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17 pages, 461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Framework Proposal to Assess the Maturity of Green IT in Organizations

by Ana Carolina Salles, Guilherme Lerch Lunardi and Fabiano Thompson

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12348; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141912348 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4226

Green IT has been gaining relevance in organizations that seek to mature their IT projects, processes and strategies in a sustainable way, encompassing the set of strategies, practices and policies related to Information Systems, IT infrastructure, acquisition, use and disposal with a focus [...] Read more.

Green IT has been gaining relevance in organizations that seek to mature their IT projects, processes and strategies in a sustainable way, encompassing the set of strategies, practices and policies related to Information Systems, IT infrastructure, acquisition, use and disposal with a focus on economic and socio-environmental performance. Thus, this article aims to propose a Green IT Maturity framework. A systematic literature review led to the development of a Green IT practice checklist, which was qualitatively analyzed and categorized into six dimensions, culminating in a Green IT maturity framework proposal. The results provide a structured instrument to facilitate the Green IT identification and implementation of practices in organizations. The findings can guide the Green IT implementation and sustainable initiatives across the organization from six dimensions: organizational, technological, economic, environmental, social and marketing. The framework enables the development diagnosis and assessment of Green IT practices present in the organization. It also works as a guide in the search and monitoring of Green IT practices that can be used, improving the sustainability levels of organizational operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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20 pages, 883 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining Teachers’ Perspectives on School Principals’ Digital Leadership Roles and Technology Capabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Turgut Karakose, Hakan Polat and Stamatios Papadakis

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13448; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313448 - 05 Dec 2021

Cited by 115 | Viewed by 14470

Abstract

The current study investigates the perspectives and experiences of teachers regarding their school principal’s digital leadership roles and technology capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted using a case study-based qualitative approach, and with a study group consisting of 89 teachers [...] Read more.

The current study investigates the perspectives and experiences of teachers regarding their school principal’s digital leadership roles and technology capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted using a case study-based qualitative approach, and with a study group consisting of 89 teachers holding a Master’s degree. Maximum diversity sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods, was preferred in the determination of the study group, and the data obtained from the research were analyzed through content analysis. The five main themes determined based on the perceptions and experiences of the participants are listed as: “Digital technology usage, support for the digital transformation, support for technology-based professional development, support for digital learning culture, and digital leadership skills”. The results of the research revealed that the level of use of digital technologies by school principals during the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as adequate by teachers. In addition, it was determined that school principals support digital transformation and technology-based professional development in schools. Furthermore, within the scope of the research, it was determined that school principals contribute to the construction of a digital learning culture in schools. The results of the study revealed that school principals’ digital leadership skills were clustered under three categories: technology use, managerial skills, and individual skills. As a result, in order to realize digital transformation within the context of K-12 education, school principals must first demonstrate their digital leadership and actively support the establishment of a digital learning culture in their schools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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19 pages, 1458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects and Interactions of Researcher’s Motivation and Personality in Promoting Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research

by Shogo Katoh, Rick (H.L.) Aalbers and Shintaro Sengoku

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12502; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132212502 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2998

Abstract

Motivation is one of the most important factors driving innovative activities such as interdisciplinary research (IDR) and transdisciplinary research (TDR) for the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). While there has been progress in developing ex-post indicators to evaluate their performance, only a [...] Read more.

Motivation is one of the most important factors driving innovative activities such as interdisciplinary research (IDR) and transdisciplinary research (TDR) for the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). While there has been progress in developing ex-post indicators to evaluate their performance, only a few trials have been conducted to explore how researchers’ motivations are related to their proactive participation. To address this issue, this study empirically investigates the effect of researchers’ personality traits on their attitudes toward IDR/TDR collaboration. A questionnaire survey of 228 researchers in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and related interdisciplinary fields was used to test the hypotheses by regression analysis that included interaction terms. The results show that researchers’ intrinsic motivation positively affects both IDR and TDR, while their extrinsic motivation mainly affects TDR. Furthermore, researchers’ personality traits have a significant effect on interdisciplinary collaboration and regional/societal collaboration. These findings provide cues on how to effectively integrate knowledge of IDR/TDR and how to motivate and allocate researchers for successful TDR/IDR collaboration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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10 pages, 7702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictability of Stock Price Fluctuations Based on Business Relationships: A Comparison of Normal and the COVID-19 Pandemic Periods in Japan

by Shoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Sengoku

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10146; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131810146 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1647

