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Background: Founders hold a powerful position that can shape the future and direction of their new ventures, especially in the early stages of venture development. Prior work experiences are known to be influential for future growth, but the relationship between founders' prior work experiences and their growth intentions is poorly understood.  Purpose: The study aims to contribute to the existing literature by furthering the awareness and understanding of how founders are using their prior work experiences when shaping and evaluating their growth intentions. The study answers the research question:  How do founders' prior work experiences influence growth intentions in the early stages of venture development?  Method: Our method is based on qualitative research and adapts an explanatory purpose to capture the process between prior work experiences and growth intentions and elaborate the understanding of how growth intentions are created in the early stage of the ventures' development. Through a case study with semi-structured interviews, we have interviewed nine new venture founders in the tech sector, which have been the ground for our empirics. The analysis of data was conducted in three steps, namely empirical analysis, retroduction, and corroboration.  Conclusion: Our study advances the explanation of how founders' prior work experiences shape how they manage their ventures' internal environments, which impact their growth intentions. By conducting a conceptual model, we explained how building social working environment, structuring people and practices, and implementing routines manifest as mechanisms in the process between prior experiences and growth.

Entrepreneurs need resources to organize new venture offerings into marketplace-acceptable forms. Entrepreneurs use others' assistance via networks to obtain these resources. Research indicates that firms face resource dependencies, that likely change over time, where they must respond to those controlling resources. Although some work has investigated implications of new ventures' networks at one time period, little work has investigated the dynamic nature and associated outcomes of networks as they change due to different resource requirements as the venture develops. This research examines the dynamic nature of networks, due different resource requirements over time, and how these changes impact entrepreneurial outcomes via interactions with entrepreneurs' existing networks. In order to account for the dynamic nature of entrepreneurial new ventures and their networks of resource providers, a model is presented that investigates antecedents to subsequent entrepreneurial network characteristics. The model also anticipates changes eminent to the founder as a consequence of interactions with their networks due to experiences associated with the new venture development process. This work relies on network theory integrated with resource dependence theory arguments, work that examines founder attributes as associated with entrepreneurial outcomes and research that investigates the stages of new venture development. Predictions developed from the model were tested in two studies. The first study utilized the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, an existing panel database containing information about nascent entrepreneurs, as its data source to test predictions examining the dynamics of entrepreneurs' networks across two time frames. The second study used a cross-sectional mass mail survey design to investigate all of the model's predictions on a random sample of newly incorporated firms in the state of Florida. The results of the studies provided support for about one third of the predictions and there were a few contrasting findings across studies. Overall, the results of the studies suggest that some conceptualizations presented in the theoretical model should be reevaluated and that the applicability of some constructs when studying firms in the organizing stages of development should be reconsidered.

In this dissertation, I use a two-part study to examine, firstly whether preconceived notions, or perceptual differences, exist about organizational characteristics between firms based on size and age, and secondly what the relative salience of each characteristic is as well as possible individual-organizational characteristic interactions. In addition to contributing to theoretical knowledge-building, and providing guidance to practitioners, I use a methodology that has not been used extensively in organizational behavior research - conjoint analysis. Thus, the contributions I make are theoretical, normative and methodological in nature. As hypothesized, there are significant differences in how job seekers perceive organizations based on their size and age. Further, the extent to which an organization is perceived to be Boyscout (e.g., attentive to people, personal and friendly) is significantly more important than any other characteristic to job seekers when assessing fit with an organization or job. / Business Administration/Interdisciplinary

