<p>This thesis focuses on regional strategic networks (RSNs). RSNs are used as a tool for regional development with a view to strengthening regional relationship-development and networking by forming regional groups of actors. The thesis aims to clarify the nature of RSNs and the value of geographical proximity in both theoretical and practical terms. Theories regarding effects of geographical proximity, regional agglomerations and networks are presented, and their possible application to RSNs is analyzed. Furthermore, findings from two case studies are reported. </p><p>In the RSN study, the generally most highly valued outcome was the development of new relationships among the participants. Such relationships allowed for mutual learning and information exchange and also meant that for several participants the firms’ horizons were extended and their positions changed. Furthermore, internal marketing of training opportunities, in combination with financial subsidies, attracted several participants who attended training programmes on subjects that they would not otherwise have spent so much time on. However, few firms could state concrete results in terms of new business exchange or cooperative projects. The impact of structural factors on RSN outcomes is therefore discussed, in particular the impact of the membership composition of an RSN. Furthermore, important RSN-evaluation challenges are highlighted. </p><p>The second study demonstrated that most R&D done by firms is characterized either by incremental, gradual technology development and low importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations or by fast, step-wise technology development and high importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations. </p>

This thesis focuses on regional strategic networks (RSNs). RSNs are used as a tool for regional development with a view to strengthening regional relationship-development and networking by forming regional groups of actors. The thesis aims to clarify the nature of RSNs and the value of geographical proximity in both theoretical and practical terms. Theories regarding effects of geographical proximity, regional agglomerations and networks are presented, and their possible application to RSNs is analyzed. Furthermore, findings from two case studies are reported. In the RSN study, the generally most highly valued outcome was the development of new relationships among the participants. Such relationships allowed for mutual learning and information exchange and also meant that for several participants the firms’ horizons were extended and their positions changed. Furthermore, internal marketing of training opportunities, in combination with financial subsidies, attracted several participants who attended training programmes on subjects that they would not otherwise have spent so much time on. However, few firms could state concrete results in terms of new business exchange or cooperative projects. The impact of structural factors on RSN outcomes is therefore discussed, in particular the impact of the membership composition of an RSN. Furthermore, important RSN-evaluation challenges are highlighted. The second study demonstrated that most R&amp;D done by firms is characterized either by incremental, gradual technology development and low importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations or by fast, step-wise technology development and high importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations.

This study examined the exposure of the Nextel brand name in major U.S. newspapers 1 year before and after Nextel became the primary sponsor of the North American Stock Car Association of Racing. A content analysis of 576 newspaper articles was performed. The hypotheses tested the quantity and quality of Nextel's coverage, as well where the stories were appearing and where the brand was being used in the stories. The study found the number of Nextel mentions in year two was almost 4 times as many as year one. The data reveal a dramatic increase in cases found in sports stories. In regard to value, Nextel's NASCAR sponsorship resulted in less negative and considerably more neutral media coverage. However, Nextel's mentions also became less positive. Nextel mentions associated with NASCAR increased in year two, from none in year one to 62.5% of all cases in year two.

Prior research on the strength of embeddedness ties in strategic networks in influencing innovation performance has produced inconsistent conclusions. In this paper, drawing on an investment perspective on firms¡¦ decision behavior, we argue that the ¡§control benefits¡¨¡Xanother characteristics of strategic networks¡Xalso affects firms¡¦ innovation performance. According to previous research, we adopt the speed of ¡§patent application¡¨ and ¡§market introduction of a new product¡¨ to measure innovation performance. Furthermore, we divide firms¡¦ innovation strategies into ¡§apply for a patent and introduce the new product to market later¡¨, ¡§patent the innovation and market introduction immediately¡¨ as well as ¡§introduce the new product to market and apply for a patent later¡¨. We examine the relationship between the strength of enbeddedness ties and firms¡¦ innovation performance using the theoretical frames of game theory and real options. After the analysis of Cournot duopoly game model and real options approach, several findings are acquired as follows: (a) the higher the strength of embeddedness ties, the more likely the firm is to abandon the innovation strategy ¡§apply for a patent and introduce the new product to market later¡¨ and adopt innovation strategies ¡§patent the innovation and market introduction immediately¡¨ or ¡§introduce the new product to market and apply for a patent later¡¨; (b) if the firm adopts the innovation strategy ¡§apply for a patent and introduce the new product to market later¡¨, then the strength of embeddedness ties has a positive effect on the speed of market introduction of the new product, but the relationship between the strength of embeddedness ties and the speed of patent application is not sure; (c) if the firm adopts innovation strategies ¡§patent the innovation and market introduction immediately¡¨ or ¡§introduce the new product to market and apply for a patent later¡¨, then the strength of embeddedness ties has both positive and negative impact on the speed of ¡§patent application¡¨ and ¡§market introduction of a new product¡¨, and therefore the relationship between the strength of embeddedness ties and the innovator¡¦s innovation performance is indeterminable. The research findings indicate that the innovator may delay the application for patent or postpone the launching of a new product because of the ¡§control benefits¡¨ derived from different strength of embeddedness ties. These results have broad implications for future research on strategic networks and innovation.

