SxI - Springer for Innovation / SxI - Springer per l'Innovazione – serie

This book results from the talks presented at the First Conference on Transfer between Mathematics & Industry (CTMI 2019). Its goal is to promote and disseminate the mathematical tools for Statistics & Big Data, MSO (Modeling, Simulation and Optimization) and their industrial applications. In this volume, the reader will find innovative advances in the automotive, energy, railway, logistics, and materials sectors. In addition, Advances CTMI 2019 promotes the opening of new research lines aiming to provide suitable solutions for the industrial and societal challenges. Fostering effective interaction between Academia and Industry is our main purpose with this book. CTMI conferences are one of the main forums where significant advances in industrial mathematics are presented, bringing together outstanding leaders from business, science and Academia to promote the use of mathematics for an innovative industry.

The book is the outcome of a thoughtful reflection on Knowledge Share (KS), encompassing the distribution, connection and co-production of knowledge, through a circular, multi-sourced and multidirectional process. The book aims to generate in-depth knowledge and better awareness of the phenomenon, as well as new ideas and concrete actions to favour KS. It offers a comprehensive view of the factors influencing KS, including environmental, organizational, individual factors and their interrelations.The book is structured so to stimulate a reflection on theories and models of KS and to provide some evidence with a specific emphasis on the Italian context. This book talks to people interested in creating the conditions in which effective knowledge share (KS) can happen. It intends to reach out to different communities, raise awareness around KS and hopefully trigger a conversation that will result in a better understanding of KS dynamics now and in the future.

Questo libro offre un’approfondita esplorazione del Lean Healthcare Management, presentando una testimonianza convincente di come le metodologie Lean possano trasformare le organizzazioni sanitarie migliorandone l’efficienza, riducendo gli sprechi e promuovendo un miglioramento sostenibile. Basato sull’esperienza decennale e sui progetti del Master di II livello in Lean Healthcare Management dell’Università di Siena (2014–2024), il volume combina intuizioni pratiche e rigore accademico, colmando il divario tra i modelli teorici e le applicazioni reali. Il libro è strutturato per evidenziare il ruolo cruciale della formazione e dell’apprendimento esperienziale nell’implementazione dei principi Lean all’interno del settore sanitario. La sezione introduttiva pone le basi attraverso testimonianze di professionisti di rilievo del sistema sanitario italiano e presenta una panoramica sulle aziende sanitarie che hanno scelto di integrare il Lean nella propria strategia. Il primo capitolo traccia il percorso dall’aula alla pratica, mettendo in luce la metodologia interdisciplinare e applicativa del Master in Lean Healthcare Management. Questa metodologia integra competenze mediche, ingegneristiche e economico-organizzative, enfatizzando il lavoro progettuale collaborativo con le organizzazioni sanitarie e l’interdisciplinarietà. Attraverso l’analisi di dati quantitativi e qualitativi raccolti in dieci edizioni del percorso formativo, il libro dimostra l’impatto trasformativo su competenze, avanzamento professionale e risultati organizzativi tangibili ottenuti in azienda. Il cuore del libro presenta una serie di casi di studio dettagliati che illustrano i benefici concreti dei progetti Lean avviati da allievi del master nel corso delle diverse edizioni. Questi esempi dimostrano la scalabilità e l’adattabilità dei principi Lean e coprono diversi contesti sanitari: gestione dei flussi di pazienti, governo delle liste di attesa, logistica del farmaco, organizzazione dei trasporti, digitalizzazione dei processi amministrativi, ottimizzazione del percorso chirurgico. Ogni caso evidenzia come il lavoro progettuale possa favorire il coinvolgimento del personale, innescare cambiamenti organizzativi più ampi e apportare miglioramenti misurabili in vari ambiti operativi. Nel capitolo conclusivo, si sottolineano l’evoluzione delle metodologie Lean applicate all’interno della sanità italiana nel corso degli ultimi anni, offrendo prospettive sulle pratiche attuali e sulle direzioni future. Questo libro è una risorsa indispensabile per dirigenti sanitari, manager, decisori politici e accademici in cerca di strategie innovative per ottimizzare l’erogazione dei servizi sanitari. Il volume si rivolge sia a professionisti esperti sia a coloro che si avvicinano per la prima volta al Lean Thinking in ambito sanitario, illustrando la forza dei concetti teorici che ne stanno alla base e il potenziale della loro concreta applicazione.

