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Design thinking refers to the implementation of a firm's design philosophy into design processes and outputs. This article introduces two design thinking approaches--user-centered design and design-driven innovation--that frame product design activities and show how these approaches can be incorporated into marketing curricula. The aim of this article is to show how marketing educators can help students appreciate and understand the processes and consequences of developing new products using different design thinking approaches. First, an experiment is conducted to examine the effect of design thinking approaches (user-centered design, design-driven innovation) on design and marketing outcomes (perceived originality, perceived usefulness, and perceived value). Second, based on the results of the study, the article develops a step-by-step guide on how to execute a design thinking module in a product-oriented marketing course.

Previous research has found that information technology (IT) investment is associated with significant productivity gains for developed countries but not for developing countries. Yet developing countries have continued to increase their investment in IT rapidly. Given this apparent disconnect, there is a need for new research to study whether the investment has begun to pay off in greater productivity for developing countries. We analyze new data on IT investment and productivity for 45 countries from 1994 to 2007, and compare the results with earlier research. We find that upper-income developing countries have achieved positive and significant productivity gains from IT investment in the more recent period as they have increased their IT capital stocks and gained experience with the use of IT. We also find that the productivity effects of IT are moderated by country factors, including human resources, openness to foreign investment, and the quality and cost of the telecommunications infrastructure. The academic implication is that the effect of IT on productivity is expanding from the richest countries into a large group of developing countries. The policy implication is that lower-tier developing countries can also expect productivity gains from IT investments, particularly through policies that support IT use, such as greater openness to foreign investment, increased investment in tertiary education, and reduced telecommunications costs. © 2013 M.E. Sharpe, Inc. All rights reserved.

Investment in information technology (IT) is an important driver of economic growth and productivity in the United States and other developed countries, but as yet it is not shown to be a significant driver in developing countries. Previous research suggests that IT investment and complementary assets are insufficient for developing countries to realize economic benefits. This research note examines the factors that influence IT investment in developed and developing countries to determine how greater investment might be stimulated to achieve productivity gains. We use the flexible accelerator model of investment and find that it is a good predictor of country-level IT investment. We also extend the model to include country-level variables, and find a negative relationship between IT investment and interest rates, but positive and significant relationships between investment, openness to trade, and telecommunications infrastructure. When we include interaction effects between national income levels and country variables, we find that the impacts of interest rates, size of the financial sector, teledensity, and intellectual property rights are strongest in shaping IT investment for developed countries. In contrast, we find that the impact of openness to trade is greater for developing countries, as is the size of government and education levels. © 2007 INFORMS.

This paper focuses on managers' marketing decision making during performance decline. Drawing on the reconciliation of theories of failure-induced change and threat-rigidity by Ocasio (1995 (See CR50)), we examine how performance decline may result in a rigid decision-making process and decision characteristics that reflect the narrowing of attention and increased risk seeking. Furthermore, drawing on managerial compensation research, we consider how incentive pay may affect the marketing decision-making process and decision characteristics of managers during performance decline. Using a simulation game with experienced Chinese managers, our results indicate that performance decline decreases marketing strategy process comprehensiveness but increases reliance on short-term marketing decisions, strategic change, and strategic risk taking. Moreover, incentive pay attenuates the rigid decision-making process of managers but accentuates their heightened risk seeking during performance decline. This paper offers unique behavioral insights into how managers make marketing decisions., Author(s): Daniel Han Ming Chng[sup.1] , Eric Shih[sup.2] , Matthew S. Rodgers[sup.3] , Xiao-Bing Song[sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) China Europe International Business School, 201206, Shanghai, China (2) Sungkyunkwan University SKK [...]

Compact microstrip bandpass filters of orders N = 4, 6, and 8 with quasi-elliptic function responses are synthesized with inline stepped-impedance resonators. The filters have enhanced transition responses since two transmission zeros are generated on both sides of the passband. Existence of these two zeros is investigated by formulating the Y-matrix of the equivalent circuit for the filter and taking adjacent and nonadjacent coupling into account. Some matrix elements [Y.sub.j,j]+2 representing coupling between two nonadjacent resonators are shown to have the opposite signs in both the lower and upper sides of the center frequency. This property leads to creation of the two transmission zeros on both sides of the passband. It is demonstrated that one more zero can be created in the rejection band by the tapped-line input/output scheme. Experimental circuits on substrates with [[epsilon].sub.r] = 2.2 and 10.2 are measured to validate the theory and design. Index Terms--Bandpass filter, elliptic function response, inline, stepped-impedance resonator, transmission zero.