[pt] A indústria mundial de celulose e papel vem passando por um processo de reestruturação, envolvendo fusões e aquisições, motivado pela intensificação da concorrência que leva à necessidade de escalas de produção cada vez mais elevadas. Nesse cenário, é importante a mobilização, pelas empresas de um grande volume de recursos financeiros e a aquisição de novas competências gerenciais. O Brasil apresenta ótimos indicadores de competitividade na produção de celulose em virtude, principalmente, das condições de solo, clima e tecnologia florestal. No entanto, as empresas brasileiras enfrentam o desafio de lidar com empresas líderes globais do setor de papel, de porte bastante superior. A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo contribuir aos estudos sobre a gestão das empresas inseridas em alianças, focando a questão das implicações estratégicas sobre seu desempenho. O estudo teve como foco a Aracruz Celulose, empresa líder mundial na produção de celulose de fibra curta de mercado, e que tem estabelecido importantes alianças estratégicas visando a sustentar sua vantagem competitiva. A partir da utilização da metodologia de estudo de caso com triangulação de métodos, os dados da pesquisa foram coletados por meio de investigação documental/telematizada e de levantamento de percepções com auxílio de questionário predominantemente estruturado, além de entrevistas complementares, sendo posteriormente tratados com métodos quantitativos e qualitativos. A interpretação e a análise dos dados basearam-se no referencial teórico, fundamentado em revisão de literatura pertinente à área de estudo, com auxílio do modelo genérico-integrativo de Macedo-Soares em suas versões tradicional e relacional. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que a análise na ótica relacional, que leva em conta as implicações estratégicas das alianças, agrega valor à análise tradicional, contribuindo com novos insights para a tomada de decisão estratégica da empresa. / [en] The world pulp and paper industry has been going through continuos restructuring process, involving mergers and acquisitions as a consequence of intense competition, which requires large-scale production. In this situation it is important for companies to mobilize huge amounts of financial resources and to acquire new managerial skills. Brazil is a major competitor in pulp production due, mainly, to its soil, climate and forest technology. Besides, the Brazilian pulp and paper companies are facing the challenge to dealing with highly productive world leading paper companies. This study aims to contribute to research into strategic management of firms involved in alliances, focusing on the strategic implications of their performance. The work focuses on Aracruz Celulose, the world leader company in the production of short fiber market pulp, which has built up important strategic alliances with the aim of reinforcing its competitiveness. Documental/telematic investigations as well as a survey and indepth interviews were used to collect data with the help of case study methodology and the triangulation of methods strategy. The theoretical framework for data interpretation and analysis was based on literature about the topic, with the support Macedo-Soares s systemic and integrative model in its traditional and relational versions. The research findings indicate that the relational view, which takes into account strategic implications of alliances, adds value to the traditional analysis, contributing new insights to company s strategic decision-making.