This book provides a systematic and integrated approach to construct measures of complex and multidimensional concepts called composite indicators. One of the most pressing needs of scientists and policy makers is to measure phenomena that are important to our lives in society using numbers, to observe their evolution over time, and to analyse the relationships between them in order to understand the complex reality and decide on the right actions to achieve specific goals. Many socio-economic phenomena, as well as ecological, biological and of other sciences, are multidimensional and, to be measured, require the use of statistical-mathematical techniques that facilitate their reading and use for studies and analyses. This book is a guide to the knowledge and application of statistical tools suitable for the construction of “optimal” composite indicators, i.e. indicators that provide the most accurate measure of multidimensional reality. The book is aimed at all those - statisticians, sociologists, economists, and policy makers - who wish to construct composite indicators to measure and evaluate the complex reality that surrounds us.

The book presents a comprehensive vision of the impact of ICT on the contemporary city, heritage, public spaces and meta-cities on both urban and metropolitan scales, not only in producing innovative perspectives but also related to newly discovered scientific methods, which can be used to stimulate the emerging reciprocal relations between cities and information technologies. Using the principles established by multi-disciplinary interventions as examples and then expanding on them, this book demonstrates how by using ICT and new devices, metropolises can be organized for a future that preserves the historic nucleus of the city and the environment while preparing the necessary expansion of transportation, housing and industrial facilities.

Eurocorridors are characterized by intensive transport flows and dynamic patterns of establishment and household locations. They are also considered the backbones of powerful spatial and economic forces in the areas that connect urban regions. One of the main difficulties in the spatial planning of eurocorridors has been the need to engage in different types of collective action. Such an approach can be extremely challenging in practice, useful to researchers in the field and to professionals as well. In the light of this, the book’s main objectives are: - To define the problem by analyzing the key features, which include freight and passenger transport policies and issues; the territorial context, with its geographical, social, economic and cultural aspects; the plurality of subjects with different aims and resources and the lack of homogeneous information. - To illustrate assessment models and evaluation frameworks (MCDA; Discrete Choice Analysis; Collaborative Assessments; Geovisualization Technologies) in theoretical terms and by the use of case studies.

This book explores the new rules and codes that are required in order to foster the implementation of smart city technologies with a view to meeting the environmental and energy challenges posed by dynamic contemporary cities with increasing populations. In particular, it proposes a methodological approach suitable for use when devising a smart urban/building code for local administrations, taking into account the current European regulatory framework (directives and technical norms) and evaluating the economic feasibility of the suggested measures. A case study is made of a large Mediterranean city in Italy that can be regarded as a paradigm of urban evolution, where a traditional individualism poses a cultural obstacle to the emerging need to share resources. Further features include a smart cities atlas, explanation of how to create local rules for sustainable building restoration/construction, and guidance on economic evaluation of the impact of building automation and passive measures for energy efficiency. The book, which has a multidisciplinary perspective, will be of value to all who are interested in the transition to smart cities that can meet sustainable development targets.

This book deals with one strand of the intense debate concerning the links between law and development, namely the coordination of innovation processes and legal change. It analyzes how innovation, and ultimately development, can be fostered or hindered by existing or new legal infrastructures.The book includes eleven original contributions from senior and junior scholars and is divided into two parts, the first focusing on theoretical frameworks and the second presenting several case studies on various institutional aspects. A particular strength of this part is its broad geographical coverage, which encompasses the legal frameworks in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.The contributions collected in this book will be of value to a broad readership. Academic scholars will find useful information on lessons learned from reforms implemented in different areas and come to better understand the methodological hurdles involved in reform assessment. Policymakers in national and international organizations can draw on these studies when designing new programs. Lastly, practitioners in developed and developing countries can use these contributions to promote the success of current or new initiatives.

This book tells the story of capacity building in Europe with respect to technology transfer offices and organizations (TTOs). The traditional underdevelopment of technology markets in Europe has often been explained in terms of lack of capacity and skills among technology transfer professionals, both as individuals and as part of TTOs. Because of the severe consequences for economic development and industrial growth, this situation has been repeatedly addressed by policy makers, until the European Commission, within the framework of Horizon 2020, decided to initiate a pan-European pilot project on capacity building. This book builds on the experience gained through that project and tries to reconnect it with current scholarly works on technology management by focusing on the new methodology developed. In addition, the authors present a series of case studies that may be used as a benchmark and as examples that will help high-potential TTOs to improve their performance. Both practitioners and researchers will benefit from the holistic perspective of the book, which goes beyond the traditional approach and attempts to reconcile the theory and practice of organizing for technology transfer.