This thesis investigates the factors influencing the internationalization of firms through a multi-layered analysis grounded in international business. It addresses the following questions. First, in what ways does the institutional environment facilitate or hinder the growth of start-ups? And in what ways does institutional diversity across countries affect internationalizing firms? Second, in light of the variety of internationalization patterns, what modifications are necessary to the theories of internationalization? Third, how do rapidly internationalizing firms explore and exploit capabilities? And in what ways does capability development differ between firms that realize early, rapid internationalization and those firms that do not? Answering the first set of questions involves recasting the comparative institutional analysis of national political economies. This thesis demonstrates that: 1) when national institutions are in transition, business entrepreneurs can bring about institutional change, or else act to avoid or adapt specific institutions for their own use; and 2) international institutional diversity seems to be less influential in determining the expansion pattern of rapidly internationalizing firms. Next, to address the second question, this thesis examines the factors influencing the speed of internationalization. The proposed models point to a larger role of entrepreneurs’ perception and the relevance of the resources factor, and better accommodate a wider variety of internationalization paths. In order to answer the third set of questions, this thesis investigates the early stage development of firm-level capabilities among internationalizing firms. The result points to: 1) the faster transformation of individual capabilities to firm-level routines; 2) a wider variety of routines for exploring external capabilities; and 3) a higher ability to exploit ordinary routines, among more rapidly internationalizing firms. Finally, this thesis discusses how each of the three levels of analysis relates to the other levels. The overall analysis demonstrates the value of multi-layered approach in investigating the firm’s internationalization.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-09-06T12:44:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Érica de Aguiar Botelho - 2016.pdf: 1895411 bytes, checksum: 1fb1a988ccd7930fbdc3b1630b709338 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-09-06T12:47:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Érica de Aguiar Botelho - 2016.pdf: 1895411 bytes, checksum: 1fb1a988ccd7930fbdc3b1630b709338 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-06T12:47:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Érica de Aguiar Botelho - 2016.pdf: 1895411 bytes, checksum: 1fb1a988ccd7930fbdc3b1630b709338 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-27 / The aim of this study was to analyse how organizational unlearning occurs in ventures that have graduated from business incubation process. The research is exploratory, qualitative, with retrospective longitudinal time frame. A multiple case study was conducted, with the selection of six cases. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews, documentation and direct observations. Ventures and incubator perspectives were considered. Content analysis was taken. NVivo software was used to support the research. Based on theoretical backgrounds an analysis frame was elaborated in order to present the selected approaches. How organizational context of gradutated ventures that were bonded to a University Business Incubator in the technology sector can influence organizational unlearning was examined. Changes in organizational routines of graduated ventures were described, involving specific routines, from the new venture creation and development processes. Organizational unlearning was verified, predominantly in writing or updating business plan routine. Types of interplay between organizational learning and unlearning were identified. Isolated organizational learning was identified in every routine and all organizational unlearning situations were caracterized as isolated. Thus distinction between the two processes was corroborated. Situations where organizational unlearning precedes or occurs simultaneously to organizational learning were not observed. Relearning was verified only in writing or updating business plan routine. It was noticed that the context of these ventures offers opportunities for studying organizational unlearning not only after graduation but also during incubation period. Propositions were established based on venture incubation, new venture creation and development processes and organizational unlearning literatures. / Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar como ocorre a desaprendizagem organizacional em empresas que foram graduadas após processo de incubação. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, qualitativa, abrangendo horizonte temporal longitudinal retrospectivo. Adotou-se a estratégia de estudo de casos múltiplos, tendo sido selecionados seis casos. Recorreu-se a entrevistas semi-estruturadas, documentação e observações diretas. Perspectivas relacionadas às empresas e à incubadora foram consideradas. Para a análise dos dados, foi realizada análise de conteúdo. Foi adotado o software NVivo para suporte à condução da pesquisa. Com base na fundamentação teórica, foi elaborado um quadro de análise que especificou as abordagens que foram seguidas. Foi examinado como o contexto organizacional das empresas graduadas, que tiveram vínculo com Incubadora de Empresas de Universidade com atuação no setor de tecnologia, pode influenciar a desaprendizagem organizacional. Foram descritas mudanças nas rotinas organizacionais das empresas graduadas, tendo sido tratadas rotinas específicas, a partir dos processos de criação e desenvolvimento de novos negócios. Foi verificada a ocorrência de desaprendizagem organizacional, com predominância do descarte da rotina de elaboração ou atualização de plano de negócios. Foram identificados tipos de interação entre aprendizagem e desaprendizagem organizacional, constatando-se ocorrência de aprendizagem organizacional isolada em todas as rotinas examinadas e classificação de todas as situações de desaprendizagem organizacional como isolada. Assim, foi corroborada a distinção entre os dois processos. Não foram observadas situações de desaprendizagem organizacional precedendo tampouco ocorrendo simultaneamente à aprendizagem organizacional. Foi verificada reaprendizagem apenas na rotina de elaboração ou atualização de plano de negócios. Percebeu-se que não somente após a graduação, mas também durante o período de incubação, o contexto dessas empresas oferece oportunidades para o estudo da desaprendizagem organizacional. Proposições foram formuladas, tendo sido fundamentadas nas literaturas de incubação de empresas, processos de criação e desenvolvimento de novos negócios e desaprendizagem organizacional.