Submitted by Adriana Alves Rodrigues (aalves@espm.br) on 2018-03-01T15:40:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Alves Rodrigues (aalves@espm.br) on 2018-03-01T15:41:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Debora Cristina Bonfim Aquarone (deborabonfim@espm.br) on 2018-03-01T18:46:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-05T10:51:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-20 / This research investigates how strategic networks contribute to the financial and operational performance of an recycling company in the international field. The theoretical and conceptual framework includes: industrial ecology, strategic networks and sustainable competitive advantage. In the empirical part of the qualitative nature, which has the natural environment as a direct source of data and the researcher as a fundamental instrument, a case study was carried out, which is a specific process chosen for the development of this research, through exploratory research with a company Brazilian company for the recycling of electronic circuit boards, which has been operating in the market for more than 15 years, exporting this type of material for processing in secondary smelters abroad. In all, seven in-depth interviews were conducted with the managing partners of the company, and one executive of the smelter processing company abroad. From these interviews, three of them requested confidentiality of both their identities and the content presented. The rest are in this in the research described in their entirety. As results, the main findings indicate that a company to participate in a network, must have proprietary resources, its full domain and knowledge, such as: access to information, resources, markets and technologies with the advantages of learning and economies of scale And scope allowing companies to achieve their strategic objectives as risk reduction and outsourcing of the stages of the value chain and organizational functions. These resources must also be those of the other companies in the network; There must still be a durable and reliable relationship over time, a relationship that is not opportunistic and that generates mutual trust. With these elements we will have the creation of ties, which can be identified as links of common interest, which will keep the network cohesive and competitive in their respective markets. This relationship can generate over time a sustainable competitive advantage, which can express superiority of the network in relation to its competition, adding value, which can not be simultaneously implemented by other companies. / Esta pesquisa investiga como redes estratégicas contribuem para o desempenho financeiro e operacional de uma empresa de reciclagem em âmbito internacional. O referencial teórico e conceitual inclui: ecologia industrial, redes estratégicas e vantagem competitiva sustentável. Na parte empírica de natureza qualitativa, que tem o ambiente natural como fonte direta de dados e o pesquisador como instrumento fundamental, foi realizado um estudo de caso, que é um processo específico escolhido para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, através de pesquisa exploratória com uma empresa brasileira de reciclagem de placas de circuito eletrônico, que atua no mercado há mais de 15 anos, exportando esse tipo de material para processamento em fundições secundárias no exterior. Ao todo foram conduzidas sete entrevistas em profundidade com os sócios gestores da empresa, e um executivo da fundição processadora no exterior. Dessas entrevistas, três delas solicitaram sigilo tanto de suas identidades, como dos conteúdos apresentados. As demais estão nesta na pesquisa descritas na sua totalidade. Também foram analisados seis estudos e relatórios nacionais e internacionais, e mais de 200 páginas de matérias publicadas em mídia impressa e digital sobre o tema. Como resultados, os principais achados indicam que uma empresa para participar de uma rede, tem que ter recursos proprietários, do seu pleno domínio e conhecimento, tais como: acesso à informação, recursos, mercados e tecnologias com as vantagens de aprendizado e economias de escala e escopo permitindo às empresas atingirem a seus objetivos estratégicos como diminuição de riscos e terceirização dos estágios da cadeia de valor e funções organizacionais. Tais recursos devem também ser os das outras empresas da rede; tem ainda que existir um relacionamento durável e confiável ao longo do tempo, relacionamento esse, não oportunista, e que gere confiança mútua. Com esses elementos teremos então a criação de laços, que podem ser identificados como vínculos de comum interesse, que manterão a rede coesa e competitiva nos seus respectivos mercados de atuação. Essa relação pode gerar ao longo do tempo uma vantagem competitiva sustentável, que pode expressar superioridade da rede em relação a sua concorrência, agregando valor, que não possa ser simultaneamente incorporado por outras empresas.

