Future Studies Research Journal: Trends and Strategies

The impacts of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies on operational strategy

Gilson de Lima Lira, Felipe Bastos dos Reis, Adriana Marotti de Mello — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: Adapting to technological advances is a pertinent challenge for operations in the Manaus Industrial Park. This study aims to address the following research question: how do Industry 4.0 (I4.0) enabling technologies impact the quality and flexibility strategy in the Manaus Industrial Park?

Originality / Value: This study developed a systematic and structured way to understand the benefits of I4.0 technologies in quality strategies and flexibility of manufacturing production lines. Manaus Industrial Park plays an essential role in the development of innovations in the Amazon region, and companies must be competitive in this new context of digitization of manufacturing.

Methods: This study used a qualitative and descriptive approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with industrial managers from 12 companies that operate in the Manaus Industrial Park.

Results: The results of this work point to a frequent use of computer systems to integrate machines in operations, such as the use of M2M technology and cyber-physical systems. The companies researched in the Manaus Industrial Park are adopting essential technologies to create the infrastructure for the I4.0 implantation. This is the first step to making smart factories in the future.

Conclusions: Industry 4.0 enabling technologies affect operations' quality and flexibility strategy, promoting cost savings by optimizing production processes.

Covid-19 pandemic influences relationships on innovation, environmental practices and social actions in enterprise: the theoretical framework

Eliana Andréa Severo, Julio Cesar Ferro De Guimarães, Pedro Senna Vieira — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationships between the Covid-19 Pandemic, innovation, environmental practices, social actions, and the influence on people's quality of life, in the context of Brazilian organizations, through the proposition of a Theoretical Framework.

Methodology /Approach: The methodology was qualitative and exploratory research, through a theoretical and systematic review of the Scopus database. For data analysis, content analysis was used, with categories listed a priori.

Originality/Value: In the research, 4 theoretical propositions were listed, which were analyzed through a systematic review in the Scopus database, as it is one of the largest databases of scientific articles reviewed by peers worldwide.

Findings: In the course of the research, with the filter used by Article title, it was identified that the largest number of publications (269 documents) went to Proposition 1, in second place with 16 publications we present Proposition 3, occupying the third place emerges Proposition 4 with 10 publications, and as the last classified we have Proposition 2 with only 1 published article.

Theoretical and methodological contributions: The impact of the research is linked to the validation of a theoretical framework, which presents factors that the Covid-19 pandemic is influencing the development of Brazilian organizations, as well as the information collected will provide the academic community and professionals in related areas, a better understanding of the performance of organizations, showing subsidies for managers, from organizations of different segments and sizes, to improve decision-making in the face of the pandemic in the environmental, social and improvement of people's quality of life.

Deep learning diffusion by search trend: a country-level analysis

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: The theory of diffusion of innovation is the theoretical lens discussed in this research to analyze the diffusion of the deep learning theme in the BRICS and OECD countries. As little has been developed to understand country-level analysis and a theme such as innovation, this research sought to fill this gap.

Originality/Value: This research demonstrates how it is possible to use Search Trends to analyze the diffusion of a thematic, enabling the extension of the diffusion of innovation theory beyond the sale of products.

Methods: Google Trends was used for data collection and to provide up-to-date information, and two different statistical models were used: clustering to identify patterns in the first analysis, and the Bass diffusion model, aiming at comparing countries considering the curve peak, the innovation coefficient, and the imitation coefficient.

Results: The findings of this research identified that China has the highest innovation coefficient among the members of the BRICS and Japan among the members of the OECD.

Conclusions: This study brought both a theoretical contribution, allowing the expansion of the diffusion of innovations that use a theme as an object of innovation, as well as a practical implication, enabling research in an accessible and democratic way.

Does digitalization and the adoption of industry 4.0 components matter for the internationalization of portuguese small and medium enterprises?

Raquel Pereira, Ana Rita Cardoso — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: The aim of the study is to analyze the relevance that Industry 4.0 and the implementation of its components have for the internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Portugal.

Method: Exploratory research with a qualitative approach based on a double case study. The aim is to explore, inductively, how Industry 4.0 and the implementation of its components influence the organization, competitiveness and internationalization process of the SMEs under study. Primary data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with full transcription.

Main Results: The results suggest that for the SMEs under study, the implementation of Industry 4.0/digitization caused positive impacts at the organizational and competitiveness level, the value chain was positively affected and, consequently, the companies were better positioned in their competitive advantages.