Small, new or foreign firms inherently have a lower likelihood of surviving in the market. Frequently, this is due to the existence of resource constraints, such as the liabilities of smallness, newness or foreignness. Consequently, to survive in the market, small, new or foreign firms need to find efficient ways to use their resources. Multiple ways to alleviate these problems have been discussed in the literature, which include digitalization, internationalization, or outsourcing relationships. The usage of digital technologies, entering foreign markets or partnering with established organizations have been found to have compelling advantages and, thus, are promising practices for small, new and foreign firms in overcoming those constraints. It is, however, surprising that little is known about relevant aspects of these practices. For instance, research has just begun to investigate the influence of digital technologies on small and new firms, misses to investigate the success factors in the internationalization of small, new and foreign e-commerce firms, or has not fully investigated methods to improve performance of small firms in outsourcing relationships. Drawing on extant research on digitalization, internationalization, and outsourcing this cumulative dissertation presents four research papers. Each paper contributes to fill existing research gaps in the respective literature. All papers investigate a particular type of small firm and examine potential ways to handle scare resources. Beyond the theoretical and practical contributions of each research paper, this dissertation in its entirety presents several implications for practitioners in small, new and foreign firms that will help them to overcome resource constraints. Furthermore, the thesis discusses implications for theory, limitations, and avenues for further research.

Die rapide voranschreitende Globalisierung der Weltwirtschaft wird letztlich getragen von der zunehmenden Anzahl international aktiver Unternehmen. Diese Prozesse der verstärkten Involvierung von Unternehmen in internationale Aktivitäten, bzw. die Anpassung von Strategien, Strukturen und Ressourcen von Unternehmen an internationale Umgebungen werden als ‚betriebliche Internationalisierungsprozesse‘ definiert. Aus Sicht der Betriebswirtschaftslehre als einer gestaltungsorientierten Disziplin erwachsen aus betrieblichen Internationalisierungsprozessen neue Anforderungen an das Management von Unternehmen. Diese bestehen darin, Internationalisierungsprozesse aktiv zu gestalten und so das Überleben des Unternehmens in einer zunehmend globalisierten Wettbewerbsumwelt nachhaltig zu sichern. Ziel der Arbeit ist es erstens, einen Vorschlag für ein integratives Prozessverständnis von betrieblicher Internationalisierung auszuarbeiten, indem eine konzeptionelle Brücke zwischen Stufenmodellen, Netzwerkmodellen und International-New-Venture Modellen der Internationalisierung geschlagen wird. Zweitens wird dieses integrative Prozessverständnis dazu genutzt, wesentliche Gestaltungsfelder eines betrieblichen Internationalisierungsmanagement aufzuzeigen. Für die Entwicklung eines integrativen Prozessverständnisses und damit verbunden für ein Managementmodell der Internationalisierung erschließt die Arbeit das Konzept der Absorptionsfähigkeit von Unternehmen.

The rise of social media platforms in the modern world of business has shaped how organizations undertaketheir day-to-day business activities. This has in return increasingly attracted several studies on howbusinesses can optimally harness the benefits of social media platforms through adoption and continuedusage of these platforms. This paper therefore endeavored to conduct a quantitative study on factors ofunified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) by extending the original model by Venkateshet al.,. (2003) in integrating continuance to test their impact on adoption and continuance. These factorsinclude (performance expectancy, perceived trust, perceived risk, facilitating condition, effort expectancyand perceived enjoyment) which were tested against adoption and continuance usage of social mediaplatforms among small new ventures in Sweden, an area we consider new and fragmented in focus basedon existing literatures. Through a systematic investigation, empirical data testing from small new ventures in Sweden, findingspositively identified perceived trust and facilitating conditions to have a positive influence on adoption ofsocial media platforms while effort expectancy and perceived enjoyment were found to have a positiveimpact on continuance usage of social media platforms. However, we did not find significant moderatingeffect of perceived risk and performance expectancy on adoption and continuance usage. The findings of this research present a practical and pragmatic approach that small new ventures, founders,leaders and managers of these businesses in Sweden can apply to maximize on the benefits associated withadoption and continuance usage of social media platforms.

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