently local process within industrial clusters. However, given that firms, particularly in high-tech sectors, are often globally oriented the significance of local proximity both geographically and relationally is ambiguous. Therefore, the research questions addressed in this paper are; How "local" is new firm formation in an industrial cluster in terms of the networks created to establish and develop a globally-oriented firm and the influence of the cluster in the formation of such a firm? And how significant, if it all, is being located in a cluster for a globally-oriented firm? To answer these questions, globally-oriented firms within the medical technology cluster in Galway were analysed. Data was gathered from twelve interviews with entrepreneurs in the cluster. Analysis of this data shows that even though these firms are established to serve an international market from the outset, the entrepreneurs use the local cluster and local networks to facilitate them in accessing international networks. Locating in the cluster is found to be significant for the entrepreneurs in three main ways: access to a specialised labour pool, a quality of life factor that makes it easier to attract and retain labour and the international reputation of Galway as a medical device hub that facilitates entrepreneurs in establishing global networks. Moreover, local networks in the form of mentorship between serial and more inexperienced entrepreneurs were found to be particularly important for building the credibility of such start-up firms and their international connections.Publication Tight Clusters or Loose Networks? The Critical Role of Inward FDI in Cluster Creation(CISC, 2010-03) Giblin, Majella; Ryan, Paul; Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social SciencesThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in instigating a clustering process. In particular, the study examines the situation in which FDI is initially attracted to a region as a result of public policy initiatives rather than the existence of sophisticated local capabilities. Under these circumstances, the presence of large foreign-owned multinational corporations (MNCs) is shown to result in local knowledge transfers and regional reputation effects. These effects give rise to a clustering process, which contrary to other perspectives (PHELPS 2008), shows that external economies can be captured locally from FDI.Publication Network Enabled Capabilities and Competitive Technology Clusters in Ireland(CISC, 2010-06) Das, SatyasibaThe Network approach is a useful heuristic tool that enables us to focus on the network structure, inter-linkages between actors and help determining how the networks change over time. The present study used the network approach to understand the degree to which technology based clusters (TBCs); industries, firms and products are enmeshed and linked in a network. The study indicates the important features and structure of high-tech industrial organisation in Ireland. Various network-based measures of connectivity and embeddedness of these competitive technology clusters in the network are used to determine the behaviour, and the range of opportunities, influence, and power that the industries and TBCs have. The study also examines whether capabilities are transferrable across these TBCs and industries in an evolutionary manner through technological convergence. Demographics of 2280 high-tech firms that comprise 8 competitive technology based clusters in Ireland are used to construct this network and an extensive product classification is used to create linkages between the technologies and industries.Publication A Green Agenda for the Irish Renewable Energy Sector(CISC, 2010-06) Das, Satyasiba; Best, Michael H.; Ryan, PaulPublication