Antonio Usai

Prof. Antonio Usai

Department of Economics and Business, University of Sassari
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

16Years (2011-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 May 2018 in Journal of Knowledge Management
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Antonio UsaiAntonio Usai
Antonio Usai
MPMarco Pironti
Marco Pironti
MMMonika Mital
Monika Mital
CMChiraz Aouina Mejri
Chiraz Aouina Mejri
Purpose: The aim of this work is to increase awareness of the potential of the technique of text mining to discover knowledge and further promote research collaboration between knowledge management and the information technology communities. Since its emergence, text mining has involved multidisciplinary studies, focused primarily on database technology, Web-based collaborative writing, text analysis, machine learning and knowledge discovery. However, owing to the large amount of research in this field, it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify existing studies and therefore suggest new topics. Design/methodology/approach: This article offers a systematic review of 85 academic outputs (articles and books) focused on knowledge discovery derived from the text mining technique. The systematic review is conducted by applying “text mining at the term level, in which knowledge discovery takes place on a more focused collection of words and phrases that are extracted from and label each document” (Feldman et al., 1998, p. 1). Findings: The results revealed that the keywords extracted to be associated with the main labels, id est, knowledge discovery and text mining, can be categorized in two periods: from 1998 to 2009, the term knowledge and text were always used. From 2010 to 2017 in addition to these terms, sentiment analysis, review manipulation, microblogging data and knowledgeable users were the other terms frequently used. Besides this, it is possible to notice the technical, engineering nature of each term present in the first decade. Whereas, a diverse range of fields such as business, marketing and finance emerged from 2010 to 2017 owing to a greater interest in the online environment. Originality/value: This is a first comprehensive systematic review on knowledge discovery and text mining through the use of a text mining technique at term level, which offers to reduce redundant research and to avoid the possibility of missing relevant publications.

23 May 2019 in Current Issues in Tourism
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
VCValentina Cillo
Valentina Cillo
RRRiccardo Rialti
Riccardo Rialti
MGManlio Del Giudice
Manlio Del Giudice
Antonio UsaiAntonio Usai
Antonio Usai
This research investigates the importance for niche tourism destinations of investing in big data analytics (BDA) to improve their online reputation management (ORM) and increase their competitiveness. Specifically, it explores how BDA may allow niche tourism destination managers to better monitor their reputation and, in turn, increase the capability of such destinations to attract new tourists. BDA can in fact allow niche tourism destination managers to collect, store and analyze online tourists’ data; thus, BDA may be useful in preventing online reputational damage. Consequently, such systems may increase the competitiveness of niche tourism destinations. In order to explore the aforementioned phenomenon, a multiple case studies approach has been selected. A framework observing how BDA can improve ORM and competitiveness was then developed. Implications for practitioners (i.e. niche tourism destination managers) are also presented.

12 October 2018 in Journal of Knowledge Management
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Antonio UsaiAntonio Usai
Antonio Usai
VSVeronica Scuotto
Veronica Scuotto
AMAlan Murray
Alan Murray
FFFabio Fiano
Fabio Fiano
LDLuca Dezi
Luca Dezi
Purpose: Entrepreneurial knowledge spurs innovation and, in turn, generates a competitive advantage. This paper aims to explore if entrepreneurial knowledge combined with the attitude to innovate can overcome the key “imperfections” of the innovation process generated by dynamic, current technological progress in the knowledge-intensive sector. The “imperfections” identified in risk management, asymmetric information in the knowledge management process and hold-up problems can all disrupt collaborative partnerships and limit opportunities for innovation. Design/methodology/approach: A theory-building approach is applied which offers a case study analysis of two small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These two SMEs operate in Europe but in two different territories: the UK and Italy. The study explores three key imperfections, risk management, asymmetric information in the knowledge management process and hold-up problems, which occur in the innovation process. Findings: The entrepreneurs face these imperfections by adopting an open innovation model. Notwithstanding, both entrepreneurs had to deal with all “imperfections”, and their skills, attributes, attitude and aptitude allowed them to grow their business and continually develop new products. Therefore, the imperfections do not limit the innovative capacity of an entrepreneur but rather enhance their challengeable attitude. In this regard, the case studies induce a further analysis on entrepreneurial knowledge intertwined with entrepreneurial risk management and networking skills. Research limitations/implications: The empirical significance of the two cases does not allow theorisation. However, this research offers interesting results which can be strengthened by a comparative case study with other countries or deeper investigation by applying a quantitative approach. Originality/value: By leveraging entrepreneurial knowledge, the imperfections noted in the innovation process can be overcome. Entrepreneurial knowledge is recognised as the main asset of an enterprise if it is combined with external talent or human resources. Entrepreneurs aim to develop innovative approaches and ideas through establishing both formal and informal collaborative partnership relationships which are used thanks to the entrepreneurs’ networking skills, knowledge and abilities.

