A number of studies investigated Schumpeter’s entrepreneur as well as other entrepreneurial roles and innovation networks within organisations. Schumpeter introduced the entrepreneur and further brought up the entrepreneurial function that is carried out cooperatively in the large corporation. The aim of this study is to find out how the shift of the entrepreneurial function from Schumpeter Mark I to Mark II takes place when different company sizes are taken into consideration. Therefore, this research addresses the division of the entrepreneurial function across corporate functions, organisational hierarchies, activities of entrepreneurs and different intensities. With a qualitative case study approach 97 interviews in six small, seven midsized and eleven large companies were conducted. The analytic technique of cross-case pattern matching was used to identify emerging pattern within and across the small, midsized and large company case studies. The results indicate that the corporate functions of sales and marketing, production and research and development, if existent, are involved in entrepreneurial activities but finance and controlling, human resources as well as procurement are more of supportive nature to the entrepreneurial process across all investigated industries. In addition to that, it appears that people in leadership positions seem to be particularly important for the entrepreneurial function. Thus, an analytical framework was developed that highlights the original contribution to knowledge according to three entrepreneurial roles: the idea generators with a specific relation to sales and marketing, production and research and development, the decision maker and risk taker with regard to management, and the integrator and motivator within the organisational system. These three entrepreneurial roles and their interaction are suggested to show the dilution of Schumpeter’s entrepreneur Mark I to Mark II in the larger corporation with regard to their corporate function. Due to the relatively small sample the study is of limited generalisability. Further research could therefore test the analytic framework with a more quantitative approach.

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Steel-Concrete-Steel (SCS) composite construction consists of two relatively thin steel plates with the space between filled with concrete. Various forms of this construction exist, using overlapping shear studs and single bar connectors to provide shear reinforcement to the concrete and provide a shear transfer at the interface. The problem with current systems that rely purely upon shear studs or bar connectors is that they are prone to slip between the steel faceplates and concrete core. This slip leads to a loss of composite action causing a loss of stiffness and a reduced fatigue life. An extensive experimental programme consisting of 32 beam specimens and 34 other small scale specimens formed the basis for the study of the behaviour of surfaced SCS specimens under a variety of load conditions. The results of this test program showed that surfaced SCS specimens behaved in a more composite manner. This increase in composite action manifested itself in a number of ways. • Reduced slip between steel plate and concrete core • Increased stiffness of specimen • More even crack distribution This extensive experimental study was backed up with an analytical study to understand and predict the behaviour of the surfaced SCS elements. This study has led to a new method of predicting the capacity of such sections, to a greater degree of accuracy than current methods allow. Further to this a FE parametric study was carried out to investigate the sensitivity of the elements to changes in the main geometrical and material variables.

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Dry-stone walls in Britain have a rich and enduring landscape heritage: they extend for miles across the countryside but are all too often overlooked. Contrary to common laments that describe walling as a dying craft, this thesis explores the social, cultural and historical geographies which frame walling as a thriving trade and lively hobby. It employs ethnographic and practice-led methodologies (undertaken primarily in Scotland) to understand the embodied, emotional and material dimensions of the dry-stone craft. Methods include observant participation of instructional courses, craft demonstrations and competitions; in-depth interviews with professional and amateur wallers; and, documentary analysis of textual walling material dating from the early 20th century. The thesis considers the place of the rural dry-stone wall and explains how economic, social and cultural developments have led to the construction of dry-stone features within more urbanised locales. In so doing, this research explains how walling has become a socially and culturally diverse activity, enrolled within narratives of contemporary forms of craftpersonship and community engagement projects. By engaging directly with dry-stone walling practice, this thesis also addresses recent disciplinary appeals to explore experimental and participatory approaches to doing research. Taking seriously knowledge acquired through the body, it therefore refigures, in vital and novel ways, how contemporary realisations of historic landscapes and craft traditions are known and understood.

Some concern has been expressed that the load capacity of corner columns might be reduced in fire due to the expansion of unprotected fire-exposed connected beams, even through the columns themselves are protected from fire. A structural analysis program VULCAN has been used to perform a series of parametric studies on corner sub-frames. In order to obtain the best possible representation of the column cross- section, the formulation of beam-column elements was developed to allow the cross- section to be divided into large numbers of segments. The analyses indicate that the existing fire design codes, such as BS5950: Part 8, give an un-conservative result. The finite element method is shown to be capable of modelling this type of sub- frame, but is too complex to be used routinely. As an alternative, a generalised simplified approach to enable a rapid assessment of the sub-frame by hand or spreadsheet calculation has been developed. The results, in comparison with the finite element analyses, give some confidence in the use of this approach. The beam-column elements of the program VULCAN were further developed to model the three-dimensional behaviour of asymmetric steel beams for fire conditions. The general approach, including the principles and details of the modifications to the formulation for asymmetric cross-sections, together with the refinement of the cross- section, are presented. The modified program has been validated by comparison with classical analytical results and test results at ambient and high temperatures. A new generalised beam model has been developed, which can model not only reinforced concrete sections but also steel sections of different shapes including hollow sections, for three-dimensional composite structures at ambient and high temperatures. The method currently includes both geometrical and material non linearities and considers the cracking and crushing of concrete. Several material models have been included, especially for concrete in tension which shows significant effects on the results. The thermal expansion and degradation of both steel and concrete materials with elevated temperatures are also included. The cross- section is divided into an appropriate number of segments so that non-uniform temperature profiles, and variations of strain and stress across the section, can be represented with more accuracy. The formulation is used to further develop the program VULCAN, and is then validated by comparison with theoretical and experimental results.