[pt] As empresas do setor de aviação sempre celebraram acordos operacionais,no intuito de racionalizar operações e reduzir custos. Com o cenário mundial cada vez mais competitivo e conturbado, a integração em redes de alianças estratégicas torna-se um meio eficaz e cada vez mais comum de sobrevivência e excelência. O propósito desta dissertação de mestrado é abrir caminho para verificar a adequação da associação de empresas em blocos estratégicos no setor de aviação às suas estratégias individuais, por meio do estudo de caso da VARIG como membro da Star Alliance. O desempenho da VARIG também é levado em consideração no estudo como variável dependente, ajudando na compreensão desta adequação. O estudo teve como foco a VARIG, maior empresa aérea da América Latina, e sua associação à Star Alliance, maior aliança entre empresas aéreas atualmente existentes. Dispunha-se de vários bancos de dados para alimentar a pesquisa, provenientes de órgãos e associações ligadas à aviação civil no Brasil e no mundo. Também foram analisadas as percepções dos principais executivos da VARIG (envolvidos em atividades da Star Alliance) sobre a importância das alianças para a estratégia da VARIG, coletadas com auxílio de um questionário semi-estruturado como instrumento principal. O presente estudo procura, com o auxílio de um novo ferramental para realizar análises estratégicas na perspectiva relacional, analisar as implicações estratégicas da associação em Redes e Alianças sobre os negócios e estratégias da VARIG. / [en] In order to rationalise operations and reduce costs, airlines have always celebrated operational agreements. As the world scenario becomes more competitive and turbulent, networks of strategic alliances become an effective and common tool for survival and excellence. The objective of this thesis is to pave the way for studies that verify the analysis of the strategic fit of companies in forming strategic blocks in the aviation industry by way of a case study of VARIG as a member of Star Alliance. Performance is also taken into consideration in the scope of the case study, as a dependent variable, so as to better assess the fit at issue. The study focuses on VARIG, the largest Latin American airline, and its association with Star Alliance, currently the greatest airline alliance. Several civil aviation organisations and associations, located in Brazil and world-wide, provide useful data banks for the research. With the help of a semi-structured questionnaire, the study also collected data regarding the perception of VARIGs main executives (those involved in Star Alliance activities) on the importance of alliances for VARIGs strategy. The study aims at analysing the strategic implications of VARIGs association in alliances for its businesses and strategies, using a new tool developed to carry out strategic analysis from a relational perspective.

[pt] A atuação em redes estratégicas é fator crítico para o sucesso das empresas frente à complexidade dos empreendimentos contemporâneos. Globalmente, os meios de pagamento estão em franca revolução. Contrariando expectativas, o papel-moeda convive com o dinheiro eletrônico ao alvorecer do terceiro milênio. Esta realidade, presente no mercado doméstico e internacional, demanda dinamismo na gestão da guarda, do processamento e da distribuição de valores. O ambiente competitivo em que os bancos de varejo estão inseridos recomenda gerenciamento eficaz de um sistema logístico em um novo ambiente de maiores exigências por automação, flexibilidade e segurança. A convergência dessas demandas associada à consciência de que a sobrevivência dos empreendimentos depende da capacidade de interações associativas sugerem a importância da integração em redes de alianças estratégicas. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir às investigações sobre a gestão das empresas em redes de relacionamento, focando na questão de suas implicações sobre sua conduta e seu desempenho. Tem como caso de estudo as Unidades Regionais de Tesouraria do Banco do Brasil, buscando responder a seguinte pergunta: quais as percepções dos gestores das Unidades Regionais de Tesouraria do Banco do Brasil a respeito dos impactos das diversas redes e alianças estabelecidas pelo Banco? Com auxílio de um novo ferramental para realizar análises estratégicas na perspectiva relacional - Modelo Macedo-Soares Strategic Network Analysis (2002) - este trabalho busca analisar as implicações estratégicas da associação em Redes e Alianças sobre os negócios e estratégias do Banco do Brasil, relativos à gestão da guarda, processamento e distribuição de valores. / [en] The performance in strategic networks is a critical factor for the company success, in the face of the current complex environment. Globally, the payment systems are in broad revolution. Against expectations, currency (bills and coins) lives together with the electronic money in the dawn of the third millennium. This reality, true in the domestic and international market, demands dynamism of the keeping, processing and distribution of values. The competitive environment in which retail banks are inserted recommends effective administration of a logistics system in a new context of larger demands for automation, flexibility and security. The convergence of those demands as well as the awareness that the survival of the enterprise depends on the capacity of collaborative interactions suggest the importance of firm integration in strategic networks. The objective of this thesis is to contribute to research in strategic management of firms embedded in organizational networks, highlighting the latter´s implications for firm conduct and performance. It is focused on the Banco do Brasil´s Regional Units of Treasury, in an attempt to answer the following question: what is management´s perception, regarding the strategic of Banco do Brasil´s established networks or alliances? By way of a new framework to help carry out strategic analyses from a relational perspective - Macedo- Soares` Model/ Strategic Network Analysis (2002) - this study aims at analyzing the strategic implications of those Units´ alliances and networks, relative to the keeping, processing and distribution of values.

