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- Exploring entrepreneurial ecosystemsPublication . Lopes, João; Farinha, Luís; Ferreira, João J.Entrepreneurial ecosystems are now central to the economic policies of nations, with particular relevance in Europe. This chapter intends to explore the evolution of the studies on innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in order to identify gaps and new perspectives of research that can serve as a reflection to universities, political decisions, and the business fabric. Extensive research was conducted using the Web of Science database. Six clusters were found in the literature on entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems: ecosystems of innovation, entrepreneurship, region, new ventures, technology, and entrepreneurial university. New theoretical perspectives based on bibliometric analysis and new research paths have been identified.
- Understanding the foundations of global competitive advantage of nationsPublication . Farinha, Luís; Nunes, Sara; Ferreira, João J.; Fernandes, António MarquesPurpose This paper focuses on the issue of global competitive advantage of nations, based on the dimensions analyzed by the World Economic Forum in assessing the economic competitiveness of a large sample of countries. From the different stages of development of the countries, this study aims to help us to recognize what variables better explain the global competitive advantage of economies. Design/methodology/approach Following quantitative analysis, results based on PLS show what dimensions within each economic development stage best explain the global competitive advantage of economies. Findings Beyond the institutions, infrastructure and regulation of the markets, higher education and training, the technological readiness, the business sophistication and innovation contribute greatly to explain the competitive advantage of economies. Originality/value Understanding the drivers of global competitive advantage of nations, this study may help academics to conduct new studies, as well as politicians to define intervention priorities.
- A multiple criteria group decision-making approach for the assessment of small and medium-sized enterprise competitivenessPublication . Gonçalves, Joana M.; Ferreira, Fernando A.F.; Ferreira, João J.; Farinha, LuísPurpose Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have become increasingly important in national and international markets because they contribute to the development of local and national economies. SMEs often face serious challenges when competing with multinational companies. The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for assessing SMEs’ competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Based on a constructivist epistemology, this study makes an integrated use of cognitive mapping and the measuring attractiveness by a categorical-based evaluation technique (MACBETH). To this end, face-to-face sessions were conducted with a panel of entrepreneurs and senior managers who deal with the challenges of maintaining SME competitiveness every day. The proposed assessment system was tested and validated by the panel members. Findings The methodological processes adopted in this study provide promising results for decision makers seeking to identify the most competitive SMEs. Specifically, the results emphasize, among other points, the importance of innovation and the human dimension to gaining competitive advantages. Research limitations/implications The evaluation system developed in this study is extremely versatile and confirms the usefulness of integrating cognitive mapping and MACBETH to facilitate evaluations of SME competitiveness. However, due to its idiosyncratic and process-oriented nature, generalizations need to be done with caution. Practical implications The proposed method can be valuable to researchers seeking to develop mechanisms for evaluating SMEs’ entrepreneurial performance and include specialized know-how and sensemaking in organizational decision-making processes. Originality/value The integrated use of cognitive maps and MACBETH contributes to a better understanding of how to assess SMEs’ competitiveness. No prior work reporting the use of this dual methodology in this study context has been found.
- Reflecting on the innovative performances of European regions in the age of smart specialisationPublication . Lopes, João; Farinha, Luís; Ferreira, João J.This study seeks to identify the variables that best explain the performances of innovative regions of Europe deploying regional strategies for smart specialisation. We follow a quantitative methodology and applied linear regression as a method. To conduct this study, we collected data from the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2016. The results led to an explanatory invocation performance model for moderate innovator regions, and while also identifying some potential measures and suggestions in order to help decision-makers improve on the innovation performance of these regions.
- Peeking beyond the wall: analysing university technology transfer and commercialisation processesPublication . Lopes, João; Farinha, Luís; Ferreira, Joao J.; Ferreira, Fernando A.F.This paper sought to analyse the dynamics underlying university technology transfer and commercialisation mechanisms. We adopt a qualitative research methodology, which incorporates different case studies, interviews and applied research of the actors involved in universities, business incubators and start-ups. While limited to three case studies, this paper does highlight the technology transfer mechanisms and the support provided to commercialisation, including the identification of the difficulties and opportunities present within the context of cooperation networks. By surveying those running incubators and incubator company managers in conjunction with analysis of research, development and innovation (RDI) cooperative projects backed by European funding, we were able to gain insights into the different processes of transferring and commercialising technology. Falling within the framework of the third component of universities’ mission, this article demonstrates not only the importance of RDI cooperation networks but also how the consequent commercialisation of new products and services generates positive consequences for economic growth.
