Over the last three decades, outsourcing has had a big influence on the international division of labour. It is clear that it has been a major reason for the enormous build-up of production capabilities in the developing world, in particular in the export platforms of Asia. However, we do not know whether the outsourcing of production and services from OECD to developing countries has triggered the transition from production to innovation capability or not. In particular, it is not clear whether and how outsourcing contributes to the formation of advanced innovative capability. This is the question addressed in this thesis. It examines this question by focusing on the global software-outsourcing industry and the supply platform in Bangalore (India), one of the most prominent cases of latecomer development in the global economy. In order to examine this question, the thesis suggests new categories for assessing innovativeness in this complex sector. It shows that there is considerable scope for innovation as an incremental extension of routine outsourcing. A segment of Bangalore software suppliers has entered a new phase of building innovative capability. This capability is not restricted to process and organisational capability but extends to problem-framing innovative capability. This challenges the widely held opinion that only lower-order activities are outsourced and that relationships are unlikely to evolve beyond certain threshold levels because they do not provide proximity to tacit knowledge and domain expertise. This finding goes against the view that Bangalore's software industry has not progressed beyond producing to customers' specifications. More generally, it challenges the view that advanced innovation capabilities are beyond suppliers in global value chains. While the documentation of advanced innovation capability is an important contribution in itself, the main contribution lies in showing how capability development occurs in global value chains. 'Supplier learning' is often assumed, but it remains a 'black box' in most of the literature on outsourcing. The thesis shows how outsourced activities focused on labour-intensive 'production activities' can (over time) provide a stepping-stone for acquiring high-order innovative capabilities. It examines the factors that explain this transition on the supply side and the demand side. On the supply side, the study focuses on learning events as the main unit of analysis and examines how outsourcing influences the formation of new innovative capability. The thesis emphasises that while outsourcing creates new spaces, the exploitation of these spaces is not automatic; it shows how projects undertaken by suppliers have mobilised resources - ideas, investment and knowledge - to capture new opportunities in global chains. This creation of capability at the project level is important, but new capability is only fully realised via firm-level competence leveraging across different buyers and business lines. The main determinants of the acquisition of new capabilities are global linkages and firm internal strategies and initiatives. Local linkages play only a minor role. This poses important questions for the debate on local clusters and innovation systems. On the demand side, the thesis compares three software buyer segments and shows that practices differ between these groups of buyers. It also shows that buyers' outsourcing strategies change over time and that the 'space' for innovation by suppliers has increased. Critical to this analysis is the distribution between 'integrated' and 'standalone' innovation activities. They key finding is that the greatest advances in acquiring innovation capability are made in the integrated activities where knowledge use and knowledge creation are tightly connected. Other studies have come to more pessimistic findings because they have tended to concentrate on standalone innovation activities. The two-pronged approach using supply and demand side informants enables the triangulation of findings. It also makes it possible to examine how demand-side and supply-side dynamics interact. The thesis shows how 'innovation-push' by specialising buyers and 'innovation-pull' by increasingly capable suppliers reinforce each other. Most studies tend to focus on only one side; but the key is to see them in conjunction. The thesis suggests that their co-evolution changes not only the scale of outsourcing but also its contents. It indicates that a qualitative shift in the global division of labour is underway.

Apparel retailers operating in global markets need to consider all kind of risks associated with their expansion strategies. Emerging markets present a unique profile of risks including geopolitical, regulatory, financial, currency and governance. Companies operating in emerging markets must protect their investment and develop safeguards against risks. This can be achieved through an understanding of the country's requirements for business and by tailoring their supply chain strategies to meet the unique needs of each market. The European integration allows countries with emerging and developing economies to offer opportunities for business growth and high returns. However, as they conceal greater risk than mature markets, a coherent strategy is necessary with strong communication links within the supply chain and an effective risk management framework is needed. Through the initial literature review it was hypothesised that countries at different stages of beconing emerging markets would present different levels of risks for fashion apparel firms. The meaning of risk within the business environment is evaluated and the tools that organisations have developed according to companies' risk appetite. A deductive qualitative approach to this research employs case studies of three Eastern European Countries - Hungary, Czech Republic and Greece and four fashion retailers - Esprit, Mango, H&M and Zara. Risks, uncertainties and disruptions that the companies had reported were connected with the risks identified in the selected markets. Twelve models were developed in order to test the hypothesis and satisfy the objectives. The models were based on the impact of, and the frequency of the risks identified by measuring the risk factors of Political, Economical, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental and Supply Chain (PESTLE). First of all, the evaluation of the risk factors in each set of companies and countries was presented by creating a generic model showing the different levels of risk and following with an identification of risks concealed in each country for each company. On the basis of risks and uncertainties, each of the selected companies presented information regarding risks according to its nature and its risk appetite. The generic model was developed using IRM, COSO and ONDD frameworks. The risk factors were measured qualitatively and were determined by multiplying the impact and the likelihood presented in additional tables, and expressed as ratios. The results of this study do not show significant differences in the examined risk areas as it was expected. However, Greece presented a slightly riskier character than Hungary and Czech Republic which are still developing. This can easily be seen in the models

