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In this volume of work, I aim to explore how young firms build knowledge to gain sustainable competitive advantage. Such a research objective requires me to pay attention to both knowledge as content and the process of knowing (Polanyi, 1966). Furthermore, it also requires me to unpack the 'black box' issues by examining individual action as well as the way interaction among individuals leads to organizational outcomes (Gephart, 2004). Hence, I adopt a real-time longitudinal multiple case-design in this study. Data were collected at multiple levels over a period of 38 months from Oct 2003 to Dec 2006 on 12 high-tech start-ups in the UK. Drawing upon this unique dataset, I examine the-knowledge building process at both micro- and macro-level. At micro-level (Chapter 3), building upon the brokering literature (Simmel, 1950; Burt, 1992; Pollock et aI., 2004), I explore the issue of how a firm could utilize different types of broker in its network construction process in;order to adapt to the changing knowledge needed as it grows. I classify two types of broker with respect to a firm's evolutionary stages. Architects help to build a firm's network by bridging structural holes across different stages of the organization life-cycle, whilst functionalists help to bridge structural holes at a single development stage. Drawing upon 229 brokering incidents by 115 brokers involving 12 UK high-tech start-ups, I show that architects and functionalists not only co-exist, but also interact with each other as a firm grows. They have complementary roles. Moreover, my data reveals that brokers may not always act according to type. This chapter contributes to a dynamic view of knowledge brokerage. At macro-level (Chapter 4), drawing upon the search literature (CXert and March, 1963; Nelson and Winter, 1982; Gavetti and Levinthal, 2000), I aim to explore the origin and dynamics of strategic search. In particular, I investigate how the patterns of interaction between cognition and action differ in a guided vs. an experiential search proce·ss. I adopt a semi-grounded approach (Isabella, 1990) to examine the search processes of the 12 high-tech start-ups from the. pre-founding stage. I illustrate how the pattern of interaction differs. Moreover, my data suggests that different search processes starting·?from a similar stage may reach a similar end stage through different knowledge building paths. This·seems to indicate a false sense of 'knowledge sameness'. The chapter contributes to the, search literature and also informs the modelling community. Putting the above together, the findings of this study portray the nature of knowledge as complex, nested and multi-dimensional, as well as supporting a process view of knowledge. Moreover, the findings not only highlight the critical role of strategy making in a young firm's survival and its subsequent quality of life (Hitt et aI., 2001), but also enhance our understanding of the origin and evolution of a firm's .strategy. To sum up, this study illustrates the importance of vIewmg different theoretical lenses and methods as complementary rather than competing. Furthermore, this study attempts to bridge the methodological gap between micro- and macro-level analysis without dismissing 'the very notion of levels' (Brown and Duguid, 2001). Therefore, I argue that this study contributes to a dynamic and holistic view of knowledge management in the firm (Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995; Spender and Grant, 1996).

This thesis describes the application of performance measurement indicators in New Product Introduction (NPI). The NPI process is important in any business context as a result of constant competition and market globalisation. Delays in the NPI process are likely to compromise organisations' profitability. Time-to-market is therefore a crucial business success factor. To control a product's time-to-market the NPI process needs to be managed effectively through the use of process performance measures. Through the initial research it became apparent that there are no appropriate measures to specifically assess the NPI process. Those, which are typically applied, tend to be of a financial nature based on outcome that do not provide process-related information. This research makes a unique contribution to kllowledge by the development of a NPI performance measurement method that is predictive allowing practitioners to dynamically monitor': and improve the output of the NPI process. The method proposed has a general application within a wide range of companies. The appropriate application of this method will maintain and potentially improve business profitability by improving the NPI process and consequently it's time-to-market.

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This thesis is concerned with management issues in the transformation of Chinese State-owned enterprises during the national economic transition. The research has sought to explore the relationships between the outcomes of the transformation and - managerial behaviour, and the process of managing change. The main body of analysis and theoretical contributions arise from in-depth case sttidies, interviews with managers and officials, and extensive use of enterprise documents. The thesis provides a detailed insight into the implementation process of reform programmes in Chinese SOEs, and analyses the interaction between changes at' macro level and reform at the firm level. While the thesis supports previous research findings, that incomplete institutional change constrains the development of reform ' at the firm level, it also reveals that lack of management commitment and capabilities in managing change are contributing factors in accounting for the failure or unexpected outcomes of reform programmes. The study is a benchmark of a hugely important process impacting on the development of one of the world's fastest growing nations. The assessment of the change process should help inform future change initiatives, identify management issues which have emerged in the transformation process, and contribute to the search for ways of successfully achieving the intended aims of the reform programmes. Chapter 1 discusses the research questions, and describes the scope of the research and structure of the thesis. Chapters 2 & 3 together review the evolution of enterprise reform in China and the selected relevant literature, while Chapter 4 presents the basic methodological considerations. The reasons for choosing case studies as the main method are presented, and a more general framework for investigation and analysis is offered. Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 document the background and major aspects of the formulation and implementation of reform prograu:'me~ in the three case companies. In Chapter 9, a detailed analysis of the empirical findings from the case studies is provided. This chapter is a synthesis of the findings, and a consolidation of the interpretation of theoretical and practical issues identified in this . thesis. Chapter 10 summarises the major findings and contribution of this research.

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