Search results for "Technological change"
showing 10 items of 98 documents
Unfolding Cyberspace: A Phenomenological Approach to Cyberplace, Technology, and Community
2017
In this chapter, a possible phenomenology of the cyberspaces of the World Wide Web is outlined. Recent studies have suggested that concepts of existential phenomenology can provide convincing perspectives on cyberspace that enable a deep understanding of contemporary life, characterised by an increased blending of humans and modern technology . Based on the notions of “coming-to-the-world” coined by Peter Sloterdijk and “inhabiting ” from Tim Ingold , this chapter shows how we can conceive of the emergence of cyberplace s as a by-product of the process of unlocking cyberspace by inhabiting the contemporary world. This perspective also incorporates arguments from Actor-Network Theory and can…
Responding to opportunities provided by General Purpose Technologies : Industry 4.0 in Finland
2017
Companies are currently facing a technological change that has the potential of disrupt- ing entire industries. Recognizing opportunities provided by Industry 4.0 requires com- panies to apply vision and foresight and to adapt their strategies in order to face the changing environment. Acting upon these technological opportunities is managerially demanding, but crucial for maintaining companies’ future competitiveness. This thesis builds on literature on strategic management and General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) and takes a company-level perspective in answering the question of how such techno- logical opportunities are perceived and responded to by decision-makers. In order to explore th…
Can qualitative research play a role in answering ethical questions in intensive care?
2017
International audience; Scientific and technological progress, as well as increased patient autonomy have profoundly changed the world of healthcare, giving rise to new situations that are increasingly complex and uncertain. Quantitative paradigms, of which the main bastion is evidence-based medicine (EBM), are beginning to reach their limits in daily routine practice of medicine, and new approaches are emerging that can provide novel heuristic perspectives. Qualitative research approaches can be useful for apprehending new areas of knowledge that are fundamental to recent and future developments in intensive care.
Four Conceptual Perspectives of Innovation Components
2019
The study provides a detailed analysis of high impact to market innovations, without sorting whether these are innovations of low or high technological progress. The research base sample includes a detailed analysis of 58 consumer product innovations that reached a high market impact over the period 2014–2017, i.e. the consumers purchased them considerably more than other innovations. The study examines the components of these innovations in detail; they are also grouped into 4 basic groups. It is concluded in the study that the high impact to market innovations are made up of recurring 34 components. The study also concludes that the open innovation components only partly overlap with the …
Financial, organisational and informative involvement of the society in social innovation processes in Latvia
2018
International audience; Social innovation brings to inclusion and wellbeing, improving the quality of life and socioeconomic performance and enhancing the society's collective power and resources. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to promote social innovation processes in any society, providing research for getting the understanding of different aspects of it, including the main actors and the extent to which they are involved in social innovation. The research presented in this paper reveals the main stakeholders of social innovation and analyses the methodology elaborated by the authors for determining the involvement of the society in social innovation processes at financial, organis…
Engaging universities in social innovation research for understanding sustainability issues
2017
International audience; The paper presents the analysis of a three-stage research conducted by the authors within a social innovation project in collaboration with international master students of Riga Technical University for determining the factors, which motivate people to be involved in the solution of social problems. The authors not only analyse and use the outcomes of the students’ research but also provide feasibility study of using the potential of study research at the university, for implementing serious research projects. Data collection from Africa, Asia, America and Europe was organised jointly by all the students via web-based survey for creating an original data base for the…
Electric Mobility in Portugal: Current Situation and Forecasts for Fuel Cell Vehicles
2021
In recent years, the growing concern for air quality has led to the development of sustainable vehicles to replace conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Currently, the most widespread technology in Europe and Portugal is that of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) or plug‐in HEV (PHEV) electric cars, but hydrogen‐based transport has also shown significant growth in the commercialization of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) and in the development of new infrastructural schemes. In the current panorama of EV, particular attention should be paid to hydrogen technology, i.e., FCEVs, which is potentially a valid alternative to BEVs and can also be hybrid (FCHEV) and plug‐in hybrid…
Horizon scanning the European bio‐based economy: a novel approach to the identification of barriers and key policy interventions from stakeholders in…
2016
There is international recognition that developing a climate-smart bioeconomy is essential to the continuation of economic development, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation to climatic change; Bio-based products have an important role in making this transition happen. Supporting policy interventions have been put forward at European and national levels to support innovation and development of bio-based products and services. This study asks whether suggested policy interventions reflect the needs of stakeholders and examines how these needs vary between European regions. This consultation was performed through an online survey of 447 experts actively involved in bio-based r…
Robots as intelligent assistants to face COVID-19 pandemic
2020
AbstractMotivationThe epidemic at the beginning of this year, due to a new virus in the coronavirus family, is causing many deaths and is bringing the world economy to its knees. Moreover, situations of this kind are historically cyclical. The symptoms and treatment of infected patients are, for better or worse even for new viruses, always the same: more or less severe flu symptoms, isolation and full hygiene. By now man has learned how to manage epidemic situations, but deaths and negative effects continue to occur. What about technology? What effect has the actual technological progress we have achieved? In this review, we wonder about the role of robotics in the fight against COVID. It p…
Deskilling and decline in skill premium during the age of sail : Swedish and Finnish seamen, 1751–1913
2016
The study examines the evolution of skill premium and share at industry level in shipping during the age of sail. We argue that the period from the 1750s to the 1910s represented deskilling for the seamen working in sailing ships. The growth of international trade and shipping during the first era of globalization increased the overall demand for sailors but decreased the relative demand for skilled labor in favor of less skilled ones. This deskilling was associated with a decline in wage inequality, as the premium for high skilled seamen fell relative to mean wages in the shipping industry. The decline in skill premium may have facilitated the growth of trade and shipping, as the relative …