Virtual Marketing in Virtual Enterprises

Nader Ale Ebrahim, Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya
Hamid A. Fattahi
Arash Golnam

Abstract

Virtualization caused tremendous evolution in the economics of marketing channels, patterns of physical distribution and the structure of distributors and developed a new concept that is known as virtual marketing (VM). VM combines the powerful technologies of interactive marketing and virtual reality. Virtual enterprise (VE) refers to an organization not having a clear physical locus. In other words, VE is an organization distributed geographically and whose work is coordinated through electronic communications." It should be mentioned that here VE encompasses all other similar phrases like Virtual company, virtual corporation, etc. One of the greatest challenges facing business owners and managers – both for traditional and virtual organizations- is finding a way to cost−effectively communicate frequently and consistently with their target markets; and the virtual marketing perform this function at the best possible. In this paper, we focus on the concept of “Virtual marketing in virtual enterprises”.

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim N., Fattahi H.A., Golnam A. (2008 ) Virtual Marketing in Virtual Enterprises, 2nd International Marketing Management conference, Tehran, Iran. pp. 1-12.

"Virtual Marketing in Virtual Enterprises" by Nader Ale Ebrahim, et al.

R&D Management in Iran, Opportunities and Threats

Nader Ale Ebrahim, Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya
Ali Ghazizadeh
Arash Golnam
Hamid Tahbaz Tavakoli

Abstract

Research and Development (R&D) management in Iran has faced many barriers and obstacles, in which R&D units are considered as the basic core of the product development and innovation. Due to structural shortcomings, a great number of organizations and industries have not yet been able to position themselves in the market. There are about 1141 R&D units throughout Iran, due to the geographical decentralization of these units this paper considers and analyzes the R&D case study in one of the provinces located in the north part of Iran, and the findings can be generalized to the other industrialized areas and zones in Iran. In this province, there are about 2504 industrial units of which there are only 44 R&D units certified by the state government. However, there is limited number of these R&D units that are extensively active. This paper also addresses the current status in respect with the R&D activities to find out why little attention has been paid to these activities in the industrial units. Considering the opportunities and challenges of these R&D units reveals that there is a need to activate these units so that they can quickly respond to changes in the market. Finally, a few alternative solutions and improvement plans are proposed, in which the Iranian R&D Society is responsible for supporting and fostering these action plans towards the organization goals. The research methodology was based on a previous field research conducted in Hamedan province, and after the analysis of the research results, a model for the efficiency of R&D units will be presented.

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim N., Ghazizadeh A., Golnam A., Tahbaz Tavakoli H. (2007) R&D Management in Iran, Opportunities and Threats, 16th International Conference on Management of Technology (IAMOT 2007), "Management of Technology for the Service Economy", Miami Beach Resort & Spa, Miami Beach, Florida, USA.
"R&D Management in Iran, Opportunities an" by Nader Ale Ebrahim, et al.

Heavy Duty Fleet and Transportation in Iran the Past, the Present Condition, the future perspectives and its interaction with Economy

Nader Ale Ebrahim, Iran Khodro Diesel Co
Arash Golnam

Abstract

Since the ancient times Iran has always played a significant role in the Transportation Industry due to its strategic position in the silk road that connected Asia to Europe and Middle East to .Ancient Iranians are believed to be the pioneers of land transportation in the world and transportation has always been considered as one of the most ancient and historical Industries in Iran . Nowadays in the third millennium Transportation Industry experts believe that Iran is once more located in a strategic and geopolitical position in the world in which , according to the economic analyses, the Transportation Industry brings over three hundred billion dollars revenue annually. Iran's share out of this considerable revenue is just 1 percent, statistically 30% of Iran's transportation market is captured by Turkey and Azerbaijan Trucks and Trailers, In addition to this Iran has approximately no share in the freight transportation from Europe to Middle Asia. In this paper we first picture current condition of transportation fleet in Iran then we elaborate on the reasons contributing to this loss of market all according to statistical analysis of the up to date facts and figures, gathered through the survey we recently conducted in Iran. As the next step we go through a SWOT (strength weaknesses opportunities and threats) analysis of one of the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the Middle East, ending up with highlighting and analyzing some of the strategies that can be or have been devised with the purpose of capturing a larger proportion of market share in the Transportation and becoming the market leader as a change around in the recent years, and their economic impacts.

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim N., Golnam A. (2006) Heavy Duty Fleet and Transportation in Iran the Past, the Present Condition, the future perspectives and its interaction with Economy, FISITA 2006 World Automotive Congress., Yokohama, Japan. pp. 1-12.
"Heavy Duty Fleet and Transportation in I" by Nader Ale Ebrahim, et al.

Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges for R&D Management and the Role of the R&D Society for its Improvement – A Case Study in Iran

Reza R. Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran
Nader Ale Ebrahim, The R&D Society of Iran industries and Mines
Arash Golnam, The R&D Society of Iran industries and Mines
M. Vasei, The R&D Society of Iran industries and Mines
Ali Ghazizadeh-Moghaddam, The R&D Society of Iran industries and Mines

Abstract

Research and Development (R&D) management in Iran is faced to many barriers and obstacles, in which R&D units are considered as the basic core of the product development and innovation. Due to structural shortcomings, a great number of organizations and industries have not been able to find their actual status. There are about different 1141 R&D units with a dispersion pattern in Iran. This paper considers and analyzes the R&D case study in one of the provinces located in the north part of Iran in order to enhance the potential R&D activities in respect with the industrialized areas and zones. In this province, there are about 2504 industrial units of which there are only 44 R&D units certified by the state government. However, there are limit numbers of these R&D units that are extensively active. This paper also addresses the current status in respect with the R&D activities to find out why there is a lack and depression of these activities in the industrial units. By considering the opportunity and challenges of these R&D units, there is a need to change these units to be active in order to quickly respond the market and demand requirements. Finally, a few alternative solutions and improvement plans are proposed, in which the Iranian R&D Society is responsible for supporting and succeeding these action plans towards the organization goals.