This study focused on stem cells research to better understand strategic issues of business models involved in technology commercialisation of novel life science technology. The research questions of this study can thus be defined as: (l) what strategy or business model is appropriate for stem cells research commercialisation? and (2) which theoretical issues impact on the selection of strategies which are appropriate for the commercialisation of novel technologies, specifically novel life science technology such as stem cells research. Three objectives were derived from the important question of how to commercialise technology and of particular interest to this study, novel technology such as stem cells research, to: (1) understand the extent and nature of uncertainties affecting stem cells research into routine therapeutic practice; (2) examine the effect of economic, political and ethical issues on the adoption and implementation of commercialisation strategy for stem cells research; and (3) determine possible strategies for survival and growth of biotechnology firms focusing on stem cells research. Fieldwork as carried out in Scotland where purposive sampling used led to the selection of five interviewees for the first round of interviews. Snowballing technique increased the number of interviewees to 12 in the second round of interviewees. The interviewees were essentially key actors in the Scottish stem cells community who possessed the relevant scientific, ethics, regulatory as well business and industry knowledge of stem cells research. The interviews were open-ended. A review of major broadsheet newspapers from the US and UK were also conducted as an exploratory study to address the balance of this study by incorporating an element of how policy issues related to science and technology controversy are defmed, symbolised and resolved. Interview data were transcribed and analysed using content analsysis software QSR NvivoFindings from both rounds of interviews indicated the importance of collaborative strategy such as strategic alliances in overcoming strategic issues of stem cells commercialisation. More government support for stem cells research appeared to be needed to overcome funding issues. The inclusion of newspaper review in the study indicated the positive reporting of stem cells in the UK compared to us. The contribution of findings from the newspaper article analysis establishes a link between public understandings of new technology that were not captured through the two rounds of interviews It is suggested that strategic alliances should be given consideration in future stem cells business model and commercialisation strategy research efforts. Ethical risk too should be part of this suggested model. The implications of these results for theoretical along with practical implications of the fmdings were discussed and opportunities for future research provided

Global competition is increasing as a result of trade Iiberalisation, evolving technology and increasing customerdemands for quality products and services, and Design plays an important role in the competitiveness and economies. Consequently, it has become a high priority for governments to encourage businesses to develop and implement new products and services through design. This research project, 'A comparative study of national design policies in the UK and South Korea', focuses on national design policy in the UK and South Korea and in particular on the support of small and medium sized enterprises to improve competitiveness. The aim of this study is to understand national design policy, especially national business support programmes in design. The research (1) identifies the relationship between design, design policy and global competitiveness, (2) compares government policy in the UK and South Korea to support and promote design in industry, (3) compares national lnitiatlves and design support programmes, and (4) recommends models for alternative design policies with particular reference to national business support programmes in design. This research reviews the historical development of design policy, and investigates the relationship between national design policy and industrial development in the UK and South Korea. The study considers the implementation of strategic high level policy at government level through national design bodies: the Design Council (UK) and the Korean Institute of Design Promotion (South Korea). This research then goes on to investigate national business support programmes in design: Designing Demand in the UK and Design Innovation in South Korea. The research findings are compared and contrasted and critically analysed. Finally, recommendations are made for: (i) the development of national design polices, (ii) national business support programmes in design, and (iii) alternative structural models for the development and implementation of the national design policy.

Environmental sustainability is a topic of great interest in the Ontario (Canada) wine industry. Following the lead of several wine industries around the world, the Wine Council of Ontario launched a proactive plan for environmental sustainability that culminated with the release of the Environmental Charter for Winemaking Industry in 2007. The Charter outlines environmental best practices and establishes benchmarks for the grape and wine producers in Ontario. With some wineries pioneering the implementation of the recommended environmental practices and others taking a backseat and delaying it, this study’s purpose is to understand the intent to implement environmental practices as part of operational processes within the Ontario (Canada) wine industry by using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as the framework of analysis. A constructivist approach using multiple case study design is used to explore the determinants of intention. Twenty wineries are interviewed and repertory grid employed as the chosen technique of data collection. Cluster, content and principal component analysis are conducted with the results indicating that TPB is an appropriate frame of analysis for implementation intent. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this study proposes an updated model for intention applicable to environmental practices. As a practical contribution, recommendations and a list of motivators of implementation intent is developed. Further research to test the proposed model is suggested to alleviate case studies limitations.