Il testo raccoglie una serie di qualificati contributi di autori italiani e stranieri in tema di Scienza dei Servizi in una prospettiva manageriale, toccando i temi più rilevanti rispetto al contributo che tale approccio può dare alla creazione di valore delle imprese, quali servitization dei prodotti, business modelling, co-creazione di valore con i clienti, misure di performance, ruolo dell'ICT. Vengono presentate inoltre alcune esperienze innovative nei modelli di gestione dei servizi (ambientali ed energetici e di health care) particolarmente sensibili a queste nuove prospettive strategiche e manageriali. Il testo si propone di valorizzare scientificamente i risultati di ricerca collegati al nuovo percorso formativo iniziato quattro anni fa con l'evoluzione dello storico "Master in Management dell'Innovazione" della Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna nel nuovo "Master in Management, Innovazione e Ingegneria dei Servizi" (MAINS). Vedi struttura del testo allegata.

Il trasferimento tecnologico è divenuto centrale nella gestione dell’innovazione e della proprietà intellettuale in enti e imprese. Si tratta di una attività relativamente nuova e dai forti contenuti interdisciplinari, che viene fatta oggetto di insegnamento soprattutto nei corsi post-universitari. Sono finora mancate opere di riferimento generale che trattino della materia dal punto di vista delle strategie, degli argomenti, delle politiche e delle procedure, con taglio pratico e con approfondimento scientifico tecnico, giuridico, manageriale. Dopo una parte introduttiva sulle strategie di valorizzazione dei risultati della ricerca, l’opera affronta in primo luogo il tema dell’organizzazione: come l’ente deve organizzarsi internamente per valorizzare i risultati della ricerca. Le ulteriori parti trattano dei canali che soprattutto gli enti di ricerca utilizzano per le attività di trasferimento tecnologico, cioè l’attività negoziale di licensing e la formazione di imprese spin-off.

The book provides a critical overview of innovation policy in Europe and a synopsis of the current institutional framework of Europe shaped after the Europe2020 strategy and in view of the upcoming Horizon2020 agenda. What emerges is a rather gloomy outlook for the future of Europe's innovation, unless EU institutions and Member States will decide to streamline existing policies and build a "layered" model of innovation, in which governments act as investors in key enabling infrastructure such as ICT and education; as enablers of large technology markets where researchers and entrepreneurs can meet; and as purchasers of innovation when key societal challenges are at stake. The book contains proposals for the future innovation strategy of the EU and a specific analysis of areas such as the unitary patent, the transfer of technology (particularly as far as climate-related technologies and IP markets are concerned), standardization, and the digital agenda.

L’opera presenta e descrive il fenomeno del trasferimento tecnologico da università a industria attraverso una prospettiva originale, da “insider”, cioè la prospettiva delle università. Il volume racconta, attraverso la penna degli stessi protagonisti, la nascita, la crescita e le esperienze degli Uffici di Trasferimento Tecnologico (TTO) delle principali università italiane, facendo emergere l’eterogeneità delle loro ambizioni, dei traguardi raggiunti e delle risorse a loro disposizione per la valorizzazione della ricerca scientifica. L’idea di fondo dell’opera è che i “numeri” danno una visione importante ma solo parziale di quello che è un TTO universitario. Il nostro lavoro a stretto contatto con i professionisti del trasferimento tecnologico ci ha dimostrato che l’attività di tali uffici è ricca di storie significative e ad alto contenuto formativo, dove l’elemento umano, e le modalità con cui esso è gestito, giocano un ruolo centrale nel trasferimento di conoscenza dal mondo della ricerca a quello dell'industria.

The book "TransMath - Innovative Solutions from Mathematical Technology" has been conceived as a tool for the dissemination of scientific knowledge. This publication is addressed to those companies with innovation needs that could be met through mathematical technology.The book maps both existing and possible interactions and connections that enable technology transfer between Spanish mathematical research and industrial and business sectors. Businesses can determine the level of implementation and demand for such technology within their sector and understand the benefits and innovations achieved in other companies and industries with the application of mathematical techniques.The information is classified into eleven sectors of economic activity: Biomedicine & Health; Construction; Economics & Finance; Energy & Environment; Food; ICT; Logistics & Transport; Management & Tourism; Metal & Machinery; Public Administration; and Technical Services.

The structure of Italian industry is characterized by a predominance of small sized companies and the presence of very few large companies. For a long time a conviction was shared among scholars and practitioners that the strength and safety of Italian industry were based on its industrial districts, that is, the system of interdependent and co-localized small companies which derive their competitive force from an effective and efficient division of labour. This book stresses the idea that a new, vital and promising phenomenon for the competitiveness of Italian industry is focused on mid-sized companies, and the systems of interconnected firms that form a constituent part of their business model. These companies, which originate largely from districts and other local production systems, are a strong entrepreneurial force complementing the districts that have characterized Italy and made Italian industry famous worldwide. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of these firms is provided in this book. Business models and strategies implemented by a number of successful Italian mid-sized manufacturing companies are also explored. Consequences in terms of management and industrial policies are provided. A final look at the German Mittelstand gives a useful comparison.