Abstract

The stock prices of a company are significantly influenced by changes of its business relationships. However, the effectiveness of stock price prediction based on such inter-firm business relationships has been partially confirmed in limited region and/or timeframe cases. In particular, it has not [...] Read more.

The stock prices of a company are significantly influenced by changes of its business relationships. However, the effectiveness of stock price prediction based on such inter-firm business relationships has been partially confirmed in limited region and/or timeframe cases. In particular, it has not been verified under highly volatile market conditions such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these issues, we analyzed the impact of supplier–customer relationships on stock prices in the case of the Japanese stock market using The Fama-French three-factor model and publicly available information of business relationships. The subjects were classified into two conditions—normal and COVID-19—and the stock price predictability associated with changes of stock prices of related companies for both short and long holding periods. As a result, the significance of stock price predictability was confirmed on a daily and monthly basis in the given region. In addition, specific factors including a volatile event caused by a customer company, a stock price downturn, and the company size of a customer particularly improved stock price predictability in the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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20 pages, 1044 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Drug Discovery Firms and Business Alliances for Sustainable Innovation

by Yoshimi Harada, Huayi Wang, Kota Kodama and Shintaro Sengoku

Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3599; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13073599 - 24 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3394

Abstract

Biotech startup firms developing pharmaceutical seeds from scientific and technological innovation are burdened by significant Research & Development (R&D) expenses, long-term R&D operations, and low probability of R&D success. To address these challenges while sustainably creating innovations and new drugs, business alliances with [...] Read more.

Biotech startup firms developing pharmaceutical seeds from scientific and technological innovation are burdened by significant Research & Development (R&D) expenses, long-term R&D operations, and low probability of R&D success. To address these challenges while sustainably creating innovations and new drugs, business alliances with existing pharmaceutical companies are one of the most important issues on the management agenda. The present study explores the necessity and significance of business alliances with pharmaceutical companies for the development of drug-discovery by Japanese biotech startup firms under high uncertainty. This study investigates the types of alliances to understand the origins of sustainability of these creative activities. First, we investigate and analyze the details of the partnership and its impact on the products under development based on the publicly available information of 16 drug discovery biotech startup firms in Japan that had become public since 2010. As a result, all firms continued their operations with the funds obtained from the business alliances with pharmaceutical firms at the time of their initial public offering (IPO). In addition, 56% of these firms’ alliance projects (n = 73) were seeded-out, and 32% seeded-in, indicating that they had adopted flexible alliance strategies not limited to seed-out ones. For sustainable going concern of the biotech startup business, it is valuable to consider multiple strategic options: “in-licensing and value up”, “best-in-class”, “platform leadership” and “first-in-class” depending on the characteristics of seeds and environmental restrictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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26 pages, 17663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implementation of a TeamWork-HBIM for the Management and Sustainability of Architectural Heritage

by Juan E. Nieto-Julián, Lenin Lara and Juan Moyano

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2161; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13042161 - 18 Feb 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4920

Abstract

The benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) accrue from the needs of the interoperability of applied technologies. This scope is strongly related to heritage buildings. Protection plans encompassing phases of heritage conservation, interpretation, intervention and dissemination could lead to a sustainable model through [...] Read more.

The benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) accrue from the needs of the interoperability of applied technologies. This scope is strongly related to heritage buildings. Protection plans encompassing phases of heritage conservation, interpretation, intervention and dissemination could lead to a sustainable model through a TeamWork-HBIM project. This work develops a step by step semantically enriched 3D model, from accurate data acquisition to the creation of a container of artistic assets. TeamWork-HBIM acts as a database for movable assets, i.e., parametric objects (GDL) with graphical and semantic information, which are valid for recording, inventory and cataloguing processes. Thus, heritage properties were created and used to create recording and inventory sheets related to movable assets. Consequently, a parametric object was edited in the HBIM project, so a new category called “Heritage Furniture” was available. Data from the monitoring of the artistic asset were included in that category. In addition, the specialist technicians from the TeamWork-HBIM team catalogued a dataset related to artistic, historical and conservation properties. Another advantage of the system was the reliability of the structure of the HBIM project, which was based on the actual geometry of the building provided by the point clouds. The information was valid for both modelling works and specialists in virtual monitoring. Moreover, the reliability of metadata was collected in a common data environment (CDE), which was available for everyone. As a result, the Teamwork-HBIM-CDE project meets the needs of private institutions, such as the Foundation of the Church of the Company of Jesus in Quito, related to the sustainability of the historic site. This sustainability is shown by the implementation of a methodology that strengthens the interdisciplinary information flow by including all disciplines of historical heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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17 pages, 1290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intellectual Property Management in Publicly Funded R&D Program and Projects: Optimizing Principal–Agent Relationship through Transdisciplinary Approach

by Shuto Miyashita, Shogo Katoh, Tomohiro Anzai and Shintaro Sengoku

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12239923 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3446

Abstract

Large-scale, publicly funded research and development (R&D) programs are implemented to accelerate state-of-the-art science, technology, and innovation applications that are expected to solve various societal problems. The present study aims to build on the body of theory on the mechanisms that promote or [...] Read more.

Large-scale, publicly funded research and development (R&D) programs are implemented to accelerate state-of-the-art science, technology, and innovation applications that are expected to solve various societal problems. The present study aims to build on the body of theory on the mechanisms that promote or impede the creation of intellectual property in such programs. Using a mixed methods approach and combining quantitative network analysis and qualitative semistructured interviews, we conducted a case study to investigate best practices in terms of intellectual property creation in a Japanese governmental research and development program. The results of the network analysis showed that the core/periphery structure in the co-inventor network of patents and joint application by a university and a startup promoted intellectual property creation. The results of the interview confirmed the significance of a reciprocal mindset, which the researchers in academia could acquire through collaboration with a startup. These results suggest that a knowledge logistics system for agile intellectual property management can be established by learning to acquire tacit knowledge on social implementation. Furthermore, we focus on the principal–agent relationship between knowledge producers and knowledge consumers as a factor that impedes the creation of intellectual property. We also discuss adverse selection and moral hazards caused by information asymmetry between knowledge producers and knowledge consumers and how to deal with them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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6 pages, 541 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

Understanding China’s National Emergency Command System from the Perspective of Power and Responsibility Allocation

by Feng Kong

Sustainability 2021, 13(1), 301; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13010301 - 31 Dec 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2320

Abstract

The structure between the Party and the government is the core and soul of China’s emergency management, and the allocation of power and responsibility is the core of China’s national emergency command system (NECS). The allocation of power and responsibility between the Party [...] Read more.

The structure between the Party and the government is the core and soul of China’s emergency management, and the allocation of power and responsibility is the core of China’s national emergency command system (NECS). The allocation of power and responsibility between the Party and the government, as well as between departments, is the main aspect of the allocation of power and responsibility in China, and is also an important component of the NECS. This paper mainly introduces the characteristics of power and responsibility allocation between the Party and the government, as well as between departments in China’s NECS, and analyzes the above-mentioned power and responsibility allocation, based on the prevention and control of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), and analyzes their development, changes, and unchanged characteristics. Through the above analysis, we found that the Party’s leadership style in dealing with emergencies has changed from indirect leadership to direct leadership. The joint defense and control mechanism has replaced the national headquarters of emergency management as the common mode. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology and Innovation Management for Sustainable Society)

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