FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS
2012 Offshoring Research Network International Conference:
The Global Sourcing of Innovation
Organized by
Politecnico di Milano School of Management
Milan, May 29-31, 2012
The global sourcing of knowledge creation and innovation (e.g. advanced
knowledge and analytical services, R&D support functions, product
design and development and R&D) has been growing exponentially across
almost every industry. This phenomenon has emerged as a strategic driver
for companies and increasingly is attracting academic research by
management, and international business scholars.
An array of different motives, including perceived cost advantages,
growing shortage of science and engineering talent in most developed
economies, recognition emerging economies will account for future top
line growth, have all contributed to the unprecedented surge in global
sourcing of knowledge intensive activities such as research and
development across all industries and technologies.
Particularly, this conference intends to be an opportunity for executives
and academics to engage and explore managerial and organizational
challenges as well as theoretical and empirical contributions related to
global sourcing of advanced knowledge and analytical services, product
development and design, R&D support functions, and traditional
research and development activities. A unique feature of the conference
is the integration of managerial oriented day focusing on emerging issues
of concern to sourcing executives and providers, followed by two days of
academic research. A new innovation involves a practitioner discussant
for each academic session. We welcome theoretical, empirical and
qualitative contributions related to the following themes of the
conference.
THEMES
THEME A. Theoretical and Empirical Foundations of Global Sourcing
of R&D Activities/Advanced Services
- Application of multiple levels of analysis (e.g. countries,
industries, firms, processes etc.). Integration of multiple theoretical
lenses and explanatory mechanisms that can provide fresh insights on the
organization of global sourcing of R&D.
- Supply drives demand. The emergence of the global service provider
industry and national aspirations for attracting the outsourcing industry
as another lever of economic development impact on the dynamics of global
sourcing in general and on global sourcing of high value services
specifically.
- Structural characteristics that shape the way firms organize for
global sourcing of R&D.
THEME B. The Realignment of Firm Global Organization Foot Print for
Global Sourcing of innovation
- Design of ambidextrous organizations for managing boundary spanning
innovation relationships and the role of host countries. For
example:
- Managerial practices that affect effectiveness of internal
organisation capabilities for acquiring, and assimilating knowledge
generated by external sources.
- Organization of multinational enterprises internal networks for
successful exchanges with their external networks.
- Specific organizational challenges involved in the interaction of
cross-border intra- and inter-firm networks.
THEME C. Global Sourcing of Innovation and Firm Performance
- Moderating and mediating managerial practices and cross cultural
communication factors that impact global sourcing of firms’ economic and
innovation performances. Role of country institutional configuration
(e.g. IP regime at host country) that shapes the way firms and industries
benefit from global sourcing.
THEME D. Small Firms and Global Sourcing of Innovation
- The dynamics and strategic drivers of small firms, in traditional and
high tech sectors, engaged in global sourcing of innovation. Unique
challenges faced by small companies in organizing for global sourcing.
- Role of venture capitalist in the innovation out sourcing decision of
start up entrepreneurial technology companies.
- Strategies and processes of small technological firms in accessing
international knowledge and innovation networks.
THEME E. Global Service Providers
- The competitive dynamics of the rapidly emerging global service
provider industry.
- The challenges faced by emerging economies in positioning their
countries as attractive destinations for global sourcing of business
services and especially of high value added knowledge creating
activities.
The conference will feature plenary talks as well as paper and panel
sessions.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Confirmed keynote speakers:
- Martin Kenney, Professor of Human and Community Development, UC
Davis; Senior Project Director, Berkeley Roundtable on the International
Economy, University of California, Berkeley.
- Vivek Wadhwa, Director of Research, Center for Entrepreneurship and
Research Commercialization and Exec in Residence, Pratt School of
Engineering, Duke University
- Additional invitations are pending
PAPER AND PANEL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Participants who wish to present their research
at the conference are invited to submit an extended abstract (in PDF) not
exceeding 1.000 words (all included) through the conference website
(
www.ornconference2012.org) starting from December 15th
2011 and no later than February 25th
2012.
In addition to individual paper submissions, panel proposals informing
one of the five key themes may be submitted. Panels are complete sessions
organized as a single submission by the panel chair. Panels may have a
variety of formats (e.g. roundtables with no formal papers, professional
development workshops).
All submissions will be peer reviewed and the conference organizing
committee will select the papers/panels considering their novelty,
academic quality and relation to the theme of the conference. The
decision of paper acceptance will be communicated by March
25th 2012.
CONFERENCE VENUE
DIG - Politecnico di Milano,
http://www.dig.polimi.it/
Conference fees
Early registration (before April 15th ): 400 euro
(academic 120 euro)
Registration (after April 15th): 500 euro (academic 150
euro)
Important dates
Extended abstract submission: from December 15th 2011
to February 25th 2012
Notice for acceptance: March 25th 2012
Conference registration: April 15th 2012
Further information at
www.ornconference2012.org
The scientific committee
Arie Y. Lewin, The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University,
USA
Stephen Manning, University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA
Silvia Massini, Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK
Carine Peeters, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management,
Belgium
Lucia Piscitello, DIG-Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
The local organizing committee
Federico Caniato, Politecnico di Milano
Stefano Elia, Politecnico di Milano
Davide Luzzini, Politecnico di Milano
Lucia Piscitello, Politecnico di Milano
Stefano Ronchi, Politecnico di Milano
Sponsoring Organizations:
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals IAOP
The International Association for Contract and Commercial Management
IACCM
The European Outsourcing Association
Other sponsors to be announced
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