Relevance/Originality: This work provides insights for the study and joint understanding of digitalization and business internationalization, i.e., it integrates and relates two autonomous, complex and strategic fields of research, with no applied studies for the Portuguese SMEs context.

Theoretical implications: The main contribution is of exploratory nature indicating, for the Portuguese context, that the literature is still incipient. Therefore, it is suggested the development of research that relates digitalization and internationalization of SMEs because they are the basis of economic systems and digitalization is an opportunity for internationalization and success in international markets.

Readiness factors and dynamic capabilities for sustainability-oriented innovation

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Objective: This paper investigates whether a company operating in an inter-organizational network is prepared for developing Dynamic Capabilities (DCs) that contribute to the development of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (SOI) activities.

Method: The paper employs a qualitative single-case study method in a company that operates in the agribusiness sector. The instrument for collecting data was the semi-structured interview with managers. For data analysis, the content analysis technique was used.

Originality/value: The research integrates the concepts of DCs, inter-organizational networks and SOI activities (operational optimization, organizational transformation and systems building).

Results: The results showed that “interorganizational relationships” and “technologies for SOI,” associated with collaboration capability and technological capability, are the most influential factors for operational optimization, organizational transformation, and systems construction activities.

Contributions/Implications: The research presents new perspectives for analyzing SOI activities and identifies factors and DCs that can be leveraged by other companies interested in improving their collaborative relationships and innovations with a focus on sustainability.

Loop, virtualization and exchange: operations management practices in the brazilian packaging chain

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Objective: this work aimed to analyze the capacity of the Brazilian packaging chain to promote the creation of circuits (loop), virtualization and exchange between participants.

Method: this research is considered qualitative, applied and descriptive. The case study collected data through documentary research and in-depth interviews with a semi-structured script. 53 (fifty-three) stakeholders from the packaging chain were interviewed, including prosecutors, politicians, businessmen, collectors, specialists, civil servants and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For data analysis, content analysis of the thematic categorical type was used.

Results: Manufacturers' insistence on using materials that they do not accept in the recycling market illustrates the problem with Loop. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated virtualization practices, such as “digitization of activities and processes” and “product improvement and periodic maintenance”, most of respondents claim that they do not exist or do not perceive it to have occurred in the Brazilian scenario. Although some companies are concerned about technologies, the 4.0 scenario with big data or machine learning is far from being a reality in Brazil.

Final considerations: the present study brings theoretical and practical contributions that can be extracted from the results of this research. It is expected that these findings serve as guidelines in the decision-making process in the reverse packaging logistics system. To academics, demonstrate the application of a framework already consolidated in the area for investigating socio-environmental practices, in addition to instigating gaps left for further research.

Scenario of scientific publications on international acquisitions in emerging markets: a bibliometric analysis

Fabiane Fidelis Querino, Cristina Lelis Leal Calegario — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Objective: This work sought to investigate the behavior of the international scientific literature on the international acquisitions of EMNEs, in order to identify the themes that are emerging within the segment.

Originality: This study sheds light on some contributions. First, it contributes to a better understanding of the stock of knowledge accumulated on the international acquisitions carried out by EMNEs. Second, in a field such as strategy and international business that has authors from various disciplines, it is essential to periodically review its evolutionary path.

Method: To achieve this objective, this work was supported by the bibliometric method based on the works found on the Web of Science platform.

Result: Through the results obtained, it was possible to verify the most relevant countries, authors, articles and journals in the area. As well as the co-citation network and journals most cited in the references. Finally, the article presents an agenda to guide future research.

Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that the research published recently was about innovation and cultural distance and no longer about the adequacy of the entry mode, as was the case at the beginning of the analysis. There was a predominance of studies that use institutional theory to anchor their research.

Managerial innovation as a result of collaboration between consolidated company and startups

Lucas Tech dos Santos, Janaína Maria Bueno — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: to analyze the collaborative relationship between consolidated company and startups focused on managerial innovation.

Originality: non-technological innovation has become a contributing factor to the performance of organizations, especially in innovation environments (Damanpour, 2014; Su et al.; 2018, Angelidou et al., 2022).

Method: with a qualitative approach, it was a case study with data collection through documentary research and semi-structured interviews with representatives of the local innovation ecosystem, the consolidated company and startups, subsequently made a content analysis.

Results: the relationship between companies has brought gains, with managerial innovation being one of them through: the local innovation ecosystem that generates a cooperative environment and proximity between different companies; of actions of the consolidated company for training and monitoring of startups, being inspiration and support; the agile and flexible nature of startups that quickly implement ideas, being a laboratory for the consolidated company; of the recursive nature of the relationship between them generating an upward spiral of shared knowledge and experience.