12 July 2020 in Journal of Intellectual Capital
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Antonio UsaiAntonio Usai
Antonio Usai
BOBeatrice Orlando
Beatrice Orlando
AMAlberto Mazzoleni
Alberto Mazzoleni
Purpose: This study aims to extend the knowledge in the domain of intellectual capital and entrepreneurship by investigating whether happiness may have a positive influence on entrepreneurial initiative and intellectual property or not.Design/methodology/approach: The used large-scale dataset for 2018 is drawn from the Eurostat. It includes information on individual happiness, sustainability, start-ups, creativity, intellectual property and quality of life, grouped by European countries. Hypotheses are tested through using the linear regression method.Findings: The findings confirm that happiness, along with creativity, fosters both entrepreneurial initiative and intellectual property.Research limitations/implications: Future studies should test the model by extending the analysis to different world regions and by considering further variables, such as country culture.Practical implications: The study suggests that policy makers have to focus on improving life conditions and sustainability as a means to foster local economies and communities.Originality/value: This cutting-edge study is unique in its genus, because the prior literature never focused on these topics jointly. At an academic level, it ties happiness to creativity and to “the entrepreneurial spirit”, thus opening up to a new and vast domain of researches.

4 October 2021 in International Marketing Review
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
APArmando Papa
Armando Papa
AMAlice Mazzucchelli
Alice Mazzucchelli
LBLuca Vincenzo Ballestra
Luca Vincenzo Ballestra
Antonio UsaiAntonio Usai
Antonio Usai
Purpose: Previous research focused on open innovation (OI) suggests that enterprises benefit from adopting the journey; however, the relationship among OI, marketing journey and knowledge-intensive innovation marketing activities (KIIMA) remains unclear. The present study proposes a conceptual model of the marketing journey linking heterogeneous modes of marketing collaboration to knowledge-intensive activities.Design/methodology/approach: The conceptual model was tested via ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression based on a sample of data drawn from the Eurostat database.Findings: The results indicate that strategies are a robust proxy for evaluating KIIMA, and partnerships, heterogeneous sources of knowledge and different marketing modes for collaboration among European knowledge-intensive firms are core antecedents of KIIMA, such as new-product development and marketing innovation, as well as firms' sustainable competitive advantage.Originality/value: This study fills the gap by tracking the role of the journey within marketing collaborations on KIIMA, and it intervenes in the debate about interactive marketing innovation mechanisms. The study contributes to OI, knowledge management and the marketing literature by identifying the heterogeneous modes for marketing collaborations under which the marketing journey enhances knowledge-intensive activities such as those for marketing innovation.

20 June 2023 in IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
TCTachia Chin
Tachia Chin
YSYi Shi
Yi Shi
GSGuojiang Shen
Guojiang Shen
Antonio UsaiAntonio Usai
Antonio Usai
CMCucci Mirko
Cucci Mirko
In the new normal, characterized by intensifying digitalization and cross-cultural conflicts, organizational knowledge creation (KC) for the purpose of innovation necessitates better orchestration of stakeholders with culturally distinct beliefs and polychronic working patterns. This implies an imperative to address organizational KC from a microangle that can help decipher profound cultural codes in human mental programming. Thus, this research departs from a Yin–Yang dialectical system view that can interpret cross-cultural cognitive paradoxes and uses a microfoundational approach to explore how employees’ psychological capital (PsyCap) affects the KC capability and moderating effects of social capital-enhancing HR configuration on the above mechanisms. Using cross-border e-business models as the setting, the results of this article show an inverse U-shaped relationship between hope/optimism/self-efficacy and KC and a positive association between resilience and KC. Moreover, we found that social capital-enhancing HR configuration may intervene in these relationships. Our study adopts a Yin–Yang dialectical system framework to theoretically decode how different components of PsyCap act as a microfoundation to co-engineer KC processes with culturally diverse stakeholders, enriching the positive psychology and knowledge management literature. The results offer implications for orchestrating the intertwining streams of polychronic KC among multinationals in turbulent times.