The questions for this study are: 1. What are networks? 2. How do networks work? These questions are answered by means of two different investigations. The first is chiefly theoretical and the second is primarily empirical. The theoretical investigation begins with an examination of four different concepts of networks used in social research: network as a perspective, network as a phenomenon, network as a research method and network as a method for development. The concept is then further investigated on three levels. On the first level, the parts of a network and the relationships between these parts are analysed. The second level focuses on the emergent properties of a network. The emergent properties refer to those irreducible features that make it a network, and that at the same time mark the difference between networks and other types of social entities (organizations, rituals etc.). Two such properties form the starting point for the examination, namely value-adding and diffusion. The third level of analysis places the network in relation to space and organization. This three level analysis is used throughout the thesis. In the empirical section, four cases of entrepreneurial networks are examined. The aim of the case studies is to identify the network and to study how the network works. What in the example is the network? How does the network work in the actual case? What does the network do? What properties can be assigned to the network and the way it works? Or, more comprehensively, from the examination of four cases of networks, what conclusions can be drawn about what networks are and how they function? From the case studies I have concluded that personal ties are fundamental to a network, and that the chains of production are a type of tie that may, but does not have to, occur when the network is activated in an entrepreneurial context. For the entrepreneurs and their enterprises, the social exchange has no value in itself, but if it can add value, for example as a lubricant in coordinating production chains, it fulfils an important purpose. I have also concluded that what makes an entrepreneurial network a network is not the coordination of production chains, but the personal relationships that manage these chains. Thus it is not the coordination itself, but the way of coordinating that is of importance. Networks can be found in structures of many different types of ties, but for the emergent properties to emerge there has to be a structure of personal ties at the core. I have assumed that a network is not a method or a perspective, but a social entity with certain properties. The investigation has provided support for this assumption. There is extensive research on SME networks, industrial districts and value-adding chains that shows that networks in production contexts form social constellations with their own distinctive features and ways of working. The relationship between networks and space is temporary, but not essential. Networks can be bound to places, but they do not have to be. An important structural difference between organizations and networks is that networks are formed of separate units that cooperate, while organizations form a single unit that may, but does not have to be characterized by cooperation. The most important conclusion from the comparison of organizations and networks is that these concepts together provide a better explanation of the case studies than either of the concepts alone. To understand and explain the complex social interplay that occurs in the case studies, it is a great advantage to use networks and organizations as concepts for different social entities with different properties and different ways of working.

Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact that increased availability of digital distribution has on physical distribution. The focus is on the effects that digital distribution has on the value creating processes of game developers with regard to distribution alternatives, strategic networks and consumer interaction. Additionally we examine if there is a future for physical distribution of games in an increasingly digital market. Background: It is estimated that only the online gaming market alone will turn over more than $13 billion in 2013. In terms of market potential this means that video gaming has already surpassed the movie industry and is closing in on the music industry (Jöckel, Will &amp; Schwarzer, 2008). Digital distribution is gaining ground in the game industry (Cook, 2012), and access to high-speed internet connectivity is also increasing at a rapid pace. This creates a choice for game developers to adapt their strategies to the new ways of distribution. The previous view of the market was a linear value chain where developers must use intermediaries to reach an end consumer (Williams, 2002). The network dynamics appear to have changed, consumers have an impact on development and there are more complex interactions between the actors in order to generate better value. Method: The thesis uses an exploratory qualitative research method by conducting semi-structured interviews with developers on how the distribution channels have changed. Secondary data concerning the value chain, networks, and value constellations and was gathered to support the empirical background of the market. Conclusion: The value chain has been reconfigured from the classical value chain to a value constellation as increased online availability has changed the distribution possibilities allowing reciprocal relationships and user co-production as well as disintermedation of middle-hands. Value is created for the game developers through three different paths in our own value constellation: portals, direct sales homepage, and through publisher. In all three paths consumers play an important role through user participation in the value creation through user created content and user feedback through community and fan-base activities.. Our conclusion is that the future of physical distribution in the current format is threatened by digital alternatives, and will likely be discontinued in the long run and/or radically changed to include more physical value adding content.