Abstract Purpose This paper aims to map the creation and evolution of centering resonance analysis (CRA). This method was an innovative approach developed to conduct textual content analysis in a semi-automatic, theory-informed and analytically rigorous way. Nevertheless, despite its robust procedures to analyze documents and interviews, CRA is still broadly unknown and scarcely used in management research. Design/methodology/approach To track CRA’s development, the roadmapping approach was properly adapted. The traditional time-based multi-layered map format was customized to depict, graphically, the results obtained from a systematic literature review of the main CRA publications. Findings In total, 19 papers were reviewed, from the method’s introduction in 2002 to its last tracked methodological development. In all, 26 types of CRA analysis were identified and grouped in five categories. The most innovative procedures in each group were discussed and exemplified. Finally, a CRA methodological roadmap was presented, including a layered typology of the publications, in terms of their focus and innovativeness; the number of analysis conducted in each publication; references for further CRA development; a segmentation and description of the main publication periods; main turning points; citation-based relationships; and four possible future scenarios for CRA as a method. Originality/value This paper offers a unique and comprehensive review of CRA’s development, favoring its broader use in management research. In addition, it develops an adapted version of the roadmapping approach, customized for mapping methodological innovations over time.

The aim of this paper is to refine, from a configurational perspective, the understanding of causal conditions underlying performance differences between new academic technology-based firms. Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), a research strategy conceived to investigate parsimonious configurations that explain a given result of interest in small-N populations, was adopted as the methodological approach. The analyses were performed using a database related to 81 Brazilian academic spin-offs, pre-incubated by a governmental innovation promotion program. Based on the resultant configurations, parsimonious sets of variables for explaining the initial performance of these new ventures were obtained. Complementary findings and their respective implications are also discussed.

A gestão de portfólio de projetos de novos produtos visa a auxiliar os tomadores de decisão a selecionar projetos de novos produtos considerando critérios importantes para a organização. A indústria farmacêutica brasileira tem passado por transformações devido ao aumento das exigências sanitárias após a Lei de Genéricos, de 1999. O objetivo deste trabalho foi entender como as indústrias farmacêuticas brasileiras selecionam seus projetos de desenvolvimento de novos produtos e propor uma estrutura que possa auxiliar estas empresas a selecionar seus projetos de produtos. Foi utilizada a metodologia de estudo de caso e uma mostra de quatro organizações foi investigada. Os resultados indicam que essas empresas apresentam um desenvolvimento de produtos não estruturado e que a seleção de projetos de novos produtos é realizada de forma não-sistemática. Critérios importantes para a seleção de projetos de novos produtos foram identificados e utilizados para elaboração de um padrão gerencial para aplicação da gestão de portfólio de projetos de novos produtos.

New Product Portfolio Management is aimed at helping decision-makers better select projects for new products based on key criteria for the manufacturer. The Brazilian pharmaceutical industry has been undergoing change due to stricter sanitary requirements following the enactment of the Generic Law in 1999. This paper presents the results of a research study aimed at clarifying the rationale employed by national pharmaceutical companies in selecting and prioritizing their new product development projects. Consequently, proposals for an analytical structure that could help these companies better select their products were produced. The research was carried out using case study methodology in which four different companies were investigated. The results of the field study confirmed that these companies had a non-structured Product Development System and that the selection of new product development projects was made on a non-systematic basis. The research also identified key criteria for the selection of projects of new pharmaceutical products, which provided the basis for the preparation of a proposal for a managerial standard for application of New Product Portfolio Management.

Este artigo apresenta uma aplicação do método QFD em uma empresa de materiais. A intervenção foi para garantia da qualidade de um produto durante seu redesenvolvimento, em atendimento ao desejo do cliente único de ter uma característica do produto aumentada, sem prejuízo a outras. Foram efetuados dois desdobramentos associados: qualidade positiva e tecnologia do processo. A estratégia de pesquisa adotada foi a de pesquisa-ação. Utilizou-se também um guia para intervenção do QFD. O desdobramento da tecnologia mostrou como alterações na tecnologia de fabricação afetam os índices de controle do processo (foco cliente interno); enquanto o desdobramento da qualidade revelou como essas mesmas alterações afetam a qualidade do produto final (foco cliente externo). A técnica de planejamento e análise de experimentos auxiliou na definição das intervenções no processo e na definição de correlações. Foram levantados alguns aspectos não contemplados pelo guia de intervenção do QFD, bem como tópicos para pesquisas futuras.

