The involvement of firms in innovation cooperation with different partners has become a widespread phenomenon in the contemporary business landscape. Our paper provides a review of extant alliance, innovation, open innovation and inter-firm collaboration literature and organizes it based on a conceptual framework featuring three levels of analysis: (a) the dyadic level, (b) the network level, and (c) the location level. The article identifies roadmaps in each of these areas and also highlights existing gaps in the present understanding of innovation cooperation. Thereby, it outlines a research agenda by identifying key research questions and issues in the areas where further research is needed and encouraged.Sustainability 2018, 10, 4517 3 of 32 changes that create the economic space of a given country [29] In this space, which Freeman called the National Innovation System, there are more or less formalized networks of cooperating companies and institutions. Indeed, as Fomina et al. [30] argue, the stability of economic development is determined by the features of the network structure in a collaborative engagement of enterprises. Therefore, it is legitimate to explore whether and how the location of companies and other institutions influence their cooperation for the development of innovation, and the performance outcomes thereof.Economic geography has developed the concept of proximity to explain the formation of networks and clusters of innovative companies in industrial districts [31,32]. The different dimensions of proximity may explain some of the positive externalities, such as knowledge creation and transfer, as well as innovation, which are generated by companies that are co-located [33]. According to Boschma [34], proximity implies similarity between actors and organizations, including both a geographical or spatial dimension and other non-spatial dimensions. Knoben and Oerlemans [35] note that "the concept of proximity has been used in many different ways in the literature, this including different measures and definitions".Boschma [34] identifies five types of proximity:

Background. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been proven to support in lifesaving rescue therapy. The best outcomes can be achieved in high-volume ECMO centers with dedicated emergency transport teams. Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety of ECMO support during medical transfer on the basis of our experience developed on innovation cooperation and review of literature. Methods. A retrospective analysis of our experience of all ECMO-supported patients transferred from regional hospital of the referential ECMO center between 2015 and 2020 was carried out. Special attention was paid to transportation-related mortality and morbidity. Moreover, a systematic review of the Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases was performed. It included the original papers published before the end of 2019. Results. Twelve (5 women and 7 men) critically ill ECMO-supported patients with the median age of 33 years (2–63 years) were transferred to our ECMO center. In 92% (n = 11) of the cases venovenous and in 1 case, venoarterial supports were applied. The median transfer length was 45 km (5–200). There was no mortality during transfer and no serious adverse events occurred. Of note, the first ECMO-supported transfer had been proceeded by high-fidelity simulations. For our systematic review, 68 articles were found and 22 of them satisfied the search criteria. A total number of 2647 transfers were reported, mainly primary (90%) and as ground transportations (91.6%). A rate of adverse events ranged from 1% through 20% but notably only major complications were mentioned. The 4 deaths occurred during transport (mortality 0.15%). Conclusions. Our experiences and literature review showed that transportation for ECMO patients done by experienced staff was associated with low mortality rate but life-threatening adverse events might occur. Translational simulation is an excellent probing technique to improve transportation safety.

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Background Successful implementation of medical technologies applied in life-threatening conditions, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) requires appropriate preparation and training of medical personnel. The pandemic has accelerated the creation of new ECMO centers and has highlighted continuous training in adapting to new pandemic standards. To reach high standards of patients’ care, we created the first of its kind, National Education Centre for Artificial Life Support (NEC-ALS) in 40 million inhabitants’ country in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The role of the Center is to test and promote the novel or commonly used procedures as well as to develop staff skills on management of patients needing ECMO. Method In 2020, nine approved and endorsed by ELSO courses of “Artificial Life Support with ECMO” were organized. Physicians participated in the three-day high-fidelity simulation-based training that was adapted to abide by the social distancing norms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge as well as crucial cognitive, behavioral and technical aspects (on a 5-point Likert scale) of management on ECMO were assessed before and after course completion. Moreover, the results of training in mechanical chest compression were also evaluated. Results There were 115 participants (60% men) predominantly in the age of 30–40 years. Majority of them (63%) were anesthesiologists or intensivists with more than 5-year clinical experience, but 54% had no previous ECMO experience. There was significant improvement after the course in all cognitive, behavioral, and technical self-assessments. Among aspects of management with ECMO that all increased significantly following the course, the most pronounced was related to the technical one (from approximately 1.0 to more 4.0 points). Knowledge scores significantly increased post-course from 11.4 ± SD to 13 ± SD (out of 15 points). The quality of manual chest compression relatively poor before course improved significantly after training. Conclusions Our course confirmed that simulation as an educational approach is invaluable not only in training and testing of novel or commonly used procedures, skills upgrading, but also in practicing very rare cases. The implementation of the education program during COVID-19 pandemic may be helpful in founding specialized Advanced Life Support centers and teams including mobile ones. The dedicated R&D Innovation Ecosystem established in the “ECMO for Greater Poland” program, with developed National Education Center can play a crucial role in the knowledge and know-how transfer but future research is needed.

Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is effective in a selected critically ill patient population with promising results in refractory hypoxemia related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, it requires specialized clinicians and resources in advanced technology. Moreover, the COVID-19 remains an ongoing global emergency, and there is no evidence-based practice in preparedness. This article proposes an innovative and optimized nursing care protocol, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), that regulates safety and efficiency in using personal protective equipment (PPE) during ECMO-relevant procedures while providing ECMO therapy for patients with COVID-19. Methods After performing a narrative literature search, we developed a high-fidelity translational simulation scenario. It included practicing appropriate donning and doffing PPE during work organization, ECMO-related procedures, and routine daily nursing care and management of ECMO over nine hours. In addition, we held supplementary constructive debrief meetings to consult international expert in the field. Results A proposal for nursing standardized operating procedures was created, divided into categories. They included work organization, workload references, competences, infrastructural conditions, cannulation equipment, daily routine nursing care, and procedures during ECMO. Conclusions High-fidelity medical simulation can play an important role in staff training, improvement in previously gained proficiency, and development of optimal SOP for nursing care and management during ECMO in patients with COVID-19. Optimal SOPs may further guide multidisciplinary teams, including intensive care units and interventional departments.

The main objective of this paper is to present the findings of a structured review of contributions to international business research in Poland in the period 1990-2014. In order to address this objective, qualitative and quantitative methods were integrated to identify main research areas, their relative importance and changes thereof within the analysed timeframe, as well as specific research topics within each area. The results indicate that macro-and micro-level internationalisation, followed by international firm competitiveness and international entrepreneurship have consistently remained dominant research areas, although their relative importance has evolved throughout the period under study. Quantitative research methods, with a strong focus on descriptive statistics, have been the main tools in previous contributions. In addition to highlighting the need for more attention to performance-and competitiveness-related issues, the results of the review also prompt IB scholars to devoting more attention to interrelationships between macro-, meso-and micro-level variables.

Purpose:The aim of the article is to present the development of new partnerships and R&D alliances in the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: The main method applied in this research was the scientific study. Descriptive, comparative, documentation and desk research methods were used. Additionally, the authors used the methods of deductive and inductive forecasting. Findings: The authors present new partnerships undertaken by biopharma (biotech and pharma) companies (in and outside the industry) in order to face pandemic and to discover and deliver a new vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 to the market. In addition, the research projects in the European Union focused on the development of diagnostics, treatments, vaccines, epidemiology, preparedness and response to outbreaks, socioeconomics, production and digital technologies as well infrastructures and data resources that make it possible this research will be presented. Practical Implications: It should be taken into consideration that due to the current situation caused by pandemic the cooperation of companies and all entities in the whole biopharmaceutical R&D innovation ecosystem is even more challenging than before COVID-19. Biopharma-university alliances can significantly increase the likelihood of creating better medical therapy for patients. Originality/value: Results of this cooperation enable a number of innovative projects given the significant pressure on innovativeness and challenges caused by the pandemic.

Purpose: The main aim of this article is to present the development of innovation cooperation in the biopharmaceutical industry in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region. Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors present the role of R&D Innovation Ecosystem in the biopharmaceutical industry in the improvement of patient care in Poland. The article presents the results of qualitative researchfocus group interview with representatives of the "ECMO for Greater Poland" program within the research grant of the National Science Centre (Poland) entitled "Analysis of Open Innovation Alliances and Strategic Partnerships in the Biopharmaceutical Industry in Poland and CEE countries". Findings:The authors present their own observations, contributions to the creation process and successful "ECMO for Greater Poland" program development. Practical implications: It should be considered that nowadays due to pandemic COVID-19 the cooperation of all entities in the whole biopharmaceutical R&D innovation ecosystem is even more challenging and with high level of complexity. Originality/value: R&D cooperation between academia, institutions and business can significantly increase the likelihood of creating better medical therapy for patients.