Jose Albors-Garrigos

This article analyses innovation management techniques (IMTs) or practices and their efficiency from a new perspective — stakeholder management — through three proxy models: environmental strategy, quality management, and corporate social responsibility. It also investigates the role of the Research and Development (R&D) function, particularly its critical position in adopting IMTs. It incorporates recent concepts such as co-innovation, design thinking, lean innovation, and artificial intelligence models. In this relationship, through a comprehensive literature review, this article develops a theoretical context to understand the evolution of the theory and practice of IMTs. This study draws on field research with data on 529 Spanish firms, their IMTs and stakeholders’ management practices, and their innovation results. Through a partial least squares (PLS) analysis, this study illustrates a model delineating the role of stakeholders’ focused management on the effect of IMTs on a firm’s innovation performance. This research concludes on the relevance of IMT use to the incremental innovation output of companies. The stakeholders’ management and R&D focus is supporting the innovation process. The main result is that incremental innovation is the path to radical innovation development. Thus, the findings conclude that a well-structured innovation system with precise stakeholder engagement underpins overall inventive activity inside firms. Various innovative approaches (IMTs) provide a systematic approach to invention, increasing the launch of successful ideas to the market.

Research on open innovation (OI) has increased in recent years, showing its potential in various areas of knowledge. Its relation to small and medium-sized enterprises has attracted the attention of academics. This article aims to evaluate the intellectual structure of the scientific study of OI, and its close relationship with various scientific fields, through a bibliometric analysis of this academic field using the Scopus database and the application of the VOSviewer software. The methodology comprises a rigorous systematic and transparent process divided into four phases: (i) the establishment of search criteria for the research field, through a literature review for its selection; (ii) the selection of the database, the establishment of the search equation and extraction of information; (iii) the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selected documents and an explanation of the usefulness of the software; and (iv) the analysis of the results through the approaches of scientific output performance and bibliometric mapping. The results show an increasing trend of IO publications in SMEs, consolidated in 396 articles with contributions from 65 countries and 947 authors. The intellectual structure shows seven themes related to firm performance, R&D networks, business management, business models, capabilities and knowledge transfer. This study contributes to the field by providing an overview of IO in SME contexts. It also provides insightful information to policymakers for developing policies for firm economic growth.

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the critical elements for female chefs in overcoming the glass ceiling in a relevant sector of the hospitality industry: haute cuisine. Design – It is based on an empirical study. We surveyed 202 cooks and chefs from France, the US and Spain. Methodology – The data were analysed using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The fsQCA identifies patterns or combinations of causal conditions that lead to an outcome to evaluate the variety of conditions that produce high career expectations among female professional chefs. Approach – Although the status of women in the hospitality industry has received academic attention, there is still a gap in research on gender discrimination in haute cuisine, specifically regarding the factors that enable for women’s advancement to chef. Findings – Six variables were identified that impact female chefs’ career advancement (entrepreneurial attitude, mentoring, career expectations, workplace environment, skills learned on the job, and their perception of a glass ceiling). The results show that entrepreneurial attitude is a critical enabler for the career advancement of female chefs. This factor is moderated by incumbents’ skills acquired in the workplace, combined with adequate mentoring, which facilitates the absence of a harsh environment perception by female chefs. Originality of the research – The theoretical framework developed for this study contributes to the literature on female entrepreneurship in haute cuisine and its contribution to overcoming gender barriers to advancement in the sector.

The present work examined how the esthetic impression caused by a specific mug selection seems to influence the expected flavor elicited by a coffee beverage. Participants from Mexico viewed online photographs of espresso, Americano, latte and cappuccino presented in two different mugs, including a transparent glass mug and a white ceramic mug. The type of mug influenced participants’ subjective ratings of the drinks. Espresso and Americano were expected to be more aromatic, bitter, hotter and more intense when served in a transparent glass mug rather than in a white ceramic mug. Results extend the knowledge of consumer preferences and bring an idea for the best way to better fulfill customer’s sensory expectations.

Overview: The retail grocery sector is not a leader in new product development due to inherent innovation risks and retailers’ complex relationships with suppliers. Product co-innovation is an effective way to overcome innovation barriers and is feasible when retailers collaborate with customers and suppliers. We present a case study of Mercadona, a leading retailer in Spain that introduces new products developed using a novel co-innovation approach where customers and suppliers collaborate in innovation hubs from the start of the ideation phase. Other companies can learn from Mercadona’s innovation journey over the last 20 years.

Academic literature has often emphasized how firms in regional clusters exploit both place-specific local resources and external, world-class knowledge to strengthen their competitiveness by expanding the influence of regional systems of innovation. Innovation based on more complex and disruptive technologies tends to also be based on more open systems that utilize the clusters’ external networks. However, most of the literature has associated clusters with incremental innovation. This paper will analyze the determinants of disruptive innovation development in traditional (low and medium tech) clusters caused by high-tech entrepreneurs. It will analyze the case of the development of breakthrough innovation, its diffusion in the Spanish ceramic tile cluster, and its consequent diffusion in the industry worldwide. It will examine how market demands, customer orientation, technology diffusion from other industries, industry competitiveness, as well as internal and external networking of clusters can facilitate the development of complex technology within a common set of social capital goals, cognitive schemes, and knowledge. The paper is based on a case study and field work carried out over10 years in the field in the Italian and Spanish tile ceramic clusters. The main contribution of this paper to technology strategy theory will be thorough the utilization of the disruptive technology paradigm in explaining industry changes and sustainability.

Research Question: This article clarifies the role of clusters in industry agglomeration efficiency as well as the role that public and private agents play in their efficiency. Motivation: The automobile industry in Spain is an exception to the industrial decline suffered by the secondary sector since the economic crisis exploded in Spain. Employment in the vehicle manufacturing industry has recovered significantly in Spain in 2017, with a significant growth bringing it closer to 2008 levels. The sector accounts for 8.6 % of the country's GNP. How can we explain this success? Are there new threats (technology, environmental standards, emerging economies, etc.) menacing the sector? Based on value chain and cluster theories we explain its success and how new threats could be managed? The response lays in analyzing the role of cluster agents in the various clusters dynamics. The research shows how the openness of clusters plays a crucial role in their sustainability. Idea: Based on value chain and cluster theories we explain their success and how new threats could be managed? The response lays in analyzing the role of cluster agents in the various clusters dynamics. The research shows how the openness of clusters plays a crucial role in their sustainability. Data: primary data was collected in two surveys and interviews campaigns during 2013 and 2017. Furthermore, secondary data from national, regional and sectoral sources were analysed. Tools: The research is based on a series of interviews and visits to the automotive clusters in Spain. Additionally, the authors have analyzed abundant secondary information and web contents available on the clusters agents: manufacturers, suppliers, unions, associations, etc. Findings: The paper concludes that regional and national policies are relevant but that consensus between clusters’ agents is essential for their success. However, will the existing agents be able to withstand new threats? .Contribution: The article contributes to clusters literature and the clusters’ role of the agents in the global value chain context. It also sheds light on public policies to support automotive industries. Limitations are linked to resource limitations.

The article covers process models for HR IT projects and in particular for HR transformation projects. Based on the authors' experience, an applied process model for HR transformation projects in a cloud-based environment is derived. The article identifies findings applicable to the fields of organisation, business, and IT as well as decisions and critical success factors in the specific context of cloud-based HR solutions.