Since passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOA) in 2002 there has been significant debate in the US relating to the voluntary or mandatory adherence of non-profit organizations (NPO) to its main provisions. Considering the importance of US corporate governance regulation for the developments in other countries the question about potential compliance of German NPO with such provisions arises. The subject of this research is the identification of an association of organizational characteristics of German non-profit organizations with the existence of Sarbanes-Oxley type corporate governance practices in the organizations. The study included 232 German non-profit organizations. A mixed method research methodology was applied consisting of a mail questionnaire, structured interviews and a document review. NPO decision makers gain from the practical application of the research findings mainly through their application as a benchmarking tool. Organization leaders can compare the readiness of their organization to that of similar entities and assess a necessity for improvement. The research results can also be used when working to further develop NPO corporate governance systems. Use of the research findings for regulators and lawmakers is in assessing the impact of increased corporate governance regulation on certain groups of NPO relating to their already existing readiness. Significant utility of the research results for NPO donors and sponsors was found to apply mainly in specific cases like professional sponsorship relationships. Practical application of the research results was also identified for accountants and consultants providing services to non-profit organizations as well as for sector umbrella organizations.

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This thesis analyses the place of construction in the national economy and its dynamic role in the process of economic growth and development. Construction is a key industry, the growth of which will stimulate growth in other sectors. It will also lead to reduced dependence, a more integrated economy and the supply of more basic needs for the population. The development of an efficient, indigenous construction industry should therefore be a major priority of developing countries. There are, however, considerable barriers to the development of productive forces in this industry, which stem from the divorce of design from production in the construction process and the use of a system of competitive tendering. Alternative proposals for overcoming such constraints are examined in the light of the concrete conditions existing in very poor countries today. It is concluded that governments will be required to adopt imaginative policies, and to assume an active role in the management of resources in the construction sector, if the problems are to be resolved. In Part Two, attempts by governments in Kenya and Tanzania to stimulate the development of a stronger indigenous construction sector are examined in some detail. Both attempts are found wanting. Policies adopted in Cuba, on the other hand, appear to have been more successful - although even here they have failed to solve the housing problem, and the successes seem to have brought some further problems in their wake. The possibility of the duplication of Cuban experience elsewhere in the third world is considered briefly in the final chapter.

Changes in the global pattern of textile trade, production and investment are analysed to illustrate the increasing complexity of the textile system as the former colonial model was replaced by a more sophisticated structure. Post-1960 developments in the U.K. and France were investigated with particular reference to trade and employment patterns at sectoral and regional levels. The adaptation of the large textile groups which had been formed in the 1960's was analysed for the years 1970-1980. Case studies of Courtaulds, Tootal, Dollfus Mieg and Coats Patons illustrated the nature of corporate development. Changes in individual textile sectors were analysed by the incorporation of capacity-utilisation, cost structure and barriers to exit as major explanatory variables. The textile "cycle" was identified as an important factor underlying the pattern of change over time. The level and nature of investment expenditure influenced changes in spatial distribution patterns. Analyses of the U.K. cotton spinning, jute-textile and man-made-fibre industries illustrated the factors underlying the different patterns of change exhibited by each sector.

Workflows are a key part of Business Process Management, o ering the potential to automate a number of business activities. Workflows are though constrained to their design, i.e. workflow functionality does not extend outside its own specification. A relatively small number of solutions to this inflexibility have been proposed. However, all approaches so far are either at the orchestration level or are tightly-coupled with the workflow, whereas we consider that the problem is at the business level and needs to be loosely coupled from the workflow. Significant value can be gained from separating core functionality in a workflow from variability to that core process. Both can be defined separately and yet still corporately execute to provide a variety of execution states that match the given context. Functionality of the workflow can be supplied by Service Oriented Architecture. Thus we define StPowla as a combination of workflows, policies and Service Oriented Architecture. Workflows define the core business process, policies define the possible variability of the processes and Service Oriented Architecture provides the underlying functionality. We specifically present a set of reconfiguration functions that can be called by policies on workflows and define each of these as graph transformation rules. We provide an encoding from StPowla processes to SRML models, including core workflow descriptions and variability, in order to make precise the relationship between the constituent parts of StPowla. We apply the StPowla approach to an industrial case study, provided by an industrial partner.