The article presents an application of QFD method in a materials industry. The intervention aimed at quality assurance of a product during its redevelopment, in order to respond to the desire of product client of having a quality characteristic enhanced without jeopardizing others. Two deployments were carried out in association: positive quality and process technology. This study was conducted by means of action-research. It also employed an intervention guide for QFD studies. The technology deployment showed how alterations in process technology affect process control parameters (a focus on internal client); whereas, the quality deployment revealed how these same alterations affect the final product quality (a focus on external client). Planning and Analysis of Experiments showed to be helpful in defining interventions in the process and in establishing correlations. The article ends by pointing out some aspects not contemplated by the QFD intervention guide, as well as topics for future studies.

Technology companies created from University research are known as "Academic Spin-Off" (ASO). These innovative companies play an important role for the technological, economical and social development of a country. This work discusses some aspects of ASO companies and their importance to Universities. It is also presented a fictitious history of Prof. João, a chemical researcher who will create an ASO company from his academic research work illustrating the basic steps involved in this process.

The Universities, in Brazil and all over the world are currently going through a "second revolution" in which the socio-economical development is incorporated as part of their mission and science and knowledge play a key role for the development of the society. In this context, this article is directed towards the importance of entrepreneurship and the formation of technological entrepreneurs in the area of chemistry, with special attention to the teaching of entrepreneurship in the chemistry courses and its effect on students, universities and the job possibilities. This article also presents a short discussion on a basic entrepreneurship course for chemists and some suggestions of reading on entrepreneurship to those interested in get started in this area. What is presented here about entrepreneurship in chemistry can be applied to any other area of science and technology.

Este trabalho faz uma avaliação histórica e do estágio atual do movimento qualidade e produtividade (Q&P) no Brasil, através da evolução do conceito do controle da qualidade no interior do atual processo de reestruturação produtiva, e delineia os desafios, limitações e potencialidades desse movimento à comunidade científica da Engenharia de Produção. O escopo da análise está centrado, principalmente, na comparação entre a prática da Q&P do setor produtivo industrial brasileiro com o corpo conceitual-teórico da Q&P conhecido pela comunidade. O argumento central do trabalho é "Q&P (no seu sentido amplo, incluindo o trabalho) não pode ser visto como uma sub-área da Engenharia de Produção, mas sim a própria razão de ser da Engenharia de Produção (no seu sentido igualmente amplo, incluindo o trabalho)". Duas idéias decorrentes desse argumento principal são: 1- a demanda por Q&P abre espaço para a utilização dò conhecimento especializado da Engenharia de Produção; 2 - os pressupostos básicos de Q&P abrem horizonte para a formulação de uma nova base teórica e prática da Engenharia de Produção. O trabalho conclui com a descrição de um conjunto de ações que podem ser implementadas pelos pesquisadores, associações afins e órgãos de fomento para que esta área de conhecimento possa ser mais amplamente aplicada em beneficio da sociedade brasileira.

This paper sets out to provide a historical review and an evaluation of the current situation of the Quality and Productivity (Q&P) efforts in Brazil through the evolution of the concept of quality control within the framework of the current process of changes in the production system. This paper also outlines the challenges, future prospects and limitations that these efforts offer to professionals of Production Engineering. The scope of this analysis is mainly based on the comparison between the practice of Q&P within Brazilian industry and the theoretical concept of Q&P as understood by those professionals. The main assumption in this paper is that "Q&P (in its wider meaning) should not be viewed as part of Production Engineering, but it is the raison d'etre of Production Engineering (in an equally wider meaning). Two main ideas stem from this assumption, which are: (I) the demandfor Q&P provides ample room for the application of the specialized knowledge in Production Engineering and (2) the fundamental assumptions of Q&P enable the formulation of a new theoretical and practical framework for Production Engineering. Finally, this paper describes a set of actions which can be implemented by researchers, associations of professionals and foster-organizations so that this field of knowledge can be put in practice more widely for the benefit of the whole Brazilian society.