Bandpass filters with an optimal rejection bandwidth are designed using parallel-coupled stepped impedance resonators (SIRs). The fundamental ([f.sub.o]) and higher order resonant harmonics of an SIR are analyzed against the length ratio of the high-Z and low-Z segments. It is found that an optimal length ratio can be obtained for each high-Z to low-Z impedance ratio to maximize the upper rejection bandwidth. A tapped-line input/output structure is exploited to create two extra transmission zeros in the stopband. The singly loaded Q([Q.sub.si]) of a tapped SIR is derived. With the aid of [Q.sub.si], the two zeros can be independently tuned over a wide frequency range. When the positions of the two zeros are purposely located at the two leading higher order harmonics, the upper rejection band can be greatly extended. Chebyshev bandpass filters with spurious resonances up to 4.4 [f.sub.o], 6.5 [f.sub.o], and 8.2 [f.sub.o] are fabricated and measured to demonstrate the idea. Index Terms--Microstrip, microwave filter, spurious response, stepped impedance resonator (SIR), transmission zero.

This study proposes a model of dynamic use diffusion that serves as a basis for investigating post-adoption technology-usage behavior. Dynamic use diffusion measures the extent to which technology usage has evolved since the time of adoption. Herein, antecedents and consequences of dynamic use diffusion are investigated. A large-scale, random sample survey was conducted in the United States, Sweden, and India on the use of Internet and computing technology. The survey results suggest that while the antecedents of dynamic use diffusion are similar across the three countries, the consequences are somewhat different for India. These differences can be attributed to the national cultural differences of India compared with the United States and Sweden with regard to power distance beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing consumer inference making and the information congruency framework, the authors examined the effect of brand name in the context of multigenerational product introduction in two studies. Results showed that brand name type had an effect on perceived technological improvement, product differentiation and the degree to which one is willing to pay more for the current version compared to the previous version of technology. Furthermore, results showed that the degree of congruency between brand name (sequential vs nonsequential) and type of innovation (breakthrough vs normal) can elevate such effects. The results underscore the importance of proper branding strategies for high-tech products, especially when it is a breakthrough development.Journal of Brand Management (2009) 16, 439–454. doi:10.1057/palgrave.bm.2550104; published online 13 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bandpass filters with an optimal rejection bandwidth are designed using parallel-coupled stepped impedance resonators (SIRs). The fundamental (fo) and higher order resonant harmonics of an SIR are analyzed against the length ratio of the high-Z and Iow-Z segments. It is found that an optimal length ratio can be obtained for each high-Z to Iow-Z impedance ratio to maximize the upper rejection bandwidth. A tapped-line input/output structure is exploited to create two extra transmission zeros in the stopband. The singly loaded Q (Q[sub si]) of a tapped SIR is derived. With the aid of Q[sub si], the two zeros can be independently tuned over a wide frequency range. When the positions of the two zeros are purposely located at the two leading higher order harmonics, the upper rejection band can be greatly extended. Chebyshev bandpass filters with spurious resonances up to 4.4f[sub o], 6.5f[sub o], and 8.2f[sub o] are fabricated and measured to demonstrate the idea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are used for evaluating real-time glucose levels to optimize diabetes management. There is limited information, however, on whether readings differ when a device is placed on the right versus the left arm. This study evaluated the mean difference in glucose levels between the right and left arm and the effect of unilateral arm exercise on this difference. The effect of an intermittent fasting diet on body fat percentage was also evaluated., Research Design and Methods: In a prospective trial, 46 adult volunteers self-selected into the intermittent fasting (IF; N = 23) or free-living (FL; N = 23) diet group and were randomized into a unilateral arm exercise group. Volunteers had CGM sensors placed simultaneously on both arms for 12-14 days., Results: The mean glucose level in the right arm was significantly higher than the left arm by 3.7 mg/dL ( P < .001), and this result was unaffected by diet or arm exercise. Glucose levels were in euglycemic range for 75.2% of the time in the right arm and 67.5% in the left arm ( P < .001). The change from baseline in body fat percentage between the IF and FL diet groups was not significant., Conclusions: Measured glucose level and time in euglycemic range differ per placement of the CGM device, and the implications of this difference should be considered in clinical practice and research.