Conclusion: It is possible to create managerial innovation from collaborative relationships, in an environment that encourages interaction between different agents.

Foresight scenarios in brazil for telecom b2b segment in 2050

Leonardo Fernandes Coutinho Correia, Gilberto Sarfati — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: Present a prospective scenario approach for the next 30 years in the B2B segment for telecom operators in Brazil.

Theoretical framework: The research was carried out using a semi-structured quantitative approach supported by the Delphi method and using the construction of prospective Schwartz scenarios (GBN), being carried out with specialists and managers from the Telecom segment for B2B.

Design/methodology/approach: It was found that the use of the prospective scenario methodology can be a tool for strategic planning, applicable in the face of uncertain conditions in the long term.

Findings: Through the methodology of prospective scenarios, the construction of four future scenarios was developed: 1) Democracy of Info-Innovation, 2) Resistance of Special-Locals, 3) Big Telco-Tech Evolution, 4) Great Expansionists.

Research, Practical & Social implications : The contribution of this article is in the delivery of a practical exercise that demonstrated how prospective scenarios can be used as a guide for the leadership of companies in strategic positions and also as a guide for long-term actions, for all participants of this company.

Originality/value : The carriers in Brazil are currently facing an environment of several variables and complexities brought about mainly by competition from new IT entrants, regional operators, new emerging technologies and the Digital Transformation movement. This article presented a viable exercise to support long-term strategic planning, through prospective scenarios, in such a way as to provide subsidies to support today's decisions

Consumer behavior in response to the effects of the covid-19 pandemic: a study on the relationship between self-isolation intention and unusual purchases

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate consumer behavior in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil to assess the relationship between the intention of self-isolation and to make unusual purchases.

Methodology /Approach: Through an online survey with a sample of 181 individuals in Brazil, the proposed model and hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM.)

Findings: The results demonstrate a link between perceived severity in the two behavioral responses measured, the intention to make unusual purchases and, more strongly, the intention to voluntary self-isolation.

Originality/Value: The study discusses consumer behavior for unusual purchases (cyberchondria) in risky situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Contributions and implications: We demonstrate how information overload leads to cyberchondria. In addition, the perceived severity leads the individual to make unusual purchases and self-isolation. In turn, exposure to online information sources leads to cyberchondria, which leads to behavior that increases the intention to make unusual purchases, and to self-isolation, which further increases exposure to online information. Furthermore, this study extends existing research (Laato et al., 2020) that suggests that research be carried out in different contexts.

Webrooming in the context of fashion: an antecedent analysis of webrooming attitude, intention and behavior

Aimãn Ibrahim Mourad, Luiz Francisco Almeida Plens de Quevedo — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Objective: In this paper, it is intended to study webrooming behavior - online information search, and in person purchase - on fashion products. It is done by proposing a simplified model for webrooming on purchasing fashion garments.

Method: A survey was conducted, obtaining 365 answers, and analyzed through structural equation modeling - PLS-SEM.

Results: It was found that online perceived risk and purchase channel evaluation are antecedents of webrooming attitude. Online perceived risk had a positive effect on the webrooming intention, however the webrooming behavior was only mediated by webrooming attitude and intention.

Relevance/originality: Because of socioeconomic and technological conditions, there is a change in consumption habits and channel use by the Brazilian consumers. The literature indicates movements such as e-commerce consolidation, economic instability, and evolving thinking and using fashion products. However, there is a gap related to channel adoption, in regard to cross-channel behavior. Specifically, webrooming is practiced by more people than showrooming, but it has less publications.

Theoretical/methodological contributions: For purchasing fashion products, online perceived risk affects webrooming behavior more deeply than other channel evaluation aspects.

Social/managerial contributions: This research contributes to channel management development with concepts, insights, and a validated model that's applicable in businesses and other organizations, thus promoting better control of operations and marketing efforts.

People management: development of an algorithm for allocating audit tasks

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Objective: Propose an algorithm, in Solver Excel^®, capable of allocating tasks to auditors in order to optimize the time spent in carrying them out.

Method: This is a descriptive study (as for the objective), quantitative (problem) and uses linear optimization (data analysis) for simulations of the usability of the algorithm.

