Purpose-This study aims to suggest directions for innovation-driving paths for sustainable growth through an in-depth case analysis of a successful Internet of Things (IoT) in small-and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in South Korea. IoT is expected to play a significant role in the future industry 4.0 platform. Yet, little is known about how SMEs in the IoT industry (IoT-SMEs hereafter) pursue innovation in alignment with attributes inherent in the IoT. Design/methodology/approach-This study addresses relatively unexplored key research questions on innovation strategies of IoT-SMEs. To do so, we employ an exploratory research methodology, along with an extensive review of the literature in the areas of the IoT, SMEs innovation and sustainable growth strategy. Specifically, we conduct intensive individual interviews to find IoT inherent innovation attributes and a case study to explore the process of linking these attributes to innovation-driving paths. Findings-The analysis results reveal that there exist disruptive and open innovation attributes in the IoT industry that enable IoT-SMEs to enhance their structure and process related capabilities, to create business models for products and services and to collaborate with external parties in marketing to enter the market. We excavate practical insights into driving innovation based on IoT attributes and suggest enabling paths for pursuing innovation and entering overseas markets for IoT-SMEs. Originality/value-This study investigates an underexplored significant area of research on the relationship between IoT attributes and innovation paths. The findings provide profound theoretical and practical implications. To the best of the author's knowledge, it is the first attempt to link disruptive and open IoT attributes to innovation paths of IoT-SMEs. The results provide directions for pursuing effective innovation in responding to the IoT market for sustainable growth.

No abstract

Purpose and background: The purpose of this paper is to critically review the traditional and contemporary validation frameworks-the content, criterion, and construct validations; the evidence-gathering; the socio-cognitive model; the test usefulness; and an argument-based approach-as well as empirical studies using an argument-based approach to validation in high-stakes contexts to discuss the applicability of an argument-based approach to validation. Chapelle and Voss (2014) reported that despite the usefulness and advantages of an argument-based approach for test validation, five validation studies using this approach were found in a search from two major journals-Language Testing and Language Assessment Quarterly. We reviewed the validation approaches in language testing and extended the search for empirical studies that used an argument-based approach in five language testing journals including ProQuest Dissertation and Theses. By doing so, this paper aims to provide validation researchers with each approach's conceptual limitations and future directions for validation research. For validity arguments to be defensible, this paper suggests that various validity evidences be required, involving multiple test stakeholders. Implications: By comparing variations of an argument-based approach and reviewing eight representative studies out of 33 empirical validation studies using an argument-based approach, this paper presents the following implications for future researchers to consider: (a) defining test constructs and relevant test tasks through domain analysis; (b) inviting multiple test stakeholders to test validation; (c) investigating the intended and actual interpretations, decisions, and consequences; (d) considering social, cultural, and political values to be embedded; and (e) employing multiple methods beyond statistical analyses using test scores.

The purpose of this study is to analyze newspaper articles from three publications (Chosun Ilbo, Donga Ilbo, and JoongAng Ilbo) regarding a newly developed highstakes English test in South Korea, the National English Ability Test (NEAT), from the viewpoint of critical discourse analysis. All of the articles were collected from online archives, and most were published between 2007 and 2012. The events surrounding the development of the test were analyzed from three dimensions: textual, discursive, and social. It was found that NEAT-related media discourse was formulated in terms of technology-focused, economic (private education expenditure), or utilitarian (the benefits of a domestic "Korean" test) practice. These discursive events were implicitly connected to the cultures of "technopoly" and "teach-to-the-test," both of which were exploited to silence the voices of diverse groups in the English language education community.

No abstract