Suggested Citation

Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, Reza, Ale Ebrahim, Nader, Golnam, Arash, Vasei, M. and Ghazizadeh-Moghaddam, Ali, Analysis of opportunities and challenges for R&D management and the role of the R&D society for its improvement - A case study in Iran, Proceeding of the R&D Management Conf., Lake Windermere: England, July 5-7, 2006,
"Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges" by Reza R. Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, et al.

Knowledge Management in Iran

Nader Ale Ebrahim, Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya
Ali Ghazizadeh
Arash Golnam

Abstract

In the highly competitive global market, only organizations survive in which, knowledge has replaced labor and natural resources as the key source of sustainable growth and development. The organizations that have learnt doing things differently and doing different things. In such organizations knowledge and learning are widely considered as sustainable sources of competitive advantage. In this paper first we take a look at the history and the pioneers of knowledge management in Iran analyzing the evolutionary trend of knowledge management and its current condition in Iran. Then we trace the emphasis put on knowledge management in the fourth economic, social and cultural development plan proposed by the Iranian Government with an analytical approach. Next but still important we present the summary of the 5th Seminar of the Industries and Mines Research and Development Centers by the name of Research and Development and Knowledge Management which was held on 23 and 24th of Nov. 05 in Tehran by The R&D Society of Iranian Industries and Mines with the help of the Deputy Office for Planning, Research & Development of the Ministry of Industries & Mines and the Deputy Office of Research of the Ministry of Science, Research & Technology. Since we were directly involved in the above mentioned seminar from both scientific and executive point of view we believe this seminar is the most up to date case study about knowledge management in Iran.

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim N., Ghazizadeh A., Golnam A. (2006) Knowledge Management in Iran, Knowledge Management International Conference and Exhibition 2006 (KMICE 2006), Legend Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
"Knowledge Management in Iran" by Nader Ale Ebrahim, et al.

Applying System Dynamics to Confront Complex Decision Making in R&D Systems

Arash Golnam
Nader Ale Ebrahim, Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya

Abstract

Research and development has always played a strategically important role in the survival and the growth of technology-based firms. R&D is positively linked to company performance measures such as sales, productivity and shareholder returns and in addition to this, facing increased competition, as a result of globalization the viability of many established firms is based on the efficiency of their R&D activities. Similar to other business models, R&D systems are characterized by complex structure and dynamic behavior. It's often difficult to predict or trace the consequences of certain decisions due to the existence of delays, non-linearities and causal feedback inherent to such systems, in other words, the effect of making a decision in one part of the R&D function can manifest itself in another part of the business system at an unexpected time. There's a widely held belief that System Dynamics is the only way for challenging the increasing complexity of decision making in general and the best solution to avoid unintended consequences. This paper investigates the links between complex decision making in R&D management by describing how a dynamic simulation model, which broadly characterizes the causal feedback structure and the dynamic behavior of a typical R&D system, can be built to increase R&D systems efficiency. In this paper, first we start with defining R&D and its different types, and highlighting the importance of R&D. Then systems are defined and we explore complexity and its different types within the systems. As the next step we provide an answer to the question, how decision making complexities are originated in R&D. Then we take a brief look at the history of system dynamics and we become familiar with system dynamics tools (i.e. Causal Loop Diagrams and Stock and Flow Diagrams). Finally we get into modeling complexities faced in R&D decision making by system dynamics approach, starting from basic models and ending with more complex ones.

Suggested Citation

GOLNAM, A. & ALE EBRAHIM, N. (2005). Applying System Dynamics to Confront Complex Decision Making in R&D Systems. In: 5th conference of Industries and Mines R&D Centers, November 22-23 Tehran, Iran. 1-42.


"Applying System Dynamics to Confront Com" by Arash Golnam, et al.

Research, Development, Production and Performance of heavy duty CNG fleets in Iran

Nader Ale Ebrahim, Tousee Khodrocar Company
Maziar Rostamnezhad, Tousee Khodrocar Company
Ali Momeni, Tousee Khodrocar Company

Abstract

n recent years, along with the trend toward clean air and less dependency to imported oil products, there has been increasing willing to use substitute fuels in transport industry. Automobile industry is an exhaustive industry bringing development for any country. The industrial capabilities needed for development rest in this branch of industry. The Iranian automobile making companies move in line with this aim. But in recent decades, in addition to development of automobile industry, the pollution too has occupied the minds of the authorities of these companies. Some measures, investments, researches, and exhaustive studies related to the pollution problem have been made to produce an automobile of higher technology and lower pollution.

Suggested Citation

Nader Ale Ebrahim, Maziar Rostamnezhad, and Ali Momeni. (2005),"Research, Development, Production and Performance of heavy duty CNG fleets in Iran" , ANGVA 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
"Research, Development, Production and Pe" by Nader Ale Ebrahim, et al.