- Regional innovation systems: what can we learn from 25 years of scientific achievements?Publication . Fernandes, Cristina; Farinha, Luís; Ferreira, João J.; Asheim, Björn; Rutten, RoelThe regional innovation systems (RIS) concept has become popular among academics, political decision-makers and regional stakeholders of innovation. Understanding the competitive dynamics of RIS and their impact on regional competitiveness today has thus become a priority. This paper provides researchers, academics, political decision-makers and other interested parties with a map of the different approaches to RIS, aiding in the definition of new territorial innovation policies. With a co-citation resource approach, an extensive search of the Web of Science database was carried out and it encountered four clusters in the literature on RIS: regional knowledge systems; regional institutional systems; regional research and development systems; and regional network systems. This correspondingly sets out new theoretical perspectives based on bibliometric analysis techniques and new paths for scientific reflection and research.
- Value creation and commercialization in insular ecosystemsPublication . Lopes, João; Farinha, Luís; Ferreira, João J.Thisarticleaimstoevaluatetheresourcesandcapabilitiesininsularregions,andalsotounderstand howvaluecreationandcommercializationtakeplaceintheexistingecosystems.Aqualitativeresearch methodologywasfollowedthroughacasestudy,incorporatinginterviewswithincubatorsmanagersof theinsularregionsofPortugal(AzoresandMadeira).Theresultsshowsomedifficultiesasaresultof theecosystem’sinsularity.Toshortentheinsularregionsdissymmetrycomparedtoothernon-insular regions,anewmodelisproposedtohelptheseregionsovercometheireconomicandsocialproblems.
- Smart specialization policies: innovative performance models from European regionsPublication . Lopes, João; Farinha, Luís; Ferreira, João J.; Silveira, PauloThis research seeks to identify the factors that best explain the performance of regional innovation in Europe, in the era of smart specialization. Data were collected from the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2016 and a quantitative methodology was followed using linear regressions as statistical methods. The results allowed us to reach four explanatory models of performance innovation for Innovative Regions Leader, Strong, Moderate and Modest. Some policies have also been suggested as possible regional innovation measures that can help policy makers to clarify and improve the innovation performance of these regions.
- Regional innovation ecosystems and smart specialization: opportunities and challenges for regionsPublication . Lopes, João; Farinha, Luís; Ferreira, João J.Global competition is today a reality and making smart regions smarter through smart specialization is currently on the political and economic agenda of territories. This study aims to contribute to clarifying the framework for the regional innovation ecosystems as well as identifying new research paths. Through extensive research using the Web of Science database with resource to a bibliometric analysis on smart specialization, six clusters were identified: cluster 1 – innovation networks and triple helix; cluster 2 - regional innovation systems; cluster 3 – regional innovation network; cluster 4 - smart innovation policies; cluster 5 – smart specialization; and cluster 6 - Asian innovation systems. Several future lines of research recently published in literature distributed by the six clusters were identified. This study also contributes to open new research horizons in these areas of knowledge, allowing the emergence of new streams of thought on the part of scholars, policymakers, economic agents and society in general.
- Modeling the predictors of students’ entrepreneurial intentions : the case of a peripheral European regionPublication . Lopes, João; Laurett, Rozélia; Ferreira, João J.; Silveira, Paulo; Oliveira, José; Farinha, LuísThis study analyzes the predictive factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of students at higher education institutions (HEIs) in a peripheral European region. The study includes a sample of 594 students and uses structural equation models for data analysis. The results show that the attitude to behavior and perceived behavioral control positively influence entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, subjective norms positively impact the attitude to behavior and perceived behavioral control. ‘Closer’ valuation (i.e., of family, friends, etc) influences attitude to behavior and social valuation positively impacts subjective norms. This research contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial intention as it complements the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with two environmental factors: closer valuation and social valuation. This is important because it provides evidence of whether the environment of the country in question influences entrepreneurial intention and indicates the need for investment in entrepreneurship education. Consequently, the study contributes to the literature by identifying educational factors that may influence students to become entrepreneurs in a peripheral European region. Further, this paper tests the relationship between the attitude towards behavior and subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms, something not proposed in the original TPB model.
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