Advanced technologies, and management tools for sectors’ innovation development

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming numerous fields. One of the key technology management issues here is prompt engineering. Despite the accumulated experience, obvious gaps remain regarding analysing and forecasting relevant trends. The paper by Söilen Klaus Solberg “Capabilities and Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Social Analysis and Predicting the Future” provides an overview of publications, and presents the results of testing various AI tools. The author established that if the prompts are engineered correctly, AI performs the relevant functions on a par with mid-level experts. A working model for using AI for data collection purposes  is proposed.

One of the industries being transformed by the adoption of AI is computer game development, which has long turned into a profitable entertainment industry segment and a tool for dealing with major education, healthcare, strategic management, environmental, military, and other problems. The paper “The AI-Driven Transformative Potential of the Game Industry for Economy and Society” by Tee Yi Qin, Nor Hazana Abdullah, and Natrah Mohd examines the prospects for this area’s growth through the application of more advanced AI algorithms. Using foresight techniques such as horizon scanning and STEEPV analysis, the authors describe development scenarios for the game industry for the next 10 years. The study contributes to the knowledge base for building AI application strategies in computer game development for various purposes.

In an effort to reach new development levels, many companies apply complex strategic combinations, e.g. invest in political initiatives counting on government support as an investment and innovation activity driver. The paper “The Relationship between Corporate Political Strategy of Public Partnership and Corporate Investment” by Lin Woon Leong , Kelvin Lee Yong Ming, Pek Chuen Khee, Irfah Najihah Binti Basir Malan, and Ho Ree Chan analyses the impact of corporate political activities (CPA) on obtaining long-term technological and economic advantages. The authors established that the effect of such strategies on business performance is ambiguous. CPA brings tangible benefits only to certain types of companies, and only up to a certain point, after which it would make sense to shift the focus to advancing the firm’s market positions, and investing in research and development.

The set of information and communications technologies (ICTs) applied by companies defines their technology profiles: complementary assets which can create competitive advantages. The publication by Mariia Molodchik, Iuliia Naidenova, Еvgeniya Shenkamn, and Еgor Ivanov “ICT Profiles of Russian Companies at the Industry Level: Resource Management Strategies” describes Russian companies’ ICT-related practices. Stable combinations of technologies simultaneously applied by numerous industry players have been identified. Companies’ ICT profiles significantly vary across industries, and impact their financial performance. Advancing the ICT profile with AI-based solutions opens up much better prospects for companies.

Rising food prices, and increased competitive pressure are pushing the food sector players to adopt innovative strategies. E.g. upcycling allows to turn food waste or surpluses into marketable products. The paper “Foodtech as Part of the Circular Economy” by Adrián Csordás analyses consumer attitudes towards transformed food products, and the potential competitive advantages for retailers. Recommendations are suggested for improving upcycled products’ marketing.

Microalgae, a key renewable bioresource, are used to produce a wide range of products including food, medicines, cosmetics, and biofuels. By 2030 the global microalgae market is predicted to reach 2 billion USD, which indicates the overall importance of the bioeconomy. The publication by Irina Adarchenko, Anna Kurbatova, Natalia Porotnikova, Elena Savenkova, Vinod Kumar, and Yana Skorokhodova “Advanced Technologies for Bioeconomy: The Case of Microalgae Production” offers a comprehensive analysis of the science and technology potential in this area, the prospects for industrial cultivation, and producing various microalgae products. The authors also assess the latter’s commercial potential in different regions of the world, identify the most promising strains, product types, potential application areas, and future growth paths.

The escalation of various challenges in recent years has become a stress test for innovative Russian companies. In the paper “Overcoming internal and external barriers for companies’ innovation development” Valeriya Vlasova , Kseniia Boiko , and Tatiana Kuznetsova assess such firms’ adaptive potential, and willingness to carry on with innovation in a crisis situation in terms of the business community’s expectations. The results of a survey of managers of more than 1,000 high-technology and service companies about eight factor groups are presented: markets, competitive environment, materials, personnel, financial resources, infrastructure quality, government regulation, and social environment. The results obtained expand the understanding of businesses’ adaptation to external restrictions, and can serve as the basis for innovation policy recommendations.

One of the more relevant tools for finding opportunities, and new valuable assets in an increasingly complex business context are workers’ internal entrepreneurial initiatives, or “intrapreneurship”. The paper by Vijay Vivek and Kumar Chandrasekhar “Intrapreneurship as a Driver of Business Innovation” contributes to the understanding of the factors affecting the development of this phenomenon. The role of key prerequisites such as entrepreneurial abilities, strategic thinking, proactive behaviour, and the art of promoting a favourable environment for innovation is described. The authors’ conclusions strengthen the arguments for the adoption of new economic development formats in addition to classic entrepreneurship.

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