Results: Audit activities present in NBC TA's were mapped, resulting in five stages of an audit project with a total of 41 activities. Among the tasks, the 14 of an operational nature were selected to develop an algorithm that minimizes the execution time of the work, according to the hours that each employee performs the tasks, resulting in a total of 242 hours for analyst A and 199.5 hours for analyst B.

Relevance/originality: The research shows the use of technology as a tool to facilitate everyday decisions in organizations, because Excel^® is a massively used tool by companies, being a language known by managers.

Theoretical/methodological contributions: This study contributes to the literature by delivering a paper to the academy with the complete description of the algorithm, the indication of the sources of allocated activities and combining knowledge of people management theories with decision making. Furthermore, no similar work was identified that provided details for practical cases, such as in the independent audit sector.

Boldness and audacity in the field of entrepreneurship: understandings from literature

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Objective: To identify and understand how the terms boldness and audacity have been discussed in researches on the entrepreneurship field.

Method / Approach: In order to identify the articles, the bibliometric method ProKnow-C was used. The search occurred in Scopus and Web of Science databases. In bibliometrics, the resources of Bibliometrix package were used. To understand how the themes are addressed in entrepreneurship, a systematic review of the literature was carried out.

Originality / Relevance: This research presents advances in the discussion and understanding of boldness/audacity theme in the field of Entrepreneurship.

Results: In bibliometrics, a quantitative analysis was performed with 109 articles, in which the following indicators were found: three journals, eight authors, three countries, eight keywords and evolution in the 2013-2021 period. The systematic literature review was based on 21 articles, and the results present four categories: boldness and minorities, risk and investments, personality traits and cultural variations.

Theoretical contributions: The research presents a theoretical contribution to the field of studies, by highlighting aspects associated with boldness/audacity in entrepreneurship studies, providing a broader understanding of the behavior of entrepreneurs and organizations. In addition, for Entrepreneurship researchers, the study elucidates the contexts in which these themes are discussed, in addition to pointing out theoretical gaps in the field.

The challenges of the black women entrepreneurs in the management of their business

Heraldo Márcio de Aguiar, Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif, Márcia Maria Garçon — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Objective: To identify what are the difficulties arising from racial discrimination and prejudice which black women entrepreneurs face in the management of their businesses.

Method: This is a theoretical essay, based on the Brazilian and international literature whose proposal was to categorize the main Brazilian black women entrepreneurs’ management problems arising from racial discrimination.

Originality/Relevance: The contributions, originality and relevance of the article come from the context studied, black women entrepreneurs and the difficulties in managing their business. Most of the studies identified in the literature address conflicts of different natures and there are few that integrate discriminatory issues and racial prejudices of black women entrepreneurs. This theme is emerging and current, and there is a need for theoretical deepening to support empirical studies.

Results: The article allowed an important theoretical survey on the constructs addressed. Through 87 articles studied, it was possible to identify the challenges faced by black women entrepreneurs, consisting of seven categories: a) family x work; b) life in communities; c) financial resources; d) fear of failure; e) lack of entrepreneurial models/lack of experience; f) educational disadvantage and g) socioeconomic discrimination. The results bring together the main challenges and their identified difficulties.

Theoretical/methodological contributions: The article offers new contributions by reflecting: the relevance of the performance of black women and their performance in the social scenario and the prejudice still suffered; ii)the challenges and consequences of the difficulty in developing the enterprise because they assume a double role in society, black women and entrepreneurs; iii)emotional difficulties identified when performing entrepreneurial actions; iv) the scarcity of studies that bring together the constructs studied and the absence of empirical evidence on black women entrepreneurs.

Digital entrepreneurship in the brazilian banking sector: analysis based on the emergence of fintechs

Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Purpose: To analyze the changes that have occurred in traditional Brazilian banking institutions towards digital entrepreneurship, as a result of the emergence of fintechs.

Originality/Value: To understand how digital entrepreneurship is influenced in traditional Brazilian banking institutions from the emergence of fintechs.

Methods: The research is qualitative, with a multiple case analysis of the three largest Brazilian banking institutions, based on data collected through interviews and secondary data analysis.

Results: The study presents a framework of digital entrepreneurship resources and factors, consolidated in the literature and evaluated in practice, allowing institutions to understand how fintechs influence the advancement of digital entrepreneurship in the banking sector.

Conclusions: The study revealed the factors that exerted the greatest influence on the advancement of digital entrepreneurship from the emergence of fintechs from the institutional isomorphism perspective. The study observed the migration of almost all products and services to digital means, and in relation to institutional theory, identified the presence of institutional forces in traditional banking institutions, in coercive, mimetic, and normative movements.