International knowledge spillovers, especially through multinational companies (MNCs), have recently been a major topic of discussion among academics and practitioners. Most research in this field focuses on knowledge sharing activities of MNC subsidiaries. Relatively little is known about their capabilities for protecting valuable knowledge from spilling over to host country competitors. We extend this stream of research by investigating both formal protection strategies (e.g. patenting) as well as strategic ones (secrecy, lead time, complex design). We conceptualize the breadth of firm's knowledge protection strategies and relate it to the particular situation of MNC subsidiaries. Moreover, we argue that their approaches differ with regard to host country challenges and opportunities. We address these issues empirically, based on a harmonized survey of innovation activities of more than 1800 firms located in Portugal and Germany. We find evidence that MNCs prefer broader sets of knowledge protection strategies in a host country with fewer opportunities for knowledge sourcing (Portugal). In Germany, though, they opt for narrower sets of knowledge protection strategies if they invest in innovation activities themselves. We deduce that these results are due to a need for reciprocity in knowledge exchanges to benefit fully from promising host country knowledge flows. 相似文献
In this cross-national study, observed process quality in preschool classrooms was compared across five countries—Austria (n = 37), Germany (n=103), Portugal (n=88), Spain (n=80), and the U.S.A. (n=390). Process quality was assessed using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and the Caregiver Interaction Scale (CIS). Both instruments had comparable properties when used in the different countries. A MANOVA found overall ECERS differences between countries, with Austria and Germany scoring higher than Spain, and Austria higher than the U.S.A. CIS Sensitivity scale differences showed Austria and Spain with higher scores than the U.S.A. Tests of homogeneity of variance showed U.S.A. with the highest standard deviations. A discriminant analysis, using countries as groups and ECERS items as criterion variables, revealed differences between countries on two discriminant functions: Personalized Care and Availability and Use of Space and Play Materials. Results are discussed in terms of the early childhood traditions and infrastructures found in the five countries. 相似文献
Training consisting of numerous repetitions performed as closely as possible to ideal techniques is common in sports and every-day tasks. Little is known about fatigue-related technique changes that emerge at different timescales when repeating complex actions such as a karate front kick. Accordingly, 15 karatekas performed 600 kicks (1 pre-block and 9 blocks). The pre-block comprised 6 kicks (3 with each leg) at maximum intensity (K-100%). Each block comprised 60 kicks (10 with each leg) at 80% of their self-perceived maximum intensity (K-80%) plus 6 K-100%. In between blocks, the participants rested for 90 seconds. Right leg kinematics (peak joint angles, peak joint angular velocities, peak joint linear resultant velocities, and time of occurrence of peaks) and kick duration corresponding to the K-80% were measured resulting in numerous variations with fatigue. At the timescale of tens of seconds, the changes involved variables that were related to velocity of execution (slowed down), while variables related to movement form were hardly affected. At the timescale of tens of minutes, the opposite results were observed. These findings challenge the long-standing rationale underlying repetitive training, suggesting instead that such involuntary variations in technique might play a crucial role in motor skill training 相似文献
Force plates represent the “gold standard” in measuring running kinetics to predict performance or to identify the sources of running-related injuries. As these measurements are generally limited to laboratory analyses, wireless high-quality sensors for measuring in the field are needed. This work analysed the accuracy and precision of a new wireless insole forcesensor for quantifying running-related kinetic parameters. Vertical ground reaction force (GRF) was simultaneously measured with pit-mounted force plates (1?kHz) and loadsol® sensors (100?Hz) under unshod forefoot and rearfoot running-step conditions. GRF data collections were repeated four times, each separated by 30 min treadmill running, to test influence of extended use. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to identify differences between measurement devices. Additionally, mean bias and Bland–Altman limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated. We found a significant difference (p?® devices for these parameters. For these same parameters, the LoA analysis showed that 95% of all measurement differences between insole and force plate measurements were less than 12%, demonstrating high precision of the sensors. However, highly dynamic behaviour of GRF, such as force rate, is not yet sufficiently resolved by the insole devices, which is likely explained by the low sampling rate. 相似文献
Most firms use secrecy to protect their knowledge from potential imitators. However, the theoretical foundations for secrecy have not been well explored. We extend knowledge protection literature and propose theoretical mechanisms explaining how information visibility influences the importance of secrecy as a knowledge protection instrument. Building on mechanisms from information economics and signaling theory, we postulate that secrecy is more important for protecting knowledge for firms that have legal requirements to reveal information to shareholders. Furthermore, we argue that this effect is contingent on the location in a technological cluster, on a firm’s investment in fixed assets and on a firm’s past innovation performance. We test our hypotheses using a representative sample of 683 firms in Germany between 2005 and 2013. Our results support the moderation effect of a technological cluster and a firm’s investment in fixed assets. Our findings inform both academics and managers on how firms balance information disclosure requirements with the use of secrecy as a knowledge protection instrument. 相似文献
Observed process quality in infant/toddler classrooms was compared in Germany (n = 75) and the USA (n = 219). Process quality was assessed with the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale(ITERS) and parent attitudes about ITERS content with the ITERS Parent Questionnaire (ITERSPQ). The ITERS had comparable reliabilities in the two countries and similar factors were found. Content validity of the ITERS is supported in both countries by similarly high ITERSPQ importance scores. ITERS classroom mean scores are similar (Germany = 3.21; USA = 3.36), but a higher US standard deviation is found. A discriminant analysis revealed differences between countries on a bipolar dimension, with US programs characterized by higher scores on custodial issues while German programs have higher scores on educational aspects. Spearman rank order correlations were completed on ITERSPQ importance scores and observed ITERS scores, showing an association only in the USA. Results are discussed in terms of the parental values and infrastructures found in the two countries.
La qualité de processus observée dans les salles de classe des Enfants/Petits Enfants a été comparée en l’Allemagne (n = 75) et aux Etats‐Unis (n = 219). La qualité de processus a été évaluée avec l’Échelle d’Évaluation de l’Environnement des Enfants/Petits Enfants (ITERS) et les attitudes des parents au sujet du contenu de l’ITERS avec le Questionnaire d’ITERS pour les Parents (ITERSPQ). L’ITERS a eu fiabilités comparables dans les deux pays et des facteurs semblables ont été trouvés. La validité du contentu de l’ITERS est soutenue dans les deux pays par des points sur l’importance d’ITERSPQ pareillement hauts. Les points moyens ITERS de la salle de classe sontsemblables, (Allemagne = 3.21 ; Etats‐Unis = 3.36), mais un écart type plus élevé pour les Etats‐Unis est trouvé. Une analyse discriminante a indiqué des différences entre les pays sur une dimension bipolaire, avec les programmes des Etats‐Unis caractérisés par de points plus hauts sur la question de la garde tandis que les programmes allemands ont de points plus hauts sur des aspects éducatifs. Des corrélations Spearman d’ordre de rang ont été accomplies sur les points d’importance ITERSPQ et on a observé des points d’ITERS montrer une association seulement pour les Etats‐Unis. Des résultats sont discutés en termes de valeurs et infrastructures parentales trouvées dans les deux pays.
La calidad de proceso observada en salas de clase de infantes/niños pequeños fue comparada en Alemania (n = 75) y los E.E.U.U. (n = 219). La calidad de proceso fue determinada con la Escala para Evaluar el Ambiente del Infante/ Niño pequeño (ITERS) y las actitudes de los padres hacia el contenido del ITERS con el Cuestionario ITERS para los Padres (ITERSPQ). El ITERS tenía confiabilidades comparables en los dos países y se encontraron factores similares. La validez del contenido del ITERS es apoyada en ambos países por los puntajes sobre la importancia del ITERSPQ que son semejantemente altos. Los puntajes medios ITERS de la sala de clase son similares, (Alemania = 3.21; E.E.U.U. = 3.36), pero se encuentra una desviación estándar más alta con los E.E.U.U. Un análisis discriminante reveló diferencias entre los países en una dimensión bipolar, con los programas de los E.E.U.U. caracterizados por puntajes más altos en el área de la custodia mientras que los programas alemanes tienen puntajes más altos en los aspectos educativos. Las correlaciones Spearman sobre el orden de rango fueron completadas en los puntajes sobre la importancia de ITERSPQ y se observaron puntajes de ITERS demostrando una asociación solamente en los E.E.U.U. Los resultados se discuten en términos de los valores parentales e infraestructuras encontradas en los dos países. 相似文献
